Scotsman.com News: Cyclists call for missing links in the path chain – 3 October, 2006

Cyclists today called for better links between Edinburgh’s bike routes after a survey revealed more people would cycle to work if they could avoid busy roads. The study revealed that nearly one-third of non-cyclists would consider ditching the car or bus if there was a connected network of on-road and off-road routes throughout the Capital. The council today said it backed the measures, however it is thought likely to be some years before detailed plans for a continuous cycle network could be drawn up as no cash is currently available to fund improvements.

Although Edinburgh has a large number of cycle routes, they often come to an abrupt halt at key road junctions, forcing cyclists on to busy roads to continue their journeys. Lobby groups called on the council to fill the gaps between existing routes to help boost the number of commuter cyclists.

The Innocent Cycle Route from Duddingston and the cycle paths through the Meadows were highlighted as one example where better links would help cyclists. This would involve creating an on-road cycle lane, with crossings and signposts, from Pollock Halls to Buccleuch Street.

Other examples of “missing links” are between the end of the Roseburn Urban Wildlife Corridor and Haymarket Station, between Granton and Silverknowes on the Waterfront, from Portobello to Musselburgh and between Tollcross and the start of the Union Canal.

Plans are already in motion to reopen the Rodney Street tunnel at Canonmills to link the New Town with the north Edinburgh cycle network, avoiding a busy road junction, while up to seven bike paths are being considered close to the new Royal Infirmary.

The new survey was organised by the TryCycling in Edinburgh campaign, with more than 500 cyclists and non-cyclists interviewed. Co-ordinator Maggie Wynn said: “These results show that there are a lot of potential cycle commuters out there.

“Edinburgh already has a very good network of off-road paths and cycle lanes, but as our survey shows, these become a lot more attractive if there are proper links between them.”

Ian Maxwell, a member of the Spokes lobby group, added: “We have been working for nearly 30 years to promote cycling, and feel that now is the time that Edinburgh will become a cycling city.

“Cyclists can make a real contribution to traffic congestion, as well as improving fitness levels and helping stave off the effects of climate change.”

In the survey, which was carried out at public events over the summer, 30.5 per cent of non-cyclists said better links between existing cycle routes would be a significant incentive to travel to work by bike. Over a quarter of people said they would benefit from travelling with a trained guide to show them the best routes in the city.

There were also calls for more skills and safety training and more changing facilities at work- places.

More than one-third of non-cyclists said they would like to take up cycling to get fit, while 17.6 per cent said that using a bike was tempting because it was a cheaper means of transport, and 12.2 per cent wanted to help the environment more.

Among all respondents, there were calls for an increase in the number of cycle routes and more help with fixing bikes.

Councillor Ricky Henderson, the city’s transport leader, said the council had identified ten key objectives to improve cycling in Edinburgh.

These include better links to major employment areas such as the ERI and Edinburgh Park, more parking spaces for bikes, and more 20 miles-per-hour zones.

Cllr Henderson said: “Our priority is to provide a mix of transport options for travellers and improving facilities for cyclists is a key component of that, which is why ten cycling objectives have been identified in the new local transport strategy.”