@Harts Cyclery
Can you see a line for a segregated lane that doesn't cross the tram tracks? That would be ideal.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Cyclist down (Shandwick Place)
(271 posts)-
Posted 7 years ago #
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It would just have to go straight across the tram tracks at the correct angle. Or you could separate bikes in time, with an advance signal so at least there's not a bus breathing down your neck as you negotiate the tracks. The latter would at least be fairly quick to implement
Posted 7 years ago # -
If you remove one lane heading west (which happens anyway, for cars, around the corner) you could replace it with two segregated lanes starting just after the junction with cars coming from Charlotte Square - one on the left hand side, continuing around the corner and one in between the tram line/bus lane and the general traffic lane with early release onto Shandwick Place. Something very similar could be done going the other way, and early release for bikes from Lothian Road and Charlotte Square. You'd need to shave a bit off the pavement at the pinch point going west to give enough space to the left of the tram tracks and put in the early release signals, but otherwise this could be done by the council, right now, with a few of those red bollards.
There's disadvantages - just treating the junction requires dumping cyclists into roads as they are either side, and bikes can still end up crossing tram tracks in a perpendicular direction with traffic around them - but it totally eliminates parallel direction cycling through the junction, and it would be nice to reverse the trend and build infrastructure which appears when cyclists need it most and disappears when they need it least, rather than the other way around.
Posted 7 years ago # -
You could skim a bit off the pavement outside the Rutland. Is doesn't need to be wide, just separate. And there's plenty of room going East. All this could have been dealt with, of course, if the Council had prioritised an East-West route along Princes St, instead of the indirect George St/Melville St option, which isn't a desire line and currently has very limited cycling.
Posted 7 years ago # -
In fact, looking at street view, there is space after the railing at Rutland to have a segregated lane fully on the existing road surface. You'd only need to slice a fraction off the pavement before the railing as it goes through the pedestrian crossing.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Anyway, the super dangerous bit is maneuvering at the junction in 3 lanes of traffic, where there's ample room to create a segregated lane at the cost of *whisper it* space for cars turning into Lothian Road.
We don't yet know if the poor lady that died was going straight on or trying to get across the traffic to turn right down Queesnferry St. Because the accident was outside the Rutland, where it's actually reasonably wide between kerb and track, not that that in anyway excuses the Council from presiding over this sh*t show.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@sallyhinch "ride of silence" sounds like a nice idea. Although, perhaps someone could bring a bell to ring for when approaching junctions.
Posted 7 years ago # -
emuir - agree, something dignified, but the anger needs to be clear. Needs to be a powerful statement to the Council that inaction on cyclist safety can't go on.
We've had powerful protests before, like at Roseburn, when just the numbers alone gave a strong message. This tragedy needs something similar.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Agreed re: some kind of public event, with sensitivity to the family of this poor lass - I've felt super at risk going in various directions through that junction, and been tram tracked on Princes Street (and was VERY glad there was nothing behind me and my resulting light concussion)- I have, as they say, skin in this game.
Totally agree re: the desperate need for some sort of infra improvements ASAP at the West End.
Posted 7 years ago # -
It occurred to me that a fitting protest would be for all of Edinburgh's cyclists to congregate quietly at that junction at 08h30 and refuse to pass any green traffic lights in any direction for the following hour out of fully justified fear of death.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I definitely think the time for being deferential to vehicles is over. They can wait for a bit whilst we remember.
Posted 7 years ago # -
IWRATS - I would attend that.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Harts Cyclery - I completely agree!
Posted 7 years ago # -
"Ride of silence" where we walk parts of the tram route in protest to the dangers of cycling on it?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Pushing bikes instead of riding?
Posted 7 years ago # -
This is just the worst thing to contemplate.
The injuries and the fear/intimidation alone of the tram lines along a busy and popular route for cyclists was bad enough. Now, a death. It is one too many already and should be the last.
I cycle this very junction at least 6 times a week (3 each way) I see many cyclists doing likewise.
A critical mass of ride/stop/wait/ride is an excellent idea. It wouldn't just be about paying respects to this poor young woman and her family/friends, but be sending a clear message to the authorities that we hold them accountable, and demand they protect us.
The entire route needs (re) assessing with Haymarket, the West End and Waverley bridge junctions needing urgent attention.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I like the idea of "ride/stop/wait/ride" - Count me in! From where and when?
Posted 7 years ago # -
I'm in too - it will mean taking time off work but the poor girls death cannot be ignored. I want to pay my respects and demand the council does something.
Posted 7 years ago # -
It wouldn't just be about paying respects to this poor young woman and her family/friends, but be sending a clear message to the authorities that we hold them accountable, and demand they protect us.
There's no reason why the 2 things need to be treated as one.
This wasn't the first injury sustained there, so an "enough is enough" protest would be justified without centering it around her.
Posted 7 years ago # -
One of my colleagues was passing and saw the crowd of people round the cyclist. The colleague helped the driver, who was hysterical. She said that she thought that the cyclist had fallen just in front of the bus, and the driver didn't have a chance to stop.
The driver and passengers who were on a tour were taken into the bar on the corner - the Huxley?
Posted 7 years ago # -
anything that "holds up traffic" is going to be seen as unwarranted and unjustified.
this is not likely to go down well.
in which case, i'm in.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I'm in. Somebody has posted on the Critical Mass Edinburgh Facebook asking "any ideas how we all get together to show our solidarity at loss of a young cyclist's life yesterday on the tram tracks?" Should I direct her to this thread?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Our council needs corrective action.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I'm absolutely in and will happily do the fb organising again as with the Roseburn ride
Posted 7 years ago # -
Posted 7 years ago #
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CCE must send a representative to any meeting with Mr Yousaf. We are every bit as real as Spokes, RoSPA and PoP.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Freiburg in Germany manages to combine helmetless mass cycling, tram lines and some pretty lethal medieval water features into what feels like a safe environment.
The difference being you don't need to negotiate these while being hassled by aggressive busses and taxis.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Humza Yousaf to meet safety campaigners following cyclist death
Pity he wasn't willing to take cycling safety seriously until now.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"
Mr Du Feu said the West End junction - the site of yesterday’s collision - was more complex due to its heavy flow of traffic.
He pointed to advanced traffic lights for cyclists as one possible solution to increase safety as they cross the tram lines.
“[That] would give you an extra four or five seconds to cross the tramlines before the motor traffic comes,” he said.
“I think that would solve a lot of the problems because you won’t have the pressure of the traffic beside you and if you did get caught the traffic would have time to stop.”
In the Spokes bulletin 123, the group also suggested a crossing at the junction as another possible option.
"
Posted 7 years ago # -
Another consequence -
http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13931&page=15#post-251668
Posted 7 years ago #
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