I live in Midlothian, about half an hour from my work in the centre of edinburgh. I was thinking on my way home that if i could leave my bike somewhere secure i could drive to the outskirts then cycle the rest of the way. I'm sure people already do this, but with bike racks on the car. i think that there should be some secure bike parking, maybe at the various park and rides, for overnight bike storage, maybe with helmet lockers too. Anyone think they would use that?
kester
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
An idea. about park and ride for bikes.
(9 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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I'm not massively familiar with many Parks and Rides but at least three (Straiton, Sherrifhall and Ingliston) might all be considered fairly cycle-unfriendly with regard to the route a cycle would have to take to escape from them and head into town. The Ingliston one sort of has the A8 cycle path available but the other two head straight onto roundabouts which might deter not-already-reasonably-confident cyclists.
Are many cars left in them overnight? Are cars allowed to be left in them overnight? Is there any human presence, either during the day or overnight? Is there any security other than a lonely CCTV camera or two atop a pole?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sheriffhall would be okay as it's inside the bypass already, so you're actually onto the A7 into town straight away. There is, technically, a cycle lane alongside the road.
If I lived outside the city I'd consider it. I used to (years back) drive to and park at Cameron Toll when I lived near Dalkeith (it was before the days of the P&R), did exactly as you mentioned, drive with the bike on the roof every day.
I think, naturally, P&R sites are geared around people getting on the bus - doesn't take a huge leap to put some secure bike parking in place. I guess th eother problem is that they are remote locations, and in the dead of night some ne'erdowell would have plenty of time and opportunity to go a'robbin'.
Posted 12 years ago # -
The Ferry Toll P&R has bike lockers, don't remember seeing any at either Ingliston or Straiton though.
Posted 12 years ago # -
The one at Hermiston would be useful.
Just off the bypass and M8 'stenshun with a traffic free route to the canal and onwards to the Gyle and the city beyond.
Has covered and open bike racks and CCTV.<edit>
Oh, forgot to add "and a chance to see soliton waves on the Scott Russell too!"Posted 12 years ago # -
I was thinking some sort of building, possibly manned or just with lots of cameras. there are places in holland by railway stations where you give you bike to the man and pay him and he gives you a ticket etc. but a secure building with racks in it would be good and maybe if you signed your bike in and out with the man, maybe that's too much work for the council.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I used to drive to the park and ride at Ingliston with the bike and cycle from there. Worked well but I couldn't see me leaving the bike there even if there was "secure" parking. It only takes a second to chuck it on the back of the car and take it home where I can use it if I want to or fix anything that needs fixed or just know that it's in the garage not getting robbed.
And if I had to pay a man then I'd be doubly less likely to leave it since I can park it in a secure lock-up in the presence of a man at home (i.e. me) for nothing.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'm sure people already do this, but with bike racks on the car
Yeah, that's what I do. I drive to the nursery with the roadie on the roof, leave the car outside said nursery after depositing child, and cycle to/from work from there. I can't think of a single place that would be my definition of "secure" to leave a bike overnight on the outskirts of Edinburgh, I'm afraid.
Posted 12 years ago # -
The Dutch have 'park & ride' sites with covered (but not particularly secure) parking for bikes (you can also get buses from there, or arrange a ride share). I think they just use rubbish bikes for the purpose of leaving them places like that - apparently you can get an old clunker 'stadfiets' (station bike) for about €10.
For a nice bike you'd want something like Popup bikes maybe?
Posted 12 years ago #
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