From the spec sheet of the blue coating being used on CSH3:
Friction Wet. ASTM E-303 British Pendulum Tester
Wheel path: coated 64, uncoated 57
adjacent to curb [kerb]: coated 73, uncoated 60
(I don't really know what this means, but you might!)
Saturday, 26 June 2010
Cycle Super Highway - users views
I've been on the A13 CSH - CSH3 (in the dry) - see previous post - and I experienced no grip problems whatsoever, so I'm puzzled by the reports of slipperiness. If you know of any incidents of skidding, please let me know details - where, when, weather. Obviously first hand reports are important - everything else could be a rumour tracing back to one incident.
Whilst I share sceptcism about painting the route blue just to brand it, I am only interested in this context to hear about safety concerns/issues.
If you have used the route without problems since it has been painted, as I have, please also let me know where, when and weather.
Whilst I share sceptcism about painting the route blue just to brand it, I am only interested in this context to hear about safety concerns/issues.
If you have used the route without problems since it has been painted, as I have, please also let me know where, when and weather.
My Cycling Super Highway ride
I’ve just ridden from River Road Barking (eastern end of CSH3) to Bow Creek (boundary of Newham with Tower Hamlets) and back as far as Jenkins Lane, Barking (a bit to the west of River Road in Newham) both ways on the southern side of the A13 (I think the northern side is only designated LCN+ route 13).
There was nothing new in this section of the route as far as I can see except the blue paint on the areas that were previously green. The weather was warm and dry with a strong breeze and I could not perceive any problems at all with the surface being slippery. I could not produce the slightest skid by accelerating or braking hard in a straight line. I did a very unscientific test with tap water from my drinking bottle and couldn’t perceive that the surface was particularly slippery when wet.
I am assuming that any infrastructure changes would be underway or complete, given the launch date. I am not that familiar with the route in detail west of Woolwich Manor Way, but I saw nothing any different to the type of provision on the rest of the recently upgraded stretch of the A13.
I saw some chaps actually applying the paint in Canning Town. They were using Streetbond SP150E.
From what I can see nothing of any consequence has been done here to change conditions for cycling, unless the slipperiness in the wet is worse than before as alleged, which would be very bad.
The white centre lines, give way markings and cycle decals have all been painted over and presumably will have to be re-done. This all just seems like a waste of paint, time and money on a vanity project carried out at a time when the public sector faces drastic cutbacks.
As to the launch event, it seems it can only be – based on the section of route that I saw - an attempt to pass off a paint job as something genuinely new or different, which is deceitful in my book.
There was nothing new in this section of the route as far as I can see except the blue paint on the areas that were previously green. The weather was warm and dry with a strong breeze and I could not perceive any problems at all with the surface being slippery. I could not produce the slightest skid by accelerating or braking hard in a straight line. I did a very unscientific test with tap water from my drinking bottle and couldn’t perceive that the surface was particularly slippery when wet.
I am assuming that any infrastructure changes would be underway or complete, given the launch date. I am not that familiar with the route in detail west of Woolwich Manor Way, but I saw nothing any different to the type of provision on the rest of the recently upgraded stretch of the A13.
I saw some chaps actually applying the paint in Canning Town. They were using Streetbond SP150E.
From what I can see nothing of any consequence has been done here to change conditions for cycling, unless the slipperiness in the wet is worse than before as alleged, which would be very bad.
The white centre lines, give way markings and cycle decals have all been painted over and presumably will have to be re-done. This all just seems like a waste of paint, time and money on a vanity project carried out at a time when the public sector faces drastic cutbacks.
As to the launch event, it seems it can only be – based on the section of route that I saw - an attempt to pass off a paint job as something genuinely new or different, which is deceitful in my book.
TfL view on Cycle Super Highway
A TfL officer wrote this on 14 June. I have annotated with comments in [ ]
"Yes we are aware of some reports [about where?] that some people have expressed concern as to the skid resistance of the surface. We have reviewed these comments and they do not appear to match with the actual performance of the surface when it has been assessed, either informally by cyclists riding on the surface and specifically testing its grip with a bike in a range of conditions, or by some more formal testing that we have undertaken. [my reports are from cyclists using the route]
In overall quality terms we expect the experience to be a very positive one for cyclists, as in many cases the blue surface is being applied after re-surfacing or other carriageway works which will have extensively improved the ride performance. [not in the case of A13 in Barking/Newham - relatively new cycle tracks are being 'painted']
There are three types of blue surface being used on Barclays Cycle Superhighways.
