I noted yesterday on the way to and from work that for some hitherto unknown reason, the genius that planned the trambles traffic routing has now decided that Rosebery Crescent at Haymarket is now only 1 way Northbound, but you can still manaage to get two thirds of the way down the street southbound before dismounting and walking the 20m or so to Haymarket Terrace, i spotted quite a few taxi's and private vehicles U turning on realising this master stroke of traffic routing, its just plain silly, making just 20m of a perfectly accessible and previously 2 lane street 1 way after months and months of it being 2 way.
Total numpties that thought that up btw.......... RJ
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Road layout changes in the west end at Ryans bar? (Also Haymarket)
(764 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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I'm wondering whether going Rosebery Cres/Palmerston Place/Torphicen Street will be quicker and safer than coming straight through from Haymarket?
It means you avoid the first (eastbound) set of tramlines on the right hand lane outside the station, skip the traffic lights at Dalry Road and then have a straighter approach to Torphichen Street.
Will depend on the light phasing at Grosvenor Crescent/Palmerston Place. Think I'll give it a go tomorrow.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@Stickman, I reckon that's a perfect plan to deal with the layout there. Much better tramline crossing angle.
Seems bizarre to have made just a short section of Rosebery Crescent one way...
Posted 11 years ago # -
"
Spokes CycleCampaign (@SpokesLothian)
15/10/2013 10:07
@wingpig @SRDorman @CyclingEdin @cocteautriplets @WisoB Heard back from council tram ppl. They saw this too & have told wardens; we will see"
Posted 11 years ago # -
I have a picture of the skidding cyclist sign at Haymarket. But not way of hosting it.
I can send it to someone if they can host it themselves and stick up a link.
It's my new Twitter avatar too!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Photo Coxy
Posted 11 years ago # -
SKIIIIIID!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Hmmm, that puts the onus firmly on the cyclist to not slip on the tracks, and no responsiblity on anyone else to give them time & space. Still, I like it better than the yellow ones on Princes St, it is much clearer and makes it obvious there's something to look out for!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Don't think that sign is an approved one, or at least it's not in the Highway Code and new to me...
Hot tip - don't google "slippery cycle sign"
Robert
Posted 11 years ago # -
Don't think that sign is an approved one, or at least it's not in the Highway Code and new to me...
Neither is it in the 2013 Traffic Signs Manual. In fact, the TSM states (for 'vehicles') in relation the skidding car sign:
"The slippery road sign, diagram 557, is intended for use where the danger of vehicles skidding is greater than normal."
So far so good, as applicable to bicycles.
"The degree of danger cannot be precisely defined as this depends upon skid resistance value, speed of traffic and the degree of superelevation on bends. It is for the traffic authority to judge whether overall conditions are sufficiently sub-standard that special warning is necessary."
Sub-standard?
"Care must be taken not to over-use the sign, or its
credibility will be undermined. Remedial works to
improve the skidding resistance of the road surface
or to improve drainage should be undertaken as soon
as practicable and the signs removed on completion
of the works."Posted 11 years ago # -
Duplicate post. Obviously so important my computer thought it was worth mentioning twice.
Posted 11 years ago # -
That sign has been used in Nottingham, so must have some sort of 'official status'.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Similarly in Hull, for 3 years, though for trains of course:
Rail cycling: Hull slips in a new bike signAnd one of the posters there raises an interesting point: Having used the skid marks from the car sign, it makes it look like the bike has skidded at 90 degrees to the direction of travel (and with very flat tyres come to think of it, judging by the thickness of the skidmarks!).
Posted 11 years ago # -
Chap came down just at the taxi rank right in front of me tonight. Young chap on road bike, probably student, cycling home with another student mate on mountain bike.
It looked a sore spill, but I think his pride was hurt more than anything else, his chain also came off. I offered to help, after asking if he was OK and commenting it looked a sore one. He looked like he might have needed help (with chain), but was obviously too embarrassed to take any, so declined, and I went on my way once they had moved off the road.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Mildly enlightening series of trips through the new arrangement this evening. Videos currently lethargically uploading...
