GoBike member, Peter, was out and about in the city centre this week and has sent in these disturbing pictures:

It’s not clear what the purpose is of these closed off lanes. Are they just for pedestrian overspill or meant to be cycle lanes; or both? This bit on St Vincent Street didn’t seem accessible or much use and yet this is a busy street and needs a cycle lane.

Ah, perhaps this is what the barriers are for – for drivers to adjust them to suit their parking requirements?

Ah, it’s much easier to move the traffic cones, as has been done here on Hope Street near the junction with Renfrew Street.

Is this a cycle lane or pedestrian overspill – allowing for when the pub on this corner of George Square opens soon?

And just looking down Queen Street from the previous picture, more “parking places” protected by cones.

On the other side of George Square, just how does one cycle up North Hanover Street? Why’s our lane blocked off?

And look, the promised ability, as per the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order that GoBike commented on, to cycle in front of City Chambers and around the square has been stopped. Why?

This looks good: is it a new cycle lane to help residents and visitors alike to cycle away from Central Station down Union Street and on to their destination? Let’s hope so!

Oh no, it’s just an elongated taxi rank with what looks like a bit of private motor parking thrown in. Och well, we’ll just have to keep braving the buses and taxis.

As if all that wasn’t enough, what about the on-off cycle lane on Dumbreck Road? Some of you might have seen this failure to provide a competent bit of infrastructure as reported by the Evening Times and Road.cc.

Initially created as a coned trial lane, when the cones first disappeared a week ago (and the paint remained) Glasgow City Council told us that the cones would be reinstated, but one week on, they are now saying that they won’t be reinstating the cones “for the safety of all users”!! Clearly not the safety of road users on bikes!

It has also emerged that the way the council have removed this section of the lane goes against agreed policy.

Our council have declared a climate emergency and should be working to transport hierarchy principles, creating a safe network for active travel. Removing protected cycle lanes that have used spend and resource time is not that. Glasgow city council must redesign this lane safely and do it now.

And they try to tell us that painted lines on our roads make for safe cycling?

We know it’s a difficult time but surely the life of people walking and cycling should not be put at risk in this way. Could Glasgow City Council please make it clear where people may go, whether they are walking, cycling or driving?

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Scottish Government, Climate Change Plan — Climate change and you consultation , closes 29 April
2. North Lanarkshire, Proposed New Road, Airdrie, online consultation, closes 30 April

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. No news is no news from Glasgow City Council?
2. Notes for consultations of the future

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Hutchesontown (New Gorbals), Parking Controls, GoBike submission

Section 1: Current Consultations

1.1 **NEW** Scottish Government, Climate Change Plan — Climate change and you consultation , closes 29 April

Transform Scotland brought this one to our attention and we are sure many of you out there will wish to let the Scottish Government know your views on this important topic!

Here’s the information from the Transform Scotland website:

“The Scottish Parliament is scrutinising the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan. Part of the Plan is about behaviour change, and the Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform Committee is looking for ideas relating to what people would be willing to do to reduce their own emissions and what the Scottish Government should be doing to support these changes.

On the Scottish Parliament consultation website, you can submit your idea, support other ideas, and take part in the debate.”

Please do go to this website, login and approve or disapprove all the suggestions that are already there. It’s clear that the motor lobby has been out in force: one respondent even said that cycling is just for people who have all day to get somewhere!

1.2 North Lanarkshire, Proposed New Road, Airdrie, online consultation, closes 30 April

This was first covered in Digest 56, but in Digest 57, Item 1.3 we gave you the details of the online consultation that is currently open. The link to all the consultation information is here. Here’s the paper form that may be used instead of completing the survey questionnaire on line and you may see quite clearly from Question 2 that the whole thrust of the consultation exercise is towards the people who currently drive:

“2. If you were to travel in the direction of Cumbernauld or Motherwell / M74 how would you usually get there?

Use the A73 / local roads (please continue to question 3)

Use the motorway network (please go to question 5)“

The more roads there are, the more traffic there will be on them. This truth has been clear since the 1960s when the major motorway construction programme began in Britain. Once the current Covid 19 crisis is over, all steps possible should be taken to ensure that motor traffic levels do NOT return to previous levels. The current clean air and lack of pollution should teach us that, if nothing else.

If you live, work or travel within the Airdrie area, we suggest that you complete the survey questionnaire.

Here’s the GoBike letter of opposition to the proposals.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 No news is no news from Glasgow City Council?

Almost nothing has been heard from Glasgow City Council, or any other council, over the last 3-4 weeks and on Thursday last week GoBike phoned GCC, hoping to speak to one of the Section Heads who manages consultations that are issued to us. The call was transferred to a support worker, working from home, who informed us that our request for a brief update on the current state of affairs would be passed on and a return phone call made. That return call has not yet been received. However, the support worker did give the impression that consultations are on hold just now. Wonder what they are all doing?

2.2 Notes for consultations of the future

You might have been staying at home to improve your cycling skills but, if you have been getting out and about you will have noticed that the roads are quieter, but there are some speed merchants out there in their cars and vans. Unfortunately far too many people are still too worried about motor traffic and are cycling on roadside footways / pavements to get their daily exercise.

This clearly demonstrates that we need good quality cycling infrastructure, and not cycle lanes such as these, photographed recently in the east of the city:

Regular readers will be aware of GoBike’s concern about speed cushions and their widespread use in the city, pushing anyone who chooses to cycle either into the gutter our out into the traffic. Here’s a scary photo that GoBike member, Calum M, sent in of speed cushion avoidance near his home.

It is seeing this poor infrastructure that encourages GoBike to campaign and we need your help. If you are not at home competing with the hamster do please take note of the (normally) busy roads where there is inadequate, or no, cycling infrastructure, so that when the Local Authorities are back in action, we can all redouble our efforts to make Glasgow and all the surrounding areas an efficient and happy place to cycle.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Hutchesontown (New Gorbals), Parking Controls, GoBike submission

This preliminary consultation, to assess residents’ views, closed yesterday, 13 April and GoBike submitted a response, using the form that was published online.

