People's Question Time with Kenny Boy

I got 3 spare tickets too!!! Come on who's in?

You can grab two GLA assembly members and the TFL head of "Cycling, Walking and Accessibility2 at the Lewisham Cyclists AGM tonight

Lewisham Cyclists are holding their AGM this Wednesday evening in the Council Chamber of the Civic Suite in Catford from 7.30 to 9.30 pm.

Speaking at the AGM will be:

GLA assembly member Len Duval,
Lewisham Deputy Mayor Councillor Heidi Alexander,
Leader Lib Dem group Lewisham – Councillor Mark Morris
Leader Lewisham Green party (and GLA member) Darren Johnson
Peter McBride (TfL Head of Cycling Walking and Accessibility (CWA))

Charlie Lloyd LCC's Cycling Development Officer will chair the meeting.

Hey guys,

This is next Tuesday, I have 3 spare tickets. Anyone want to go with me?

Yes!

what are the questions you'll be fielding ken?

i'd like to know why you can't take a non-folding bike on a bus. an empty bus, i can understand issues to do with cramped commuters, why are foldies special?

well they are smaller.... perhaps the question should be phrased something like:

In many other major cities around the world public buses are equipped to carry bikes. Will this be part of your so-called pro-cycling initiative."

So Mattster, does that mean you're coming?

Alright Buffalo, I got one ticket for you. Wanna ride together? It's in Richmond.

roxy 1. Quoting Nick Lester, London's Director of transport, environment, and planning "Cars are not allowed to stop, park or drive in mandatory bike lanes at present. However, enforcement of this by police is limited. Councils do more enforcement of the parking restrictions."
While the key phrase here is "mandatory bike lanes" I'd like to know why this isn't enforced on all bike lanes, and what the point of a bike lane is if cars, lorries, buses, etc can use them as well.

1. Heavy Good's Vehicles are the number one killer of cyclists (after beer) in London. They are dangerous, unenvironmentally friendly, and downright ugly. What are you doing to ensure that these HGV's don't kill people and how are you looking to cut down, restrict, or abandon their use outright in London?

2. There seems to be a "blame the victim" approach to public services regarding cycling and motorcycling in London. Your television ad's show that when a motorcyclist is doored by a car and killed it is his fault. That wearing helmets is needed to protect from dangerous cars, and that cyclists should themselves come to Trafalgar Sq, get in a HGV and see for themselves what the driver can see through his mirrors so they won't get killed. What are you doing to increase penalties on motor drivers who hit and injure or kill cyclists and pedestrians? What are you doing to enforce this? And what are you doing by way of Public Services to spread the word that "cycling isn't dangerous, the cars and trucks that hit cyclists are." ?

4.In light of the most recent death of a cyclist on public roads who was killed by public transport, what is the Mayor doing to cure the aggression towards cyclists that drivers exhibit, especially those working on the streets daily such as cabbies and bus drivers. And because it is clear that whatever the Mayor is doing isn't solving the issue, what are you going to do to crack down on aggression towards cyclists.
Were you thinking about cyclists when you introduced the 'bus from hell' the bendy bus..?

1. Does anyone with any actual power to initiate positive change in London actually ride a bike as their chief mode of transport, ideally on a daily basis and how far do they have to travel?
   

1, 3, and 4 are excellent and my fingers are crossed that answers come forth. don't think i'll make it, but if no one steps up i will make the effort.

roxy

1. There seems to be a "blame the victim" approach to public services regarding cycling and motorcycling in London. Your television ad's show that when a motorcyclist is doored by a car and killed it is his fault. That wearing helmets is needed to protect from dangerous cars, and that cyclists should themselves come to Trafalgar Sq, get in a HGV and see for themselves what the driver can see through his mirrors so they won't get killed. What are you doing to increase penalties on motor drivers who hit and injure or kill cyclists and pedestrians? What are you doing to enforce this? And what are you doing by way of Public Services to spread the word that "cycling isn't dangerous, the cars and trucks that hit cyclists are." ?
   
