http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Pavement Widening B924. Dalmeny to A90 en Tue, 19 May 2026 17:08:23 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-263934 Thu, 19 Oct 2017 22:19:15 +0000 minus six 263934@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>blast from the past, this thread</p> <p>nevertheless @ac</p> <p>do you mean the recently added big grey lamp post on the dalmeny bound cycleway that no one bothered adding obvious luminescent strips to</p> <p>thats been bugging me for a couple of months now </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-263928 Thu, 19 Oct 2017 21:11:34 +0000 acsimpson 263928@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I can't remember which thread someone mentioned a new signpost on the hill down from Dalmeny but as my search has kicked up this thread I'll revive it.</p> <p>I'm please to report that as of today the new signpost has disappeared and all that remains is a small patch of unsealed tarmac. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-27962 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:41:29 +0000 Dave 27962@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I mentioned this on another thread a while back, but there's not enough road left to accommodate a lane - from what I could see (a few weeks ago) they were taking so much space for the pavement that there's barely enough room for big vehicles to pass one another, never mind a lane.</p> <p>Hi ho. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-27948 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:41:21 +0000 scotti 27948@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The contractors are almost done and are busy burning off the red paint and dividing line, looks like the on-road lane is a goner. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-24836 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:15:55 +0000 Dave 24836@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Jesus, if they take away the lane altogether it will be a bit grim to cycle on. That's one of the few decent width lanes this side of Dunbar, and I have no doubt it holds speed down (rolling the dice crossing from the pavement towards Dalmeny with 70mph+ traffic over a blind summit always made this bit spicy) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-24830 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:44:42 +0000 scotti 24830@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nice bit of history there DdF, good work.<br /> You ask that the on road lane (Northbound) be retained, I don't think that the road will be wide enough as you approach the top of the hill and the turning for Dalmeny.<br /> It looked pretty narrow when I saw it last week, but they did have barriers and traffic lights up at the time. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-24828 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:39:55 +0000 chdot 24828@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Not the most urgent section, but funding/planning constraints mean this or nothing in 10/11 financial year"</p> <p><a href="http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/downloads/members-campaigning/edinburgh/a90-forth-bridge" rel="nofollow">http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/downloads/members-campaigning/edinburgh/a90-forth-bridge</a></p> <p>Same old same old - if it wasn't for cycle campaigners <em>particularly </em><a href="http://www.spokes.org.uk">Spokes</a> there wouldn't even be this! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-24827 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:28:10 +0000 DdF 24827@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For the story so far [although to be truly complete it began well before 2004] see the <a href="http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2011/02/a90-path-to-qf-and-the-north">23 Feb news item on the Spokes site</a>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-24727 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:11:42 +0000 ruggtomcat 24727@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Going between those low walls is even more scary when they are at head height! The only part of the whole trip where I wished I had brought my h*lm*t. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-24724 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:41:50 +0000 kaputnik 24724@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ruggtomcat and I passed this bit both ways today. Looked like beautiful tarmac on the pavement but had been freshly laid and was fenced off so we couldn't test it out. Of course the rest of that route is pretty terrible. Narrow, overgrown and random speed-bumps caused by tree roots cracking the surface. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-24695 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:47:54 +0000 cb 24695@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ahh, I remember the days when that bit was a foot wide muddy strip. When I got my new Falcon Firefly for Christmas when I was about 10 I cycled up and down that stretch every day for a week, until the novelty started to wear off. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-24685 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:17:58 +0000 Dave 24685@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The real problem with the A90 path is that it's not just too narrow for two cyclists to pass, but it's actually too narrow for some solo cyclists to negotiate safely (especially if they are, say, in a trike for reasons of disability, or towing any kind of trailer).</p> <p>Anyone who rides it regularly will be familiar with the phenomenon of being whipped by vegetation from both sides simultaneously, while in winter you are walking your bike on the ice, looking enviously at the 400m of immaculately gritted and rideable A90 that you are being forced to bypass.