http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Tag: KB - Recent Posts en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:16:04 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-91324 Sat, 17 Nov 2012 01:06:05 +0000 Claggy Cog 91324@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have just had another thought as to why cycling does not seem as pleasurable and it is the advent of the SUV and massive 4x4's and the sheer number of huge cars there are. I was passed by what was a Mini the other day, and by Mini standards it was not mini at all, in fact it was more maxi (not that there are many if any of them on the roads these days)!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-91322 Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:42:51 +0000 Claggy Cog 91322@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I do enjoy cycling, really I do. However, it was much better three to five years ago, before the tram fiasco and before the roads in Edinburgh really were left to go to hell in a basket. Co-incidentally the roads have deteriorated with the vast sums being spent on the tram and therefore one concludes that is where the money for upkeep of the infrastructure has gone. The parless state of the roads cannot be entirely blamed on a couple of crap winters, the fact is that they were deteriorating before. The roads do seem to be more congested and volumes of traffic have risen, I am almost sure of that, with many new drivers who really should not have passed their tests, as well as the older ones who were rubbish, causing mayhem with their poor if not downright dangerous driving, lack of experience, manners, and knowledge of the highway code. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-91321 Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:33:20 +0000 Claggy Cog 91321@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ah yes, Relugas Road, now there is a quality road, so NOT. Tooth, brain rattling, and bike bearing shattering, is what is is. Shockingly bad, the sleeping policemen have holes on holes, as has the road and best of all the bit that joins Mayfield Road to get onto the QBC - it is steep and cobbled, the setts being quite wide apart, and is to be taken very cautiously going up onto Relugas Road from Mayfield Rd and vice versa particularly in wet road conditions. Appalling. Plus cars are parked almost abutting the end of the road meaning that cars turning into Relugas Road invariably cut the corner and if you are positioned on your side of the road you get very angry stares from drivers as you are impeding their progress onto what is the wrong side of the road for them! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-91309 Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:28:02 +0000 chdot 91309@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/8190820473/"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8209/8190820473_b053c74984.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/8191906776/"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8191906776_d65b0d8207.jpg"></a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-91027 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:09:10 +0000 chdot 91027@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And Rik Grashoff (former member of Dutch Parliament and alderman of Delft) said -</p> <p>"Bicycle lanes at least 1.2m" - or don't bother to put them in</p> <p>Also</p> <p>"</p> <p>Most don't wear helmets</p> <p>Modal share 34%</p> <p>Stick to vision 10-20 years</p> <p>Cars drive slower due to design</p> <p>Cycle parking - never enough</p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-91026 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:47:18 +0000 Kim 91026@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The opening of the Cycling Scotland ‘Go Dutch’ conference was a classic, there was a video presentation showing lots of picture of the QBC. This was followed by the Dutch Ambassador who made comments about how these pictures showed exactly the sort of narrow painted-on lanes that they don’t even bother with as they create the illusion of safety without providing any actual safety... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-91024 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:44:16 +0000 Roibeard 91024@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@cb <em>That is quite funny! Did he look crestfallen?</em></p> <p>He didn't notice, being in Glasgow rather than at the conference - he was only present in pre-recorded form.</p> <p>Poor Jim Orr did look harassed though, particularly when the Dutch delegation went on to say that the best time to build cycle infrastructure cheaply was tagging it on to other major works, like when installing trams. The chair then had the temerity to ask if Edinburgh had done that...</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-91016 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:55:04 +0000 twinspark 91016@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Crossroads?</p> <p>I've only experienced it from West Mains Road turning right into Mayfield road and the reverse. Struck me as I sat at the lights (in the car - sorry!) on West Mains Road that there was plenty of road used up for the filter lane to the ASL and the 2 traffic lanes meaning that single lane going up West Mains Road was overly narrow. This being the point where a cyclist is likely to be travelling slowly up the hill and is likely to suffer the ire of any impatient motorists.</p> <p>Also I've noticed that the traffic doing the said right turn is often unaware that the filter comes on from Mayfield Road to go up West Mains Road at the same time and seems to cut the corner much more than previously. Have seen a few near misses and had somebody driving at me as I went round the corner in the car. In that respect I found going round the same on the bike less worrying as I was further to the left! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-90987 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:22:18 +0000 cb 90987@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That is quite funny! Did he look crestfallen? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-90986 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:16:41 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 90986@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>.... but was immediately met with the next Dutch speaker, who politely described it as inadequate, without realising that Keith (or the film maker) had intended it as an exemplary, inspiring image!</em>"</p> <p>Mwuhahahahaha! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-90983 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:11:15 +0000 Roibeard 90983@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It is intended that cyclists enter KB from the north by mounting the pavement, then crossing diagonally NE to SW, which should minimise pedestrian conflict (as pedestrians always cross rectilinearly...).