Dear Spurtle,

For at least the third year running, there is one of those pole-based poster boards advertising the Fringe right next to the mini-zebra crossing on the bike lane that I use every morning to go up Leith Street.

It obscures my view (as a cyclist) of any pedestrians waiting to cross.

Yes, the bike lanes aren't designed well. And yes, 80 per cent of cyclists ignore the zebra crossings, and 80 per cent of pedestrians don’t notice them or don't trust cyclists to stop. But I (and a few other cyclists) try to make an effort to respect the zebra crossings and those who attempt to use them.

However, this sign really doesn't help.

Obviously, I should report the sign, but instead as I pass I give it a shove so it turns through 90º, making things considerably better.

In fairness, the sign isn't always square-on. At the time I took the photo below, I found it at 45º. But by the evening it was back to being square-on.

Cranky of McDonald Road

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