Category: Uncategorised

With apologies to all the ride scheduled for 25 June has been cancelled for personal reasons.

Arnold

The next Kent ride is scheduled for 28th May and takes in the beautiful Kent countryside from Ramsgate to Canterbury. Meet at Stratford International at 9:15 sharp

The weather had still not particularly warmed up for the start of the second in our consecutive run of three Sunday rides.  After Cake Mountain we were intent on a flat, leisurely off road circuit round Newham .  A goodly band of participants included  a contingent from the Forest Gate Women’s Institute assembled at the Greenway Common Cafe.  Our 15 mile route started down the Greenway, and continued through Beckton to the Royal Docks, stopping only for a breather/puncture repair.  We then took in nature reserves at East india Dock and the Bow Ecology Park.  The latter is newly linked to a back entrance to Canning Town Station.  Lunch at Trinity Buoy Wharf was swiftly followed by another coffee stop at Cody Dock, whilst all the time the weather was getting more cheerful.   We returned to the Greenway under a blue sky.

Thanks once more to Robin for some excellent photos.

Arnold

We meet at 9am on Sunday 09/04, to catch the 09.30 train to Canterbury and the 17.00 return from Ramsgate (not Minster).  The cost of a return to Ramsgate is £40.30, but this will be reduced by 1/3rd (£26.60) with group discount or railcard.

The Crab and Winkle way does have a few stoney sections, therefore road bikes are not recommended, but it is largely traffic free. On a (hopefully sunny) Sunday there may also be a few short lengths by beach huts etc where pushing might be advisable.

Quiz Night

Newham cyclists are fielding (at least) one table for the Bike From Boleyn Group’s Quiznight on Friday 13 January at 7.30pm at West Ham Supporters Club, Castle St.  This is essentially a fundraiser but two prizes already secured are two taster sessions at the Velodrome and tea for two at the House of Commons.

If you would like to come along please do.  It would assist if you let me know in advance.

Our Next Meeting …

will be at Coffee7, Forest Gate, at 7.30pm (note the new time) on 30 January.

Rides

Steve’s  Ride  to Greenstead is scheduled for 15 January.

Workshop Space

We are looking into having some kind of workshop – probably at Forest Gate market.  Plans still at an early stage.

Infrastucture

• We have lodged objections to the conversion of Bridge H14  in the Olympic Park to vehicular traffic (7/12/16).
• We made representations in respect of a traffic scheme for roads off High St North in Manor Park.
• We have been receiving plans for the Tower Hamlets section of the proposed Quietway 6 (from Victoria Park to Fairlop).  They are not good, unfortunately.
• Just before Christmas three of us had one of the regular catch up meetings with Newham Council’s Sustainable Transport Officer.  As usual Richard was open and informative.

  Headlines:- The ramp at Twelve Trees Crescent is now open making it much easier to get from Three Mills to Cody Dock along the Lea Pathway.  However the completion of the path from Canning Town is now so delayed that an (unsatisfactory) cycle diversion is being signposted.

  – The Greenway improvements (Quietway 2.1) comprising lighting, longer opening, some resurfacing, more ramps, some targeted training- are beginning to be put in place.  This will be complemented by the long awaited examination of these sequencing of the lights at the A13 flyover.  These improvements will provide a key artery for cycling through Newham.

  – Some improvements to Quietway 6 through north Newham are  being put in place, but there remain some critical uncertainties over key junctions crossing at Leyton Rd, Leytonstone Rd and Woodgrange Rd.  Astonishingly the Council have recently introduced pavement parking for vehicles in Cemetery Rd.

  -The Council are planning to extend cycle improvements from Silvertown Way (delayed further whilst more remodelling is done for TfL) along North Woolwich Rd.

  – Stratford Gyratory work is envisaged to start in August 2017.

  – Some improvements to CS3 designed to improve access to Barking could bring cycle benefits to Jenkins Lane.  The cycle parking under the Westfield bridge is well used, but closed between midnight and 5.00am.

  – We have been provided with an early draft of a long awaited Cycle Strategy for Newham. It includes an assessment of the main  routes through Newham (which are mostly very sub-standard) and an interesting factual introduction:  Cycling has increased as a share of travel in recent years but the  biggest increase has been on public transport (buses), whilst motor vehicle use and walking has declined;  less than half the households in Newham own a car.
  A new chart of ongoing infrastructure issues in the light of this meeting is available on our website.
  Please get in touch if you would like any further information.

From Rachel Collinson of the Newham Green Party:

“On a leaflet distributed to every resident in Forest Gate North ward in Newham, in advance of the local by-election, the Green Party mentioned that our candidate Elisabeth Whitebread was endorsed by Kerena Fussell of Newham Cyclists. While Kerena does endorse our candidate in a personal capacity, Newham Cyclists are in no way affiliated with the Green Party and remain neutral in this election, as they do in all elections. This was a mistake on the part of Newham Green Party.”

Under the intrepid leadership of Bill the hardy crew of Newham set out in poor looking weather for the third Newham Ride of the 2016 calendar.  Taking in the Lea Valley and the Isle of Dogs we crossed into Greenwich and followed the river round to the cable car.  As this photo shows the weather did not improve south of the river.

A return to Newham via the cable car did at least see the rain stop and we made it back to Stratford via the (now open to Stratford High St)  Greenway.

The next ride is Essex Lanes on 26 June and our last scheduled Newham ride is 10 July.

Important: Please respond to the consultation on extending the lighting of the Greenway as a move towards creating a proper Quietway along its length.
https://www.newham.gov.uk/Pages/ServiceChild/Cycling-routes-consultation.aspx

The closing date is 17 June.

Arnold

We have been asked to participate in trials of a new system allowing cyclists to ride through these two tunnels.

Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels go smart

Cyclists using the foot tunnels in Greenwich and Woolwich should check the overhead sign to see when they should walk their bikes.  A new computer vision based system can now identify the numbers of walkers, and cyclists in the tunnel, and display messages to ask cyclists to dismount only when pedestrian levels are high.

An initial trial period is currently underway and messaging will be adjusted over the coming weeks.  Please support this trial by walking your bike when the sign says to, and help demonstrate that the tunnels can permanently operate as a shared space.

Please also download and use the BetterPoints app to track your journeys through the tunnel.  You will be rewarded with BetterPoints for all of your walking and cycling trips, with bonus points when you walk your bike through the tunnel.  Points are redeemed for high street vouchers or charity donations. We will also be running a prize draw every month, and you will earn a prize entry for every recorded trip.

Visit techtunnels.betterpoints.uk for more information and look out for us at events we will be running at the tunnel throughout the summer.

Download the free app and get started.

Apple Store

Google Play

Please see Arnold’s latest list of cycling issues and actions around the borough here:  Outstanding stuff 7 Feb version