http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Drive to make Scotland a cycling tourism centre en Mon, 18 May 2026 20:13:57 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102852 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:15:34 +0000 chdot 102852@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> More than £5 million a year has been ringfenced for the annual promotional drives</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/scotland/scottish-year-of-tourism-campaigns-to-go-on-1-2819828" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/scotland/scottish-year-of-tourism-campaigns-to-go-on-1-2819828</a></p> <p>So that's 2020 the year of cycling then - to coincide with the achievement of the '10% of journeys' target/aspiration. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102676 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:05:12 +0000 Rabid Hamster 102676@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Integrate, integrate! Bike path through Sherriffhall tunnel! Smooth out 'kinks' and bad joints in quiet cycle routes! Make transport hubs multi-facetted! Motorised vehicle kills cyclist = immediate loss of licence/life ban! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102669 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:52:40 +0000 kaputnik 102669@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm glad we've got such a subcommittee of geniuses from the department of pointing out the bl***dy obvious. It makes me optimistic for the future. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102655 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:07:18 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 102655@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Borders railway should have had a cycle path nearby for the entire length!</p> <p>Shortsightedness mutter grumble.</p> <p>Of course it's not all 'either / or'. It's undoubted that the mountain bike centres get people to the country to ride. In the same way some beautiful off-road routes, that yeah, families may drive to to access, I've got no problem with and can help local economies. And then on a 'living every day with cycling' point of view the good cycling links to all this various stuff is essential - some may be segregated (like in towns where it can be managed), some will require on-road amendment (retrofitting indeed), others will come from new development actually being forced to take into account the needs and benefits of cycling.</p> <p>We can't say segregated is bad; we can't say retrofitting is bad; we can't even say people driving to places to take their bikes for a ride is bad (gonna start a new thread on that); we <em>can</em> say that people on bikes is good. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102653 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:45:37 +0000 chdot 102653@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The article linked at the top of this thread says -</p> <p>"a series of new cycle networks, a single national route from John O’Groats to Dumfries and Galloway, and the creation of new events are among the ideas under discussion."</p> <p>Which <em>would</em> be good - though I suspect Sustrans thinks one already exists. </p> <p>But unless SG is willing to pay for it...</p> <p>Also -</p> <p>"It is also hoped the campaign will make it easier for cyclists to take their bikes on to public transport" </p> <p>Again, this "campaign" has a good wish list that has been around for ages. Trains already take bikes but there is not always enough capacity or flexibility. Some buses take bikes. It would be nice to think this new grouping (serviced by someone working two days a month) will be successful. </p> <p>And -</p> <p>"as well as help encourage Scots to explore their own country more"</p> <p>Well yes. GOOD routes out of Edinburgh would be a start. </p> <p>Edinburgh's link to Midlothian's railway path to Loanhead (and beyond) is <em>finally</em> due this year - though the on-road details are also important. </p> <p>How about a 'friendly' section between the end of the Innocent and Musselburgh and upgraded paths from west from Edinburgh Park. </p> <p>The tram to the airport could/SHOULD have included a cyclepath. The Borders Rail line COULD have a bike link under the bypass (still to be built) but I don't think it's in the plan. </p> <p>Etc. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102652 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:27:54 +0000 SRD 102652@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was thinking as much of things like recent hay market redevelopment and tendering for scotrail contract etc, where bikes just not even considered in any serious way. They aim to meet some minimalist conditions, but not seriously thinking what sort of train carriage would enable us t carry bikes effectively, or how will cyclists actually access train stations. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102651 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:22:50 +0000 chdot 102651@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD</p> <p>Yesish</p> <p>But -</p> <p>"But this integration needs to be from the start, and not retrofitted in bits and pieces."</p> <p>But in both urban and rural areas this could only apply to new developments/infrastructure. Turning an old railway line into a path or adding a drop kerb are both "retrofitting" - we just need more of it! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102650 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:09:31 +0000 SRD 102650@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We don't need to segregate cycling. We need to integrate it into all transport design. In some cases this means segregated cycle ways and bridges, in others it means roads designed for safe cycling, in others trains designed to carry cycles. </p> <p>But this integration needs to be from the start, and not retrofitted in bits and pieces. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102649 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 08:49:00 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 102649@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I can see where you're coming from, but the oft-cited examples of Copenhagen and Amsterdam, with miles and miles of segregated facilities don't have people driving to them. I think we're often in danger of mixing up rural routes along, say, old railway lines that people will drive to (as I did at the weekend with my wife who is only just getting back into cycling and doesn't have any confidence in riding on busy roads yet) and segregated urban routes that simply make it easier to ride around a city. </p> <p>Just taking those examples, my wife won't take any busy road routes in Edinburgh, and route-finding to bypass all of that can be interesting given all the missing links; in comparison we cycled everywhere in Copenhagen. </p> <p>I guess what I'm saying is that segregated routes can and do get more people onto bikes... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102648 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 08:03:32 +0000 wee folding bike 102648@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And this kind of thing is one reason why I'm against segregation.</p> <p>Cycling isn't something you travel to a special place for, it's something you do to travel. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102647 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:16:07 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 102647@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>You will have driven in your car to the traffic free paths, or maybe taken the train, and a leisure entrepreneur will have rented you some leisure bicycles to use.</em>"</p> <p>Sadly, yes, this does appear to be the line of thinking. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102646 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:15:21 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 102646@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>From the original article:</p> <p>"<em>It is also hoped the campaign will make it easier for cyclists to take their bikes on to public transport</em>"</p> <p>That would include trains wouldn't it? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102645 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:09:29 +0000 crowriver 102645@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What we <em>enthusiasts</em> need to realise is that <em>cycling is not transport</em>. It's just a <em>leisure activity</em> you undertake when the weather's nice, on traffic free paths, at low speed. You will have driven in your car to the traffic free paths, or maybe taken the train, and a leisure entrepreneur will have rented you some leisure bicycles to use. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102634 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 21:54:25 +0000 SRD 102634@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@blueth. Too true. When transport.scotland rep spoke to cross party group on cycling, it was very clear they had no interest in making cycling accessible via public transport. It was all about how we could rent bikes when we got places (by car) and how we needed more private initiatives, and not to rely on public sector. </p> <p>Very depressing in terms of accessibility and tourism both. </p> <p>To be fair, the MSPs who were there seemed at least as unimpressed as I was, and suggested they could do better. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102633 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 21:27:58 +0000 wee folding bike 102633@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Drive</em> to make Scotland a cycling tourism centre is going the wrong way about it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102618 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 19:28:19 +0000 Blueth 102618@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah, and notice the railways aren't involved. Last time they were their rep met with a cycling rep on the radio and was questioned about space on trains. No problem. The scheme did not work that way - the intention was that you would park your £1800 made to measure tourer at an English station, hire a gas pipe special at the station in the Highlands, have your tour, train home again and hope to hell your bike was still there a fortnight later. She couldn't see the flaw in the scheme. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102612 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 18:00:59 +0000 Min 102612@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That would be awesome but..don't tell the Scottish Government! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102608 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 16:00:56 +0000 chdot 102608@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> Neen Kelly, project manager of the National Cycle Tourism Forum, said: “There is no co-ordinated campaign – or even any funding – to promote cycle tourism at the moment.</p> <p>“There’s not been any detailed research done into the value of cycle tourism or how it could be expanded in future years, but there’s been a feeling for some time that it needs properly co-ordinated.</p> <p>"</p> <p>Don't know if this is wishful thinking, empty PR or kite flying. </p> <p>Quick google 'research' shows that NCTF was set up a couple of years ago and encompasses the usual suspects. </p> <p>"<br /> The Forum comprises Cycling Scotland which currently acts as Chair, VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Sustrans, Cyclists Touring Club, Paths For All, Scottish Natural Heritage, EventScotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Cycling, The Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland Group, and representatives from 7stanes, Cycle Highland Perthshire and Velo Days.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://visitscotland.briefyourmarket.com/Newsletters/VisitScotland-eUpdate---August-2011/Promotion-of-cycle-tourism-in-Scotland.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://visitscotland.briefyourmarket.com/Newsletters/VisitScotland-eUpdate---August-2011/Promotion-of-cycle-tourism-in-Scotland.aspx</a></p> <p>"<br /> Funding has been secured to retain a project manager on a two-days-a-month basis. The tender for project management consultancy is being conducted by Sustrans.<br /> The current project manager Neen Kelly has been working closely with Visit Scotland to ensure the inclusion of relevant cycling content in their new website and has finalised the cycle tourism research paper.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/component/option,com_docman/Itemid,166/gid,657/task,doc_download" rel="nofollow">http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/component/option,com_docman/Itemid,166/gid,657/task,doc_download</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9605#post-102607 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 15:31:54 +0000 crowriver 102607@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>A BID to establish Scotland as one of the world’s leading cycling destinations will be launched within months after being identified by tourism leaders as one of the industry’s best prospects for growth.</p> <p>The success of cycling superstars such as Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Bradley Wiggins is behind the high-profile drive to promote Scotland as a magnet both for mountain bikers and road cyclists. Scotland’s wilderness areas and remote islands are set to take centre-stage in the campaign, which aims to make cycling as much of a draw for visitors as Munro-bagging.</p> <p>It also aims to capitalise on the popularity of events such as the Etape Caledonia in Perthshire and the Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William over the past decade.</p> <p>A nationwide bike hire scheme, a series of new cycle networks, a single national route from John O’Groats to Dumfries and Galloway, and the creation of new events are among the ideas under discussion. It is also hoped the campaign will make it easier for cyclists to take their bikes on to public transport, as well as help encourage Scots to explore their own country more.</p> <p>Experts believe there is huge potential to grow the value of cycling to the economy from its current level of about £300 million through better promotion, new facilities and encouraging cyclists to make the most of other attractions during a biking holiday in Scotland.</em></p> <p>Continues at: </p> <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/scotland/drive-to-make-scotland-a-cycling-tourism-centre-1-2818978" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/scotland/drive-to-make-scotland-a-cycling-tourism-centre-1-2818978</a> </p>