Posted by: Kant, Glasgow on 11:23am Thu 25 Oct 07
Cycling is an excellent activity with proven health benefits. Anything that can be done to promote cycling can only be a good thing. There are networks of cycle-ways all over Glasgow.
If more people cycled instead of drove, we could cut greenhouse emissions, reduce traffic congestion and make a serious dent in the obesity/health problem in Glasgow.
de Caestecker is right, we do have to learn from other places. However, the French have a long love affair with the bicycle and don’t see it simply as a kid’s toy as many Scots do. Also, cycling around Paris is likely to be more enjoyable than getting around hilly Glasgow. Especially since it never seems to stop raining in Glasgow :)
The Paris bikes were designed to look good and were all paid for in a deal with an advertising company so there was no direct cost to the city.
It's got to be worth at least a trial in Glasgow surely... (or will the Glasgow Neds shame us again by vandalising, stealing, or dumping the bikes in the Clyde)
Cycling is an excellent activity with proven health benefits. Anything that can be done to promote cycling can only be a good thing. There are networks of cycle-ways all over Glasgow.
If more people cycled instead of drove, we could cut greenhouse emissions, reduce traffic congestion and make a serious dent in the obesity/health problem in Glasgow.
de Caestecker is right, we do have to learn from other places. However, the French have a long love affair with the bicycle and don’t see it simply as a kid’s toy as many Scots do. Also, cycling around Paris is likely to be more enjoyable than getting around hilly Glasgow. Especially since it never seems to stop raining in Glasgow :)
The Paris bikes were designed to look good and were all paid for in a deal with an advertising company so there was no direct cost to the city.
It's got to be worth at least a trial in Glasgow surely... (or will the Glasgow Neds shame us again by vandalising, stealing, or dumping the bikes in the Clyde)
Posted by: John McCormack, Glasgow on 11:47am Thu 25 Oct 07
Bin the cars from the city centre and bring in the bikes.As for stealing the bikes locate them under the many cctv's we have in the centre.
Bin the cars from the city centre and bring in the bikes.As for stealing the bikes locate them under the many cctv's we have in the centre.
Posted by: FMJ, Glasgow on 11:53am Thu 25 Oct 07
Kant said: 'It's got to be worth at least a trial in Glasgow surely... (or will the Glasgow Neds shame us again by vandalising, stealing, or dumping the bikes in the Clyde)'
Er, yes, of course they will. The most idiotic thing about it is that they think shaming Glasgow is a Glasgow tradition - failure to mindlessly wreck such schemes apparently means you're not a proper 'Weegie'.
But I agree that cycling should be promoted. What we need, though, is better cycle paths - ones that run parallel to roads but aren't actually [italic]on[/italic] them (otherwise they just get used for parking spaces) and that aren't so hidden away that the aforementioned neds appropriate them as venues for open-air drinking and mugging festivals.
Secure 'bike parks' - possibly a special section of existing car parks - would also be welcome.
Kant said: 'It's got to be worth at least a trial in Glasgow surely... (or will the Glasgow Neds shame us again by vandalising, stealing, or dumping the bikes in the Clyde)'
Er, yes, of course they will. The most idiotic thing about it is that they think shaming Glasgow is a Glasgow tradition - failure to mindlessly wreck such schemes apparently means you're not a proper 'Weegie'.
But I agree that cycling should be promoted. What we need, though, is better cycle paths - ones that run parallel to roads but aren't actually
on them (otherwise they just get used for parking spaces) and that aren't so hidden away that the aforementioned neds appropriate them as venues for open-air drinking and mugging festivals.
Secure 'bike parks' - possibly a special section of existing car parks - would also be welcome.
Posted by: witterquick, Glasgow on 12:06pm Thu 25 Oct 07
There's already a "bike park" section of the car park opposite the Victoria Infirmary, but I've only ever seen 2 or 3 bikes in there. Hopefully with time more people will start making use of it.
