http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/task-force-launched-after-cycle-routes-axed-1-4275533
All the right words, but needs to deliver.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
"Task force launched after cycle routes axed" (now with “Delivery Plan”)
(95 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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Horse, bolted.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Maybe we just have to wait until the city is dying, like Detroit;
Posted 8 years ago # -
A Task Force no less! Ah, those were the days:
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/british-task-force-to-sail-for-falklands
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Morningsider - I can think of a few targets for Exocets...
Posted 8 years ago # -
"All the right words, but needs to deliver."
Indeed.
The fact he has done this (I assume a mixture of genuinely interested and 'pressure' from Sustrans and others) is welcome, but I'm less sure about this -
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The task force will be chaired by the Scottish Government's Transport Scotland agency and start work following the publication of the updated Cycling Action Plan for Scotland next month.
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This looks encouraging -
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"Recently, I have been disappointed with some decisions taken locally about cycling infrastructure which will hinder the achievement of our long term vision – in particular the installation of segregated cycle lanes on the streets of our towns and cities.
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Well yes, led by SNP councillors in most cases!
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"That is why I am establishing this task force to look at how we can tackle the practical barriers to delivery of ambitious cycling and walking projects in Scotland.
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Promising
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“I am determined to make this task force work through local democracy and in doing so ensure better community consultation, better communication and ultimately better active travel [walking and cycling] infrastructure that is good for local economies and communities.
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Good luck with the reality of all that.
One sad irony of all this is that the SNP Government seems reluctant to put pressure on councillors in its own party, but has put more restrictions on local government than most previous governments.
Perhaps it's time to set realistic 'targets' and make them mandatory.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'm less sure about this -
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The task force will be chaired by the Scottish Government's Transport Scotland agencyThat might not be a bad thing if it helps Transport Scotland to "change its spots" and prioritise cycling as a legitimate form of transport instead of being just an afterthought.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Anyone notice what was missing from the Minister's statement?
No?
10% of trips by bike by 2020 - this seems to have been replaced with the amorphous "long term vision".
Also - anyone been involved in the development of the new Cycling Action Plan for Scotland? It must be almost finished, as it is due out next month. Or is involving actual cyclists too much of an ask?
Posted 8 years ago # -
"That might not be a bad thing if it helps Transport Scotland to "change its spots" and prioritise cycling as a legitimate form of transport instead of being just an afterthought."
Yes...
Posted 8 years ago # -
On the CAPS revision, POP put in its two pence worth earlier this year.
I'm hoping they include my advice on how to achieve the 10% target, which suggested they invent a time machine and go back and start investing properly when CAPS first came out, but I'm not holding my breath. From the report in the Scotsman it does look as if some of the widespread scepticism about the 2020 timeline has got through ...
Posted 8 years ago # -
Posted 8 years ago #
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"From the report in the Scotsman it does look as if some of the widespread scepticism about the 2020 timeline has got through"
@Sally also seems that HY sees segregated paths as a real option/solution for increasing the number of people willing to cycle.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Posted 8 years ago #
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@chdot - yes that is good news. Hopefully this will be reflected in the Cycling By Design revamp which is just getting under way. Something that equals or exceeds the London Cycling Design Standards would be a good start to making sure that councils default to good design - that in itself should hopefully help to make them more compelling to their intended user base (and thus more defensible when the bikelash starts)
Posted 8 years ago # -
@Sally might be something to do with PoP - and the people who organise it - (plus those who turn up).
Is the 2017 date set?
Posted 8 years ago # -
Suits Not Kids has posted a ramble about his "cycling survey" in the Scotsman article linked in the original post. As well as the nonsense about "People don't cycle in Edinburgh because of the weather and the hills"
http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/task-force-launched-after-cycle-routes-axed-1-4275533
KidsNotSuits
7:43 PM on 03/11/2016
Edinburgh Council has been told by officers that building the track from Roseburn to Leith Walk along Melville Street and George Street will raise the share of journeys to work being made by cycle in the corridor to 10% by 2020. But will it? Will one in ten jump on their bikes if the Council builds this thing? I am a cyclist and I think not. People don't cycle in Edinburgh because of the weather and the hills and because we have an excellent bus service.The Roseburn Vision group are trying to find out if those who travel, work or live in the vicinity of the proposed track, will get on their bikes because of the track. This survey is aimed at all those, young and old, who don't cycle to work or study or shop at present. Why bike?
