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MCC News, Issue 34, Feb / March 2005

MCC is in support of road humps!

I note that not many correspondents speak in favour of road humps, so I will stick my neck out! In a nutshell, we think they are good, because they work: they save lives. The evidence is established, undeniable and overwhelming, and shows that speed humps cut child deaths and injuries by up to 67%. Merton Cycling Campaign is in favour of anything that slows down motor traffic and saves lives.

We would not disagree with some letter writers that the humps have their downsides. They are uncomfortable even for cyclists.

However, many myths circulate about these humps. To nail but two:

"Speed humps delay the emergency services and cost 500 lives per year".

Rubbish, according to London Ambulance Service spokesman Alex Bass: "We've never said that 500 lives are lost as a result of road humps... this is a quote which has gained a life of its own" (quoted in an article by Andrew Clark, The Guardian, August 18 2004). I would note also that speed humps mean fewer crashes and so fewer call outs for the emergency services; also that slower traffic means safer streets for walking and cycling, thus helping to improve general health and fitness levels and extend longevity.

"Speed humps damage cars". Plain woolly thinking! Car drivers will damage their cars by driving over speed humps too fast, much in the same way as they will damage their cars by driving them into other cars, brick walls, etc...

Long term there will be much better ways of taming the traffic than crude devices like road humps. For example once satellite controlled speed limiters are fitted in cars it will be impossible to exceed the speed limit and MCC will be happy to see the humps go. But until we have an alternative which is at least equally effective in its primary purpose of saving lives, the humps must stay.

Richard Evans

This letter can be seen in Wimbledon Guardian newspaper

Potholes? Broken glass? Overgrown weeds?

Fed up with potholes appearing on the roads throughout the Borough of Merton? Annoyed with the pieces of broken glass that may well increase the chance of punctures to your tyres?

Tired of litter obstructing the bike lanes / paths / footway / alleyway?

Are overgrown weeds or needles obstructing the cycle lanes?

If the answer is yes, then here's a chance to get the council to fill in the potholes, sweep the broken glass away and uproot the rotting weeds. For local roads (not Red-Route roads or TfL Red Route A roads), these are the ways of contacting the council to help make a safer, cleaner environment. Duncan Harper

London Borough of Merton Council telephone numbers:-

Pothole Line: 020 8545 3133

Street Cleaning: 020 8545 4157

Footpath Repair & Road maintenance: 020 8545 3700 / 3071

Highway Verge & Tree Maintenance: 020 8545 3826

Street Lights: 020 8545 3220 / 3829

www.merton.gov.uk

Transport for London, (Red Route A-roads):

Street Faults Contact Centre: 0845 305 1234

http://streetfaults.tfl.gov.uk/

London Cycling Campaign potholes website:

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

Anyone interested in sponsoring this newsletter, please get in touch.

The 'Mystery PPP ride' solved!

A group of six cyclists (plus Rio on the back of the tandem)  left Wimbledon Station on Boxing Day to head for Richmond Park.  The day was cold but gloriously sunny and clear blue skies.  We stopped for lunch at the olde swan at Thames Ditton - everyone refused the full Sunday roast in favour of sandwiches - I wonder why?  Join this friendly bunch on the last Sunday of every month at 10.30 from Wimbledon Station.

For more information from Ian McElvenny:-

e-mail: ian.mcelvenny@tiscali.co.uk tel: 020 8672 3990

Coming soon:

MCC Social Rides 2005 programme!

Watch this space!

Classifieds

Anyone want this bike? It's FREE!

Type of bike: Low budget mountian bike.

Colour: Strong blue. Speed: 15 gears.

Condition: Poor, needs a basic repair, that's all.

Free to anyone who want it. Interested? Then please contact Duncan, see below page for contact details.

2 water bottles to give away!

Clean & untouch. I have never use these bottles. Free to anyone who would like them. Interested? Then please contact Duncan.

Hot off the press?

Got an item of news? Want to advertise your cycle things? Anything interesting to tell us? Then please send items of interest to me. (see below for details). Deadline for submission of items is Thursday 3rd March at the latest.

MCC News is published bi-monthly.