V1: using the road...
Featuring TractorFactory and another colleague, who wobbles slightly on track-crossing...
V2: using the thing and finding it miraculously not impeded. It does indeed allow for crossing no tracks before entering it and both sets perpendicularly upon exit.
V3: trying to use the thing but being blocked by a protruding taxi-bum, finding that you're sharing the ASL with a taxi which nips ahead when the lights change and there being a pair of parked coaches in the left-hand lane back on the road...
Posted 11 years ago # -
"Chap came down just at the taxi rank right in front of me tonight."
I think I have a video of that. (If not then a copy incident!)
Also a rear wheel slide.
Wasn't at Haymarket very long.
Taxi games too.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Went through the cut through at Ryans onto Princes St. Seemed ok.
I wanted to turn right up Lothian Road but tram has put paid to that - there are 'no right turn' signs. May have to cut through by end of relief road in future at Canning St. That does mean wading through the traffic.
Or could do Wingpigs Sheraton backyard route!
Posted 11 years ago # -
I have to admit to staying a bit quiet on the subject of tram tracks. By & large I think they are easy enough to negotiate as long as you relax and control the bike correctly. However... The arrangement at Haymarket is just lethal. Having now gone through it a couple of times now it is clearly an accident waiting to happen. The taxi rank cycle lane is a waste of time. People are simply not going to use it and the angle that you hit the tracks at is just asking for trouble. It is such a busy junction I fear the consequences of this arrangement could be serious. It really has to be changed and soon. I can't believe that Spokes have seen and approved of this.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"Chap came down just at the taxi rank right in front of me tonight."
Posted 11 years ago # -
Wingpig, thanks for those videos - think I understand the taxi lane now.
As you say, looks like it offers a route in avoiding the tramlines and out perpendicular.
Unfortunately in your third video it looks like the queue of taxis could force you to cross back onto the tramlines at a particularly shallow angle.
I went through there again tonight (didn't use the taxi lane as it was blocked) and had a bit of a wobble.
Stiltskin is right - it's only a matter of time before there is a serious accident there.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"I think they are easy enough to negotiate as long as you relax and control the bike correctly."
Posted 11 years ago # -
Posted 11 years ago #
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I think chdot's video of the cyclist falling off would make a good safety campaign for motorists, on why motorists need to leave at least 1.5m when passing a cyclist.
It was lucky the following traffic was all passing probably 2m away in that case.
Posted 11 years ago # -
6 too many taxis this evening. 1 in the ASL, 5 queued down the road.
Had a taxi try and overtake me going round the corner on wrong side of road as I tried to get from W. Maitland into Torphicen Street. Naturally he assumed he could do this as my line across the tracks was like an S, whereas he just carried going straight across to try and cut the apex out. Would have gone into the side of me quite easily or forced me off my line.
It's much easier to cross the tracks looking forward, not defensively over your shoulder at what some ignorant A*** in a taxi is up to.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I didn't seen the NCN signs...
I'm sure the taxi behind me wasn't just following me!
Posted 11 years ago # -
I'm so glad I only have York Place to contend with!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Sorry chdot, not sure if you are making a statement or asking a question with a question mark missed off?
I was talking about doing a U turn here and then cycling back to West Register House, and then down the North side to Randolph Place where the cobbles are.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Buses are also available as a thing to sweep past you when you're trying to avoid tramlines:
Also, be very wary when turning right into Torphichen Place after coming from Palmerston/West Maitland - things turning left out of it have evidently become accustomed to swinging out quite widely.
Posted 11 years ago # -
No missing ?
I didn't U turn.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I think chdot is talking about the cut thru to Sygn Bar / Harry's Bar.
Can't see why its bus only either?
Posted 11 years ago #
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