Different feel compared to other segregated routes

A test ride by reporter Alastair Dalton on Monday highlighted the different feel of the route to cycle on compared to other segregated routes in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, which seemed safer thanks to more substantial protection from other traffic, such as fencing on York Place.

Bollards on other sections also prevent the lanes being blocked by delivery vans and other vehicles. Such features provided an experience more akin to cycling in a European city than in Scotland.

Cyclists’ priority when passing side roads is emphasised with pavements being extended across the junctions, which motorists have to drive over to get on and off the main road. Dedicated traffic lights have also been provided for cyclists at many junctions which provide further reassurance.

However, the route was confusing to follow in a few places, such as

it turns from Manor Place into Melville Street beside St Mary’s Cathedral, because the material used is the same type as the pavement. The city council said it had used slabs for the cycleway on either side of the cathedral “in response to the special status of these areas as part of the setting of this Category A listed building and major local landmark”, but it would be monitoring “how well these sections work”.

But the biggest issue is the gap in the scheme in George Street. The council said it had not repainted the faded markings on the street’s cycle lanes because “George Street is a separate project, [so] changes like these aren’t within scope for this contract”.

A council spokesperson said the George Street section of CCWEL “will follow once designs and legal processes have been completed”.