🚲 edi.bike | issue 115 | 20th Oct ‘25
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
🏰 Local Bits
✊🏼 Edinburgh Critical Mass this Saturday, 2pm:
This month we're teaming up with Living Rent to support their call for safer cycling in Lochend, starting at Middle Meadow Walk as always (2pm), finishing at Holyrood Park.
🗺️ From the excellent team at Spokes: Spokes’ revised and updated map of West Lothian showing the best routes for cyclists and walkers has recently been published:
The new West Lothian Cycle Map (5th edition), produced by Spokes (the Lothian Cycle Campaign), has just been published.
Centred on West Lothian, but now expanded west to include parts of Falkirk, the fully revised and updated map shows new cycle infrastructure and other developments across the area. It is invaluable for cyclists and walkers seeking safe routes to shops, work or school and planning running and leisure routes. The back of the map shows large-scale street maps of Livingston, Armadale, Whitburn, Bathgate, Blackburn and Linlithgow, together with information on places of interest in the area.The map is printed on tear and water-resistant synthetic paper (fully recyclable). It is available through bike shops, selected bookshops and direct from Spokes.
Local Spokes volunteers surveyed all of West Lothian, plus Bo'ness and parts of Falkirk and Grangemouth, while West Lothian Council provided information on new and planned active travel improvements. Major revisions to the map include adding contours and hill-colouring and shading so users can see the hilly areas at a glance, and all the new housing developments are now shown. — More at Spokes »
And in tandem with the release of the map, an article on Spokes from Road.cc:
"If your campaigning doesn't generate a response, you're not being radical enough": Active travel campaigners Spokes on making spaces bike friendly — road.cc chat with the organisation as they release their new cycle map of West Lothian and discuss meaningful cycle campaigning after nearly 50 years; — at Road.cc »
⚡️ Porty Community Energy took to Instagram to promote their Sea Ceilidh on November 15th:
We live by the sea and we want our seas and rivers to thrive. By taking care of biodiversity we in turn can be nurtured by it.
Our Sea Ceilidh follows on from our previous sell-out Hot, Hotter, Valentine’s, and Solar ceilidhs, and the Sea Rising Festival. Now it is time for our Sea Ceilidh to coincide with our community Sea Health project. We’ll work with local groups, taking forward art and citizen science projects to better connect us to our beach and waters, looking after the living world.
Hud Yer Wheesht will be our band for a twirling evening of music, dance, local bar, raffle and food from 5-10pm. Run by the Ceilidh Collective, this family-friendly event is supporting, fundraising, and fun raising for our charity Porty Community Energy.
⛰️ Fans of the Arthur’s Seat loop will be pleased to hear the High road has now reopened - this and more route and road news from Robbie below;
💚 East Lothian: Families across East Lothian can benefit from a new scheme which provides free loans of electric ‘cargo bikes’.
The council is working in partnership with Sustaining North Berwick, Sustaining Dunbar, and Cycling UK on the project to help more people try out an alternative mode of transport for everyday journeys. — East Lothian Council announcement »
📍 Following last week’s meeting of Longstone Community Council, Spokes shared a few images from the presentation deck regarding the Longstone Link Bridge project to Facebook;
🙈 Midlothian Council’s flagship induced demand project — the short-sightedly-named ‘A701 Relief Road’ — reached the planning application stage this week, confirms The Edinburgh Reporter. While the consultation featured some truly inspiring plans for protected cycleways on the A701 corridor, which are sorely lacking at present and could connect in fantastically with the City of Edinburgh Council’s ‘Burdiehouse to Mortonhall’ project when completed opening up far safer cycle access to Straiton, Loanhead and beyond, is this stage of a globally recognised climate crisis really the time to be building more road infrastructure rather than working on the right amount of use for what we have? Spokes’ response to the consultation outlines many of the issues here.
⛈️ National
🏗️ From Glasgow City Council — ‘Glasgow's cycle hire scheme prepares for November switchover to new operator Voi’:
After 10+ years of nextbike in Glasgow, Voi Technology is set to become the new operator of the city’s cycle hire scheme. Key rollout info:
🚲 nextbike service continues until 31 Oct
⚡ Voi e-bikes begin rolling out early Nov
📅 full Voi rollout expected by mid-Nov
It’s interesting comparing the numbers involved in this scheme to our piddly wee ‘trial’!
📺 A lovely and picturesque review by cycling filmmaker GlasgowCyclist of Stirling’s recently built protected cycleways on Youtube »
🚗 Glasgow - stepping into the ‘war on cars’ this week, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar twatted the following into social media void ‘X’ (short for ‘ex-relevant’):
Drive into Glasgow? The SNP wants to charge you for it. Another tax on working people.
As covered in The National (subscription required):
…the post was quickly criticised, including by Martin Lennon, a Scottish Labour councillor for Rutherglen.
“This is a very bad line. What Glasgow (and Rutherglen) needs is fewer cars on the road, and better walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure,” he said.
“Loads to criticise the SNP on but this opportunistic nonsense.”