More City Centre bike parks would be desirable. I recently had my bike lock cut and my bike confiscated by Queen St Train Station staff, citing "terrorism" as their reason for it's removal, even though it was locked up to a fence which wasn't even on a road or a pavement! There were no signs stating that bikes [italic]shouldn't[/italic] be put there, but again, were there ample parking for bikes in town, this wouldn't have been a problem.
There's already a "bike park" section of the car park opposite the Victoria Infirmary, but I've only ever seen 2 or 3 bikes in there. Hopefully with time more people will start making use of it.
More City Centre bike parks would be desirable. I recently had my bike lock cut and my bike confiscated by Queen St Train Station staff, citing "terrorism" as their reason for it's removal, even though it was locked up to a fence which wasn't even on a road or a pavement! There were no signs stating that bikes
shouldn't be put there, but again, were there ample parking for bikes in town, this wouldn't have been a problem.
Posted by: Meep, Shawlands on 12:11pm Thu 25 Oct 07
Again Dr Caestecker show how little she knows about Glasgow. Has the dcotor even attempted to use a bike in glasgow? The amount of air pollution and dodgy drivers puts off all but the most hardcore of cyclists. This idea just shows that Dr Caestaecker has not got a clue in how to deal with the health problems of Glasgow. And it also shows that the Greater Glasgow Health Board needs to take a lot of the blame for the lack of a strategy in the west of Scotland over the last 2 decades.
Again Dr Caestecker show how little she knows about Glasgow. Has the dcotor even attempted to use a bike in glasgow? The amount of air pollution and dodgy drivers puts off all but the most hardcore of cyclists. This idea just shows that Dr Caestaecker has not got a clue in how to deal with the health problems of Glasgow. And it also shows that the Greater Glasgow Health Board needs to take a lot of the blame for the lack of a strategy in the west of Scotland over the last 2 decades.
Posted by: 0pt1cal, larbert on 12:16pm Thu 25 Oct 07
As a cyclist living in Glasgow for 10 years and I think the only way forward is to exclude cars and buses from a section of the city centre...anything else will fail ...as cycling in the city right now is too dangerous and the current cycle lanes are in very poor condition. Plus as above, if this is too work you will have to lock up all the holigans first, I've been attacked numerous times by drunken neds especially down at the Clyde lanes on the way too work.
As a cyclist living in Glasgow for 10 years and I think the only way forward is to exclude cars and buses from a section of the city centre...anything else will fail ...as cycling in the city right now is too dangerous and the current cycle lanes are in very poor condition. Plus as above, if this is too work you will have to lock up all the holigans first, I've been attacked numerous times by drunken neds especially down at the Clyde lanes on the way too work.
Posted by: Uncle William, East Kilbride on 12:26pm Thu 25 Oct 07
Who does she think she is, I work in the centre of Glasgow and I am not cycling into work from East Kilbride I prefer to travel on the train nice and warm, so ON YOUR BIKE HEN.
Who does she think she is, I work in the centre of Glasgow and I am not cycling into work from East Kilbride I prefer to travel on the train nice and warm, so ON YOUR BIKE HEN.
Posted by: roor06, glasgow on 12:44pm Thu 25 Oct 07
IF IT WORKS IN HOLLAND ...
IT CAN WORK HERE ...
IF IT WORKS IN HOLLAND ...
IT CAN WORK HERE ...
Posted by: ex labour voter, glasgow on 1:33pm Thu 25 Oct 07
Cycle lanes in glasgow are a joke , there is one in hawthorns st 30ft long.
More token gesture lanes are just plain daft.
Then again if it is a daft idea labour gcc will jump in head first to promote it .
Cycle lanes in glasgow are a joke , there is one in hawthorns st 30ft long.
More token gesture lanes are just plain daft.
Then again if it is a daft idea labour gcc will jump in head first to promote it .