GoBike is pleased that, should the proposals be carried through, commuter car parking is to be addressed in this area, delighted that on 9 streets, which are to be made one-way to motor traffic, two-way, ie with flow and contraflow cycling will be allowed, but we do have one concern, which relates to displacement. Last year, GoBike supported parking restrictions for the Laurieston area, to the west of the Gorbals, so displaced commuters can’t move there. Unfortunately, there already appears to be some commuter parking in Glasgow Green and around the Barras, so we hope the City Council will prevent any further moves by commuters to leave their cars all day north of the Clyde.

There will be 2 further stages in this consultation:

1. The Stage One, limited and not for public release, consultation, in which GoBike is now included.
2. The Stage Two Public Consultation when any necessary Traffic Management/Regulation Orders are published in the press and which we will bring you through these Digests.

Hopefully, we will have a wee bit of news for you in a fortnight but, whatever happens with consultations, do try to stay safe.

The three TROs (found here for Hillhead and for Byres Road) relating specifically to parking restrictions and the reduction of the speed limit to 20mph. Both of these changes will allow for safer walking and cycling along Byres Road and will make the area a far nicer place to be. We do have some concerns with the specifics of the designs we see in the plans and are working at pushing the council to improve these, but it’s important to state that these TROs relate not to the designs, but to the particular points of parking and speed limit only.

If you do have a moment please drop an email of support in to HillheadTRO@glasgow.gov.uk , ByresRoadTRO@glasgow.gov.uk and ByresRoad20mph@glasgow.gov.uk respectively. Your own words would be preferable but you could state something along the following lines:

Dear Byres Road TRO Team ( ByresRoadTRO@glasgow.gov.uk )
The Glasgow City Council (Byres Road) (Traffic Management and Parking Controls) Order 20_
I would like to add my support to the proposed changes to the parking restrictions outlined in the above TRO. A reduction in parking will allow Byres Road to be a more pleasant place to be. We are pleased to see provision included for disabled parking and believe the changes will further encourage people who can, to use active travel and public transport to access the area.

Dear Byres Road 20mph Team ( ByresRoad20mph@glasgow.gov.uk )
The Glasgow City Council (Byres Road) (20MPH Speed Limit Zone) Order 20_
I would like to add my support to the proposed changes to the speed limit outlined in the above TRO. A reduction to 20mph will make Byres Road a more pleasant place to be, and safer for people walking and travelling by bicycle and car.

Dear Hillhead TRO Team ( HillheadTRO@glasgow.gov.uk )
The Glasgow City Council (Hillhead) (Traffic Management and Parking Controls) Order 20__
I would like to add my support to the proposed changes to the parking restrictions outlined in the above TRO. A reduction in parking will allow Byres Road to be a more pleasant place to be. We are pleased to see provision included for disabled parking and believe the changes will further encourage people who can, to use active travel and public transport to access the area.
However, we are concerned that there is the option for households to apply for a second parking permit. In a city that is trying to reduce the use of private cars, one permit per household, particularly in an area well-served by public transport, is plenty.
We also consider that the cost of parking, at 80p per hour, is far too low, not just here but across the city, and should be more in line with the cost of a return bus fare.

If you want to help further spread the word to increase support, one of our members Jo from Space for People Byres Road has made a print at home handlebars flier pdf. If you’re around the West End and fancy printing off a couple of sheets, these can be easily cut up (cut into strips and then half way up along the dotted lines on either end) and placed on other bikes you see parked up.

https://www.gobike.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Byres-Road_handbar-flyers_v2.pdf

Thanks folks – let’s hope we are nearly on the road to success for a better Byres Road for EVERYBODY.

Consultation on both the 20mph proposed speed limit and the waiting and loading regulations, which includes the uphill painted cycle lanes, close today so there is just time, if you haven’t done so already, to sign our petition:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/make-university-avenue-safe-for-cyclinghttps://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/make-university-avenue-safe-for-cycling

Here are the 2 letters that GoBike has submitted this morning:

20mph proposal which we support, and the waiting and loading proposals to which we object most strongly since they do not make cycling safer.

There’s still time to get your views in, by email to land@glasgow.gov.uk but only do this after you have signed the petition!

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, B759, Cathkin Road, 30mph Speed Limit Regulation Order, closes 21 May
2. University of Glasgow Campus Development Public Engagement Meeting 28 May
3. **NEW** Glasgow, (School Streets, Glasgow) (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) (Experimental Traffic Regulation) Order 201_ , closes 29 May
4. Glasgow Climate Change Survey, closes 31 May
5. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Council, Order – West Chapelton Avenue & Crescent, Bearsden – No Waiting & No Loading Restrictions, closes 03 June
6. **NEW** Glasgow, Laurieston Phase 2 20mph Speed Limit Order 20__, closes 07
   June
7. **NEW** Glasgow, Laurieston Phase 2 Traffic Regulation Order 20__ , Waiting and Loading, closes 07 June
8. **NEW** Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls, Order 201_ , closes 07 June
9. **NEW** Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, 20mph Speed Limit Zone, Order 201_
10. “URGENT – Don’t let the Tories sabotage this!” Workplace Parking Levy, request from John Finnie MSP, with no closing date but do please act SOON

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Active travel friendly streets, Glasgow southside (and many other places) – we wish!
2. East Renfrewshire, Improvements for Safer Cycling on Ayr Road – hopefully

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow/South Lanarkshire, Toryglen survey – Urban Roots reply to the GoBike response
2. Experience the Hitachi Class 385 Event – 8 May 2019
3. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside updates, 08 May and 16 May
4. Glasgow, Heathcot Avenue, Drumchapel, Traffic Regulation Order, one way.
5. Glasgow, “Quiet Way”, Langside to Muirend
6. Bottle Deposit Scheme approved

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for response

1.1 Glasgow, B759, Cathkin Road, 30mph Speed Limit Regulation Order, closes 21 May

This first featured in our previous issue, Digest 33, Item 1.5 and the proposal is to reduce the speed limit to 30mph since housing is going to be constructed in this pleasant, open countryside.
The documents issued with the Order are: Advert, Plan, Statement of Reasons and Report.
This is one that GoBike will be supporting and we suggest that if you cycle along here or are thinking of buying a house here that you also add your voice of support.

