The following will present:
· Peter Walker; cyclist, blogger, journalist, author and local resident will present.
· Simon Munk, London Cycling Campaign
Minutes:
Peter Walker; cyclist, blogger, journalist, author and local resident presented first. He said that cycling is safer than not cycling because of the positive health impacts, however to encourage a wider uptake more is needed to be done to increase safety. This can be done through the provision of separate bike lane and modal filters.
He advocated reducing endless consultation and getting more changes done faster.
Peter Walker cautioned against a focus on EV, as there is rising evidence is that the emissions are still high from brake dust etc.; the safety problems of cars remain, alongside the predominance of roads given over to cars. The transport policy officer clarified she is not advocating wholescale switching from petro cars to EV , only that EV is a option of last resort.
Peter Walker highlighted the perverse parking charges; currently it is common for cars to be charged in the region of £125 per year, whereas a bike hanger is £48, despite the health benefits and low use of kerbside space. Nottingham has bucked this trend.
Simon Munk, London Cycling Campaign then presented. He said he lives in Waltham Forest, which has introduced Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and Mini Hollands. They have been very effective at changing transport habits.
He said there are bold targets in Southwark’s Movement Plan and hitting these targets would go a long way to reaching zero carbon and improving Air Quality.
However he said the bad news for Southwark is:
· Cycling not changing
· Car ownership is high for the borough
· Some of the worst collisions data, and not on a downward trend.
He advocated:
· Doing a borough wide CPZ, like many other London boroughs
· Increasing Cycling lanes
· Reducing parking
· Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and active travel provision on main roads
He said the Movement Plan advocates behaviour change; however the evidence is that these will not be effective without the provision of safe routes.
There was a discussion about political will, which Simon noted is evidently present in the Commission. He advised that that driving change requires retooling the engagement process. Social media means things can get heated. Political leadership is required to address this setting out the vision and consequences of not changing, with clear communication. He said that in Waltham Forest there was a scheme by scheme battle, and the approach was to do each one done faster and better .Provision on main roads is needed as well as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. He advised the reduction of car parking step by step.
Simon said that Southwark are leaders in freight movement with London Bridge cargo bikes and Peddle Me and advocated using this to get out in front on delivery and freight movement.
He also suggested adopting a workplace parking levy, and again sited good practice in Nottingham.
Learning from both Waltham Forest and the consultation on the CPZ in East Dulwich is that it can get very fraught with traders, however the evidence is that footfall actually increases which is better for local business.
Peter Walker asked if there was scope for experiments. The transport policy officer that that there was and Southwark is undertaking schemes with 18 months experimental orders, which can be repeated.
The cycling campaigners advised that there is a need for conviction and leadership, given the climate emergency and that car owners are not the majority.
RESOLVED
· Simon Munk offered to provide examples of good engagement and consultation guides.
· The Commission will visit Waltham Forest