CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Contraflow Issues

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Contraflow Issues http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Contraflow Issues en Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:13:34 +0000 chdot on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240&page=2#post-368559 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 20:44:47 +0000 chdot 368559@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “ A new cycle lane in the Leith area has been branded 'shambolic' by locals. The lane, which appeared in recent days, reportedly means cyclists must ride 'into oncoming traffic on a blind bend'. Edinburgh Council have said the change is part of a 'trial', and looks to reduce traffic flow while leading to a 'better, safer and more connected cycling experience'. “ <a href="https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-residents-fume-ridiculous-cycle-27084637" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-residents-fume-ridiculous-cycle-27084637</a> Yodhrin on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240&page=2#post-368508 Tue, 06 Jun 2023 22:56:28 +0000 Yodhrin 368508@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ It'd certainly be nice to see them replaced with modern sinusoidals, even in good condition they're not exactly pleasant to ride over. Murun Buchstansangur on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240&page=2#post-368495 Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:49:02 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 368495@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "A ‘medium’ priority is assigned to the raised ‘cushion’ areas of path across Bruntsfield Links. These raised cushions are in poor condition and require repair as a minimum however full replacement would be advantageous. Signage or markings should also be considered in these areas to assist in controlling speeds." Arf! They're 9 years worse now. pringlis on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368494 Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:35:05 +0000 pringlis 368494@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <blockquote>Wouldn't all of these paths already be legal for (responsible) cycling as they are not adopted? Assuming there's no signs or other rules against it.</blockquote> My understanding is that it's legal, but they are awfully narrow so I often avoid if I see there are people walking on them at the time. There was talk before about widening and putting up shared space appropriate signage, but I don't think anything came off it. See page 12 at <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/mt737vr8xakzil5/Final%20report.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://www.dropbox.com/s/mt737vr8xakzil5/Final%20report.pdf</a> boothym on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368405 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 14:21:25 +0000 boothym 368405@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Presumably when the Canal to Meadows project is done fewer people will be using these contraflows? Although, the connection from Tarvit Place to the Meadows is supposed to split into a cycle track on each side of the road, so closing Leven Terrace would still be beneficial for junction safety. <blockquote>@cb agree, allowing legal cycling across Bruntsfield Links down to Leven Terrace and a link on- or off-road to existing/improved infra looks compelling</blockquote>Wouldn't all of these paths already be legal for (responsible) cycling as they are not adopted? Assuming there's no signs or other rules against it. chdot on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368403 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 11:31:42 +0000 chdot 368403@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “No sign of any video survey being installed“ Oh THAT sort of survey. I thought they’d just turn up and video traffic at key points/times. My video - completely random time when we were there (not ‘rush’ hour) - should be enough to show what problem is. (Solution above) chdot on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368402 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 11:26:24 +0000 chdot 368402@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “My perception has always been Valleyfield St is wider“ Yes. “Basically, I just don't want CEC to back off from implementation of further much-needed contraflows elsewhere because of perceived issues over one marginally useful case.“ Yes. Don’t know what will happen about Glengyle. Eliminating the bulk of traffic by blocking the north end of Leven Terrace might be enough. If not the options seem to be parking on one side only on Glengyle or remove the contraflow on THAT street. In cycling terms that would be no great loss, but for ‘future plans’ there is the danger that CEC will become over-cautious, again. neddie on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368401 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 11:17:40 +0000 neddie 368401@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ No sign of any video survey being installed (as of yesterday) Murun Buchstansangur on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368400 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:55:15 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 368400@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ @cb agree, allowing legal cycling across Bruntsfield Links down to Leven Terrace and a link on- or off-road to existing/improved infra looks compelling Murun Buchstansangur on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368399 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:45:05 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 368399@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ My perception has always been Valleyfield St is wider - to me <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/551r2L8xqJacKgTe6">this</a> looks rideable in face of an advancing vehicle while <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ZMXe7oTvt1gdAKse9">this</a> looks