The first is a ‘high friction’ surface which you will be able to observe at junctions. This has a high level of skid resistance and is a blue form of other high friction surfaces currently used in these circumstances.
The second is an ‘encapsulated’ surface (where the aggregate used to provide grip is encapsulated within a blue glue-like material). This is being used ‘on-carriageway’ on links in-between junctions where the cycle lane forms part of the highway and provides a level of skid resistance equivalent to tarmac or other surfaces (such as bus lane surfacing).
The third is a blue paint which is applied ‘off-carriageway’ (e.g. on pavement or shared cyclist/pedestrian mixed use circumstances) which has a level of skid resistance appropriate for that circumstance. [This seems to be what has been used in Barking, though reports question whether the level of skid resistance is "appropriate"].
Each of these surfaces has undergone rigorous pretesting to review fade, wear and skid-resistance. Formal skid-resistance testing has also occurred at a significant number of locations on Route 7. Our tests to date have demonstrated that the surfaces are fit for purpose and are performing to a satisfactory level when being applied ‘on the ground’.
One effect that may be occurring is that when the new surface is first laid it is very blue and appears quite smooth and slick. We believe that some cyclists may be perceiving this as slippery even though in practice it is not.
If you have any specific examples of locations that any of your members feel do not provide appropriate levels of skid resistance, please do let me know as we will of course look into it. [I have e-mailed the writer today].
"Yes we are aware of some reports [about where?] that some people have expressed concern as to the skid resistance of the surface. We have reviewed these comments and they do not appear to match with the actual performance of the surface when it has been assessed, either informally by cyclists riding on the surface and specifically testing its grip with a bike in a range of conditions, or by some more formal testing that we have undertaken. [my reports are from cyclists using the route]
In overall quality terms we expect the experience to be a very positive one for cyclists, as in many cases the blue surface is being applied after re-surfacing or other carriageway works which will have extensively improved the ride performance. [not in the case of A13 in Barking/Newham - relatively new cycle tracks are being 'painted']
There are three types of blue surface being used on Barclays Cycle Superhighways.
The first is a ‘high friction’ surface which you will be able to observe at junctions. This has a high level of skid resistance and is a blue form of other high friction surfaces currently used in these circumstances.
The second is an ‘encapsulated’ surface (where the aggregate used to provide grip is encapsulated within a blue glue-like material). This is being used ‘on-carriageway’ on links in-between junctions where the cycle lane forms part of the highway and provides a level of skid resistance equivalent to tarmac or other surfaces (such as bus lane surfacing).
The third is a blue paint which is applied ‘off-carriageway’ (e.g. on pavement or shared cyclist/pedestrian mixed use circumstances) which has a level of skid resistance appropriate for that circumstance. [This seems to be what has been used in Barking, though reports question whether the level of skid resistance is "appropriate"].
Each of these surfaces has undergone rigorous pretesting to review fade, wear and skid-resistance. Formal skid-resistance testing has also occurred at a significant number of locations on Route 7. Our tests to date have demonstrated that the surfaces are fit for purpose and are performing to a satisfactory level when being applied ‘on the ground’.
One effect that may be occurring is that when the new surface is first laid it is very blue and appears quite smooth and slick. We believe that some cyclists may be perceiving this as slippery even though in practice it is not.
If you have any specific examples of locations that any of your members feel do not provide appropriate levels of skid resistance, please do let me know as we will of course look into it. [I have e-mailed the writer today].
Liftshare week
https://www.liftshare.com/uk/
4-8 October is lift share week. Formal car sharing ough to help break the link between car use and ownership and therefore help reduce car use and the attendant problems at the same time as helping to keep the advantages that cars bring.
4-8 October is lift share week. Formal car sharing ough to help break the link between car use and ownership and therefore help reduce car use and the attendant problems at the same time as helping to keep the advantages that cars bring.
