http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: 'New' towpath conduct plan en Fri, 22 May 2026 02:15:47 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106662 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:55:06 +0000 Highburyonfoot 106662@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hi all I've been involved in the frequently fraught debates about towpath use in Islington (tweet as Highburyonfoot) - for the record, I cycle and am Chair of Islington Living Streets. We've engaged closely with our local cycling lobby group ICAG and with the Canal and River Trust. </p> <p>The problem with towpaths as shared paths is that no one would set out to design a shared path that is narrow with an open body of water alongside and frequent blind corners under bridges! However towpaths are popular as an escape from busy city streets with people walking, cycling, jogging and exercising dogs (and even children).</p> <p>There is an inherent tension between the "place" function and the "route" function of the towpath. People use the towpath as a retreat from congested City streets, but the speed differential between those on wheels and those on foot can cause conflict. When the towpath is congested, even courteous and considerate cycling can feel intimidating to some pedestrians (especially older and/or frailer ones).</p> <p>In Islington we've reached the point where the Canal and Rivers Trust has appointed an alternative routes co-ordinator to work with the relevant transport authorities to ensure that there is a safe on street alternative route with well-designed junctions to provide an attractive parallel route for people on bikes who are in a hurry.</p> <p>Of course a code of conduct isn't a magic bullet, but it does help establish some ground rules and helps with self policing by the decent majority. <a href="http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/see-and-do/cycling/share-the-space-drop-your-pace">The Drop your Pace and Share the Space code</a> was developed with the aim of getting a consensus around consideration for the needs of others and emphasising the "place" function of the canal towpath as a mellow retreat or escape from the frenetic streets nearby. </p> <p>Its all context specific and there are as many (or as few) anti-social people walking as there are cycling. There's no point in producing a code and shoving it in a drawer, but I do think there is value in developing an agreed code so long as representatives of many groups are involved/engaged and the process is accompanied by some on-going community engagement. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106657 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:00:17 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 106657@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>P.s. I'm not saying stop campaigns and publicity, those are great, I just don't like 'codes' that we all seem to agree have a very limited impact. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106655 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:58:01 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 106655@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I can see your point Dave, but there's another perspective - if there's a code in place that the unconvertable minority continue to disregard and thereby act anti-socially is there a danger that those who 'allow' us to use the path turn round and say 'well you can't abide by the code so we're just going to have to withdraw access'?</p> <p>I think when we all know that the majority who already ride anti-socially will disregard a code (as you yourself have admitted) then it starts to become less 'cynicism' and more 'realism'. </p> <p>I guess, to be honest, I'm fed up playing the corporate game at work where you make sure you're 'seen' to be saying the right thing - this comes across as something similar when efforts could be directed elsewhere. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106650 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:29:39 +0000 DdF 106650@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>THE LONG AND WINDING CANAL PERSPECTIVE...</p> <p>Of course it's totally obvious to everyone, not least to Spokes, that not all the speedsters on the towpath (not that there are a huge number anyway) are going to read a code and, if they do, suddenly all start behaving in a totally considerate fashion. Though it will probably have a bit of an effect on some people. And there is talk of towpath-based publicity which might make it a little harder to ignore.</p> <p>The point is not to see the code as one isolated happening but as a small part of a long and hopefully continuing process to improve the towpath and its usage, and to improve cycling conditions in general in that corridor.</p> <p>Not that many years ago the towpath was a muddy track about 30cm wide, and even that you were told officially that you needed a permit to cycle on.</p> <p>Now it is surfaced a long way out, it has solar lighting, Scottish Canals actually publicise it for cycle use, and it is an official part of the NCN. Future developments could be widening where feasible, extension of lighting and surfacing, more accesses and linking routes, leisure spaces around it, provision of parallel onroad routes for those who wish to cycle faster, etc, etc. All these depend on pressure for improvements from individuals and organisations, sometimes via supportive and hard-working councillors like Gavin Corbett, and they equally depend on confidence from bodies such as the council, sustrans, scottish canals, etc, who have the money, but who also get vociferous complaints from some walkers.</p> <p>Codes, publicity campaigns, etc hopefully reduce anti-social behaviour to some degree but they also help give the funding agencies confidence to keep the towpath open for cycling and improving for cycling. If all we do is express cynicism about codes, and say what is the point, then the momentum for continuing improvement and support for cycling takes a knock. We tend to accept improvements as they appear, then take them for granted, but they don't appear by magic! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106646 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:53:25 +0000 fimm 106646@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oops, I'd even read that blog linked to in the last post and thought it was very sensible. Cynicism levels turned down, my apologies...</p> <p>I think "<em>safe alternative routes for people who want to travel faster than is safe on a narrow towpath</em>" is a good point. I usually come into that category, and therefore rarely cycle on the towpath! If I do, it is because I'm choosing a slow pootle for some reason (like I've just had a tooth removed...) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106637 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:00:34 +0000 chdot 106637@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> Caroline Russell (@highburyonfoot)<br /> 02/04/2013 15:37<br /> @SpokesLothian @towpathranger @gavincorbett @CityCycling @CyclingEdin looks like there's a consensus around mutual consideration of needs!