Aberdeen Cycle Forum meeting 26th November 2024

  1. Welcome & introductions

Attendees: Gavin Clark (Chair), Rachel Martin, Francesco Sani, Fiona McDonald, Bill Stephenson

  1. Note of previous meeting (October)

Accepted. Dave Brown had provided their notes from the discussion about the Beach Boulevard and they are now added at the foot of this minute.

  1. Liaison with Aberdeen City Council
    • Meeting with Councillors
      GC and RM met with Councillor Yule & Councillor Radley and expressed their disappointment that the Council had not voted through the planned improvements to active travel for the Aberdeen to Westhill route. Both Councillors explained why they had taken the positions they had (which were not the same), but essentially it was the level of objections from the wider public, most of which were about loss of on-street parking.  The political reality seemed to be that even if they individually had supported it, it would not have had a majority to pass the vote. We put the view that ACC will never build any high-quality cycle infrastructure if it is not prepared to re-allocate road space.

      There was some discussion around our ongoing Actions List, although this was less useful than it could have been because the update had been provided so soon before the meeting. We picked out a couple of examples of supposedly quick wins we had highlighted, including one of the very first (shared-use markings on the beach esplanade) which has still not been actioned 2 years after we raised it.
    • Aberdeen Council Transport Users Partnership (ACTUP)
      GC attended the last ACTUP meeting. There was a short presentation on the transport plans for the Tall Ships race next summer.  The plans had no mention of encouraging people to cycle to the event despite the fact that many roads around the harbour would be closed to motor vehicles.  There was no mention of planned extra cycle parking. GC fedback suggestions.
    • Walking & Cycling Index (WACI) case studies
      Sustrans are looking for people to use as case studies for the next WACI report. Please get in contact if you would be interested.  
    • NZET committee – Wellington Rd
      Hareness Rd to the new harbour – 2 design options but neither include island bus stops.  The first design option uses shared use with pedestrians at bus stops, the second uses shared use with buses at bus stops.  Both these options are included in Cycle by Design but are noted as not being ideal.  Island bus stops will be installed for Union St – would be good to have consistency around new designs to help transport users.  GC & RM to meet with the designers.
      1. Consultations
        Aberdeen to Laurencekirk (recap)
        GC received contributions from ACF members in Muchalls & Newtonhill and included these with the ACF response.  Work is at the early stages.
      1. Events and Activities
        Seaton Hub ‘festival’ 2 November (recap)
        GC went along to help out at this event which was run by Sustrans iBike and council partners at the Raymond Kelly Pavillion.  Very well attended with more than 40 kids there at the start and they had to extend the time.  Balance bikes available for small children, slalom course on grass for older kids, Dr Bike and adapted bikes. Very successful.

        Art Roots project
        RM has arranged for the next art work to be painted the week before Christmas.  It is by the same artist, and will be on the wall facing the original work.  Still waiting for the design to be shared.
      1. Membership System
        New membership system to move to Award Force for the start of 2025.  RM has set up the system.  GC requested that members be asked to include their postcode when they are asked to renew their membership. It helps us to know how many of our members live in the city, or Aberdeenshire, or elsewhere.  Postcode will be optional.  Email verification will be required.  Donations link to be added, but membership will remain free.  Those who have already used Award Force during one of our campaigns or competitions will find that they already have an account.  We will also amend our statement on personal data use to reflect that it will now be held by a third-party provider.  GC will send email to all members on around 29th December to ask all members to rejoin via Award Force system.  Further reminders will be sent in January.
      2. Any other business

          Cycling Manifesto – meeting next week (5th Dec 7pm) to discuss what should be in the next manifesto.  This work is now co-ordinated by Cycle Scotland.  If anyone wishes to attend, please contact GC.

          Critical Mass ride Fri 29th November.

          BS raised concerns that some of the new cycle route provision eg South College St is not well designed. Dislikes the angle of the ridged stones (tactile paving) at start & finish which he thinks can be hazardous.  GC said he agrees the tactile paving is unnerving but we understand it is correctly installed according to design standards – it is for the benefit of blind/partially sighted. ACF input to the design before construction did bring some improvements, and it is far better than – for example – Tillydrone Av.  Our main issue with it is that it ends at Wellington Place rather than continuing up to Union St.  ACF did meet with designers afterwards to walk-over the scheme and gave some feedback.  BS also felt the scheme is so stop-start that for many cyclists it is better to just remain on the carriageway. There was discussion that some aspects of the design are probably more useful for less confident riders, especially young riders.  The failings of the scheme are essentially because it was an ‘add on’ to a scheme which was primarily about increasing capacity for vehicular traffic. If it had been purpose built as cycle infrastructure it would look very different.

          Potential options for social rides over the festive period were discussed.

          1. Date of next meeting (provisionally 28 January)

          Notes from October discussion over Beach Boulevard

          Team outlined feasibility status of proposals and ran through the presentation. This was followed by Q&A discussion

          • ACF queried need for vehicular access to grey area at East junction with Esplanade. Team confirmed this is for managed access only
          • Team confirmed that cycle provision is to remain as existing on the Esplanade as part of the extended Phase A although should be scope to renew painted lines.
          • ACF suggested that short cycle sections that peter out (as on Esplanade) are not great for cyclists, giving false sense of security
          • ACF suggested that junctions that require cyclists to dismount have failed. Team to look further at options for cyclists to remain mounted at key road crossing junctions Action – Design Team
          • ACF highlighted need to consider other wheeled users at key junctions, particularly those aiding mobility. Team confirmed this will be looked at. Action – Design Team
          • ACF suggested footrests/handrail provision at traffic lights would help. Design team to consider options Action – Design Team
          • ACF queried logic of one-way lanes at West end due to ‘shortest route’ preference of cyclists. Team to review options for bi-directional options of adequate width. Action – Design Team
          • ACF queried capacity of double crossing on Esplanade to accommodate waiting cyclists and pedestrians. Team to review Action – Design Team
          • ACF suggested extended cycle path all the way to crossing at Esplanade, avoiding hazardous shared space. Team to review Action – Design Team
          • ACF expressed doubt as to how many new cyclists to the Beach would be encouraged by ‘piecemeal’ development of cycling infrastructure but also acknowledged that it is important to demonstrate long-term ambition and intent by including at this stage.