More on Barking's Cycle Super Highway
A local LCC member who has tried out the CSH describes it as having a "mirror finish". I advise staying off it
Friday, 25 June 2010
Oyster PAYG on National Rail; Out of Station Interchange
http://www.oyster-rail.org.uk/ - I've just discovered this site and on this page
http://www.oyster-rail.org.uk/out-of-station-interchange-osi/ it lists the "out of station interchanges - ie like Aldgate - Fenchurch Street where your PAYG journey does not count as being broken, even though you have gone through the street,. just as if you had changed trains within a station.
A useful one is Leytonstone <--> Leytonstone High Road for we bikes-on train afficionados.
I don't know if it's authoritative - there seems to be discussion about where it has allegedly gone wrong
http://www.oyster-rail.org.uk/out-of-station-interchange-osi/ it lists the "out of station interchanges - ie like Aldgate - Fenchurch Street where your PAYG journey does not count as being broken, even though you have gone through the street,. just as if you had changed trains within a station.
A useful one is Leytonstone <--> Leytonstone High Road for we bikes-on train afficionados.
I don't know if it's authoritative - there seems to be discussion about where it has allegedly gone wrong
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Buying Oyster Products from machines at Barking Station
Oyster reader-writer units have been added to some of the ticket machines at Barking. Powered up, they sport a red light. They are as yet unusable, but let's hope they're up and running before long.
Monday, 21 June 2010
Freecycle moderators required
Barking and Dagenham Freecycle needs volunteers to be group moderators. You must live in LB Barking and Dagenham. Training is provided.
If you're interested in making a contribution to your community and your planet; in learning a little about online community building and media relations; and in keeping stuff out of the local landfill, please keep reading!
Being a moderator doesn't require a lot of time but does require some dedication. There is lots of support available, it's fun and is a small thing that can make such a big difference.
Simply answer these questions and send to us. You'll hear back within a week. All information is strictly confidential and will not be shared or otherwise distributed outside of Freecycle management. We ask for some personal information for safety and liability reasons and to be able to contact you in an emergency.
Thanks for your consideration
Moderators
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please tell us:
1. Your name, contact information (include a phone number and
full postal address of where you live.)
2. The e-mail address and ID you use on Freecycle.
3. Do you have time to moderate the group? It takes at least 10-15 min
two to three times a day to review messages, etc.
4. Do you have access to a computer, even on weekends and holidays?
If not, what days and/or hours would you be available?
5. Are you a co-owner, moderator or member of any other Freecycle groups?
Please tell us which groups and your level of involvement.
6. Are you a co-owner or moderator in any non-Freecycle
groups? We would like to know if you have experience as a moderator.
7. Any relevant experience that would be helpful for us to know.
Please get back to us as soon as possible if this sounds like something you'd like to do. And if you know someone else who would make a good moderator, please pass this message on to that person.
If you have any questions, please let us know - we're happy to help!
Reply to BarkingandDagenham_Freecycle@freecycle.org
PLEASE PUT "Barking and Dagenham Freecycle Mod" IN THE SUBJECT LINE
If you're interested in making a contribution to your community and your planet; in learning a little about online community building and media relations; and in keeping stuff out of the local landfill, please keep reading!
Being a moderator doesn't require a lot of time but does require some dedication. There is lots of support available, it's fun and is a small thing that can make such a big difference.
Simply answer these questions and send to us. You'll hear back within a week. All information is strictly confidential and will not be shared or otherwise distributed outside of Freecycle management. We ask for some personal information for safety and liability reasons and to be able to contact you in an emergency.
Thanks for your consideration
Moderators
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please tell us:
1. Your name, contact information (include a phone number and
full postal address of where you live.)
2. The e-mail address and ID you use on Freecycle.
3. Do you have time to moderate the group? It takes at least 10-15 min
two to three times a day to review messages, etc.
4. Do you have access to a computer, even on weekends and holidays?
If not, what days and/or hours would you be available?
5. Are you a co-owner, moderator or member of any other Freecycle groups?
Please tell us which groups and your level of involvement.
6. Are you a co-owner or moderator in any non-Freecycle
groups? We would like to know if you have experience as a moderator.
7. Any relevant experience that would be helpful for us to know.
Please get back to us as soon as possible if this sounds like something you'd like to do. And if you know someone else who would make a good moderator, please pass this message on to that person.
If you have any questions, please let us know - we're happy to help!