</p> <p>As for jumping the red light, it's more of a bypass (see <a href="http://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/cycling-past-red-lights-its-legal-in-the-netherlands/">BicycleDutch</a> for Dutch examples of this). Although in Holland the cycle track wouldn't be onroad at all!</p> <p>It's a bit confusing as bicycles are permitted to make a right turn in the carriageway (dual network design at work, I suspect), so if you arrive whilst the lights are green, you can turn right into KB or West Mains Road if clear. On red, you could bypass the lights and cycle into KB, but I don't know if you can bypass the lights and cycle up West Mains Road. Even if legal, it may have you coming into conflict with a stream of pedestrians.</p> <p>It was amusing that this spot illustrated Keith Brown's talk at the <a href="http://www.cyclingscotlandconference.org">conference</a>, but was immediately met with the next Dutch speaker, who politely described it as inadequate, without realising that Keith (or the film maker) had intended it as an exemplary, inspiring image!</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-90974 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:39:56 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 90974@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Dave that sounds insane! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-90971 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:22:54 +0000 cc 90971@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks! I'll have to go up there and experience this. It's only a few hundred <strike>yards</strike> metres from home. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-90954 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:51:12 +0000 Dave 90954@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Compared with the rest of the route the rebuilt junction at KB is quite startling. It's a four way box junction but cyclists and pedestrians get a green light simultaneously. Talk about ambition.</p> <p>I'm not sure legally how it works. Presumably if you arrive at a red light on 'your' road then the bike lights go green the idea is to ride across, although superficially that seems identical to red light jumping (crossing a white line with controlling signal at red).</p> <p>I now wonder if the pavements have been redesignated mainly to provide a nominal excuse (i.e. you can legally mount the pavement, dodge the peds and cross on the green bike, but not just ride the straight line). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-90940 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:48:01 +0000 Min 90940@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ah yes, the famous Avoid Cycling on the "Quality" Bike Corridor route!</p> <p>Says it all. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8906#post-90937 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:39:23 +0000 cc 90937@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This lunchtime I noticed some big posters up in George Square advertising the Quiet Route between George Square and King's Buildings. (Sorry, no picture: no camera.)</p> <p>The Quiet Route appears to be the same one that's called "Route 6" on blue signs; it takes you across the Meadows, up Lauder Road and along Relugas Road to join the Quality Bike Corridor in time to climb up Mayfield Road to the crossroads at the top. (How's the crossroads rebuilding coming on by the way? It should be finished by now but I haven't been up to see it.)<br /> The posters give the URL <a href="http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cycling">http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cycling</a> though that doesn't yet seem to have any specific information on the route. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7913#post-79753 Sun, 29 Jul 2012 09:45:46 +0000 cc 79753@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>After a bit of a hunt I've discovered some plans for the work that's being done at the corner of the King's Buildings campus, where Mayfield Road and West Mains Road meet at the traffic lights.</p> <p>The project is called <a href="http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/science-engineering/news-events/kb-gateway">The King's Buildings Gateway</a>. Apparently somebody has finally noticed that this corner is the main pedestrian entrance/exit to the campus, and has decided that it should look like a main entrance, instead of like a hedge.</p> <p>There's a link from that page to a diagram of what the redesigned corner is going to look like. There's also a link to a wider site all about the <a href="http://www.kingsbuildings.org.uk/">King's Buildings Public Realm and Landscape Strategy</a>, which touches on cycling in several places. I was pleased to see that it proposes to have pedestrian and cycle routes criss-crossing the campus. This seems like progress - when I worked there lots of paths were marked NO CYCLING. The site also has a rather architecty picture of the new entrance corner.</p> <p>There's also a mention somewhere there of the toucan crossing which the council is going to install soon at that corner, apparently to provide a diagonal route across the crossroads to link the (dare I say it, glamorous) new KB entrance with the QBC. I tried to find more about this in the council's site but got lost in a maze of twisty little pages, all alike. Can anyone point us to more detail? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-64623 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:10:57 +0000 Dave 64623@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ironic, the people on the pedestrian side prefer a smooth run on the cycle side and cyclists prefer a rumble strip to coming off on wet tramlines... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-64514 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:46:53 +0000 Tulyar 64514@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The tramlines are preferred by those with wheelchairs and prams, who cross to the cycle side for the easier path. There was a vaguely cogent argument for the ridges running across the path on the walking side which I'll need to look out but few were engaged to really lobby for the commonsense here.</p> <p>BUT there are very strict dimensions for the height and shape used, and several cyclists falls have lead to claims upheld because the wrong profile and spec has been used by the contractor (and possibly specified by the designer). I know there was a programme of testing and research carried out about 20 years ago at TRL for the DETR, supervised by Gordon Harland. I've been trying for around 3 years to get details but TRL cannot find the stuff in their records and DfT.... This could prove invaluable in getting better standards for any vertical displacement which knocks tyres sideways (eg level crossings, cracks running along the carriageway, poor joints in trench reinstatement, and tram lines). Essentially anything greater than 5mm and up to 20mm is a serious hazard if struck at an oblique angle. More than 20mm - should be so obvious that you avoid it anyway - almost a kerb. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-64439 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 11:56:40 +0000 crowriver 64439@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>They're painting the road and restricting parking a bit more. Unfortunately they've also introduced extra car parking spaces right where people used to cycle, narrowing the road and forcing bikes out into scary traffic.</em></p> <p>Had a look at some of the plans for central Edinburgh.</p> <p>I don't mean to be churlish, it's positive that the Council are doing <em>something</em> to cater for cyclists, but this is a very contingent 'improvement'.</p> <p>First off, we are still having to share space with buses and taxis in the new lanes, for the most part.</p> <p>Secondly, the 'exclusivity' of the lanes is restricted to peak commuting times ie, 7.30-9.30am; 4.00-6.30pm. I presume anyone cycling outwith those times will have to share the lane with assorted beamers, white vans and HGVs?</p> <p>Thirdly, the council have tried too hard to accommodate every conceivable road user. I note a new official taxi rank has been plonked right in the bike/bus/taxi lane on George IV Bridge, for example. Also the previously mentioned additional parking spaces, etc.</p> <p>It's a mish-mash of compromised good intentions, basically. Typical UK cycling infrastructure, in fact: well meaning, but ultimately of limited utility.</p> <p>Sigh. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-64438 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 11:38:26 +0000 LivM 64438@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I would also guess that pushchairs and wheelchairs would find a tramlines (or preferably, smooth) surface easier than a rumble strip . Seems like it really is the wrong way round for many users :/ </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-64437 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 11:37:41 +0000 Arellcat 64437@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Custard &amp; Kaputnik, have a look at the <a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/guidance-on-the-use-of-tactile-paving-surfaces/">DfT guidance on tacile paving surfaces</a>, pp53-63, <em>Segregated Shared Cycle Track/Footway Surface and Central Delineator Strip</em>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-64434 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 11:16:07 +0000 custard 64434@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>okay,who do i contact regarding these?<br /> I have been 'messing' around with these over my commute<br /> the tramline section is dangerous/not fit for purpose<br /> the raised kerb in the centre is madness<br /> I'm actually very annoed with these. its a solution to a problem that doesnt exist </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-64135 Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:59:33 +0000 Dave 64135@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The idea is that people will 'prefer' the tramlines to the rumble strips, so it will remind cyclists to stay on the correct side. </p> <p>However, I've had one "off" too many due to tramlining and always cross on the pedestrian side to avoid a crash (unless I know in advance that the tacticle paving is old and insipid).</p> <p>The mad thing is, it would work perfectly if the bike side was smooth, and the ped side had a rumble strip. Really, a prime example of something thought up by a non cyclist who didn't take the trouble to observe the world around them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-64124 Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:10:02 +0000 custard 64124@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>right,perhaps im missing the point?<br /> while fitting these,they leave a kerb width gap at either side<br /> also today with a wet path it let to a definate tramline effect on the wider 35c tyres. not a pleasant of confidence inspiring feeling<br /> so its 'safer' to jump to the ped side. even more so on the downhill to the road junctions.seems pointless </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-63510 Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:11:06 +0000 steveo 63510@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I went past the tram sub station on the way to the sorting office, "upgrades" kaputnik mentioned above...<br /> <img src="http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg878/scaled.php?tn=0&amp;server=878&amp;filename=rp3hp.jpg&amp;xsize=640&amp;ysize=640"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-63471 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:14:32 +0000 cc 63471@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They're painting the road and restricting parking a bit more. Unfortunately they've also introduced extra car parking spaces right where people used to cycle, narrowing the road and forcing bikes out into scary traffic.</p> <p>The residents consultation leaflet can be downloaded <a href="https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/2699/consultation_leaflet">here</a> and more detailed drawings are <a href="https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/download/1013/quality_bike_corridor_consultation_drawings">here</a>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-63454 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:09:40 +0000 spudgt2 63454@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is this corridor just a matter of painting the road and adding more signage or is there actual infrastructure change? I'm a bit confused by it? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-63448 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:12:22 +0000 custard 63448@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>yup.as you say,no need for massive works<br /> ped/bike traffic doesnt need super strength building.<br /> seems a great way to create a bike lane that works.<br /> could even have created a bike park &amp; ride! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5929#post-63444 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:12:23 +0000 wingpig 63444@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"i still dont understand why they didnt shunt a bike lane over by the tramlines and give it a feed over the bridges that will be there,with slip feeds to the roads if required"</em></blockquote></p> <p>Presumably adding a few metres' width to a bridge capable of (eventually) supporting a tram or (way back in Yore) a #22 every few minutes was deemed too expensive and was therefore not considered. Presumably the alternatives (strapping a lightweight extra few metres onto the side (such as has been done to many other bridges elsewhere in the city and the world) or building a wee extra span for peds and cycles (like the Coltbridge-St Georges bridge over the Roseburn path)) were deemed not important enough to bother spending any time considering. </p>