Scotsman.com: Bikes beat the rush in commuter challenge – 25 September, 2006

Cyclists emerged victorious in a battle to find the quickest way to travel into Edinburgh city centre. A “commuter challenge” was staged in the city to find the fastest way to get to work, with bikes winning three of the four races.

The seven-mile journey from Ingliston was won by former Commonwealth Games rider Andy Matheson, who made the trip in just 19 minutes. A more “average cyclist” reached Castle Street in 36 minutes, behind the park-and-ride express bus service from Ingliston and a motorist.

But cyclists did emerge genuinely victorious in two of the contests – from Newcraighall and the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary – while the motorbike proved quickest from Ocean Terminal. The slowest journey was a train trip from Newcraighall to Edinburgh, but a cancelled service – due to a report of slippery tracks – delayed the participant by half an hour.

The event – to mark European Mobility Week – was supported by a number of organisations, with prizes presented by Green Lothians MSP Robin Harper for the fastest, cheapest and most carbon efficient trip. All participants in Friday’s challenge had to follow the highway code and other regulations, so car drivers observed the speed limit and parked legally, while public transport users bought a ticket, and cyclists could only use roads or recognised cycle routes.

Ian Maxwell, a member of the Spokes cycling lobby group that helped organise the event, said: “The challenge shows some of the reasons why public transport and cycling are better choices for commuter journeys in Edinburgh. On my own journey to work, I don’t cycle fast, but I get there just as fast as the bus. I just wish that some of those drivers waiting in the traffic queues every morning would escape from their cars and join me.”

He added: “The challenge showed the advantage of having an express busway. Buses from the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Ocean Terminal were delayed by the very traffic that they were trying to reduce. If tram lines are built in Edinburgh they will offer even faster and more reliable journey times.”

Despite concerns over congestion in Edinburgh, and a perceived lack of city centre parking spaces, the commuters travelling by car were never the slowest. The motorist even took joint first place in the trip from Newcraighall, if the efforts of another faster-than-average cyclist are overlooked.

Councillor Ricky Henderson, the city’s transport leader, said: “This was a really worthwhile event which illustrates that there are many transport options available for those coming to work in the city centre. “The results of the challenge were very interesting and show that driving in central Edinburgh during the morning rush is not as problematic as many people may think – what’s more, there are parking spaces available for people looking to leave their car in town and go on to their final destination on foot.”

With the exception of the journey from Ingliston, buses fared poorly in the challenge. However, on top of all the stops along the way, the total travel time included waiting at a bus stop and a short walk to the final destination. Ian Craig, Lothian Buses’ managing director, said: “The challenge reinforces the importance of priority measures to ensure that people choosing to travel by bus are moved effectively and efficiently as possible.”

But Bruce Young, Lothian co-ordinator for the Association of British Drivers, said: “Were multi-occupancy cars permitted to use bus lanes, cars would have a better timing without restricting the bus times to any extent. “These results are despite the council’s anti-car strategy.

Given an enlightened council, they could be vastly improved without disadvantaging bus traffic.” Awards were handed to Andy Matheson for his cycle ride from Ingliston as the fastest journey. Bus passenger Graham Anderson received the prize for cheapest journey at just £1 from Ingliston, or 14p a mile, while the car driver on this journey paid £2.45 based on AA calculations for an average vehicle.

All the cyclists were awarded prizes for generating the least carbon dioxide. Mr Harper said: “The result of this competition should encourage all those people who still drive to the office to get out of their cars and give the bike a go.”

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