Reply to BarkingandDagenham_Freecycle@freecycle.org
PLEASE PUT "Barking and Dagenham Freecycle Mod" IN THE SUBJECT LINE
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Electric assist pedals
Stephen britt has developed retro fit motorised cycle pedals called Fast Forward Cycle Pedals. These will fit on to any cycle, to convert it into an electric bike. They will retail around £200 per pair. He has entered the Barclays one small step competition, and is in the top three to win a prize for developement. He needs the public to vote for him. There is an article in velovision magazine on his pedals. You can you vote for him at: https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/2462
Comprehensive critique of Cycling Superhighways
http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2010/03/oh-london-you-really-need-to-try-harder.html
Hembrow is a UK born resident of the Netherlands
Hembrow is a UK born resident of the Netherlands
Cycle mapping news
From Camden LCC:
There's a lot going in the world of online mapping that's relevant to cyclists. Here are some highlights, starting closest to home:
maps.camdencyclists.org.uk
The purpose of maps.camdencyclists.org.uk is to provide a variety of overlaid mapping information (LCN routes, bike stands, TfL Hire Station locations, etc..) helpful to both cyclists and cycling campaigners. It overlays the information on a choice of background maps including OpenStreetMap and OpenCycleMap as well as the standard Google maps and Google Satellite view.
Recent additions include:
TfL hire station locations: Under 'Other markers'
Plan a Route button: Excellent journey plans from cyclestreets.net
Map Type Menu: Choose a different background map, e.g. OpenCycleMap or Satellite
Street View: Right-click anywhere for Street View images, with a feature to 'ride along the road'
Stands: Coverage is now excellent in Camden and useful throughout London. Scrollwheel zoom: Now available.
Help: Use the ? button for explanatory overlay
We also offer a 'Stands Wanted' feature (under 'Other markers') that can be used by any LCC group to mark locations for proposed stands. At present you need a login which I'll be happy to provide. Soon the facility to add 'Wanted stands' should be free for all to use.
cyclestreets.net
This Cambridge-based voluntary effort now offers the best cycle routes in the UK. It is based on the geodata available in OpenStreetMap (wiki.openstreetmap.org), the Wikipedia of mapping. More about that below under the Ordnance Survey item.
Cyclestreets has been in the news lately (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/04/12/cycle_route_planner/) following a FoI request to the DfT which elicited that the government has spent over £2.3M on an inferior system that hasn't yet gone live for most of Britain.
Ordnance Survey opens some of its mapping
(http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/opendata/)
Ordnance Survey has come very late to the online mapping scene and despite the very high quality of their printed maps, it's not clear that they are the provider of choice for for online mapping. OpenStreetMap probably meets cyclists' needs better because the mapping data is continually updated by the community to include new features relevent to cyclists. For example, the new Camley Street link in Camden was included on OpenStreetMap the day it opened last summer, but it still isn't on the Ordnance Survey maps.
For a good explanation of the recent Ordinance Survey announcements see:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Ordnance_Survey_Opendata
George Coulouris
maps.camdencyclists.org.uk
There's a lot going in the world of online mapping that's relevant to cyclists. Here are some highlights, starting closest to home:
maps.camdencyclists.org.uk
The purpose of maps.camdencyclists.org.uk is to provide a variety of overlaid mapping information (LCN routes, bike stands, TfL Hire Station locations, etc..) helpful to both cyclists and cycling campaigners. It overlays the information on a choice of background maps including OpenStreetMap and OpenCycleMap as well as the standard Google maps and Google Satellite view.
Recent additions include:
TfL hire station locations: Under 'Other markers'
Plan a Route button: Excellent journey plans from cyclestreets.net
Map Type Menu: Choose a different background map, e.g. OpenCycleMap or Satellite
Street View: Right-click anywhere for Street View images, with a feature to 'ride along the road'
Stands: Coverage is now excellent in Camden and useful throughout London. Scrollwheel zoom: Now available.
Help: Use the ? button for explanatory overlay
We also offer a 'Stands Wanted' feature (under 'Other markers') that can be used by any LCC group to mark locations for proposed stands. At present you need a login which I'll be happy to provide. Soon the facility to add 'Wanted stands' should be free for all to use.
cyclestreets.net
This Cambridge-based voluntary effort now offers the best cycle routes in the UK. It is based on the geodata available in OpenStreetMap (wiki.openstreetmap.org), the Wikipedia of mapping. More about that below under the Ordnance Survey item.
