I got told off today by a bus driver for riding down the stretch of road that I can't name, between Atholl Place and Clifton Terrace. I have been riding home along it for years without issue, there are signs on it waning cyclists to beware of tram lines as well, so they seem to assume cyclists do use it too. But having looked at google streetview, it appears the driver is correct. Have cyclists always been restricted here, or is it only since the tram lines have been in. I know CEC want us to start using their E-W wiggly route in the future, but I'd prefer to continue using this most direct route home. It looks like I am breaking the law in that wee stretch though, not that it seems to do any harm, I tend not to hold buses up (I get out of their way) and this is the only time a driver has moaned at me.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Atholl Place - Clifton Terrace
(8 posts)- Started 7 years ago by Gary Cummins
- Latest reply from chdot
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not resolved
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Posted 7 years ago #
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West Maitland Street?
Pre-trams it was a one way street, and when the trams came in, they decided (spuriously, in the opinion of some people) that it would be safer if it remained one-way for everyone except buses and trams*. I recently asked Lesley Hinds about getting this changed, she said she'd discuss it with council officers. I should chase that up...
*In particular, they point out that the gap between the tramline and the kerb isn't very wide.
Posted 7 years ago # -
" I should chase that up..."
To be frank, I wouldn't waste your time. Zero chance of a change here because (as you say) the gap between tramline and kerb is too narrow. If the tram had been put down the middle of the road instead of wholly on the south side this would have allowed the cycle option, as well as making the mess at Haymarket less of a problem.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Also discussed here:
Posted 7 years ago # -
Thank you, yes, I know the gap is not very wide, but that is CEC's fault for designing cycling out of the original tram scheme, we have to live with it. But I absolutely loathe the plans for the forthcoming E-W wiggly route. I appreciate lots of folk here say they are better than nothing, but I don't want to ride around the houses mixing with a lot of residential car parking. I'll drop a line to Cllr Hindes and ask the question you've asked. Thank you for your prompt response Frenchy.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Well Gary, you've got 3 options. 1. take the traffic route along horrible Morrison Street, 2. walk the bike along West Maitland, 3. continue to ride along West Maitland and you'll probably get away with it most times. I wouldn't recommend the last, but it is tempting, and extremely frustrating that they designed that option out for ever.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Thanks folks, the other forum page is very helpful, and I'll raise the argument about WMS being no narrower than Haymarket Yards where they actually wanted us to cycle. It does seem pretty disingenuous to even use that as a response from officers though.
ih, I agree it's not much choice, but walking along WMS is a pretty rotten experience for peds, with street furniture, sandwich boards all narrowing the footway to nothing. I don't want to make it worse for them by taking a bike down there on foot.Posted 7 years ago # -
"no narrower than Haymarket Yards where they actually wanted us to cycle"
Indeed.
Ironically on WMS 'they' are probably more concerned about buses (which don't have to pass that close) than the trams.
Posted 7 years ago #
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