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Hi there.
I've just started a new job in north Ed and am commuting along the pathway between Haymarket and Crewe Toll. I was just wondering about the safety of this in winter when it's dark and wet. It's fairly busy at 5pm-ish at the moment but will my safety be an issue later on in the year? What's the lighting like? Safety for females?
Thoughts from any commuters?
Valla
Welcome
There have been threads on this before - general view is that all pretty OK, occasionally 'groups of youths'.
Less likely to be around in cold and dark!
Other 'problems' are loose dogs and too bright lights...
I'm sure regular users here will be able to reassure you!
The other safety aspects are (in chronological order by season) wet leaves, and ice!
If you are out and about at commuting times, it is pretty busy with people, even in the winter. After about 6 to 6-30ish I would start thinking twice about it if you are a female & I would definitely avoid it an hour later. I've been using it for years & really the only trouble I've had is after 10 o'clock
So much for the 'family network' then! Oh of course in winter all under-18s (and women of any age) are supposed to be indoors and/or getting their jimmy jams on come 7.30pm...
I think you have got to be realistic. You are talking about a path which is relatively secluded and hidden from normal view (that is one of its attractions) but which is situated in a difficlut area of a major city. I may be unduly cautious on the OP's behalf, but it is rather difficult how such a route could be made 'safe' for everyone at all times of the day
Crowriver, I don't think anyone is saying that's the way things 'should' be, but that path passes through some dodgy areas, and outside commuting time I'd be avoiding it.
I'm rarely out at night these days, but I have certainly cycled them outwithn'normal hours in reent years and had nothing bad happen. (I am a female, not that fast cyclist)
I suspect that that is true for most trips - whether female or not. But obviously no one wants to encourage someone to do so and then have something unfortunate happen.
If you're comfortable riding, then do so. If it worries you unduly, then don't. But any 'objective' judgement of how dangerous they are, or likelihood of anything happening will be near impossible to arrive at.
"But any 'objective' judgement of how dangerous they are, or likelihood of anything happening will be near impossible to arrive at."
Very true. For what it's worth I'll note that the worst incidents I've experienced have mostly happened in broad daylight, in open public spaces and sometimes even with people and CCTV cameras closeby. Conversely in plenty of hours racked up in the dark on paths ranging from the NEPN to the outer reaches of the WoL I've barely encountered another person whatsoever, let alone a hostile one.
I use that particular section of the NEPN quite often, sometimes at odd hours as well. I've noticed the police seem to be keen on patrolling it more than other bits of path.
Can't say I've used it much outside of commuting time but there was a period through last winter when my Wednesday night ride would see me riding along it from Granton Road to Barnton around 7.30-8pm. It was always quiet. Can't recall really seeing anyone. I suppose in retrospect I weighed up the different risks of the roads and the path and chose the risks of the path.
I'm not trying to be irresponsible here, but I think it is possible to overemphasise risk and imply 'danger' when these things are usually pretty unlikely. Sometimes, we have nothing to fear but fear itself, as somebody said once.
I'd go with SRD's advice: if the path at night scares you, use the road; if it feels okay, use the path.
My better half drives rather than use NEPN late on.
However personally it always seems to be deserted later on - I've used it for many years to get about, mainly to work but also 'after hours'. I'd think the main danger is actually in summer when it's light and pleasant for "undesirables" to hang about?
Why not chum up with someone until you get a feel for your comfort level? Pre-arrange or just wait for a commuter cyclist at either end and tag along after them- at commute time there should be 1 or 2 along every minute or 2.
I commuted for 3 years ~6pm on the Telford path and the D'Mains path, I can tell you that your greatest hazard is likely to be the tram lines at Haymarket (which you can just walk if you're not confident). In those 3 years, the only incident was one when the neds roped me one night - the police dealt with them.
I don't know what is more frightening at night - a deserted path (except for the one, possibly imaginary, rapist lurking in the bushes) or one with a bunch of people hanging out on it potentially up to no good.
I regularly cycle past Dumfries's main 'undesirable' hangout day or night and it doesn't really bother me - they're not that interested in harassing passers by although they do sometimes stagger backwards into the path so you have to keep an eye out. I don't mind deserted country lanes, but I'd be wary of a dark deserted urban space. It's probably just female conditioning to avoid those sort of places when you're on your own.
Any chance you can team up with a fellow cyclist? It's much more fun riding in company anyway
I've ridden lots in light, dark, snow and rain. Worst times are when its busiest but even then its hardly any trouble. I've seen police patrolling it also. I've never experienced any trouble at all. As others have said there are less people when its dark, only commuters.
It is well lit - if there is a light out, it is pretty easy to read the next pole number that is lit and Clarence the number of the unlit one, it usually is fixed by CEC within a week.
I've been riding the path a few times later on at night over the last few weeks, and haven't seen a soul.
However, I tend to prefer the main roads at night because they're less busy, more direct, and I feel that I'm more conspicuous with all my flashing red lights than I am during the day.
Nothing to do with me thinking that the NEPN is not safe; I don't. Just that it's pretty boring so a quieter main road is more appealing to me!
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