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candy
23-May-08, 18:47
With the summer coming and the good weather here I have been out on my bike getting some much needed exercise!!
It is just a shame there are no cycle paths in caithness (not that I can find )............I would love to be able to cycle to work but living in the country it is not possible, the roads are so busy,taking into account the amount of cyclists who travel the country you would think this would be a safer option !

anyone else agree :D

rfr10
23-May-08, 19:02
With the summer coming and the good weather here I have been out on my bike getting some much needed exercise!!
It is just a shame there are no cycle paths in caithness (not that I can find )............I would love to be able to cycle to work but living in the country it is not possible, the roads are so busy,taking into account the amount of cyclists who travel the country you would think this would be a safer option !

anyone else agree :D

Yes I agree with you and this is something we plan to look into at one of our transport meetings. Do you mean though, a cycle lane along the side of roads or a path completely seperate from roads?

Rheghead
23-May-08, 19:09
I agree, but saying that Caithness has busy roads seems to suggest a lack of any relativity to other regions of the UK.:)

The old Lybster-Wick railway would have made a great cycleway. It would make an ideal project for Sustrans (http://www.sustrans.org.uk) who campaign and fund for a National cycle network.

rfr10
23-May-08, 19:11
I agree, but saying that Caithness has busy roads seems to suggest a lack of any relativity to other regions of the UK.:)

The old Lybster-Wick railway would have made a great cycleway. It would make an ideal project for Sustrans (http://www.sustrans.org.uk) who campaign and fund for a National cycle network.

I'll contact them then and see what information they can give me. Then I'll report back here.

candy
23-May-08, 19:19
Yes I mean seperate paths AWAY from the roads :L

Lybster to Wick would be fantastic

many thanks for looking into it

rfr10
23-May-08, 19:21
If just sent an email to Sustrans and asked them to look into this further and to provide information. I've agreed to assist them if necessary to develop a cycle route in Caithness.

Rheghead
23-May-08, 19:24
That's great, thank you, I look forward to what they might say.:)

northener
23-May-08, 21:12
If just sent an email to Sustrans and asked them to look into this further and to provide information. I've agreed to assist them if necessary to develop a cycle route in Caithness.

Good luck with that, we could definitely do with some joined-up thinking regarding cycleways - and pathways for that matter.

When we first moved up here, I was expecting to cover a lot of the open space we have in the county. It really suprised me to find that many areas were virtually inaccessable due to there being no way of getting over the masses of barbed wire that define the borders.

Ironically, when we lived in England, we may have had less open space and more development - but it was a lot easier to access farmland than it is here as rights of way were clearly defined and maintained.
Because the law is different up here, no-one could see the need to enforce footpaths and access points - much to the detriment of the county.

What I'd really like to see is a cycleway/footpath that covers the whole of the Caithness coast. It wouldn't be outside the realms of reality to achieve this.

Now that would be worth spending money on.

.

elamanya
23-May-08, 21:42
ive never had any trouble with cycling in caithness there are plenty of routes, loch more round by loch dubh.. out to the glut, even down to braemore if you wanted, out the back of langwell. out the back of dunbeath, honest there are loads of good cycles

rfr10
23-May-08, 22:10
ive never had any trouble with cycling in caithness there are plenty of routes, loch more round by loch dubh.. out to the glut, even down to braemore if you wanted, out the back of langwell. out the back of dunbeath, honest there are loads of good cycles

That's around the south of Caithness though. There are no links to the far north.

Tristan
23-May-08, 22:12
I remember when they were developing the National Cycling Network 7-8 odd years ago. They developed cycling paths and lanes from Lands End to Inverness, and rather than developing the A9 route for cycles (which is the traditional route) they just said if you want to get there just follow the minor roads away from the A9 that way we don't have to make the traditional route safe - only in Britain.

northener
23-May-08, 23:18
ive never had any trouble with cycling in caithness there are plenty of routes, loch more round by loch dubh.. out to the glut, even down to braemore if you wanted, out the back of langwell. out the back of dunbeath, honest there are loads of good cycles

Fair point, but these aren't covering the whole county, just the Estates or Forestry regions. Plus they can be subject to closures through stalking or logging.

