🚲 edi.bike | issue 113 | 6th Oct ‘25
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
🏆 Roseburn to (almost) Union Canal National Awards Win
The City of Edinburgh Council’s Roseburn to (almost) Union Canal team won an award in the ‘Exemplary Approach to Active Travel and Public Space’ category at the National Transport Awards 2025; their post to Bluesky includes some nice aerial footage of the route, which — while not without its issues — is a commendable bit of active travel connection and hopefully a glimpse of the kind of project we will see much, much more of to safely ‘join the dots’ of Edinburgh’s nascent cycle network.
💡 Infrasisters ‘Glow Ride’ on Friday 24th October
As per their post on Bluesky:
We're back! We've teamed up with Cycling UK for a Glow Ride on Friday 24th October. Like us, they want to see more women cycling, and for councils to provide more safe infrastructure to enable that.
Light up your bike with lights and sparkle and join us at 📍 Middle Meadow Walk at 7.30pm.
🌉 Queensferry Connections Consultation - Last Week for Comments
The Council’s Queensferry Connections consultation will close to comments after this Friday, 10th October - meaning this week is the last chance to have your say on the proposed changes and support this new safe cycling route for the area.
🏰 Local Bits
🧔🏻♂️ Blistering barnacles! River Ranger Dan Rayner from the excellent Water of Leith Conservation Trust shared these amazing photos of a barnacle-clad bicycle dredged up during their monthly Leith Clean-up, initially part of a montage of photos the trust shared to Bluesky from the session. No word as to whether it’s rideable as-is…
👀 Spotted by Alex on City Cycling Edinburgh: a planning application to fit out the former Biketrax location at Fountainbridge Sq as a new bike shop;
🚺 Tomorrow, 7th October: Celebrating Scottish Women and Girls In Sport Week 2025, a cycle to Balerno from Saughton Park;
📋 The next meeting of Longstone Community Council on Monday 13th October will include an update from Council officers on the Longstone Link bridge connecting Inglis Green Rd to New Mart Rd, and its proposed deck width;
⚒️ Photos from Martin show the failure to install planned bollards protecting the newly bi-directional Elm Row cycleway from the now end-on parking spaces next to it (this amidst the myriad of other Elm Row parking abuses still rife). One would hope that this gets addressed soon, rather just being added to the neverending list of still-remaining defects for Trams to Newhaven…
🚴🏼♀️ The Council’s Culture & Communities Committee meeting on the 2nd October, item 8.2 covered the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ, set to be hosted in Edinburgh. If you’re not dialled into the ‘cycling as a sport’ part of the cycling community venn diagram, this ‘Update Report’ [PDF] presented to the committee is well worth its short reading time: it outlines not only the tourism and visitor benefits the Grand Départ can bring — and recent negotiation milestones — but also the overlap with ‘activating’ and promoting everyday cycling and cycle infrastructure alongside the sporting spectacle. If you’re extra keen, you can also watch the section of the committee meeting with questions from Councillors.
🤔 The ‘Curriehill Active Travel Link’ — a vital “formal, lit and surfaced active travel path linking Curriehill Station to Heriot-Watt” — is reported by Spokes to have been delayed beyond its 2025 due date by ‘biodiversity concerns’. As per Spokes:
Item in Currie/Balerno news said planning application withdrawn; no further info. We phoned promoters - path still intended, but new application needed. As we understand it this was because council had biodiversity & heritage concerns.
But is such huge time delay so far & ongoing really necessary?
There are few places that you can feel the stinging lack of infrastructure more than rural or semi-rural roads amidst fast-moving cars; this project is a clear win for the area, and hopefully a new planning application can address whatever reservations the Council have put ahead of safe travel to and from a major education destination and nearby transport links.
