Parts and Labour Cycles
Rad Bikes has renamed itself Parts and Labour Cycles due to a trademark dispute.
You can now find the Lewisham Way bike maintenance shop online here.
Showing posts with label Cycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cycling. Show all posts
Cycle Superhighway consultation for Greenwich and Deptford
In a reminder that they do more than just protect cab drivers at the public's expense, TfL has launched a public consultation about its proposed new cycle superhighway from Creek Road in Greenwich to Tower Bridge.
The scheme would include stretches of two-way segregated cycle track on Tooley Street, Jamaica Road, Evelyn Street and Creek Road, providing a dedicated space for cyclists.
The ride through Deptford and Surrey Quays in particular can be pretty hairy, so this is very welcome. Next we need the Old Kent Road and New Cross to get some help.
To participate in the consultation, which closes on November 19th, click here.
oBike arrives in Lewisham, immediately ends up on DLR track
Where the Mayor of London has fails us, Singaporean capitalism rushes in.
TfL may not have brought bike hire to Lewisham, but oBike, the Uber-for-bikes system that was defeated by Mancunian cussedness, is putting the civic attitude of residents to the test.I see #OBike have come to #Lewisham with their yellow bicycles by the locking spots outside the police station. @ObikeUk pic.twitter.com/YY594fzC44— snailtrail (@snailtrail) July 18, 2017
The system promises to do wonders for local fitness levels. From this pick-up location, the only directions of travel are either up steep hills or towards Catford and Lee.
oBike's deeply flawed model has prompted complaints about the way bikes are abandoned and clutter up public places. In Lewisham, one has already been chucked on to the DLR track.
Rad Bikes, 148 Lewisham Way
Coming soon: Rad Bikes
"Maintenance is key but we will have accessories, locks, pumps and helmets. We also make wheels.
"We also hope to secure genesis bikes. But also will be doing other bikes. We have worked closely with Brother Cycles in the past. But everything can be ordered and we can advise on that."
Bikes for refugees
This is a good idea. Donate any unwanted old bikes to help refugees.
— Katy Cooper (@DecSop1) April 8, 2017
Cyclists, lose the Brockley high ground
Cyclists are brilliant. We reduce congestion, parking problems and the pollution that kills tens of thousands of Londoners each year. We make roads safer by reducing the number of cars on the road and we reduce crushing on trains by cutting the number of rail commuters.
We should be loved. And yet, we are hated by a small but vocal minority of people who bang on and on about cyclists jumping red lights, but will think nothing of breaking the 30mph speed limit every few minutes that they drive. We are beautiful, athletic tall poppies, there to be cut down and cut up at every junction.
So please do not give our critics ammunition by chaining your bikes to the handrail at Brockley Station when there is ample bike parking on the street below.
Hi #Brockley cyclists. Can you please not lock your bikes to the station ramp handrail? It's needed as a handrail. pic.twitter.com/zx9FZsgEvX— Pumice Disaster (@Inkysloth) August 17, 2016
Button, Button
Want a free Flic button so you can fight danger?
My firm, Edelman, is working with the Swedish makers of airbags for heads Hövding to map London's cycling danger zones using data from cyclists, captured with a sexy Flic button like this, which can be attached to your handlebars:
As a first step, 500 digital buttons have been distributed to members and supporters of the London Cycling Campaign, But I've managed to grab two - this one for me and one for another BCer.
I know a lot of you are keen cyclists so if you'd like to be part of the campaign, please email me here to apply for a button. I'll pick a winner by next Sunday and get it to you.
The Bike Angel returns
Nestor, the Brockley Bike Doctor, has returned to Hilly Fields. A velocipedal angel, he offers maintenance and advice workshops every dry Saturday throughout the summer.
Nestor offers drop-in sessions up by the tennis courts between 11am and 3pm. The one-to-one "Fix Your Bike" sessions are a chance to learn how to offer your bike TLC and fix most common bike problems under guidance of a experienced bike mechanic in a fun, informal environment.
The sessions are free, although donations are accepted (since the enterprise is self-funded). If you can't pay, it's just free.
