GoBike

Wondering what to buy as a Christmas present, for yourself or a friend?  Why not a Go Bike t-shirt?  They are selling out but we still have some left, though not in extra large; they are all gone.

Price:£10, sizes “lady fit” medium and large, “regular fit” small, medium and large.  Available from The Bike Station, Kelvinhaugh Street or Rig, 141 West Regent Street, both in Glasgow

 

Glasgow City Council’s reply to our objection to their proposals: motor traffic reigns supreme!

MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDREW BROWN, PROJECTS MANAGER, LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Dear Ms Fort

I refer to your letter dated 17^th November 2014 regarding the Anderston to Finnieston cycle route enhancements which are currently being implemented and are scheduled to be completed in March/April 2015.

I thank you for your comments on the proposals, which will be considered as the project progresses and would respond to each point as follows:

Section 1: Work has commenced on the first section of the path between Little Street and Port Street, which is now resurfaced and only minor snagging works still to be undertaken.  The second section, which will extend to Finnieston Street and include some localised widening works will commence in the New Year.

Section 2: The existing pedestrian crossings across the Expressway on and off ramps will be upgraded to Toucan crossings, improving the facilities for Cyclists travelling north / south.  In addition a new Toucan crossing is being provided across Finnieston Street allowing access to the Exhibition Centre via a remote path and the enclosed access bridge.  This new crossing will utilise an enlarged island whilst maintaining a staggered crossing to ensure it conforms to current design standards.

Section 3: It is appreciated that the gyratory is not ideal for cyclists. However, any major changes to the wider carriageway layout which might facilitate a more wholesale enhancement are not financially deliverable at this time. Observation suggests that southbound cyclists use the carriageway – this is unlikely to change. The re-determination of the east footway will allow northbound cyclists following the existing bus lane to bypass the gyratory, legitimising present practice in an informal manor. A contra-flow lane was considered but could not be accommodated without significant impact on traffic accessing the SECC complex. The alternative option to follow the east footway will accommodate the less experienced cyclist. Obstructions created by street furniture are noted but are, by and large, not able to be improved at reasonable cost.

Section 4:  Widening of the path at the Garden Inn was considered but unfortunately the detrimental impact on general traffic movements into the SECC ruled out this option. Whilst wider proposals for this section are still in development and landownership is being investigated to establish what is available to ensure cyclists have a safe and desirable route, the advertising sign will be relocated to a wider section of path where it will not cause significant disruption.

I trust the above is of assistance, however, should you have any further queries, please contact Ciaran Buchanan on 0141 287 9443.

Andrew Brown

Projects Manager

Land and Environmental Services

(MLU ID 274126)

 

Andrew Montague, ex-Lord Mayor of Dublin, gave an excellent opening presentation at the Cycling Scotland Conference at the Velodrome in Glasgow on Friday 14 November.  He spoke about the cycle hire scheme in Dublin, which has gone from success to success and the factors relevant in making the scheme a success included:

• Andrew stuck to his guns, even in the face of strident criticism from a radio chat show host, who features on several slides, holding his hands up in horror.  This compares favourably with Councillor Alistair Watson of Glasgow City Council, Executive Member for Sustainability and Transport, who said recently that he still feels the pain from introducing bus lanes in the city 11 years ago!
• Reduced speed limits.
• HGVs diverted away from the city centre; a tunnel was constructed from the port to facilitate this.
• No requirement for helmets; take-up in Dublin far exceeded that in Melbourne, Australia, a similar sized city, where helmets are compulsory.
• Price; charges are relatively low.
• Target market: Dubliners not tourists.
• Hire stations relatively close together.

Glasgow and other Scottish cities could learn from this; it was a shame our leading councillors were not there.

 

Next Sunday’s ride is out via Barrhead via Pollok Park and exploring bits of Paisley.  Not too far, and let’s hope the weather is like today has been.  See here for further details.

 

 

This notice has been up on West End Cycles, Chancellor Street (off Byres Road), Glasgow since at least Thursday (27th).  Best wishes to George for a speedy recovery, so that we can get this excellent wee shop open again!

The Fred MacAuley show on Radio Scotland today, 10:30, presented by Sanjeev Kohli, will feature Go Bike’s very own Peter Hayman talking about cycling in parks.  We gained the right to cycle in Glasgow’s parks some time ago; we don’t want that to be jeopardised.  Listen to Peter promoting happy cycling, about 20 minutes in.

 

Go Bike has responded to GCC’s request to review their proposals to standardise the operation times of all bus lanes in the city, with 3 options: peak time only, 7am to 7pm or 24/7.  The latter is our preferred option.  The proposals and our response may be seen here on the website.  Please add your voice and give your views and preferences as requested in the GCC proposals; it is important that the views of cyclists are heard – as well as the powerful bus, taxi and private car lobbies!

 

Glasgow City Council propose to “enhance” the cycle routes in the area from Anderston to the SECC.  While these proposals include some welcome upgrades, Go Bike objects to the proposal to use the footway on the east side of Finnieston Street as a shared pedestrian and cycle path – it is only 2m wide in places and their proposals do little to improve the cycle route past the Hilton Garden Hotel.  You can see the proposals and the Go Bike letter, which is also copied to the councillors for the area here. Please write in to the Council and/or to your councillors if you have concerns about the proposals.

 

The flagship cycle route connecting Central Station with Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow hasn’t been open long and look what’s happening on Elderslie Street, between Houldsworth Street and St Vincent Street.  Yes, there’s a road coming out of the new flats and it’s now going right across the segregated cycle route!  Who will have priority here?  Was this done in conjunction with the cycling staff in the council?  Why wasn’t it done at the same time as the cycle route?  Why was this construction allowed?  Go Bike has today written to the councillors for the area, Anderston/City, to make them aware.  If you use this route you might also like to drop them a line.

At the SNP conference in Perth on Friday the proposal to adopt the principle of Presumed Liability was rejected, see the Herald of Saturday 15 November.  This is particularly disappointing since Go Bike is a supporter of Road Share and we had an excellent presentation from Brenda Mitchell of the campaign at our AGM on Wednesday 12 November.  If you are a member of the SNP please raise this topic at your next Branch Meeting, or if you are not, please write to your councillors and MSPs, of any and every party to support the campaign.