Today's ride up from Porty to The Meadows to join @POPScotland served well to remind me of some of the issues en-route; so some helpful feedback for @Edinburgh_CC @edinhelp cc @adamrmcvey @lmacinnessnp @MaureenChild1 @KateC_SNP @MaryGreens @CLaidlaw /1
From Porty Prom there's no great choice to get to the Innocent Path. Heading for the Hope Lane bridge over the railway is the best route; but that leaves you having to dog-leg over Porty High St, from Bellfield St to St Marks Pl. These streets would really benefit from /2 
dedicated cycle lanes (among the few in Porty wide enough), with the crossing on Porty High St moved closer and with segregated path between the two.
After you snake up the zig-zag for the bridge you have a narrow chicane to contend with - a real challenge with a trailer! /3
After you snake up the zig-zag for the bridge you have a narrow chicane to contend with - a real challenge with a trailer! /3
The bridge itself is poorly maintained, with a deteriorated surface, and many sharp rises at section joins which are certainly in excess of 20mm trip hazard threshold.
(it's a poor route to school) /4
(it's a poor route to school) /4
On the other side there's now a nice smooth wide dedicated path, thanks to the new Portobello High School, but a zebra crossing here over Stanley St would really help to establish priority on a key route to the school /5
The top of the path gets you to Milton Rd, and two options for getting you to the Innocent. The first has 350m of the A1, with no facilities - definitely not something for the family - before you meet a dedicated path. /6
For the 2nd you can follow the signs through Magdalene, after a very tight crossing over A1. There are bits of paths, but no dropped kerbs and they're all blocked by parked cars.
(first time i've ever went past Alexander's Bakery without stopping!) /7
(first time i've ever went past Alexander's Bakery without stopping!) /7
And when you do get onto the Innocent NCN1 it is to a path which has been cut up & bricks inserted next to "slow down". Non-standard approach which is already weathering really bad and will fail. And it's needed because conflict has been designed in with the new play equipment /8
Heading up the Innocent, the pedestrian/cycle crossing at Duddingston Rd W was broken; so try your best to cross there, with motorists routinely breaking the 30 limit. The end of the Innocent benefits from a new set of dedicated paths to the Meadows, but... /9
the dropped kerb into Rankellior St blocked by a private hire cab (on phone, engine running, parking space just in front) and the Gifford Park path blocked by a two cars attempting to turn around, amid a stand-off /10
Anyway, hope this is useful!
Just to add - I came back via London & Portobello Rd. Direct, but totally unsuitable for family use. A good example of 4 and 5 in the recent SPICe report: digitalpublications.parliament.scot/ResearchBriefi… /12
And while marshalling outside St Giles I chatted with a few folk; the most interesting conversation being with a couple of homeless guys who thought the new lanes down Leith Walk were good /13
unroll
Argh, just remembered another one - when the lighting was installed along the Innocent Path the hard edge wasn't reinstated. As a result the edge is now breaking apart, with cracks on the asphalt path.. its all just falling apart /14
