Richard Dowsett: Bent axles, buckled wheels, bruised bodies

Published on 16/03/2012 02:24

IN 2007 when I took over Leith Cycle Co, Leith Walk was a pretty bad road to cycle on – in fact, it was a pretty bad road to drive on as well.

Five years later, and yes, it’s worse.

After three years of utility diversion work, it’s positively atrocious.

I ride up and down the length of Leith Walk most days and I could only describe it as hazardous.

Deep pot holes – and I mean up to seven inches deep.

Deep, jagged ruts that can throw you off line and off your bike.

Broken up surfacing that makes your ride very uncomfortable and wrecks your wheels.

As for the cycle lane, well, it’s the worst part of the road.

This forces the cyclists in to the road and into the traffic.

Over the last five years, we have had a number of people come in to Leith Cycle Co having fallen off their bikes on Leith Walk and sustained quite bad injuries, as well as damaging their bikes.

Most weeks we get people in with broken or bent axles and buckled wheels as a result of hitting these deep pot holes.

For us, it’s frustrating because it frightens the newer cyclists and puts people off cycling on Leith Walk, which should be the main artery into the city from the shore.

Why is it not being improved?

• Richard Dowsett is owner of Leith Cycle Co in Edinburgh