🚲 edi.bike | issue 119 | 17th Nov ‘25
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
🚋 North-South Tram Extension Consultation Midnight Today, 17th Nov
The Council’s major North-South Tramline Consultation ends at midnight today, Monday 17th November.
Whatever your input, make your voice heard and respond to the consultation »
⚙️ Spokes have issued a fantastically comprehensive and detailed response [PDF] to the proposed plans;
Elsewhere, Midlothian Council have questioned the commercial viability of a tram extension [PDF] into their patch, which they are rightly taken to task on in this excellent thread by SW20 - perhaps don’t get excited about what makes fiscal sense if you want to build a new major road in 2025 thinking it will solve congestion.
Trams are an incredibly efficient answer to moving vast numbers of people across cities. Mass Rapid Transit is a vital piece of infrastructure development for any major city that wants to deliver on sustainable travel and reduce congestion - alongside other green choices like active travel.
Across the cycling community, we all differ on whether we’re happy to sacrifice some of the off-road path network for this purpose - but the city is growing, and it’s hard to ignore the successes of the existing line, even among the project’s many failings.
🔒 Keeping Edinburgh's Cycle Parking Free of Hire Bikes
Since doubling down on our campaign last week with a new project page, we’ve received ten new photos of cycle parking blocked by Voi hire e-bikes across the city, and started making plans to take the conversation forward - more on that soon. In the meantime you can see all the updates at edi.bike:
🗳️ November Transport & Environment Committe Round-up
After a busy meeting of the Transport Committee last Thursday, we’ve trawled through the webcast and written up our usual attempt at a blow-by-blow-slash-summary, with a number of interesting insights uncovered along the way:
🏰 Local Bits
Great feature in The Edinburgh Reporter on the Edinburgh Critical Mass protest outside the City Chambers ahead of the Transport & Environment Committee meeting last Thursday, and a few more photos from Blackford Safe Routes »
⛔ Lots of good points about the lack of notice and planning in the closure of St. Mark’s path at Powderhall from today in this thread on Bluesky; more details from Robbie below in our Route Closures and Issues roundup.
It rather highlights a lack of process around works in the city when there’s no planned cycle diversion on a popular active travel link and the City of Edinburgh Council are the client for the works.
🦺 On tonight: Cycle Law Scotland‘s Cycle Road Safety Roadshow at Heriot-Watt in Currie;
🎉 Celebrations following the meeting of the Council’s planning committee this week, after it voted not to adopt the lukewarm proposals around the new Princes St and Waverley Valley strategy. Spokes, together with prominent architect Richard Murphy, have been pushing for plans that make more of the place — especially given the city’s sustainable transport hierarchy — and offer something more than four lanes of traffic for one of Edinburgh’s most iconic destinations;
🪷 “As you will know from your work over the past few decades, there is so much more to riding a bike than just the sporting aspect. It improves our physical and mental health. It gives us mobility and saves us money. It helps us build a deeper relationship with the world around us. It introduces us to friends and communities we might not otherwise have encountered. Last week (after speaking at your Scottish Annual Gathering) I wrote about the endless directions in which cycling enables us to grow.” — Emily Chappell writes to Cycling UK on the exclusion of Trans women from their ‘Top 100’ lists »
📋 Local campaigner Craig Robertson has started a petition to remove VAT from bike sales - which is very timely given the tax benefit cuts planned by Chancellor Rachel Reeves (see ‘National’ below) - sign at Change.org »
🩷 Meet Edinburgh’s sight loss tandem group - great coverage for Vie Velo over at the Royal National Institute for Blind People »
💻 Edinburgh Napier’s Transport Research Institute have published the latest in their series ‘Essential Evidence 4 Scotland’:
No. 107 Assessing the encouragement of vehicle reduction – only sticks as well as carrots will do [PDF] »
📋 The consultation on Station Road as part of the Musselburgh Active Toun project is currently running and has a drop-in event at 📍 The Venue, Eskmills Business Park tomorrow, Tuesday 18 November, 2pm - 7:30pm. . If you use this area either to access the Esk river path, or to buy baked goods at Company then you might wish to feed in (there are three options being consulted on). You can respond to the consultation online by mid December. Thanks to Musselburgh Councillor Shona McIntosh for sending us over the details.
📷 In Pictures and Video
- ⚓️ @geocycle takes us for a ride along the new Sandport cycleway on Bluesky »
- 📺 Jarlath Flynn [Bluesky] was interviewed by That’s TV Lothian about the new St. Peter’s bike bus »
- 🎹 Dr Mark Hartl just casually posting commute photos featuring a PIANO BIKE… which after a bit more digging turned up this Instagram Reel in support of the Save the Roseburn Path campaign;
- 🚑 Hart’s cyclery posted a cool repair job - for an ambulance bike ahead of the Rugby, to Facebook »
⛈️ National
🏆 The winners of this year's Bikeability Scotland Awards have been announced by Cycling Scotland this week, with several winners and highly commended schools and instructors from Edinburgh and Lothians.
