These are the new bike racks just fitted for the reopening of the RCP in March. 20 racks in all, a lot more than used to be there. I am still to find out if the bike racks are covered by the pool security system.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Royal Commonwealth Pool - New Bike Racks
(26 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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They look a good distance apart parking for 40 bikes isn't bad.
The bar out side Dalry is always pretty packed, I've only used drum brae once but it had maybe 10 racks and there were only two bikes using it. Interesting to see how many bike use the commie.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I thought I had read March as the re-opening date but couldn't find it when I went looking. Is March just an estimate or is there definite date for the grand re-opening?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Previous racks were covered and closer to front door although only had space for about 10 bikes.
Uncovered racks are not attractive if you carry a child seat. For somewhere that wants to attract more active people I think they could be better. Are they a last minute thought by any chance? Can cyclists cycle to them easily and safely.
Previous obsession at pool was making enough car parking. Had many interesting cycles into RCP with cars driving round in circles looking for parking spaces unaware of bikes.Posted 12 years ago # -
This was a shock when I spotted a second set of bike racks as you enter the main car park. That gives a total of 40 racks. Although the racks are not sheltered I understand they are within the scope of the security system of the RCP. No announcement yet of the opening date but as soon as I know I will post it here. Expect it will be towards the end of March. Don't be surprised if the EEN gets the scope before those inhouse!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sorry........ forgot to post the second photo link!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Looking forward to this re-opening - I might start going for a swim a couple of days a week on the way to work. Not that I particularly enjoy swimming, but I understand it's good for you - and I might indulge in some fancy waterproof MP3 player.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Not that I particularly enjoy swimming, but I understand it's good for you"
Like cycling then?
Maybe 'we' can guilt-trip more people into 'cycling' - "well it's good for you", "character building", "you don't have to go anywhere useful - cycle a short distance and turn round. Repeat."
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Like cycling then?"
Yep, but different muscle groups etc etc. Cross training I guess.
Not sure guilt-tripping works really - witness the number of gym memberships taken out at the start of a new year which lapse not too long after. Of course, if even a few stick with it.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Yep, but different muscle groups etc etc. Cross training I guess."
Could get one of these?:
Posted 12 years ago # -
Iiiiinteresting.... (and not necessarily in a good way!).
Have to admit, with the racks being brand spanking new it's a little disappointing that it looks at the mo like they'll be uncovered. Who knows, maybe a big canopy will arrive at some point. Otherwise it's another case of 'trying to do some good with more spaces, but not actually engaging those who will/would cycle on the best solution'.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"maybe a big canopy will arrive at some point"
Uravinalaff.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Otherwise it's another case of 'trying to do some good with more spaces, but not actually engaging those who will/would cycle on the best solution'.
Agreed. Look at EU Infomatics where the bike racks are actually close to building.
Uni also has covered racks too - they are quite forward thinking as they resisted the temptation to build a big car park. Contrast with QMU.At pool they are in corner with no cover or windbreak. I bet you I can park a car just as close....
People using the bus though have to come up a flight of steps so maybe cyclists are in middle in convenience stakes?
Car parking is of course their main concern. Now that there are fewer pools in Edinburgh people have to travel more and many will use a car for this.
This is very much 'give em loads of racks and they should be grateful'. Money is spent, box is ticked.
Posted 12 years ago # -
future-proofing :)
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
cameron rose (@cameronrose)
2/17/12 7:30 AM
Local newsblog Pool to reopen March 21st: The Commonwealth Pool is to reopen to the public on 21st March. http://bit.ly/wK9lB0
"Posted 12 years ago # -
Posted 12 years ago # -
This person could do with a few bike racks. Alternative to the Bike Station perchance...collecting old bikes for salvage?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Resurrecting this Zombie thread to ask if anyone remembers whether the 20 racks that were at the entrance to the car park were moved to being under the shelter of the overhang near the entrance or if those are a different 20?
The Commonwealth recently, on police advice to be fair, removed nearly all the bike racks as there'd been an increase in theft. Not sure if they racks were just getting old or not but apparently they were able to be rock the racks snap the metal at the bottom and get the bikes out. They're going to replace them, with no ETA, and it'd be good to ensure that we don't lose any capacity.
I think when first installed there was 20 at the car park entrance, and another 20 on the other side of the car park. Then in around June 2017 the ones at the car park entrance disappeared but I think that may have coincided with the ones under the overhang arriving.
Either way, some gentle pressure may be applied to ensure that when they do fit more racks there are at least 40 installed. Preferably more as I don't see why they couldn't replace the removed ones at the entrance too.
Posted 1 year ago # -
In 2014, there were four 5-stand toaster racks (space for up to 40* bikes) along the wall at the car park entrance, and four more toaster racks along the paving by the flag poles.
By 2019, the four racks in the car park had been removed, and three of them had been reinstalled under the overhang by the main entrance. The four toaster racks by the flagpoles were joined by ten Serco hire bikes. So at least one toaster rack went into storage or was used to replace a vandalised unit.
* Subtract about 4 bikes because the gaps between racks were used for storing wheelie bins, of course.
Posted 1 year ago # -
There's also another 8 or so racks to the RHS of the main doors, next to the gym. These are considerably more robust than the old silver toast racks but have a stupid side plate that makes some of the racks difficult to lock up to. Hopefully they will choose a more conventional design in future.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Pre-pandemic, there were both racks under the overhang, and also racks next to the flags poles, with some hire bikes there too as Arellcat says. I don't recall any wheelie bins being stored there. The two sets of racks had roughly the same capacity each as far as I can recall.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Thanks all! So we know from past placements that there's space for 20 racks at the flag poles, 20 at the car park entrance, along with 15 under the overhang by main entrance and another ~8 to the RHS of the main doors. I'll drop the active travel department at the council a wee email and see if they can work with the Commonwealth to ensure that capacity is maximised.
Feels like one of those things that if they don't do it right first time it'll take another 10 years until they do it again...
https://twitter.com/Ed_Leisure/status/1546493989947408384 is where they confirm they're trying to source replacements.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The manager at the Commie informs me that the bike racks will start going back in soon. He was also open to the suggestion of a dropped kerb in the car park to make it easier to access the racks. I usually go for the one at the disabled spaces but that'd be a bit awkward if someone was actually getting in/out their car at the time. (Though 90% of people in those spaces don't have a blue badge and are just running late for kids swimming lessons and can't be bothered going to the lower car park).
Posted 1 year ago # -
@pringlis
I'm glad you had some meaningful interaction with the manager. Last time I wrote about bike access, I was fobbed off probably by some junior.
A dropped kerb is also really needed at the Northern corner of the pool to allow access to the pavement on Holyrood Pk Rd without entering the car park or crossing its entrance at all.
Red circle is where a dropped kerb is needed. Yellow dashed line is "family safe" cycling route to the Innocent, using the pavement of hostile Holyrood Pk Rd and the 2-stage pedestrian crossing
Posted 1 year ago # -
Can confirm that the replacement bike rack (10 spaces, 5 racks) is now in place as of Friday morning. It's a gold one, honouring Rebecca Adlington's achievements at P.E.
I think it was at Warrender before.
Anyway much more solid than the previous one.
Posted 1 year ago # -
2 new "toastracks" (of more solid construction) appeared recently. I had COVID at the end of September so haven't been swimming daily until recently so I don't know exactly when they appeared.
Nice enough racks. Pity they seem to have assembled and "secured" them with standard hex bolts and nuts rather than security fasteners (or welding the heads of the bolts to the rack). Hopefully they added some red Loctite but I doubt it.
Posted 1 year ago #
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