🌅 A special Monday ride out for the Edinburgh Dawn Patrol welcomed Hans Flensted-Jensen, the founder of the Oslo Dawn Patrol community ride that was the original inspiration for Markus kicking it off here — photos on Instagram »
⚡️ Porty Community Energy are offering commuting buddy rides, free cargo bike hire and free cycling lessons to carers - find out more at Wee Breaks »
🌱 SESTran - the South East of Scotland’s ‘Regional Transport Partnership’ - have published a 2024-2025 evaluation of their ‘People and Place Programme’. Read the full report » [PDF] (/via Spokes)
👩🏽🎓 University of Edinburgh: A dedicated student fund, launched by six-time Olympic Champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, is set to support the careers of future sporting champions across the University. — Edinburgh Uni » (/via Edinburgh Festival of Cycling);
📰 A visitor attraction owned by one of Scotland’s oldest landowning families has backed a safe link between two villages.
The Drem–Gullane Path Campaign, claimed to be Scotland’s longest-running active travel campaign, has "overwhelming public support for a path that would protect children, families, and commuters from the dangers of the busy B1345".
Archerfield Estates Ltd, a flagship East Lothian visitor attraction owned by the Douglas-Hamilton family and set within a 550-acre estate, has joined calls for a safer route between the villages. — Herald Scotland »
🍵 Reminder: Fancy some mint tea, delivered by bike? Look no further than reader and supporter Tracy’s ‘Pure Leith’ »
⏳ In Brief
🍃 The Cycling Gardeners had a great photoshoot this week - see their team / fleet photos and bikes in action shots both posted to Facebook;
🚸 A photo from Corstorphine Primary’s Bike Bus, possibly the last with green foliage this year!
🎱 Bridge 8 Hub’s bike recycling efforts and new canal route map feature in this photo on Facebook;
🇵🇸 Photos on Bluesky from Scottish Greens councillor Shona McIntosh joined Sha Qadir as he passed through East Lothian on his Glasgow to Gaza journey
⛈️ National
📦 Transform Scotland: How do we move goods more sustainably? A new focus for transport Cross Party Group — activities around the future of freight »
🏗️ Glasgow City Council: Cycling trips surge by 43% as Glasgow's active travel network grows - Glasgow is seeing a boom in active travel, with 4.65 million cycling trips recorded between January and August this year - a 43% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Glasgow’s building it - they’re coming.
Glasgow is just as hilly, wetter and faces the same legal/funding hurdles #Edinburgh does. Shows it can be done.
🪚 The British Transport Police (BTP) says it will not investigate bike thefts outside stations where the bicycle has been left for more than two hours.
It means most bike thefts will not be investigated and CCTV footage will not be looked at outside a two-hour timeframe. — BBC News »
This country just cannae get it together linking up rail and cycling, even in simple ways that our European counterparts figured out long ago.
🗺️ Alex Reeves from the fantastic Charlotte’s Tandems has produced this excellent map of inclusive cycling organisations around the UK;
🌍 ELSEWHERE
📖 New from Melissa & Chris Bruntlett, a new book on Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation:
As cities around the world face mounting crises - climate change, traffic congestion and growing inequity - the need for bold, people-first solutions has never been greater. Enter the women leading the charge.
In Women Changing Cities, Melissa and Chris Bruntlett highlight the groundbreaking work of female mayors, planners, advocates, and policymakers in reshaping urban spaces for the better. From Paris to Bogotá, Manila to Montréal, these leaders are reclaiming streets, reimagining mobility, and designing safer, more inclusive public spaces, despite fierce opposition.
Through real-world success stories and powerful insights, this book proves that when cities are built with women in mind, they become more liveable for everyone. Whether you're passionate about gender equity, sustainable transport, or urban design, Women Changing Cities is a call to action and an inspiring blueprint for the future.
Because when women lead, cities thrive.
🛒 You can buy the book here »
🔥 Another case study for the ‘software patents are largely nonsense’ file: Strava sues Garmin, claiming patent infringements regarding ‘segments’ and ‘heatmaps’; and later, Strava explains why it's suing Garmin in Reddit post to "set the record straight".
