Glasgow belongs to them - and we should take notice!

I’ve always loved Scotland. When, as a young man, my railway staff travel first took me to Inverness and beyond, I made a vow to myself to try to visit at least once a calendar year, which has only been broken in extreme circumstances, of which last year became one.

On my first business trip to Glasgow for the best part of a decade, and my first trip north of the border for a good couple of years thanks to COVID, I therefore felt the need to try and make the best of my evening. Frustratingly, I’ve had to take a few days off the bike, to let an injury recover (I was making it worse by riding with it!), so, as unorthodox as it may seem at getting on for 11 at night, I set off for a walk along the river, to see the sights, the lights, and to hear drunk people swear in the street with great gusto. I even got the spectacle of an arrest thrown in, for good measure.

Crossing from George Square to Central Station earlier on, I’d already been really impressed with the extent to which the city has made an effort to repurpose its public realm for seating and dining, but it was walking around the Clyde bridges which made me realise just how different a city can become, if the will to effect change is there.

Segregated lanes, with kerbs and orcas (the orcas are brilliant, for a rapid-deployment scheme which can be adjusted and kerbed in time). Contraflows and traffic light phases for cyclists. Parallel crossings linking route segments, and side road junctions affording priority to through cyclists. An absence of obstacles installed deliberately across infrastructure. Nicely-visible signage which reads consistently and gives time as well as distance indications. Perfection? Heck, no. There were some notable deficiencies. Gaps at junctions; issues with glass, absence of adequate lighting, and some perplexing priorities at junctions. But between the established, the developing and the COVID-induced infrastructure, on top of which was a seemingly well-populated bike hire scheme, including some e-bikes (albeit pricey ones to use!) the direction of travel, the intent, seems to be clear for everyone to see - it made me want to jump on a bike and test-ride some of the newly-segregated sections! (Did I mention, I love those orcas?). 

Back in Northamptonshire, and back on my commute (soon, I hope), I will remember the gritty city on the Clyde, and the practical statements of intent made manifest on its tarmac. Utrecht it ain’t - not yet - but fair play, guys. You’ve made a start, and it really is starting to show. I’m still not sure what the excuse is, round our way - maybe we could begin with some of those lovely orcas, until the kerbs can be laid... Oh, wait, we’ve got money for that, sitting unspent, haven’t we?

And if you, dear reader, get the chance, go and have a look at Glasgow. A rugged yet beautiful city, which is owning its public spaces, and making great strides on active travel...