@gembo, I was walking to school in 1971 too (four and a half).
It was just normal then.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Scottish Govmt announces £10m for pop up cycle/walking lanes
(3659 posts)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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@crowriver what happened the year the clocks didnt go back and it was very dark on the wa6 to school?
Renfrewshire County Council gave me and m6 little sister who walked with me to school white plastic helmets with a little red light on top. So that we could be seen.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Don't knock this, the guy might be on to something. Let's consider the two known facts here:
1. Longer consultation on cycle lanes under the bridge would solve the problem of there being too little space.
2. The only solution to this problem is a wider bridge.That can only mean:
3. Bridges get wider the longer you consult on cycle lanes that run underneath them.
Very clever. Is this how they intend to "build" the Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge? A quick consultation about the canal towpath should sort it - there's load of bridges there that could be expanded, shifted west and then glued together.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@morningsider, you been drinkin Simon Parker brand coffee this morning?
Posted 3 years ago # -
@gembo - I tried it on the recommendation of my niece.
Posted 3 years ago # -
This is (part of) the good/bad thing about CCE.
The above two posts refer to a long-running CCE in-joke.
So, indecipherable to casual observers and ‘new’ members.
Some may consider such exchanges to be ‘impolite’ as, to some degree, they exclude people who missed the (years’ old) context.
But CCE is about being usable by its members (old and newer) in any way they see fit subject to the RULES.
Sometimes people sidestep the rules in ways that are against the CCE ‘spirit’.
The last sentence does NOT apply to the previous 2 posts.
Posted 3 years ago # -
In addition -
The above two people know each ‘in real life’.
There are styles of interactive on CCE that can seem odd/borderline offensive until you remember (if you know) that some people are friends/acquaintances. (I’ve noticed this on other forums where I don’t know anyone, but clearly other people do.)
Many meetings have taken place at PY (another CCE institution/mystery), ‘pub nights’ or on random rides and camping trips, (also through organising or taking part in the all-important PoP).
All sadly on hold.
CEC is sometimes like a gang, with good and bad connotations.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I haven't looked at any plans, but it's not automatically true that putting lanes under that bridge will be an improvement. At the moment going into town you're in a bus lane and as the bus lane peters out the cars and cyclists have to merge together. If there's a painted lane right up against the wall / railings it might discourage people from riding nearer to the middle of the road, which is safer than getting crushed.
A really wide cycle lane that all the cars have to partially drive in but encourages people to ride through would be good though. If there's nothing, I can see how it's a barrier for many cyclists.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@Dave: The solution is simple: generously-sized, well protected and unimpeded cycle lanes, one each side, with one lane between them for motorised traffic controlled by SALT traffic lights. Yes, I'm sure that would work, be very safe for cyclists, and no-one could possibly object - on safety grounds at least
What gets me is the way that people like Mr Johnston discuss such proposals as if, prior to the implementation of cycle lanes, no cyclist had ever considered traversing these stretches of road, nor had it been expected that any ever would.
For the record: I have cycled beneath the bridge in question many times and yes, it's not great, but I have so far survived by taking a strong primary through the narrow section. Those lacking the confidence to do that should IMO not be encouraged to put themselves at risk of being squashed against the walls/railings by a few dotted lines of paint on the road (I believe I'm agreeing with you at this point). Preferable in that case - though I agree far from ideal - would be for such less assertive persons to dismount and use the footway. I'm not sure that a wider, non-mandatory cycle lane that drivers could hardly avoid intruding upon would do anything useful (it might even have the unfortunate result of reinforcing the "driving in cycle lanes is OK" mindset).
The situation on Slateford Road seems to be to be not dissimilar to the 'squeeze' at the previously discussed Braid Hills Road junction with Comiston Road. The SfP team appears to have to work within the road layout (carriageway and footway widths, kerbs, refuges etc etc) present on the ground, particularly since it appears to have to be designed to be easily reversible at some future date. Again, far from ideal, but if it's better than what was there before (albeit maybe requiring a little more conscious thought in its use, especially by drivers) then it could perhaps be considered a step in the right direction.
What would actually be vastly better for cycle access along the Slateford Road "corridor" IMO would be a link track around the Network Rail yard at Slateford, to provide a cycling route along the access road that runs along the old Caley main line, past the yard and coming out near Northcare Manor care home. That would also provide connections to Meggetland, the canal towpath, the Allen Park 'network' and various bits of Craiglockhart. Sadly, I don't think anything that radical is likely to be within SfP's remit.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@gembo, oh now I only have a very vague recollection of the year the clocks did not go back. However I do have vivid memories of the miner's strike - they timed the power cuts so that you only got to see the opening titles of Monty Python's Flying Circus before everything went dark and I was sent to get the candles out from underneath the kitchen sink. Also I remember a scary episode of Doctor Who where Jon Pertwee's Doctor and Jo Grant were facing the very frightening (to me, at the time) Ogrons who appeared to be using waterboarding techniques to interrogate earthlings? My memory may be playing tricks here. Anyway, it was hide behind the settee time.
"white plastic helmets with a little red light on top"
None of those fripperies in Wester Hailes, though we did have a "death slide" in an adventure playground near our flat. However the school was reached without having to cross any big roads.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@crowriver: It was Alias Smith and Jones that used to get regularly interrupted where we lived. Much to my sister's dismay, since she had a sizeable crush on Pete Duel - as did most of the rest of the lasses around her age at the school we attended.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@chdot: I wouldn't worry too much about it. Personally I am well used to understanding only about 50% of gembo's posts anyway..
