http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: ferry road path dangerous as its full of gangs of young people?? en Wed, 13 May 2026 03:10:44 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961&page=2#post-45052 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:20:56 +0000 chdot 45052@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"FEAR of crime continues to vastly outstrip the reality of record lows in offending, a new survey has revealed."</p> <p>"...David O’Connor, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. “We have to transfer the fear of crime away from victims and onto criminals,” he said. “That’s all about targeting crime hotspots, criminal individuals and crime families.”</p> <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/crime_figures_are_falling_but_we_just_don_t_believe_it_1_1942156" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/crime_figures_are_falling_but_we_just_don_t_believe_it_1_1942156</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961&page=2#post-44935 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:43:30 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 44935@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I love the police description form the two-weeks ago report stating, "<em>Inquiries are ongoing to trace the suspect, who is described as white, 15 years old and wearing a hooded top with a scarf covering his face</em>" as if the scarf over his face is a defining characteristic that could see him recognised... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961&page=2#post-44932 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:40:18 +0000 chdot 44932@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"anti-social behaviour on most of the North Edinburgh Path Network can be reported to the North Community Safety team - 0131 529 5050." </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961&page=2#post-43261 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:29:21 +0000 chdot 43261@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Same story, different details, in today -</p> <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/edinburgh/around-the-capital/cyclist_s_worry_over_increase_in_attacks_1_1910904" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/edinburgh/around-the-capital/cyclist_s_worry_over_increase_in_attacks_1_1910904</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961&page=2#post-43191 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:15:06 +0000 chdot 43191@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That wasn't the 'sensitive bit'. </p> <p>This is what was in the e-mail -</p> <p>"</p> <p>I was cycling on the gradient between Sainsbury's at Craigleith and Silverknowes (namely the Wester Drylaw part )<br /> "</p> <p>So I'm assuming somewhere by the section with the open grassland between path and houses. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961&page=2#post-43188 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:07:10 +0000 wingpig 43188@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@chdot - without revealing sensitive information, could you point out exactly where on the path it happened?</p> <p>I don't use that north-east spur anywhere near as often as the Pilton section of the ferry Road path (and often miss out chunks of it even when intending to use it to get to Fife) but it never felt quite as dodgy, though that could be entirely down to it not being anywhere near as tree-enclosed-feeling. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961&page=2#post-43167 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:22:58 +0000 spytefear 43167@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Crivvens - I haven't used the path in months since I now use the water of Leith for speed (and avoiding the stupid detour at Roseburn) given I start and finish work later these days. Looks like it may just be for the best anyway.<br /> Once again if anyone wants to learn bike self defense let me know. One taker so far. Open to all, cheap as chips (£2 for hall hire) and fun too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-43165 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:04:08 +0000 chdot 43165@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Evening news story a bit less apocalyptic."</p> <p>Yes, I had an e-mail that was a bit more explicit. </p> <p>WASN'T 'big gang attacks cyclist' though, so (I hope) it doesn't mean an escalation in number and seriousness of incidents. </p> <p>Well done SRD for finding story - I couldn't. </p> <p>Think new site is having teething probs -</p> <p>"<br /> Published on undefined NaN undefined NaN NaN:NaN<br /> "</p> <p>BIG downside is that all previous links to EN and Scotsman stories are now dead. </p> <p>Old stories now have new URLs - Search not great. I put in an exact part-sentence (in quotes as well) and it was about number 10 on the list. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-43160 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:49:31 +0000 SRD 43160@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/youth_punches_cyclist_in_face_1_1907713">Evening news story</a> a bit less apocalyptic.</p> <p>Youth punches cyclist in face</p> <p>Published on Thursday 13 October 2011 12:08</p> <p>POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was punched in the face during a row with a gang of youths.</p> <p>The 37-year-old man was cycling in the Corbiehill area in the north of the city at 6.30pm on Tuesday when he was hit by a hooded youth.</p> <p>The cyclist had just passed a group of 20 to 30 young people and following a dispute was struck in the face.</p> <p>The group then fled and an ambulance crew was called to the scene shortly after 6.30pm and took the man to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-43138 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:59:42 +0000 14Westfield 43138@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The reports above sounds apocalyptic - large gangs of violent thugs looming out of the darkenss and the flickering flames of a burning (stolen) motorbike!</p> <p>I use the cycle path from Roseburn to Wardie several evenings a week for the past few years and rarely had trouble. Saying that, armoured tyres for the glass and maintaining a strong line when 'youths' are gathered is a must - they may want to jump out and scare you etc but a speedy cyclist going at them tends to turn the tables.</p> <p>I did once find some boys making a barrier of branches etc near ainslie park which had already blocked some one else but going immediately nuclear at them - no chat, no discussion - made it dissapear pretty quickly.</p> <p>So apart from occasional horror stories like the one yesterday this is part of a great network that so many of us find very useful and safe. