Meet: 19:30 Deptford Albany, Douglas Way, London SE8

Present: David Mills, Jack Green, Roger Stocker, Andy Braben, Ian White, Doug Smith, Paul Taylor, Carole Crankshaw and Roy.

Apologies; Ian Pendleton

Irish community centre on Saturday 21^st January organised by time bank with money for doctor bike(ctuk) with money from good going (TFL). Paul Jack and Carole said they would be attending. Question was raised as this was to be the start of many.

AP to check with Maria about bookings

AP for Paul to check with local press and to take camera.to take photos

Doctor bikes for the year, Deptford in particular and Licence requirements. Peter Stunell obtained licences last year, Carole to find out nearer the time and organise.

AP Carole to investigate. Important to have a good pitch on junction of road with Wavelengths and next junction along. As otherwise too much out of the way and need to be seen my cyclists and have prominent position to raise profile. This is for Made in Deptford festival is still running this year, not sure if one off of 2005, and also for bike week in June.

AP Carole to check if made in Deptford is on for 2006. Also see who is organising. 

Discussion about where to site Doctor Bike and whether to organise one for Lewisham. Thought that the Riverdale is a prominent spot although too far from road

AP are we to do one at Lewisham? Discussion that we could use CTUK but would have to book them early.

TFL funding AP for jack to look into if there is more funding available for more events.

Back to discussion about Doctor Bike Irish Centre, Jack confirmed he will go and to take newsletters old new etc also business cards on way

Hilly fields Ian W confirmed he had it in his diary so he would be attending, thought best this time to allow Dt Bike to have a break, only seems fair, a bit full on otherwise. Thought a good event and good local feel to it and good atmosphere, thought to be 17^th June for the brockley fayre

Peoples Day and Bike Park talked about transient nature of staff organising this in Lewisham council probably need to find out about this in February as that is when they start working on organising the festival. Is it two days this year shall we do a bike park? Again a good stall required in the middle of things not out on the edge. There is a cost Ian said it was £25. Again good publicity and in advance and decided to get in their soon.

AP for me to find out about things in the council(Carole).

AP for Roger to find out about funds available from Adrian Bell at TFL for Doctor Bikes if we do 4 to 5 in Bike Week which is quite a few and would demand resources that would have to paid for as huge demand on our limited resources.

Bike rides for Bike week which can be better discussed at the Rides meeting at the Dog and Bell meeting on Wednesday next 25^th January with Southwark and Greenwich. AP for Ian and Paul 

Peaks of Lewisham suggested as a good ride this time preferably with good visibility available. Suggested putting out an invitation to Catford Cycling club to join us on a social ride on this theme .AP for Roger to invite as he is in regular contact.

Maybe even invite the Dulwich Paragons.

Waterlink Way as a family ride for bike week during weekend. Picnic again  same place Blythe Hill but with Waterlink Way ride with a picnic as well.

Norwood Country park also good for family rider but also consider what Southwark cyclists are doing.

We also need a pootling ride around Lewisham areas of interest or history. Any other

Ideas to feed through the website.

Consider Doctor Bike in schools in Lewisham could have a radical impact considering Lewisham to start cycle training in February and March in primary schools.

A ride along the river suggested by Ian to Tower Bridge along east to north side via Woolwich ferry and back with possibility of coming back via London bridge station for some, possible for teenagers and families. 

Thames path to Gateway a suggestion. Sustrans Bridge for the Olympics Link at Rotherhithe talked about, go to website vote for the bridge.

Crisp Report suggests that we all take time out to ride the route.

AP everyone to ride route. David’s response  to the rides he has done so far is cynical but probably quite astute in that the intention is good and the best options for cyclists are put forward but with regards what schemes are implemented is something else, dependent on bias and finance, politics and policy.

A21 crim due very soon Bromley Hill from Catford. Catford bus Garage lots of manoeuvres causes concerns also requirement for bus lanes both ways and to have advisory cycle lanes in both directions. Suggested that it is a good route for cyclists at the moment which is clearly misinformed and not entirely accurate, in fact far from the truth. A bit discouraging if the report from the consultant.

David wanted to highlight the possibility of verification of a new route one that follow the River Ravensbourne from Bromley College north. David provided a map.

AP Roger to contact Thin Bob as it was said by Ian W that this route had been ridden by Tosca, Ian and Thin Bob some time ago, all previous very active Lewisham cyclists and still in contact with some of the existing members. David wanted people to give their support and ideas to this route via the web and email circulation.

AP everyone to provide input.

CLOSE OF MEETING SOCIAL ADJOURNMENT TO THE DOG AND BELL