In may ways we have had a year of mixed fortunes, we have had some success in increasing membership, encouraging participation in the rides programme and furthering major projects. However, general activity within the group seems to be low and the last 3-4 months has seen a huge decline in the attenadance of meetings. I will focus on each of these issues by reviewing the targets I set out in my report for last year. These are:
To address organisational and administrative problems within the group, setting out clearer and more efficiently the dates and times of meetings
To implement a well planned and well publicised rides programme for 2003
To return to a campaigning profile within the community
To pursue and further progress major projects within the group
The year started out well in terms of meetings and getting the information out on time, although attendance of meetings was not greatly increased. Problems started in the summer months where, due partly to some late notification of meetings, attendance fell away and the pattern of meetings became unclear. It is difficult to see if the change to the 1st Tuesday in each month has had either a positive or negative impact. We have had some increase in membership this year and whereas we would not expect every member to take an active part, we need to strengthen our core of active members which is running at an unsustainable low level.
One area which has not been addressed is the publication of the newsletter of which there has been none this year.
The rides programme for 2003 has had a good deal of support and has brought some new members to the group. Over 20 people rode from Barnby Dun, along the newly opened canal towpath and on to Sandall Beat woods. Rides from the town centre to Sprotbrough and from the cheswold to Sandall Beat were also well supported but the last ride of the programme, from woodlands, was disappointing. Getting the publicity out early played its part but I feel the key factor for success was the introduction of very short rides. We still need to develop this programme and encourage other organisations to join it.
We have had no return to active campaigning this year and this is still an area on which we must focus.
To be effective as a campaigning group, we need to try to identify the issues that are of a concern to the whole of the group and the wider cycling community.
After long and protracted consultation with Knight Kaverner and Page we have at last succeeded in the publication of a feasibility study for the Area 51 project. The next step in this process is to identify a suitable site and get the backing of politicians, funders and the community in general. Key to a successful outcome of this venture is the ability of DCPG to set up run and manage the project. This raises a number of issues, not least the legal standing of the group and the state of the membership. It will be important that we can successfully complete our bid for charitable status if we are to accrue the benefits that a project of this nature would bring to the group and the community. There are other projects such as the route pack project which are still to be developed.
We continue to liaise with DMBC where we do have some influence over cycling policy, even if our comments are not always acted upon. Major schemes to be implemented next year are the completion of the Doncaster Greenway and the extension of the Armthorpe scheme. DMBC is also currently reviewing its overall cycling strategy. We have also been involved in successful promotion schemes such as the Frenchgate display during Bike Week.
We are still an important consultee on issues such as Doncaster Interchange, Doncaster Cycling Map and North Doncaster Transport Study. There are challenges ahead on how we widen these debates and how we can develop consultation with other bodies such as Health and Law enforcement.
All of our targets need restating and there are some new challenges ahead.
We must increase our membership still further and look at ways to involve more of the membership in issues, campaigns and active participation
We need to broaden the rides programme to involve more participants, types of event and organisations involved.
We must adopt at least one major campaign issue this year
We must be able to develop the legal position of the group and identify sustainable organisational structures.
I hope that all members of the group, past, present and future, can unite in achieving these aims
