CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Aqueduct etiquette

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  1. Uberuce
    Member

    I still have a grudge against the chap who, with a 51% lecturing, 49% lighthearted mix said 'lights, lights' to me as he whisked past on a bike. This was before I started cycling, so at least three years ago, as I walked along the canal.

    The thing is, now that I do use the canal I really appreciate the folk that hold a wee torch, adorn their dogs with LED collars or just wear white.

    I don't mind going slow on the canal at night, and being as I am part of the Dynamo Lights Marketing Board, I can't possibly omit to mention that my forward photon rifle is politely cut off at waist height yet powerful enough to pick out even the most determinedly non-reflective of peds.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Also, were it a highway, a pedestrian would be well advised to heed these rules;

    https://www.gov.uk/rules-pedestrians-1-to-35/general-guidance-1-to-6

    I don't suppose there's any obligation, but who wants to have a 70kg adult cycle into them, even at jogging pace?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. neddie
    Member

    IWRATS the arguments you make about peds having to light up are the same ones motorists make about cyclists 'having' to wear h-viz & h****ts.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @edd1e_h

    Are they? And are those arguments defective?

    For what it's worth I think bicyclists should think about wearing hi-vis on dark, unlit roads and paths.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. Greenroofer
    Member

    @eddie_h Isn't there a point about whether this is a shared space or not?

    On a pavement as a pedestrian (where bikes and cars have no right to be) then at night I don't expect to need to wear reflectives or carry a light. However on a road without pavements, or on a shared cyclepath, as a pedestrian I would consider wearing/carrying them. This is partly for my protection from motorised or cycle traffic and partly out of courtesy for that traffic (it makes their life easier).

    It's the same reason that as a cyclist I wear and use reflectives at night: it makes life easier for other people on the road that I'm sharing with them and it reduces the chance of a collision.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. fimm
    Member

    <pedant mode>
    IWRATS. Hi vis would be of no use whatsoever on an unlit path. Reflectives might be of use, however.
    <pedant mode off>

    I wear a headtorch when I'm running on the canal / WoL in the dark. Not to see where I'm going, there's usually enough ambient light for that. I turn it on to look at my watch and to show oncoming cyclists where I am.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @fimm

    Don't get me started on 'fluorescent'.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Nearly caused an incident on the 'duct this morning. Chose not to overtake a lady on a new looking MTB on the approach. Once on the cobbles my self-ringing bell caused her to think I was some sort of impatient ungentleman requiring to get ahead of her, and she rammed on the anchors, locking up her rear. I had to deploy the drogue chute too. That'll teach me.

    I apologised twice - once there and once off the other end.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. wingpig
    Member

    "ungentlemen" = "oaves"

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. Ed1
    Member

    I took the canal in to town yesterday evening to watch Russell Brand at the cameo. I was glad has read the Aqueduct etiquette as there was a group of people already on the aqueduct coming the other way. I carried my bike on the outside. Was not sure what the “rules” were the last time I took used this route.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  11. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Ed1 The Rules;

    1) Be cool
    2) Be polite
    3) Let others past
    4) Unless they're frightened, in which case pass them
    5) If you meet someone else using the previous four Rules, let them past too
    6) If a standoff does develop, make increasingly chivalric gestures until the standoff ends or night falls, whichever is earlier

    Posted 10 years ago #

  12. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Failed to follow the rules today. One to three no problem, but the codger coming the other way stood his ground and insisted that I dismount, citing the canal by-laws.

    So I did. Obliging him to tip-toe round me and the bicycle, as we naturally occupied all but six inches of towpath. We all have to get old, but we don't have to get bitter and vindictive.

