On yer bike

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Apr 2005, 22:16

The following article by Porty resident and Spokes activist Ian Maxwell appears in today's EN:

Saddle up and start a revolution

I have mixed feelings about cycle lanes and would personally prefer that the Council used more of its cycling budget to join up the missing links in the off-road routes and to maintain the ones they have.

Post by **wangi** » 14 Apr 2005, 12:14

I guess the main thrust of the article is that Edinburgh Council generally do well on their cycle provision, but they need to spend more money & effort on making people aware of the various off-road routes available... I'd largely agree with that. East Lothian has much better signing on their cycle and foot paths, which would be a good start for Edinburgh Council.

Yeah, cycle lanes are absolutely rubbish and further enforce the view that some drivers have that cyclists should be "in the gutter" and not on their road. Cyclists should ignore cycle lanes and take the lane when it is sensible and safe to do so. Most cycle lanes are a waste of money because they are not compulsory, which results in them being a car park at most times...

From a local POV the crossing of Fishwives Causeway over Harry Lauder Road could do with modification to promote pedestrians and cyclists over cars - there is a built in delay from pressing the button to getting a green man - there's no need for this.

A coastal "Forth Riveria" foot and cycle path: Musselburgh - Portobello - Leith - Cramond would be good too.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 14 Apr 2005, 12:30

It can be different!

As a student I went on a cycling holiday around Holland for 2 weeks. The cycle paths were a complete intercity network which ran close to the main road structure. It was car free, signposted to the same level of sophistication as our roads and you could purchase proper maps that allowed you to really plan your journey. There were also plenty of places to 'park' your bike safely when you reached your destination. I know Holland is flat but it is much more than that which makes such a large percentage of their population cycle.

It was the preffered way to travel for many of those shorter distance trips.

portocat · Post by **portocat** » 27 Apr 2005, 08:26

is there a cycle path anywhere nr portobello going into town? I was thinking about cycling to work but keen to avoid the roads as much as possible for fear of being hit by a bus. Any advice?

Post by **wangi** » 27 Apr 2005, 09:27

portocat wrote:is there a cycle path anywhere nr portobello going into town? I was thinking about cycling to work but keen to avoid the roads as much as possible for fear of being hit by a bus. Any advice?

A number of possible routes which are off-road for a good part of the way...

1. The Innocent Railway cyclepath runs from the Asda at the Jewel till quite close to the City Centre - to St. Leonards. From there you can can go onto the roads or through Holyrood Park.

2.You can "cut the corner" and avoid the Seafield Roundabout by going up Fishwives' Causeway off Portobello High St which joins Portobello Road at Moira Terrace - from there on it a choice between London Road or quieter (ish!) roads: Restalrig Avenue - Marionville Avenue - Marionville Road. Or up London Rd till Parson's Green and then through Holyrood Park...

L/

Ed · Post by Ed » 27 Apr 2005, 13:06

When I used to work at (The) Gyle, I used to go from Northfield through Holyrood Park at The Golden Gates (no I didnt stop), past the Scotsman Building and up the Cowgate. Reasonably quiet (compared to London Road) and you come out on Lothian Road.

I then headed off along Slateford but that takes you out of town again.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 27 Apr 2005, 13:58

Ed wrote:When I used to work at (The) Gyle, I used to go from Northfield through Holyrood Park at The Golden Gates (no I didnt stop), past the Scotsman Building and up the Cowgate. Reasonably quiet (compared to London Road) and you come out on Lothian Road.

I then headed off along Slateford but that takes you out of town again.

That's a bit of a slog - hope you had somewhere to change when you got there!

Ed · Post by Ed » 27 Apr 2005, 14:04

It was a fun 7 miles but if you ever tried driving from Northfield to Gyle (pick any route, it doesnt matter), I would rather cycle in the pi**ing rain than sit in horrible Edinburgh city centre traffic. Anyway, doesnt matter now, have moved nearer house.