Camden Cyclists Newsletter June 2023

“Angry and frightened”: Could Birmingham safer roads protests inspire Dutch-style cycling revolution in Britain?

Hundreds of protestors lined up at Kings Heath, Birmingham to protest the increasingly dangerous state of roads, with seven hit-and-runs in less than a month, killing four cyclists, including a 12-year-old boy.

13-year-old Hope Fenell was riding her bike when she was struck by an HGV driver in 2011. While the driver got a prison sentence of six months, Hope lost her life.
“It was extremely poignant, we went there because of the hit-and-run on Thursday, but opposite the railings where we were, there’s a memorial to Hope,” Paul Manzotti from Better Streets for Birmingham told road.ccroad.cc “It’s been 12 years, and very little has changed.

LCC has scheduled a short 30 minute lunchtime webinar at 1pm on Friday 30 June webinar on Cycle Buddies aimed at recruiting volunteer helper buddies.

Webinar will introduce the LCC Cycle Buddies programme and new web platform.

To contribute to the webinar email Mike: mike.mcsherry@lcc.org.uk.

Registration lnk below

Camden Council has signed the Cargo-Bike Charter pledging to swap its vans to cargo bikes where possible, using pedal power to make a living and provide services

The charter includes a five point plan to improve infrastructure for the bikes and support any individuals or businesses ready to make the same switch

Camden New Journal

UK councils have been urged to switch from polluting diesel vans to E-cargo bikes to maintain public services.
According to figures released by Cargo Revolution, local authorities could save £660m by switching.

The call comes days after Mayor Sadiq Khan issued a ‘high air’ pollution alert in London.

Jamie Hailstone for Forbes

The Urban Hill Climb 2023 will take place on the 30th of September this year, bigger and better than ever!

With new e-bike categories, new prizes, free bike parking and an all new expo area!

Entries now open for all categories! Book now to secure your spot.
This is a family friendly event. Whether you’re racing for the best possible time or cruising up the slopes waving to the fans we hope you’ll have an amazing day. 

Informal Camden Cycling social meet-up on Wednesday July 5th, from 6.15pm at Bohemia House, Czechoslovak Restaurant: 74 West End Lane, West Hampstead, NW6 2LX

Deciding nearer to the day, and the weather forecast, on whether to be inside or out; there is space either way. Hope to see you there!

Carmageddon by Daniel Knowles “..a great read for someone newly interested in the negative influence of cars. But precisely because I share Knowles’s sense of urgency about ending car dominance ..I turned the last page with some dissatisfaction. The challenge?…

Who benefits from widespread car dependence now, and how can these beneficiaries’ positions be weakened? Which coalitions might fight these battles, what new ones will be needed and how might they be formed? Then, how might those coalitions actually win?
Peter C. Baker: washingtonpost.com

TfL’s cycle map is a great resource and in case you didn’t know, you can click on the ‘burger’ menu (top right of the map) and view proposed cycle routes too.

Use the map to find open and proposed cycle routes, as well as Santander Cycle docking stations across London. Choose options from the menu.

South London Parks ride Sunday 23rd July
All-day 26 mile ride round the South London Parks, led by James Brander: Visiting Southwark Pk, Peckham Rye Pk, Dulwich Pk, Brockwell Pk & Clapham Common, Battersea Pk, Hyde Pk and back to Town Hall by 4pm.

Lunch & tea stops or bring your own

Booking required (CCC website link below) and choose one of three start points. Children accompanied by an adult welcome. Check your bike is roadworthy; bring a spare inner tube, and water!

After years of restrictions due to Brexit and the pandemic, Eurostar announced in February that they are resuming oversized luggage services. Bicycle transport via train across the channel is possible again!

Connecting Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam with London, Eurostar is almost a no-brainer when comparing travel times and environmental impact with flying.

European Cyclists Federation – ecf.com

Arrive with your bike for a mechanic to show you how to check it over and teach you how to do low level repairs. We can suggest next steps for major repairs.

10th July 2023 – 6:30pm-8:30pm

Kentish Town Health Centre
2 Bartholomew Road
Kentish Town, London, NW5 2BX

Next meeting:

Date: 17th Jul 2023 Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Monthly meetings take place on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm – online unless otherwise notified. Check nearer the time for full agenda;

Items for July so far:

• Inclusion & Diversity in Cycling & CCC’s plan to be more inclusive.
• Cycling Code of Conduct: what are the positive behaviours that CCC members should embody?

LCC is delighted to announce the appointment of Tom Fyans as its new CEO.
Currently Director of Campaigns and Policy & Deputy CEO at CPRE, Tom will join LCC in early September. He has worked at CPRE for nearly eight years and has more than 20 years’ experience providing campaign leadership for charities including ActionAid UK and Amnesty International UK.

Announcing the appointment, Eilidh Murray, Chair of the Board of Trustees of LCC, said:

“We are so pleased to have Tom on board for the next phase of our development. His depth of experience influencing policy makers to make brave choices will be invaluable at LCC and the staff, trustees, members, and patrons are all looking forward to working with him.

Camden Cyclists is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign. We rely on our members to enable the work we do.

For a limited period, we’ll be sending out a Lezyne Pressure Drive pump to new members.*

Already a member? Refer a friend and you’ll both receive pumps!

*Offer applies to Individual and Household membership purchased via Direct Debit.