A community activist group say they are opposed to plans for the permanent fixture of cycle lanes on Lanark Road in the west of Edinburgh.
South West Edinburgh in Motion (SWEM) have said that the data available does not back up a decision to make the lanes a mainstay on the busy road.
Chair of SWEM, Derryck Reid, argues that the design structure, their position and the bollards used for the lanes, are not fit for purpose and that it creates a dangerous environment for vulnerable residents.
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He adds that since their introduction, cyclist use along the route has dropped by three per cent, and that active travellers continue to prefer using the Water of Leith path.
Edinburgh City Council’s new transport convener, councillor Scott Arthur, has said that the administration accepts that there are usage issues on certain routes.
He says that the council is committed to trying to encourage users where these problems exist and to address safety concerns that have been raised regarding disabled residents.
In a petition that was started by SWEM, they say: “A critical mass style cycle protest took place on Lanark Road with around 165 cyclists, including children, taking part from across Edinburgh.
“The protest was in response to a council amendment recommending the removal of the Lanark Road segregated cycle lanes, installed as a temporary measure during the pandemic.
“Following the protest, the council voted to retain the lanes, in spite of publishing their own impact assessment showing negative impacts on disabled people, residents and businesses, and their consultation showing overwhelming community opposition.
“Residents claim there was no data to justify this U-turn, with numbers released by the council showing that in the school term-time summer period after this protest, the level of cycling had not increased on Lanark Road when compared with cycling levels before bollards were introduced.
“With the equivalent of only 57 return journeys every day made by bike near Gillespie Crossroads, there was actually a decline of three per cent.
“By contrast, data released by the council showed that, in the same period, cycling on the Water of Leith walkway increased by 64 per cent to the equivalent of 111 return journeys every day.
“On June 10 2022, the council opened a new engagement about the next step to making the cycle lanes permanent through the use of Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs).
“The deadline for comment passed yesterday on Sunday July 3.”
Derryck says that the residents are not calling for the lanes to be completely removed but for their designs to be altered in a way that would protect residents and make the space accessible for those living with disabilities.
He noted: “Based on surveys and comments from hundreds of residents we launched a petition campaigning for a balanced road design.
“We are not calling for the road to be returned to the way it was before the pandemic, but simply for a design that supports the safety of all road users and does not discriminate against disabled people.
"Over 1,500 people have signed this petition calling for the council to rapidly evolve a ‘bollard-free’ approach on Lanark Road and Longstone that will create calmer, safer and more accessible streets for residents, visitors and all road users.
“We want to move on from the divisive policies of Spaces for People, and support more walking, bus use and cycling, with a permanent solution that ensures the needs of local people are not relegated below those travelling through the area, whether by bike or by car.
“The most convincing case for retaining the Lanark Road scheme would be a significant and sustained increase in cycle journeys, but this hasn't happened.
“Ironically, it is the weakness of the case for retention that makes organised protests necessary.
“The new transport convener, councillor Scott Arthur, has promised a fair, open and transparent process and we welcome this commitment.
“We hope the new council administration will return to making evidence-led decisions, informed by the communities that democratically elected them, rather than by protesters.”
Councillor Scott Arthur accepted some of the group's concerns and said that the council is committed to trying to find a solution that would be welcomed by all parties.
He said: "The Council are currently holding a public engagement exercise for an extended trial of most of the existing Travelling Safely measures across the whole city and this includes Lanark Road.
"I am determined to ensure this process is open and transparent, and hope it will give us a better insight into how they are working, as active travel schemes, and allow us to make decisions regarding any changes should they be considered for permanent retention.
"I share some concerns about the usage levels of some schemes, and would be happy to work with community organisations to promote their use.
“Indeed, it was great to see a local ‘bike bus’ being formed to help children living along the Lanark Road get safely to school.
"Yesterday I was pleased to see unanimous agreement in Full Council that transport decisions taken by the Council over the last five years have not always recognised or responded adequately to the needs of disabled people, and that lessons must be learnt from this."
You can view the SWEM cycle lane petition here.
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