Category: GoBike

If you are cycling on the paths through Glasgow Parks, there is no speed limit, ie NO 5mph limit as once discussed, but there is need to be considerate of others.  We queried the existence of a speed limit on Friday 26 August with Councillor Martin McElroy, the city’s Cycling Commissioner and he forwarded this reply today, 31 August:

Subject: LESMLU 317391 = FW: Cycling in Glasgow Parks. Is there a speed limit?
MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF STEPHEN EGAN, PARKS OPERATIONS MANAGER  

Dear Councillor McElroy

I refer to your undernoted enquiry and I can advise that there is no speed limit within Parks.  
Cyclists must maintain reasonable control of the cycle and be considerate of other park users, 
especially taking into account that park users may not see or hear cyclists and may not be 
able to move quickly out of the way.  The Parks Management Rules signage is positioned at 
most of the entrances to the Park where Park users are encouraged to behave in a manner 
that does not impact on the enjoyment of parks for others and pay attention to advisory signs 
and notices.
I trust this information is of assistance, if you require any further information, please do not 
hesitate to contact my office.

Regards

Stephen Egan 
Parks Operations Manager 
Land and Environmental Service

GoBike has now confirmed its support for the campaign, “Get Glasgow Moving! Building a citywide Public Transport campaign”.  With a good, joined up public transport system the city will be a much pleasanter place for residents, visitors, cyclists and pedestrians – in fact, everybody.  See this Facebook page for details of a public meeting: https://www.facebook.com/events/225852114483359/

Further to Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement of a cash boost to the economy further to the Brexit vote, GoBike has written to Government ministers and other politicians to urge some of this spending to be on cycle infrastructure and we have followed this up with a Press Release.  The text is repeated below:

“We in GoBike, campaigning for good cycle infrastructure in Glasgow and surrounding areas were pleased to hear that the First Minister proposes a cash boost to the economy following the EU vote result.
We would be delighted, though, if the opportunity could be taken to improve our transport infrastructure, not only for the big projects, but by looking at the detail and smaller projects.
While we recognise that dualling the A9, improving the A83 and strengthening our rail network are vital in many ways, we know only too well that the Scottish Government and our Local Authorities will not achieve their target (or is it now just an aspiration?) of 10% of all journeys being by bike by 2020.
The opportunity should now be taken with any transport projects that are brought forward to enhance the walking and cycling experience.
How? By:

1. Ensuring good pedestrian and cycle facilities, ie dropped kerbs, cycle and walking lanes with every road scheme.

2. Installing good signage to walking and cycling routes.

3. Ensuring that all major roads have cycle lanes.

4. Ensuring that all cycle lanes have good lighting.

The opportunity should also be taken to bring forward the schemes currently with Sustrans under the Community Links and Community Links Plus, and those other cycling schemes that our local authorities are hoping to get budget funding for.

Why? These smaller projects will:

1. Give a boost to Local Authorities.

2. Encourage the use of local labour, rather than the big multi-national construction companies, thus allowing more apprentices etc to be employed and trained.

3. Help the Government reach its active travel target.

4. Get more of the population walking and cycling.

5. Reduce car use in our towns and cities, thus reducing pollution.

6. Improve the general health of the population and thus reduce our use of the NHS.

7. Enhance the environment in our towns, cities and rural areas.

8. Encourage tourism.

9. Give the people of Scotland a sense of well-being.

We know that the Scottish Government will be under pressure to get the big schemes going but our proposals will bring about a far wider spread of the spending rather than it being concentrated with a few large companies and it will bring about a far wider sense of benefit to the population of Scotland, by improving the urban environment.”

We were alerted to this new lane over the Clyde at Bridge Street and have corresponded with Glasgow City Council as to its purpose.  It is, apparently, to link the north side of the river with the new route on the south side.  Our correspondence with the City Council is here: Bridge St Aug 16  and an aerial view of the bridge before the widening and emphasis of this lane is here: Oxford Street Bridge St

Further details of this and our other campaigns may be seen on our Campaigns and Consultations page on our website.