TOWER HAMLETS WHEELERS
Monthly Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, 14 March 2012 7.30pm
Held at St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road.

PRESENT: Rob (Co-ordinator), Owen (Secretary), Dave A (Treasurer), Keith (Events),
         Martin, Bob, Alex, Gerhard (LCC), Sarah, Annabel, Dick (British Waterways)

APOLOGIES: David T (Chair), Caroline (Rides), Gerry (Campaigns), Terry, Richard

CHAIR:     Owen
MINUTES:   Owen


1. Tower Hamlets Women's Cycling blog

Sarah and Annabel came along to give more information about their new blog which has come about following last year's Fieldgate Bike Project that Sarah setup. She gave an overview of the project that received £5000 of LCC Community Funding providing:
- Cycle training for women
- Bike maintenance for boys & girls
- 8 bike storage lockers, LBTH + Housing Trust contributed
- 100 people directly involved
- End of project celebration held at Jagonari Centre

What's happening now...
- Storage lockers now being installed.

Barriers still existing for the women who have been on the project. Looking to get some of them on rides over the summer. Also planning bike maintenance sessions again before the summer.

Sarah has also now set up project for schools using art to increase interest in cycling, alongside Bikeability. Hoping to get funding.

Women's ride being orgainsed on 1 April, with Wheelers, Tower Hamlets Cycling Club, East End WI.

towerhamletswomenscycling.com
Annabel gave an overview of the blog.  Aimed to be a hub for local women's cycling especially Asian women.

Now looking for contributors, ideas for articles and ways to promote the site.  Launching officially on Friday.

ACTION: Owen to link from website and add news article.
ACTION: Owen to post to egroup.




2. Love London, Go Dutch

Gerhard highlights the Love London, Go Dutchcampaign's major on-street action of petition signing starting from 27 March for 3 weeks.  Looking for more volunteers - can register on LCC website.

Big Ride planned for 28 April - mass ride in central London ending in rally.  Feeder rides from as many boroughs as possible.  Hoping to get 10,000 coming along.

LCC relying on partnerships with organisations to promote the message of the campaign.  Anyone who has connections with residents associations, schools etc. encouraged to try and get them onboard.

ACTION: Feeder ride to be organised.




3. TfL Junctions review

Gerhard updates on TfL's Junctions review that Wheelers are feeding into LCC's consultation responses.

Each month TfL producing concept drawings for selected junctions and releasing them for consultation. In Tower Hamlets junctions under review so far Mile End Road/Burdett Road, Horseferry Road and Whitechapel Road/Cambridge Heath Road.




4. Workshop

Next one on 17 March, all the usuals are available to help.

Dick will come along and be available to talk about canal towpath issues.




5. Rides
Extra helpers have come forward to assist with the increase in numbers on the rides, more always welcome.

- "Hell of the East" planning in progress
- Breakfast rides starting
- Feeder ride to LCC Big Ride on 28 April




6. AGM

Wednesday, 11 April.  Decide to hold a "Go Dutch" forum evening.

Get LCC materials - drawings, banners.

ACTION: Owen and Rob to organise.




7. Events inc. Bike Week

Tower Hamlets Cemetry event in May, Keith says this year it's having a Victorian theme.

Bike Week: 16-24 June
	Queen Mary up for breakfast
	Contact hospital BUG.
	Dick says that BW would be up for joining in with an event.

ACTION: Discuss further at workshop.




8. Exchanging Places

Another Exchanging Places event held this morning at Victoria Park, Bob went along and got these stats: 25 sat in the lorry, 30 needed Dr Bike, 50 got their bikes security tagged.

One more tomorrow morning at Cable Street/Sutton Street.




9. Newsletter

LCC deadline 26 March.  Call for articles - THWC blog, cycle hire launch etc.

Rob has offered to hold a newsletter review meeting, contact him if interested.

ACTION: Rob to organise.




10. AOB

British Waterways in Islington - measures proposing to take to slow down the speed of cycling on the towpath.  Online consulation open at the moment via britishwaterways.co.uk/consulations.



Meeting ended at 9.07pm