Hello, I've just moved to Ed. from London and am keen to keep up the cycle commuting. Are there any tips for crossing the Forth Bridge twice a day? My first dry run on a weekend seemed scary with side winds strong. Also how often does the bridge close to cyclists (for wind etc)? Is there a quick place to check in the morning to make certain the bridge is open to cycling? I'm in Dalgety Bay, cycling on a touring bicycle with one large panier (that prob caught the wind). Also going into winter, what tyres? I'm on Marthon Schwalbe Plus. Your thoughts welcome.
(Interesting reading about the route options, no way as a woman am I going on some slow dark path. Agree that keeping up speed is crucial for commuting, also if going through dodgy bits of town!). Rgds, Ankara
A90 cycling restrictions
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fuzzytnth3
Re:A90 cycling restrictions
Re Anarka's question about crossing the bridge. As far as I know the Forth Bridge only annouce if the bridge is closed to cycles via Radio Forth but to be honest they aren't that good about mentioning cycles. They tend to announce if motor bikes and high sided vehicles are banned but forget to mention if bicycles are or are not.
What I do is refer to this web-site
http://www.xcweather.co.uk/ if the wind speed is above 40 to 50mph or gusting strongly then I will get the train.
For some waffle I wrote awhile back on commuting using the A90 check this out http://tinyurl.com/77djj
I've pretty much settled on the route using the A8 now with sometimes when I have a bit of time to spare on the way back to Fife I will use the A71 as it's a bit quieter but a longer route.
I've given up on the Sustrans route after the first week as I nearly hit a "Ninja" jogger dressed in black from head to toe and had another cyclist coming the other way fall off on the narrow path next to the A90 as we tried to pass each.
What I do is refer to this web-site
http://www.xcweather.co.uk/ if the wind speed is above 40 to 50mph or gusting strongly then I will get the train.
For some waffle I wrote awhile back on commuting using the A90 check this out http://tinyurl.com/77djj
I've pretty much settled on the route using the A8 now with sometimes when I have a bit of time to spare on the way back to Fife I will use the A71 as it's a bit quieter but a longer route.
I've given up on the Sustrans route after the first week as I nearly hit a "Ninja" jogger dressed in black from head to toe and had another cyclist coming the other way fall off on the narrow path next to the A90 as we tried to pass each.
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fuzzytnth3
Re:A90 cycling restrictions
Apologies Ankara for spelling your name wrong but there doesn't seem to be away to edit a post after it's been submited unlike other messageboards I've used.
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fuzzytnth3
Re:A90 cycling restrictions
Here's what the CEC Cycling Officer wrote in reply to an e-mail to the Council
Dear Mr Mair
I refer to your recent email regarding the cycle and pedestrian prohibition on a section of the A90 which has been passed to me for response.
The prohibition is a result of safety concerns following a number of fatal accidents on the A90. The presence of slip roads, dual carriageway status and national speed limit results in a motorway type environment that is considered unsuitable for safe cycling or walking conditions. This is particularly so during the hours of darkness. There is, in addition, the extension to the M9 from just north of Kirkliston to the A90. This will introduce a further hindrance to the safe passage of cyclists, as new slip roads are to be introduced as part of that scheme. An alternative to the A90 for cyclists and pedestrians has already been provided following the National Cycle Network Route 1 from the Forth Road Bridge through Queensferry and Dalmeny to Burnshot.
The prohibition has been discussed at length with groups representing cyclists and was reported to the Executive of the Council in 2004 for its decision. Following the statutory advertisement of the proposal, several objections were received but, for the reasons given above, the report recommended that these objections be repelled and the prohibition order made as advertised. The Executive supported this position and approved the report.
It is accepted that the alternative route may be of a lesser standard than that which would be normally accepted in an urban environment and that the alternative route is also slightly longer and slower than the A90. However, taking into account the relatively low numbers of cyclists and pedestrians using the route, the rural location, the particular restrictions of the area and the unsuitability of the A90 itself, it is considered that this route is acceptable as an alternative. I would add that signs have been erected to indicate the alternative route between the Forth Road Bridge and Edinburgh.