   

4.In light of the most recent death of a cyclist on public roads who was killed by public transport, what is the Mayor doing to cure the aggression towards cyclists that drivers exhibit, especially those working on the streets daily such as cabbies and bus drivers. And because it is clear that whatever the Mayor is doing isn't solving the issue, what are you going to do to crack down on aggression towards cyclists.

after all, what's a little TV advert reminding drivers not to kill us, when they've already spent so much on making sure cycles don't go on pavements? (where only 1 ped has been killed and that wasn't even in London)

why should the onus always be on the vulnerable road user?

why are drivers still speeding, jumping lights, driving aggressively and using mobile phones, all very obviously, whilst the police fine cyclists for breaking reds and pavement cycling?

it's the transport equivalent of a 12 year old shoplifter getting the electric chair whilst the murderers and rapists walk free

We have a TfL consultation going on at work; they have a budget for some unspecified enabling projects to get people cycling and on public transport and are surveying staff online and at a couple of 'focus groups' next week to see what to spend it on. I think. Unless they've already decided and need some token participation.

We employ 6000 people across North Central London at various sites (UCLH hopsitals) and I'm getting involved so I'll try and find out if this is just with us or all NHS sites or just with big employers.

My editor won't let me have the time off work... two tickets going if anyone wants them.

I reckon we should get there around 6pm.

adt- that's good to know! Do you have a contact at TfL that's handling the additional projects? whisper if you can.

roxy [quote]roxy 1. Quoting Nick Lester, London's Director of transport, environment, and planning "Cars are not allowed to stop, park or drive in mandatory bike lanes at present. However, enforcement of this by police is limited. Councils do more enforcement of the parking restrictions."
While the key phrase here is "mandatory bike lanes" I'd like to know why this isn't enforced on all bike lanes, and what the point of a bike lane is if cars, lorries, buses, etc can use them as well.

1. Heavy Good's Vehicles are the number one killer of cyclists (after beer) in London. They are dangerous, unenvironmentally friendly, and downright ugly. What are you doing to ensure that these HGV's don't kill people and how are you looking to cut down, restrict, or abandon their use outright in London?

2. There seems to be a "blame the victim" approach to public services regarding cycling and motorcycling in London. Your television ad's show that when a motorcyclist is doored by a car and killed it is his fault. That wearing helmets is needed to protect from dangerous cars, and that cyclists should themselves come to Trafalgar Sq, get in a HGV and see for themselves what the driver can see through his mirrors so they won't get killed. What are you doing to increase penalties on motor drivers who hit and injure or kill cyclists and pedestrians? What are you doing to enforce this? And what are you doing by way of Public Services to spread the word that "cycling isn't dangerous, the cars and trucks that hit cyclists are." ?

4.In light of the most recent death of a cyclist on public roads who was killed by public transport, what is the Mayor doing to cure the aggression towards cyclists that drivers exhibit, especially those working on the streets daily such as cabbies and bus drivers. And because it is clear that whatever the Mayor is doing isn't solving the issue, what are you going to do to crack down on aggression towards cyclists.
Were you thinking about cyclists when you introduced the 'bus from hell' the bendy bus..?

1. Does anyone with any actual power to initiate positive change in London actually ride a bike as their chief mode of transport, ideally on a daily basis and how far do they have to travel?[/quote]

2. Is it true that you have even considered allowing motorcyclists into bus lanes? An act that, if policed, they could get a fine of £120? This is clearly anti-cycling. Although everyone knows you can get across town faster by bicycle than anything else, in relative mph possible, bicyclists are the slowest thing on the road while Motorcycles whizz through London's streets at top speed. You now are considering putting them side by side. ARE YOU A FUCKING IDIOT?!?!??! [sorry]

Who else is coming?!!?

I would rather share a bus lane with a motorcycle than a bus.

If you have a chance, one question I'd like the answer to:
Buses are fitted with cameras for recording other drivers misdemenours. Are the details of drivers of buses who's cameras record them passing through red lights passed on to the Police for prosecution?
I must see 2-3 buses jump red lights every day. I'd like to know how many buses pass signals at red daily (the equivalent of train driver SPAD - signals passed at danger - incidents).

Oooh. Good one.

how about

with the amount of funds spent on encouraging cycling, and the amount spent on police why do police ignore crimes like cycle theft, which are used to fund drug addictions and gangs, in order to crack down on cyclists at red lights?

Seriously now boys and girls!!! Who's gonna come and try to get a question in tomorrow night?

No bitching about policy or where 'they' put the money if you're not willing to try to make changes! Still got tickets!!!

