Monday 30 April 2007
Sunday 29 April 2007
CTC Havering Section Rides
David Rowlands (david.rowlands673@ntlworld.com / 020 8491 3209 / 07939 476337) and Brian Stevens (bristevens@btinternet.com / 01708 851636) lead rides ("runs" in club-speak) every Sunday morning, starting from Upminster station.
The longer rides (led by David) usually start at 9.30 and are 30-40 miles in winter and 40-70 miles in summer.
The shorter rides (for "softees") are 15-20 miles in winter und up to 40 in summer, with plenty of stops.
This is the usual pattern, but it's wise to check before going as it sometimes varies by length or start time.
The longer rides (led by David) usually start at 9.30 and are 30-40 miles in winter and 40-70 miles in summer.
The shorter rides (for "softees") are 15-20 miles in winter und up to 40 in summer, with plenty of stops.
This is the usual pattern, but it's wise to check before going as it sometimes varies by length or start time.
Tuesday 24 April 2007
Cycle track Pickering Road, Barking rendered useless
Because the council hasn't 'adopted' Pickering Road (new road in "Costa del Barking") yet, it can't (it says) enforce the contra-flow cycle track, on which people are now regularly parking their cars.
When they do start enforcing, there'll be problems as a precedent has been set - though how people will be able to argue that they thought they could park on a cycle track is something we're yet to discover.
All very disappointing.
When they do start enforcing, there'll be problems as a precedent has been set - though how people will be able to argue that they thought they could park on a cycle track is something we're yet to discover.
All very disappointing.
Monday 23 April 2007
Guidance on the Appraisal of Walking and Cycling Schemes
The DfT has published its "Guidance on the Appraisal of Walking andCycling Schemes", drafted by Sustrans.
http://www.webtag.org.uk/webdocuments/3_Expert/14_Walking_Cycling/3.14.1.htm
Local Transport Today remarks that it shows cost:benefit ratios "far higher than almost all road or public transport investments"; this is done byassigning values to reductions in CO2, deaths saved as a result of fitness, reduced absenteeism, journey ambience etc
http://www.webtag.org.uk/webdocuments/3_Expert/14_Walking_Cycling/3.14.1.htm
Local Transport Today remarks that it shows cost:benefit ratios "far higher than almost all road or public transport investments"; this is done byassigning values to reductions in CO2, deaths saved as a result of fitness, reduced absenteeism, journey ambience etc
cycling about to go mainstream in the UK?
On Quickrelease.tv, Matt Seaton, explaining how he believes we’re at a tipping point, with cycling about to go mainstream in the UK. Watch it here.
RoadPeace panel discussion ' Murder most foul' 26 April 2007, 2:30pm
"We would like to invite you to a RoadPeace panel discussion to mark UN Road
Safety Week (23-29 April), on Thursday 26 April, 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
at The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund premises, County Hall,
Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB.
The theme of the discussion is : 'Murder Most Foul' revisited: Are we doing
enough for our young people, or are we still blaming the most vulnerable?
Background
Sixty years ago, the President of the Pedestrians Association, JS Dean,
produced a pamphlet entitled 'A study of the road deaths problem: Murder
Most Foul'. This was a comprehensive attack on the expectation that
vulnerable road users - pedestrians and cyclists - should assume more
responsibility for their safety than those who actually posed the harm in
motor vehicles.
Much of what he highlighted in 1947 is still relevant today, six decades and
a quarter of a million road deaths later. The debate still continues over
who should have priority on our roads. Britain's child pedestrian death
record is one of the worst in Europe. Our most vulnerable - children,
pedestrians, cyclists, elderly and disabled people are disproportionately
likely to be killed on the roads, compared to those in motor vehicles.
To mark the first UN Global Road Safety Week, RoadPeace’s 2007 lecture will
take the form of a ‘Question Time’ programme on road danger reduction,
focusing on young people.
RoadPeace invites a discussion on the issue, and invites all those
interested in child health and well-being, in addition to those involved in
road safety to participate.
Each speaker on the panel will give a five to ten minute presentation on the
subject. Questions will then be taken from the audience in a chaired
discussion.
It will be chaired by John Stewart, Chair, Transport 2000
Safety Week (23-29 April), on Thursday 26 April, 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
at The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund premises, County Hall,
Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB.
