Sunny Disposition

A bit more work done on the Sunbeam tonight... Another step to possible riding it on the Pedal on Parliament ride. We'll see. And a wee reminder of just why we need to do this.

A couple of days ago I remarked at a new, short, but useful bus lane on Melville Drive in the Meadows. This morning I realised that to accommodate the bus lane that side of the road has had to be widened a touch. Which means... On the opposite, westbound, lane, the bike lane has been removed.

So they've narrowed the lane AND taken away the token little white line protection the cyclists enjoyed there. Well done guys. No really. Moronity such as that takes a lot of thought.

It gets worse. This particular street is on the plans for the new 'Quality Bike Corridor' running from King's Buildings to George Square. Genius. There has been a suggestion that one of the paths in the park has actually been 'sort-of' made shared use and perhaps the intention is that this is used by cyclists. Perhaps, but heading west that means crossing two roads, sharing space with pedestrians who, until recently, will have thought cycling was not permitted there; and the cycle lane that has been done away with starts a little further on down the road, before you'd join from the shared use path.

It's insane. Model Cycling City aiming for 10% modal share by 2020 with a current rate of 1%... Yeah, taking AWAY facilities is going to work. For sure.

Add to that barriers going up on Leamington Lift Bridge, with cyclists dismount signs, and realise that this route is part of the National Cycle Network, and you get a real idea of just how important cycling is to this Edinburgh administration (though the Leamington Bridge palaver is down to British Waterways I guess). Quite a few of us have complained about Leamington and received notice that the new barriers are for safety so that people won't fall in when the bridge is raised.

Hmmm. When the bridge raises a klaxon sounds, a chain is strung across, and a man is standing pushing a button while a boat passes by. Do people seriously not see that? Well apparently some cyclists have almost wound up in the drink. Why they're not fencing off the rest of the canal is unclear. Anyway, they've said they're going to 'monitor' any conflict on the narrowed entry to the bridge. Conflict created because... they've narrowed the bridge.

I asked if they'd received any conflict complaints before now. It appears not. Sheesh.

AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! And relax.

Pedal on Parliament - we need you!