Cyclestreets has been in the news lately (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/04/12/cycle_route_planner/) following a FoI request to the DfT which elicited that the government has spent over £2.3M on an inferior system that hasn't yet gone live for most of Britain.
Ordnance Survey opens some of its mapping
(http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/opendata/)
Ordnance Survey has come very late to the online mapping scene and despite the very high quality of their printed maps, it's not clear that they are the provider of choice for for online mapping. OpenStreetMap probably meets cyclists' needs better because the mapping data is continually updated by the community to include new features relevent to cyclists. For example, the new Camley Street link in Camden was included on OpenStreetMap the day it opened last summer, but it still isn't on the Ordnance Survey maps.
For a good explanation of the recent Ordinance Survey announcements see:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Ordnance_Survey_Opendata
George Coulouris
maps.camdencyclists.org.uk
Police Consultation - Have Your Say on Policing in London
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is consulting on London's policing priorities. We are interested in your opinion.
Please take part in a short questionnaire to tell us your views. To complete a questionnaire click on www.mpa.gov.uk/publications/policingplans/haveyoursay/ or call 020 7202 0063, leave your name and address and we will send you a paper copy.
If you require a telephone questionnaire please call 020 7202 0063, leave your name and telephone number and somebody will call you back.
We look forward to hearing your views on policing in London.
Met Forward is the MPA's strategic plan to make sure the Met will:
• fight crime and reduce criminality
• increase public confidence in policing
• achieve better value for money
To find out more go to www.mpa.gov.uk/publications/metforward/
Please take part in a short questionnaire to tell us your views. To complete a questionnaire click on www.mpa.gov.uk/publications/policingplans/haveyoursay/ or call 020 7202 0063, leave your name and address and we will send you a paper copy.
If you require a telephone questionnaire please call 020 7202 0063, leave your name and telephone number and somebody will call you back.
We look forward to hearing your views on policing in London.
Met Forward is the MPA's strategic plan to make sure the Met will:
• fight crime and reduce criminality
• increase public confidence in policing
• achieve better value for money
To find out more go to www.mpa.gov.uk/publications/metforward/
Olympian Electric Bike
Fabian Cancellara (the Swiss Olympic Champion) has been accused of using electric assist. The product he allegedly used is here:
http://www.gruberassist.com/english/product/retrofit/
http://www.gruberassist.com/english/product/retrofit/
Monday, 14 June 2010
Cycle hire locations
Nice zoomable map, showing the locations of cycle hire stations for the London Scheme
http://www.homepages.ucl.ac.uk/~ucesres/TFL_Cycle_Hire_Locations.html
http://www.homepages.ucl.ac.uk/~ucesres/TFL_Cycle_Hire_Locations.html
Friday, 11 June 2010
Cycling Superhighway in Barking
TfL's contractors have been out with their blue paint painting the green cycle track alongside the A13 blue, part of branding it as a Cycling Super Highway. I've tried to keep an open mind on this, but by first reports, it's not looking too good.
The second report claims that the new surface is slippery when wet. I can't confirm this, but please be careful and make sure you report the matter if you do have problems.
Opinion 1 (professional): 'I must admit the quality of the routes as shown in the attached photos, does leave something to be desired, I am hoping this is only the first coat?'
Opinion 2 (daily commuter): 'As a daily cycle commuter from Hornchurch to Liverpool Street, I cannot believe what is going on within B & D and Newham. The blue paint that has been applied to the green high adhesion cycle route surface is dangerous. In the dry weather it is poor. When it is wet it is lethal, like cycling on ice.
There is no way a paint will provide the quality of surface that is needed for cycling in all weathers. Most of us cyclists are having to cycle on the pavement because this surface is not safe! In addition, how does Blue paint transform a cycle route into a "Cycle super highway"?? '
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Staying on message
I have started a new blog - http://colins-rbe.blogspot.com for my musings about Resource based Economies and the other ideas of The Zeitgeist Movement and The Venus Project, keeping this stibasa blog for its original purpose as per its name.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Is your toothpaste giving maximum protection?