The SNP’s Glasgow council leader also hit out at the video: “Anas Sarwar is meant to be a Glasgow MSP but you’d be hard pushed to know it.
“Every year, budget consultations tell us Glaswegians would like to see folk from outside the city who use Glasgow’s services make a contribution to their cost. Why is it ok for London but not Glasgow?”
🌍 Elsewhere
📊 In Scientific American, via Edinburgh Festival of Cycling:
Humans aren’t very efficient movers—until you put us on a bicycle, when we become some of the most energy-efficient land travelers in the animal kingdom. For Scientific American’s 180th birthday, we’ve updated a classic graphic comparing different forms of animal locomotion, first published in this magazine in 1973 — full article »
🛣 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:
✔️ Holyrood Park: High Road has reopened following assessment as to whether the recent gorse fire had damaged the rockface.
🏃🏽 Forth Road Bridge: Obstruction of NCR1 shared use path for Supernova Run event setup 9:30am Friday 31st October to 5am Sunday 2nd November. Equipment and crowds on the shared use path will mean cyclists asked to dismount.
🌲 Union Canal: Closure of NCR 754 by Kingsknowe for tree works 8:30am – 4:30pm daily expected to finish by this Thurday, 23rd October. A diversion has been signed which may include steps and unpaved surfaces.
🚧 Silverknowes Road: Road and segregated cycle lanes closed for resurfacing works until this Sunday, 26th October. A lengthy 900m dismount may be required along the works, however Marine Dr and Muirhouse Pkwy may offer an alternate route.
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.
🚧 Saughton Crescent: Sections of QuietRoute 9 closed for resurfacing and Active Travel improvements by Balgreen from 20th October into 2026. Impact on cycling is expected to peak in December and January.
🚧 Albion Road: Eastbound obstruction of Quietroute 20 due to a burst sewer. The Crawford Bridge may offer an alternate route.
🚧 Gilmore Place: Irregular closures and obstructions for resurfacing until March 2026. If you’re travelling on NCR75 between Union Canal and The Meadows, Lochrin Place may be an alternative.
🏗️ 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 is 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
💡 Infrasisters ‘Glow Ride’ on Friday 24th October, 7.30pm:
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. — Bluesky post »
🎙️ Towpath Talks October edition, October 24th, 18:30:
October’s Towpath Talks are going to be all about Strathpuffer! Join us on Friday October 24th to hear from two amazing guests: Keith Forsyth, a Strathpuffer aficionado since 2008 and Alasdair Lawton, the organiser of Strathpuffer.
🎟️ Tickets can be acquired from Gamma, who are also hosting the event.
💙 Ride for Tim: Edinburgh talks mental health and cycling - Wednesday 29th October, 18:45 — Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House
In August 2025 we cycled from Land's End to John o' Groats (LEJOG) in memory of our friend Tim, who tragically took his life earlier in the year. The Ride for Tim website gives a bit of background to Tim and the charities that we raised money for, and there's a diary of the journey as well.
This event is a chance to share stories from the LEJOG ride as well as talk about cycling and mental health, and pay tribute to Tim. It's in aid of the three charities we raised money for during the ride: Mind, Sustrans and Flight Free UK. The event is free to attend but you will be encouraged to make a donation to the fundraiser!
All welcome.Speakers:
Anna Hughes - Long distance cyclist, including round-Britain, Director of Flight Free UK, and Tim's friend. I'll be talking about our LEJOG ride and showing some pictures, as well as sharing a couple of stories from Tim's travels and his motivations.
Nick Ray
Sea Kayaker, Wild Walker, Writer, Creative & Creator, Mental Health Advocate & Suicide Prevention. Nick will be talking about his adventures, his own journey with mental health, and his work on suicide prevention.Lynne Stanford
Health in Mind, Edinburgh's mental health charity. Lynne will talk about the reality people face who are dealing with mental health conditions, and signpost people towards services that can help.
18:45, 29th October, at 📍 Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House
⚡️ 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 »
🚶🏻♀️ 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 this Sunday, 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 have released tickets for their Cycle Road Safety Roadshow in Edinburgh on the 17th November;
🖼️ 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.
✊ This week! Last Saturday of the month: Critical Mass Edinburgh, Family-friendly mass protest / group ride, 2pm, Middle Meadow Walk;
🫂 Help Needed
💰 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 »
🚲 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:
⛲️ Dundee Street Fountainbridge Active Travel Project consultation open until 12 January 2026 | 🗺️ Mapped illustrations (do zoom in!) — Image 1 and Image 2 | 📄 Technical drawings [PDF, 23.7mb]
🤔 The ‘Curriehill Active Travel Link’ reported by Spokes to have been delayed beyond its 2025 due date by ‘biodiversity concerns’.
🚋 Major North-South Tramline Consultation until 17th November| Spokes’ Summary | Officers A8 ‘Diversion’ Clarification | Spokes’ detailed draft response
🤫 Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route having detrimental changes made, delayed to January ‘26: 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:
⭕️ Polwarth Gardens road layout consultation;
⛏️ 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:
⛴️ Queensferry High Street Improvements | Technical drawings [PDF]
⚓️ 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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