Welcome to UEL Cyclists

This is the website of UEL Cyclists. We are the Bicycle User Group for staff at the University of East London. Here you can find information about UEL Cyclists, about the Cycle to Work Scheme and facilities available at both UEL campuses, and about events like Bike Week 2010 and our regular meetings.

UEL Cyclists exists to promote the interests of UEL staff who cycle (ranging from those of us who regularly cycle to work to more occasional bicycle users), and more broadly to encourage cycling among UEL staff. We are currently drafting a constitution which will be approved by the next meeting.

Free Cycle Training by British Cycling

Calling London Women to Breeze into Action and inspire others

British Cycling is offering free cycle training to become a Breeze Champion

The Breeze network is British Cycling’s exciting recreation programme to get more women riding a bike. It is about fun, friendly and social bike rides in a local area – led by women for women.

Funded by Sport England, Breeze relies on a hugely important group of volunteer champions to make the programme happen. Without their amazing energy, enthusiasm and commitment to get women bike riding, we simply wouldn't be able to offer these exciting experiences.

We are looking for Breeze champions across Greater London and we are running courses in a number of boroughs.

There is no need to be a cycling expert - just be confident on a bike and keen to help others. We're looking for enthusiastic people to get involved in the Breeze network and inspire women to get more out of their bike, have fun with friends and get a recognised qualification at the same time.

To become a Breeze champion:

• You'll take part in a free and fun one day ride leadership course where you'll have a chance to meet other Breeze champions.
• The certificate qualifies you to independently plan, deliver and promote rides to groups of women.
• In addition to free training, we will provide you with a Breeze kit, British Cycling Ride membership and plenty of support along the way.
• Furthermore, to ensure you're able to deliver safe bike rides, British Cycling will support you to gain a first aid qualification.
• In return we ask champions to deliver on average 14 rides over the year to local women in their area.

The following free, one day courses are taking place:

If you are interested or know someone who wants to find out more, then please visit www.breezebikerides.com or get in touch via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

UEL Bicycle Shelter Security

Unfortunately a UEL cyclist had his bicycle tampered with whilst parked in the Docklands Bicycle shelter. We have reported the incident to security who are undertaking an investigation.

However, thanks to our maintenance team we have taken immediate action including:

• Retro fitting a bar to the underside of the Docklands shelter so that even a very slim teenager or youth cannot slide under the shelter (not necessary at Stratford as it has already been lowered)
• Internal thumb latches have been replaced with a key lock at both Stratford and Docklands, thus stopping any local houdini reaching through the bars.
• The Stratford and Docklands shelters now share the same key, so tenants only need to carry one as opposed to two keys. Also making any need to replace locks cheaper. A separate key will still be required at Duncan House which will be issued to Duncan House users only.  

These measures will improve security but we also strongly suspect that access was gained to the Docklands shelter because someone had left the door open, especially as the door needs to be locked manually on exit.

So a reminder for all of us - make sure you lock the door behind you. 

The security team will also be making their own conclusions and it is hoped that we will be installing new CCTV cameras that will be trained on the Docklands shelter.

We all need to be vigilant reporting any incident to security and taking individual responsibility to safeguard the bicycles of the UEL community.

Regards and be careful out there

Greg

Open letter sent to Mayor Boris Johnson by a family friend of Bow cyclist fatality Brian Dorling

This is an open letter sent by a family friend of Brian Dorling to the Mayor Boris Johnson.

Mr Dorling was run over by a lorry on Monday 24 October, at Bow roundabout, a location that forms part of Cycle Superhighway 2.  

The letter laments the poor facilites for cyclists on this dangerous route, and calls for the Mayor to bring about substantial improvements, no matter the effect on motor traffic. 

Dear Boris Johnson,

I very much admire you as an engaging political character and an advocate of the green and healthy benefits of cycling in general. That said, I hope and expect that you must be greatly saddened by the death on Monday morning of a good friend of my family and me, Brian Dorling, at the Bow roundabout.

From what I understand, it seems frankly appalling that cyclists are actively encouraged to follow a corporate-sponsored cycle route that leaves them at a junction already and widely known as an accident waiting to happen.

There is a ghastly irony that while London is promoting cycle access to the Olympic Park, Brian - himself a keen amateur sportsman - should die cycling on his way to work as a surveyor on this very project.

We shall support his family at this time as best we can, but I would also hope that yourself and Transport for London also do not let him down.

Brian's death has been reported as the first on the so-called 'Cycle Superhighways'. His legacy, and the ultimate success of these schemes, is to ensure that his is also the last.

Please assure me, and those of us close to Brian, that (without reference to the consequences of interfering with the flow of motorised traffic) cyclists will be warned they are entering a Danger Zone at this location and that alternative routes are provided and that suitable signage is erected.

I look forward to a positive response that may bring some recognition and comfort to his family and those others of us who are now without our friend.

Yours sincerely

Mr S R Maynard
Twickenham 

Copies of the letter were sent to us, the Mayor, Newham Council, Sustrans, CTC, the Olympic Delivery Agency, ROSPA and Sebastian Coe (LOCOG).