"how accurate is the MMW counter, especially with such volumes of bikes?"
Not remotely.
With two people side by side it's likely to register once.
Cycle with a trailer and it clicks up 2!
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
PoP16
(275 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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It can't be very accurate when dealing with such large numbers. When I passed it was only at around 2000-odd, and I was towards the back of the line.
Here's a high-speed clip of the entire peloton:
https://mobile.twitter.com/nuttyxander/status/723865141687799809
Posted 8 years ago # -
Other methods of counting are available-
http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11524&page=3#post-150627
Posted 8 years ago # -
Of relevance (to earlier on previous page)
"
Changing class is like emigrating from one side of the world to the other, where you have to rescind your old passport, learn a new language and make gargantuan efforts if you are not to completely lose touch with the people and habits of your old life, even if they are the relationships and things that are dearest to your heart."
Class is a subject we're all aware of but rarely talk about - aside from the insidious line that 'we're all middle class now'.
"
Posted 8 years ago # -
"
Parimal Kumar (@parimalkumar)
25/04/2016, 08:40
Pics and videos from #pop2016 show that mandatory helmet laws are pointless - massive compliance already.Take that how you will.
"
Posted 8 years ago # -
Thanks to all the organiser of the event. The core team, the feeder ride organisers, the marshals, etc.
Thanks as well to everyone for turning up (yes even thanks to Derek Mackay).
Sadly my son decided he wasn't happy hanging around so I didn't get to see many of you before taking the tagalong round Arthur's Seat. I heard the start of Willie's speech but need to watch the video of the rest.
I think Mr Mackay made it quite clear that we should neither rely on the SNP providing any extra cash or indeed keeping their promises. If he really think that starting a speech by promising to tarmac over all Edinburgh's cobbles is going to encourage us to believe anything he says the clearly he thinks we are more gullible than history suggests. At least this time he didn't make any phoney announcements about funding which had already been announced and wouldn't be spent on anything helpful for the manifesto though.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Feel a bit sheepish commenting here, as for the first time, I didn't actually attend PoP this year. Sorry, I had other stuff I couldn't get out of...
Anyway, I'm intrigued by the 'thread drift' here which is already onto politics in general, and the Greens in particular (of which more in a moment).
On the more general points:
"Can we hook into the new politics? A friend of mine said that in the wake of 2014 he has reassessed everything in his life. What we're looking for is to overturn hegemonic automobile culture and that's a stiff challenge, but Scotland is a country that's asking itself some guy muckle questions. "
Oh I'd love to believe that. I think it has encouraged a lot more people, especially young people (under 35) to engage with party politics. There are indeed big questions being asked around things like land reform, equality, and so on. Alas, this big thinking seems to largely disappear when it comes to areas like transport policy. Maybe there is something in what the minister says that a culture change is required, because as far as I can see, Scotland is wedded to the motor vehicle big time. There appears to be relatively little political will, at least amongst the SNP, to tackle that head on. Quite the reverse in fact.
"The way things seem at the moment (pre-election) is 'if you don't vote for us twice you don't really want the best for Scotland'."
Indeed. There seems to be a mentality of "one last push for independence" which is rather at odds with what Holyrood elections are actually about, which is the governance of Scotland under a devolved administration. Oh dear, I appear to be "talking Scotland down" again...
"Well actually they are meant to be our "representatives", maybe they should think more about they could be useful to "us"!"
That's a bit double edged though isn't it? On the one hand we'd like politicians to take up our ideas as a "specialist interest group", and presumably show leadership in line with our demands. On the other, if politicians really want to represent the "majority view" then like it or not that's the view of motorists in much of the country, save for some significant urban enclaves...
On the Greens:
No party is immune from criticism of course. I think though that the party is not a shambles, though it is still largely run by volunteers, despite a big increase in membership since 2014. The scale of membership increase has caused some growing pains, and maybe overwhelmed the volunteers a little bit.
My own experience, as a party member for six years now, is that the Edinburgh branch is very professional, and scrupulously democratic. That latter point impressed me sufficiently to see the party as my political "home" since joining.
I have to say that the campaigning in my ward of Leith Walk has been impressively organised. Just wish I had more time to contribute. Also in Edinburgh we have some very dedicated and professional Green Councillors and great MSP candidates for Edinburgh Central and the Lothians list.
On Mr. Greer, I haven't met him but he is apparently not universally popular with party members either, at least from what I've seen on soshul meedja. That said, the Green party is not a hive mind and there are a range of opinions and personalities in the membership: it's usually a polite and respectful debate but I have experienced the occasional "robust" discussion.
