From today's courier:
Port track opening Œpedal power¹ victory
By Bruce Robbins
CYCLE CAMPAIGNERS yesterday hailed the opening of a £500,000 bike path
through the Port of Dundee as a victory for ³pedal power.²
Scores of cyclists got on their bikes in protest last summer when harbour
owners Forth Ports banned them from a well-established route through the
docks because of health and safety fears.
A major demonstration through the port weeks later won the backing of Dundee
City Council which applied pressure on Forth Ports to come up with a
solution to the access problem.
Yesterday, the results of that campaign became evident when the 2.3 km
route, funded by the council and Forth Ports, was officially opened by the
council¹s administration leader, Councillor Jill Shimi.
The track focuses on the need for security and safety by giving cyclists a
dedicated path and providing an alternative to the busy A92 East Dock
Street/Broughty Ferry Road route.
The three metres wide path runs between the level crossing on Camperdown
Street and Lower Broughty Ferry Road and will be open 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
Construction has had to take into account new security legis- lation that
applies to ports worldwide. This has meant the introduction of security
gates, CCTV monitoring and access systems and the requirement for all
cyclists, tenants and port users to display a port-approved pass.
Welcoming the new route, one of the prime movers behind the campaign,
Abertay University lecturer Kevin Smith, said it appeared the protests of
cyclists had borne fruit.
³I think it¹s excellent that this route has happened, although it¹s
essential that it¹s now properly maintained,² said Mr Smith, who along with
local man Brian Hogan organised the mass demonstration.
³The general feeling amongst the cyclists I know is that this is something
really positive. There are a few glitches, such as having to get a pass to
ride on it and some localised flooding in wet weather, but we certainly
welcome it.
³Having said that, I think this has come about in response to the protests
of cyclists when Forth Ports closed the harbour to through traffic. I doubt
anything would have been done if we hadn¹t demonstrated against the move.²
Councillor Shimi said, ³We are committed to ensuring that both locals and
visitors alike, from all ages, are able to access routes across the city in
a safe fashion.
³Investment in the track holds long-term benefits and we are fortunate to
have had such willing support from Forth Ports, which shares our ideals of
community safety.²
Green Party MSP Shiona Baird said the bike route was a ³very good facility²
and she called on people to make the most of it.
She added, ³From the Green Party point of view, we are looking at getting as
many people as possible off the roads and this route is a far safer
alternative than cycling along East Dock Street.²
Well over 100 people have already applied for passes to allow them to use
the route. Visiting cyclists travelling through the port on a one-off basis
can, with the production of suitable ID such as a driver¹s licence, get a
special one-day pass to use the track.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Application forms for a regular cycle track user can be obtained from the
port office on Dock Street or from the council.