It didn’t take long after I got here to learn just how controversial the cycle lanes are here but on a day like that I couldn’t pass up the chance to take a ride and test them for myself.
Cycling tutor Christine Allan and Greenock Telegraph reporter Toby Doherty at the Waterfront Leisure Complex (Image: George Munro)
I’m not a very experienced cyclist – especially not in an urban setting – so I was happy to have local cycling tutor Christine Allan showing me around.
We set off near the Waterfront Leisure Complex and with the shadows slow dancing in the calm water and the sun bouncing off its surface you’d be hard-pressed to find a nicer setting for a bike ride.
Walkers and cyclists can take it easy on the spacious path at the water’s edge so while I got my bearings on the bike and picked up a bit of pace, I started to think whole issue had been over-blown.
Up Custom House Way the footpaths were wide enough to accommodate us and walkers. The railing to separate us from made it feel safe so you could enjoy the journey.
By the A770, the shared footpath is small and in questionable condition so it’s not a great cycle. The corner onto it is quite narrow, so you have to be cautious and move more slowly.
There’s a traffic light for cyclists to head up Laird Street but it’s in an awkward spot and actually I would have missed it had my trusty guide not been there.
Dalrymple Street is nice, the cycle lane is separate from the footpath and has a barrier between it and the road.
Although some mild damage to the barrier could cause problems if you passed another bike at that point on the national cycling route inconvenient.
All-in-all I was still having a great time on my cycle.
It’s easy to get down the street faster than any of the cars or on foot, but I actually had to hop off the bike six times to move around vehicles parked on the cycle lane.
It wasn’t a comfortable stretch for a cyclist because traffic doesn’t have much space to manoeuvre and there’s no barrier between you and the motor vehicles.
One van even pulled in right in front of us as we cycled without a second thought. Thankfully I was alert and managed to brake quickly.
The lane is not working as intended for anyone here – if a car pushes onto the cycle lane, a cyclist is pushed onto the footpath and a pedestrian is in turn inconvenienced.
Part of the reason vehicles block the cycle lane is probably because they don’t see many people using it but why would a cyclist use it with so many obstructions?
Cycling tutor Christine Allan and Greenock Telegraph reporter Toby Doherty on West Blackhall Street (Image: George Munro)
There’s also nowhere to go at the bottom of the street because the cycle lane isn’t connected to Westburn Street.
You can get off and walk around the corner or put the bike on the stand and go into Oak Mall, but who is doing that?
Ultimately, if you find a cheap bike it’s still an efficient way to get around.
Although a thick skin might be just as important as your helmet because you will likely get lip and deathly stares.