🛣 Route Closures and Issues
ℹ️ Encountered unexpected road issues? Find out how to report them with this guide from Spokes. The team at Edinburgh Travel News are also keen to hear about cycle path alerts and can be contacted on Threads or Facebook.
🦋 On Bluesky? Follow the #EdTravCyc feed - anyone can use the #EdTravCyc hashtag to share route issues they encounter;
📪 The week’s road closure info - many thanks to regular contributor Robbie for collating and preparing these:
🚧 Silverknowes Road: Road and segregated cycle lanes closed for resurfacing works. A lengthy 900m dismount is required along the works, however Marine Dr and Muirhouse Pkwy may offer an alternate route. Update 6th Oct: Closure extended to 26th of October due to additional work identified.
🚧 Wester Hailes Road: Northbound advisory cycle lane and footway by Clovenstone Roundabout closed from today, 6th October, for 2 weeks for Vodaphone telecom pole installation.
🚧 Eyre Place: Road and contraflow cycle lane closed at Canonmills from today, Monday 6th October, for 1 week. It’s expected to be possible to dismount to pass. George V Park may also offer an alternate route.
🚊 Leith Walk: Segregated cycle lanes potentially obstructed this Wednesday and Thursday due to overnight tram track maintenance works extending into mornings.
🏗️ Morrison Street: Closure at Port Hamilton cyclepath for tower crane installation from was DELAYED due to Storm Amy and may take place later this week. Beware of obstructions between Gardener’s Cres and Semple St.
🚧 Saughton Crescent: Sections of QuietRoute 9 closed for resurfacing and Active Travel improvements by Balgreen from 20th October into 2026.
Longer Term Closures:
🏞️ Water of Leith Path: Closure of Pansy Walk by Balgreen until March 2026 for Scottish Water upgrades. Pedestrian diversion to be signed via Westfield Ave. However, for cyclists, the WOL Conservation Trust advise an alternate diversion via Baird Drive.
🚧 Albion Road: Obstruction of Quietroute 20 due to burst sewer. The Crawford Bridge may offer an alternate route. Update 6th Oct: Road has reopened westbound but remains closed eastbound.
🚧 Gilmore Place: Irregular closures for resurfacing until March 2026. If you’re travelling on NCR75 between Union Canal and The Meadows, Lochrin Place may be an alternative. Update 6th Oct: Utility works due to commence this week, with temporary traffic lights.
🔥 Holyrood Park: Closure of High Road until further notice amid concern that the recent gorse fire has damaged the rockface. Full closure of footway and road past Dunsapie Loch. HES are reviewing an engineering report to see how it can be reopened.
🏗️ Edinburgh Park Station: Quietroute 8 cycle path between Hermiston Gait and the Gyle Centre closed for works in preparation of the Edinburgh Arena development. It’s only possible to go around by carrying your bike up roughly 20 steps. It’s been queried whether the cycle path will reopen or remain closed long term.
🌉 Harrison Road: two bridges closed due to structural concerns with micro-cracking in the original cast iron beams:
The north-west bridge over a small path requires a dismount and use of the footway. The bridge is expected to fully close to pedestrians and cycles for 3 months during rebuilding works, date tbc.
The south-east bridge over the Union Canal is closed to cars but not cycles, with fencing placed across the bridge as a temporary modal filter. The bridge expected to reopen to cars with a 7.5T weight limit.
🌉 South Gyle Road: Bridge between modal filter and Quiet Route 9 closed for repairs until April 2026. It is required to dismount and use a temporary bridge.
🏗️ Port Hamilton Cyclepath: Shared use path between Union Canal and West End closed until 2026/27 for building works. A diversion is advised via Gardeners Crescent and Semple Street.
🏗️ Craighall Road: Closed until May 2028 for the Refurbishment of Trinity Academy. Access to the Victoria Path is expected to be maintained. A diversion will be signed along Newhaven Road, however the removal of parking for improved traffic flow may lead to this being a wider and faster road, less suitable for cycles.