The theme of the discussion is : 'Murder Most Foul' revisited: Are we doing
enough for our young people, or are we still blaming the most vulnerable?
Background
Sixty years ago, the President of the Pedestrians Association, JS Dean,
produced a pamphlet entitled 'A study of the road deaths problem: Murder
Most Foul'. This was a comprehensive attack on the expectation that
vulnerable road users - pedestrians and cyclists - should assume more
responsibility for their safety than those who actually posed the harm in
motor vehicles.
Much of what he highlighted in 1947 is still relevant today, six decades and
a quarter of a million road deaths later. The debate still continues over
who should have priority on our roads. Britain's child pedestrian death
record is one of the worst in Europe. Our most vulnerable - children,
pedestrians, cyclists, elderly and disabled people are disproportionately
likely to be killed on the roads, compared to those in motor vehicles.
To mark the first UN Global Road Safety Week, RoadPeace’s 2007 lecture will
take the form of a ‘Question Time’ programme on road danger reduction,
focusing on young people.
RoadPeace invites a discussion on the issue, and invites all those
interested in child health and well-being, in addition to those involved in
road safety to participate.
Each speaker on the panel will give a five to ten minute presentation on the
subject. Questions will then be taken from the audience in a chaired
discussion.
It will be chaired by John Stewart, Chair, Transport 2000
The Panel will consist of:
· Andrew Colski, Head of Vulnerable Road Users Branch, Road User
Safety Division, DfT
· Chris Lines, Head of London Road Safety Unit, Transport for
London,
· Jenny Jones, Mayor of London's Road Safety Ambassador, GLA Green
Party Member
· Ian Roberts, Professor of Public Health, London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine
· Howard Peel, road danger reduction campaigner
Attendance is free, but we would be grateful if you could please register
for the event, as places are limited.
Please email info@roadpeace.org to let us know that you are coming. Please
also let us have any questions that you would like to ask the panel."
National liftshare Day - Thursday 14 June 2007
"Share a car and save a tonne! liftshare estimates that a typical carsharer will save themselves around £1,000 and 1 tonne of CO2 per year by sharing their daily journey so why not run a search today?
Please make sure you have got your journey planned and please help us to spread the word about car sharing this National liftshare Day and encourage others to "Save a tonne" - both environmentally and financially! Tell a Friend. Find out more about how you can get involved by going to www.nationalliftshareday.org."
Please make sure you have got your journey planned and please help us to spread the word about car sharing this National liftshare Day and encourage others to "Save a tonne" - both environmentally and financially! Tell a Friend. Find out more about how you can get involved by going to www.nationalliftshareday.org."
CALLING ALL UNICYCLISTS
From Redbrige branch of LCC:
We have the offer of the loan of 3 unicycles for our summer events and
are looking for someone who has experience of riding them!
Two possible events are the Redbridge Bikeathon on June 10th at
Valentines Park, and the Fathers Day Picnic Ride on June 17th at Hollow
Ponds.
The 3 unicycles are: 16" for children, 18" for jugglers and slow
riders, and 18" for unicycle hockey...
Gill - http://homepage.ntlworld.com/colinnewman/contacts.htm#gill
We have the offer of the loan of 3 unicycles for our summer events and
are looking for someone who has experience of riding them!
Two possible events are the Redbridge Bikeathon on June 10th at
Valentines Park, and the Fathers Day Picnic Ride on June 17th at Hollow
Ponds.
The 3 unicycles are: 16" for children, 18" for jugglers and slow
riders, and 18" for unicycle hockey...
Gill - http://homepage.ntlworld.com/colinnewman/contacts.htm#gill
Lodge Avenue Cycle Track
There's a new (ish) cycle track ( a bit of segregated off footway) southbound for a few yards north of the junction of Lodge Avenue with Keir Hardie Way / Woodward Road. Unsure of its purpose.
Anyone used it?
Anyone used it?
Job vacancy for bicycle tour guide
SUMMER WORK IN TOURISM IN LONDON (CYCLE FRIENDLY)
Lively and outgoing person required to work for a bicycle tour company located in Central London, over the summer of 2007. You will be responsible for guiding city bicycle tours, helping with administration, serving cutomers in the shop and basic cycle maintenance.
Historically and culturally well-read person required with a good knowledge of London and excellent public presentation skills. You must be confident to speak to groups of up to 30 people and handle their questions. You must be able to interact with people of all nationalities and ages.