Posted by: craigr, Southside on 2:05pm Thu 25 Oct 07
I think it's a fantastic idea - I'd feel proud if Glasgow did something like this. Some of the bikes in the Paris scheme [italic]were[/italic] knicked or trashed, but the huge majority of them were not. The fact that there are thousands more bikes on the streets of Paris have allowed the car drivers there to become used to cyclists (and even more tolerant of them). And the bikes there were used by grannies, businessmen, students, tourists - a whole cross section of the city. We need to do [italic]something[/italic] in Glasgow about our atrocious health problems and stinking congestion. We're too quick to trash any positive ideas that are suggested. Give it a go, says me.
I think it's a fantastic idea - I'd feel proud if Glasgow did something like this. Some of the bikes in the Paris scheme
were knicked or trashed, but the huge majority of them were not. The fact that there are thousands more bikes on the streets of Paris have allowed the car drivers there to become used to cyclists (and even more tolerant of them). And the bikes there were used by grannies, businessmen, students, tourists - a whole cross section of the city. We need to do
something in Glasgow about our atrocious health problems and stinking congestion. We're too quick to trash any positive ideas that are suggested. Give it a go, says me.
Posted by: West Ender, Glasgow on 2:50pm Thu 25 Oct 07
As a cyclist I think the IDEA is a good one. The REALITY however,I think will be very disappointing.
Vancouver has already tried this concept. The result being over 60% of the bikes were never returned.
Vancouver has nowhere near the social problems or more importantly the "miserable attitiudes" that we have in our city.
As a cyclist I think the IDEA is a good one. The REALITY however,I think will be very disappointing.
Vancouver has already tried this concept. The result being over 60% of the bikes were never returned.
Vancouver has nowhere near the social problems or more importantly the "miserable attitiudes" that we have in our city.
Posted by: Biffo the bear, beano town on 3:53pm Thu 25 Oct 07
Cyclists in Glasgow are a nightmare,they cut in front of you then give rude gestures when you dare toot your horn at them..
They go thru red lights & cause accidents, in general they are a danger..
Im all for getting more people on their bike but in true cycle lanes not on the roads..
Cyclists in Glasgow are a nightmare,they cut in front of you then give rude gestures when you dare toot your horn at them..
They go thru red lights & cause accidents, in general they are a danger..
Im all for getting more people on their bike but in true cycle lanes not on the roads..
Posted by: vocationaldriver, Glasgow on 4:26pm Thu 25 Oct 07
[quote][bold]Biffo the bear[/bold] wrote:
Cyclists in Glasgow are a nightmare,they cut in front of you then give rude gestures when you dare toot your horn at them.. They go thru red lights & cause accidents, in general they are a danger.. Im all for getting more people on their bike but in true cycle lanes not on the roads..[/quote] Fully agree, regretably a painted line on the road does not a cycle lane make, not when parked cars force cyclists into the path of vehicular traffic. If Glasgow is to be seen as serious about cyclists and cycle lanes then it should build these on roads where there is room to instal a physical barrier seoerating cyclist from pedestrian and vehicle. I frequently encounter cyclist riding kamikazi style along bus lanes with scant regard for there safety or the safety of others. One noteable took place recently when a cyclist came through a stop light forceing me to stop, he then had the gall to complain about my driving and then cycled on with out a care in the world. Encourage cycling by all means but keep them seperate.
Biffo the bear wrote:
Cyclists in Glasgow are a nightmare,they cut in front of you then give rude gestures when you dare toot your horn at them.. They go thru red lights & cause accidents, in general they are a danger.. Im all for getting more people on their bike but in true cycle lanes not on the roads..
Fully agree, regretably a painted line on the road does not a cycle lane make, not when parked cars force cyclists into the path of vehicular traffic. If Glasgow is to be seen as serious about cyclists and cycle lanes then it should build these on roads where there is room to instal a physical barrier seoerating cyclist from pedestrian and vehicle. I frequently encounter cyclist riding kamikazi style along bus lanes with scant regard for there safety or the safety of others. One noteable took place recently when a cyclist came through a stop light forceing me to stop, he then had the gall to complain about my driving and then cycled on with out a care in the world. Encourage cycling by all means but keep them seperate.
