Crewe Road South
The protected cycleways have proved highly popular especially for access to the Western General Hospital and need to be retained along with the carriageways reduction at the Orchard Brae roundabout.
1. There is a significant build out towards the northern end of the road for a pedestrian crossing. Due to the reduced lane width, there is a gap in the cycle protection and cyclists have to merge with traffic. Alternative solutions are required, such as a cycle by-pass around the back of the crossing, so that cyclist protection for southbound cyclists can be continuous. Clearly such an intervention was outside of the scope of the “temporary measures” but should be implemented now.
2. The surface in the cycle lanes is very poor, and should be improved.
3. At Comely Bank Roundabout, the geometry of the roundabout should be physically changed so that drivers cannot use the desire-line and go straight across the hatching from eg Craigleith Road to Comely Bank Road. Recent observation is that the lane narrowing markings on the roundabout are being abused and having limited effect at traffic calming. Cyclists are also in danger of being overtaken on the roundabout and then “left-hooked” when drivers get back into the lane. A more effective intervention is required.
Ferry Road The protected cycle-ways on Ferry Road have been very welcome and they should be improved and made permanent.
1. Options for safe cycling, linking to other cycle routes, should be investigated at the junction with Inverleith Terrace and at the Ferry Road/Crewe Road South roundabout. This roundabout is a major deterrent to cycling in the area and came out with a high score in the Major Junctions Review. It poses a significant danger to cyclists.
2. Waiting by coaches should not be permitted, alternative waiting areas should be provided. Even if drop-off only is permitted, this brings the alternatives either of a large group of people exiting from the coach into the cycle lane, or, if the parking is
kerbside, forcing cyclists out into the main traffic lane outside of the coach. There are also many bus stops, causing similar problems for cycling. Consideration should be given to introducing floating bus-stops so that cyclists have continuous protection.
3. The cycleway surface is very poor and needs to be resurfaced in some places. Also, debris often builds up in the cycleway - more responsive cleaning should be provided.
West Shore Road and Marine Drive
Spokes welcomes the interventions on West Shore Road (WSR) and Marine Drive and would like to see further interventions and improvements. The new development on Marine Drive has provided an excellent off-road cycle path. West Shore Road is a very popular, mainly leisure, cycle route and needs further attention and a safe link to the existing off-road path on Lower Granton Road. More and more businesses are opening up on this road (WSR) and it is getting busier and busier and traffic at times includes large lorries and drivers often speed. One of our members wrote “I do cycle down West Shore Road, and I find it really challenging. I usually cycle with my kids on that road, and the cars, while there's not a lot, they pass fast and tight because of the road design. …. The pavement of the road itself is poor and I have had a flat tyre on this stretch of road - which was really stressful on my cargo bike! We had to lock it up and take a taxi home - there's no other option when my cargo bike goes down.” The footway surface is not a suitable alternative for children and is discontinuous. The original proposal had been for a protected cycleway, but this was not progressed. The closure at Gypsy Brae has helped to significantly reduce the traffic, especially from what it would have been given the extensive construction work on Marine Drive etc. 1. The segregated cycleway option should be re-investigated and will prove very popular with residents of the new developments, where some really excellent cycle infrastructure is being implemented. 2. In the short term, the council should proceed with the proposed introduction of a 20mph limit, supported by speed reduction infrastructure. Also, as mentioned in “Spokes response to the Spaces for People Consultation – West Shore Road 2 April 2021”, the barriers at the cycle feature that was introduced to enable access to the waterfront, need to be spaced further apart to make them more navigable by bike …
Bellevue to Canonmills & Broughton Street
The protected cycleways from Canonmills to Broughton Street have been very welcome and are being well used and should be improved and made permanent together with the footway extensions that have resulted in carriageway space reductions at junctions. Broughton St is a vital link and an important destination in its own right, and retaining the uphill protected cycleway is absolutely vital. for both purposes, particularly given that cyclists will be travelling relatively slowly compared to motor vehicles on this uphill stretch. Broughton Street is the least steep way of getting into the Centre from the North and is thus very attractive to cyclists.
We received the following from one of our members:
“I am writing in strong support of retaining the bike lanes along the Bellevue to Canonmills route. My wife and I recently purchased our flat on Rodney St. and its accessibility by bicycle was a central factor in our property purchase. I commute and travel every day by bicycle up this route, often several times per day, and would not feel safe doing so if I had to weave around parked cars, or did not have the safety of a divided lane. The route could still use improvement, but it is a huge step in the right direction. Beyond its personal value, I see how many, many people use the route, especially because it connects to the Goldenacre and Warrison paths. Even though cycle route 75 takes a different path, the steepness of the hill and the cobbles along Scotland St. make it very impractical (and almost impossible) to comfortably cycle. In effect, the Bellevue to Canonmills route is the true route connecting the northside active travel paths to the city centre, and hopefully soon to the exciting George St. and Meadows to George St. developments.”
Firstly, we will cover issues mainly concerned with the southbound (uphill) cycleway).
1. We are concerned that cycle defenders have been removed
#BroughtonStreet
#Bellevue
#CreweRoad
#FerryRoad
#WestShoreRoad
#MarineRoad
👍 Thanks if *you* sent us your thoughts on our draft #ETRO submission
🚲 Final version--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...
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![video by @wingpig.bsky.social in hours of darkness, showing severely narrowed path between temporary fence & metal lamp-post [measured by spokes as 77cm]
The precision with which the widest part of the obstruction had been aligned with a lamp-post is striking; it's almost like they want everyone to slip over on the grass.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2ood4k4wojq5jku2zl3myqco/bafkreiflisny2vkdafpunsx7ol7to6jiyun6ldpwcfqifhhxojy2wox7je)
