I find the cycle path is really useful and quite frankly amazing as its well it, away from the traffic and goes all the way from leith to roseburn. But at the same time i find it a bit scary to use it as its full of youth gangs and you never know what they are going to do to you if you cycle by yourself there. I have seen a gang of four teens( 2 girls and 2 boys) pushing a woman off her bike and mouthing her in saughton cycle path. any advice on how to be safe on the cycle path?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
ferry road path dangerous as its full of gangs of young people??
(37 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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I'm sure your post will spark many anecdotes!
There is no doubt that there have been incidents on various cycle paths. The Drylaw area is particularly 'notorious'.
Spokes tried for years to get the Telford footbridge removed because some 'yoof' occasionally chucked things at people on bikes.
I've been hit, once, about 15 years ago.
Generally all the paths are pretty safe. The Police are aware of problems and occasionally patrol. It IS worth reporting anything intimidating (or worse).
Posted 13 years ago # -
get up a good speed and an air zound horn
Posted 13 years ago # -
I had a shopping trolly thrown off a bridge at me in 1993. It missed me and I haven't had an incident since ( well on that path anyway I did get jumped by 3 youths in granton whilst riding my motorbike......I got away unscathed)
Posted 13 years ago # -
It might be usually well-lit, but the lights were down along that bit one night in February and took a while to be completely fixed.
Know your escape routes. Test each of the exits along that area so that you know where you will end up (and whither you should then go to get to civilisation), should you feel it wise to leave the path quickly by the nearest available exit.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Good advice from wingpig - you can also use google streetview to investigate the escape routes should you not have time on your commute...
remember you probably have a D-lock, chain, keys, pump, h****t, mobiles and even coins that can all be removed fairly quickly and thrown/used to fend off any idiot who won't let you go
at the combat training group I attend we did a session on self defence using whatever you have with you or in your house, I had my bike along and was quickly scaring myself with how useful a chain and bike pump can be especially if confronted by a knife...
If anybody is interested in this we could run it again.
PM me if you would like more detailsPosted 13 years ago # -
Not only have I never had any trouble on the path, despite commuting it, I also haven't seen any gangs of youths. This worries me that I may simply not notice gangs, rather than thinking that everybody else is making it up!
Posted 13 years ago # -
A bike pump vs a knife? Seriously?
Posted 13 years ago # -
You could blow someone away!!
Posted 13 years ago # -
@seanspotatobu - yes. seriously. arming yourself with any hard physical object (even bike gloves) to appempt to deflect an attack is better than deflecting with flesh and bone, true you need to have a little practice (and possibly some luck) but if they are going to stab you anyway it is worth a try
@recombodna - the cannisters for inflating tyres in an instant could be amusing in an eye socket or nostril...Posted 13 years ago # -
Elf'n'safety note: never mess around with compressed air/gas kids, it can spoil your day for life...
Also harder to justify as "minimum force necessary.."!
Best form of defence if you have no other option is offence, however practicing your sprints and loud shouts/airzound could be less painful and have fewer long term implications ;-)
Posted 13 years ago # -
Time for a repost of Dealing with Threats to a Person's Body or Property whilst on a Bicycle.
The Ferry Road path tends to be at its worst for nyobbery in mid-late evening, when all the commuters have commuted and people with nowt better to do are roaming the paths looking for ways to think they're impressing their peers. Mostly they'll just be arses rather than get actually arsey - I've only had an attempt to physically intimidate me a couple of times on that path (whereas my only actual physical attack took place in Newington in daylight on a road). Approach slowly, so as not to startle or irritate them, but pre-select a gear you can easily accelerate away in and prepare for righting yourself if someone thinks it'd be funny to elbow you off. Slow right down under the bridges in case someone's left a brick or giant stick on the path to disable/trap cyclists; remember to stop and kick them away from the path if you find such a trap. Generally, they're perfectly safe - most people acting like tubes on them are only doing so for the few seconds of extremely mild amusement they derive from trying to frighten people rather than in order to steal from or deliberately seriously harm someone.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@smudge - yes I should have put in a <joke></joke> as people just can't tell sometimes...
