Best way to cross Sherrifhall roundabout (Edinburgh)

[mojones]

I've been getting back into commuting to work recently - currently doing 3 days a week, pushing towards full time. I'm currently tweaking my route and one thing I'm not sure about is the best way to approach the Sherrifhall roundabout on the Edinburgh Bypass. I've seen a few posters from Edinburgh on this forum so thought I'd ask in case anyone knows it.

My route goes north from Dalkeith on Old Dalkeith Road (A7). I normally take the cycle path that emerges onto the pavement on the bit of the A7 just south of the roundabout. I can either (1) stay on the pavement and go anti-clockwise around the roundabout, crossing the A720 and A6106 at the traffic lights or (2) join traffic on the A7 and go round the roundabout. Which approach is safer? I've tried it both ways. Riding in traffic feels more dangerous, but I'm beginning to think that crossing at the lights is inviting someone to pop out from behind the front line of traffic - there are four lanes where the bypass joins the roundabout and folk often creep ahead of the stop line to get a head start going onto the roundabout when the lights change.

Any opinions?

 

[firvulag]

levitation :-)

 

[killiekosmos]

I used to drive round that roundabout twice a day at peak times - definitely not for cycling round (aren't bike banned from Edinburgh City By-Pass anyway).

A few years ago I cycled from Newcastle to Edinburgh on NCR1 via Dalkeith and i don'r recall having to cross the dual carriageway - mostly dedicated paths. You could check out the Sustrans map (or change your route and go via Butterfly World over the By-pass?

 

[Waspie]

I used to drive round that roundabout twice a day at peak times - definitely not for cycling round (aren't bike banned from Edinburgh City By-Pass anyway).

Banned on the bypass but the Sherrifhall roundabout is legal to cycle on as far as I'm aware.

Never cycled it myself and wouldn't particularly fancy it but have seen people do it. Assertive lane positioning would be the name of the game I think, and making sure you're going at a reasonable pace.

Incidentally, saw a guy on a bike heading down towards the Old Craighall junction from Sherrifhall on the bypass a few weeks ago. Hope he made it in one piece.

 

[mojones]

killiekosmos,

Yes, bikes are most definitely banned from the bypass! It's just a shame I have to cross it to get to work. I think I could stay on NCR1 and take a longish diversion east to get over the bypass, but I'm not sure I could spare that much time in the mornings, though it would be a nice ride. I have experimented with going past Butterfly World and through Gilmerton (I used to commute that way on a motorbike) but the bits of Gilmerton road just either side of where it crosses the bypass are not very bike-friendly. The Dalkeith road way is much nicer, once you get across the bypass.

 

[mojones]

Assertive lane positioning would be the name of the game I think, and making sure you're going at a reasonable pace.

Definitely right on this one - my experience has been that since the traffic lights have been put in, it's quite easy to keep pace since you go round in stages. The most troubling part is the exit onto the A7 - two lanes of traffic merge at a fair pace.

Incidentally, saw a guy on a bike heading down towards the Old Craighall junction from Sherrifhall on the bypass a few weeks ago. Hope he made it in one piece.

Very bold! I remember many years ago making a trip to St. Andrews on a 100cc scooter, which was of course not allowed on the motorway. On the way back, after a couple of hours trying to figure out how to get over the Forth Road Bridge without using any sections of motorway, I just thought 'sod it' and dived onto the M90 for the couple of miles it took to get back on track. Maybe the guy was in a similar situation!

 

[gavintc]

I cycle out to Dalkeith as part of the Edinburgh RC sat ride each week. Our route takes us past the Dobbies Garden centre, then out to the bridge over the bypass, onto the r'bout by Melville Castle Hotel, turn left follow for about 300m, turn right onto the road into Dalkeith. This avoids the dreaded Sherrifhall.

 

[Waspie]

Very bold!

Bold isn't the word I would use!

 

[mojones]

I cycle out to Dalkeith as part of the Edinburgh RC sat ride each week. Our route takes us past the Dobbies Garden centre, then out to the bridge over the bypass, onto the r'bout by Melville Castle Hotel, turn left follow for about 300m, turn right onto the road into Dalkeith. This avoids the dreaded Sherrifhall.

Yes, that's roughly the route I used to use when riding a motorbike. I will have to give it another go.

 

[gavintc]

Yes, that's roughly the route I used to use when riding a motorbike. I will have to give it another go.

Woops, got the Dobbies bit slightly out of order. It is after the by-pass, but I think you got the picture.

 

[jonny jeez]

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/Sheriffhall-Roundabout-upgrade-Dalkeith-bypass

but no cycle paths.

 

[goo_mason]

I cycle out to Dalkeith as part of the Edinburgh RC sat ride each week. Our route takes us past the Dobbies Garden centre, then out to the bridge over the bypass, onto the r'bout by Melville Castle Hotel, turn left follow for about 300m, turn right onto the road into Dalkeith. This avoids the dreaded Sherrifhall.

So YOU'RE one of that lot that will stick rigidly to riding two-abreast even on narrow roads, with a huge line of traffic behind you...

(Usually encounter the ERC riders every Saturday at some point between the Commie and Melville Castle, when I'm a passenger in my folks' car. They live in Dalkeith).

Never cycled around Sherrifhall, but since the lights went in I'd agree that it'll be much easier as it's all done in short stages. It was so much simpler when I was a kid on my bike and the roundabout & bypass were still years in the future!

 

[amir]

I cycle into King's Buildings from Eskbank in Dalkeith. If going direct I go via Gilmerton Road but usually I go the long way via NCR 1. Have tried Sheriffhall Roundabout once via the footpath when I first started but never again (safer on the road). If forced to use the roundabout again, I would get in the middle of the correct lane as per motorbike and definitely not RLJ!

 

[gavintc]

So YOU'RE one of that lot that will stick rigidly to riding two-abreast even on narrow roads, with a huge line of traffic behind you...

(Usually encounter the ERC riders every Saturday at some point between the Commie and Melville Castle, when I'm a passenger in my folks' car. They live in Dalkeith).

Never cycled around Sherrifhall, but since the lights went in I'd agree that it'll be much easier as it's all done in short stages. It was so much simpler when I was a kid on my bike and the roundabout & bypass were still years in the future!

Yes, indeed one of the 100 or so riders who meet at the Commie Pool. I understand that the club is looking at breaking up the groups into 16 - 20 riders per group for the ride. Currently, the 9.40 group consists of around 50-60 riders. They normally ride out to Dalkeith as a big group and then shake out into small groups in Dalkeith. The Sat rides have become a victim of their own success. Excellent training, with multiple levels of group from the race level down to complete novices. But, I do think that 2 lines of riders makes it easier not harder for following cars to pass as the line is shorter.

 

[mojones]

I cycle into King's Buildings from Eskbank in Dalkeith. If going direct I go via Gilmerton Road but usually I go the long way via NCR 1. Have tried Sheriffhall Roundabout once via the footpath when I first started but never again (safer on the road). If forced to use the roundabout again, I would get in the middle of the correct lane as per motorbike and definitely not RLJ!

Kings buildings is my destination too (Ashworth labs, if you know it). Could you describe where the long way via NCR1 goes? I have never managed to get to grips with the online sustrans map - I should probably just pick up a paper map next time I'm in the bike shop.