There was no-one out filming last night, as they probably didn't want to go out in the rain & drizzle.
They've likely just marked it down as 'hundreds of cyclists riding on the pavement' ;-)
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Roseburn Park - shared path closed (now open!)
(246 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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The gentleman with camera was waiting poised last night around 5:15, I sauntered along walking very slowly and deliberately as another cyclist coming the other way did likewise. Then a chappy on an upright hybrid bike, wearing non-cycling clothes, cycled right through. I looked back and saw Mr Camera taking a photo.
I was wondering how Mr Camera and co get their cars across the footpath in and out of their driveways normally - surely not by driving them across the footpath?? - or am I just getting silly :)Thanks gembo for the tip on using the crossing at the skateboard park for a safe RH turn off Balgreen Road.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Fences have been moved back today so it's possible to ride a bit more.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Still not reopened and the man with the camera was back out today. He looked a bit disappointed that everyone was dismounted as I went through.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@sickman, but the man with th camera will have saved battery power as he didn't film anyone.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Disappointed that there wasn't anyone filming us yesterday when I went through with the kids on the big bike and towing a trailer (with the kids bikes in en route to the Prom).
We dismounted - it's a heavy beast to manhaul :-(
Posted 8 years ago # -
Apologies in advance, I'm about to go on a lengthy rant so please skip this post if you don't want to read me venting.
This whole WoL path closure is really ****** annoying.
As I've said before, my wife won't cycle on roads. Like so many people, she just doesn't want to mix with traffic. The WoL path offered a way for her, and I'm sure many others, to get about by bike.
She could use the Pinkhill/Balgreen path to get to Baird Drive then walk a short distance to access the WoL. From there we could cycle to do our shopping at the Gorgie Sainsbury's, or go through the park to get to the NEPN.
The Sainsbury's option is now closed until 2018, and to get to the park we have to walk through the back streets. We did it last night, and as she said "QuietRoutes are fine until an impatient driver cuts you up". We got to the park (after walking the "cyclists dismount" bit) and we couldn't face going any further. The building site in the park, the inconvenient and rubbish diversion, another walk round the houses just to get to some run-down shops that don't want us? What was planned as a nice bike ride to get some supplies just became the two of us complaining about locals.
If people want to cycle safely they get told to wear a plastic hat, a bright yellow t-shirt, share the road, follow the NiceWay code, don't cycle on pavements.
Meanwhile, £20m+ is being spent to destroy trees and wildlife, build concrete banks and massively inconvenience people, all to boost the property prices for a few people who bought a house beside a river. People incidentally, who are likely from the same constituency as those who are complaining about money spent on a cycle lane "to just save one cyclist death a year".
Right, rant over. I needed to get that out of my system this morning.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Morning Stickman! While I wholeheartedly agree that the closures are a serious pain in the neck, I offer a suggestion for your wife that she might be interested in. We are currently running a series of free Women's Learn then Ride sessions to build confidence on roads. There are still about four or five sessions left in the calendar if she is interested: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/womens-learn-then-ride-tickets-26690427788
Also, if she's interested we do regular Belles rides that have a lot of off road but a bit of on-road, and that could be useful? We're a nice friendly bunch that enjoys a good cake and natter, so the group ride is very relaxed. http://www.meetup.com/edinburghbelles
It is extremely frustrating when half-decent routes go out of commission. But maybe these could be good options for your wife to build her confidence a bit? I am happy to bear in mind that sometimes it doesn't really matter about confidence/training - some people just generally really object to cycling in traffic because it's not very pleasant!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Latest update from contracror is that the cycle Lane will be reinstated on Thursday.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Stickman
I share your grief about the WoL path. That was my way to Sainsbury's. Westfield Road is hideous - busy, and allows parking so you have to pull out into the traffic. Also it was a lovely wildlife corridor with cow parsley, hawthorn & bats flitting by.
