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Road and building works often mean diverting the footway for pedestrians onto an alternative signed route. Frequently the needs of cyclists are ignored when such works take place, as in the case of St George’s Road, Wimbledon. A useful cycle access there became blocked off with a large kerb by contractors who had began work on an adjacent building site.

MCC member Laurie North, outraged by this careless and futile action, emailed Merton council to complain. The council sent someone to examine the site, and although the council officers never kept Laurie informed about what action they were taking, nor answered his questions about why a builder has the right to block off a road like that, the access for cycles has been restored. Well done Laurie for chasing this one up.

Professor Stan Wagon, a mathematician at Macalester College, in St.Paul, Minnesota, USA has proven that it does work! He built a bicycle with square wheels that runs on an inverted catenary road as smooth as a normal bike. Just scroll to the bottom of this page for the demo...

http://pascal7.freeyellow.com/Catenary/Hello%20everyone.htm

According to a US study, people who live in the sprawling suburbs of cities weight on average 6lb more than people who live in more compact areas. They are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and obesity.

www.smartgrowthamerica.org/healthreport.html

In a recent debate in the House of Lords, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, asked the Government about their action to tackle the treat of obesity on the health of the nation. The World Health Organisation has described obesity as 'a global public health epidemic', and only the USA and Canada are worse than the UK. The debate highlighted the need to make children more active and the role that cycling can play.

Our campaign for a permanent tribute in Wimbledon Town Centre to Rose Lamartine Yates, Merton’s first cycle campaigner and prominent suffragette, makes progress. We are looking for a representative of a feminist organisation to join the steering group; if this is you, please get in touch.

For Richard Evans' email address and phone number, please see back page.

Got an item of news? Want to advertise your cycle things?

Anything interesting to tell us?

Then please send it to the Editor (see back page for details).

Deadline for submission of items is Wednesday 10 March at the latest.

MCC News is published bi-monthly.

Anna Semlyen has revised and updated her book Cutting Your Car Use. The new 96pp pocket sized edition includes a directory of 206 organisations and new cartoons from Axel Scheffler. It is used to support travel planning. For example, Portsmouth Council gave copies to people registering on their car share site, Devon Council gave copies to those ringing a green travel help line; many organisations give it to new recruits, use it for prizes or sell it alongside parking permits.

Travel planners, reviewers or anyone considering a bulk order can ask for a free sample copy. Otherwise, the cost is £3.95 plus £1 p&p.

Contact: Green Book 01803 863260 E-mail: sales@greenbooks.co.uk

London Borough of Merton Council telephone numbers:-

Pothole Line: 020 8545 3133

Street Cleaning: 020 8545 4157

Footpath Repair & Road maintenance:

Highway Verge & Tree Maintenance:

Street Lights:

E-mail (for street lights reports only):

esenquiries@merton.gov.uk

www.merton.gov.uk

Transport for London,

(Red Route A-roads):

Street Faults Contact Centre:

http://streetfaults.tfl.gov.uk

Traffic Technology Services:

London Cycling Campaign potholes website:

http://www.lcc.org.uk/campaigns/safer_roads/potholes/reporting_potholes.asp

PPP Rides

PPP is a monthly programme of rides for parents with young children. Rides are on the last Sunday of each month. Start at 10.30am from Wimbledon station forecourt.

Rides are not too long (10/15 miles or so) with plenty of appropriate child-friendly stops. Kids of all ages welcome, in bike seats, trailers, or on their own bikes. We aim to keep to quiet or traffic-free routes where we can. Turn up and go - no need to book, no charge.

Further information from Ian McElvenny:- e-mail: ian.mcelvenny@tiscali.co.uk tel: 020 8672 3990