(It's a bit like when I was living in Italy and still getting up to speed with the language. I had no idea what they were on about half the time, but I got by on the basis that if it appeared to matter then I knew enough to be able to seek clarification - assuming that they hadn't already realised that they had lost me because of the glaikit look on my face.)
Posted 3 years ago # -
@ejstubbs, I think we may be at cross purposes here. Alas Smith & Jones would have been 1980s miner's strike. I was referring to the miner's strike a decade before, when "Hitler" Heath was in power (This moniker from an old graffito painted on a wall in white gloss paint I recall from mid-1970s. Not sure why they thought he was a Nazi: could have been a (misguided) pro-workers gesture, or an early anti-Europe one?).
Posted 3 years ago # -
understanding only about 50% of gembo's posts anyway...
I thought this was statutory for forum membership...
;-)On the subject of the bridge, assuming it is the bridge I think it is, given that I have not read the article, the way I ride it is to take primary in both directions.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I’m feeling left out.
How do you manage to get to 50%?
Posted 3 years ago # -
@crowriver: Read my post again: the TV programme in question was Alias Smith and Jones, definitely a 70s era confection (the actor who originally played Hannibal Smith shot himself in 1971). The name of the Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones 1980s comedy show was a play on the name of the earlier US western series.
I can remember doing my homework by the light of a candle in a jam-jar (sans lid).
@fimm: Indeed, the only sensible way to do it.
@chdot: Now that did literally make me LOL.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@ejstubbs, ah yes I remember that programme and the play on words. The "i" the essential modifier which was missed in my misconstrual.
Posted 3 years ago # -
A safety audit on one of Edinburgh's Spaces for People schemes identified a host of hazards which the report said could lead to pedestrians being struck by passing vehicles, drivers losing control, cyclists falling and head-on collisions.
I’ve got a few roads that don’t have any SfP measures that I’d like to have a safety audit.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@Stickman, indeed!
Round my way they could start with London Road, Abbeymount and Easter Road.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Safety Audit main concerns were that people driving would hit things, and that people parking might get hit by the people driving... So easy solution. Remove the parking, and slow down the people driving. Simple.
I mean basically the risk is the same as most roads in Edinburgh cars parked on either side. Anyone in those cars could easily be hit by a passing vehicle while getting out, or if parked badly could be struck by a passing vehicle. The report basically says "it's a road". All these risks applied before.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Went along the Greenbank-Meadows quiet route this morning. Excellent stuff.
A tighter squeeze to get past the barriers on Canaan Lane than it should have been, though.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@frenchy when the scheme was first installed I observed several hard pressed motorists driving down the pavement to get past the barriers down there. Council then widened the barriers a bit which seems to have (mostly) put a stop to this.
I guess we'll be waiting for BOLLARDS or some seriously heavy planters to be installed for an attractive, cycle friendly and effective motorcar barrier.
Nice to see the "road open to" sign. Much more welcoming than the "no motor vehicles" which I guess has to be present for legal reasons.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@MediumDave: Illegal use of the footway to illegally bypass road closure barriers has also been observed at the Braid Road closure (I think I posted a pic from my rear Cycliq camera a while back). Standard "<rule 2> that" behaviour from certain drivists, sadly.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Good article by Spokes dispelling some of the myths around SfP:
http://www.spokes.org.uk/2021/02/spaces-for-people-consultation/
Posted 3 years ago # -
Sensible and yet unlikely to registe4 with the radicalized motorists who want their parking back
Spent some time today on UK cycling facebook trying to persuade a cyclist Called Cheeseman that these lanes are good.
Then came through Kirknewton again to be reminded west Lothian council have taken the bike lane and made it pavement with cyclists forced right out into middle of road.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I have been using Spokes excellent piece on SfP myths to counter some almighty drivel in the Balerno Moans page. But without any commenting or bickering.
One parent has said she/he couldn’t disageee more plus why when she drums into her kids they must wear helmets did Spokes use a picture with two cyclists In the protected lane without helmets.
I replied good that you are encouraging your children to cycle so that there is a planet left for them to inhabit when they grow up. That is all.
Focus is everything, focus 1000 as Jon Fashanu said on I’m a celebrity when he claimed to have just done 1000 chin ups. Bit like Dylan Thomas claiming 18 straight whiskies then popping his clogs. white a horse Tavern New York.
Though I am now getting sucked in with my special weapon I am afraid you are using an ad hominem argument. Safety measures are not more dangerous. Tick tick tick whilst they look up ad hominem (like @ejstubbs made me do). Then kaboom
Posted 3 years ago # -
Getting quite a bit of abuse just now from strangers but trying to be calm
Just been told I cycle on pavement and am a typical selfish spokes supporter.
I remain calm as using special Gembo Zen powers
Will crack eventually as these motorists are Radge.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Half these schemes are not fit for purpose and cause accidents Says Driver William Hunter who also accused me of cycl8ng on the pavement
I still haven’t cracked, these Zen powers are strong today
Posted 3 years ago # -
I am now going to the launderette in Gorrie to ask them if the bike lane has affected their business.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Where is the hardware shop in Georgie Dalry? The driver says it is open too. Also I am blind, particular, pavement cycling typical spokes supporter
Posted 3 years ago #
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