I dunno about the flood prevention only protecting those near the river though. The floods in 2000 did cover a wide area - Roseburn Avenue, Drive, Crescent not to mention filling the stadium.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Rosie:
Yeah, I was ranting a bit there. I think I read somewhere that it would protect 400 homes and businesses, but the contrast with the cost/potential use of the bike lane is interesting.
I guess the point sometimes made is that developments elsewhere have caused flooding where it never used to occur so the residents should get the benefit of flood defences. Equally, 100 years of road development should mean cyclists/pedestrians get be benefit of road defences.
Posted 8 years ago # -
No-one appeared to be filming as I walked the section last night, which was lucky since the 4 other cyclists I passed (or who passed me) failed to dismount and rode on the pavement.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Well last night I was walking my bike behind the man himself (who was also pushing his bike). The three people coming towards us were also dismounted. My handlebar camera was running so if he wants evidence that he's not the only one who dismounts then I have it!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Marvellous :)
Posted 8 years ago # -
I went through there around 5-20pm yesterday, dismounted.
No camera guy, no other bikes passing, but there was a cyclist waiting on top of the ice rink bridge who appeared to be watching proceedings.
I wonder if it was a CCE-er?
Posted 8 years ago # -
I wonder if it was a CCE-er?
We need a secret nod-wave to identify each other - for the benefit of those that haven't made one of the CCE gatherings. Something that wouldn't make us look too peculiar to any muggles to whom we inadvertently displayed...
Robert
Posted 8 years ago # -
Maybe 'we' could appropriate the VW hand signal:
https://wildaboutscotland.com/2013/04/08/vw-waving-etiquette/
Posted 8 years ago # -
Haven't got a pic but hold your hand so the thumb and index finger make a C.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Hold your index finder up to the side of your head and move it in a circular motion. To denote a bicycle wheel turning. ;-)
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Min
Ha! Ha!
Both hands off handlebars with index and pinkie extending. To ward off vehicular evil.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"QuietRoutes are fine until an impatient driver cuts you up"
One person's QuietRoute is another person's shortcut. This is why Edinburgh needs more filtered permeability.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Posted 8 years ago #
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There were two police officers (and a local resident chatting to them) stationed at the West end of the pavement closure this morning. Anyone cycling on the pavement from the other direction would come round the blind corner and be stopped and talked to I suspect (although I didn't witness this).
May be unrelated. Or some of the radicalised nimbyism detailed in the 'other Roseburn thread' spilling over :)
Still, at least 200% more police resource deployed than I have ever seen on the main road wrt illegal stopping.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I understand that some cyclists have been fairly aggressive so it does seem reasonable to call in the police.
But shows how turning quiet routes and parks into main commuting routes causes conflict, as I noted while trying to take a leisure cycle along the canal last night.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I totally agree your point about the conflict being designed in by displacing cycling commuting into these areas. I hadn't really though it about it as being an (unintended) consequence of transport policy, but it makes sense.
On this stretch, it must be significant and repeated aggression to merit 2 officers stationed there during commuting time. Which is a shame if so. The more cynical may conclude it was a case of squeaky wheels getting the oil, so thanks for the balance.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"I understand that some cyclists have been fairly aggressive"
Towards the man with the camera, or?
Posted 8 years ago # -
Interesting. What time was that?
They weren't there are 8.15am when Stickman & I (& the chieflets) dismounted and walked through.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Meanwhile, £20m+ is being spent to destroy trees and wildlife, build concrete banks and massively inconvenience people
The money is also required to be spent so that the Pentlands catchment area of the Water of Leith can be kept free of trees and so continue to attract CAP upland farming subsidies.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Hi Hankchief. It would have been around 9am...
Posted 8 years ago # -
I was out for a jog, this lunch time, along Riversdale Crescent. As I am cyclist, I was a bit stuck when asked to dismount twice. I would be really nice if someone could invent a cyclist re-mount sign so those with bike to know when to get back on their steads. No reception committee of police or amateur videographers where around at this time. Just a couple of locals sweeping their drives, possibly mourning there lost of access to their driveways by car and their assumed right to drive across the pavement.
Posted 8 years ago #
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