On the left versus green debate: there are even names for that. Watermelon: green on the outside, red on the inside. Mango: green on the outside, yellow (liberal) on the inside. Presumably if green all the way through, kiwi?
Posted 8 years ago # -
A big thanks to all the organisers and everyone who took part for another awesome PoP.
Family edd1e_h all enjoyed themselves. Had a nice picnic in the sun during the speeches. Said hello to gembo and shuggiet and spotted a few other CCErs too.
Unfortunately, #1 child was bikeless due to having fallen off first thing in the morning and scraped his face up.
#2 child plus myself were deliberately un-hi-viz-ed and I was un-polystrene hat-ed.
Good job all!
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Crowriver, does that make Mr Greer an apple? Green on the outside, independent on the inside.
back on topic, I think the hi-viz helmet nature of the crowd reflects the nature of the roads we all have to ride on to get to/from PoP. The event itself might still be on closed roads but as the dangerous driving thread shows there still a lot of people who wouldn't pass a driving test if the sat it again.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I had a "proper" cycling jacket on this year, but only because it was so blooming cold.
I sometimes wear a helmet, especially during rush hour commute but never wear one to POP.
Anyway, belated thanks to all who worked so hard to make this the biggest and best (so far)Posted 8 years ago # -
"does that make Mr Greer an apple? Green on the outside, independent on the inside."
Dunno, you'd have to ask him! :-)
Posted 8 years ago # -
"
The Scottish government is wilfully refusing to follow its own research and evidence and instead spinning a fairy tale that with more 'public education' things will change. But we don't need education. We need political leadership.
"
http://www.deceasedcanine.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/we-dont-need-no-education.html
Posted 8 years ago # -
Great day had by us. 4th PoP for the 3yr old and 1st for the eight month old.
It was good to try out the new infrastructure to take us back to the meadows (pretty narrow and wiggly, but vastly preferable to what was there before when transporting small people).
Bystanders on George IV Bridge and Royal Mile seemed to enjoy the spectacle, although I could sense some frustration by some at not being able to get across the road.
We managed to create enough of a space in front of us to wave people across on two occasions.
(Perhaps pedestrian crossings were being marshalled but we just didn't see?)
Thank you to all the organisers and helpers.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Unfortunately couldn't make it - the better half had organised something at 1 which was a perfect clash with POP. Will have to go next year and drag her along as I'd loved to have been there. She's of the type that drives to work because cycling is too scary/hilly/there's no showers etc...
Looks like it was a really good turnout and the speeches were interesting. Derek Mackay seemed pretty blunt that they wouldn't increase spending (at least he's honest). At the same time it seems he misunderstands the crowd with his cobbles comment, though I appreciate he was just trying to be amusing!
I'm still none the wiser who to vote for, mind you, having voted for all parties except green in the past. Disappointed Ruth D didn't come, as I generally like her, but she clearly isn't that cycle friendly by the looks of things!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Thanks to all those who put time and effort into the organisation.
We have a cracking ride and the first time we had the entire family out with young Spytnail on the trailer and older Spytball on his own bike. Their mum came along for her first PoP said it was not as painful as she expected and that we should get out on the bikes every weekend(!) #bonus
I convinced a colleague to come along for his first PoP too and he was cracking me up with his jokes along the route including (at the top of the mile) "Well that's the end of pedalling for today" and halfway down the mile "You know, with a bit of effort I think we could win this..."
Had a nice wee chat with the fella from the Indycamp and handed round a fair pile of homemade jerky. Glad I had planned ahead and packed the picnic blanket and food for the kids.
Spytball having noted other lads his age all had bigger bikes has agreed to visit the bike station and build his own bike out of recycled parts which not only keeps the cost down but saves the planet to boot. #doublebonus
We couldn't stay for all the speeches and had to run for a party just as the hail tried to start.
Unfeeder rides were great last time but could have done with a rally point and time to set off. This year we left too early to expect one and followed the same route back on our own and didn't feel too bad about being on road without too many others again largely due to spytball being a bit older. Walk from meadows to canal was a slow stage but told by a fellow PoPper that this is planned to be sorted #triplebonus
Note to self for next year - get a kick stand on the adult bikes. Maybe get a trailer from Bike StationPosted 8 years ago # -
Glad it was a (generally) good experience Spytfyre. Nice to see you back here too.
You probably know this, but there are several different ways to get back to the meadowsfrom holyrood basically off-road/quiet route. fairly hilly, but do-able. we did these with kids, who walked the hilly bit.