⚡ Ongoing: The questionable Network Rail ban on ebike parking at Waverley Station - best to make alternative parking plans if travelling from this station at present;
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🎉 Events and Happenings
📆 Upcoming / Ongoing
⚡️ From Porty Community Energy:
🚲 Never got round to learning to cycle, but would love to try? Cycled when you were younger, but feeling too nervous to ride on the roads? We had just the thing! Free lessons for adults running every Friday morning at our bike library. Lessons for complete beginners, to competent riders who want to ride safely on the roads.
Every Friday until the end of October. Book your place here »
🧘 More upcoming rides and movement / yoga sessions from Detour [IG]:
18th October - Yoga by Bike, Longniddry - 🎟️ Details and Tickets »
🚶🏻♀️ Wester Hailes Walk, Pedal and Thrive Project June to October Events at ScoreScotland - mainly based at 📍 Gate 55, 55 Sighthill Rd, and booking required - call / text Madhavi on 07496 190 752 or email madhavi@scorescotland.org.uk.
🚸 Play Together on Pedals (3 to 6 year olds): Fridays from 2pm to 4pm;
🧭 Led Cycle Rides: Saturdays from 9:45am to 1pm;
🚲 Adult Beginners / Family Cycle Training: text for an appointment.
🚌 Every Sunday until 26th October: “Inner Forth Bike Bus - the route, between Alloa and the Forth Bridges, encourages cyclists to travel more sustainably within the Inner Forth. See this video on Instagram for more. The concept of the Inner Forth Bike Bus was developed to enable local people, and visitors, to help them cycle (or walk) part of the 'Round the Inner Forth' route, hop off at fascinating heritage sites, and return home or to a bus stop / train station for their onward travels.” Read more from Markus Stitz at The Times - or see Info and Timetable »
📆 Cycling UK's annual Scottish gathering, featuring speakers including ultra-endurance rider Emily Chappell and MTB powerhouse Aneela McKenna — Saturday, 1st November from 10:30am - 4pm at 📍 Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge
(with a led ride from Haymarket starting at 9.30am). Details and Tickets here »
🎟️ ‘True tales of the Tour De France’ talk by Carlton Kirby at Ghillie Dhu, 12th November;
🦺 Cycle Law Scotland will be hosting their Cycle Road Safety Roadshow in Edinburgh on the 17th November - more details on Facebook »
🖼️ The ‘Pedal Power’ exhibition about cycle campaigning in Edinburgh has finished its run at Norton Park. It’ll be taking a short break before opening again later in the year at North Edinburgh Arts;
💯 Edinburgh RC celebrating its hundredth year in 2025 and have an ongoing challenge encouraging 100 women of all cycling abilities to ride 100km - offering help to anyone who needs it along the way;
🔁 Weekly Events
🍃 Mon, 12-2.30pm: Free, fun group ride on paths from Bridgend Farmhouse;
🌅 Tues, ⏰ 5.40am: Edinburgh Dawn Patrol - Meet St. Andrew Square, same route each time - more info on their Instagram;
☕️Tues, 5pm: [National] Active Travel Cafe on Zoom
🛠️ Weds, 3pm: Bike Kitchen at Edinburgh Tool Library
🌅 Thurs, ⏰ 5.40am: Edinburgh Dawn Patrol (same as Tues, details above);
🪨 Thurs Evenings: Edinburgh Gravel Cycling Club social group rides;
✴️ Thurs, 5-8pm: Bike DIY Session at The Wee Spoke Hub
⚙️ Sat, 2-4pm: ‘Bike Cleaning and Oiling’ drop-in session at The Wee Spoke Hub
🟰 Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council’s Edinburgh Cycling Club run weekly group rides and introductory classes;
🔁 Monthly Events
🚲 First Friday of the month: Inclusive social bike rides with A Wee Pedal from Bridgend Farmhouse - every Friday 2-4pm between April and Hallowe’en, 1-3pm on the 1st Friday of each month November to March.