I could find plenty of places to roam or cycle in the areas you quite rightly mention. The problems arise in the more cultivated regions.

Tilter
24-May-08, 00:58
With the summer coming and the good weather here I have been out on my bike getting some much needed exercise!!
It is just a shame there are no cycle paths in caithness (not that I can find )............I would love to be able to cycle to work but living in the country it is not possible, the roads are so busy,taking into account the amount of cyclists who travel the country you would think this would be a safer option !

anyone else agree :D
Agree, but would you be better moving to Holland? I don't think there's the money or potential usage for it here.

(PLus cycle paths would suit wobbly people like me that somehow never learned to ride a bike as a kid.)

Sapphire2803
24-May-08, 14:04
My daughter came out of school one day last week and announced that there is going to be a cycle path from Auckengill to the Lyth road. I haven't heard anything about it anywhere else though and nobody else seems to have heard of it, so maybe she dozed off in class and dreamt it? :lol:

candy
03-Jun-08, 14:58
any update anyone ?:(

rfr10
03-Jun-08, 15:25
Unfortunately, I haven't had any word back from Sustrans. I'll send them another email if they don't reply by the end of this week.

Alice in Blunderland
03-Jun-08, 15:33
Unfortunately, I haven't had any word back from Sustrans. I'll send them another email if they don't reply by the end of this week.
Its funny we were travelling from the Tore roundabout to Dingwall recently and there were a lot of new cycle paths. I commented on this as they appear to be recent (along with the dual signs) I did wonder with the Highland wide decision about signs does that mean we will be getting the cycle tracks/paths as well or is it only some things that are being rolled out highland wide.;)

ywindythesecond
03-Jun-08, 23:38
Its funny we were travelling from the Tore roundabout to Dingwall recently and there were a lot of new cycle paths. I commented on this as they appear to be recent (along with the dual signs) I did wonder with the Highland wide decision about signs does that mean we will be getting the cycle tracks/paths as well or is it only some things that are being rolled out highland wide.;)

Does anyone know the Gaelic for "cycle path"?

The need for dedicated cycle paths only exists in heavily trafficked parts of the country. Just look at any road in Caithness for any length of time and you will find it full of cyclists who don't need a protected "path".
Cycle Routes are different,they point cycle tourists to back-road alternatives, where they exist.

candy
04-Jun-08, 18:51
surely its a safer option to have cycle paths and it would encourage more people to get on their bikes and leave the cars at home, especially with fuel prices as they are!:(

Max
04-Jun-08, 19:02
Can you ride horses on cycle paths?

candy
04-Jun-08, 19:06
depends if they are on wheels:lol:

can,t see why not,but i dont know :)

candy
09-Jun-08, 19:45
any reply to 2nd email?:(

rfr10
09-Jun-08, 21:09
Can you ride horses on cycle paths?

I will say no but I have no factual information that can back me up. I would guess that since it is called a "cycle" path, it is for cyclists only. I'd hate to share a cycle path with a horse incase it got frightened as I passed, not to mention the mess it will probably make on the path as well! :Razz

rfr10
09-Jun-08, 21:10
any reply to 2nd email?:(

Somehow I don't think they're very keen to reply. I'll keep persering them though.

Max
10-Jun-08, 15:39
I just wondered - I remember around the Glasgow/Renfrew area years ago horses were allowed on the Renfrew part but not the Glasgow part. Wouldn't worry about the horses being frightened of bikes - I was thinking of horses that go out on the road in all traffic. I don't really know why I asked - I was just really being inquisitive (or nosey!)