No one offered to organise unfeeders this time so it didn't happen.
The Canal-meadows infra should be a great improvement - we just need to get it happening.
anyway - routes here:
https://edinburgh.cyclestreets.net/journey/52432664/#quietest came up first on cyclestreets (which seems to have an odd idea of where holyrood is. it is steep and has one kerb that needs to be mounted.
this one is more obvious/sensible from Holyrood proper. has two/three steps. and steep. so not ideal, but quiet.
https://edinburgh.cyclestreets.net/journey/52432665/#quietest
Posted 8 years ago # -
@spytfyre that is a great tale of 'family outing', 'great day out', 'unexpected consequences', 'drawbacks of current infrastructure' etc.
I presume you'll all be back next year - and cycling more before then.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Great day out and a fantastic crowd. Great to see so many kids and young people out. We ended up forming an inaugural (?) Duddingston/St.Johns mini feeder ride with some of the kids' school friends and families.
Very marked contrast between the trip to The Meadows via the innocent (relaxed, safe, pleasant) and the trip home via Willowbrae and Northfield (slow, nervy hairy) - all down to infrastructure.
Thanks to all the organisers, marshals and others for all the hard work.
Not quite sure how we opened up this gap, but this is one of my favourite images of the day.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@SRD "Nice to see you back here too."
I'm not, you are imagining this (scooby doo music and wibbly lines)
regarding routes yes I noted that I could have stayed in the park until later drifting off the path past the swings behind dumbiedykes but was a few years since I did the route and was taken round the road past the Scotsman building I think there were a few stairs which would have been OK for our family, as it was the road route wasn't too bad I stayed out wide to prevent anything thinking they could pass too close to the youngsters along the cobbles towards the Pear Tree but there was a Taxi who actually respected the distance, maybe having learned from Pop?!?
Pear Tree to Boroughloch route into the park which was amusing to show off to the family "Ooh I never knew this was here" said the Edinburgh Uni Graduate@chdot yes hopefully a lot more rides along the canal at longer distances each time until I can convince the clan for a ride to my folks house along the canal.
Totally mind blown when I walked from the river behind my parents house to the canal at Muiravonside country park and realised that really if I cross West Bryson road there are NO MORE ROADS until my childhood home...Posted 8 years ago # -
To get back off thread again...
I notice people are aware the SGP is run by many volunteers and has grown massively in recent times, which may lead to admin and communication slips. However, volunteers who want to help remain welcome. There may be several possible ways to contact the SGP but if you want a reply please try Lothian2016@scottishgreens.org.uk. You will defo get a reply.Posted 8 years ago # -
Welcome Summerside.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Posted 8 years ago #
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I just wanted to say thanks to everyone involved in organising POP this year. This was actually my first POP, but we made up for previous lack of attendance by coming en famille. In fact we even brought along an additional child as we had arranged to babysit for a neighbour.
We managed to (just) make it in time to catch the West Edinburgh feeder ride, which had a lovely relaxed, friendly feel. I made my first CCE spot: HankChief who was busily making sure that everything was going to plan. It was the first time Mrs DD had cycled with the trailer and by the end of the feeder ride, she had already experienced just about every type of obstacle the Edinburgh cycle network had to throw at us with no trouble at all!
There was a lovely carnival feel at the Meadows and the little ones loved the various Pandas, the man on the stilts and the weird and wonderful bikes, particularly the chap on the large unicycle. It was great to see so many children, and even some little ones on balance bikes. I wasn't sure how my eldest would be with the crowds but she will definitely be on her own bike for POP6!
We had a lovely picnic at the Parliament and even stopped off at the playpark at the Meadows on the way home.
A hugely enjoyable day for us all. I just hope that it puts some pressure on those looking for our votes to make some changes. Thanks!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Just realised, Scotsman used photo from last year!
http://www.scotsman.com/news/cyclists-demand-more-funding-from-holyrood-for-active-travel-1-4108673
Posted 8 years ago # -
Picture desk cutbacks? I only recently realised their 'new' HQ on Holyrood Road is now home to Rockstar games developers...
Sign O The Times.
(Hootsmon now in the much less salubrious Orchard Brae House).
Posted 8 years ago # -
Didn't they get rid of all their photographers a couple years back?
Posted 8 years ago # -
Having new t shirts every year helps you to spot such clangers
Posted 8 years ago # -
It was actually seeing people in the photo that I knew weren't there on Saturday.
Posted 8 years ago # -
And Michael Hanson's looooong trousers.
Posted 8 years ago #
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