MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SOUTHWARK CYCLISTS ON 13 SEPTEMBER 2006
19.00 at Blackfriars Settlement, 1-5 Rushworth Street, London SE1 0RB

Attendees: Barry Mason (Co-ordinator), Gwen Bondi, Hugh Bolton (Treasurer), Colin Hartridge-Price (Secretary), Kevin Harvey, 
Eleanor Purser (Planning and Campaigns Leader), Kit Reynolds (Webmaster), Andrew Rodgers, Ann Warren, Cheryl Williams.
Apologies received: James Barber, Peter Corkill, Alex Crawford (Bike Show Resonance 104.4FM), Rebecca Lack, Sue Richards 
(Newsletter Editor).
Kevin was welcome to his first meeting and Andrew was welcomed back from his long stay in Canada. 
1. Minutes of the meeting on 9 August 2006 and Matters Arising 
The minutes of the above meeting were approved. 
Additional Resources (item 1 in the previous minutes) – Eleanor had drafted a specification for the paid part-time project 
management position,and would be discussing this with Barry and Alastair Hanton.  Action Eleanor Purser 
Bike Heaven for Rotherhithe Peninsula (item 1) – URBED (Urban and Economic Development Group) were preparing a report on 
better walking and cycling shared routes through the Peninsula.  
Southwark Cycling Forum (item 1) – there was still no response from Southwark Council to Barry's proposal that this Forum be 
set up to exchange information, diary dates and best practice.   
Shopping Centred Cycling (item 3) – the offer of three hours cycle training for £10 had only been taken up by 10 people so far.  
Barry will liaise with TfL regarding the use of the money remaining from the original £5,000 grant.  Action Barry Mason
Cycling Along the Central London Thames Path (item 4) – the legality of cycling here is being reviewed by Roger Stocker 
(Southwark Council Cycling Officer), and by his equivalent at Lambeth Council.  Action Roger Stocker
Burgess Park Bike Track (item 5) – £1000 will be spent on purchasing bikes for adults, leaving £4000 remaining from the grant 
from the TfL Cycle London Partnership Project.
Rotherhithe Bike Club (item 5) – Barry's grant application to the TfL Cycle London Partnership Project had not been successful.
Southwark Bike Security Project (Item 6) – no meeting had taken place since that on 31 July reported at the meeting on 9 
August.  However, a separate new initiative to reduce cycle crime had been started (see next item below).  
2. Prevention of Pedal Cycle Thefts in Southwark  (First Meeting Report) 
The first meeting of this committee had taken place on 1 September, and had been attended by Colin on behalf of Southwark 
Cyclists.  There was considerable overlap with the Southwark Bike Security Project, but issues were being driven by Southwark 
Police, rather than Southwark Council.  The chairman of the new committee has set much shorter timescales for the completion of 
tasks allocated, than has hitherto been the case with Southwark Council.  The new committee is initially focusing on initiatives for 
reducing bike thefts in SE1, as a significant reduction in thefts here would bring Southwark below the general Borough rate.  The 
current level of bike thefts in Southwark relative to other Boroughs was high, and reducing this was a priority for the police.  40% 
of bikes stolen in Southwark are of "low value", although the value referred to here was not stated.  Successful actions taken in 
SE1 to reduce bicycle thefts will be rolled out elsewhere.  There is to be a major campaign at colleges, and other centres, to 
inform people on bike security.  
It was accepted at the meeting on 1 September that Immobilise needs to be used more effectively by the police.  Assurances 
were given that officers were being educated on this.  It was also accepted that sentences for bike thefts are too lenient and that 
the Crime Prevention Service needed to be educated away from the view that "it's just a bike".
Southwark Council was willing to fund CCTV for vulnerable cycle rack positions, and Roger Stocker was investigating potential 
sites.  It was said at the meeting that funding for projects to reduce bicycle theft should not be a problem, and that everyone 
should establish a wish list.  All events in Southwark would have "secure cycle parking" on the event checklist.
North of the borough, in particular along the riverside, is the prime area for pedal cycle thefts.  Thefts are also high in Rotherhithe, 
and down Tower Bridge Road to the Elephant and Castle.  The Rotherhithe hotspot is created by thefts from major attractions, 
including Surrey Quays.  Most bikes had been locked and secured, although there was no analysis of the quality of locks used.  In 
a 12 week period, the area around Tower Bridge Road had approximately 39 cycle thefts, 8 of which were from underground car 
parks or garages.
3. Freshers Fairs 
Southwark Cyclists will be using part of a £5,000 grant from TfL to pay students from St Martin's College Design Against Crime 
Unit to staff and organise stalls on 22 and 23 September at South Bank University; 25 and 26 September at London College of 
Communications; and a half day at the London School of Osteopathy.  The aim will be to provide new students with information 
on Southwark Cyclists, cycling and cycle security etc.  Some of the grant will be used to provide free cycle training by CTUK.  
