http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Council actually wants cycling in Edinburgh en Mon, 18 May 2026 08:24:41 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733&page=2#post-216500 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:50:53 +0000 PS 216500@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Interesting change to the course. A wee bit longer and possibly a wee bit quicker. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733&page=2#post-216499 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:49:30 +0000 PS 216499@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Apparently the reason for the 'missing year' is that the organisers also do the Tour of Britain - which started in Holyrood Park last year. </em></p> <p>Yeah, they often do several year long agreements where they confirm you will get either a Tour Series race or a stage of the ToB in any given year. They're doing the same with Cumbria County Council at the moment. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733&page=2#post-216485 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 13:35:50 +0000 chdot 216485@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>THE iconic cobbled streets and hairpin bends of the Old Town will become a racetrack for one of the biggest events in the cycling calendar.</p> <p>Britain’s top teams are ­gearing up for the Pearl Izumi Tour Series which is set to return to the city on May 19 after a two-year gap.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/pearl-izumi-tour-series-returns-to-edinburgh-s-old-town-1-4098734" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/news/pearl-izumi-tour-series-returns-to-edinburgh-s-old-town-1-4098734</a></p> <p>So they didn't use the pix with Adam in!</p> <p>NOTE</p> <p>This year's route will be down Johnston Terrace (map in link).</p> <p>Apparently the reason for the 'missing year' is that the organisers also do the Tour of Britain - which started in Holyrood Park last year. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733&page=2#post-216355 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 14:15:31 +0000 threefromleith 216355@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>'Cycling Champion' Adam McVey has joined the Leith Feeder ride for POP for the last two years, so he does ride a bike.</p> <p>I've yet to see him 'champion' anything cycle-related, and he was pretty non-committal when we tried to discuss cycling / segregation and Leith Walk with him as we waited for everyone to arrive last year.</p> <p>After POP2014, he did say one of the junctions on our route there (near Meadowbank Retail Park) was dangerous and he'd take it up with the council - but I don't recall anything changing as the junction was still the same last year. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733&page=2#post-216323 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 11:32:35 +0000 gibbo 216323@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I went to this 2 years ago. </p> <p>Tremendous stuff... and, of course, lots of complaining in the chip wrapper about how the council could possibly close a few roads for an evening. Just more evidence of the war against motorists... </p> <p>(Won't somebody PLEASE think of the drivers...) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733&page=2#post-216313 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 10:30:47 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 216313@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hoping to get a press pass to take photos. I'd better see some racing... ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733&page=2#post-216308 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 09:54:53 +0000 paddyirish 216308@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've signed up to be a marshal for this. Will be an interesting experience- I've no idea if I'll get to see any racing... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733&page=2#post-216300 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 08:17:54 +0000 SRD 216300@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>cool. Mini-SRD and I went to the women's race 2 years ago. i wasn't at all sure what she would make of it, but she loved it and still points out people who she saw race when we see them on tv. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733&page=2#post-216295 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 23:21:17 +0000 chdot 216295@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Pearl Izumi back for 2016 -</p> <p>"</p> <p>the Series returns to Edinburgh after a year's absence for Round Three on Thursday 19 May</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.tourseries.co.uk/news/14414.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.tourseries.co.uk/news/14414.php</a></p> <p>There's a press launch of the route tomorrow (presumably Grassmarket - G IV Bridge as before??) involving "the City of Edinburgh Council’s Cycling Champion Councillor Adam McVey". </p> <p>So it's 'official' - he's in charge of "cycling" - not just the Transport bit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733&page=2#post-168985 Wed, 22 Oct 2014 07:18:49 +0000 gembo 168985@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It must be more sinister than this. The council now employs several cycling officers. I would go as far as saying A team. The head of the council is a keen cyclist, he can be spotted on the towpath most mornings.