A lot of the schools are back today - the roads I take were a little busier, but nothing major. But what I did notice, and I don't think I'm imagining this, was more people in a rush. Cut up or pointlessly overtaken about half a dozen times this morning, waaaaay more than usual.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Did the school run make a difference today?
(22 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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Wull I was doing the nursery run and it made me late, other than lots of kiddies in new uniforms didn't notice too much traffic.
Bit like the dozy b*stard in the smart car who turned across my lane this morning not noticing me, then just giving me a cheery wave hello.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I left about twenty minutes earlier than usual and forgot until I was half-way in that schools would be back, though might have been just early enough to avoid the effects, though I didn't take the route I took today very often during the holidays.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Heading out of town was fine, seemed a bit quiet indeed. But Corstorphine Road along to Drumbrae Roundabout was a lot worse than usual and with 2 solid lanes of traffic there was no chance of filtering, as the road is far too narrow there. Main hold up seemed to be taxis stopped on double red lines!
Around Gylemuir primary was business as usual of cars trying to move both ways in a road where there's space for one way traffic. Sudden manouevres into "parking spaces" (onto double yellows), doors swinging open infront of you, trying to 3-point where there's no room etc. etc.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I think only P1 started today, so there may have been a component of newbie parents (a) unused to getting their kids to school at all - new route etc (b) kids and parents unused to having a strict time deadline and (c) more nervous than normal about how it will all go.
Posted 13 years ago # -
So best to start off as they mean to continue for next 7 years!
Posted 13 years ago # -
"... (a) unused to getting their kids to school at all - new route etc (b) kids and parents unused to having a strict time deadline and (c) more nervous than normal about how it will all go."
One of my cutter-uppers was a taxi... ;)
I hadn't relaised it wasn't all years in the state schools (I knew the privates weren't back yet). Should make for a gradual increase in the traffic. Funny how you get used to it being quieter with no school run; people on holidays; people being able to leave later for work in the car due to not having to do the school run; people able to take the bus or walk or cycle because they don't have to do the school run.
Ah. Used to hate this time as a kid.
Posted 13 years ago # -
'nik always wonder would you not be better just hammering down the big greenway to maybury then cutting thru the gyle carpark than rat running the back way.
(not that I'm questioning that you've tried this, but with the right conditions you can be going at a good crack there, good TT practice :) )
Posted 13 years ago # -
I set off at 08.30 this morning, and only arrived 20 mins ago. But in fairness it was my eldest son's first day in P1 and we walked to the school and then onto the train station. :D
Posted 13 years ago # -
I think only P1 started today,
In Edinburgh, it's everything except P1.
Posted 13 years ago # -
In Edinburgh, it's everything except P1.
Well, half of B'field P1 started this morning, while the other half starts tomorrow.
But, I was told that someone told Mr SRD that the rest didn't start back until next week.
Posted 13 years ago # -
My son started P2 today. He walked, as usual. Can't say the roads were noticeably busier in the East of Edinburgh...
Posted 13 years ago # -
@stepdoh I probably am better going that way to be honest. I'd carry onto Gogar most likely and turn back on myself into S Gyle estate.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@Anthony "more people in a rush"
Definitely - I felt I had to do a lot of my signals and manoeuvering much further in advance, and be a lot more assertive at pinch points (Lights at bottom of Chesser Avenue, left then quick right into Stenhouse is a case in point).
I may be that people are rushed after dropping kids off, but tie that in with the other thread about numpties on mobile phones, and it can get a bit hairy out there.
Bring on the homeward leg......
Posted 13 years ago # -
I have to admit, a number of factors meant I took the car today (the main one being an important meeting I don't need to be turning up flushed and sweaty for).
I tend to drive with the same consideration I cycle with but (even in the car) I noticed an increase in the volume of traffic and a general lack of patience/common sense amongst those in vehicles. The worst offenders seemed to be the "school run 4x4s" (hailing from a rural background, this is a particular bugbear of mine).
I have to say that being behind the wheel this morning reaffirmed how important it is to be clear and confident in manner on a bike. If I've had a bad day at work, I sometimes take this forgranted.
I always tend to feel angsty and restless throughout the day when I take the car to work. Even when I can justify it, I still feel guilty that it's a 2 mile cycle from home to the office and can't quite reconcile any excuse (no matter how valid) in my mind.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Definitely more traffic and less patient and that was at 6.45 when I was driving across the bridge to my lazy start point at Ingliston P&R. Traffic into Edinburgh when I was cycling was fine although I'm too early for the school run and most commuters. I guess I'll see the traffic difference on the way back this evening.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Made a big difference to me.
Everyone from S1 up went to school in N Lanarkshire and Glasgow.
Denny goes back next week. Not sure what council that is.
Posted 13 years ago # -
It was pretty quiet on the canal towpath today, but that might be more to do with the weather recently than the schools going back. Haymarket traffic was busy though..
Expect the rat-running in Craiglockhart to really kick-off again when the charity schools go back, but it's OK just now.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@ wee folding bike.... Denny is I think covered by falkirk ,so yes tuesday for my son.I was truckin into glasgow today, its time to start watching the overhead walkways again, the kids have a nasty habbit of dropping hard things at 50mph lorries ! After saying that, clydebank to grangemouth with no traffic snarls, at 5 o clock !!! the new 74 extension must be working !
Posted 13 years ago # -
Got stuck at Balgreen this morning, combination of my running behind schedule and the schools being back. The parents park at the bus stop so the buses coming round the corner have to fight into on coming traffic to get to the stop.
That corner should be double yellows and enforced imo.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Yes.... know the scenario. Bus drivers must get sick of this too. Enough pressure on getting through the city without selfish people adding to it.
Took ages before they did it on Mound and that was in middle of town with many bus routes jammed on corner.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Private schools are still off. Much more private vehicular school-running to and from these than council schools, IME.
Expect an upsurge in 4x4s en route across town (home - school - work) from Monday morning (or so).
Posted 13 years ago #
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