✊ Last Saturday of the month: Critical Mass Edinburgh, Family-friendly mass protest / group ride, 2pm, Middle Meadow Walk;
🫂 Help Needed
🏴 Cycling Scotland are hiring for a Head of Finance and Corporate Services - more details on their website, deadline 13th October;
💰 The Movement for Good Awards is an annual programme of giving by The Benefact Group donating over £1 million to charities and good causes, and you can nominate The Bike Station to receive £1,000 here »
🏡 Social Bite’s 100 Mile Challenge: Walk, run, or cycle 100 Miles from September 1st to World Homeless Day on October 10th to help end homelessness. Your fundraising has a tangible impact on helping break the cycle of homelessness across the UK by helping Social Bite provide meals, jobs, homes and support to people who are experiencing homelessness — More Information »
🚲 The Bike Station is recruiting new volunteers! 🚲
After the successful move into our new Tollcross shop, we are seeking the support of new volunteers to help us do the brilliant work of getting more people on bikes. The priority roles that we are seeking help with include:
🛒 Shop volunteers:
Helping with customer service and the smooth running of our Tollcross store.
📦 Cargo Bike Riders:
Independent and confident riders to help courier goods between our Edinburgh stores.
🛠️ Fix Your Own Bike:
Those experienced in bike maintenance to offer advice to those keen to fix their own bike.
✅ Benefits of volunteering:
Join a wide team of volunteers and staff passionate about cycling, discounts on parts, services and maintenance courses. Internal recruitment opportunities made available to volunteers as well as access to events and social rides to celebrate our work.
If you are interested in any of the above roles, or would like to know how else you may be able to get involved, please email jamie.henderson@thebikestation.org.uk
Ongoing: 🚌 Marshal for School Bike Buses | 🙋 Help with school programme ‘I Bike’ | 🗨️Join Spokes’ Planning or Resources group | 🆘 Donate money or bikes to Bikes for Refugees | 📦⚡️ Hire Community Cargobikes, E-bikes or Trailers from SW20, Porty Community Energy or Banzai | ♻️ Donate old bikes to The Bike Station, The Wee Spoke Hub or ‘Brake the Cycle’.
🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations
✨Now a shorter, sectioned list - website updates for hosting consultation details and plans coming… in 2026? 😅 ✨
✏️ In the Works:
⭕️ Polwarth Gardens road layout consultation has just closed;
⚒️ Queensferry Connections project comments close this Friday 10th October;
🚋 Major North-South Tramline Consultation until 17th November| Spokes’ Summary | Officers A8 ‘Diversion’ Clarification
🤫 Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route having detrimental changes made in September: Detailed Designs [PDF] | ETRO Published as TRO/25/17
⚒️ Road Resurfacing & early ‘Dalry Living Well Locally’ Outcomes
🧱 Vital path upgrade through Muir Wood park in Currie
🦦 Burdiehouse & Niddrie Burn Restoration - blue-green regeneration project including 3m wide ‘Pentlands to Portobello’ core path;
🔬 Trials & Programmes Underway:
✨ Improving Old Town Streets | Includes current ETRO for Lawnmarket & Johnston Terrace
📋 Consulted On:
⛏️ Marionville Rd and Smokey Brae improvements;
🧪 Edinburgh BioQuarter Active Travel Gaps - Sheriffhall Park & Ride to BioQuarter Campus Route;
🌞 Dalry Living Well Locally | Initial Feedback Report » [PDF]
⚓ Leith Connections Phase 3 - Hawthornvale to Seafield | Detailed Designs (PDF) »
🚴🏽♂️ Midlothian Council - A7 Sustainable Transport Corridor
East Lothian Council - Prestonpans to Levenhall | Combined plans » [Large PDF]
🚧 Under Construction:
⚓️ Foot of the Walk to Dock Street | Works leaflet » [PDF] | Progress photos »
🚋 Trams to Newhaven Snagging / Defects List »
🤬 Silverknowes Rd North being returned to cars | Spokes’ area history
Thanks for reading - ride safe 🚲
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