The survey can be completed at <readacted>
Cllrs Andrew Burns (Council Leader) and Lesley Hinds (Transport Convener) have agreed to look at the findings. Interim results from the 270 who have completed our cycle survey to date show residents would be more likely to cycle if there was better access to off-road paths, fewer cycling black spots (eg crossing points at busy junctions) and more pothole-free cycle lanes which buses can use at bus stops.
Please fill in the survey if you want the Council to see sense.Posted 8 years ago # -
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and more pothole-free cycle lanes which buses can use at bus stops
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So he doesn't like floating bus stops?! Buses are quite happy with them - no bikes or parked cars nearby.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'll need to search for his previous letter* to the EEN in which he made the misleading claim that the council plans for floating bus stops would mean cyclists having to leave the cycle path and go in front of bus stops and into buses' paths.
This was appallingly dangerous he said at the time. Now he seems more comfortable with it.
*which was linked to/quoted on the Roseburn several thousand posts ago.
Stick a fork in the guy, he's done.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Found it:
http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15760&page=19#post-209542
She wants to encourage people who are less confident when cycling. Her off-road cycle lane on Wester Coates will require such nervous types to negotiate LRT buses 12, 26 and 31, the Glasgow Megabus, and the First Group 38 - as these 12 ton behemoths weave in and out of their path in order to deposit passengers at every bus-stop into town. As a cyclist myself, I’d be advising my kids to live longer by taking the NCR1 by Balbirnie
So bus stops in cycle lanes are bad, except when bus stops in cycle lanes are good.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"A cycle lane in Perth city centre has also been removed to make way for parking." according to the Scotsman.
Didn't know about that - disappointing!
It really does seem that the motoring lobby are gunning for cycling facilities in a bid to promote their own interests. Such a pity after a decade or more of slow progress in creating better infrastructure for active travel.
Posted 8 years ago # -
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Most fatalities occur on rural roads where car speeds are higher, most injuries to cyclists occur on slower roads in built up areas and at a junction.
So it is clear that improving the cycling environment should play a major part in making it safer and therefore more attractive. Segregated cycle lanes will be a big help here because there is a division of road traffic from cycling traffic.
Transport minister Humza Yousaf is absolutely right to regard these lanes as an important factor for would-be cyclists, and lets hope his task force can get many more in to existence.
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Posted 8 years ago # -
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David Brennan (@magnatom)
08/11/2016, 10:25
. @HumzaYousaf #csconf16 Humza graciously offered to meet with me to discuss issues around Cycling by Design #bearsway etc. Sounds good."
Posted 8 years ago # -
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Keith Irving (@keithirving1)
08/11/2016, 10:39
Transport Minister @HumzaYousaf reaffirms long term funding commitment for both #cycling & #walking @CyclingScotland conference #csconf16http://pic.twitter.com/l8IObVQEFa
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Posted 8 years ago # -
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Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf)
08/11/2016, 10:56
Good ideas & feedback from #csconf16 - pleased commit funding but importantly also our determination to get more ppl on their bikes/walking"
Posted 8 years ago # -
Humza Yousaf is making good noises anyway.
Posted 8 years ago # -
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Spokes CycleCampaign (@SpokesLothian)
08/11/2016, 21:24
See our question to @HumzaYousaf re #csconf16. @CyclingScotland @walkcyclevote @BBCRhonaMcLeod @maureen_kidd @MrMarkBeaumont @j_mindellhttp://pic.twitter.com/FA9vTf8OOX
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Posted 8 years ago # -
I wouldn't get too excited - Transport Scotland couldn't even manage to wring out its usual press release with some feeble cycling related announcement to coincide with the Minister's speech.
All the exhorting, encouraging and reviewing in the world won't make a blind bit of difference unless it is backed up by the cash to get things built.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"I wouldn't get too excited - Transport Scotland couldn't even manage to wring out its usual press release with some feeble cycling related announcement to coincide with the Minister's speech."
Perhaps TS wants to distance itself from HY (and hopes he'll go away).
Maybe he will, maybe he won't.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Sir Humphrey doesn't want anyone interfering with his enjoyment of driving his executive saloon anywhere he damn well pleases.
Even the Minister.
Presumably...
Posted 8 years ago # -
Transport Scotland is taking stock at the moment - HY announced a full review of the National Transport Strategy to be carried out during 2017, so now would not be a bad time at all for a Transport Minister to be converted to the cause of active travel.
Posted 8 years ago #
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