My final thoughts on why the route should be built and option A is the right choice (Sorry, it's a bit of a long one):
I love Edinburgh, it's one of the world's great small cities. Compact, beautiful, engaging. However, look down any street and you will see something unusual. The domination of the motor car. Unusual? Yes, but so common that almost no-one thinks about it.
40% of Edinburgh households don't have access to a car, 58% of city residents who work or study commute by bus, bike or foot. Yet look out your window and ask yourself - is my street set out to help people make these choices? Positive choices - healthy, environmentally friendly ways to travel which also help those who must travel by car for business or personal reasons to do so more efficiently. I suspect the answer is "no".
Its national and local policy to encourage the use of public transport, bike and foot. Many people in Edinburgh are already doing their part, despite the current environment. Even more would choose these ways to travel if they were made more attractive. This is where positive political leadership is required. Edinburgh has a well established network of off-road walking and cycling routes in parks and along old railway lines. These are part of the reason why Edinburgh leads the way in walking and cycling rates. However, further progress requires these disparate paths to be linked up. To form a coherent network of safe and attractive routes. Only then will there be a breakthrough in the numbers walking and cycling.
London has already pointed the way - with the development of cycling superhighways and associated improvements for pedestrians. Cycling and walking rates have boomed. However, London made mistakes - the first generation of these cycle superhighways were flawed, unconnected and even dangerous in places. Only recently has major investment allowed for the removal of these mistakes. Double expenditure, which could have been avoided if the right decisions had been made first time.
Edinburgh can learn from these mistakes - bold decisions are needed. High quality, continuous networks are required to make the step changes that local and national policy requires. Edinburgh needs the East-West cycle route and only option A will produce the desired outcomes.
Now, some people will tell you that cycle lanes cause congestion and pollution and that traffic flow should be prioritised. This is outdated thinking. We are moving into an era where people purchase mobility - rather than a specific form of transport. Smart ticketing, car clubs, public bike hire schemes and eventually self driving cars will all be available at the touch of a button. People will use the mode that best suits their immediate need. Will Edinburgh be ahead of the game, with a network of safe cycle routes seamlessly integrated with public transport that will appeal to modern citizens, which similar sized cities are already investing in? Or will we choose the 20th Century option, of prioritising cars over people?
Traffic flow is a monster which can never be satisfied. Glasgow has a six lane motorway running through its heart - which regularly grinds to a halt. As Edinburgh expands, the city needs to accept that only bold decisions will help meet future transport challenges. Simply hoping that more cars can be squeezed into the centre will doom future residents to more pollution, accidents and ill health.
Liveability of our cities will be a key competitive advantage in coming years, as our businesses and universities try to attract the best talent and we seek to provide the best place for our children to grow-up in. Lets start making these smart choices - choose option A.
posts