Hours worked will depend on our level of business and employment will be from May/June until September/October.
This temporary position would be excellent experience for anyone wanting to work in tourism or other public-facing enviroments in the future. Fluent English required and any other language skills are a bonus. Note that you will be the subject of a CRB check. Please apply by email with CV and covering letter outlining the relevancy of your skills and experience. neilluddington@writeme.com
Lively and outgoing person required to work for a bicycle tour company located in Central London, over the summer of 2007. You will be responsible for guiding city bicycle tours, helping with administration, serving cutomers in the shop and basic cycle maintenance.
Historically and culturally well-read person required with a good knowledge of London and excellent public presentation skills. You must be confident to speak to groups of up to 30 people and handle their questions. You must be able to interact with people of all nationalities and ages.
Hours worked will depend on our level of business and employment will be from May/June until September/October.
This temporary position would be excellent experience for anyone wanting to work in tourism or other public-facing enviroments in the future. Fluent English required and any other language skills are a bonus. Note that you will be the subject of a CRB check. Please apply by email with CV and covering letter outlining the relevancy of your skills and experience. neilluddington@writeme.com
What time is it?
I've just found out how to tell this blog what time zone I'm in. I decided to set it to GMT rather than GMT+1 - it doesn't seem to be able to cope with BST (daylight saving time).
366 bus on line
http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_SEL_STT_REQUEST?sessionID=0&language=en&mode=line&linePreSel=tfl:25:*&linePreSel=tfl:63
The 366 bus route now exists on line. As reported on www.stibasa.org.uk (8 April) it wasn't there - very perplexing when I was trying to time a route to the cinema at Beckton.
The 366 bus route now exists on line. As reported on www.stibasa.org.uk (8 April) it wasn't there - very perplexing when I was trying to time a route to the cinema at Beckton.
Dodgy station information
http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_SOI_REQUEST?language=en&type=stop&id=1000015&itdLPxx_sessionID=JP12_4010709175&itdLPxx_requestID=1&command=nop
This information, provided by TfL is badly wrong. It says Barking is served by the Circle line! I put this to TfL and the reply came back:
"the Circle line designation for Barking is actually technically correct. While it's clear that the Circle line doesn't run to Barking, it should be noted that some of the Hammersmith & City line trains run as Circle line trains very late at night. This is to get trains to the right locations for the first services back the following morning."
Hmm!
"However, I appreciate that some of the information on the station information pages is not clear or not correct. Generally, we are soon to look at the station information provided for every station on the network and will review the information that is currently provided. It should be noted, however, that Barking is run by C2C, rather than LU, so we will have to obtain the station information from them. This may make it slightly harder to update with accurate information as we'll have to rely on the details they supply us."
In fact, sensibly, c2c no longer supply separate information, but just link to that provided by National Rail: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/BKG.html#Station_Facilities.
The TfL information completely fails to mention that the station is run by National Rail, despite the claim that the information is obtained fron c2c.
This information, provided by TfL is badly wrong. It says Barking is served by the Circle line! I put this to TfL and the reply came back:
"the Circle line designation for Barking is actually technically correct. While it's clear that the Circle line doesn't run to Barking, it should be noted that some of the Hammersmith & City line trains run as Circle line trains very late at night. This is to get trains to the right locations for the first services back the following morning."
Hmm!
"However, I appreciate that some of the information on the station information pages is not clear or not correct. Generally, we are soon to look at the station information provided for every station on the network and will review the information that is currently provided. It should be noted, however, that Barking is run by C2C, rather than LU, so we will have to obtain the station information from them. This may make it slightly harder to update with accurate information as we'll have to rely on the details they supply us."
In fact, sensibly, c2c no longer supply separate information, but just link to that provided by National Rail: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/BKG.html#Station_Facilities.
The TfL information completely fails to mention that the station is run by National Rail, despite the claim that the information is obtained fron c2c.
Orange bag surfeit
Where can you recycle orange recycling bags?
I have loads. I put most of my recyclables in public recycling banks (including those at supermarkets). Any stuff that children can possibly make things out of I take to my local school for re-use in that way. (Clothes I no longer wear go to charity shops, of course). This means I don't put much in the orange bags. Mainly polybottles from milk.
So I have a huge surfeit - including two new rolls of the stronger new type.
