Leith Walk cycle path plans ‘shambolic’ say Edinburgh campaigners

Leith walk is >30 metres wide for much of its length. Only room for painted lines (on pavement). This needs political direction - forget sustrans, they are a branch of government, paid when they support don't-rock-the-boat projects. If they were in Holland in the 70s, they would not be supporting that famous Stop The Child Murders campaign, too controversial.

Sustrans do leisure cycling routes, not commuter routes, and that with mixed results. By their own admission you should not attempt a Systrans route on anything less than a touring bike or a MTB and I have frequently found their routes unsuitable for a touring bike. They are the wrong group to consult on Leith Walk.

Sustrans would do a much better job if John Lauder actually bothered to read the Charter of Brussels, it doesn't say anything specifically about "commuting trips". It says very clearly:
Undersigned cities commit themselves:
a)
To set a target of at least 15% for the share of cycling in the modal split of trips for the year 2020 and of further growth if this target already is achieved.

Sadly the first consultation I attended on Leith Walk a Sustrans staff member said that it was not Sustrans policy to build Dutch style separated, suitable for all cyclists for 8 to 80 on roads such as Leith Walk. I look forward to the day that Sustrans commit themselves to providing cycle infrastructure on atrial routes in Edinburgh for everyone, not just for adult vernacular cyclists. Only them will Edinburgh have any chance of "15% for the share of cycling in the modal split of trips".

The frustrating thing is that Sustrans can do it, they do have the staff with the skills to do it, they just lack will to do it.

A local cycle path has exactly that, cyclists give way at junctions. But who to? Left turners? That's going to be fun spotting them. Emerging traffic that has to give way to those on the main carriageway? Right turners that give way to oncoming traffic?
It's bedlam and makes no sense whatsoever, fortunately car drivers seem unaware they are there. Though I bet if they T-Bone a cyclist that'll be the defence.

The quicker the lessons learnt in Drachten and Bohmte are learnt and applied the better.

There's no point in creating a cycle lane if bikes have to give way at every side road. Cycles need to have the same priority as other vehicles at junctions. When building infrastructure for bikes, planners should remember that what they build must be safe and CONVENIENT - otherwise it won't be used.

It's disappointing to see Sustrans backing crap infrastructure.

I think that particular rule has been scored out of most motorists copies of the Highway Code mrmo. Have yet to experience a motorist giving way to me once I've started to cross a side street.

The interesting thing about the give way at side roads.

letdown again - but the council can at least say its spent XX million quid on cycling infrastructure and we should all be happy and grateful.

here in inverness most cycle lanes are just upgraded paths to "shared use" and you have to stop and give way to anything and everything that would cross a pavement, making the commute to work utter STUPID on them.

Sustrans is only fit for "leisure" and "family" cycling. It has no part to play when it comes to roads and transport.

Sustrans volunteers stopped me on the cs3 a month or so back whilst trying to sign up new members...really had to restrain myself from telling the truth of while I'll never join them (they were friendly enough) and so I politly said no and rode on...maybe the wrong decision. They ain't got a clue.

Giving way to emerging traffic? Reminds me of this video from a few years ago - Chris Boardman talking through some typical cycle lane brilliance. Not far from where I grew up and where my parents now live, as it goes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyd_KGUh10g

Sustrans are blithering idiots. They have no clue how to build safe cycling infrastructure.