Sent to the City Centre Councillors:
Hi folks
I am writing to you as the Councillors for the area of the city within which the above-mentioned cycling 'facility' is located, and actually I notice you both have your surgeries in the Central Library, so you'll be very aware of the location.
When the Missoni Hotel was being built the pavement was widened. Not, it appears, for the benefit of pedestrians, but rather to act as a 'loading bay' (i.e. for taxis to pick up and drop people off - I have to admit to having used taxis from that precise spot myself after drinks in the Missoni or eating in Ondine, but I digress). It was pleasing to note that the cycle lane was retained around this bay, but it quickly became clear that because it was now sticking further out into the lane motorists would simply drive into the lane, and because of the proximity to a set of traffic lights motorised traffic would find itself marooned within the cycle lane.
Now it's a dashed line lane, therefore not 'mandatory', but again moves to make matters easier were appreciated when the motorised lanes were reduced to a solitary number until just before the traffic lights. It made sense as not much traffic turns right to head down the High Street. Sadly this has had no effect on the encroachment into the cycle lane whatsoever, as demonstrated in this video clip: Video Link
Of course what is also clear from the clip is that motorists are entirely capable of staying out of the lane if there is already a cyclist within it, but once stationery, as the last picture shows, it becomes something of a trial for those of us on two wheels. One cyclist passing as I filmed felt compelled to stop after the junction, turn round, and come to chat with me about the potential 'death trap'. I'm not entirely sure what could be done about this situation - I hate to profess to any degree of perfection, but when I'm driving I somehow manage to avoid straying into this lane even when it is empty. Perhaps that is down to me also being a cyclist, but I like to think it has something to do with common sense and decency as well.
One very small measure which may help would be to extend the red-coloured area past the build-out of the pavement which would at least make the lane more visible. As the facility stands I am reminded of the promises of many in the Council that they want Edinburgh to be a 'Model Cycling City'. Clearly those who dole out these promises have either never been to Copenhagen, or they have a particularly wicked sense of humour.
Many thanks for your time, and if either of you ever wish to see the lane firsthand at rush hour I am only too willing to take some time from my commute to stand and watch traffic pass by of a morning (when your day is spent sitting at a desk drafting and reviewing legal documents you take excitement out of anything you can in life).
Regards
Anthony
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