Introduced by Meade.

Active Spectatorship simply means travelling to an event, whether sporting, political, entertainment, by bike or on foot. Greatly supported by Met Police as a means of reducing the need for complex crowd control, though original idea came from discussions with the developers of the Olympic site. The vision is to achieve 10-15% of visitors to an event walking or cycling. Obviously needs some investment in route networks, and some liaison with travel companies.

LCC and TfL interested in it as a means of enrolling new cyclists: on the one hand to maintain political momentum (and funding): on the other to justify the LCN+ expenditure.

The Tour de France Prologue to be held in London next July will be the first rollout of this new concept. Simon explained how there would be a large London-wide publicity campaign urging people to attend the event (in Hyde Park), and travel by bike to do so. Local groups are being offered £200-300 for additional local publicity, plus training in marshalling and instruction, and prime viewing spaces if they organise feeder rides which include as many new cyclists as existing ones. However, new cyclists would have to pay for their own training, and no roads will be closed to improve access to Hyde Park.

The second trial run of Active Spectatorship will be for a Mass Ride planned for September 2007. This will follow a ring route in Central London (the original LCN0 route, perhaps?) with feeder routes coming from various directions. This time there will be road closures, but the focus of this event remains unclear. (Note added later: when we used to have mass rides at the end of Bike Week years ago, there was always a focus. So, for example, for a few years we invited selected cabinet ministers to come to receive the Order of the Buckled Wheel, for failed good intentions to cycling. I once organised the Veteran Cyclists to turn up in Primrose Hill to demonstrate their collection of ancient bikes.) It is also intended to provide high levels of cycle parking at all major public events between now and the Olympics.

So, by the time of the Olympics in 2012, the levers needed to provoke high levels of Active Spectatorship should be well-understood, so that a high proportion of visitors to the Games are expected to travel by bike or on foot. Of the four main entrances to the Olympic site, two (north and south) will definitely have large areas of cycle parking. Discussions are in hand to add a third large cycle parking area (at the western gate), to permit cycling along the ring road around the Olympic Village, and even to allow bike use within the village by athletes and their families. LCC is trying to enthuse an, as yet, sceptical ODA (Olympic Development Association?) about using bikes to transport goods and people within the site.

Agreements have been reached regarding maintaining existing cycle routes during construction and measures needed to reduce conflict between cycles and HGVs. Finally, Simon mentioned how he is working with the Ramblers and Living Streets to ensure a walking dimension to Active Spectatorship.

He then asked for questions.

Stefano noted that it would probably be easier to get new cyclists to attend events like the TdF if there were some road closures. Simon confirmed that there will be many central London roads closed for the Mass Ride, and that there might be some for the TdF Prologue. Meade asked what kinds of experience there are around the world with this sort of approach.

Simon commented that most similar events elsewhere are competitive, which none of London’s will be. So, it’s a bit new, though Paris has a mass ride every year. He also noted that the Mayor needs the Green vote in the GLA to get his policies through, so there is a possibly unique window for the next two years during which to push cycling very hard.

Viv noted that some institutions (she mentioned the Eden Project) offer reduced entry fees and faster admission times for visitors by bike. Is there any chance of this at the Olympics? No, is the short answer, though there is an inherent departure queue jump available for cyclists as they don’t have to wait to get out of a car park or onto a bus. Two hour departure delays are being mentioned. However, there is a ‘soft modes’ team working in the ODA, which may come up with some further inducements, especially as it becomes clear that the various public transport links planned won’t be ready on time.

She also asked about whther the Sustrans Bike-It scheme (Safe Routes to Schools) could be adapted to encourage young people to ride to the games. Simon confirmed that this was an effective approach (fourfold increases in cycle use having sometimes been observed, but didn’t say whether it would be applied to the Olympics.

Anne was concerned that she still sees the same old playground training taking place in her local school, with never a breath of the open road being allowed the kids. Not much use, really.

Convincing parents and headteachers to allow this is one of the tasks the National Curriculum is designed to do. Asked about Sustrans Goal project, Simon answered that LCC has now agreed to support it, on four conditions. Firstly, it mustn’t undermine existing funding. Secondly, it should include funding for ‘soft measures’ (training and publicity). Thirdly, there must be lots of local consultation. Fourthly, LCC must be involved.

We then went on to discuss future strategies at LCC, which was a tad less good-natured. Relations between LCC and the Borough Groups were at the heart of most comments. Salient points are:

There are to be four new member-lead campaigns: on theft and parking: on ASL enforcement, and two others. Dominic suggested that more centralised campaigning would be approriate, though Lionel felt the balance between Centre and Groups to be about right.

Simon is trying to recruit a someone to work at LCC on the technicalities of CRISPs, CRIMs, and other consultations. All LCC consultation responses will be available on-line (on Actinet) for Group access at the end of this year. CCC could have their responses included in this system, if required.

London Cyclist is to be revamped in February 2007, and Helen asked if deadlines could be relaxed, to allow more newsworthy news to be included.

Blackfriars Bridge has been modified to improve its cycle and pedestrian acessibility.

Group coordinators will be able to receive up-to-date membership lists by email from Christmas, but will still not be allowed access to the main membership database. A new membership officer is now working in the office: Cyrus.