🚲 edi.bike | issue 117 | 3rd Nov ‘25
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
⚡ Voi Updates as Fleet and Rideable Zone Increases
Go-slow zones, fifty+ new parking locations, volcano off-roading management and more in our summary of changes to Voi’s hire bike offering in the city:
🚲 Cycling News from October’s ‘Full Council’ Meeting
Thursday 30th October saw the City of Edinburgh Council meet en masse, and we’ve teased out the cycling and cycling-adjacent items for our round-up, though slightly hampered by a lack of publicly available webcast thus far!
🏰 Local Bits
✊ Save the date: Inaction on road safety in the Cowgate, one year on from a dreadful fatal accident — in spite of promises to move forward with interim closures ahead of the City Mobility Plan’s implementation — will see Edinburgh Critical Mass and others protest outside the Transport & Environment Committee meeting on Thursday 13th November (likely from 8.30am onwards);
🛣️ Living Rent have organised a Lochend Road Safety community fun day this Saturday, 8th November at 📍 Craigentinny Community Centre:
The main event is poster competition for under 16s where the winning posters will become our campaign posters!
We will be gathering signatures & your experiences of road safety locally. Whilst presenting local councillors with our solutions.
There will also be:
Face Painting
Arts and Crafts
Local Fire Fighters and a Fire Engine!
St Andrews delivering First Aid
Dr. Bike Repair Service
Tartan Table for catering and C's Bakes for Cakes
Raffle and Tombola
Local market perfect for Christmas shopping.
📅 More details at Living Rent »
🤓 Friend of the digest Harry Williams spotted an update to the Active travel improvements programme, after the former webpage for it disappeared after a lack of updates from Spring onwards. Painfully organised by name rather than start or projected finish date, the extensive document details all current and future schemes in the city, which pairs well with this map-based interactive list from the City Mobility Plan investment prioritisation exercise earlier in the year.
📍 Edinburgh Festival of Cycling have updated their map of Edinburgh bike shops - see it on their website or browse the standalone view;
📺 A wee video from GlasgowCyclist on Youtube featuring a ride on the Roseburn path, ride out with Edinburgh Critical Mass, and Glasgow-based adventures with Glasgow Coffee Outside and Magic Cycle Club. A warning that like some other cyclists, Charles has some strong reckons on keeping trams off the path - but worth a watch no matter your Roseburn reckons!
📷 Martin reports (with photos) that Elm Row continues to be an utter mess, with motor vehicles parked on footways, a lack of enforcement, and still no bollards (pictured in the designs for the changes) to prevent encroachment on the newly bi-directional cycleway from the adjacent parking spaces;
💬 Spokes passed on concerns from a resident user of newly installed cycleways in Silverknowes, regarding pushback from the local community; consultation comments would be really helpful from supportive users on ETRO/21/30C can be made here using the ‘Respond to Consultation’ button at the bottom of the map;
📋 From Longstone Community Council:
Update: Developments within the Kingsknowe & Longstone area called 'Kingsknowe Connected'. [The City of Edinburgh Council] have appointed AtkinsRéalis to develop this landscape-led initiative, focused on improving the public spaces around Kingsknowe Court, Kingsknowe Pl, & Longstone St.
More on their Bluesky thread and on this Community Consultation page »
👪 Spotted this nice wee family cycling video from Peebles to Innerleithen on Youtube »
🐚 More big supporter news for the East Lothian ‘Drem to Gullane’ active travel path campaign as a major landowner on the route, at Fenton Barns, has publicly backed the campaign.
⚡ To help make it easier for people to try out an e-bike and see how it could be a good transport option, we’re funding West Lothian Bike Library to run an employer bike hire scheme in our region. The purpose is to give staff the chance to try an e-bike for everyday use, whether for commuting, errands or leisure. We’re delighted to see that it’s proving a great way to build confidence, reduce car dependency and encourage more sustainable travel choices. — SESTrans article /via Spokes
🎭 Edinburgh Festival of Cycling are currently offering a discount on use of their hireable e-cargo bike - a great opportunity to try out an Urban Arrow for your family or business, or move yourself and some stuff on a day hire!
⛈️ National
🏗️ Glasgow Consultations update:
A brief update from Glasgow and South Lanarkshire. Includes a much-anticipated upgrade to NCN7 and a short notice event in East Kilbride. — article at GoBike »
🛣 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:
🚧 Westfield Rd: Closed at Gorgie Rd for Cityfibre works from Tuesday 4th November for 2 days. If you’re travelling between Gorgie and Balgreen, the Roseburn to Union Canal path may be an alternate route.
🍂 Hawthornvale: Closed at Lindsay Rd by the Sculpture workshop for Scottish Water repairs. If you’re travelling between to Newhaven and the Hawthornvale path, going to the end of the path may avoid a dismount. Update 2nd Nov: Works delayed, and new emergency works at Newhaven Rd.
⛰️ Holyrood Park: Queens Drive closed this Wednesday 5th November from 6pm for Bonfire Night, however HES have advised that cycle access will be maintained – Hurray!
🚧 Roseneath Street: Closed by Modal filter to Warrander Park Rd for Scottish Water surveys this Tuesday 4th November. Work may only last a few hours.
🛒 Gilmerton Road: Segregated cycle lanes closed around Morrisons for BT Openreach works this weekend Saturday 8th November to Sunday 9th November.
🏫 Boswall Green: Road between Wardie and Wardie Primary School closed for emergency gas repairs at Granton Road. It should be possible to dismount to pass.
Longer Term Closures:
🚛 Kings Stables Rd: Closure between Lothian Rd and the Barrace Steps for Christmas market setup from today (Monday 27th October) until 18th January. It should be possible to dismount for 200m, or West Port and Castle Ter may offer an alternate route.
🏞️ 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 Water of Leith 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.
🏗️ 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
🎟️ ‘True tales of the Tour De France’ talk by Carlton Kirby at Ghillie Dhu, 12th November;
⚡️ Porty Community Energy are promoting [IG] 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.
🦺 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
🔧 Weds, 5-8pm Fix Your Own Bike Sessions at The Bike Station, Tollcross
🌅 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, 1-4pm Fix Your Own Bike Sessions at The Bike Station, Tollcross
⚙️ 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
💰 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! 🚲
With us settling nicely into our new Tollcross shop, we've received a great deal of support from volunteers, both experienced and new - thank you. There are still a couple of roles that could aid us in furthering our mission:
🖥️ Online Sales Support:
Help manage our online sales to generate revenue from unique bike components. Taking pictures, creating and managing listings to arranging postage.
🛠️ 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 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:
⛏️ Burnside Path Repairs & Longstone Sinkhole
Contractors setting up on site w/c 3/11 for repairs required to the retaining wall/sinkhole. Hope to complete the in-river works by xmas, & reinstatement of sinkhole by end of Feb. Option to extend contract if required. — Longstone Community Council on Bluesky » (including site plan images)
📝 West Edinburgh Link, including Glasgow Rd, South Gyle, Bankhead, Sighthill, Wester Hailes and Clovenstone. “Around 5km of new segregated and improved cycleways, new crossings, path and pavement improvements”, with the first phasecommencing build at the start of December this year, with an initial focus primarily on links to Quiet Route 8 - Technical plans [PDF]
⛲️ 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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