1.2 University of Glasgow Campus Development Public Engagement Meeting 28 May

Lots of news further down about Glasgow University and University Avenue, but here’s an email that a GoBike member sent on to us and that we eventually also had come in direct:

“From: Nicholas Wade <Nick.Wade@glasgow.ac.uk>
Date: 13 May 2019 at 16:18:50 BST
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject:Campus Development – public engagement meeting – 28 MAY 2019

RE: UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MEETING – 28 MAY 2019

Dear neighbour, 

The University will host its next public engagement meeting on the evening of 28 May to allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about our Campus Development Programme.
As you will be aware these meetings take place every six months, with the last one being held in November.

The event will be held in the Wolfson Medical Building (Yudowitz Seminar Room 1) on University Avenue, from 18:00 – 20:00.

It will offer the chance to hear more about recent progress on the site of the former Western Infirmary site, as well as the James McCune Smith Learning Hub and public spaces around campus.

We will also keep you informed with regards to key work upcoming over the next few months.
The event will feature presentations from the University’s project managers as well as the main contractors on the programme, Multiplex.

We anticipate covering the following subjects, however there will be opportunity to ask questions.

• Current and upcoming work on buildings under development;
• Infrastructure update, including upcoming demolition work on the former Western Infirmary site;
• Work currently taking place on roads, including University Place and University Avenue.

Please arrive ready for a 18:00 start, refreshments (teas and coffees) will be available.

Tickets are not required for this event, however we do ask people to register via Eventbrite in advance, so we have an idea of numbers.

If you have questions, or would like to discuss any aspect of the Campus Development, please do not hesitate to get in touch via campus-development@glasgow.ac.uk

Regards,

Ann Allen MBE
Executive Director of Estates
University of Glasgow”

So that’s an invitation that might be hard to refuse! Since apparently, meetings are held every 6 months, one wonders why GoBike has found it so hard to get information about what has been going on.

1.3 **NEW** Glasgow, (School Streets, Glasgow) (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) (Experimental Traffic Regulation) Order 201_ , closes 29 May

It’s very sad that such measures are needed, but far too many people drive their children to school and park inconsiderately and dangerously. To address this, to reduce pollution at school gates and to encourage children to get a bit of exercise, Glasgow City Council have introduced this experimental Order. Yes, it’s currently limited to only six schools out of all those in the city but as a pilot, it’s a start. Let’s hope that it’s a success.

Here’s the email that we got from the City Council on 07 May:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (SCHOOL STREETS, GLASGOW) (PROHIBITION OF MOTOR VEHICLES) (EXPERIMENTAL TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and detailed report.
Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro. 
As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to saferparking@glasgow.gov.uk by 29^th May 2019.

Yours faithfully,” etc

This is the most positive thing we have seen coming out of the “Safer Parking” group at the City Council and we’ll be supporting it, but will certainly be asking why it’s so little and why it’s taken so long. Here are the documents that were issued with the proposal: Advert, Draft Report, Statement of Reasons, Plan 1, Bankhead, Plan 2, Broomhill, Plan 3, Hillhead, Plan 4, Lourdes, Plan 5, Our Lady of the Rosary and Plan 6, St Blane’s

Here’s a link to the reasoning behind the scheme from the Council’s website:
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/schoolcarfreezones

Do please write in to let Andy Waddell know your views, particularly if you live near one of these schools, travel past one of them or your child/children attends one of them.

1.4 Glasgow Climate Change Survey, closes 31 May

We introduced this survey in Digest 32, Item 1.6, with suggestions for completion from Extinction Rebellion, in Digest 33, Item 1.6 again, we gave you a few further suggestions but now you have had time to mull over the Connectivity Commission’s report, so there’s plenty to go on. Do please complete the survey.

1.5 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Council, Order – West Chapelton Avenue & Crescent, Bearsden – No Waiting & No Loading Restrictions, closes 03 June

We received this message from East Dunbartonshire Council on 01 May:

“Dear Patricia
PROPOSED: The East Dunbartonshire Council (West Chapelton Avenue and West Chapelton Crescent, Bearsden) (No Waiting and No Loading at Any Time Restrictions) Order.
The Council is promoting the above mentioned Traffic Regulation Order. Attached is a copy of the draft Order and plans together with a copy of the Notice which is to appear in either the edition of the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald which is published on 3 May 2019. Should you wish to comment on the proposal you must do so in writing by Monday, 3 June 2019. Your comments should be sent to Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ. Also included is a copy of the maps in relation to the previous Orders which is to amended. The Traffic Regulations Order itself is a large document and the maps represent what is contained in the Order. A full copy of the Order that is to be amended can be provided if requested.
Fiona Stirling
Legal Services
East Dunbartonshire Council Headquarters
Southbank Marina 12 Strathkelvin Place Kirkintilloch G66 1TJ”

These are the two documents that were attached: Traffic Order and Plans

This is one that we will be supporting since roads are primarily for the passage of road traffic, and parked vehicles cause a hazard for people cycling or trying to cross the road. If you know the area well and have any comments do let us know, please.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow, Laurieston Phase 2 20mph Speed Limit Order 20__, closes 07 June

You might have noticed that Laurieston is being redeveloped and the housing Phase 2 construction is now under way. Although we only hear whispers of cycling provision, there is, of course, room to have a car in the area. Oh, do motor vehicles go too fast for comfort? The City Council is proposing yet another 20mph zone. Why is it always so piecemeal (and only very rarely enforced)? Here’s the email that we received on 10 May:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (Laurieston Phase 2) (20mph Speed Limit) Order 20__
The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and detailed report.
Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro
As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 07 June 2019.
Yours Faithfully, etc”

The attachments that were sent are: Press Notice/Advert, Statement of Reasons, Draft Report and Plan

GoBike will be supporting this proposal – we just wish the City Council had fully enacted GoBike member, Bob Downie’s petition to the City Council in 2015 to have 20mph as the default speed limit in the city.