If you have any questions about his service, you can email him here
People all over Crofton Park, join a bike train
You don't have to be fed up with trains to want to cycle to work, you just need a shower in your workplace and a bike. But if you are fed up with the Crofton Park-Blackfriars service (a circuitous trundle through South London, even at the best of times) then a new "bike train" group ride is for you. The LewiCyclists say:
Are you fed up with unreliability of the trains that run from Sevenoaks through Catford and Crofton Park to Blackfriars?
If so, and you can ride a bike, there is a reliable and cheaper alternative. Cycle commuting. If you have never felt confident to attempt this alone, a group of experienced London cyclists from Lewisham and Southwark Cyclists have set up Bike Train.
We will sort the route for you, lead you up to Blackfriars and help negotiate the motor traffic. The first one is on Wednesday 30th March. Meeting between Catford and Catford Bridge stations on Adenmore Rd at 7.40 to ride to Crofton Park. Pick up in Crofton Park at the crossroads of Buckthorne Rd and Eddystone Rd just a few yards south of the station at 7.55am.
Then riding on to join Southwark Cyclists behind Rye Lane Station at 8.10 before riding up to Blackfriars where we expect to arrive at 8.45am.
For more details, click here.
The Brockley Way
Friend o'BC Fintan is making his way steadily from Land's End to John O'Groats by bike. Recently, he passed through "the other Brockley" (or Lesser Brockley), just south of Bristol. This is how they roll:
Deptford junction is among Britain's top cycle injury hotspots
As part of its campaign to increase cycling in British cities The Times has worked with Esri UK to produce an interactive map, which documents each incident in which a cyclist was injured or killed in 2014. With 75% of incidents taking place at a junction, they have listed the eight most dangerous junctions in Britain - and Deptford features.
Overall, the density of injuries is lower in South East London than in other parts of the capital, but that almost certainly reflects the lower density of development and employment and the lack of Boris Bike provision.
With thanks to Mark from the London Assembly LibDems for the information.
Free bike maintenance and advice on Hilly Fields
Nestor writes:
I'm a local resident and I'm going to be offering Bike Doctor maintenance and advice workshops on Hilly Fields, every Saturday (weather permits) during warm months.
The proposed time of the session is between 11am and 3pm.
The workshop will run as a one-to-one "Fix Your Bike" session where you'll have a chance to offer your bike TLC and fix most common bike problems under guidance of a experienced bike mechanic.
Bike safety and maintenance advice will be provided, and if the job is bigger than what "Dr Bike" can offer, you'll be given a scope and advice on what needs to be done.
The bike stand, a set of tools, disposable materials and some spare parts will be provided. The sessions are free.
No booking is required, just turn up at the park with your bike at the said time and look for a bike stand and sign for "Fix Your Bike".
The location is likely to be near the Tresillian Road. entrance to the park.
I'm an avid cyclist and cycling enthusiast and I like to promote cycling and help the community. I have been involved in a similar scheme while living in Edinburgh and that was one of the most rewarding things I've done in my life. Being a qualified bike mechanic and having a couple of hours of free time a week I could not have thought of a better pastime.
Stay safe and happy riding!
Coming soon: London Velo
The area's already attracted Curve, Ladywell Village Cycles, Vaidas and the life-saving Brockley Bikes. Now comes London Velo, joining Curve on Deptford High Street, combining beer, burgers and bikes - and have linked up with Big Red to offer pizzas too.
They're taking over an abandoned hair salon next to the Tesco and giving it a comprehensive makeover.
Click here to find out more.
Cleaner, greener, safer future temporarily spoils Greenwich cycle path
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should.
- Jurassic Park
The driverless car future moved up a gear this week with the start of autonomous vehicle trials on Greenwich Peninsula, one of three sites in the country to host pilot schemes.
The technology promises to radically improve road safety, cut pollution and reduce parking requirements. The UK's expertise in automotive technology and computing means that it's well placed to profit from the emerging industry, estimated to be worth £900 billion in ten years, and the government is placing a big bet on autonomous systems as a driver for the country's future economic growth. As host borough, Greenwich is getting a cool £8 million grant for the privilege. Behold the white heat of technology in action:
But this future comes at a terrible price. Those maniac scientists have become death, destroyer of cycle paths. 853blog will not be placated by the promise of a future where robots save thousands of cyclists' lives - not if the cost is the temporary loss of 500 metres of cycle path, especially if the alternative is to cycle down the quiet road that runs adjacent. They say:
There was no consultation about the decision, instead there’s just a tiny notice on a lamp post and cycle markings scrubbed out and replaced with the word “SHUTTLE”.
