From an email to Spokes, with the author's permission:-
"I flew back to Edinburgh, intending to cycle into the city to catch a train from Waverley to Tweedbank, and then cycle from there to my home in Northumberland.
Edinburgh, I was told, was a cycling-friendly city.
However, the second I left the terminal, I encountered problems, having to mix it with taxis and rushing drivers. I found the cycle path (oddly, running on the opposite side of the traffic flow towards the city), and encountered further problems. Overhanging trees, debris-strewn sections, a bridge to the "correct" side of the road with blind corners which necessitated me dismounting for safety, a lamppost hidden around a corner in the middle of the path, and then - worst of all - at a section at what I now gather is known as Mayberry Roundabout, signage which then directed me back in the direction of the airport.
I asked a passing cyclist for help, but he turned violent and was only dissuaded from striking me when I stepped off my bike and he realised my size would probably mean he would have come second-best in a fight. Upon cycling away, he shouted about being sick of having to provide directions to ******* like me getting lost.
I was, therefore, forced to mix it again with buses and cars along the busy and pothole-strewn main road into the city. Here, I found I was expected to mix it with buses and trams - and also bunny-hop across dangerous tram tracks. Later, I was to discover these tracks have caused many cycling injuries and, recently, a death.
I applaud your efforts to improve the experience of cyclists in your area, and I pass on my comments merely to give you the view of an outsider. "
Is that other people's experience of coming from the airport?
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