    Young lady cylists behind him most amused by my compliance with his wish.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  13. jdanielp
    Member

    Whilst I had a warm-up cycle home along the towpath in the dark a few weeks ago, tonight will be the first of the unavoidable dark season so it'll be interesting to see how blinding other people's new bicycle lights are, and also to what extent the pedestrians can be bothered lighting themselves up, or at least wearing reflective clothing of some kind, on the extended LEDed sections. I will be taking it fairly cautiously in any case I reckon.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  14. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @jdanielp

    I'll see you shortly. Or not.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  15. jdanielp
    Member

    @IWRATS not it would seem, although I did have a fairly reasonable cycle home aside from the issue that, upon reaching town, it became apparent that my rear light, which I had meant to recharge at work during the day, had run out of battery - thanks to the cyclist alongside me at the King's Theatre junction who observed that I'd inadvertently turned my rear light 'off'. In fact I was trying to switch it back on in a steady beam mode but it clearly wasn't sustaining itself beyond a few seconds...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  16. Snowy
    Member

    First day back on the bike after chest-infection-enforced couple of weeks off. Pleased to report good cycling etiquette all round on the canal and aquaduct today. Quite a few ninja runners tonight but I'd been eating my carrots.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  17. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Snowy

    Do you work for a bank near the airport? There was a bloke in the changing rooms this morning reported he was just back after a two week chest infection...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  18. Snowy
    Member

    Wasn't me but he obviously had the same thing I had !

    Posted 10 years ago #

  19. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Delightfully Tit-for-Tat now greets me. It was her behind the bitter old codger that I made tip-toe round me on the 'duct. She was most amused by my pantomime, and I am delighted that we can now say hello.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  20. jdanielp
    Member

    @IWRATS how might I recognise Tit-for-Tat? Hopefully the foreign girl whose chain I re-engaged around the lifting bridge last night got home ok, although why I didn't get one of the latex gloves out of my pannier before sorting this out I don't know given how oily my hand ended up...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  21. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @jdanielp

    Hmmm. Not so easy outside high summer when her body art is on display. Late twenties/early thirties. Black leggings, fluo long sleeve top or jacket. Sandy/russet coloured wavy hair about chin length. Glasses with quite thick frames.

    Previously slightly grim countenance now replaced with reserved but knowing aspect.

    I'm not a fan of latex gloves. Can never pick up cable caps/chain pins etc. Just carry a rag to wipe my paws on.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  22. jdanielp
    Member

    @IWRATS aha, I think that I probably know who you mean.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  23. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I should have predicted it. Last night on the 'Duct we were subjected to inaccurate but sustained rocket fire.

    Someone has figured out that a cheap rocket bursts at aqueduct height when fired from below and was launching a salvo whenever a light was seen on the towpath. I can't really complain given some of the things I did in my youth.

    Suspect that The Suit will have turned back if he's still cycling.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  24. wingpig
    Member

    "I can't really complain given some of the things I did in my youth."

    Presumably you uncomplainingly contacted some sort of law-enforcement organisation, though?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  25. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @wingpig

    Nah. Too easy for them to scarper or just say they didn't realise there was anyone up there.

    If their marksmanship improves it may come to that, but not yet.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  26. jdanielp
    Member

    @IWRATS hmm, I have been concerned about such things in previous years, but have never seen such activity. What time of day was that at? I think I passed over 18:20ish

    Posted 10 years ago #

  27. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @jdanielp

    I worked late last night. Not quite sure, but it would have been after that.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  28. jdanielp
    Member

    I cycled to Heriot-Watt an hour later than usual this morning. It was interesting to observe the noticeably different post-commute dynamic whereby I seemed to be the only cyclist ringing a bell. This seemed to take a number of pedestrians rather by surprise, and it also meant that I had to brake abruptly when emerging from one of the Wester Hailes bridges to avoid an older gentleman on a folding bike who was in the process of overtaking a pedestrian directly before said bridge.

    I also noted that the bridge between the sections of Harrison Park was closed due to work on the trees so it will be interesting to see if it is reopened for the commute this evening or if I'll have to carry my bike over Harrison Road again, or maybe just detour.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  29. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @jdanielp

    A lady in a big pink knitted sweater wished me a good morning as I belled and passed her. Lilac Helmet Lady had advanced her routine considerably. I think the fog changed everyone's behaviour today - mellowed people out, just like heavy snow on a still day does.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  30. gembo
    Member

    I was speaking to Big John Today. I asked if he had any words of wisdom today but he said No, and that I should shoot two cyclists. He then went for his do you cycle along here at night gambit. Think he does not like fast night time cyclists on his towpath. He carries a poly bag of course for increased visibility.

    He then asked me about cycling on the roads, so perhaps he is thinking of taking to two wheels. At this point a woman with purple cycling jacket and matching helmet came past. Is this the Liliac helmeted lady?

    Posted 10 years ago #

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