^you have whisper

roxy [quote]roxy [quote]roxy 1. Quoting Nick Lester, London's Director of transport, environment, and planning "Cars are not allowed to stop, park or drive in mandatory bike lanes at present. However, enforcement of this by police is limited. Councils do more enforcement of the parking restrictions."
While the key phrase here is "mandatory bike lanes" I'd like to know why this isn't enforced on all bike lanes, and what the point of a bike lane is if cars, lorries, buses, etc can use them as well.

A. We can only put so many resources in to this. However, if our traffic wardens see things like this they will ticket the offending vehicle and potentially tow it away. Also we have neighbourhood police in every ward and have never seen so many police in London enforcing the law etc etc but I take your point and will raise this with TfL.

1. Heavy Good's Vehicles are the number one killer of cyclists (after beer) in London. They are dangerous, unenvironmentally friendly, and downright ugly. What are you doing to ensure that these HGV's don't kill people and how are you looking to cut down, restrict, or abandon their use outright in London?
   
   

A. We have recently introduced the low emission xone in london which charges the most polluting vehicles much more for driving in London. This is to reduce both carbon emissions and the heavy vehicles on our roads, such as 4X4s and coaches which can only be a good thing for environment and other road users.

1. There seems to be a "blame the victim" approach to public services regarding cycling and motorcycling in London. Your television ad's show that when a motorcyclist is doored by a car and killed it is his fault. That wearing helmets is needed to protect from dangerous cars, and that cyclists should themselves come to Trafalgar Sq, get in a HGV and see for themselves what the driver can see through his mirrors so they won't get killed. What are you doing to increase penalties on motor drivers who hit and injure or kill cyclists and pedestrians? What are you doing to enforce this? And what are you doing by way of Public Services to spread the word that "cycling isn't dangerous, the cars and trucks that hit cyclists are." ?
   
   

A. I would cetainly encourage cyclists and motorcyclists to take as many precautions as possible and to drive safely and wear protective and visible clothing. The laws regarding punsihments for dangerous driving are made by our national legislature in Parliament. However, we have neighbourhood wardens in every ward in London and have more police than ever before ensuring that crime has dropped and the law is enforced as well as there being a visible presence on our streets deterring criminals and dangerous drivers.

4.In light of the most recent death of a cyclist on public roads who was killed by public transport, what is the Mayor doing to cure the aggression towards cyclists that drivers exhibit, especially those working on the streets daily such as cabbies and bus drivers. And because it is clear that whatever the Mayor is doing isn't solving the issue, what are you going to do to crack down on aggression towards cyclists.
Were you thinking about cyclists when you introduced the 'bus from hell' the bendy bus..?

A. I appreciate the difficulty some cyclists have on the roads which is why we have built (x) amount of cycle lanes and will be investing £500 million over the bext ten years on cycling and walking routes in and around London to improve conditions for cyclists. All people who use our roads should behave responsibly to other road users and TFL has a training scheme for bus drivers which is world reknowned etc etc

1. Does anyone with any actual power to initiate positive change in London actually ride a bike as their chief mode of transport, ideally on a daily basis and how far do they have to travel?[/quote]
   
   

A. no idea...for this one

1. Is it true that you have even considered allowing motorcyclists into bus lanes? An act that, if policed, they could get a fine of £120? This is clearly anti-cycling. Although everyone knows you can get across town faster by bicycle than anything else, in relative mph possible, bicyclists are the slowest thing on the road while Motorcycles whizz through London's streets at top speed. You now are considering putting them side by side. ARE YOU A FUCKING IDIOT?!?!??! [sorry]
   
   

A. there has been a pilot scheme looking into this in North London. We are evaluating the results and may commission a further review of this. Until we have all the eveidence we will not make a decision on a matter as important as this.

Who else is coming?!!?[/quote]

see above the answers that you will most likely get. Its still worth airing your concerns as they are your democratically elected representatives, but just don;t be surprised if you don;t get the answer you necessarily wanted or the change you demand straight away

Whew, I was worried I'd actually have to attend tomorrow.
Hey Velocity Boy, thanks for getting Red Ken's spokesman to come to us! That's service!!

I'll be heading down from work, not sure what time I'll get there though

do you need a ticket?

no worries Roxy - anytime ;-) they are only guesses at what i reckon would be said, for the record I am a Boris supporter.

I hope you do a report back on the event and I would be really interested to hear how the session goes, how you find the q&a session and what issues were most contentious.