Being two months into a much longer commute, taking in Edinburgh from east to west and back again, on roads and cyclepaths and routes I didn’t know too much until now, I have had a lot of rather random thoughts on cycling in the city recently.
Trams
I really like the section of cyclepath from Balgreen to Saughton. Ah, separated loveliness. What I really don’t understand is why they didn’t apply the principles of that route (following the tramline ‘including’ on bridges over obstructions) to the entire route from Haymarket to the Airport. Can you imagine what a joyous flagship and statement about cycling that would be for the city? Instead it’s a short section, before you’re into bitty segments with road crossings that you have to divert down to, and wait for lights to change in barriered off narrowings shared with pedestrians.
Haymarket
WTF? I mean, WT actual F? 15 years or so I’ve commuted regularly by bike in Edinburgh now. I don’t even consider Haymarket when going east to west.
MGIF
I will never understand the motivation of drivers who, with a queue of traffic ahead, cars coming the other way, a traffic island in the immediate vicinity, just neeeeeeed to get in front of the bike, only to be re-passed less than two seconds after they’ve reached that queue. Seems to be getting worse. In the last week I’ve had three or four people had to haul on the brakes because, while being so intent on getting passed me, they appeared to completely miss the stationary traffic ahead.
Lothian Buses
Abysmal these days. Sad fall from grace.
Potholes
Some of the road surfaces in this city, whether you’re on a bike or in a car, are truly shocking.
My Bike
I might think it’s a beat up old thing, much like its owner, but it gets a remarkable number of positive comments on its looks, unlike its owner. I need to design a pannier, however, that isn’t just a void to be filled, and instead can be compartmentalised into work clothes / food / tools / camera.
The Canal
Save for two occasional specific 100m sections, I just don’t. I’ve had aggressive cycling, aggressive pedestrianizing, passive-aggressive responses to a bell, passive-aggressive responses to no bell, and comforted a (drunk) dog walker who was upset to the point of tears that a cyclist coming the other way had almost hit her dog. I’ll stick with the cars…
Bus Lanes
I take a number of routes (to keep things fresh innit), but by far my favourite section is Haymarket to the Gyle through Corstorphine, and the many miles of bus lane (even if it does disappear occasionally). I also, to my surprise, found the same enjoyment of riding Calder Road. While not universally respected, it’s so much better than (unprotected, unsegregated) bike lanes.
Roseburn
Illegally parked cars replicate a segregated bike lane perfectly. A bike lane wouldn’t increase congestion in the slightest, just inconvenience a few parkers who shouldn’t be there in the first place.
City Centre
Laughable in terms of cycling provision. London Road to the city centre? Challenging (and requires a fair amount of confidence I would suggest). Haymarket see above. There really is some good cycling provision in Edinburgh, just not if you want to go to the middle.
Cycling in General
Still, despite the above, the most relaxed way to get about the city (as in it deals with any work stress admirably), and even going ten miles each way it is still quicker for me, including changing time, than taking the car, or the bus/tram combo.
Told you this was a random post, and I'm sure there's some stuff I've forgotten...
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