less so. "would we even be having a conversation about whether a street was "useful" or not if it were cars?" Fair point, although perhaps we are beginning to do so with LTNs etc (and of course we see "keen drivists" vowing to scream and scream until they are sick) Basically, I just don't want CEC to back off from implementation of further much-needed contraflows elsewhere because of perceived issues over one marginally useful case. cb on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368398 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:37:11 +0000 cb 368398@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I could convceivably see myself doing either: Whitehouse Loan > Wright's Houses (via the wee cut through path) > Glengyle or Whitehouse Loan > Leamington Walk > one of the 'non-cycle-paths' > corner of Glengyle Would allow me to avoid the A702 entirely. neddie on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368397 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:20:31 +0000 neddie 368397@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <blockquote>is contraflow in Glengyle Crescent really that useful?</blockquote> Valleyfield St isn't any wider than Glengyle Tce, so any arguments made about Glengyle "never going to work" could equally be applied to Valleyfield - resulting in the whole scheme being ripped out. Is that what you want? Also, would we even be having a conversation about whether a street was "useful" or not if it were cars? Arellcat on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368394 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 09:54:01 +0000 Arellcat 368394@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Tend to agree. I was surprised that Glengyle Crescent was chosen for cycle contraflow because it's just not that useful a route. To get to and from Bruntsfield Links there is already Valleyfield, Leven Terrace and Leamington Walk, and to get to and from the Meadows, you have Valleyfield plus the annoyingly narrow stub of North Meadow Walk and again, the entirety of Leamington Walk. The right turn northbound into Glengyle Terrace is no more easy than into Valleyfield, and Glengyle doesn't offer any significant advantage to northbound cycling because you'd already be using Leamington Walk or Valleyfield. I would have preferred efforts concentrate on widening the NMW stub to make it less of a bottleneck. Of course, the elephant in the room, that everyone can see perfectly well, is MOAR CARS! CARS GOOD! Murun Buchstansangur on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368393 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 09:42:25 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 368393@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Playing devil's advocate - is contraflow in Glengyle Crescent really that useful? Does it facilitate anything that non-salmoning along Valleyfield doesn't? It appears that it's never going to work there without parking removal and/or cutting the rat run (or neutron bombing Edinburgh's drivers), which will lead to Arthurian consultation hell (the parking I mean, not the neutron bombing...). It's not the hill I'd want the many other useful contraflows which would be easily implementable to die on. (Or otherwise, the space between the 2 lines of trees on the north edge of Bruntsfield Links/Glengyle St appears tailormade for a shared type path, possibly continuable into Leven Terrace - there's already a desire-line trodden path) chdot on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368385 Wed, 31 May 2023 23:02:44 +0000 chdot 368385@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Just a reminder of what’s happening in Glengyle (video). <a href="https://twitter.com/cyclingedin/status/1658911033459605504" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/cyclingedin/status/1658911033459605504</a> chdot on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-368384 Wed, 31 May 2023 22:55:02 +0000 chdot 368384@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Was going to start a contraflow thread, then I found this one. Nothing much happened in 11 years?? My bold “ Question (1) Which streets will see the installation of signage for contraflow cycling on one-way streets (as per Council policy) between now and the end of the 2023? Answer (1) Contraflow cycling on the following one-way streets is being delivered as part of the Leith Connections project: • Burgess Street; • Maritime Lane; • Tolbooth Wynd; and • Water Street In addition, three further streets have just had contraflow cycling permitted as part of traffic management associated with the Kings Theatre redevelopment. • Leven Terrace; • Valleyfield Street; and • Glengyle Terrace. Officers are aware of the concerns that have been raised by various parties with respect to the changes on Glengyle Terrace. In order to allow us to better understand the operation of the new road layout and priority changes, officers have commissioned a video survey that will take place this week. The survey will help to inform the development of any adjustments (if needed) to the current layouts. Design work is underway on over 50 streets which are proposed to have contraflow cycling installed from August 2024. Information will be provided to Committee and local ward Councillors at the appropriate time. Question (2) What metrics are used to determine which streets are suitable for the implementation of contraflow cycling signage? Item no 10.12 Answer (2) Criteria considered include traffic flow and speed, road width and clear road width; cycle flows and parking and loading. Question (3) Is Cockburn Street part of the implementation plan? If not, why not? Answer (3) Contraflow cycling is not currently permitted on Cockburn Street. This will be considered as part of the current design work ongoing on Old Town Streets through the City Centre Transformation project LaidBack on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34085 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:01:01 +0000 LaidBack 34085@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ ArellcatRiego St would