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow, Laurieston Phase 2 Traffic Regulation Order 20__ , Waiting and Loading, closes 07 June

In conjunction with the previous item, Glasgow City Council is actively planning for an increase in traffic in Laurieston! Yes, some of the new residents might actually need a car, but overall, with proper active travel planning, with walkways and cycleways and local amenities such as schools and shops, this increase should be negligible. We received this email from the City Council on 13 May:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS,
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (Laurieston Phase 2) (Traffic Regulation) Order 20__
The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and detailed report.

Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 
As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 07 June 2019.
Yours faithfully,” etc

The documents attached are these: Press Notice, Map/Plan, Statement of Reasons and Report
GoBike will be supporting this proposal but we will be adding our concerns at this failure to actively plan to reduce motor traffic and pollution. Where’s the Climate Emergency when you need it??

1.8 **NEW** Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls, Order 201_ , closes 07 June

And in the second double act of this Digest we have, at last, some consultation on University Avenue It’s all been done behind closed doors up to now, but here’s the first TRO email we received from Glasgow City Council on 09 May:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS,
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND UNIVERSITY PLACE)
(TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROLS) ORDER 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant plan (drawing 5230-001), statement of reasons and detailed report.

A copy of the draft order, the plan, statement of reasons and report for proposing to make the order are available for inspection at the following locations:

Reception, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX
Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8AP
Details of the proposals for the traffic regulation and parking controls will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, House, Glasgow City Council, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 7^th June 2019.

Yours faithfully” etc

The documents referred to are the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant plan (drawing 5230-001), statement of reasons and detailed report.

As you might well be aware by now, we are not happy with the proposals for the painted cycle lanes that do not prevent parking and we propose to object. The “Colleges Cycle Route”, from the city centre to Jordanhill, once lauded as a premier cycle facility in Glasgow is being downgraded with these proposals. In these days of an accepted Climate Emergency, painted cycle routes everywhere should be upgraded to separated, not downgraded. We are asking other organisations to also object to this TRO.

Please also sign our 38 degrees petition that has just been launched!

1.9 **NEW** Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, 20mph Speed Limit Zone, Order 201_, closes 07 June

Here we have yet another piecemeal approach to reducing traffic speeds in Glasgow but it’s one that we will of course, support, and hope that it is enforced.

This is the email that we received from the City Council on 09 May:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS,
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND UNIVERSITY PLACE)
(20MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONE) ORDER 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant plan (drawing 5230-002), statement of reasons and detailed report.

A copy of the draft order, the plan, statement of reasons and report for proposing to make the order are available for inspection at the following locations:
Reception, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX
Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8AP

Details of the 20mph speed limit zone proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, House, Glasgow City Council, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 7^th June 2019.

Yours faithfully” etc

The documents referred to are: the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant plan (drawing 5230-002), statement of reasons and detailed report.

Please do add your voice of support to this speed limit reduction.

1.10 “URGENT – Don’t let the Tories sabotage this!” Workplace Parking Levy, request from John Finnie MSP, with no closing date but do please act SOON

Here’s a message, received 16 May, sent to people who have expressed support for actions proposed/supported by the Scottish Green Party, from John Finnie, MSP. It’s a short, easy survey, so do please respond to help get some of these cars off our streets.

_{Don’t let theTories bury the parking levy}

“Dear ,

A Committee of MSPs are asking for views on the workplace parking levy and whether it could help cut congestion and fight climate change.

_{Please respond and show your support!}

Councils in England have the power to introduce workplace parking levies to help transform cities. Nottingham has done exactly that, raising millions of pounds for public transport, reducing congestion and slashing emissions.

We’re facing a climate emergency, and 2,500 people die every year as a result of toxic air pollution, so it would be great if Scotland’s Councils had the same power, right?

_{Respond now}

That’s why the Greens secured a commitment from the Scottish Government to give Councils this power as part of our Budget deal last year. This is a policy that could be used by our biggest cities to tackle air pollution and climate change, and Edinburgh have already said they’d like to use the power. Incredibly, however, the Tories, Lib Dems and Labour ganged up and threw the toys out of the pram. They say they get climate change, but at the whiff of political advantage they drop their principles.

A Committee in the Scottish Parliament have now launched a short online survey asking for public views on the proposal. Already the Tories are all over it, desperately trying to whip up hysteria and opposition to this modest policy that will only help in the fight against climate change.

Please help us restore balance and reason to this debate and show your support for the policy now. It takes just a minute, and your response will make all the difference.

Yours
JohnFinnieMSP

Respond to the consultation now”

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Active travel friendly streets, Glasgow southside (and many other places) – we wish!

On Sunday 05 May Andy Preece led the monthly GoBike ride out via Pollokshields, Queen’s Park and the “Langside to Muirend” Quiet Way (see Item 3.5 below) before heading off to East Kilbride and other parts of South Lanarkshire. En route we went along streets, such as the one shown above, that were effectively linear car parks. With cars parked just about bumper to bumper, with hardly space for a fire engine to get through, nowhere for children to play, very narrow footways and no sign of cycle contraflow, these streets are far from being “Living Streets”. Let’s hope, for the sake of us all that we get meaningful consultation to make such streets active travel friendly.

2.2 East Renfrewshire, Improvements for Safer Cycling on Ayr Road – hopefully

Hope you didn’t miss all the fun and excitement of Pedal on Parliament 25 – 27th April? One of the events was the Ayr Road hill climb race, where cars parked in the painted cycle lane were fliered with mock parking tickets.