@wingpig - great link!Loved this one:
and this one:
This one kind of goes along the lines of what I said
Posted 13 years ago # -
Humm, there is another source with no stupid jimmy fatwing all over it. Cant find it tho :(
Posted 13 years ago # -
Was there not something along those lines featured in Citycycling a while back?
Posted 13 years ago # -
"
North Team@north_team
AntiSocial Behaviour concerns in North can be raised in confidence at CORE every Wed from 10 to 12. Call Janice for more ino 529 5020"
Posted 13 years ago # -
Not only have I never had any trouble on the path, despite commuting it, I also haven't seen any gangs of youths.
I'd agree with this. I commuted Roseburn to Drylaw daily for three years and have commuted St Mark's Park to the red bridge daily for the past two years. The only incident I had was a (rather large) snowball dropped from the Telford footbridge (it missed).
Whilst not diminishing the seriousness of any incident other cyclists have experienced, I would suggest they appear to be rare events.
Posted 13 years ago # -
OK my experiences (5+ years commuting from Victoria Park to the red bridge daily)
- 1 x attack with buddlia branch (well some youfs waved it at me menacingly - I shouted at them and they moved it before I whizzed past)
- 2 x path blocking where youfs hold their arms out wide as I approach (they ducked before I hit them - I shouted "MOVE!" at them)
- 1 x spraypainted jacket (actually on the Telford path a bit further on from the Red bridge)
- 1 x attack from above with pebbles (as above - and actually on the same day, about 100 yards further on) :-(
- 1 x shout of "Muslim!" as I went past in my black buff folded so that it covered all of my face except my eyes. I shouted back "Ninja!" and they all laughed.Nothing else memorable apart from random rantings from unleaded-dog owners (equally divided between "don't ding your bell at me" and "why didn't you ding your bell?" - never satisfied!)
When cycling in the dark I find that having a slightly-too-bright light (currently a Hope One) is a bit of a deterrent to youfs - they can't see what's coming at them so don't get time to prepare mayhem.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Wingpig is of course most accurate that the time of day you ride the path is what determines the prevalence of youth gangs, tho one person's threatening gang is another's small group of young people. Anyone who commutes to the Western General will agree [I am sure] that the Drylaw stretch is ropier after dark. I have seen 3-5 young lads on many occasions. The original woman pushed off a bike sounds a bad one but I have never had anything like that. Not stopping would be a good strategy. Not sure about knives and pumps jousting, would hope wouldn't come to that.
Today I was making my escape from WHEC amidst groups of young women. For some reason I started going look out, I'm going to hit you [I wasn't and I was going very slowly]. I followed this up with., phew that was close, I could have had your eye out etc. They all moved politely out of the way. No abuse. Guess it was just a nice sunny day and everyone was jollyfied.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"For some reason I started going look out, I'm going to hit you [I wasn't and I was going very slowly]."
Yes, you should watch out with that sort of thing. Even if you didn't say it, you might still end up with a conviction, as we saw 'darn sarf'.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Just noticed this on Twitter.
Sounds V. bad, not seen another ref.
"
muttley12:@CyclingEdin Cyclist assaulted this evening at Wester Drylaw cycle path by 20-30 youths. Required medical treatment, possible fractured jaw.
Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/muttley12/status/123854871475654657
"
Posted 13 years ago # -
I have had a detailed e-mail about the above incident, but it is now a police case so I'm just outlining what happened.
It was about 6.30 on the path that goes from Craigleith towards Silverknowes. Young people and motorbikes were involved and other cyclists offered help and first aid to the person assaulted.
The email continues -
"
The Police were called and attended so a Police report will be submitted. The Fire Brigade also attended to the burning motorcycle. Paramedics arrived to attend to the victim and it was at this point I left to go home as there were sufficient personnel to cope with the situation.The cycle path should be safe for everyone and should not be out of bounds to the public. The West Pilton part of the path I will not cycle on after dark and as Wester Drylaw is on my way home I don't want this to be a no-go part for me either. The roads are dangerous for cyclists during rush hour and therefore the Police should be patrolling this part between West Pilton and Wester Drylaw more as we have a right to be safe also.
