“It zigs and zags all over the place…”
The lane was previously slammed as the “worst in the world”(Image: Google Maps)
Cycling is a great way to keep fit and help the environment. However, it is a lot easier to get around by bike in the countryside than it is in the city.
Although there are many cyclists in each of Scotland’s cities, they need to keep their wits about them at all times. This is because in major built-up areas, there are a lot more vehicles and pedestrians to be aware of while travelling.
One way of helping cyclists and encouraging more people to travel via bike is the construction of bike lines. While most of these do indeed help bikers get around, one in Scotland was previously branded the “worst in the world” by cyclists.
As reported by the Daily Record, a user on Reddit previously shared a video that harshly criticises the Leith Walk cycle lane in Edinburgh. Shared onto the forum’s ‘bikecommuting’ community, the clip is titled ‘I rode the ‘worst bike lane in the world’.
The video was published by Shifter, which is a website devoted to urban cycling and bike commuting. It explains how and why Leith Walk was previously dubbed the “worst bike lane in the world” by specialists at Discerning Cyclist.
In the clip, Shifter’s creator Tom Babin travels to Edinburgh. He then rides along Leith Walk himself, before offering his own verdict.
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Babin remarks: “It zigs and zags all over the place, there are bus stops along it. It’s also built at the same grade as the pedestrian space, with not real clear delineation between the space and so I was constantly worried about missing one of those zig-zags and ending up on the sidewalk.
“Pedestrians were constantly wandering into the bike lane, not aware of what they were doing. It really felt like not a great experience if you’re just trying to get somewhere safely on your bike.”
After the post went live, it attracted many responses. Fellow Reddit users were swift to offer their views on Leith Walk’s cycling lane.
Leith Walk is known for its high footfall and traffic(Image: Bob Douglas / Getty Images)
One user lamented: “I use it daily–its a shambles. What isn’t mentioned is the surface, for whatever reasons they didn’t use proper/ heavy enough roller, so when you go east (downhill) and get above say 10mph/15kph it shakes you to bits.
“As a result lots of bikes use the road, which annoys the cars etc…and so on.”
Another concurred: “I use it to visit my partner and despite only using it every few weeks, I have a lot of issues with it.”
However, another Reddit user countered: “Yes it’s windy, but I feel like it’s better than all the ones in the UK that last for 17m in the middle of nowhere then spit you out onto a dual carriageway roundabout.”
For more information, you can watch Shifter’s full video on YouTube.
What do you think is the worst cycle lane in Scotland? Let us know in the comments below!