Errogie
12-Jun-08, 22:12
The Gaelic for path is Ceum or Slighe and I guess cycle path would be Ceum rothair (bicycle). Interstingly enough in S. Uist the bike is Eich Iarunn or iron horse which is kind of neat.

Horses and bikes don't mix. A horse likes a yielding surface under its hoof and they are often spooked by the silent approach of a bike. Yes its great to have leisure routes like the ones through the flow country but we need more roadside or separated paths for cycle commuters plus road markings at junctions etc.

Above all though we need more space and respect from motorists particularly given Caithness cross winds. All drivers should be made to take at least one journey a week on a bike so they can understand cycling from the sharp end and who knows, if they survive, the exercise might even make them live a bit longer or get a few more years in the old folks home as well as cut their carbon output.

candy
13-Jun-08, 15:19
I totally agree with you !!!

:confused

Sapphire2803
14-Jun-08, 13:30
Does anyone know the Gaelic for "cycle path"?

The need for dedicated cycle paths only exists in heavily trafficked parts of the country. Just look at any road in Caithness for any length of time and you will find it full of cyclists who don't need a protected "path".
Cycle Routes are different,they point cycle tourists to back-road alternatives, where they exist.

No, what you will see is adult cyclists, the lycra wearing type.
What you will not often see is parents out enjoying a leisurely cycle with their children, that's because it's far too scary to take your children out on a 60mph road, especially when half the cars that pass will be doing a lot more than 60mph.
I guess you don't cycle much?

rfr10
18-Jun-08, 17:30
I know this email is useless, but this is what I've received so far-
(it also includes the email sent from me)



Dear Robin,


Your original email was sent to our Scotland office.


Many Thanks


Chris


Chris Nelson
Trading Publications and Information Officer


0117 9150101









From: Robin Falconer [mailto:robin.falconer1@btinternet.com]
Sent: 09 June 2008 21:13
To: Sustrans Info
Subject: Cycle Paths






I am sending a second copy of an email which I sent a few weeks ago which hasn't yet been replied to. I'd be very grateful if you could respond as soon as possible. Thank you.


Copy of email:


Hello,


My name is Robin Falconer and I am the transport convener for Highland Youth Voice- The Highland Youth Parliament. Members of the public have expressed their opinions to be on Cycle paths. They have highlighted the fact that there does not appear to be any cycle routes in Caithness. If there are, it must be very few. There are also no cycle lanes along side roads which means that cyclists are forced to share the road with traffic.


I'd like to ask if there is any chance you could look into this matter further and see if there is a possibility to develop cycle routes in Caithness at the far north of Scotland. There is some great scenery in Caithness which I'm sure cyclists would very much appreciate to be able to admire without facing the distraction of road traffic. If need be, I would also be very keen to assist you in any way required.


It would be great if you could provide me with some information on the above.



Thank you,



Robin Falconer


Highland Youth Voice
Executive Representative


C/o Highland Youth Voice
Highland Council Headquarters
Glenurquhart Road, Inverness
IV3 5NX


Tel. 07917157055
Email. robin.falconer1@btinternet.com
Web. www.hyv.org.uk


P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Important: This is a private email account, therefore, please note the following legal statement in relation to the Highland Council guidelines:

Unless related to the business of Highland Youth Voice, the views or opinions expressed within this email are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect those of Highland Youth Voice, or associated bodies, nor does this email form part of any contract unless so stated.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rheghead
18-Jun-08, 23:36
Well done for trying.

rfr10
25-Jun-08, 20:01
Recent email received-
(I am open to any suggestios for what to do next)
Dear Robin

Many thanks for you email and apologies that we did not respond earlier. I thought I had passed this on to a colleague, but we have been very busy recently with a large cycle ride, so it is possible that your request has been overlooked.

