Attendees: Gavin Clark (Chair), Rachel Martin, Daniel Verhamme, Victoria Neumann, Clemens von Schiffer, Hanne Bruhn, Laurie Rominger.
Introduction
Victoria joined us for the first time so we had introductions.
Minutes of last meeting & matters arising
The minutes are on the website as of today.
Deeside Way art project
The artwork is complete and looks terrific. We’ve had lots of supportive feedback. Website post here https://aberdeencycleforum.org.uk/2022/09/23/art-for-deeside-way/
Lots of questions from passersby about the art and whether we’ll be doing other bridges along the path.
Tour of Britain
We wanted to promote the open session for members of the public to cycle but we weren’t told about when the open session would be until the day before.
Daniel had watched the open session but reported it was mostly a warm-up for some of the racers. There were not many family groups there. He thought perhaps people did not like it because it had little to do with everyday cycling, and had boycotted the event for this reason.
Critical Mass
The critical mass ride will be happening on Friday evening at 6pm. Website here https://cmaberdeen.wordpress.com
One or more of our members has set it up. The weather forecast is not looking very good on Friday night with heavy rain and high gusts of wind. Unless the forecast changes they may the need to reschedule.
Postscript: the weather cleared up just in time! 35+ people turned out and it had been a pleasant and sociable ride
Consultations and corridor studies
There’s a Scottish government consultation on a cycling framework – https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/new-draft-cycling-framework-for-scotland/
We did get some news about Union Street recently. Gavin missed the last meeting of ACTUP but they circulated the designs by email just before the meeting. In meetings earlier this year they showed us preliminary designs on how they were going to incorporate cycling. In the most recent designs there’s nothing whatsoever. Gavin emailed Will at the council to find out more and he confirmed they’ve decided not to put any infrastructure on the plans for east and west Union Street. This was justified on the basis that the central section will also have no cycle lanes. We are all naturally quite dismayed by this information and have plans to reinstate the cycle path for Union Street campaign with postcards, stickers, and a petition. Maybe also protests.
Engagement with Councillors / ACC
Gavin has emailed Ian Yuill and reminded him about appointing someone at the council as an active travel champion.
Hanne says Kate Blake was in touch about an amendment for the Berryden Corridor extension to Woolmanhill roundabout. Her real concern is that even though a cycle path is in the plans there’s no funding for it.
Insurance
Gavin spoke to a specialist insurance broker this week. They provide the insurance for Cycling UK and other cycling-related businesses. He’s going to send Gavin a proposal. He did suggest we could become an affiliate of Cycling UK and use their insurance – it would cost about £200/year. Gavin felt it didn’t provide sufficient cover as you have to get the names of all people joining rides which won’t really work for things like Pedal on Parliament.
Next coffee / social ride
Laurie, Francesco and Clemens met up and it was really great. They started with coffee and then went cycling through cove and down Tollohill Wood.
Gavin suggested doing another one in October with maybe an indoor coffee stop somewhere. Date TBC.
Any other business
Gavin pointed out that we need another spotlight on a cyclist as we haven’t posted it for a while. Laurie volunteered to do it next.
Gavin mentioned the address list update and moving it to a better system. We haven’t decided on anything yet. Still on the to-do list.
Rachel asked whether anyone would mind changing the minutes from PDF files to blog posts as PDF files aren’t accessible or searchable and take up a lot of space. Agreed this will be an improvement.
Daniel asked if anyone read the Sustrans state of cycling report on Spaces for people – https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/news/2022/september/sustrans-publishes-evaluation-of-temporary-active-travel-programme/
People want spaces for active travel!
Date of next meeting
Tuesday 25 October
Aberdeen Cycle Forum 