I have loads. I put most of my recyclables in public recycling banks (including those at supermarkets). Any stuff that children can possibly make things out of I take to my local school for re-use in that way. (Clothes I no longer wear go to charity shops, of course). This means I don't put much in the orange bags. Mainly polybottles from milk.
So I have a huge surfeit - including two new rolls of the stronger new type.
Train tickets on line
If you've read www.stibasa.org.uk you'll know I'm a fan of www.thetrainline.com for buying train tickets on line and Fastticket (http://www.shere.com/product_self.htm) for collecting them.
There are some foibles. The trainline refuses to publicise the Fastticket machines at Barking - there are four of them. I have asked several times but they ignore me. This means that you have to pick another station on the list and say that you want to collect your tickets there, even though you can collect them at ANY Fastticket machine. I have collected tickets at Barking several times now.
http://content.announcements.uk.com/TTLEMAIL/2006_TTL_Emails_ALL/UK_TicketMachineMap_01.html - map of where the Fastticket machines are according to The Trainline.
The trainline charges a fee for credit card purchases - I'm told other online ticket sellers s don't. It doesn't charge for debit cards.
One quirk that irks a little is that when you book a ticket you say where you are going and it isn't all that easy to find out where the train is going. When you get to the station, though, the trains are decribed by their destination.
There are some foibles. The trainline refuses to publicise the Fastticket machines at Barking - there are four of them. I have asked several times but they ignore me. This means that you have to pick another station on the list and say that you want to collect your tickets there, even though you can collect them at ANY Fastticket machine. I have collected tickets at Barking several times now.
http://content.announcements.uk.com/TTLEMAIL/2006_TTL_Emails_ALL/UK_TicketMachineMap_01.html - map of where the Fastticket machines are according to The Trainline.
The trainline charges a fee for credit card purchases - I'm told other online ticket sellers s don't. It doesn't charge for debit cards.
One quirk that irks a little is that when you book a ticket you say where you are going and it isn't all that easy to find out where the train is going. When you get to the station, though, the trains are decribed by their destination.
Yellow Pages
Being something of an online person, I don't really use paper telephone directories any more. In fact, when a new copy of Yellow Pages came a few weeks back - during Doctor Who :( - I took the old one off the shelf untouched since it was delivered.
Yellow Pages can't be put in recycling bins - though I notice many have been - as a protest? I wrote to them years ago suggesting they just put a card through the door and people can then phone or write to get a copy if they want it (or register to receive copies when re-printed).
Councils should encourage YP to do this - or at least print on recyclable paper.
Yellow Pages can't be put in recycling bins - though I notice many have been - as a protest? I wrote to them years ago suggesting they just put a card through the door and people can then phone or write to get a copy if they want it (or register to receive copies when re-printed).
Councils should encourage YP to do this - or at least print on recyclable paper.
Tour de France - Saturday 7 July 2007
https://www.tourdefrancelondon.com/en/get_active/get_involved/default.asp
The Tour starts in London this year. LCC local groups / branches are arranging feeder rides to go to a specialviewing area. Riders must be registered to get into the viewing area - but it's best to contact your branch leader / co-ordinator.
You can also get involved by being a marshal.
The B&D ride should happen: we have a volunteer leader, but he would appreciate help. The plan is to ride to either Ilford or Stratford (probably the latter), then hook up with the Newham branch.
see www.stibasa.org.uk for more details.
The Tour starts in London this year. LCC local groups / branches are arranging feeder rides to go to a specialviewing area. Riders must be registered to get into the viewing area - but it's best to contact your branch leader / co-ordinator.
You can also get involved by being a marshal.
The B&D ride should happen: we have a volunteer leader, but he would appreciate help. The plan is to ride to either Ilford or Stratford (probably the latter), then hook up with the Newham branch.
see www.stibasa.org.uk for more details.
Stibasa e-group
I've set up an e-group, primarily for LCC members in LB Barking & Dagenham, but also for anyone else interested in LCC B&D and/or stibasa.
http://groups.google.com/group/stibasa
http://groups.google.com/group/stibasa
New - stibasa blog
Instead of snippets of info on a webpage (www.stibasa.org.uk) I'm going to put them here. Any links on www.stibasa.org.uk I'm going to try to put together on the links page for future use.
Rides and events will also stay on the website.
Rides and events will also stay on the website.
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