The notice cites “danger to the public” for the decision.
But if the trial’s organisers think they can avoid danger by closing off a length of cycle path, they’ve chosen the wrong place.
I cycle along this stretch regularly, and most days there are pedestrians wandering into the cycle track – often glued to tablets with headphones plugged in.
Click here for the full article.
The Peckham Coal Line
The Peckham Coal Line is a new project, which comes closer in spirit to the High Line than any other project so-far imagined for London. The team behind it wants to create a 1km park and cycle route between Queens Road and Rye Lane. They say:
By using the disused Rickett coal sidings, which were decommissioned in the 1950’s, the elevated urban park would cut through the heavily built up ex-industrial area providing a precious green open space; a place to enjoy nature, amble, cycle, relax or play.
Users would discover local history in the atmospheric shadow of grand old Victorian arches and factories such as the Bussey building with park views towards the city skyscrapers and beyond helping contextualise Peckham geographically and historically, in a space that amplifies the seasons whilst linking our communities.
The high-line ties in with Peckham Vision's proposal for a low-line green path alongside the Bussey Building. Together the two green paths would tie into the transformed area around the planned new square in front of Peckham Rye station.
The proposal also has wider network potential; by linking two parts of the national cycle network it would be possible to create an almost continuous green route stretching from Brixton to Rotherhithe with the future potential to reach Canary Wharf.
It's a beautiful idea, still in its infancy - uncosted and undesigned - but with amazing potential. With successful precedents, an increasingly confident local neighbourhood and a relatively simple plan, there's no reason why it couldn't happen.
Right now, they're looking for support and design input, so click here for more details.
Appeal for witnesses
Jonny writes:
At around 9.30am on Tuesday morning on 9th September, Brockley resident Jonny Freeman was cycling to work when he was involved in an accident with a vehicle on Brockley Cross. As a result of the accident Jonny needed major surgery on his arm and shoulder. The driver of the car is known, I am just looking for witnesses.
Please get in contact with Jonny @jonnyfreeman if you witnessed the accident.
Woman on a Cycle
Lewisham Council writes:
Every Wednesday morning throughout the summer, women from all over Lewisham are being invited to join a free guided cycle ride from Croydon to Ladywell. The rides have been designed for women by the British Breeze Cycle Network, keen to encourage more women to get on their bikes.
The ride is led by a volunteer Breeze champion, trained to ensure the ride is a fun, social occasion for everyone. She is also on hand to help build the confidence of any of the less experienced riders. Rides are taken at a speed that suits everyone and usually end at a café so everyone can have a drink and a chat.
Full details of rides in and around Lewisham - including tomorrow's women-only ride - can be found at www.lewisham.gov.uk/cycling
Ladywell businesses protest pavement ban
Ladywell shop owners have been ordered by the Council to stop putting advertising boards, planters or tables outside their premises, in order that the newly-enlarged pavement can serve as a cycle lane. They're not happy. They write:
Ladywell businesses have been battling to survive the disruption caused by more than 13 months of streetworks. Thankfully these now appear to be coming to an end. But throughout this difficult time local traders fought hard to sustain viable businesses as fooftall fell sharply. At least two shopowners pulled out of the high street because of the difficulties they experienced.
But it now comes as something of a shock to find that the council can now turn round and show complete indifference to the plight of local businesses. Business conditions remain tight and competition between Lewisham's smaller "town centres" intense. Advertising displays, planters with flowers, and tables outside the cafes remain, even in the age of Twitter and Facebook, essential tools in the promotion of small businesses. They also help make the high street a more interesting and welcoming destination in the neighbourhood.
To deny small businesses recourse to this simple promotional tool in a far from benign business environment appears to us heavy handed. It suggests the council is out of touch and lacks an understanding of the difficulties facing small businesses like ours.
Ladywell's small businesses are the lifeblood of the high street and provide important local employment. We urge the Mayor and his councillors to consult with local businesses and rethink this blanket ban on A-boards and planters.
If the measures hurt a fragile local business ecosystem, they should be reconsidered. There's no reason why cyclists should get priority over shoppers through the middle of this little town centre. The mayor and deputy mayor have agreed to come to Ladywell on Friday to discuss the issue.
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