Definitely more 'people', but I can't say I saw a noticeably big jump in traffic. More impatience than normal, which is maybe post-drop-off rushing.
I suspect it'll get worse again as the weather slips away from 'summer'.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
First day of schools back and...
(14 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
-
I was up early this moring as had forgotten to put the bins out last night. My shift in the morning involves making two breakfasts, four lunches and paying for a fifth lunch. I did not think I got through this so quickly but was out by about 7.50a.m. - WoL path had many dog walkers but we were all nicely, nicely with each other. Canal towpath had two small groups of bright as buttons P1s going to school early. Had forgotten about this specific user group over the summer (schoolkids I mean). When Boroughmuir opens for business I think Harrison Gardens might be the place to come off or maybe the bit where they have knocked down the wall. Two stairwells and a bit of the lower floor have appeared.
Posted 9 years ago # -
One hurried drop-off from car spotted at Abbeyhill School in the middle of the road while lights were at red. Apart from that not a huge noticable difference, but I think it's so bad just now with Festival traffic that I wouldn't notice another influx of stressed, angry, inconsiderate motorists on the road because there's nowhere for them to go but at the back of the existing queues.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Worst thing this morning was a strangely high number of other cyclists who seemed determined to ride up the inside of the traffic just as it started to move again. There are times and places, and at each one I just thought "Erm... No..."
Though in fairness I passed another cyclist too close today - hadn't anticipated his rightwards wobble.
Posted 9 years ago # -
The city centre seemed really quiet at 8.15 this morning. Maybe all the cars were clustered around suburban schools at that point?
Posted 9 years ago # -
Yeah, I rode a roundabout way to work this morning and was retrospectively surprised by how quiet it was (I only realised the schools were back when I rode through the Barnton gap).
Posted 9 years ago # -
Cycled past roseburn primary this morning at 8am and there were no kids there yet. Assuming that breakfast clubs don't start again until tomorrow. There are usually a few parents and kids knocking around by then.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@Wilmington's cow; what is the etiquette as a driver when that happens? I was stopped at the end of the Meadows at red light and was first in line (driving today for tedious reasons, and jealous of those on two wheels), lights changed and I set off but on checking near-side mirror, I saw that a cyclist appeared to be about to undertake me in the cycle lane just as I was turning. I hesitated, and so did they, and there was no collision, but this reminded me once more of how conflict is designed into our cycling infrastructure.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"@Wilmington's cow; what is the etiquette as a driver when that happens?"
Not sure. My own personal view is simple, if you're undertaking (which I do do, and certainly do where there's a cycle lane, like you say, designing in conflict) and the traffic is either moving, or clearly about to move (as anyone who is paying attention should be able to determine) and a vehicle ahead is indicating to turn, I'll hang back and not undertake.
If I've juuuust reached their rearside three quarter as they start moving, I'll still defer, brake, and drop back.
Today's was just people scooting up insides where I knew the road ahead narrowed, or looking ahead the positioning of the traffic just meant staying in the flow was (in my opinion solely) safer...
Posted 9 years ago # -
@mgj
My etiquette as a cyclist is not to go up the inside of cars as the traffic moves off. I do undertake in a stationary queue.
When necessary I brake and wave my arm in a forward can you please go first manner to the driver as they are often expecting an undertake.
cyclist going straight on whilst undertaking where a car is then turning left is a very bad piece of etiquette on the part of the cyclist. OK if in friont of the cars etc
being undertaken by another cyclist is also pants
Posted 9 years ago # -
It was our two's fist day of school so I found myself lurking outside the school for a bit - new experience for me. Street was definitely quieter than usual school morning - combination of it being first day back and the good weather I guess, and the PC/parking attendant lurking at the end of the road may have helped. Certainly far fewer school gate hazards-on-drop-off manoeuvres in evidence. Will no doubt be back to normal chaos levels by the end of the week.
School streets starts in a bit over a month - looking forward to seeing what difference that will make.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Regarding drivers crossing cycle lanes to turn left, this is already described in the Highway Code:
Turning Left
183
When turningkeep as close to the left as is safe and practicable
give way to any vehicles using a bus lane, cycle lane or tramway from either direction.This is what happens in civilised countries to our south and east, however I confess to being quite surprised by it in practice, rather expecting drivers to bully their way through like here.
Indeed it's quite surprising (and no doubt would be a shock to most drivers) to discover that we should already give way.
Probably as much of a shock as discovering that pedestrians crossing the side road also have priority over drivers turning in (rule 170)...
Robert
Posted 9 years ago # -
Of course, in practice, I also won't pass a driver indicating left on the nearside, which caused chaos in Denmark... Drivers would still overtake us (because they don't think ahead any more than UK drivers do), indicate right, then politely wait for us to pass. Confused us no end until we got used to it!
Despite the Highway Code, I'm not foolhardy enough to expect others to follow it here, where might is right!
Robert
Posted 9 years ago # -
rather expecting drivers to bully their way through like here.
I don't think it's so much bullying as drivers not thinking to check their left wing mirror to confirm there isn't a cyclist coming up. One of the many built-in issues of gutter-situated cyclelanes - if cyclelanes were segregated, there would be a much greater subliminal imperative to check for traffic on it before crossing.
Posted 9 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
posts