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-43136 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:39:31 +0000 DaveC 43136@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm fortunate that I come from Broughton and go on to Cramond Brig so mostly I hop onto Ferry road at Crew Toll ped bridge and then don't have to use the path until it runs through the streets in Silverknowes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-43133 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:03:36 +0000 minus six 43133@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Unfortunately you're right, its unlikely to become fashionable. </p> <p>For me, if the choice is between a poorly maintained path frequented by neds and dogwalkers, versus an occasional 'punishment pass' on the main road, there's only one winner.</p> <p>But I suppose if you're only cycle commuting to the North Edinburgh suburbs, then that choice won't be particularly obvious. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-43130 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:52:49 +0000 Dave 43130@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My wife and I also rode along the A90, especially in the winter months - but while I think it's pretty safe and didn't ever get grief from the motons (you just occupy the lane, what are people going to do about it? Run you over out of vexation?), I can't see it really catching on as a popular choice. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-43121 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:14:37 +0000 minus six 43121@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Having spent two years commuting to and fro to Fife on this path, and then another three years avoiding it entirely and using the main road instead -- you couldn't pay me to use that path again.</p> <p>If you adopt primary all the way, there's really nothing dangerous about taking the main road as far as Cramond Bridge, at any time of day or night. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-43112 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:02:33 +0000 Chuckleberry 43112@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had large sticks dropped on me from the Telford bridge on the shared path on Friday at about 4.15pm. They had also spread a layer of broken glass across the path at the same point. Nowhere near as bad as being set upon by 30 youths but still - didn't make a great start to my weekend... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-43092 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:24:32 +0000 chdot 43092@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have had a detailed e-mail about the above incident, but it is now a police case so I'm just outlining what happened.</p> <p>It was about 6.30 on the path that goes from Craigleith towards Silverknowes. Young people and motorbikes were involved and other cyclists offered help and first aid to the person assaulted.</p> <p>The email continues -</p> <p>"<br /> The Police were called and attended so a Police report will be submitted. The Fire Brigade also attended to the burning motorcycle. Paramedics arrived to attend to the victim and it was at this point I left to go home as there were sufficient personnel to cope with the situation.</p> <p>The cycle path should be safe for everyone and should not be out of bounds to the public. The West Pilton part of the path I will not cycle on after dark and as Wester Drylaw is on my way home I don't want this to be a no-go part for me either. The roads are dangerous for cyclists during rush hour and therefore the Police should be patrolling this part between West Pilton and Wester Drylaw more as we have a right to be safe also. </p> <p>This is a worrying part of the route but is also very busy. Even a Police presence bewteen 4 and 7pmcoming into the dark nights would be enough to deter any unruly people/youths. There is a growing number of incidents involving cyclists and unruly behaviour towards them by members of the public walking by. </p> <p>The recent positive news about more people cycling to work in Edinburgh than anywhere else in Scotland may well be shortlived as we may have to turn back to our cars. I don't want to do this so it may be that cyclists get together to do something about it</p> <p>"</p> <p>This thread was started by someone who was concerned about youths on paths.</p> <p>General feeling has been that 'things happen - but not often' BUT it is a known problem and the Police <em>are </em>aware.</p> <p>As discussed on the "<a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4126">Police cyclists</a>" perhaps they should be out and about in parts of west Edinburgh more often!</p> <p>The Evening News is working on a story for tomorrow <a href="mailto:vraimes@scotsman.com">vraimes@scotsman.com</a> would like to hear from anyone with knowledge of this or similar incidents. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-43017 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:38:33 +0000 chdot 43017@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just noticed this on Twitter. </p> <p>Sounds V. bad, not seen another ref. </p> <p>"<br /> muttley12: </p> <p>@CyclingEdin Cyclist assaulted this evening at Wester Drylaw cycle path by 20-30 youths. Required medical treatment, possible fractured jaw. </p> <p>Original Tweet: <a href="http://twitter.com/muttley12/status/123854871475654657" rel="nofollow">http://twitter.com/muttley12/status/123854871475654657</a> </p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41900 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:22:58 +0000 Dave 41900@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"For some reason I started going look out, I'm going to hit you [I wasn't and I was going very slowly]."</em></p> <p>Yes, you should watch out with that sort of thing. Even if you didn't say it, you might still end up with a conviction, as we saw 'darn sarf'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41899 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:12:19 +0000 gembo 41899@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wingpig is of course most accurate that the time of day you ride the path is what determines the prevalence of youth gangs, tho one person's threatening gang is another's small group of young people. Anyone who commutes to the Western General will agree [I am sure] that the Drylaw stretch is ropier after dark. I have seen 3-5 young lads on many occasions. The original woman pushed off a bike sounds a bad one but I have never had anything like that. Not stopping would be a good strategy. Not sure about knives and pumps jousting, would hope wouldn't come to that.</p> <p>Today I was making my escape from WHEC amidst groups of young women. For some reason I started going look out, I'm going to hit you [I wasn't and I was going very slowly]. I followed this up with., phew that was close, I could have had your eye out etc. They all moved politely out of the way. No abuse. Guess it was just a nice sunny day and everyone was jollyfied. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41888 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:46:42 +0000 LivM 41888@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>OK my experiences (5+ years commuting from Victoria Park to the red bridge daily)<br /> - 1 x attack with buddlia branch (well some youfs waved it at me menacingly - I shouted at them and they moved it before I whizzed past)<br /> - 2 x path blocking where youfs hold their arms out wide as I approach (they ducked before I hit them - I shouted "MOVE!" at them)<br /> - 1 x spraypainted jacket (actually on the Telford path a bit further on from the Red bridge)<br /> - 1 x attack from above with pebbles (as above - and actually on the same day, about 100 yards further on) :-(<br /> - 1 x shout of "Muslim!" as I went past in my black buff folded so that it covered all of my face except my eyes. I shouted back "Ninja!" and they all laughed. </p> <p>Nothing else memorable apart from random rantings from unleaded-dog owners (equally divided between "don't ding your bell at me" and "why didn't you ding your bell?" - never satisfied!)</p> <p>When cycling in the dark I find that having a slightly-too-bright light (currently a Hope One) is a bit of a deterrent to youfs - they can't see what's coming at them so don't get time to prepare mayhem. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41825 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:48:59 +0000 riffian 41825@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Not only have I never had any trouble on the path, despite commuting it, I also haven't seen any gangs of youths. </em></p> <p>I'd agree with this. I commuted Roseburn to Drylaw daily for three years and have commuted St Mark's Park to the red bridge daily for the past two years. The only incident I had was a (rather large) snowball dropped from the Telford footbridge (it missed).</p> <p>Whilst not diminishing the seriousness of any incident other cyclists have experienced, I would suggest they appear to be rare events. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41820 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:32:40 +0000 chdot 41820@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> North Team</p> <p>@north_team<br /> AntiSocial Behaviour concerns in North can be raised in confidence at CORE every Wed from 10 to 12. Call Janice for more ino 529 5020</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/north_team/status/116123873048657920" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/north_team/status/116123873048657920</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41499 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:25:09 +0000 scotti 41499@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Was there not something along those lines featured in Citycycling a while back? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41498 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:17:02 +0000 ruggtomcat 41498@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Humm, there is another source with no stupid jimmy fatwing all over it. Cant find it tho :( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41493 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:24:28 +0000 spytefear 41493@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@smudge - yes I should have put in a &lt;joke&gt;&lt;/joke&gt; as people just can't tell sometimes...<br /> @wingpig - great link!</p> <p>Loved this one:<br /> <img src="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jimmy_fatwing/SelfProtection/cycle4a.jpg"></p> <p>and this one:<br /> <img src="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jimmy_fatwing/SelfProtection/cycle6b.jpg"></p> <p>This one kind of goes along the lines of what I said<br /> <img src="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jimmy_fatwing/SelfProtection/cycle3b.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41492 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:59:29 +0000 wingpig 41492@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Time for a repost of <a href="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jimmy_fatwing/SelfProtection/cycle.htm">Dealing with Threats to a Person's Body or Property whilst on a Bicycle</a>.</p> <p>The Ferry Road path tends to be at its worst for nyobbery in mid-late evening, when all the commuters have commuted and people with nowt better to do are roaming the paths looking for ways to think they're impressing their peers. Mostly they'll just be arses rather than get actually arsey - I've only had an attempt to physically intimidate me a couple of times on that path (whereas my only actual physical attack took place in Newington in daylight on a road). Approach slowly, so as not to startle or irritate them, but pre-select a gear you can easily accelerate away in and prepare for righting yourself if someone thinks it'd be funny to elbow you off. Slow right down under the bridges in case someone's left a brick or giant stick on the path to disable/trap cyclists; remember to stop and kick them away from the path if you find such a trap. Generally, they're perfectly safe - most people acting like tubes on them are only doing so for the few seconds of extremely mild amusement they derive from trying to frighten people rather than in order to steal from or deliberately seriously harm someone. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41490 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:14:25 +0000 Smudge 41490@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Elf'n'safety note: never mess around with compressed air/gas kids, it can spoil your day for life...</p> <p>Also harder to justify as "minimum force necessary.."!</p> <p>Best form of defence <em>if you have no other option</em> is offence, however practicing your sprints and loud shouts/airzound could be less painful and have fewer long term implications ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41481 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:35:50 +0000 spytefear 41481@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@seanspotatobu - yes. seriously. arming yourself with any hard physical object (even bike gloves) to appempt to deflect an attack is better than deflecting with flesh and bone, true you need to have a little practice (and possibly some luck) but if they are going to stab you anyway it is worth a try<br /> @recombodna - the cannisters for inflating tyres in an instant could be amusing in an eye socket or nostril... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41454 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:18:01 +0000 recombodna 41454@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You could blow someone away!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3961#post-41453 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:54:51 +0000 seanspotatobusiness 41453@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A bike pump vs a knife? Seriously? </p>