</p> <p>It's a shame because I think that this *kind* of path (segregated with no junctions to worry about) is actually our best opportunity to create useable facilities. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321&page=2#post-24666 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:23:18 +0000 chdot 24666@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Totally unfit for purpose."</p> <p>As seen last July -</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/5468030782/"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5468030782_c6223ca4c2.jpg"><br /> </a></p> <p>There are other places on the E2F route that are less than ideal for purpose.<br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/5468040060"><br /> <img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5468040060_638fb1f8ec.jpg"><br /> </a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24662 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:52:58 +0000 LaidBack 24662@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><strong>Min </strong><em>it is not possible for two people to pass one another. Totally unfit for purpose. </em></p> <p>That's true - head on crash risk as shown by Dave. Fact is that almost all cycleways are designed for infrequent (marginal) use.</p> <p>If we had the levels of some other countries, routes like NCN1 couldn't cope. I haven't often met someone going other way as I think people take the other variants. Plus an unattractive route helps to stifle demand.</p> <p><strong>Druidh</strong> <em>I was through Dalmeny estate on Sunday, but following the coastal path. It is very, very muddy at the moment and at some points the mud is mixed with sand.</em><br /> The main NCN signed route takes you away from that. I noticed there was a sign missing last time I took it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24657 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:24:06 +0000 Min 24657@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I find the tree roots to be a problem but an even bigger problem is that the path is so narrow here that it is not possible for two people to pass one another. Totally unfit for purpose. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24634 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:07:13 +0000 druidh 24634@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I did the A90 cyclepath section on the tourer with 28mm Conti 4Seasons and don't recall the tree roots being a problem. Might be an issue if I was on the "fast" bike though.</p> <p>I was through Dalmeny estate on Sunday, but following the coastal path. It is very, very muddy at the moment and at some points the mud is mixed with sand. It forms a very effective grinding paste. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24631 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:38:39 +0000 PS 24631@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That road is pretty much the closest I have come to instant death while riding my bike. Nothing to do with bike lanes or pavements, more just terrible driving from a boy racer - just about where the car can be seen in the distance on the Google streetview linked in scotti's original post, I was heading down the hill towards Dalmeny estate at a reasonable 20-odd mph and watched in increasing horror as said boy racer chose to overtake at 60mph plus and stay in my carriageway for a considerable distance further than necessary. Must have missed me by about 2 metres...</p> <p>Anyway, I would heartily recommend riding through Dalmeny Estate. Some nice training roads (in very good nick) for those so inclined: some short, sharp climbs and a long drag climb as well. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24630 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:38:49 +0000 LaidBack 24630@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've ridden all the routes and taken intrepid visitors out that way via the Dalmeny estate.</p> <p>The direct routes main downfall was (still is) the narrow path hemmed in by an ancient wall and the A90. Tree routes can send a low racer airborne... best to be clipped in.</p> <p>I ride the roads out that way as much as I can. In fact I've never even noticed that the pavement at the estate had a bicycle sign on it till now. </p> <p>I actually prefer the Kirkliston and turn left option as that's a nice road with new surface. Some fast traffic but never had a problem on most of it. Coming into Quensferry you can use the broad off road route through the trees that ends in the Scotmid car park (almost good).</p> <p>As usual cycleways are put in where there is deemed to be space. Then all cyclists get the blame for narrowing the highway and anyone who doesn't use it can expect grief from some drivers. These drivers have no idea what bike paths are like outwith the bits that 'inconvenience' them. They're the ones who moan about cyclists going over 'Toucan' pedestrian crossings. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24627 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:53:50 +0000 Dave 24627@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well, pre-Land Reform I guess all sorts of things were purportedly dodgy. Everybody seems to have caught up now except City of Edinburgh Council and Friends of the Meadows ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24622 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:02:38 +0000 ruggtomcat 24622@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ahhh yeah, we did it from S Queesferry to Crammond, some very cobbley sections. I thought we were doing well on CX bikes until we met someone on a skinny-tyred racer coming the other way, a fairly grim expression on his face. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24621 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:01:58 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 24621@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>hmmm, going to check that out next time I'm heading that way.