CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

narrow cycle lanes

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  1. algo
    Member

    Yesterday evening I had to cycle out to Penicuik via Bilston again - I've done this a few times but yesterday wasn't much fun because of the wind. There are parts of that journey which apparently have cycle "infrastructure" but it became very apparent around the ring road that it's basically useless. The problems are that although there are cycles lanes such those as here:

    narrow cycle lane

    they encourage really close passes and in gusty conditions it's really scary. At the points (at each junction) where you have to change lane taking primary is really tough as the cessation of the cycle lane is not something the cars notice and just don't expect you to be in the middle of the road. Taking a stronger position on a bit of dual carriageway such as that above would require serious nerve - particularly as it is slightly uphill into a headwind and the cars are going so fast.

    I actually think that in situations such as this it might be more useful not to have a cycle lane at all - allowing riders to take stronger positions, and not have cars assume they will be riding in the cycle lane.

    If anyone rides this section I'd be interested in their thoughts, but I think it's a pretty good example of where poor cycling infrastructure makes things worse.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. Bhachgen
    Member

    I haven't ridden that particular stretch, but have ridden very similar roads. You're absolutely right - this is worse than no cycle lane at all. The white line causes a mindset among drivers that as long as they are on their side of it they are giving you enough room. Where there is no cycle lane the driver has to make a conscious decision on how much room to give.

    Very, very bad 'infrastructure'.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    +1

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. algo
    Member

    thanks Bhachgen and Anth - glad to know it's not just me. I might try and take a video of doing that route some time around rush hour some time - try to get in the correct lane at all of the junctions is a bit of a joke, and the bits where there are cycle lanes don't really offer any refuge - might be quite informative. There's no way I'd go anywhere near that stretch with a small passenger - way way too dangerous, and that's pretty telling...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. holisticglint
    Member

    <sarcasm>
    Well, you see, there is just no space for anything more along that stretch...
    </sarcasm>

    Is it worth raising sub-standard infrastructure with Clarence as a form of protest ? Does failing to meet design guidelines qualify as a "Road Defect" ?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. apox
    Member

    I used to commute that way (still do from time to time) and I completely agree. In particular I've found that just after the roundabout section under the bypass heading south is just awful, the way the cycle lane disappears round to the left(heading to Loanhead road) with no path going straight on leads drivers to think you're always turning left - so I actively signal that I'm coming out of the lane early to go straight on.

    Also with all the new homes in Bilston, the new Asda and now new houses being built on Burdiehouse road I just find it very slow progress, and probably going to get worse.

    So now I take the longer route out to Fairmilehead then along Seafield Moor Road. Probably adds 5-10 minutes but it is much more relaxing.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. algo
    Member

    I totally agree about that bit with the left turning to loanhead - it's madness. There's also this bit, where as you go over the junction the cycle lane disappears and reappears again even narrower.

    http://goo.gl/maps/LaOIi

    At the pinch point as you leave the junction, cars try to overtake you despite there clearly not being enough room. The problem I had yesterday was that the wind was pretty strong in my face so if I were to try and take primary there I would be massively infuriating those behind me by being quite slow...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. apox
    Member

    Yeah I know exactly what you mean...and it is pretty exposed to cross winds there. I hate it! The road surface just after that junction as you get into Bilston also used to be pretty bad. I think it says a lot that it certainly feels a lot safer for me to go well out of my way and use a road with no cycle lanes rather than use those routes...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. algo
    Member

    That is pretty telling - I'll be checking out Seafield Moor Road next week - won't have Liberton Brae either which I'm not a big fan of :-)

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. apox
    Member

    Good stuff, give it a try out and see if you think it's any better for you! The only worrying part is crossing the bypass (roundabouts), but it's pretty wide and it's a left turn onto Seafield moor road (I think it's the 2nd left you come to).
    When you're going back towards Edinburgh having to turn right at Fairmilehead can be a bit rubbish, so Bilston->Straiton may still be the best bet. As you're going downhill at a bit of speed it certainly feels safer than going the other way as you aren't holding traffic up.
    Unfortunately I'm sure there are just as many hills heading that way!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    The only way to ride an A7xx road near junctions is with a f**k you attitude, a lot of backward checks and primary. It's not your fault it's a crap road designed by people who never thought a second about the needs of cyclists. Personally I would avoid it; I don't need the hassle.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  12. algo
    Member

    thanks for the advice- I did try that. It's much easier though if you at least have some speed, which I failed to have completely yesterday at various points. On the way back it was no problems as I had speed in my favour.

    Trouble is if the car coming up behind you doing 50 has a f**k you attitude then that pretty much wins and I wimp out. I'm not that fit or fast but I'm ok, but more importantly I'm not normally scared by traffic, so I can't imagine what it must be like for someone who worries about travelling safely by bike. That's why I object to the charade of cycle lanes there - they offer no safety whatsoever. Either put some sensible form of segregation/infrastructure or do nothing at all - don't make a half-arsed attempt at infrastructure and then say "there you go" and throw the cyclists to the lions....

    Posted 11 years ago #

  13. seanspotatobusiness
    Member

    My journey to work includes that section of road and I never really minded or had any major problems but head wind could make it a lot more difficult. I'd love Dutch-style segregation where possible but I guess it's far too expensive in these times of austerity.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  14. cc
    Member

    I agree about the segregation but not about the "austerity".

    Firstly it's hugely cheaper to build the infrastructure than not to, in all sorts of ways. It's been found time and again to be the best infrastructure investment a government can make. Pays you back several times over in reduced costs elsewhere.

    Secondly the Westminster government's idea of austerity is to take money from those who need it to survive and give it to the rich - hence the multi billion pound subsidies for Vodafone for instance and the failure to bother to do much about rich people and companies who pay no tax.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  15. algo
    Member

    Couldn't agree more cc...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  16. amir
    Member

    It's worth complaining to Midlothian council. A councillor that takes an interest in such matters is Iain Baxter. If you work at the university it might worth pointing the awfulness of cycle access out to them (Bush campus).

    Posted 11 years ago #

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