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Cycling Science (@CyclingScience1)
02/04/2013 09:15
Cyclists should avoid polluted routes. Well well, it's our fault for choosing to breathe traffic fumes.
http://ow.ly/jEywR #cycling
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CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
"Cyclists should avoid polluted routes"
(18 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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They needed a study to determine this?
Posted 12 years ago # -
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Thirty-five healthy adults ... each completed two return trips of their typical route (HIGH) and a pre-determined altered route of lower interaction with motorised traffic (LOW; determined by the proportion of on-road cycle paths).
"I wonder which way that proportion of on-road cycle paths counted? The QBC has quite a high proportion of on-road cycle paths and a high rate of interaction with motorised traffic. By contrast my quiet QBC-avoiding route has no on-road cycle paths at all and has much less motorised traffic.
The actual study itself seems to be a Queensland state secret so I don't suppose I'll ever know.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I cycle along the nat cycle route through Barnton and Silverknowles avoiding the A90 and its traffic. On Sunday we parked at the Quality Street junction and walked along the A90 and into the Corstophen woodland paths from the A90. I really noticed the stench of veh output as we walked along the main road path!! Just shows how much cr*p cars and vans pump out! I noticed a couple of nice bungalows for sale, but having to live on that stretch of road would not be my idea of a nice place to be!
Posted 12 years ago # -
We struck off any house on a significant through road from our search. The availability of WoL / canal featured highly in our relocation as I often find myself right beside bus exhausts all the way through town. Not good.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I use the Cramond > Queensferry Road route into town and it is a terribly polluted stretch.
I have a recurring rhinitis condition resulting in fatigue and i can't work out if its caused by this.
It seems counter intuitive that the studies show that motorists and their passengers suffer more from emissions pollution than cyclists or peds.
Posted 12 years ago # -
It seems counter intuitive that the studies show that motorists and their passengers suffer more from emissions pollution than cyclists or peds.
Something to do with air intakes in cars being at just the right height to suck fumes into the car in order to poison its occupants...
Posted 12 years ago # -
"It seems counter intuitive that the studies show that motorists and their passengers suffer more from emissions pollution than cyclists or peds."
That's something that has been around for ages. Particulates get into the car and get trapped leading to a greater concentration than particulates floating about in the air.
Posted 12 years ago # -
o_0 why don't you use the cycle path from Silverknowes? I don't take any main route in except the short stretch along the A90 by Craigies, which is open and have plenty of fresh air blowing past (and don't I know it - its Bbbbbaltic!!)
Alternatively (and yes slightly longer) you could cycle the Prom to the Cement works and then along the sea front to the cycle path at the Trinity Cres entrance? Obviously I don't know your work location so can't offer anything more direct.
Posted 12 years ago # -
why don't you use the cycle path from Silverknowes?
Ach i do sometimes if i'm stressed and want to switch off a bit, however on a day in day out basis it just takes too long.
I prefer to proceed at pace, and for a variety of reasons you just can't do that on dog walker paths.
Particulates get into the car and get trapped leading to a greater concentration
I don't doubt the truth of it, especially as it reaffirms my chosen transport mode. Just seems counter intuitive.
I suppose that on the road, its not specifically the hazardous particles that a cyclist is choking on, per se... that would account for why motorists presumably don't notice it.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Ach i do sometimes if i'm stressed and want to switch off a bit, however on a day in day out basis it just takes too long.
Well I ride on it around 08:20 and its not so busy that I have to crawl across. If you click on the expand map button, you can trace the progress line on the graph below and also wee my speed down there.
Posted 12 years ago # -
It's no wonder people stay out of your way on the path if you're weeing along there...
Posted 12 years ago # -
I slow down for old dears, like yourself Anth ;o)
and I wait until I get to work before taking a comfort break.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@DaveC
On the way in, that's a surprisingly lengthy diversion you take after Craigleith. You must have a lot of patience.
If i'm dawdling along on the NEPN dog path, I come off there and onto Queensferry Road proper and over Dean Bridge into town.
Mind you i'm heading up Johnston Terrace, not over yonder.
Strava looks like a lot of fun but i'm staying well clear, don't trust myself with that..
Posted 12 years ago # -
In summer I sometimes come off at Craigleith and do the same as you but I don't like it from Dean bridge in as its too crowded with Taxis bombing around and George St is crazy (even after they resurfaced it!)
I don't mind the commute as cycling along quiet paths is great, I can just wizz along and let my mind wonder. If you thought that detour was long you should see this one:
http://app.strava.com/activities/40090577
In the summer I plan to ride the forth on the way home Fridays, heading out to Kincardine bridge along the south side and then over the bridge and home via Culross.
These two are a ride home from Staggs pub in Mussleburgh (forgot to get the ride out)
http://app.strava.com/activities/25986935
and our usual once a week summer evening rides to the Pentlands.
Posted 12 years ago # -
On the way in, that's a surprisingly lengthy diversion you take after Craigleith.
No traffic lights though. I'd be surprised if it made any real difference overall. Comely Bank/Stockbridge which is more direct, is horrible. It is what I would do.
I have a route where I can either go straight through town 3 miles and 23 minutes if I am lucky with the traffic lights - or along the NEPN 5.8 miles and 28 minutes. For the sake of a max 5 minute extra I get a stress free ride.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Agree with that point about direct routes vs. routes with less lights. Some sets of lights can add 2 or 3 minutes each on to your journey if you hit them wrong (i'm thinking of 2 sets in particular on Broomhouse Path). Then there are stretches like Dundee Street with a whole series of lights on them that if you hit them wrong and get a red at each you really get slowed.
Quite often the snail route proves to be much quicker, you go at a slower rolling average speed but end up keeping on goign while you would otherwise be stuck at the lights.
Crossing Gorgie Road at Ford's Road is adding extra minutes to my journey at the moment caused by roadworks and the pedestrian crossing being disabled.
Posted 12 years ago # -
good point, i completely forgot about all the traffic lights.
it is still 30 mins faster for me to commute via main roads, as long as i stay around 18mph the phasing works out ok between Cramond and Dean Bridge, but after that, all bets are off
Posted 12 years ago #
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