CYCLE LANE. Separate but unequal facility constructed more out of guilt than a sincere desire to be helpful. By law such lanes must end wherever they become the slightest bit inconvenient to other road users.

From the BikeReader

Sustrans.

I used to think that they were responsible for the design and implementation of the National Cycle Routes. That was before I found out that generally it is the local authorities devise the the routes and build the facilities. Sustrans do some of their own engineering on the pieces of track that they actually own rather than use and those bits are built well and sensibly.

Victoria Quay

Victoria Quay, Dundee.

The National Cycle Route (NCN) 1 and the Dundee Green Circular Cycle Routes used to go through the Dundee Docks. That was until the dockland area was sold to The Forth Ports Authority. Forth Ports closed the roads off to cyclists Interrupting the Green Circular and forcing cyclists to use the very busy East Docks Street.

Reported in the Dundee Courier, "The cycle path was approved by city councillors in October. They agreed to split the £504,000 cost with Forth Ports to ensure the safety of cyclists along the road, which is shared with dock traffic."

The reason why Forth Ports stopped the public and cyclists using this road was due to their interpretation on new International anti-terrorist regulations for docks and ports enacted in the wake of the September 11th, 2001 atrocities.

What Forth Ports have done is to construct two gatehouses on East Docks Street and issue cyclists with a permit to transit between the gatehouses. Unfortunately the permits do not entitle pedestrians to use this route.

Glasgow Road, Perth

This one deserves a whole page all to itself....

Link to Glasgow Road Cycle Route

Scouring Burn Path, Perth.

The width of the path has been reduced by the landfall of a footbridge. (The photograph is at the top of this page.)

Lots of lovely sharp edges for you to collide with, especially in the dark.

Balloch, Inverness

This is on NCN 1 at the forest near Balloch on the outskirts of Inverness. A gate so narrow that a bike with panniers could not pass through and the bike had to be lifted through because the barrier was too low for dropped handlebars.

Ballinluig, Perth & Kinross

The cycle path alongside the A9 to the south of Ballinluig is bisected by a minor road. A drain was placed in the middle of the path and the grille is perfectly aligned with the route of the path.

Cyclist cycles over the drain, wheel falls down into the drain, punctures and or cracks a rim.

The bike is propped up on a bollard also positioned in the middle of the path.

Cyclists Dismount, the sign of failure,

When a road engineer is stumped for a solution up goes a Cyclists Dismount Sign and problem solved.

How come you never see a Cyclists Remount sign?

End of rant