There was then an exchange of emails between GoBike and East Renfrewshire council with a promising outcome:

“From: Convenor [mailto:convenor@gobike.org] Sent: 27 April 2019 18:59
To: *Roads <*roads@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk>
Cc: Convenor <convenor@gobike.org>; <consultations@gobike.org>
Subject: Improvements for Safer Cycling on Ayr Road

Dear East Ren Roads Dept,

You may be aware of a cycling protest that happened on Ayr Road on Saturday as a part of a weekend of Pedal on Parliament events.

https://www.gobike.org/east-renfrewshire-protest-was-just-the-ticket-8333

We flyered cars with the attached leaflet in an attempt to highlight the dangers that parking in the advisory lanes on Ayr Road cause to people on bikes. To help ease the problem we would like to ask East Renfrewshire council to make the cycle lanes physically segregated or at the very least to consider changing the status of the lanes to mandatory in order to allow for parking enforcement, and that the double yellow lines stretch the ful length of the road. Currently the double yellow lines painted on short sections of the road are actually leading to more parking as they appear to suggest to drivers that sections without double yellows are OK to park in. We were disappointed to see the removal of the previous Urban Clearway status of the lanes and have noticed a sharp increase in the incidence of parking on the lanes since then. Our ideal, which we would also ask you consider, would be to see physical segregation for the lanes which would create an even better level of safety for people cycling and would allow for many people who don’t currently want to cycle due to road danger, the option of choosing active travel.

We would also like to highlight the issue of the layout of the painted cycle lane at the junction of Davieland Road. Currently the design encourages people travelling north (downhill) to remain on the far left of the road even if travelling straight on. This creates increased risk of left hook collisions. We would like to see the road markings changed to encourage people on bikes to the right of left turning vehicles when heading straight on.

The cycle lanes that exist on Ayr Road are the one almost safe haven for cycling that there is in East Renfrewshire. Although they are only painted lanes they are a good width in comparison to other cycle lanes in Glasgow, and are used by a large number of people on bikes. We would like to see East Ren Council show greater support for active travel and consider our improvement proposals.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you.

Iona”

Here’s the supportive reply from East Renfrewshire’s Green Network Project Officer:

Dear Iona,
Thank you very much for your email dated 27 April 2019 highlighting cycling safety concerns along Ayr Road.

I have spoken to our Transportation Coordinator and we recognise the issues raised through the recent protest and note the points in your correspondence below.

Although there are no immediate changes proposed, East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) are currently progressing a Sustrans Community Links PLUS (CL+) application in order to secure funding and commitment for protected cycling provision and improved public realm along the A77 road corridor. Unfortunately we are unsure whether these proposals will be supported by Sustrans and/or the ERC Environment Department, however I hope to be in a position to update you by July/August 2019.

Should we be unsuccessful in our CL+ proposal we will endeavour to explore alternative options, such as those highlighted in your email below, to improve the cycling experience and support active travel along the A77 corridor.
Many thanks for your representations on the matter.
Kind regards

John Shelton
Green Network Project Officer”

If you live in East Ren or cycle along the Ayr Road, please do write in to John and /or your Councillors to support the GoBike proposals.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow/South Lanarkshire, Toryglen survey – Urban Roots reply to the GoBike response

In Digest 33, Item 1.1, we reported on the Urban Roots proposals for North Toryglen and included the letter of support we sent. We were delighted to get this prompt response: ” This is great, much appreciated! Best wishes Gemma “

Let’s hope they can bring it to fruition.

3.2 Experience the Hitachi Class 385 Event – 8 May 2019

Through Glasgow City Council’s Active Travel Forum, GoBike were invited to Lanark on 08 May to view the new trains being operated by ScotRail and about to be introduced on the route out to Lanark. These trains are already operating on other routes, including the Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk line, so some of you may have seen them already, but Tricia and George went along to see the space available for bikes. It’s more than some of the older units but not as much as the Class 380s that have been operating on the lines down to the Ayr coast.

3.3 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside updates, 08 May and 16 May

Those of you who have been to the Connecting Woodside events might well be receiving these updates direct but here’s the latest, issued on 08 May.

And here’s the link, sent out on 16 May, to a series of Canal Workshops , with a photo of new art work being completed by the woman sorting her equipment to the left of the mural. The photo was taken on Saturday 11 May during the Bromptonites tour of street art in North-West Glasgow.
The 2 hour workshops were held on 14 May, with 2 more to be held on 18 and 21 May.

3.4 Glasgow, Heathcot Avenue, Drumchapel, Traffic Regulation Order, one way.

The consultation on the change from two way to one way for Heathcot Avenue featured in Digest 29, Item 1.2 and you might remember that we consider that the default of two way cycling should be permitted here. That, yet again, is not Glasgow City Council’s view. Here’s their email of 10 May:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (HEATHCOT AVENUE), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

I refer to your objection to the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your objection was reported and considered. However, the Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal as advertised. 

This Order will:

• Improve road safety by removing potential driving conflicts, and associated reversing manoeuvres, through implementing a single directional flow of traffic.
• Improve road and pedestrian safety by prohibiting vehicles from parking at obstructive or inconsiderate locations.
• Improve pedestrian safety by increasing visibility at pedestrian crossing points.

The Order was made on 10 May 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 13 May 2019 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.
The earliest date the parking controls will come into force will be 24 June 2019.

I realise that this may not be the outcome you wished for, however Glasgow City Council’s Local Transport Strategy includes a high level objective within Improving Road Safety.
Should you require any further information on the above named Order please contact my assistant (details removed)

Yours sincerely” etc

Thus it becomes increasingly clear that the inclusion of active travel measures, particularly the maintenance and improvement of permeability for cycling, is not one that is routinely considered in traffic schemes within the City Council. This is yet another opportunity lost to get people out on their bikes.

3.5 Glasgow, “Quiet Way”, Langside to Muirend

Some years ago GoBike members and others who attended the Glasgow Cycle Forum were invited to view and comment on a proposal for a “quiet way” to link Langside to Muirend. On the GoBike ride of 05 May we had the opportunity to experience this “quiet way”. What is it, you might well be asking? It’s the painted white line cycle lanes that run along Langside Drive from near Langside Railway Station and, annoyingly, stop 100 metres or so short of Muirend Railway Station, ie just where the road narrows as it goes over the railway bridge, and where a cycle lane (protected) is needest most. And guess what? Cars are sometimes parked on the cycle lanes! So come on Glasgow City Council – you can do better to get people cycling.

3.6 Bottle Deposit Scheme approved

Some good news to end on. You will have heard from the media that the bottle deposit scheme has been approved. So that’s more cash for the weans and fewer punctures for us as bottles are returned, rather than discarded. Here’s the BBC link and this is a link to the results of the public consultation – hope many of you responded?

That’s a bumper bundle for you to peruse and hopefully get tapping on your keyboard to respond. All being well, your next Digest will be with you on Tuesday 28 May.

It’s crunch time for University Avenue, and we would like to ask for your help. Current plans for the redesign of this key arterial street do not include protected space for cycling and we simply cannot allow for the plans to go through unresisted. It would be a tragedy for the future of a safe linked up network of direct cycling routes in our city if University Avenue does not make space for protected cycling – for the staff and students who travel to the University, for the commuters who use the direct route to pass through, for parents taking their children to school or to the park, and for everyone who would like to chose to cycle but won’t, because sharing road space with heavier and faster moving vehicles stops them.

We have been asking both Glasgow City Council and the University of Glasgow over the last six months to alter plans to include segregated cycle lanes. We have been met with stubborn resistance from both, with repeated assertions that painted lines on the road will make things “safer for cycling” and even stating that paint is segregation. If you’ve not been following the story, we’ve been keeping developments updated on our website here.

** Sign and share our petition. **

With the release of the TRO’s for the changes to the road, we now have an opportunity to have our objections heard.

You can help in three ways.

1. Object to the TRO. We will detail our objections below and you’d be welcome to use any of those grounds in your own objection. You can email your letter of objection to Andy Waddell at Glasgow City Council here or send it by post to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX. The deadline for objections is Friday 7 June 2019 and please note that you are asked to include your name and address.

2. Add your name to our petition.

3. Share this request for help with your friends and local organisations who support active travel and wish for a cleaner, healthier environment in the face of climate change.

A TRO is a Temporary Traffic Order, which changes the legal status of speed, parking, loading, and crucially, cycle lanes, within a road. As we know, the consultations on the designs around the University of Glasgow campus redevelopment had failed to detail the design for cycling on University Avenue itself, or to actively include active travel organisations within their consultations. But with the TRO, we now have an opportunity to object to the plans, while keeping our objection related to the points laid out. The more of us who object, the harder it will be for Glasgow City Council to overrule the objections.

Both TRO’s can be found here. We will be writing to support the change of the speed limit to 20mph, but will be objecting to the second TRO named ((UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND UNIVERSITY PLACE) (TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROLS) ORDER 201_). We’ve uploaded the four relevant documents for you here – draft report / plan / advert / statement of reasons. The proposed restrictions are:

• No Waiting No Loading / Unloading at any time on University Avenue and University Place (as per drawing 5230-001)  
• Prohibition of driving in a with-flow cycle lane on University Avenue (as per drawing 5230-001)  
• Disabled vehicle parking places for disabled badge holders only on University Place (as per drawing 5230-001)  
• Car Club vehicle parking place for car club vehicles only on University Place (as per drawing 5230- 001)  
• Electric Vehicle parking places for electric vehicles only on University Place (as per drawing 5230

While on the face of it changing the status of the cycle lanes from advisory to mandatory (meaning that legally, traffic “cannot drive” in the lanes) might appear to be an improvement, we simply don’t believe that this will change anything. We know that University Avenue is already dangerous, and painted lanes have been proven to make dangerous close passes more likely. We have shown that the current double yellow and advisory status of the lanes does nothing to stop people dropping off, loading, or even parking in the cycle lanes. We are repeatedly told by Glasgow City Council that resources are too scarce for effective traffic enforcement elsewhere in the city so the minor legal status change here will change nothing in the real world.

So we are going to object to the TRO on the following grounds:

• The painted cycle lanes are dangerous.

Painted cycle lanes are dangerous for people cycling on University Avenue. Research has shown that painted cycle lanes legitimise dangerous close passes of people cycling, this situation being made worse by the minimal cycle lane width adopted within the plans. Research published in the Accident Analysis and Prevention journal shows that marked on-road cycle lanes and parked cars reduce the distance that motorists provide when passing cyclists. In situations where the cyclist is in a painted cycle lane, the motorist has a clear lane ahead and not use the safe overtaking manoeuvre that requires crossing the central reservation. As a result there is less of a conscious requirement for drivers to provide additional passing distance. Physical protection is required for people cycling, the full length of University Avenue, on both sides of the road.

• The design of the painted cycle lanes within the TRO makes cycling even more dangerous.

The design of the painted cycle lanes within the TRO, which disappear at bus stops, crossings, and at the tops of the hill, put people cycling in even greater danger. No provision has been made at these points for the safe continued passage of people on bikes, who will be forced into the stream of moving motorised traffic. Continuous physical protection is required for people cycling, the full length of University Avenue, on both sides of the road.

• Painted cycle lanes on University Avenue do not prevent waiting, loading or parking.

Painted cycle lanes will fail to address well documented issues with stopping and parking within cycle lanes on University Avenue, due to lack of resources for parking enforcement cited regularly from Glasgow City Council. This will continue to put people cycling in danger, who will be expected to weave in and out of traffic streams to avoid stopped vehicles. Segregated cycle lanes on both sides of the road would prevent illegal parking without the need for enforcement.

• The plans are in contravention of the Transport Hierarchy.

Painted cycle lanes within a redevelopment of a road as proposed for University Avenue directly contravenes the Sustainable Travel Hierarchy (National Transport Strategy 2016 pg 26) recognised by Glasgow City Council, by failing to provide safe space within the road environment for people cycling. Within these plans, people on bikes are expected to share the carriageway with no physical protection from motor vehicles. Painted cycle lanes are proposed for only half of the road, and the 1.5m width of the cycle lane is below the 2m desirable width stated within the design recommendations of Cycling by Design (pg 51). To provide a safe environment for anyone who wishes to cycle, physical protection is required for people cycling on both sides of the road along the full length of University Avenue.

• The plans fail to recognise Climate Change Emergency status.

