Meeting Minutes – Monday 4th June 2018

Present: Jaime (secretary/chair), Elizabeth, Neil, Steve

Apologies: Clare, Eric, Adam, Eric

1. Business

AGM updates – Elizabeth to send round EMCF minutes and others to comment (AP 18/01: EB)

Secretary position – Jaime to assume, Membership Secretary absorbed into Secretary role

Mat to continue as Adam Clarke/council liaison (AP 18/02: JM, inform Mat)

Committee: Steve, Neil, Elizabeth (treasurer), Jaime (secretary), Eric (press)

GDPR email – we have taken steps to inform members – nothing more to be done

Review of meeting dates – clash with critical mass or other groups, should we go to bimonthly? Our influence is greater than our size/meeting attendance at this stage so we should continue to convene and meet

Next meeting – August, website to show dates of 3 next meetings, even months – AP 18/03: Clare and Peter to update internet

2. UHL, LRI cycling infrastructure

Neil, two years ago talked to LRI boss and presented document detailing the advantages of promoting cycling, IT issues and hospital bureaucracy/communications made the BUG not work as well. BUG run by carparks/transport administrator. Staff parking v cheap and there is a heavily promoted drive to work scheme. Good news is Sustrans and city council are making progress mostly at Glenfield. Neil (AP 18/04) offering to send letter to boss detailing the ongoing issues and express disappointment – visitors and staff unable to park their bikes. Health implications need to be considered. Infrastructure is terrible. Media (Mercury) to be contacted if response is insufficient.

3. UoL safety study

Poor level of responses but little else we can realistically do – AP 18/05 Elizabeth to contact and offer some advice.

4. New leaflets

What are we going to do with these leaflets? What do we put on the bottom? No definite dates to go on but just website. AP 18/06 (Steve and Neil): Will cut leaflets up to remove meeting date portion. 

5. Sky Ride and other bike events

NB Stall stuff is at Neil’s house

Ride Leicester – 7^th August – 21^st August

HSBC Ride: Sunday 12^th August

Could we get close pass mat from Neil’s friend or a contact of Brendan? What should we put on the stall? Survey to find out factors that influence cycling e.g. What puts you off cycling more? Which of these do you like most (photos)? “10 second survey”

Jobs before 6^th (Next meeting date): (1) Let Andy know/arrange a table; (2) Recruit volunteers;

Jobs in week leading up: get sign-up sheets and change

AP 18/07: Steve to lead and coordinate LCCG stall (depending on availability)  

Open Streets – last Sunday of every month, if we had enthusiasm we might get involved but at the moment not enough momentum. Tea with cyclists? Something relaxing, quick chat about strategy. Next event should be 24^th June (11-2), if somebody goes along, they will report back.

6. End of the Road

Specific invitation and request from new coalition, being put together by activists, starting in response to the city’s strategic plan. Particular focus on Evesham Road link – building more roads is not the best way to cope with an anticipated rise in traffic. We are asked to put in a statement. Friday (10 am) this week, EOTR going to present petition at Town Hall specifically about Evesham Road link.

Statement on road building agreed unanimously, LCCG signed up to EOTR. AP 18/08 Elizabeth to let Zina know.

7. Transforming Cities update

Steve and Neil report back. Not particularly innovative but some interesting workshops on city planning particularly on misplaced incentives coming from central government.

Talks: Problems caused by Dutch cycle lanes – people pushing boundaries of what is acceptable (e.g. mobility scooters, electric bikes, large pedal-powered vehicles). Led to uptick in accidents. Law says that certain vehicles have to use them. Designation via speed could be more appropriate in many situations. Rigid designs can cause problems so flexible designs can help retain street character.

Lift-share: should be promoted more, with corporate buy in and good technology solutions. Filling empty car seats could be a really useful solution to congestion.

Council signing up to be 100% renewable.

Waterside development apparently not particularly sustainable. Criticised by a number of people. Shows lack of ambition, put down to lack of budget.

