Following the Evening News story yesterday the BBC web site has done a piece about cycling on Princes Street tram lines.
This wouldn't have happened without people posting on this site - including that video -
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
CCE.info now on BBC
(22 posts)-
Posted 14 years ago #
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Good job!
You seem to be the unofficial spokesman for Edinburgh cyclists now - no mention of Spokes or the CTC.
Useful to have a couple of media contacts in future too. I'll remember them if I ever capture another Edinburgh infrastructure fail! ;-)
I think it's bizarre that the official response is to hold a training session - that is hardly going to make an impression on the number of people getting caught out. So long as the tracks start without notice in the middle of the "riding line", there are going to be incidents or near-misses.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"You seem to be the unofficial spokesman for Edinburgh cyclists now - no mention of Spokes"
Yeah that's a bit unfortunate, I know the BBC talked to Spokes yesterday, I probably rambled on longer. (I knew it was for the web site rather than broadcast, otherwise I wouldn't have done it - I tend not to be media succinct!)
Posted 14 years ago # -
which he recorded on a camera attached to his handlebars.
Is that true? ;)
Dave - I hope no damage to yourself or bike (tailbox!)
I've crossed the tracks a few times now with suitable caution.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Am to be interviewed this lunchtime for Reporting Scotland. Not really sure what I'm going to say - but how often do you get a chance to be on the telly? ;-)
Assume it will be on tonight - hopefully there's some way to watch afterwards as we don't have TV!
Posted 14 years ago # -
That's good. Are you going to the crash zone!]]?
I'd say...
'You're an experienced road user. You bike and drive.Things that suddenly appear without warning can cause problems.
Your bike of course is not to blame as any two wheeled vehicle is vulnerable to this.'
Will be on iplayer.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I'll probably get to meet you then Dave! Chris had been chasing me this morning about the BBC as well (I was tucked up in a dentist's chair) so the BBC chap has my details. Whether they need anything from me with you already being on board is doubtful - but I'll be the tall blonde chap in the big black overcoat looking shifty. Gimme a wave!
Posted 14 years ago # -
I will have a bright coloured buff on - and a strange bike with a dragon on it! ;-)
I'm not really anti-tram, just anti-dumb. Starting the tracks on the 'cycling line' without any warning is dangerous!
Will also bitch about dismount sign, although I guess they will cut any, or most, of what I say to suit their spin.
I'll take my headcam to capture the same manouvre in daylight (hopefully with more success this time!)
Posted 14 years ago # -
"
which he recorded on a camera attached to his handlebars.Is that true? ;)
"
Actually that was my assumption when I talked to BBC - wasn't thinking about recumbent level helmet.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Actually I had the camera mounted to the derailleur post, because when I have it on my helmet (which is most of the time) you do get the handlebars and my legs birling around.
That evening I was planning a quick whisk from one end of Princes St to the other, to give a video overview for Youtube. So I moved the camera forwards for a 'clean' view... I didn't expect to get nailed in the first 5 feet- very embarrasing!
Posted 14 years ago # -
I'll race ya to YouTube! Was riding in late this morning so decided to get an East to West clip done in the light.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I couldn't make it. Just as well as two recumbent bikes would distort the 'norm' a bit.
Could have got the Trice QNT out.
Good commercial op off to show off a three wheeler on tracks...
Posted 14 years ago # -
The bike didn't feature on camera, although they were both pretty interested in it. It was just a face-to-face interview sort of deal.
We don't have TV so the big question is, where can I watch Reporting Scotland online (and/or get a clip?)
It doesn't seem to be on iPlayer... grrr. There are hints that it might be watchable live, but then it won't be captured. Annoying.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Posted 14 years ago # -
Damn, I thought it'd be on iPlayer as well. My other half will be recording it, so I might be able to point the video camera at the screen and get it on YouTube.
Loads of Christmas music started up before they spoke to me, so we moved onto the central reservation in Princes Street! Didn't speak to me for quite as long though.
I thought they did a long shot of you chatting? The bike will surely be on camera there. Hope so!
Posted 14 years ago # -
Anth- it would be good to get some sort of clip for posterity. Someone at work might get it on set-top recorder but it depends on them being home in time.
They seemed like sound enough guys - I trust they won't cut us up to sound like a pair of foaming bike activists...
Posted 14 years ago # -
I gave some line about the possibility of a bus hitting a cyclist who had fallen. Dressed it up as a distant possibility, but a possibility nonetheless. I'll bet that somehow gets edited into "It's only a matter of time before a bus hitsna cyclist and kills them!"
But yeah, they seemed as genuine as TV folk can be.
Intriguingly as I was walking back there were another couple of guys carrying pro camera equipment who were looking over at the BBC guys doing a little thing to camera as an intro and saying, "I wonder what they're up to." I think I witnessed the beginning of a media storm!
Posted 14 years ago # -
There are probably media guys just tailing other media guys...
I was a little more direct I fear, I pretty much came out and said, it's all very well falling off when no-one's about, but if there had been a bus behind me... (sound of hand hitting palm)
Well, it will keep everyone who comments on the evening news going for a day or two more!
Posted 14 years ago # -
I went down to Princes Street to play with the tramlines (ahead of Sunday). You do have to be constantly aware of where the things are, but I didn't have a problems even with 25mm tyres. I can see that in the dark and/or wet conditions they can be a problem. To me the worst bit is passing the RSA going west, I really did feel hemmed in there. Don't really get the point of the cobbled section west of The Mound, that really is pointless. Also found it annoying that you can no longer turn right up The Mound, you are forced to go the long way round via Waverley.
Posted 14 years ago # -
The thing about the mound changes is that they are considerably better for pedestrians - they can cross simply and easily on both sides whenever the Princes st. traffic stops, and the mound traffic goes.
So, while it is annoying for cyclists, at least there is some beneficiary, it's not just the usual incompetence of road planners.
So to me, the loss of the left turn (by the now notorious dismount sign) is not such a biggie, you can just... dismount, or as many people will, ignore it carefully.
Could you go across the junction but stop at the central reservation, going up the mound when the light sequence changes (if that makes sense?)
Posted 14 years ago # -
Could you go across the junction but stop at the central reservation, going up the mound when the light sequence changes
Tram space permitting!
Watched the show on BBC. Good work from both you and Anth.
Was a good shot of woman getting very close to tram tracks and other guy with a bus about four feet off his back wheel.
Would have been good to see the Raptobike in action of course. Maybe someone can post a picture of what the BBC Scotland viewers were missing! OK - I Know we can see it slightly further up...
I mean everytime there's a road accident you get to know the brand and model of the car - so why not mention the make of bike?
Posted 14 years ago #
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