Posted by: roor06, glasgow on 4:39pm Thu 25 Oct 07
[quote][bold]Biffo the bear[/bold] wrote:
Cyclists in Glasgow are a nightmare,they cut in front of you then give rude gestures when you dare toot your horn at them.. They go thru red lights & cause accidents, in general they are a danger.. Im all for getting more people on their bike but in true cycle lanes not on the roads..[/quote] THINK ABOUT IT ...
NO LICENCE (DRUNK DRIVERS INCLUDED)...
NO ROAD TAX ...
NO MORE EXPENSIVE FUEL COSTS ...
NO MOT BILLS ...
CANT GET DONE FOR SPEEDING ...
AS FOR ABOVE QUOTE A CYCLIST HAS TO CLAIM THEIR SPACE AS LONG AS THEY OBEY THE HIGHWAY CODE ... UNLIKE MOST CAR DRIVERS !!!
Biffo the bear wrote:
Cyclists in Glasgow are a nightmare,they cut in front of you then give rude gestures when you dare toot your horn at them.. They go thru red lights & cause accidents, in general they are a danger.. Im all for getting more people on their bike but in true cycle lanes not on the roads..
THINK ABOUT IT ...
NO LICENCE (DRUNK DRIVERS INCLUDED)...
NO ROAD TAX ...
NO MORE EXPENSIVE FUEL COSTS ...
NO MOT BILLS ...
CANT GET DONE FOR SPEEDING ...
AS FOR ABOVE QUOTE A CYCLIST HAS TO CLAIM THEIR SPACE AS LONG AS THEY OBEY THE HIGHWAY CODE ... UNLIKE MOST CAR DRIVERS !!!
Posted by: witterquick, Glasgow on 5:03pm Thu 25 Oct 07
[quote][bold]Biffo the bear[/bold] wrote:
Cyclists in Glasgow are a nightmare,they cut in front of you then give rude gestures when you dare toot your horn at them..
They go thru red lights & cause accidents, in general they are a danger..
Im all for getting more people on their bike but in true cycle lanes not on the roads..[/quote] Funny that, a similar thing happened to me only this morning, only I was the one going round a roundabout, following a bus - I had complete right of way but an impatient driver was trying to cut behind the bus, screeching to a halt when he saw me. He then had the audacity to peep his horn at me! I gave him a two fingered wave and carried on.
The truth of the matter is that, be it on a bike or in a car, there are a few people that just don't have the faintest idea of how to control a vehicle. While bad cyclists are more noticible, bad drivers are definitely more common, but this is all down to the ratio of cyclist to driver
Biffo the bear wrote:
Cyclists in Glasgow are a nightmare,they cut in front of you then give rude gestures when you dare toot your horn at them..
They go thru red lights & cause accidents, in general they are a danger..
Im all for getting more people on their bike but in true cycle lanes not on the roads..
Funny that, a similar thing happened to me only this morning, only I was the one going round a roundabout, following a bus - I had complete right of way but an impatient driver was trying to cut behind the bus, screeching to a halt when he saw me. He then had the audacity to peep his horn at me! I gave him a two fingered wave and carried on.
The truth of the matter is that, be it on a bike or in a car, there are a few people that just don't have the faintest idea of how to control a vehicle. While bad cyclists are more noticible, bad drivers are definitely more common, but this is all down to the ratio of cyclist to driver
Posted by: john mc dermott, sithside on 9:26am Fri 26 Oct 07
so biffo the bufoon strikes again with his stupid comments!!!tarring everyone with the same brush!, why dont you sod off and take your useless comments with you. get a life!!!
so biffo the bufoon strikes again with his stupid comments!!!tarring everyone with the same brush!, why dont you sod off and take your useless comments with you. get a life!!!
