🚲 edi.bike | 23rd Oct ‘23
pumpkin spiced cycling news
🗞️ Episode 11: in which we take to the cycle lane of the internet, sweep through the autumn leaves of irrelevant nonsense and avoid the potholes of debating angry motorists on Twitter - it’s edi.bike time 🍂
News this Week
🌆 Locally
⚡ SW20 have added a Raleigh Motus electric hybrid bike to their local hire options, in addition to their Urban Arrow cargo bike - find out more here;
🇸🇪 If you’re stopping by IKEA at Straiton in the next while, they’re doing a bunch of work on their entrance which unfortunately has blocked access to their (typically busy) bike racks - you may have to get creative or take a bet on their wheel-rack alternatives as per this Facebook thread;
From last week: 🎉 The cafe in Saughton Park has been opened again by anti-homelessness Charity Foursquare, if you ever take the Water of Leith cycle path and pass that way.
🏴 Nationally
🚴 Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival Programme has received a £4m funding boost.
🫂 Help Needed
😠 Bikes for Refugees suffered a break-in and the loss of laptops, cash, their 📷Riese & Muller cargo bike (please keep an eye out) and bikes that were destined for the folks they help. Their mission:
“New Scots asylum seekers need your support. With a daily living allowance of £5.84 and no right to work, access to bicycles provide an essential free and sustainable mode of transport to support access to services and promote health and wellbeing.”
If you’re able to donate - bikes, or funds - head over to their website.
☸️ Lothian campaign stalwarts Spokes are in need of new members for their Planning and Resources groups, which meet monthly online and have lost some regular members in the past few years - and without support the vital work that Spokes’ undertakes may be somewhat hindered, as a lot of its activity is in those areas;
From last week: 📣 Edinburgh Festival of Cycling have put out a call for new volunteers and additional directors, and Cargo Bike Movement are looking for new trustees; 🛠Edinburgh Tool Library still seeking donations of unused bike tools – get in touch.
🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations
💈 Some lovely new bollards on Corstorphine Bank Dr making passage not only easier for cycles but buggies and wheelchair users too;
⬆️ Recent improvements to Brunswick Rd include, amongst other measures, a contraflow cycle lane with segregation measures at pinch points;
⛰️ Ongoing open consultation on the future of Holyrood Pk – including key aims favouring active travel over vehicular access – available to respond to until 19th December.
🛣 Road Closures and Route Issues
🫠 Mentioning again this disappointing but worthwhile thread from Andy Arthur on X about the Picardy Place gyratory still suffering blocked cycle lanes while appearing open for transit; keeping an eye out for the lamppost and water fountain installed in the middle of the path to be moved as well as any remaining fencing;
⚒️ Causewayside is closed for resurfacing between West Preston St and Grange Rd from today to 14th November;
🚿 Scottish Water works - lane closures and contraflow starting on Gorgie Rd today, between Ford's R and Balgreen Rd, until 1st November;
⚡ Scottish Power works on Commercial St at Prince Regent St lead to lane closures and contraflow, Prince Regent Street closed - today until 29th Oct;
Also starting today - but largely taking place overnight for a few weeks - workers from BEAR Scotland will be busy with Haymarket Junction sorting out lane markings and traffic islands for the City Centre West-East Link route.
Ongoing Works…
⛏ City centre resurfacing works on Regent Rd, Waterloo Pl and Princes St should last approximately another 2 weeks;
💡 Running until March, a programme of footway works and street lighting renewal on Polwarth Gdns, involving lane closures and parking restrictions. Polwarth Pl, Polwarth Pk, Harden Pl and Mertoun Pl will be closed as work progresses;
⛏️ CCWEL-adjacent works on Charlotte Sq and North / South Charlotte St running until March 2024:
Phase 1 - nightshift closures of North AND South Charlotte Street, 7.30pm - 6.30am each weeknight until 3rd Nov approximately;
Phase 2 from 6th Nov until 23rd Nov - daytime closure of Charlotte Square north side;
Phase 3 from 8th Jan ‘24 - daytime lane closures on Charlotte Square east side, North and South Charlotte Street, daytime closures of Charlotte Square south and west sides.
⚒ Another week of continuing work on Roseburn Pl at Roseburn St with raised table repairs relating to the CCWEL route.
💧 9-month programme of Scottish Water drainage improvement work on Longstone Rd;
❌ Braidburn Terrace closed (dismount to pass via pavement) at the end of the Greenbank-Meadows Quiet Route while the new pedestrian and cycle realm enhancement works are underway, with overnight closures of Comiston Rd coming later in the project including bus diversions;
Ongoing updates on the Council’s Road reports page as the week unfolds and via @edintravel on “X” - Even a Stopped Clock is Right Twice a Day™
📆 Events and Happenings
🏥 Doctor Bike will be doing free bike checks and security marking at Edinburgh’s Bioquarter on Weds 25th;
🏴 This week is the Cycling Scotland Conference 2023 at Pollock Halls, Thurs 26th Oct.
🔧 At community hub Bridgend Farmhouse — the last of this season’s Basic Bike Maintenance Sessions 10am til 12pm Friday 27th Oct, £5 donation. Borrow a bike or bring your own;
🍂If you or someone you know is considering starting cycling this autumn, the team at Porty Community Energy are offering free cycle training with classes for absolute beginners, on-road riding and family cycling;
🎃 28th Oct - as always, meeting 2pm last Saturday of every month - is a spooooky edition of the Critical Mass Edinburgh protest/mass group ride, route announced a few days before via their mailing list and social channels;
👶🏼 Balance Bike classes for under-6s also at Bridgend Farmhouse on Saturday mornings - two classes (10am and 11am) available and run for 6 week blocks from 4th Nov ‘23 and Feb 17th ‘24; run by A Wee Pedal who also do excellent beginner cycle coaching for all ages (3.5yo to 60+!).
Thanks for reading - ride safe and keep warm 🚲
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