The TRO fails to recognise the Climate Change Emergency status declared by University of Glasgow and recognised by Glasgow City Council, with the creation of the Climate Emergency Working Group. Glasgow City Council have refused to discourage current volumes of motor traffic to make space for protected cycling and improve air quality on the street. GoBike have shown that making the street one-way for motor vehicles would allow for protected space for cycling on both sides of the road as well as an improved pedestrian environment.

• The plans fail to recognise the Colleges Cycling Route status of University Avenue.

The TRO fails to recognise the Colleges Cycling Route status of University Avenue by neglecting to provide safe physical protection for people cycling on both sides of the road. To provide a safe environment for anyone who wishes to cycle, physical protection is required for people cycling on both sides of the road along the full length of University Avenue.

• The plans fail to recognise recommendations made within the Connectivity Commission Report.

The TRO fails to recognise recommendations made within the Connectivity Commission Report which mandates for ‘the completion of a network of safe, high quality, segregated cycling arterial routes connecting the city centre to suburbs and peripheral neighbourhoods’. University Avenue is a direct arterial route used by people commuting into the city centre as well as by staff and students travelling to the university campus. While secondary routes through the campus may be being considered, provision for safe cycling needs to be primarily on direct routes. To uphold the report recommendations, this section requires segregation on both sides for cycling.

• Double yellow lines with kerb marked lines are not legally compatible with mandatory cycle lanes.

The TRO stipulation ‘No Waiting No Loading / Unloading’, as mandated by the double yellow and kerb marked lines marked on drawing 5230-001, is not compatible with the mandatory cycle lanes also marked on the drawing. Double yellow lines allow for dropping off (‘you may stop while passengers board or alight’ Highway Code Rule 238 – Road Markings), which is contrary to rules for solid white line marked cycle lanes which mandate that ‘you MUST NOT DRIVE’ (Highway Code Rule 140). Double red lines should be used instead, which mandate ‘no stopping at any time’ (Highway Code Rule 238 – Road Markings).

• The TRO drawing is inconsistent with other approved planning drawings.

The TRO drawing 5230-001 is inconsistent with approved planning drawings relating to work currently underway at the University of Glasgow’s Learning and Teaching Hub site, ref 16/01467/DC. Drawing LTH-HLM-00-00-DR-A-5002 shows a disabled drop-off lay-by that has not been reflected in the TRO drawing 5230-001. This is also referenced within the Supporting Planning Statement which state that “A vehicle drop off facility will also be provided on University Avenue”. Should this approved lay-by be implemented, the TRO proposals would cause safety issues whether it’s access traverses the bus stop, or it encourages driving across the ‘do not drive’ mandatory cycle lane. If the lay-by is not being implemented, the discrepancy across the drawings makes it impossible to fully assess the safety implications of the TRO and therefore we must also object on this grounds.

If you can help by objecting to this TRO, signing our petition, and sharing our request we’d be so grateful. Here’s hoping for a safer University Avenue.

To
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli (Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow)
 
CC
Anne Allen (Director of Estates & Buildings, University of Glasgow)
 
Dr David Duncan (Chief Operating Officer, co-chair of Sustainability Working Group, University of Glasgow)
 
Professor Dan Haydon (Director of the Glasgow Centre for International Development, co-chair of Sustainability Working Group, University of Glasgow)
 
Lauren McDougall (President of the Students’ Representative Council, University of Glasgow)
 
Sandra Whyte (MSP for Kelvin)
 
Patrick Grady (MP for Glasgow North)
 
Patrick Harvie (MSP for Glasgow)
 
Susan Aitken (Leader Glasgow City Council)
 
Anna Richardson (City Convener for Sustainability & Carbon Reduction)
 
Martha Wardrop (Chair of Glasgow City Council Climate Emergency Working Group)
 
Dear Professor Muscatelli,
 
We are writing to you in light of the public statement yesterday (Thursday 2nd May) that the University of Glasgow is declaring a Climate Emergency. 
 
As you will no doubt be aware, transport is perhaps the most significant area in which Scotland has failed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. If Glasgow is to tackle this issue then the evidence shows that it will require a significant shift from the dominance of private motor vehicles towards walking, cycling and public transport. Therefore, we were very pleased to see that sustainable travel was recognised in your declaration of a climate emergency as one of three key areas in which you are committed to taking urgent action. As the Strathclyde Cycle Campaign we would be delighted to work with you on this in the years ahead. 
 
However, in recognising that urgent action is required, this highlights the University’s failure to address concerns raised over the last six months by GoBike and by elected representatives regarding the redevelopment of University Avenue. While it has rightly prioritised pedestrians, the current proposals fail to provide the separated infrastructure necessary on direct routes to make it safe for people to cycle and to encourage the transformational modal shift towards cycling which is required to tackle a climate emergency. 
 
There is growing political consensus behind the need for urgent action on cycling infrastructure in Glasgow. One of the key recommendations in the recently published report from the Glasgow Connectivity Commission chaired by Professor David Begg was:
 
“The completion of a network of safe, high quality, segregated cycling arterial routes connecting the city centre to suburbs and peripheral neighbourhoods.”
 
If the University of Glasgow is committed to urgent action on sustainable transport then we believe it must immediately review the proposals for University Avenue, one of the few public roads where it has input into the design and a genuine opportunity to influence how people travel. Failure to provide separated cycle infrastructure on this street won’t just have an impact on the University but also on the development of a wider cycle network. Given the agreed plans for Byres Road, and the aspirations for Woodlands Road, it is clear that a lack of safe cycle infrastructure on University Avenue will undermine efforts for such a network. 
 
Therefore, we ask you to publicly commit to an immediate review of the designs for University Avenue, working with Glasgow City Council (who also recognise the climate emergency) to implement the addition of separated cycle lanes along the full length of the street and to investigate options for a reduction of motor traffic. If this isn’t urgently addressed then it will leave the declaration of a climate emergency as hollow words rather than a commitment to action and leave University Avenue as a monument to this inaction.
 