This is a line from a TV advert. Thinking about it from Zeitgeist Movement principles, why would there be toothpaste that doesn't give maximum protection? In the current system the reason is price - and this means that people will buy a cheaper toothpaste rather than the best toothpaste. This might be a false economy (it pays to invest in your teeth), but people have to work and they take opportunities to 'save' money, even if it's a bad idea in the long term to use the inferior product.
In a resource based economy toothpaste would be the most effective that the planet's resources could sustain. Why would anyone seriously want inferior toothpaste?
Toothpaste just serves as an illustration - most products have similar problems
In a resource based economy toothpaste would be the most effective that the planet's resources could sustain. Why would anyone seriously want inferior toothpaste?
Toothpaste just serves as an illustration - most products have similar problems
Is the Zeitgeist Movement Marxist?
This question was posed at Ben McLeish's talk for the Transhumanist association at Birkbeck College today.
The Zeitgeist movement claims not to be a political movement, but the question misses the point. One person at the talk was an avowed Marxist, so to him to say the ZM is Marxist is a good thing, but I think most of us were supposed to think Marxism = bad.
'Marxism' like any ism is just a label, or really more of a heading (a flagpole for deBono). If we label something 'Marxism' it doesn't make it Marxism, even if Marxism is closely enough defined and the definition widely understood, which it almost certainly isn't. We have to say whether the specific individual ideas of Marxism, or the ZM are good or bad. From a ZM perspective this is not a moral judgement - it would ask how the ideas/aims help us achieve a resource based economy.
It is not up for debate that humans and all life on this planet have to live within the limits of the finite physical resources of the planet. This is not a political idea, but just a fact, true as much for Marxists and Marks and Spencers.If I understand it correctly, the current prevailing moetary/capitalist system says that the best way to do this is to compete for the resources available, which clearly assumes and indeed requires there to be not enough resources to go round. It argues that economic growth causes there to be more to go round, but still suggests that has to be competed for. Clearly, though, the economy cannot grow in any meaningful sense beyond the finite limits of the earth's carrying capacity.
The obvious criticism of the system we have is the vast waste of resources we are witnessing - everything from duplication of products and services to full on pollution, land fill and such more obviously undesirable side effects.
ZM would argue that even if we have to compete for scarce resources, we should use them as efficiently as possible in order to ensure that there's more in total to compete for. The ZM would also make a priority of finding out exactly what we've got to use - we currently don't know.
ZM would further argue that the monetary system requires waste for it to work, because for example if you made a gadget that lasted a long time without needing repair or replacement it would either be too expensive to buy so you would go out of business, or you would go out of business as there would be no market for replacements / repairs. This problem plainly needs fixing.
Secondly, the mechanism for competing for resources is money, which requires people to get money, which in most cases requires work. Therefore, it is necessary to use inefficient human labour rather than efficient automation and tech, so that people can have work, and it pays you to work slowly if you're paid by the hour.
If you work for a drugs company that sells anti-cancer drugs, not only is it in your interest that people get cancer, but also if someone discovered a free or cheap cure you would have to resist its introduction which would put you out of business, or else try to monetize the new treatment so that you could sell it at a profit.
Presumably capitalism thinks these issues are not problems. The competition that is necessary becomes intensified by the effects of the competition itself, becoming yet more necessary, but this is a good thing. It's a dog eat dog world and you compete to survive.
ZM believes that by being more efficient we can ensure there is enough to go round, but seems to me to be silent on what to do if there isn't, whereas Marxism would say that what is there should be shared equally. In ZM's wired up, computerised world, we would have advance information about any particular resources running low and we would at least have more time to address the issue. Under capitalism, if a resource runs low, its price will go up, which is good for profits - hence capitalism craves scarcity?
The Zeitgeist movement claims not to be a political movement, but the question misses the point. One person at the talk was an avowed Marxist, so to him to say the ZM is Marxist is a good thing, but I think most of us were supposed to think Marxism = bad.
'Marxism' like any ism is just a label, or really more of a heading (a flagpole for deBono). If we label something 'Marxism' it doesn't make it Marxism, even if Marxism is closely enough defined and the definition widely understood, which it almost certainly isn't. We have to say whether the specific individual ideas of Marxism, or the ZM are good or bad. From a ZM perspective this is not a moral judgement - it would ask how the ideas/aims help us achieve a resource based economy.