The Bikeability Scotland Awards recognise outstanding achievement in three categories: the Keith Fergus Annual Achievement Award, School of the Year and Instructor of the Year.
😡 Rachel Reeves to cut tax benefits for workers using salary sacrifice schemes to buy bikes - Chancellor expected to introduce new limit on how much can be spent on a bicycle through cycle to work scheme — The Guardian »
This has to be driven by comparing the cost of an ebike to buying an Apollo from Halfords — instead of comparing it to the cost of a car… With friends like the Labour party, who needs enemies?
🍎 Free bike schemes in deprived communities improve people's health, wellbeing and social mobility, report shows. The trial took place in three areas across the UK and found the scheme also resulted in healthcare savings in relation to preventable deaths and disease — article at Road.cc »
🔍 New from Laura Laker:
A Freedom Of Information (FOI) request offers a glimpse into the challenges local authorities face building traffic-free interurban walking and cycling paths, as just one per cent of them are attempting to use legal powers to purchase land for such paths, and two per cent have done so successfully. — Cycleways to nowhere »
🛣 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:
🏗️ St Marks Path: Section of Quietroute 20 between McDonald Road and Warriston Path closed for CEC Powderhall redevelopment works from today 17th November until 12th January 2026. A pedestrian diversion will be signed only. NCR75 by Tesco may offer an alternate route. Further closures may take place in 2026.
🏗️ East Barnton Gardens: Closed for utility connections for new care home from today 17th November for 6-8 weeks. If you’re travelling between Davidson’s Mains Park and the Blackhall Path, it may be better to connect to NCR1 at Barnton Avenue.
🚧 Forrest Road: Closures affecting NCR1 northbound between Middle Meadow Walk and George IV Bridge 9:30am – 3:30pm weekdays have been extended to at least this Tuesday 18th November. Works may require a dismount in centre of the road.
🐌 Gardeners Crescent: Closed this Tuesday 18th November for 3 days for Scottish Water works, affecting temporary diversion of Port Hamilton cycle path. It’s been queried whether cycle access via the gardens will be possible.
🔧 Rosebery Crescent: CCWEL potentially obstructed at Haymarket Terrace by short closure this Wednesday 19th November for Scottish Water repairs.
🛒 Gilmerton Road: Obstruction of segregated cycle lanes by Aldi for bridge inspection this Friday 21st November.
🚧 Rodney Street: Closed citybound including uphill segregated cycle lane due to gas leak at Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative. Eyre Pl and George V Park may offer alternate route, or a short dismount to pass. Update: Road remains closed 16.11.25.
🏉 Murrayfield: Final autumn Rugby this Saturday 23rd November. Various Road closures in the surrounding area. Exercise caution and consider dismounting if possible on CCWEL to Water of Leith Path around 5pm and after 7pm. Roseburn Path to Union Canal open throughout.
Longer Term Closures:
🚛 Kings Stables Rd: Closure between Lothian Rd and the Barrace Steps for Christmas market setup 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: Quiet Route 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
🎙️ This month’s Towpath Talks at Gamma are this Friday 21st November; doors open 18:30, for 19:00 talk:
Join us on Friday November 21st to hear from two exciting guests: Sam Kerr, an adventure racer, and Donnie Campbell, an adventurer and coach.
🎟️ Tickets and more information »
🎧 Additionally, you can listen to the talks from October now on Spotify; part 1, Alasdair Lawton: 18 years of organising the Strathpuffer and part 2, Keith Forsyth: 16 years of racing the Strathpuffer;
🖼️ 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? 😅 ✨
📋 Overviews: CEC’s Active travel improvements programme | Interactive Map from City Mobility Plan prioritisation exercise
✏️ In the Works:
- 🚋 Closing today, 17th November: Major North-South Tramline Consultation until 17th November| Spokes’ Summary | Officers A8 ‘Diversion’ Clarification | Spokes’ detailed draft response
- 💬 Resistance in Silverknowes to new cycleways; comments from supportive users on ETRO/21/30C can be made here using the ‘Respond to Consultation’ button at the bottom of the map - open until 10th February.
- 🚲 Consultation: Barnton Connections; open for comments until January 26th;
- 📝 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’.
- 🤫 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
- 🌳 Meadows to Union Canal Link
- 🦦 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;
- ⚒️ Queensferry Connections project;
- ⛏️ Marionville Rd and Smokey Brae improvements;
- 🚶🏽♂️ Walking, wheeling and cycling improvements in Currie
- 🧪 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:
- ⛏️ 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) - ⛴️ 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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