4. Reduce Bike Thefts Postcards 
Barry circulated a copy of the new postcard on cycle security that he had had designed using money provided by the Safer 
Southwark Partnership.  This was for use by cycle shops and at Dr Bike sessions.  As well as displaying the Southwark Cyclists 
logo and e-mail address, the postcard is headed "Listen to Southwark Cyclists!  Reduce Bike Thefts".  There is a list of 18 
recommendations on keeping your bike secure.  Gwen agreed to deliver a supply of the postcards to local cycle stores.  Action 
Gwen Bondi
5. Nominations for the 2006 London Cycling Awards 
It was agreed that Southwark Cyclists should nominate The Peckham Womens Training Course and the Southwark Cyclists Bike 
Week Architecture Rides for the award of Best Community Cycling Initiative.   The deadline for nominations is 31 October.  
Action Colin Hartridge-Price
6.  Grant Applications Under the Cleaner Greener Safer Program 2006-7 
There had been no suggestions from the Southwark Cyclists e-mail group and the deadline for nominations was 8 September.  
Barry had applied for £60,000 for the Burgess Park Bike Track to provide lots of extra facilities, including better fencing and 
planting, more flat areas for training, and better catering facilities.  Barry had also put his name (in a personal capacity as a 
Rotherhithe resident), along with others including Southwark Living Streets, to a grant application for a suitably qualified person or 
company to work with local wheelchair users and the Southwark Disability Association to audit the Rotherhithe area and 
recommend and prioritise access improvements.  
7. Share the Road Campaign 
It was noted that full-page adverts had been placed in a number of local publications regarding cyclists stopping at red lights ("you 
can be assertive and stake your claim to the road without resorting to a breach of the Highway Code or riding dangerously") and 
motorists making room for cyclists ("it is important to give respect to all other road users and drive in a way which will ensure you 
win their respect too.  Always give cyclists plenty of room").  The message to cyclists and motorists was "share the road and we'll 
all get along better". 
Statistics circulated by CTC were that on average just under 18% of cyclists jump red lights and over a third of motorists 
encroached into cyclists' Advance Stop Lines (cycle boxes at traffic lights).  69 Pedestrians on pavements had been reported as 
being injured in London in collisions with cyclists in 2005. 
The Share the Road Campaign had started on 4 September, and it was confirmed by those at today's meeting that Southwark 
Cyclists fully supported the objective of this education and enforcement campaign which aims to promote mutual respect between 
all road users and to encourage responsible cycling, driving and motorcycling including the observation of traffic regulations by all 
road users.  There will be a review of the campaign during the winter months, which cycling organisations and others will be able 
to feed comments into.  The intention is for the campaign to then be revised and re-launched in the spring of 2007.  Kit agreed to 
record on the Southwark Cyclists website our support for the Share the Road Campaign.  Action Kit Reynolds  
8. Planning and Campaigns Group 
Eleanor raised a number of road planning issues and agreed to comment on the draft of the Local Development Framework 
Annual Monitoring Report.  Barry agreed to look at the proposal for Roper Street to become one-way.  Action Eleanor 
Purser/Barry Mason
9. Financial Report 
There was about £17,000 in the bank account once all the cheques issued had cleared.  Of this, there was about £1,800 in 
unrestricted funds (i.e. funds not earmarked for projects). 
10. Newsletter 
A new Newsletter would be available soon.  Action Sue Richards 
11. Annual General Meeting 
This would be held at Blackfriars Settlement on 11 October at 7:00pm.  At the AGM, officers would need to be elected for the 
ensuing year and anyone interested in putting their name forward should contact Barry.  In particular, nominations were needed 
for Newsletter Editor (Sue is standing down but Gwen and Eleanor may be willing to take this on jointly), Planning and Campaigns 
Leader (Eleanor is standing down), Sustrans Liaison (Andrew may volunteer).
Kit agreed to book a table for 20 for a meal after the AGM at the Thai Silk Restaurant behind Southwark tube station.  Action Kit 
Reynolds
12. On Your Bike in Tooley Street 
It was possible that a series of cycle maintenance classes would commence on the second Tuesday in October (i.e. 10 October).  
Action Barry Mason
The On Your Bike 200-space bike garage is due to open in January.  The charge is likely to be 50p per day, with season tickets at 
a discounted rate.  Southwark Cyclists will be invited to the opening party (this may be a New Year's Eve party) to be held in the 
garage space.
13.  Southwark Cyclists Ceilidh 
After a discussion on whether holding this too close to Christmas might discourage attendance, it was agreed that it would be held 
on 16 December.  Barry will book the band, and Kit agreed to investigate possible venues that, as well as a dance area, had 
secure cycle parking and facilities that could be used as a bar.  Suggestions for suitable venues would be welcome, and in the 
meantime Kit would contact the Sibohan Davies Dance Studio and the Rockingham Community Hall (both close to the Elephant 
and Castle roundabout).  Action Barry Mason/Kit Reynolds
14. Immobilise 
Kit agreed to check Immobilise to see if it was possible for individuals to interrogate the site – for instance to locate a bicycle 
owner from the cycle frame number.  Action Kit Reynolds
Kit had contacted eBay and they may be prepared to promote Immobilise. 
15. LCC 
LCC have confirmed they are willing to provide Southwark Cyclists (Kit) with contact details for new LCC members in the 
Southwark area.  Kit will liaise further with LCC.  Action Kit Reynolds
16. Next meeting (the AGM) 
Wednesday 11 October.  7pm at the usual location for monthly meetings -- Blackfriars Settlement, 1-5 Rushworth Street, London 
SE1 0RB.
17. Depart for The Prince William Henry on Blackfriars Road 
There being no further business the meeting was closed.