"I wouldn't advocate trying to take the primary position for the whole distance along Queen Street, only where you need to in order to protect your self on the approach to hazards."
I ride Queen Street quite often - mostly Hanover Street westward. It's certainly not for the fainthearted. Some speed and confidence to use the 'primary position' is necessary. In addition to the dreadful surface in many place, the lighting is not suitable for a 'main road'
But then Queen Street isn't suitable for the weight and volume of traffic currently using it. It's only because of the Georgian planners that the road is as wide as it - which was more to do with 'elegance' than (un)predictable traffic growth.
Much of the traffic is due to designating Princes Street for bikes and Public Transport only, but it also highlights the (inevitable?) acceptance that large volumes of motor traffic have to be catered for rather than managed within the resources available. Queen Street is not suitable as a fast 'through road'.
It probably should have a 20mph limit (which may be difficult to enforce, initially). There's certainly room for nice 3m cycle lanes - perhaps even segregated ones. Both on the Gardens side? Certainly there is occasional concern about how long the retaining walls in the Gardens will hold up...
That might leave room for one (motor) lane in each direction. which would help to keep speeds down - one reason for the 'race track' is that there are two lanes of vehicles rushing between red lights.
A single lane in each direction with sensibly phased lights would be able to deal with similar volumes to the present - much more safely.
Who keeps going on about flying mammals?
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