Yours sincerely
GoBike
Strathclyde Cycle Campaign
 

**UPDATE** The GoBike Board of Shame is missing in action! A reward is being offered for it’s safe return. #stringisnotprotection #

See the full story here:

As a part of Pedal on Parliaments pop up weekend last week GoBike hosted a pretend parking ticket hill climb race designed to protest the need for safer cycling conditions in East Renfrewshire. This attracted local participants on Ayr Road, who rode bikes up the hill and delivered fliers to cars parked in the cycle lanes.

Organiser Iona Shepherd from GoBike said “The cycle lanes on Ayr Road are a popular commuting route for people on bikes. Despite the long, steep hill, the popularity of these lanes shows just how important they could be as an active travel corridor if they were made safer. Currently parked cars make the lanes dangerous for people cycling and we would like to see efforts made to make them safe for everyone to use. It is really important for our climate and health that we make road conditions for cycling safer so that more people are able to choose active travel.”

20 cars parked in the cycle lanes were flyered in the space of half an hour.

One East Renfrewshire local (and GoBike member!) who rode the hill climb race, Joel Cooney, said “The A77 is one of the most heavily-cycled routes in East Renfrewshire and yet the people of Giffnock and Newton Mearns are poorly-served by it. We can see great things happening just over the border in Glasgow and we would welcome similar efforts coming from our own council. In the meantime, the least that could be done is keeping the lanes clear of cars.”

The winner of hill climb race was Chris Greenaway with a time of 13:50

This event was part of a full weekend of cycling action co-ordinated by Pedal on Parliament (PoP), who are campaigning to make Scotland a cycle-friendly country. On Friday 26th, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of this weekend “Pop-up PoPs” happened all over Scotland, with dozens of protests highlighting the barriers to safe cycling that people find in their own area.

Pedal on Parliament, who traditionally hold an annual mass ride to protest the need for better cycling provision, are focusing on local protests this year, aimed at improvements that could be made by local councils. Events happened as far and wide as Inverness, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Aberdeen and Dundee.

We have contacted East Renfrewshire Council to say:

You may be aware of a cycling protest that happened on Ayr Road on Saturday as a part of a weekend of Pedal on Parliament events. (link)
We flyered cars with the attached leaflet in an attempt to highlight the dangers that parking in the advisory lanes on Ayr Road cause to people on bikes. To help ease the problem we would like to ask East Renfrewshire council to make the cycle lanes physically segregated or at the very least to consider changing the status of the lanes to mandatory in order to allow for parking enforcement, and that the double yellow lines stretch the full length of the road. Currently the double yellow lines painted on short sections of the road are actually leading to more parking as they appear to suggest to drivers that sections without double yellows are OK to park in. We were disappointed to see the removal of the previous Urban Clearway status of the lanes and have noticed a sharp increase in the incidence of parking on the lanes since then. Our ideal, which we would also ask you to consider, would be to see physical segregation for the lanes which would create an even better level of safety for people cycling and would allow for many people who don’t currently want to cycle due to road danger, the option of choosing active travel.

We would also like to highlight the issue of the layout of the painted cycle lane at the junction of Davieland Road. Currently the design encourages people travelling north (downhill) to remain on the far left of the road even if travelling straight on. This creates increased risk of left hook collisions. We would like to see the road markings changed to encourage people on bikes to move to the right of left turning vehicles when heading straight on.

The cycle lanes that exist on Ayr Road are the one almost safe haven for cycling that there is in East Renfrewshire. Although they are only painted lanes they are a good width in comparison to other cycle lanes in Glasgow, and are used by a large number of people on bikes. We would like to see East Ren Council show greater support for active travel and consider our improvement proposals.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you.

Pop weekend continues with loads more action on Sunday.

“Roll Up! Roll Up! For Glasgow City Council’s FREE ride of danger rollercoaster THE DOOR ZONE!! Ride in it and get whacked! Ride out of it and get smacked! No height restrictions apply! Mind how you go! Brought to you by GoBike for Pedal on Parliament pop up weekend. #pop2019 #popuppop @gobikeglasgow

We have written to the council off the back of the protest.

Dear Glasgow City Council,

You may be aware that the GoBike Board of Shame was out on Kilmarnock Road last weekend as a part of the Scotland wide Pedal on Parliament protests.

We wanted to highlight the ever remaining danger that the painted lanes on Kilmarnock Road post to cyclists who appear to be expected to have to cycle in the dangerous door zone area of the road.

A door zone is the area beside parked cars taken up by the opening of a car door. People on bikes are advised not to cycle in the door zone as they risk injury from the impact of hitting an open door, or being pushed into traffic causing further significant risk. Dooring injuries are unfortunately very common and although most go unreported, the Department for Transport found that between 2011 and 2015 there were 2009 people injured (5 of where were fatalities) when cycling in the door zone.

Painted lanes in door zones cause a host of danger and stress to people cycling. The Highway Code states “Leave plenty of room when passing parked vehicles” (section 67), but should anyone choose to leave the painted lane and cycle out with it on the carriageway, they are routinely subjected to aggressive driving and punishment passes from motorists who misunderstand the cyclists motivation for their road position.

Not only are the cycle lanes on Kilmarnock Road painted in the door zone without a buffer, but they are also much narrower than mandated in the council’s accepted design guidance Cycling By Design. Even painted lanes that are not in the door zone do not provide any protection from motor vehicles, in fact they have been shown to be very poor as they encourage dangerous close passes (a). The cycle lanes on Kilmarnock Road also encourage people using them to cycle very close to side roads rather than a recommended distance away.

It is widely accepted in safe design for cycling that if parking is to be retained on main roads, the cycle lane should run between the footway and the parking, not between parking bays and the road. It is also essential that a buffer zone is incorporated between the parking area and the cycle lane.

We know that these door zones are an issue that has been highlighted to GCC many times over the twelve years since their installation and we feel that now, when GCC are moving to support active travel, is the time that they are tackled.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you.

(a) Science Direct ‘How much space do drivers provide when passing cyclists? Understanding the impact of motor vehicle and infrastructure characteristics on passing distance.’

Have you spotted the Board of Shame’s next pop up location yet??