This is a worrying part of the route but is also very busy. Even a Police presence bewteen 4 and 7pmcoming into the dark nights would be enough to deter any unruly people/youths. There is a growing number of incidents involving cyclists and unruly behaviour towards them by members of the public walking by.
The recent positive news about more people cycling to work in Edinburgh than anywhere else in Scotland may well be shortlived as we may have to turn back to our cars. I don't want to do this so it may be that cyclists get together to do something about it
"
This thread was started by someone who was concerned about youths on paths.
General feeling has been that 'things happen - but not often' BUT it is a known problem and the Police are aware.
As discussed on the "Police cyclists" perhaps they should be out and about in parts of west Edinburgh more often!
The Evening News is working on a story for tomorrow vraimes@scotsman.com would like to hear from anyone with knowledge of this or similar incidents.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I had large sticks dropped on me from the Telford bridge on the shared path on Friday at about 4.15pm. They had also spread a layer of broken glass across the path at the same point. Nowhere near as bad as being set upon by 30 youths but still - didn't make a great start to my weekend...
Posted 13 years ago # -
Having spent two years commuting to and fro to Fife on this path, and then another three years avoiding it entirely and using the main road instead -- you couldn't pay me to use that path again.
If you adopt primary all the way, there's really nothing dangerous about taking the main road as far as Cramond Bridge, at any time of day or night.
Posted 13 years ago # -
My wife and I also rode along the A90, especially in the winter months - but while I think it's pretty safe and didn't ever get grief from the motons (you just occupy the lane, what are people going to do about it? Run you over out of vexation?), I can't see it really catching on as a popular choice.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Unfortunately you're right, its unlikely to become fashionable.
For me, if the choice is between a poorly maintained path frequented by neds and dogwalkers, versus an occasional 'punishment pass' on the main road, there's only one winner.
But I suppose if you're only cycle commuting to the North Edinburgh suburbs, then that choice won't be particularly obvious.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I'm fortunate that I come from Broughton and go on to Cramond Brig so mostly I hop onto Ferry road at Crew Toll ped bridge and then don't have to use the path until it runs through the streets in Silverknowes.
Posted 13 years ago # -
The reports above sounds apocalyptic - large gangs of violent thugs looming out of the darkenss and the flickering flames of a burning (stolen) motorbike!
I use the cycle path from Roseburn to Wardie several evenings a week for the past few years and rarely had trouble. Saying that, armoured tyres for the glass and maintaining a strong line when 'youths' are gathered is a must - they may want to jump out and scare you etc but a speedy cyclist going at them tends to turn the tables.
I did once find some boys making a barrier of branches etc near ainslie park which had already blocked some one else but going immediately nuclear at them - no chat, no discussion - made it dissapear pretty quickly.
So apart from occasional horror stories like the one yesterday this is part of a great network that so many of us find very useful and safe.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Evening news story a bit less apocalyptic.
Youth punches cyclist in face
Published on Thursday 13 October 2011 12:08
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was punched in the face during a row with a gang of youths.
The 37-year-old man was cycling in the Corbiehill area in the north of the city at 6.30pm on Tuesday when he was hit by a hooded youth.
The cyclist had just passed a group of 20 to 30 young people and following a dispute was struck in the face.
The group then fled and an ambulance crew was called to the scene shortly after 6.30pm and took the man to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Evening news story a bit less apocalyptic."
Yes, I had an e-mail that was a bit more explicit.
WASN'T 'big gang attacks cyclist' though, so (I hope) it doesn't mean an escalation in number and seriousness of incidents.
Well done SRD for finding story - I couldn't.
Think new site is having teething probs -
"
Published on undefined NaN undefined NaN NaN:NaN
"BIG downside is that all previous links to EN and Scotsman stories are now dead.
Old stories now have new URLs - Search not great. I put in an exact part-sentence (in quotes as well) and it was about number 10 on the list.
Posted 13 years ago #
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