Thank you for your question regarding the provision of cycle paths in Caithness. As I am sure you are aware, Route 1 of the National Cycle Network runs from Inverness to Lairg to Tongue and then east to John o’ Groats. This is mainly on public road. Unfortunately, Sustrans is a relatively small charity and in Scotland we are almost entirely dependent on the Scottish Government to provide us with the funds to build cycle infrastructure. We work in partnership with local authorities – under the new government, the local authorities are requested to match any funding that Sustrans provides, so these projects truly are partnerships. We also work with other bodies such as the National Parks, the Forestry Commission, British Waterways and so on, as well as with private landowners. Sustrans has neither the resources nor the statutory powers to insist on cycle routes being built. The way our funding works is that we ask our partners to submit bids for funds to do projects that they have identified. We did not receive any bids from The Highland Council for the building of cycle paths this year.

If you are interested in developing traffic-free cycle routes in Caithness, I think the first step should be to identify routes that people would like to cycle and walk along, but which are on roads that carry sufficient traffic to make this unsafe and unattractive. Roads in the vicinity of schools are key targets for the Government and roads that link communities to services would also be more likely to receive funding than routes that are just for leisure. Routes that will enable and encourage people to walk and cycle rather than take the car will help achieve the Government’s health and carbon reduction objectives.

When you have identified a route or routes that you think would benefit the local community (and visitors), the next step would be to contact your local councilors and try to get political support for the project. Also contact the transport department of The Highland Council. The council is one source of funding for any project, whether it be from their own Cycling Walking and Safer Streets budget, through grants from Sustrans or from other sources.

In addition, the Climate Challenge Fund has recently been launched. This is the Government's community initiative for carbon-saving projects and any properly constituted community group can apply for funding. For more details see http://www.climatechallengefund.org (mhtml:{2AA04E88-0289-4AF1-9CE1-B1C6C56EFB3C}mid://00000316/!x-usc:http://www.climatechallengefund.org/)

Unfortunately, I think that that it is very unlikely that it will ever be possible to have long-distance traffic-free cycle routes alongside roads in Caithness. The distance involved and the number of people, whether locals or tourists, means that it is hard to build a financial argument for doing this. The National Cycle Network standard dictates that any public road that the Network uses should not have more than 1000 cars per day on average. If any of the roads currently used exceed this level, please let us know so that we can investigate. Traffic statistics can be obtained from the local authority.

I hope this is of help – please get in touch if you have any further queries.

Regards

Katharine

Katharine Taylor
Development Manager, Sustrans Scotland
Telephone 0131 539 8127

candy
25-Jun-08, 20:21
Any ideas Mr Fernie???? :confused

Cattach
26-Jun-08, 14:11
Can you ride horses on cycle paths?

Don't know, never been on a horse!

Errogie
26-Jun-08, 22:33
So it looks as if the possibility of Sustrans carrying out a scheme in Caithness may be limited by the traffic count criteria. But what about painting lines at junctions to reserve space for cyclists in traffic and requiring developers to provide cycle racks and cycle friendly infrastructure around new developments? Are councillors aware of and pressing for this sort of thing?.

You don't necessarily have to spend big money to make things better for cyclists. The above points need to be highlighted when a planning applicaton is considered. Unfortunately Highland Councils cycle officer Richard Gerring left them more than 3 years ago and they decided not to replace him on the basis that this specialised knowledge could just be picked up by roads and traffic engineers and this simply has not happened.

Cycling hits all the right buttons vis a vis carbon footprint, health and sustainable transport. Why won't our elected representatives recruit a new cycle officer and make more of a committment to this activity?

dook
28-Jun-08, 19:04
With the summer coming and the good weather here I have been out on my bike getting some much needed exercise!!
It is just a shame there are no cycle paths in caithness (not that I can find )............I would love to be able to cycle to work but living in the country it is not possible, the roads are so busy,taking into account the amount of cyclists who travel the country you would think this would be a safer option !

anyone else agree :D

Take a wander into the town centre around the time the pubs close. Rakes of cyclepaths about.......