Drowned Bike

Global Warming? Climate Change? The on-line weather forecast for Edinburgh today was for STRONG winds. The reality is dank calmness with winter showers. It usually rains at this time of year. The Meadows (photo) usually gets waterlogged. The cyclepath is lower than the surrounding land in places so it gets flooded.

So cyclists stray onto the pedestrian path (it’s dangerous cycling to through puddles – especially on uneven, perhaps potholed, surfaces).

A City trying to encourage walking and cycling really should spend more time and money on its off-road infrastructure.

Perhaps the newly created Services for Communities department will make a difference.

Half Price Drinks

OK it’s only tea and coffee, OK it’s only Saturdays (until 10th Feb), OK it’s only 10 – 11am – but it is the Engine Shed.

That’s at 19 St Leonard’s Lane – home of great ‘home made’ wholesome food at good prices – try the Brownies. Only downside is that there is still no bike parking (but they are working on it).

Then it’s a short trip to the Innocent Tunnel and the off-road route to Joppa. Unfortunately at the moment entry is not as easy as it’s been in recent years.

One section of the Council has padlocked the gates shut without consulting the sections that deal with Sustainable Transport and the disability access issues. The move is as a result of nearby residents’ problems with vandalism. Though as few of the vandals are likely to coming through the tunnel in motor vehicles this seems a strange reaction. There is also concern about some cyclists speeding through a residential area that has no pavements.

(It’s still possible to cycle through the ‘cycle gap’ – but is causing a ‘rush hour’ bottleneck!)

Next week’s ‘site meeting’ should be interesting!