CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

Jawbone walk cycling

(14 posts)

  1. algo
    Member

    Hello,

    apologies if this has been mentioned before - I couldn't find it. I'm not sure if I'm being unreasonable, but I walk with my daughter along jawbone walk on the meadows and I get annoyed by the number of cyclists who insist on cycling there when it's busy with people (including tiny ones), despite the shared use path which takes you two sides of the triangle to the same place.

    It's good people cycle and so I don't want to complain, but equally I fear that it creates some tension between cyclists and pedestrians, and I already do my best to have a harmonious existence with car drivers. I feel that irresponsible cycling gives us all a bad name and reinforces negative stereotypes so I'd rather people didn't do it.

    I'd be interested to hear other people's views on it.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. steveo
    Member

    Its discussed intermittently, its not illegal. Personally I don't see the point since you'd be quicker using the road then MMW than responsibly using JBW but some people prefer the most direct route.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. algo
    Member

    thanks for the links. Sorry I didn't find it. I'll read those links (and perhaps use google search in future :-))

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. steveo
    Member

    The local search isn't great. Google's SITE: search is much more powerful.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. algo
    Member

    I mustn't have waited long enough - I'd assumed it came up with no results, but I just did it again and there's plenty of hits... thanks for the tip though...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    I'm with steveo, even just accessing the path from Melville Drive is a pain with the narrow nit of pavement behnid railings. I'd much rather ride in the cycle lane then turn onto MMW, and coming the other way it's easier with the cycle traffic light as well!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Yes it can be used (legally) but the Middle Meadow / North Meadow route is quicker and better for cyclists. Maybe it needs to be a bit better signed as such? Or some other subtle visual cues to encourage this route.

    But some people will only ever go in what appears to be the most direct line... Big volume of (dare I stereotype) students comign down from Marchmont on rattly bikes here.

    It's a busy bit of path and cyclists and pedestrians should both be mindful of the others when using it - and if I was cycling on it (I don't) my opinion would be to always defer to pedestrians when it came to giving way.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. SRD
    Moderator

    I was walking that way a while back and came across a new colleague on a bike going that way, but going so slow because of all the pedestrians that I caught her up. I did suggest 'you might find it easier going the other way'.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. algo
    Member

    Hello,

    thanks for the answers. I will continue to bite my tongue - I wasn't sure of the legality. I really don't see the point either - the railings at the end make it quite a tricky manoeuvre on some of the bikes I see take that route, and the other wider and well-marked shared use paths are to be encouraged in my opinion. Better surface too!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I will continue to bite my tongue

    Feel free to unleash it if someone nearly cycles into one of your kids - reminding the miscreant to cycle with due care and attention and to share the path with other users.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. steveo
    Member

    Indeed, the access regulations that allow cycling on the path call for responsible use. Running people over or making them feel like they need to stand aside isn't responsible.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. DaveC
    Member

    I never really have to cycle that way but if I am in Bruntsfeild for any reason I use the cycle path to Angle Pk Terr and then MMW. I don't see that a minute quicker is much of an advantage especially as others here have stressed its tight corners and busy narrow paved section.

    I agree with Kapers, I always treat Peds as if they have right of way and use my bell to signal my proximity. I treat Peds with care as most appear to have ear phones in and unless you are a cyclist may not know the segregation rules.

    If cycling near children I especially take great care as from experience of my own, they do have a habit of vearing over from one side to the other with no warning.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. algo
    Member

    thanks - I shall make judicious use of my tongue if I feel the need...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. ruggtomcat
    Member

    I ride it to access the pavillion, but never in a hurry,that would be silly!

    Posted 12 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.


Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin