A series of volunteer project roles have been added to the LCC website so please take a look and share with anyone who might be interested. There’s a variety of projects available to volunteer on:Help scope and support our work on creating an accessible and inclusive cycling network in LondonSupport our Dangerous Junctions campaignBorough cycle parking projectWomen on Wheels projectCycling in London’s ethnic minority communitiesCycling in London’s LGBTQ+ communitiesSupporting LCC Community rides
We will start with a brief round-up of what is happening locally and what is happening on the Campaign front.
Then, this month we have a visit from Toby Hopkins from the LCC office who is involved in the ‘Cycle Buddies’ scheme. This scheme connects people who want tips and guidance on urban cycling with more experienced cyclists. Some new, or returning, riders might need help with planning a safe route to work – or might need advice on improving their cycling technique. The LCC would like to have this scheme set up in Barnet so we need people to get involved. Come along and see what is involved and find out how you can help.
This meeting is open to members of the group and our local supporters only. If you attended any of the previous meetings there is no need to do anything and you will be sent the Zoom invite a few days before the meeting. If you wish to be added to the list, please send an email to alison.ewington@ntlworld.com.
We will start with a brief round-up of what is happening locally and what is happening on the Campaign front.
Then, this month group member, Alison Assiter, will present some ideas for local rides. Explore some of the parks and open spaces in Barnet that you might not think of joining up into a ride. These are the choice fruits of ‘lockdown’!
This meeting is open to members of the group and our local supporters only. If you attended any of the previous meetings there is no need to do anything and you will be sent the Zoom invite a few days before the meeting. If you wish to be added to the list, please send an email to alison.ewington@ntlworld.com.
We will hold our second online Zoom meeting next Thursday at 8pm. The main topic will be a discussion about the new cycle line which is being installed in Barnet. Have you tried it? what do you think about it? What has been the local reaction – from both cyclists and those that have yet to see the light? Take the chance this weekend to ride it and see what you think. Take some pics (good and bad bits, any problem areas) and send them to alison.ewington@ntlworld.com and we can share them at the meeting.
This meeting is open to members of the group and our local supporters only. If you attended the last meeting there is no need to do anything and you will be sent the Zoom invite in a few days time. If you wish to be added to the list, please send an email to alison.ewington@ntlworld.com.
“Could you tell members about this webinar which is very informative about the justification for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and cycle lanes https://lcc.org.uk/webinars-and-reports“
Also a reminder that the LCC AGM is being held on Wednesday 28th October 6-8pm. They ask that you register for this event – see LCC website for details.
As you may know, the government is consulting on a revision of the Highway Code. The consultation ends at midnight on Tuesday 27 October, so there is still time to do an individual response online using this link:
Cycling organisations have been heavily involved in lobbying to make the Highway Code more cycle-friendly and are keen for as many organisations and individuals as possible to respond.
You may find it helpful to see the comments made on behalf of Barnet Cycling Campaign:
H1] We support the concept of a “Hierarchy of Road Users” giving priority to the needs of a the most vulnerable. It reminiscent of the law of the sea that “sail comes before steam”. We would prefer the term “Hierarchy of Responsibility”.
H2] We support pedestrian priority at junctions and priority on shared pedestrian / cycle paths.
H3] We would support the rule prioritising cyclists going straight ahead at junctions.
Rule 8] Is not well defined. An illustration would help. For example, a pedestrian may want to cross a major road where another road meets it a junction.
Rule 59] People should be able to cycle in normal clothing. We would prefer the wording “You should ensure clothes cannot get tangled up in the chain or in a wheel or obscure your lights when you are cycling”.
Wearing a helmet is a matter of choice. We suggest that removing the word should and changing the clause to the following advice. We would prefer the wording “Evidence suggests that wearing a cycle helmet will reduce your risk of sustaining a head injury in certain circumstances. Cycle helmets, if worn, should conform to current regulations, be the correct size and securely fastened”.
Rule 66] We would prefer the wording of the second paragraph to read “cyclists may ride two abreast at any time, but consider a riding in single file on narrow lanes to provide for passing when drivers approach from behind or in front. When riding in groups on narrow lanes, it is sometimes safer to ride two abreast to shorten the overtaking distance or discourage overtaking when it could be unsafe”.
Rule 67] We would strongly support the advice to leave a door’s width when passing cars. A car door’s width is often wider than 0.5m. We feel that most of the time cyclists should take the “primary position” as recommended in Rule 72 (below).
We would endorse caution when passing on the left of large vehicles due to their blind spots.
Rule 72] We would support the recommendation to take the “primary position” on quieter roads.
Rule 76] We support the priority given to cyclists going straight ahead, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise.
Rule 82] Puffin crossings should be mentioned as well as Toucan crossings.
Rule 140] Add “You must not drive or park in cycle track at any time.”
Rule 163] We support the changes to this rule:
1] Allowing cyclists to filter though slow moving and stationary traffic provided they exercise caution.
2] Advising a minimum overtaking distance of 1.5 metres under 30mph and 2 metres at speed over 20 mph and for all large vehicles.
In the section on overtaking distances, we would recommend changing the wording from “As a guide” to “You should”.
Rule 213] Amend to read “Cyclists are also advised to ride at least a door’s width from parked cars for their own safety, which can mean they need to cycle in the centre of the lane”.
Rule 239] We support drivers using the so-called “Dutch Reach” to avoid the “dooring” of cyclists and motorcyclists.
Work has now started on the A1000 cycle lanes, working northwards from The Bishops Avenue up to North Finchley. Please go and ride along this southern part of the route and pass on your comments to Charles Harvey, our Campaign Coordinator, at campaigns@barnetlcc.org
Some photos from the early stages of construction at The Bishops Avenue and East Finchley
Work will progress in stages, so you may find posts being added after a cycle lane is marked and pavement build-outs being removed at a later stage. A full set of drawings showing the completed scheme can be found at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PvhyYjnXyK6E4YO9rrFiiYW_n0UeV3if
As the chances of meeting in person have once again slipped away from us, there will be an online meeting to catch up on what has been happening in the way of campaigns and rides on our usual last Thursday of the month. The first one will be Thursday 29 October at 8pm.
This meeting is open to members of the group and our local supporters only. In order to control attendance, and to make sure things run smoothly, if you wish to attend please send an email to alison.ewington@ntlworld.com. You will then be sent a link to the Zoom meeting a few days before the 29th.
Yes, we are going on a demo! Just two minutes from Gt. Portland Street tube station outside the CEPC offices, 12 Park Square East, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4LH.
Bring some cardboard banners if possible with No Through Traffic, Shut the Gates, No Rat Runs, Who Are The CEPC? etc. as the messages.
Parks for People is an umbrella organisation campaigning to get through-traffic out of London parks. They have come to a dead end with talking at the moment and that’s why they have to get the campaign out into the public domain.
You may like to support this demo. It’s focused on closing the park to through traffic to improve safety for pedestrians and it is crucial for improving conditions for cyclists.
Parks for People is supported by LCC amongst others.
