Tower Hamlets Wheelers Meeting Minutes – August 2020
Held online via Zoom
Wednesday 19th August 2020 at 19:30
Attendees – David, John, Martin, Keith, Huw, Dan, Ross, Julie, Helen, Christy, Iain
Apologises –
Bow Liveable Streets
- Skew Bridge to reopen on 25th August as this is when the temporary traffic order expires.
- The Bow Liveable Streets plan will have to be discussed & potentially passed through cabinet in either October or November.
Arnold Road
- There is a new consultation with the aim to reduce traffic and encourage more cycling and walking within the area
- Closes 13th September
- ACTION Julie to post on Cyclescape to gather further input & knowledge
- There is a walking bridge at the end of Arnold Road, it would be good to see how the proposed scheme compliments this or if the approach to the bridge could be improved.
- The scheme is adding two parking bays but no cycle hangers.
- ACTION David to start putting together Wheelers response.
- We will put a post-up on Wheelers website and share through social media.
- ACTION If people could take some photos/videos of the area as it currently is that would be good for social media
- Link to consultation - https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arnoldroad
Brick Lane
- Parts of Brick Lane are to be temporarily pedestrianised for 10 weeks from 27th August.
- The temporary closure is being delivered by Tower Hamlets Council with Department for Transport funding.
- Cycling will be allowed on the pedestrianised parts of Brick Lane.
- There is to be a temporary one-way system put in place on Fashion Street, Fournier Street and Princelet Street.
- ACTION It would be good to get some before & after photos/videos for future campaigning activities.
Workshop
- No more than 20 people are allowed in at the Town Hall or for any events to take place. The workshop is classed as an event.
- Owen & Keith are putting a proposal to them on how they can manage social distancing within the venue in time for the next workshop.
Old Ford Road Liveable Streets
- Several people from the Wheelers and Better Streets for Tower Hamlets attended the pre-consultation workshops which were put on over July where initial proposals for the Liveable Streets scheme were shown.
- Feedback from those who attended was that the initial proposals seem bold and ambitious and other members of the public who attended the workshops seemed supportive of the proposals.
Cycle Buddies / Local Group Forum
- Wandsworth had over 100 sign ups and Lambeth had over 50 to the cycle buddies scheme.
- Get in contact with Tony from Wandsworth if we would like to do it ourselves.
- ACTION Iain to email Tony from Wandsworth to get the ball rolling on setting up the scheme in the area. Julie, David, Helen, Martin & Iain have expressed interest in becoming a Cycle Buddy.
- It is worth highlighting cycle security and ways people can deter bike thieves when meeting with any potential cycle buddies. This could include but not limited to; locking technique, lock selection, where to lock (avoid poles, secluded locations), make your bike look unappealing, never leave bike out overnight, even lock when in ‘secure’ facility, component theft.
- Main focus from forum was Bikelash. Talking through myth-busters and how best to reply to those opposed to traffic-reducing schemes.
- ACTION Dan to send round map highlighting different ethnicities within low-traffic neighbourhoods.
- There will be a campaigner’s conference which will be online in October. The date is to be confirmed.
- Rides have been limited to 6 people currently but they have done a test ride with 20 people and if that gets approved by the board then policy will be amended to allow local groups to host rides with up to 20/30 individuals.
Change in co-coordinator
- Alex has now formally stepped down as co-ordinator. David wanted to place on record his sincere thanks for all the work that he has done.
- Alex is writing up a hand-over doc of his responsibilities which will be shared in the next week.
- If anyone wishes to become a co-coordinator then please reach out to Julie.
AOB
- Extinction Rebellion Tower Hamlets have invited the Wheelers to join their event ‘The Air That We Grieve’ on Sunday 30th August where they will be raising awareness to park-goers and highlighting the links between class, race and low air quality and the lack of access to green speakers. If anyone would be interested to find out more, check the event link below or speak to Iain
- The event is here - https://www.facebook.com/events/3405497882839551/
Next Meeting – Wednesday 9th September 2020, 7.30-9pm, The Cabin, St Margaret’s House, Old Ford Road, E2 9PL or via Zoom if lockdown is in place. Email or contact on Social Media to receive the invite link to the Zoom meeting.
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