</p> <p>I was struck by a description in Orwell's Down and out in Paris where he describes working behind the scenes in upmarket hotel where the effort of the staff was to create the image of cleanliness and efficiency rather than actually doing it. at least in this example the people know they are working to a different plan than the customers. In much of life now it seems people think they are doing a good job? Or have had some feedback that suggests this, instead of doing the work? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168982 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 23:24:03 +0000 Cyclingmollie 168982@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I've been 'saying' stuff for years (not just me obviously). Some things have changed/got better.</em></p> <p>I cycled from Musselburgh to Rutland Square last week. It was almost entirely off road apart from the section between St Leonards and Melville Drive and down Viewforth. It's getting better. </p> <p>Policy wonk language is so bland - review, promote, work, continue. Imagine being passionate about change and after months of meetings ending up with a paragraph on page 43 of a report stored in the same building as the director. </p> <p>If only we could fill potholes with words. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168980 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:56:24 +0000 chdot 168980@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"It just doesn't work, as you say chdot."</p> <p>Thanks. </p> <p>That's the (MY) problem. I've been 'saying' stuff for years (not just me obviously). Some things have changed/got better. </p> <p>Edinburgh is better than most Scottish cities. </p> <p>But, but, but. </p> <p>Still miles/decades behind European 'best practice'. Now being overtaken by go-getting American cities. </p> <p>Too many people in a position to do something 'don't get it', or (at best) say "yes but". </p> <p>- can't take away parking</p> <p>- got to balance needs of motorists and cyclists</p> <p>- can't afford red surfacing</p> <p>- can't do anything that pays-back longer than the five year political cycle</p> <p>- senior 'health professionals' are more interested in expensive technology than presentation medicine</p> <p>- how kids get to school is the parents' responsibility </p> <p>Etc. etc. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168979 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:36:17 +0000 Cyclingmollie 168979@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The council minutes refer to the draft Physical Activity and Sport Strategy in support of the decision to finance events. Since it's a Culture and Sport policy document (I assume) it emphasises recreational cycling. Where it references other policies it recommends that the Council:</p> <p>4. Review the overall walking and cycle route network and identify gaps to be filled.<br /> 5. Promote the city’s route/path network by better signage and by publishing relevant maps.<br /> 6. Work in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, Paths for All and neighbouring local authorities to build new strategic paths to join the city networks to the Pentlands, East Lothian and long distance routes.<br /> 7. Continue to develop locally based walking and cycling programmes.</p> <p>And that's it really. All the rest is about sport and exercise and activity levels and health benefits etc. No real sense that to get more people walking and cycling you have to lure them out of cars with excellent infrastructure. It's thinking about transport with a sport head on. It just doesn't work, as you say chdot. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168977 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:31:29 +0000 chdot 168977@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>'I hate formula 1 not sure why you went for assuming anything there"</p> <p>I think you just proved my point. You're not interested so don't see why CEC should be involved - bit like 'most people' who aren't interested in cycling so don't see any difference between cycling to work and racing.</p> <p>"when you pay the over the odds admittance" - but CEC is paying for a 'free' cycle race. Why can't it pay for a FREE BEER festival??</p> <p>"Is there not a thread on here about everyone having a lovely time at the pearl Izumi event in April'</p> <p>Think so. Various people had fun cycling the course before the event (some on recumbents…) I had a nice chat with Chris Hoy. <em>But</em> I don't think there were that many spectators. Not really enough publicity. CEC's fault or the organisers?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168976 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:22:15 +0000 gembo 168976@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@insto, I only did the virtual budget. But I can be found asking quietly how much edinburgh invested in Icelandic banks (think they went more for spread betting) and why a local authority went for property speculation and why after all this culminated in a lovely but expensive HQ that they would sell if there were any buyers. And why the cats that made all these decisions are still running the show? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168974 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:18:44 +0000 gembo 168974@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I hate formula 1 not sure why you went for assuming anything there.</p> <p>I like beer But at beer festivals do they still give you a wee half pint tumbler when you pay the over the odds admittance then you get a wee half pint of various ales? I prefer a pint. Moan, moan, mutter, mutter</p> <p>Is there not a thread on here about everyone having a lovely time at the pearl Izumi event in April which I missed due to Empyema downgraded to pneumonia? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168973 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:15:56 +0000 Instography 168973@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo<br /> When I worked in the Chief Exec's Dept many moons ago, during the last Austerity Age, and was doing the budget balancing thing, I also went for fewer festivals (and there were fewer of them in them days). That was also ignored and some supported employment for people with learning disabilities got the chop. I've practically boycotted the festivals ever since. And all that economic impact, spin off, horse nonsense. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168972 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:09:05 +0000 chdot 168972@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"moaning about a cycling event coming to edinburgh is a bit odd"</p> <p>Not at all. </p> <p>It's not the event that's being "moaned" about. (I think healthy scepticism is a better term.)</p> <p>It's -</p> <p>a) the idea anything to do with 'cycling', *must* be a good idea. </p> <p>b) that sport cycling and 'utility' cycling and interchangeable in the minds of some people who don't 'understand'. Extreme version 'why do you want cycle lanes? - we've just fixed all the potholes for that cycle race'. </p> <p>c) wariness about a cash-strapped council 'investing' in a prestigious(?) event in the hope of getting an even bigger one - in the hope that it will be good for the city and bring in tourists/jobs/inward investment. </p> <p>I'm assuming you think that anyone who is a 'motorist' - or at least a motorsport fan - would want/expect CEC to try to get on the F1 circuit?</p> <p>CEC didn't even want to put money into the Sky Ride - which the public could take part in, rather than just watch. Doesn't seem too keen on PoP either. </p> <p>I am very sceptical about its priorities and see no reason to welcome an event that involves bicycles <em>just</em> because it involves bicycles - any more than I feel compelled to welcome badly designed/implemented cycle 'infrastructure' on the basis that it was 'better than no infrastructure'. </p> <p>I would welcome a beer festival - with free beer - but I wouldn't expect the council to provide one just because it would be popular with locals and tourists. </p> <p>The Yorkshire Grand Depart was great. Fabulous crowds for a sporting event that involved bicycles. Have local bike sales soared? Are many more people cycling to work? Will future tourism/inward investment repay the £50m investment?</p> <p>Edinburgh is (sometimes) known as The Festival City. The 'arts' are of course not universally popular, but at least the Festival/Fringe happen every year bringing in tourists and money. Is Edinburgh planning to become a Sport City - or even a Cycle Sport City?</p> <p>I suspect not. Glasgow has now become the home of track racing. A one-off 'once in a lifetime' starting point for a French race, doesn't strike me as having much to do with 'cycling'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168970 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:03:26 +0000 gembo 168970@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When I did the budget balancing thing I went for fewer festivals but this appears to have been ignored and now we are getting some rubbish cycling event costing money </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168969 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 21:57:52 +0000 Instography 168969@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Its worth is generally measured in terms of the cost of buying that much advertising. At least that's how our "comms" people value mentions in newspapers. Voodoo. Actually, that's a bit unfair on voodoo. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168968 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 21:42:53 +0000 Morningsider 168968@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks to Cyclingmollie for suggesting that we check the Council's papers on this proposal, see:</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/44888/item_73_tour_of_britain_and_tour_series" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/44888/item_73_tour_of_britain_and_tour_series</a></p> <p>I am not being critical of council officials here - but the "research" provided by the event promoters and repeated in the report is verging on nonsense. Particularly:</p> <p>"One of the key points to emerge from this process is that visiting the Tour of Britain has inspired attendees to cycle more regularly. In Olympic year 2012, 72% of the Tour’s attendees reported this effect; in 2013, the figure was 67%."</p> <p>72%, 67% - sounds great, but "inspired to cycle more regularly" doesn't really mean anything. I am regularly inspired to do things (often after considerable contemplation in the pub) that fortunately never come to pass.</p> <p>While the figures for media exposure sound good. I'm not really sure of the benefits in practice. If every place visited by a major cycle tour gets millions of pounds of free coverage what does this mean? There are loads of televised cycle tours - how does the exposure of one location stack up against all the other locations visited by cycle tours over a year. What if it's raining on the day? What is coverage on ITV4 really worth? Does Edinburgh really lack media coverage? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168966 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 21:28:08 +0000 gembo 168966@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I agree with deckard 112 that this forum can get a bit moany At times and that moaning about a cycling event coming to edinburgh is a bit odd. