Friday 30 November 2012

Beware of Cyclists Materialising in Inverness


Ness Walk from the Ness Bridge to Ardross Street is partly pedestrianised. By that I mean that its North end near the Bridge is paved and has a 20 mph speed limit. Traffic from the Bridge is single-lane and one-way.

The signs also indicate a contra-flow lane for pedal cycles. So, as well as sharing the lane with cyclists moving in the same direction, drivers from the Bridge towards the Cathedral should also be on the lookout for cyclists coming from the opposite direction.

 

Traffic approaching Ness Walk from the Cathedral end is faced with No Entry signs. But this applies to all traffic.

There is no sign at that end to indicate any exception for cyclists. So the question arises 'Where do the cyclists come from that the motorists are being warned to expect?"





The signs appear to say that cyclists are not allowed to enter Ness Walk from the Cathedral but they may mysteriously exit from it at the Bridge end.

I'm willing to admit that I may have misunderstood the signs. It may be that this sign actually warns motorists to be alert for cyclists falling from the sky. 

Monday 19 November 2012

National Cycle Routes through Inverness

Two National Cycle Routes from the South pass through Inverness. 
NCR 1 - This mainly follows the East coast of the UK from Dover to the Shetlands.
NCR 7 - This goes up the middle of the country from Sunderland to Inverness.
Near Inverness they join at Clava just before continuing on to Culloden.
There is a choice of direction for the final mile from Kingsmills Hotel into Inverness.
The slightly longer route is on a quiet road passing near to Inverness Youth Hostel.
The two routes meet again near the Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Just before that, the more direct route takes you past the velocity cafe and bicycle workshop.