DONM: 6 August 

Table of Action Points

AP#	Action	Member
18/01	Circulate EMCF minutes for comments	Elizabeth
18/02	Inform Mat about ‘City Council Liaison’ role	Jaime
18/03	Update Facebook/website with new meeting dates	Clare/Peter
18/04	Send letter to UHL / LRI boss about cycling	Neil
18/05	Contact to offer advice about participant recruitment	Elizabeth
18/06	Chop up leaflets	Steve/Neil
18/07	Coordinate stall for Skyride (talk to Andy about stall and ask for volunteers)	Steve
18/08	Tell Zina about LCCG support for End of the Road	Elizabeth

 

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Road and Path User Statement of Respect

Background: At Leicester Cycle Campaign Group we felt that there is often too much negativity in the discourse about transport choices. This can often lead to resentment and animosity on the roads, which makes the situation worse. Whilst a minority of car drivers have a negative attitude towards cyclists, this often comes from misunderstandings or from poor infrastructure. Cyclists (and pedestrians) can also sometimes be witnessed acting in a disrespectful manner, something which they accuse car drivers of. In reality, most road and path users are willing and able to respect each other and recognise anti-social or foolish behaviour, regardless of the mode of transport involved.

For this reason, we have drawn up a list of examples of the sorts of behaviours that can make the difference between anti-social and respectful travelling. Although almost all of these points are part of the Highway code, they are frequently observed to be breached. We would like all road and path users to consider this statement of respect and we hope that everyone can try to follow it. We would like to hear any comments or points for discussion.

We believe that all road and path users have the responsibility to respect other users, regardless of mode of transport. In return, all users should have the right to expect such treatment from others.

A general guideline is that all road and path users have a particular duty to respect more vulnerable users.

Although often covered by the highway code, specific guidelines to be aware of for various users:

Motor-vehicles

• Pass cyclists at a safe distance (minimum of 1.5m on narrow/ slow moving roads and a car width on faster roads)
• Be aware of cycles when pulling out of side roads. They move faster than you think. Also be aware that some roads which are 1 way for motor-vehicles are 2 way for cyclists.
• Do not park to obstruct cycle lanes or pavements.
• Do not jump red lights. Amber lights are a warning to prepare to stop, not instructions to speed up.
• Take care when opening car doors, especially on the road side. Check behind first.
• Remember that everyone pays for the roads through council tax and so everyone has a right to use them.
• Respect advance stop lines at junctions. These are put in for cyclists safety.

Cyclists

• Respect the ‘rules of the road’ and road infrastructure, such as traffic lights. Other road users will expect you to.
• Do not cycle on pavements, unless it is signposted as shared use.
• When on shared use space, show respect to pedestrians. Ring bell in good time and do not pass too close to pedestrians. Slow down near children, dogs and people with an obvious disability. If it is busy, consider dismounting and pushing the cycle.
• If you want to cycle fast, stick to the road or segregated cycle lane.
• On the roads, allow cars to overtake by keeping to the left if safe to do so.
• For your and pedestrians safety, wear high vis and use cycle lights when cycling at night.
• Take care when overtaking horse-riders, so as not to startle the horse.

Pedestrians

• Don’t walk in designated cycle lanes.
• Always check for cyclists when crossing a cycle lane.
• Move dogs out of the way when cyclists approach.

London Road Sept 2016 update

The death of Sam Boulton on London Road on 27th July highlighted the lack of space for cycling on London Road. There were two Critical Mass rides, one of which ended up at an exhibition of Sam’s art at the Parcel Yard. A petition was started to allow cycling on New Walk with 1034 signatures at time of writing.

The city council took the (unprecedented) step of sharing its early plans for a two way cycle track on the inbound side of London Road. They were discussed at the August Cycle City Workshop meeting which agreed unanimously that a two way track on one side of the road isn’t good enough, and that there should be tracks on both sides of London Road.

The cycle campaign supports calls for tracks on both sides for the following reasons –

• Cyclists are put in danger when they are (legitimately) riding on cycle tracks against the flow of traffic because drivers turning out of and into junctions frequently fail to look for or see them – try riding along Granby St past Northampton St towards the station for an example. Cycle tracks should run in the direction of general traffic (but allow use the ‘wrong’ way where necessary).
• London Road is a destination with shops, businesses and other routes on both sides. A cycle route on one side only will make riding here less attractive and lead to pavement cycling.
• Routes each side will be easier to build at an appropriate width than one two way one.

As ever, the detail of any design is critical here. Schemes in Leicester tend to treat us as fast pedestrians who don’t mind giving way at every opportunity. We would like to see the planners treat cyclists as vehicles which need priority when passing side roads and design a safe, continuous and direct route along this busy road.

The plans released by the council are said to be at an early stage. We need to lobby for tracks each side as a matter of priority. The campaign will be in touch with Adam Clarke (assistant mayor with responsibility for Energy & Sustainability) to press this point and will continue to lobby for an first class route which will be an example of what can be done.