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168956 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:56:02 +0000 chdot 168956@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"It seems likely to me that any additional activity attracted to Edinburgh by the Tour would be displaced from elsewhere"</p> <p>"</p> <p>HOTEL occupancy in the Capital fell by almost five per cent during this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, according to new figures.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/hotel-occupancy-down-during-commonwealth-games-1-3576694" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/hotel-occupancy-down-during-commonwealth-games-1-3576694</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168954 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:47:30 +0000 I were right about that saddle 168954@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@deckard112</p> <p>I guess that I appreciate CEC doing whatever benefits the greatest number of the city's residents to the greatest degree. I understand that some people take great pleasure from having elite sporting events take place in their area, even though it's of little consequence to me. I understand that the Yorkshire TdF event was hugely enjoyed by all (apart from the stop to 'chat' with members of the aristocracy), and I like the Tour and have been to see it in its natural habitat.</p> <p>I was saddened when London won the Olympics because I knew it would take money from Scottish budgets including that for grass roots sport and result in an overall drop in sports participation. I'd want to see very clear evidence that the Tour could get its jamboree here and back to France without damaging Edinburgh's finances. It seems likely to me that any additional activity attracted to Edinburgh by the Tour would be displaced from elsewhere rather than created de novo. Perhaps we could study the figures from the North of England before bidding to subsidise this rich event? You could even argue that the sight of whippets in spandex will put off mature and infant cyclists.</p> <p>In short I quite like commercial circuses, but I prefer artisanal bread. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168953 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:44:49 +0000 chdot 168953@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"As long as it comes out of 'sports' budget."</p> <p>Actually I don't think that's the right place. </p> <p>This is the council that can't 'afford' to paint white lines on well-used football pitches. </p> <p>I'm moderately confident it won't come out of the cycling (as transport) budget. </p> <p>Which should mean 'economic development'. The council used to have a Department called that, but I assume it's Corporate Services these days(?)</p> <p>So it's about maintaining/raising Edinburgh's image/profile. </p> <p>More hotel rooms occupied, meals eaten etc. all perfectly legitimate for a council to "invest" in. Calculating the return on such investment is the hard part. </p> <p>If cycling in general and sport in particular is part of Edinburgh's USP, then there is a lot to do - and a lot to point fingers at. </p> <p>Edinburgh's main world famous cyclist is only famous because the City built a velodrome 44 years ago. </p> <p>If he'd been born a few years later it's unlikely that he would have become a track star. </p> <p>Still, all <em>that</em> investment paid off. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168952 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:40:23 +0000 Cyclingmollie 168952@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The reasons for backing and funding the bid will be listed in the report attached to the relevant committee minutes. These will be targets set in policy and planning. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168947 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:39:37 +0000 fimm 168947@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I agree with SRD and Morningsider.<br /> And I speak as someone who took a day off work to go and watch the Commonwealth Games Time Trial... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168945 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:32:51 +0000 Morningsider 168945@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>deckard112 - I not sure I agree. There are loads of things I would rather see the Council invest their scarce funds in - including actual cycle infrastructure.</p> <p>I'm not sure about awareness raising either. There can't be a person in Edinburgh who isn't aware that cycling is a transport (or sporting) option. Cyclists are a very common sight in the city and the city's most famous sportsman is a cyclist. For all its faults, the city's cycle infrastructure is also pretty visible - e.g. numerous ASLs. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168944 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:32:41 +0000 SRD 168944@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm thrilled. </p> <p>As long as it comes out of 'sports' budget. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13733#post-168941 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:24:52 +0000 condor2378 168941@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"welcome the fact CEC are investing in bringing these events?"</p> <p>As much as I'd enjoy the TdB going past my house, I'd rather they invested in making the road surfaces better for those who cycle it daily, rather than a peloton on it once. But if they had to fix it for the peloton, then I'd take that too. </p>