I would also advise that some years ago my staff proposed a parallel cycle track within the neighbouring land as part of a bus priority and road upgrading scheme. However, the cost of the overall scheme proved to be unacceptable and so a reduced scheme was introduced. At the same time, the existing path alongside the A90 was upgraded to a more acceptable standard. In response to a number of concerns expressed by cyclists, the Council is now actively seeking funding to create a new link on the south-west side of the A90 between Burnshot and Dolphington interchanges, opposite the narrowest section of existing track. At this stage I cannot guarantee that funding will be forthcoming but I am optimistic that it will be seen as an important issue to be tackled.
I would state quite clearly that this proposal does not represent a change in the Council’s commitment to invest in and promote cycling and walking as alternatives to motor vehicle transport in the City. The prohibition was not introduced lightly but you will appreciate that the Council has a responsibility for the safety of all road users and there are certain locations where cycling is not considered to be a suitable mode for the prevailing traffic conditions.
If you wish to discuss this matter more fully then please contact me on 0131 469 3606.
Yours sincerely
Matthew Simpson
Accessible Transport
(Tel 0131 469 3606)
Dear Mr Mair
I refer to your recent email regarding the cycle and pedestrian prohibition on a section of the A90 which has been passed to me for response.
The prohibition is a result of safety concerns following a number of fatal accidents on the A90. The presence of slip roads, dual carriageway status and national speed limit results in a motorway type environment that is considered unsuitable for safe cycling or walking conditions. This is particularly so during the hours of darkness. There is, in addition, the extension to the M9 from just north of Kirkliston to the A90. This will introduce a further hindrance to the safe passage of cyclists, as new slip roads are to be introduced as part of that scheme. An alternative to the A90 for cyclists and pedestrians has already been provided following the National Cycle Network Route 1 from the Forth Road Bridge through Queensferry and Dalmeny to Burnshot.
The prohibition has been discussed at length with groups representing cyclists and was reported to the Executive of the Council in 2004 for its decision. Following the statutory advertisement of the proposal, several objections were received but, for the reasons given above, the report recommended that these objections be repelled and the prohibition order made as advertised. The Executive supported this position and approved the report.
It is accepted that the alternative route may be of a lesser standard than that which would be normally accepted in an urban environment and that the alternative route is also slightly longer and slower than the A90. However, taking into account the relatively low numbers of cyclists and pedestrians using the route, the rural location, the particular restrictions of the area and the unsuitability of the A90 itself, it is considered that this route is acceptable as an alternative. I would add that signs have been erected to indicate the alternative route between the Forth Road Bridge and Edinburgh.
I would also advise that some years ago my staff proposed a parallel cycle track within the neighbouring land as part of a bus priority and road upgrading scheme. However, the cost of the overall scheme proved to be unacceptable and so a reduced scheme was introduced. At the same time, the existing path alongside the A90 was upgraded to a more acceptable standard. In response to a number of concerns expressed by cyclists, the Council is now actively seeking funding to create a new link on the south-west side of the A90 between Burnshot and Dolphington interchanges, opposite the narrowest section of existing track. At this stage I cannot guarantee that funding will be forthcoming but I am optimistic that it will be seen as an important issue to be tackled.
I would state quite clearly that this proposal does not represent a change in the Council’s commitment to invest in and promote cycling and walking as alternatives to motor vehicle transport in the City. The prohibition was not introduced lightly but you will appreciate that the Council has a responsibility for the safety of all road users and there are certain locations where cycling is not considered to be a suitable mode for the prevailing traffic conditions.
If you wish to discuss this matter more fully then please contact me on 0131 469 3606.
Yours sincerely
Matthew Simpson
Accessible Transport
(Tel 0131 469 3606)
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A H B
Re:A90 cycling restrictions
But then motorists could ge cyclists banned from any road simply by driving badly enough:
The problem is a motorway speed limit on a non- motorway road: so lower the speed limit to 60mph, enforce it,fix any bad junctions (slip roads) and hold drivers responsible.
A cycling officer should be insisting upon this!!
The problem is a motorway speed limit on a non- motorway road: so lower the speed limit to 60mph, enforce it,fix any bad junctions (slip roads) and hold drivers responsible.
A cycling officer should be insisting upon this!!
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troywinters
Re:A90 cycling restrictions
I suppose the council has the modern drivers attitude that obstructions should get out of their way so they can drive faster than they can stop in the distance they can see to be clear, whether cyclist, horse, child or fallen tree. No, this whole situation is just a symptom of the bigger issue. that of personal responsibilty to others and sharing the world with others instead of what Freud would refer to as anally retentive egocentric attitude that too many people now have. ultimately you either share it all or lose it all.