It is not up for debate that humans and all life on this planet have to live within the limits of the finite physical resources of the planet. This is not a political idea, but just a fact, true as much for Marxists and Marks and Spencers.If I understand it correctly, the current prevailing moetary/capitalist system says that the best way to do this is to compete for the resources available, which clearly assumes and indeed requires there to be not enough resources to go round. It argues that economic growth causes there to be more to go round, but still suggests that has to be competed for. Clearly, though, the economy cannot grow in any meaningful sense beyond the finite limits of the earth's carrying capacity.
The obvious criticism of the system we have is the vast waste of resources we are witnessing - everything from duplication of products and services to full on pollution, land fill and such more obviously undesirable side effects.
ZM would argue that even if we have to compete for scarce resources, we should use them as efficiently as possible in order to ensure that there's more in total to compete for. The ZM would also make a priority of finding out exactly what we've got to use - we currently don't know.
ZM would further argue that the monetary system requires waste for it to work, because for example if you made a gadget that lasted a long time without needing repair or replacement it would either be too expensive to buy so you would go out of business, or you would go out of business as there would be no market for replacements / repairs. This problem plainly needs fixing.
Secondly, the mechanism for competing for resources is money, which requires people to get money, which in most cases requires work. Therefore, it is necessary to use inefficient human labour rather than efficient automation and tech, so that people can have work, and it pays you to work slowly if you're paid by the hour.
If you work for a drugs company that sells anti-cancer drugs, not only is it in your interest that people get cancer, but also if someone discovered a free or cheap cure you would have to resist its introduction which would put you out of business, or else try to monetize the new treatment so that you could sell it at a profit.
Presumably capitalism thinks these issues are not problems. The competition that is necessary becomes intensified by the effects of the competition itself, becoming yet more necessary, but this is a good thing. It's a dog eat dog world and you compete to survive.
ZM believes that by being more efficient we can ensure there is enough to go round, but seems to me to be silent on what to do if there isn't, whereas Marxism would say that what is there should be shared equally. In ZM's wired up, computerised world, we would have advance information about any particular resources running low and we would at least have more time to address the issue. Under capitalism, if a resource runs low, its price will go up, which is good for profits - hence capitalism craves scarcity?
Beat the bike thief
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1808
"LCC has launched a major theft campaign to coincide with the seasonal increase in stolen bikes. The year-on-year rises in bike theft must be tackled."
"LCC has launched a major theft campaign to coincide with the seasonal increase in stolen bikes. The year-on-year rises in bike theft must be tackled."
No more posties on bikes?
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=5391
CTC is running a campaign against the decision by Royal Mail to withdraw postal deliveries by bicycle.
Follow the link above to read more and see how you can support the campaign.
CTC is running a campaign against the decision by Royal Mail to withdraw postal deliveries by bicycle.
Follow the link above to read more and see how you can support the campaign.
Cycle Hire Roadshows
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/15371.aspx
TfL have published a list of dates and locations for road shows for the new central London cycle hire scheme, where people can find out all about it. One of the locations given is "Redbridge" on 15 August - I assume it means LB Redbridge and is likely to be in Ilford - as there's one on 18 September in "Newham".
TfL have published a list of dates and locations for road shows for the new central London cycle hire scheme, where people can find out all about it. One of the locations given is "Redbridge" on 15 August - I assume it means LB Redbridge and is likely to be in Ilford - as there's one on 18 September in "Newham".
London Cycle Challenge: Free Cycle Training
Book a free two-hour personal training session near you (normally £70) by calling 020 7231 6005 or email bookings@cycletraining.co.uk (mention 'London Cycle Challenge' when booking).
London Cycle Challenge website:
https://cyclechallenge.tfl.gov.uk/
London Cycle Challenge website:
https://cyclechallenge.tfl.gov.uk/
New LCC newsletter editor for NE London
http://stibasa.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-editor-required-for-hubbub.html
I wrote before that Chris Elliott, long standing editor of Hubbub the local newsletter of the Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge LCC groups, has handed in his blue pencil. We need volunteer(s) to help fill that gap. If you think you might be able to help, please contact Chris or Gill.
I wrote before that Chris Elliott, long standing editor of Hubbub the local newsletter of the Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge LCC groups, has handed in his blue pencil. We need volunteer(s) to help fill that gap. If you think you might be able to help, please contact Chris or Gill.
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