http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Tag: historic scotland - Recent Topics en Mon, 18 May 2026 09:48:41 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1657#post-16224 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 13:57:05 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 16224@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So on Friday I was bikehike-ing the 7 hills of the city (there should be a ride report at some point this afternoon) and number 6 on the list was Castle Rock. As I was ascending the cobbles I could see a red-jacketed person exiting her booth just before the esplanade seemingly intent on <em>me</em> (call it a 6th sense if you like - it was right).</p> <p>"Sorry sir, cycling isn't allowed on the Esplanade." It was clarified that I could walk up with the bike, but not ride it. 'Fine' I thought, 'it's not much of a hardship'. But walking up something struck me as odd.... The number of cars parked there (presumably contractors for work going on) which I assume had not hovered into place. Then as I was walking back down a taxi dropped off a couple of tourists executing its U-Turn on the Esplanade.</p> <p>So I stopped at the booth and queried why, when bikes are not allowed, cars are. I was the very image of politeness (which probably accounts for the three people in the booth being very polite and chatty back).</p> <p>"Health and safety sir. People can see cars, they can't see bikes."</p> <p>Yes dear reader you read that right. Bikes, and not just the recumbent sort, are invisible to Joe Bloggs. I explained that people really should open their eyes in that case, and pondered aloud the existence of a risk assessment on the relative dangers of cars and bikes (being H&amp;S officer for your work helps in these matters). It was an explanation that suggested two things to me.</p> <p>Firstly there is an implicit assumption that drivers and cyclists merely drive and ride in a manner that does not take into account pedestrians for, secondly, it suggests that it is up to the <em>pedestrian</em> to avoid conflict in such situations by being able to <em>see</em> the object.</p> <p>One of the red-jackets did say to her cohorts (actually, this is harsh, they themselves were very nice and merely following orders), "Actually, he has a point you know." I was told that I should complain to Historic Scotland.</p> <p>Now as far as I am aware Historic Scotland is a public body and therefore subject to FOI requests. And so I need questions.</p> <p>Naturally I will ask if a risk assessment has been carried out and what the conclusions were; also I will ask for accident rates by transport option on the Esplanade.</p> <p>Does anyone know if they have bike stands there? I saw a couple of bikes chained to railings which would suggest not... </p>