Newsletter May 2024

The CCC meeting and AGM that was due to happen on May 20th, has been rescheduled to June 17 (where both existing and new committee members are invited to stand, and an overview of the year’s events and progress is presented by our co-ordinator).

On May 20 meanwhile, we will have a social gathering in Primrose Hill at The Lansdowne Pub, 90 Gloucester Avenue NW1 8HX at 7.30pm.

Come along to chat and connect with fellow cycling enthusiasts (new faces always welcome), share why you love cycling (#LondonLovesCycling) and find out what cycling infrastructure changes are planned where you live and how to help with campaigning.

Carlton Reid – Forbes 4/5/24

Labour’s Sadiq Khan has today won a third term as Mayor of London. He beat off a divisive motoring-focussed challenge from Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate.

The 2024 election was heralded by some political commentators as a close one partly because of the victory of the Conservative candidate in last year’s Uxbridge by-election which was supposedly fought—and lost—on expansion of ULEZ (the inner London ULEZ was started by Khan’s predecessor, Boris Johnson).

Elections expert Professor Sir John Curtice told the BBC that opposition to ULEZ did not “have a significant impact on the result of the mayoral election.”

Saturday May 25th; 4pm                                            Under Waterloo Bridge Southbank Centre

Join Cycling Rebellion to call for radical changes in transport across the UK. Cycle en-masse from under Waterloo Bridge, Southbank to the DfT, to perform a mass die-in to remember the cyclists who lost their lives on the UK’s dangerous roads.

Cycling Rebellion is the national movement calling on people around the UK to take action for a change in our towns and cities with radical changes in urban infrastructure;

Details about the campaign to end car dependency on cyclingrebellion.org

London FreeCycle is a great family event with Central London roads closed to motor traffic. 
As usual, Camden Cyclists will be leading a feeder ride from from Swiss Cottage to Green Park and back.

We get up to 100 cyclists––including many children––on the feeder and need help from experienced cyclists to marshal.

If you can help, please email john@camdencyclists.org.uk

Sunday May 26th leaving Swiss Cottage at 10.30 and returning at 14.45

“Westminster Council straight out the gate after London mayoral election with new consultation on protected cycle lanes on Portland Place. looks like a pretty high-quality scheme, protection mostly achieved with floating parking, links Regent’s Park to BBC”

Jon Stone @joncstone on X/Twitter

Wednesday, May 29, 12–1pm, online                        

Public opinion polling and Ipsos UK social research insights will be presented and discussed, with a ‘mood of the nation’ overview, examining public attitudes to transport provision, active travel, decarbonisation in transport and policy options such as road user charging.

Speakers:

Lizzie Copp: Research Director at Ipsos UK’s Social Research Institute and leader of the Transport & Infrastructure social research & policy evaluation team.

Tom Cohen: Reader in Transport Policy at University of Westminster and member of its Active Travel Academy.

Join this CCC family oriented ride from Swiss Cottage to Wormwood Scrubs and back.

Sunday 9th June 2024 2:00––5:00 pm 
Swiss Cottage Market, Eton Avenue, NW3 3HY

Route via C27 and back via Shepherds Bush and Kensington on Q15 and C3; easy paced 22 miles on (mostly) quiet roads, cycleways and parks with a stop for tea somewhere.

Any questions contact the organiser, James Brander, on 07778 085 752 or email CCC at info@camdencyclists.org.uk

Gwyn Topham theguardian.com Tue 30 Apr 2024

The DfT’s active travel budget was cut by over 50% in 2023 but overshadowed by HS2 cuts, announced the same day.

In a judicial review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, lawyers for Transport Action Network argued the cuts were incompatible with the government’s net zero strategy and transport decarbonisation plan, which included accelerating “modal shift” from car use to sustainable travel: doubling cycling trips and ensuring over 50% of primary school children walked to school by 2025.

Held at Kentish Town Health Centre, Bartholomew Road, NW5 2BX on the second Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30pm.

One participant’s response: “As well as making me feel welcome, they helped fix the problems with my bike and I learnt a few things as well. This is a really good initiative and it takes the stress off doing the mechanics. Plus it makes my cycling a lot safer, now the brakes are working properly. It felt like I was cycling on a brand new bike this morning :)”

It’s free of charge. Sign up for monthly KTBW notifications.

The days of car-centricity in urban environments are numbered.

The new book by Carlos Moreno, father of the 15-minute city concept, seeks to ‘own the conversation’ after his idea has become, rather toxic and mired in misinformation.

His vision is that people, not cars, are given precedence in the urban realm, and hat means putting things we need within easy reach.

Camden Cyclists is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign. Our members enable the work we do and receive a whole host of great benefits.

Join as a member today and choose from free lights, lock or a pump!*

Already a member? Refer a friend and you’ll both receive gifts.

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