CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Baird Drive

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  1. Stickman
    Member

    I was playing a game of "Fantasy Infrastructure" in my head this morning.

    Baird Drive is easily wide enough to accommodate a segregated cycle lane. At the moment it has end-on parking for much of its length, as well as build-outs which narrow the road as well.

    Make it one-way (it's should only be resident access) with return traffic routed along Saughtonhall Avenue, sacrifice a few parking spaces and there would be loads of room.

    We'd then have a completely off-road route from Roseburn Park to Edinburgh Park.

    It'll never happen as we can't possibly lose a dozen parking spots, but it's nice to dream.....

    Posted 9 years ago #

  2. neddie
    Member

    @Stickman

    There is already a path parallel to Baird Dr that exists between the tram line and the houses on the South side of Baird Dr.

    It would make a ideal off-road route to connect the Balgreen path to the WoL. Unfortunately it is fenced off at both ends and some residents seem to have planted some young trees in it too.

    More info &pics here:
    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13275&page=3

    Posted 9 years ago #

  3. neddie
    Member

    Street view of the Balgreen Rd entrance (red fencing):

    street view

    and the WoL end:

    Posted 9 years ago #

  4. neddie
    Member

    Would be good to write to councillors and try and get this opened. And also get the WoL path Tarmacked from Baird Dr to Roseburn Park.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  5. Stickman
    Member

    Thanks for reminding me about the existing path eddie_h; I'd completely forgotten about it after first learning about it in the other thread. Maybe the residents are also hoping that others have forgotten about it and are trying to claim it for themselves.

    I agree that opening the existing path would be a win (although is is lit?) but building a segregated path on Baird Dr would be fairly easy and would be a really bold statement by the council in support of cycling. So it will never happen.

    Will write to my councillor about the existing path.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  6. neddie
    Member

    7 cyclists in convoy on Baird Dr this afo. And that was only a 2 minute window

    Posted 9 years ago #

  7. Stickman
    Member

    Yes, there are definitely more and more people using this route.

    On my way home I looked at the row of parked cars on the south side of the road and thought wistfully about what could be done.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  8. neddie
    Member

    Further thoughts:

    It would be really nice to have a complete off-road route connecting Edinburgh Park to Roseburn. The Baird Dr section is the missing link - and the potential path already exists...

    I don't think segregation is the right answer for Baird Dr, nor for any minor roads for that matter. Segregation is 'difficult'* and 'expensive'* and should be reserved for arterial routes / 30+mph roads only.

    I agree though that Baird Drive itself is ugly with its build outs / chicanes, randomly orientated parking and it is too motor vehicle dominated. And cars are brought into conflict with bikes at every chicane.

    It would be a good candidate to make into a shared-use space, where children can play and motors are seen as guests - I think that could be a good solution.

    * Not compared to motorways / trunk roads

    Posted 9 years ago #

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