What do we think of Welford Road?

A group of a dozen or so gave the cycle lane a tryout before our June meeting. We would have to say that responses were mixed – some of it is good – it’s there, for a start, and it’s segregated, which is what we have campaigned for on these kinds of projects. And there is metered parking along sections of it, which hopefully will mean it doesn’t become a carpark (as Newarke Street does occasionally).

Some was not as good as we would have like – no priority at junctions means cyclists have to keep stopping and starting and the ends are not great, but we do know that more will be done at the Welford Place (city) end once the replacement for the New Walk Centre is finished. And there will be some more work done at the other (prison/Tigers) end, once the entrance to the new A&E is completed.

So, all in all, a mixed bag. We have arranged a meeting with Adam Clark, Assistant City Mayor for Energy and Sustainability (which includes transport) at which to raise our concerns and identify any improvements that can be made.

Belgrave Road Consultation June – Aug 2016

Belgrave Road Consultation

Space for cycling : none

The Leicester Cycle Forum meeting on 27th July discussed the changes on offer for Belgrave Road, from Belgrave Circle to the Loughborough Road turn. In short, the options on the table are as it is (2 lanes in each direction) with a few trees to prettify it and some changes to crossings, or one lane in each direction with bigger pavements (and changed crossings).

Neither option offers any safe space for cycling or does anything to reduce the pavement cycling seen as a problem in the area.

This is not acceptable and the council needs people to feed into the consultation to make the point that we need separated space to cycle.

We are encouraging all our members to complete the consultation as we know that the number of responses on each side is what they care about most. Your response really will count!

It only takes a few minutes to complete and can be found here: Consultation link

Here are some suggested responses.

Space for cycling : none

Question 1
Which option do you prefer?

Option B – two lanes

Question 2 (this is the only space to add comments)
Please let us know if you have any comments on either of the options

Belgrave Road is a major route into the city. At the moment, it is a place where only the fast and the brave will cycle on the road – others choose the pavement, with the usual problems. The Mayor has expressed a desire for cycle tracks on major routes and Leicester has recently been lauded as a forward-thinking city for cycling. Despite this, there is no separate space for cycling included in these plans. The idea that people will cycle amongst the cars and buses (as shown in the artists impressions) is a whimsical fantasy and cycling levels will continue to be as depressed as they are now. This is contrary to the council’s plans re cycling – would you take children to school on Belgrave Road as pictured? If there is room for four traffic lanes and a central reservation, there is room for two traffic lanes and separated cycle tracks on each side.

Questions 3,4,5,6,7 – monitoring questions.

We know that numbers count in this consultation. Thanks for you help.

 

Update 20th Oct

There is a piece in the Mercury on the outcome of the Belgrave Consultation. It’s light on detail – in short, the four lane “keep it as it is” option doesn’t have a massive majority.

It’s not an ideal situation – we’d have liked a resounding mandate to enable people to cycle safely up and down Belgrave Road. However, not rebuilding four lanes now does leave the door open for something better in the future.

Thanks to all who responded.

Is Leicester a bike-friendly city?

Leicester Mercury article reporting on the Cycle City Active City conference (19-20 May 2016), quoting LCCG’s Eric Ludlow on our view of the progress being made towards ‘making cycling normal’ in Leicester.

 

2 May 2016 – Meeting minutes

Present: Eric, Brian (new), Andy B, Neil, Clare, Steve (Chair), Elizabeth (minutes)

Brian is based in Loughborough, coordinating a Sustrans group there.  Not planning to be a regular member but keeping in touch.

Assistant Mayor’s Forum

Steve and Dave went (thanks)

• Connecting Leicester:  Canals and Rivers trust has done a lot of work improving canalside paths and a new path at Abbey Meadows (near Space Centre).  Andy B had written to the Council asking what should have been in place for cycling and walking diversions during the works; now putting in complaint as no response received.
• ‘Townscape Heritage Initiative’.  Marble Street – will continue to be closed at the Newark Street end, but will be paved to look like other semi-pedestrianised areas.  Friar Lane, New Street, Wycliffe Lane will follow, completed by September 2017.  All car parking spaces will disappear.  We discussed the possibility of adding bike parking later.
• London Road.   Work starting soon.  Will be two-way on the south side of the road.  Will be shared use at junctions, but floating bus stops.  Sounds as though it will go beyond Victoria Park roundabout, possibly to county boundary.  At the meeting our representative pointed out the junction sharing and lack of priority didn’t meet current London standards.  We have requested that they paint cycle priority on the junctions at a minimum.  Not out for consultation yet.
• Belvoir Street – single lane out of city.
• Belgrave – lane out of the city 1.5m wide segregated on left hand side.  No lane coming into the city. Promising that traffic flows will be alleviated
• Future Cycles moving to Horsefair St 20 May
• Ashton Green Development.  Out for consultation at the moment. A bit of a mess.
• Lidl near the Phoenix will put in cycle racks; Staples is moving but will not at new site.