</p> <p>"<br /> "<br /> Caroline Russell (@highburyonfoot)<br /> 02/04/2013 15:42<br /> @CyclingEdin @SpokesLothian @towpathranger @gavincorbett @CityCycling ./. community engagement &amp; common understanding of dropping pace helps</p> <p>"<br /> "<br /> Gavin Corbett (@gavincorbett)<br /> 02/04/2013 15:53<br /> @CyclingEdin @SpokesLothian @highburyonfoot code itself not enough, sure, needs good comms &amp; longer term options too <a href="http://goo.gl/aKiwc" rel="nofollow">http://goo.gl/aKiwc</a></p> <p>"</p> <p>Last link worth reading - a lot more than 'just code/leaflets'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106633 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:46:51 +0000 chdot 106633@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Earlier tweets on this one -</p> <p>"<br /> Cycling Edinburgh (@CyclingEdin)<br /> 29/03/2013 07:34<br /> @gavincorbett @CityCycling @scottishcanals @ScotlandsCanals @SpokesLothian Some irresponsible</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7422" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=7422</a></p> <p>But 6mph undesirable</p> <p>"<br /> "<br /> Cycling Edinburgh (@CyclingEdin)<br /> 29/03/2013 08:00<br /> @gavincorbett @CityCycling @SpokesLothian A common misperception They are 4mph</p> <p>#ActiveTravel #Edinburgh</p> <p>"<br /> "<br /> Gavin Corbett (@gavincorbett)<br /> 29/03/2013 08:12<br /> @Gordon_McC @CyclingEdin @CityCycling @scottishcanals @SpokesLothian as did I but just checked and seems 6mph is for towpath. Unrealistic?<br /> "<br /> "<br /> Cycling Edinburgh (@CyclingEdin)<br /> 29/03/2013 08:17<br /> @gavincorbett @Gordon_McC @CityCycling @scottishcanals @SpokesLothian </p> <p>Very unrealistic and makes a sensible 'code of conduct' important.</p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106630 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:32:32 +0000 SRD 106630@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Councillor does 'do' lots of stuff and is an excellent local Councillor in many respects. I can also imagine that he gets lots of 'feedback' about the canal, and inconsiderate cyclists in particular. but i share your cynicism in this case, and agree it is more of a 'being seen to do' sort of event. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106628 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:30:16 +0000 chdot 106628@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think the thing about the London canals is that there is now more signage - not just about leaflets. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106627 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:21:55 +0000 fimm 106627@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ah, having looked, the Spokes one is about shared use paths in general (although illustrated with photos of the towpath). Towpaths are of course completely different to shared use paths and therefore the code will have be totally different. </p> <p>Not that I'm being cynical about the councilor (he is a councilor, isn't he?) being seen to be doing something, or anything... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106616 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:10:05 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 106616@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The SPOKES one clearly doesn't work, whereas the new canal-people one will be magical...</p> <p>The tweets above are interesting as well - basically the London one being offered as a 'use this' document. Should be easy to read through and think 'yep, that'll work' and then publish it, rather than wasting everyone's time discussing something that will have no practical impact! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106611 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:03:36 +0000 fimm 106611@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So if there's already a Spokes leaflet on considerate towpath cycling, why does @gavincorbett need to get them together with the canal people to create another one? Does he somehow think that the Spokes one encourages cyclists to blast along at any speed they please? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106596 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:58:13 +0000 Morningsider 106596@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I suppose the idea is coming from the right place - attempting to help smooth any difficulties. However, it is clearly a non-starter.</p> <p>Will you be required to read the code before using the towpath?<br /> Will there be any sanctions for failing to abide by the code?</p> <p>No - meaning, as WC says, that anti-social types will continue to act as they do. I also think the towpath is one shared use path where bad behaviour is reduced by the proximity of a stinking great canal - always the possibility of ending up in the drink if you aren't careful. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106593 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:51:16 +0000 chdot 106593@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> Spokes CycleCampaign (@SpokesLothian)<br /> 02/04/2013 12:17<br /> @highburyonfoot @towpathranger @gavincorbett @CityCycling @CyclingEdin Our 2 path leaflets [topic-based &amp; user-based] </p> <p><a href="http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/documents/advice/considerate-cycling/#2" rel="nofollow">http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/documents/advice/considerate-cycling/#2</a></p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106586 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:14:27 +0000 Dave 106586@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If we came up with a code of conduct for motorists, such as "obey the speed limit", we could save millions of pounds in unnecessary speed bumps and other interventions!</p> <p>Why did nobody think of this before?!? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106570 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:56:14 +0000 steveo 106570@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think your being overly negative WC, I mean once the Highway Code of conduct was introduced speeding stopped virtually over night...</p> <p>Colour me equally cynical. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106567 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:44:52 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 106567@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Have to admit I'm always sceptical of the impact of Codes of Conduct. Will people who barrel along with no thoguht for other users see a code of conduct and think, 'ooh, y'know, they're right, I'll slow down'? Same goes for errant pedestrians and dog walkers.</p> <p>Maybe I'm just too cynical when it comes to the actions of my fellow man. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9845#post-106565 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:42:27 +0000 chdot 106565@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> Gavin Corbett (@gavincorbett)<br /> 29/03/2013 01:09<br /> @CityCycling @CyclingEdin I've got Scot Canals, Spokes and Sustrans together to develop code of conduct for canal towpath as a shared path</p> <p>"<br /> "<br /> Dick Vincent (@towpathranger)<br /> 02/04/2013 08:59<br /> @highburyonfoot @gavincorbett @CityCycling @CyclingEdin We already have a code in London: <a href="http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/see-and-do/cycling/share-the-space-drop-your-pace" rel="nofollow">http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/see-and-do/cycling/share-the-space-drop-your-pace</a></p> <p>"<br /> "<br /> Caroline Russell (@highburyonfoot)<br /> 02/04/2013 10:33<br /> @towpathranger @gavincorbett @CityCycling @CyclingEdin No need to re-invent the wheel? #dropyourpacesharethespace picks up all the issues.</p> <p>"<br /> "<br /> Dick Vincent (@towpathranger)<br /> 02/04/2013 10:35<br /> @gavincorbett @CityCycling @CyclingEdin Indeed it should! @highburyonfoot was one of the many who helped us write it!<br /> " </p>