be useful if it connected with anywhere beyond Well it does connect a back route to Meadows. Go round by Job Office at High Riggs and over into Meadows on Lauriston St and Lauriston Gardens. Good selection of random cobbling but fairly safe as a return to Argyle Place avoiding Tollcross. I think I should lead an LB Via Obscura tour. Obscure routes for obscure bikes. Anyone interested? Arellcat on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34072 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:32:17 +0000 Arellcat 34072@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Have to admit, I had no idea the contraflow on Bread St even existed. I've always gone left and then right for East Fountainbridge, though I've walked through Bread St Lane once or twice. Riego St would be useful if it connected with anywhere beyond that didn't involve dismounting or crossing up to three lanes of traffic. Pine Garden for me. Wilmington's Cow on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34071 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:23:40 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 34071@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "Might be interesting to time both options." I'll try that next week (probably not on the bike tomorrow, and not at work on Friday). On the restaurant review (these threads really do take on a life of their own don't they?) we used to go to Chop Chop LOADS, the dumplings really are good, but there are some other superb dishes (the garlic with cumin is particular excellent) but the service can sometimes be astonishingly slow and it really started putting us off... kaputnik on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34070 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:56:22 +0000 kaputnik 34070@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Also first (and only) Chinese restaurant I've been in that has turnip, potato and lamb dishes on menu! I've never been to China. SRD on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34068 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:49:29 +0000 SRD 34068@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ a very good and family friendly chinese retaurant (free dumplings for kids). and they give you (quite generous) money off vouchers on your birthday and anniversaries. LaidBack on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34067 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:46:17 +0000 LaidBack 34067@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Ah... I thought it might be. How's Germany today? ruggtomcat on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34065 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:36:50 +0000 ruggtomcat 34065@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ chop chop is a Chinese restaurant... <a href="http://twitter.com/eatatchopchop" rel="nofollow">http://twitter.com/eatatchopchop</a> LaidBack on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34063 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:24:26 +0000 LaidBack 34063@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ chdot Nah, cobbles. Ok on a Mouton surely? More worrying is the broken glass. SRD from work to chop chop! Interesting phrase. Can you elaborate? SRD on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34062 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:13:17 +0000 SRD 34062@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ no wonder I got so confused last year trying to get from work to chop chop! chdot on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34061 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:12:13 +0000 chdot 34061@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "left into Bread St Lane" Nah, cobbles. LaidBack on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34060 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:09:58 +0000 LaidBack 34060@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ chdot Might be interesting to time both options. Both? There is a third way. Turn onto Bread St then left into Bread St Lane and right onto other street to get into bike advance. The lane route forms part of my grand wheelie bin tour of Edinburgh! The proposotion is: avoid Lothian Road and see many wheelie bins on way to Meadows. Also an interesting bit of non-connectivity on E. Fountainbridge to Riego St. Sometimes that one way street is empty and a traffic offence beckons. chdot on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34059 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:49:39 +0000 chdot 34059@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ A response from CEC - " useful to know about. We've no recorded accidents on that street. There aren't any scheduled buses using that but some coaches from Johnstone Terrace may use it. The flow on the lane is very low - the main issue is probably drivers thinking that cyclists shouldn't be going the other way. " Hadn't noticed that LB didn't go that way anymore! That contraflow was an early Spokes success. I suspect most people turn left into Bread Street and right onto East Fountainbridge - though traffic from West Port doesn't always Give Way like it should. Might be interesting to time both options. ruggtomcat on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34055 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:39:14 +0000 ruggtomcat 34055@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Airzound for the win! LaidBack on "Contraflow Issues" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3240#post-34052 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:04:13 +0000 LaidBack 34052@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Instead, heading along there yesterday there was a car pullnig out of an alley way ahead. Sounds like Bread Street. The bus lane there is rarely used now so bikes are the only contraflow item. The white line is unbroken so drivers should know but of course they probably think it's another example of cyclists flouting the law. Lots of parked cars all pointing the other way also make drivers think it is a strict one way street.