Not-PY PoP up protected bike lane Fri 26th April

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Not-PY PoP up protected bike lane Fri 26th April

(82 posts)

Started 5 years ago by Roibeard
Latest reply from jonty

Tags:

PoP cycle protest human protected

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Roibeard
Member

Rather than (just) meeting with some cyclists for coffee on the morning of Friday, 26th April, how about helping form a human protected bike lane?

https://www.facebook.com/events/592728484533998/

It will run from 0830-0900 BST.

You will be risking your safety to protect others...

The main issue is that northbound cyclists get a simultaneous green with vehicles from the east, and the cycle lane that should mitigate this conflict is occupied by drivers for ~75% of peak morning flow.

Conflict with Greggs customers is almost guaranteed.

Anyone interested?

Robert

Posted 5 years ago #
fimm
Member

Some more details from the FB event:
"Forrest Road PoP-up Human Protected Bike Lane

Forrest Road has a perfect storm of simultaneous green for cyclists going straight ahead and vehicles approaching from right.

The cycle lane is unusable, and drivers expect to be able to change lanes without checking as their signal was green.

Even if a driver sees the cyclist, they feel entitled to "punish" the cyclist for "jumping the light" - despite the simultaneous green!

Conflict is built in, and compounded by the illegal occupation of the cycle lane by drivers.

Help form a human protected cycle lane - you will be risking your safety to protect others. Note 0830-0900 BST"

Posted 5 years ago #
fimm
Member

I can't do 8:30 - 9, I have to get to Livingston!

Posted 5 years ago #
gembo
Member

Yes, I would like to be part of the chain

Posted 5 years ago #
neddie
Member

These two binmen had just popped into ~~Greggs~~ Subway and nicely smashing the pavement with their 15 tonne lorry:

Untitled by Ed, on Flickr

VE64AWR

I've had a run-in with this vehicle before - aggressive tailgating

Posted 5 years ago #
piosad
Member

I'd love to but it's not compatible with school drop-off times… not sure if anything can be done about this?

Posted 5 years ago #
Roibeard
Member

I picked 0830-0900 because:

* It's peak bike according to the Spokes counts
* It's peak parking according to my single sample
* I didn't think folk would come for >30 minutes...

I'm not certain the stunt gains from being longer, but I'd be open to corrections on that one - what timing would you be thinking?

I think there are other things happening that morning, and over the weekend, so there are likely to be other opportunities to be involved, even if this one doesn't suit.

Robert

Posted 5 years ago #
wingpig
Member

Attempting to make space to get to it. Should be possible...

Posted 5 years ago #
unhurt
Member

This is brilliant (afraid I'm up north for work or I'd be there).

Posted 5 years ago #
neddie
Member

I'll endeavour to get along

Posted 5 years ago #
EdinburghCycleCam
Member

I'm a maybe; it depends if I can manage to prise myself out of bed early :P

Posted 5 years ago #
neddie
Member

Repeat offender VE64AWR , this time on the zig-zags in Bruntsfield and blocking the cycle lane entrance:

Untitled by Ed, on Flickr

Posted 5 years ago #
algo
Member

I will be there - also have shared elsewhere and will try and get some other folk along if I can - I have asked others that if they can't make it to form the protected lane, they could if possible cycle that way at that time so any pictures show cyclists using the lane.

Posted 5 years ago #
chdot
Admin

Is anyone contacting councillors, media etc?

Posted 5 years ago #
Roibeard
Member

Council (who told police), and Edinburgh Reporter advised.

Other suggestions welcome...

Robert

Posted 5 years ago #
Edinburgh Cycle Training
Member

Good initiative.

In my diary now, hopefully it will stay otherwise clear.

I know a young (journalist of the year nominated) chipwrapper reporter. I can invite him along?

Posted 5 years ago #
chdot
Admin

“Other suggestions welcome...”

Selected councillors.

(Especially those with electric bikes.)

Posted 5 years ago #
Frenchy
Member

At least one councillor with an electric bike is likely to pass that way on their way to work anyway.

Posted 5 years ago #
Roibeard
Member

I know a young (journalist of the year nominated) chipwrapper reporter. I can invite him along?

@ECT - certainly, more the merrier.

@chdot - there might just be a bit of demand simultaneously. The Sciennes cycle to school is that morning immediately prior, and probably is more attractive to councillors.

None-the-less, I should probably get on to that!

Robert

Posted 5 years ago #
chdot
Admin

“and probably is more attractive to councillors“

Do any go on the Sciennes ride these days?

Can’t remember any in the past.

Posted 5 years ago #
LaidBack
Member

The analysis of the conflict zone in this street is of course correct. The solution though is never easy.
Even if the existing cyclelane had kerbs I know people would still walk diagonally over the traffic island. Cyclists often leave the island and try to move to right hand lane as the painted lane runs into the bus stop. Buses 23/27/41/35/45 etc stop here and not unusual for pedestrians to be cutting across road either as traffic often slow or stopped. Royal Mail vans add to the mix parked at Post Office.
So 'any which way you can' applies until street is remodelled to prioritise buses, bikes and walking. Where should private cars go? Bristo Place two way? Forrest Road green corridor in both directions? People already cycle on pavement to avoid Bristo Place when heading to Meadows.
All in all the future of this street needs totally reworked.
@Rosie can maybe remind us of Spokes view for this. Sure one was drawn up.

Posted 5 years ago #
Frenchy
Member

Not having simultaneous greens for cyclists and traffic from Teviot Place would be a significant improvement, and ridiculously simple to implement.

The Meadows-George Street project is an opportunity to remodel the street anyway, though. So no need to limit ourselves to non-radical solutions.

Posted 5 years ago #
jdanielp
Member

I plan to be there and have invited City Centre Councillor Claire Miller.

Posted 5 years ago #
I were right about that saddle
Member

Is this happening? Cannae find it on Slack.

Tabards required for the human bollards?

Posted 5 years ago #
EdinburghCycleCam
Member

I'm planning on turning up for it. I have a hi-viz yellow waistcoat thing which I'll bring in any case.

I've no idea who anyone is in real life, so if you see me (probably one of the few / only with a camera on my helmet, and yellow pannier bag) say hello!

Posted 5 years ago #
jdanielp
Member

I'll be there.

Posted 5 years ago #
Roibeard
Member

Yes, it's happening, and Police Scotland have helpfully pointed out that standing in the carriageway is risky.

I'll be wearing a lime-green t-shirt, but not particularly hi-viz (particularly if it's cool enough for a jacket).

I'll also not be wearing a helmet.

Biggest risk is assault by a Greggs customer, although getting flattened by a Tennents lorry might be more severe, if somewhat less likely.

Robert
(somewhat chastened by the liability incurred by organising this!)

Posted 5 years ago #
Rosie
Member

@Laidback
Have only just seen your question and now Spokes is on twitter saying that we hope Forrest Road will become traffic free in the City Transformation Project.
Bulletin No 119, Summer 2014 has a design on page 3.

http://www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pall-corrected-p8.pdf
I plan to turn up for a few minutes but can’t stay the whole time.

Posted 5 years ago #
I were right about that saddle
Member

@Roibeard

Would you like the PoP tabard collection? I can bring it or drop it at yours?

Posted 5 years ago #
unhurt
Member

I'll be in Stromness - cheering on all who are able to be there though!

Posted 5 years ago #

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Not-PY PoP up protected bike lane Fri 26th April

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