</p> <p>On the coast road, I remember the time we were riding out there and it was mooted that the coast path was going to be improved, and cycles were going to be allowed. It was that kind of thing that made it seem like cycles <em>weren't</em> allowed at that time. D'oh! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24620 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:56:09 +0000 Dave 24620@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I measured it and it adds a little over half a mile to the trip, by the way. At 10mph that's three minutes - even at 6mph it's only five minutes.</p> <p>Perhaps one for a CCE summer ride, if we get more ambitious than Crammond?</p> <p>PS. You can also ride all the way along the coast instead of back to the junction we're discussing in the topic - if you do this, it slashes the amount of climbing on the route although it's not paved so is more of a canal towpath style experience. Managed on the lowracer with slick tyres but not relaxing, sort of terrain ;-)</p> <p>Edited to add - this is probably what ruggtomcat did, by the sounds of it. The estate route we're talking about is completely paved, and at a "better than Edinburgh road" standard (not that that's hard!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24619 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:55:32 +0000 ruggtomcat 24619@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Dave you have the best crash videos :D</p> <p>Last time I rode through the estate it was a bit of a cyclocross mission. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24618 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:54:01 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 24618@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I presume the estate owners don't want to be seen as a decent cycle route alternative and so it's not advertised? Just never looked an option when we were riding out that way, so not so much a matter of 'choosing' the skankfest, as thinking there was no other way (and the rest of the ride was worth putting up with that short section). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24616 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:49:56 +0000 Dave 24616@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It is longer through the estate, for sure. If it wasn't then commuters would also choose to ride it (though to be fair, some do).</p> <p>That's why it's such a mystery IMO. I'd say riding through the estate is the highlight of the ride (including stopping at South Queensferry), whereas riding the skankfest along the A90 is the worst bit of it.</p> <p>Improving the compulsory section, fair enough as everybody has to use it. But widening the bit that, what, 1:100 cyclists use at the direct expense of the other 99%, not such a big fan. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24615 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:46:49 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 24615@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The distance would be more germane in this situation - the ride out to S Queensferry and back from Trinity was enough to have Mel needing a lie down as it was without tagging on extra miles... ;)</p> <p>That said, she did manage Pedal for Scotland twice, so I'm not sure how much was playing for sympathy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24614 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:42:11 +0000 wingpig 24614@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I expect people don't go through the estate as it's not marked with a big purple line on the Spokes map. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24613 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:41:18 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 24613@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>5-6 years ago when we were riding it I'm not sure cycling through the estate was allowed - is it not more of a detour? (I don't know the route through the estate at all - just that at one point there was apparently a wee man in a boat (or a man in a wee boat) who would row you across at Cramond, but he was gone by then). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24610 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:28:30 +0000 Dave 24610@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes, if it was the only option I might agree.</p> <p>But why bother at all when you can ride through the idyllic estate a few hundred yards to the north?</p> <p><a href="http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1780935" rel="nofollow">http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1780935</a></p> <p>Surely you wouldn't choose riding 3 feet from the mercy of oncoming 70mph traffic for fun?</p> <p>This is where the route breaks down, which is what I was trying to say. If you're out to ride for fun, since there's a large and well-maintained route already, why make it worse for the people who make up the overwhelming majority of users (who are on the road?)</p> <p>Of course, it's not politic. We are supposed to be grateful for anything which encourages this sort of thing.</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alnDRqMaDqs" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alnDRqMaDqs</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2321#post-24606 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:10:08 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 24606@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sorry Dave, but when we rode out to S Queensferry a few times my other half was nervous enough of the 60mph traffic that the pavement was the only option. On my own I'd probably stick to the road, but with a nervous/inexperienced cyclist they'll go for the pavement every time. </p>