Cycle City Active City Conference – 19-20 June

Eric and Elizabeth will attend on behalf of LCCG.  All please give feedback on initial handout draft previously circulated on email list, and things you would like to have included.

• Elizabeth to resend email about the Cycling UK (CTC) Space for Cycling Conference – Saturday 21st, £5.00, at LCB Depot. https://www.cyclinguk.org/registration-s4c-development-workshop
• Wheels for All ‘fringe conference’ on 20 June will be £90 to attend, and some attenders will likely be at the Ramada that evening
• Cycle Logistics ‘fringe conference’ will be £45 to attend, and likely at Travelodge Thursday evening.
• Rides associated with conference: Public – Green Bicycle Murder ride, Wednesday 18^th, 3pm (http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=75557), Giant UK HQ Ride, Wednesday 18th, 3pm (http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=75590) and Suffragettes of Leicester, Thursday 19^th, 5.30pm (http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=75638). Infrastructure tours may be available for people other than conference attendees.

Westcotes meeting with Sarah Russell and Andy S

Neil and Jaime met with Cllr Russell and Andy Salkeld (City Cycling Officer).

• Still promising a cycle rack on Briton Street.
• Discussed a cycle lane on Wilberforce Road and Western Road.  Idea falls apart a bit when crossing Upperton Road and at Paton Street.
• On Wilberforce Road, agree would like flower beds that close roads to come out as they collect rubbish and make the cycle route annoyiing, but they do effectively close the roads
• Andy S suggests going to wards for any money.  Elizabeth to go to Braunstone/Rowley Fields to request bike racks at the Coop / Wilkos at Imperial Road.

Welford Road cycle lane opening

• Council have agreed they would like it, suggest week after Cycle City Conference; we have decided against this date.
• We aren’t sure the lane is of good enough quality and not well enough connected to warrant a ‘celebration’.
• There is some work at the end of Lancaster Walk at the prison that is incomplete – will eventually cross the street toward the Royal Infirmary.
• Floating bus stops – used to be protected by 4m wide bus lanes.  Having lost that, people are waiting much closer to the road and will get covered in spray when it rains.  Also, the floating bus stops are used by people who are visually impaired and attend a clinic at the Royal Infirmary.  Appear to be missing tactile paving in important places, and a worry about people needing to cross the cycle lane.  There is concern that it is poorly designed for visual impairment.
• Before monthly meeting on 6 June, we will meet at 6:30 at Welford Place to ride the cycle lane and form opinion on final quality and finish.  We could move from a celebration to a ‘get to see this and comment’ ride, etc.
• Jaime – please add this to Riverside invitation to all members.

Riverside Festival

• Neil will sort out banner and what things we own, retrieving it from the Council on 10th May.
• Steve will email to organise a place (Andy Salkeld)
• Need to update a lot of our photographs and clippings.
• Suggestion: bicycle locking information, and where exactly people would like more racks.
• Suggestion: our log of worrying places in the city – can we show it to people at Riverside?
• Suggestion: collect info on yellow routes for the cycle map.

Communication

• Lccg-discuss email address inconsistent with bounceback.
• Suggest trying a test Google Group with various email addresses – Clare will give it a try.

Braunstone Gate

• Concrete and wooden planters and white lines due to happen.
• Charlotte would like feedback from cyclists about how it affects their journey once it happens.

Regent Road

• Message from cyclist who had been hit on Regent Road.
• Clare requested information on whether it was infrastructure related (beyond having to mix with cars) or solely due to dangerous driving.  Suggested using Lancaster Road (Route 63).

Cycle Map

• Contact janetdyer@leicester.gov.uk with updates, especially about yellow (recommended) routes)

Date of Next Meeting – 6 June 2016

• 6:30pm at Welford Road cycle way (which should open that day) – meet at Welford Place
• 7:30pm at the Exchange