Posted by: Elizabeth Etheridge, Texas (from Glasgow) on 2:13pm Fri 26 Oct 07
I like Dr. Linda! This woman is shaking things up. Glasgow is still a nightmare of neds, and that has to be dealt with. But if the people of the city back her up and push those with the power to bring change, the city will change. You go for it Doc! Keep pushing and proding and shaming the good ol boys, and the complacent, and the job's worth lot,and the it'll never work mob into action. I can assure you there are more with you than against you.
My son, raised in Texas, spent the summer in Glasgow. He bought a cheap bike from toys are us and explored the city. It wasn't easy for him being that he normally drives on the other side of the road, but it didn't take long to work out the best routes to take to get to know the city. He got to most of the places of interest and mapped out the streets to where he could cut from the congestion and enjoy the hidden treasures that make Glasgow awesome. On a side note, he lost some weight and met some interesting people into the bargain.
I like Dr. Linda! This woman is shaking things up. Glasgow is still a nightmare of neds, and that has to be dealt with. But if the people of the city back her up and push those with the power to bring change, the city will change. You go for it Doc! Keep pushing and proding and shaming the good ol boys, and the complacent, and the job's worth lot,and the it'll never work mob into action. I can assure you there are more with you than against you.
My son, raised in Texas, spent the summer in Glasgow. He bought a cheap bike from toys are us and explored the city. It wasn't easy for him being that he normally drives on the other side of the road, but it didn't take long to work out the best routes to take to get to know the city. He got to most of the places of interest and mapped out the streets to where he could cut from the congestion and enjoy the hidden treasures that make Glasgow awesome. On a side note, he lost some weight and met some interesting people into the bargain.
Posted by: People Power, Glasgow on 12:35am Sun 28 Oct 07
[quote][bold]ex labour voter[/bold] wrote:
Cycle lanes in glasgow are a joke , there is one in hawthorns st 30ft long. More token gesture lanes are just plain daft. Then again if it is a daft idea labour gcc will jump in head first to promote it .[/quote]
Exactly - what numpty that deamt up these lanes would of place cyclists in with Buses and Taxi's! Who do you think would come off better in any prang, or crash in such a lane ?
Another issue here is the way in which cyclists are not expected to be insured on the roads, or at least be legally challenged / obliged to have minimum requirements on the roads.
Cycling is indeed a great form of exercise, and getting around the city. But far more protection , and barriers need placed to protect / separate cyclists from other traffic.
Alternatively - cycle lanes must be maintained, well enough lit, and upgraded far more than they are at present.
Whatever happens here, its is clear Glasgows City Centre cannot continue the way it is going. And by restricting car access to more streets and giving cyclists more of a priority we will see an improvement in peoples health.
Lets tell these councillors to get "On Their Bikes!" and shed these pounds - assisted by our tax - paying money, claimed expenses and other perks!
Maybe they'll even improve their overall level of productiveness too - LOL ;)
ex labour voter wrote:
Cycle lanes in glasgow are a joke , there is one in hawthorns st 30ft long. More token gesture lanes are just plain daft. Then again if it is a daft idea labour gcc will jump in head first to promote it .
Exactly - what numpty that deamt up these lanes would of place cyclists in with Buses and Taxi's! Who do you think would come off better in any prang, or crash in such a lane ?
Another issue here is the way in which cyclists are not expected to be insured on the roads, or at least be legally challenged / obliged to have minimum requirements on the roads.
Cycling is indeed a great form of exercise, and getting around the city. But far more protection , and barriers need placed to protect / separate cyclists from other traffic.
Alternatively - cycle lanes must be maintained, well enough lit, and upgraded far more than they are at present.
Whatever happens here, its is clear Glasgows City Centre cannot continue the way it is going. And by restricting car access to more streets and giving cyclists more of a priority we will see an improvement in peoples health.
Lets tell these councillors to get "On Their Bikes!" and shed these pounds - assisted by our tax - paying money, claimed expenses and other perks!
Maybe they'll even improve their overall level of productiveness too - LOL ;)
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