🚲 edi.bike | issue 122 | 8th Dec ‘25
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
🅿️ Hire bikes in cycle parking update: Our conversation with Voi
Following our ongoing campaign to Keep Cycle Parking Free of Voi Bikes, the hire ebike operator reached out to us and we held a productive call with their team this week.
"A key priority for Voi is that we want to make the scheme work for the whole community - not just users of the bikes - and for it to be something the city can be proud of. We're keen on collaboration and partnership to get things right for Edinburgh" — Harry Foskin, Public Policy Manager at Voi
You can find out more about what was discussed and our first thoughts on the next steps towards managing the issue at the link below.
🏰 Local Bits
👭 Come join us on Sunday December 14th for a series of Trans Solidarity Rides!
Three Edinburgh women-led cycle groups (Infrasisters, Queens of Pain and the Edinburgh School of Rocks [IG] ) have joined forces to show solidarity with our trans sisters in the wake of Cycling UK’s decision to exclude them from their Annual 100 Women in Cycling Awards.
We are offering 3 rides – a self guided gravel route up into the fringes of the Pentlands; a less-demanding group gravel ride; & a relaxed social ride on (mostly) car-free paths towards Cramond and back along the seafront.
All rides can be found on Outliers »
Further information available on our website »
All welcome, whatever your gender.
⚙️ Spokes — the Lothian Cycle Campaign — have published their December Action Update [PDF] for all things cycling and their campaigning in Edinburgh - including more detail on “a major success in our seemingly interminable campaign for bike lanes, and more pedestrian space, on Princes Street” after the draft Princes St and Waverley Valley Strategy was turned down by the Council’s planning committee recently;
✂️ This Saturday, 13th December: the ‘Grand Opening’ of the new BANZAI (Bruntsfield Area Net Zero Action Initiative)) cargo bike library hub at Bruntsfield links; come along between 2-5pm for Kids Arts & Crafts, Face Painting, Winter Trail, Marshmallow Roasting, Shed Decorating, Dr Bike provided by ELREC, Hot Drinks & Cakes, Music and the Ribbon Cutting with Councillor Ben Parker.
⛔ Updates on the accessibility of both the Ferry Rd path, and the St Marks path at Powderhall, in our ‘Route Closures and Issues’ section below ⏬
👏 Merchiston Districts Community Council shared this week: “Safety Wins: Residents Choose New Polwarth Junction Design, Construction to Begin Within 18 Months”. Great news for residents and those who travel through this busy junction - particularly vulnerable road users. Find out more in the Community Council’s detailed blog post »
💙 On 16 May 2025, Aeneas - a professional visual artist based in Edinburgh - was involved in a serious cycling accident on Queen’s Drive when a pedestrian stepped into his path. Thrown from his bike, he landed on his head. His helmet saved his life, but he sustained a severe spinal injury resulting in tetraplegia.
This fundraiser - for intensive and more frequent treatment not available through the NHS - is getting really close to its initial goal of £18k. It would be great to chip in and lend some help and hope to Aeneas and his family and get this over the line!
🧑🎄 Christmas Corner
🚲 “Volunteers and cargo trikes from Porty Community Energy’s bike library out delivering some Bethany Caring Christmas Trees in Porty yesterday” — smashing photo from Charlie on Bluesky »
🎄 The Cycling Gardeners are selling Christmas Trees from their yard in Tarvit Street, Tollcross — order online for delivery - including by bike!
🎁 Share Dalry Bicycle Depot’s Christmas Gift Guide post with family and friends - ‘Gifts for a Bike Person’ »
💸 New investment secured for Intradrive, the Edinburgh-based eBike component developer - via Edinburgh Festival of Cycling »
🍕 Proposals detailed in The Spurtle for food kiosk and seating areas by the footway at the Omni centre are causing concerns about inevitable queues affecting the already busy pedestrian through-way and cycle lanes at this location. Comments can be made on the planning application until January 6th.
🤝 Bikes for Refugees Scotland have a Christmas appeal looking for donations towards children’s bikes:
“Having bikes has made everyday life easier and happier for our family. My eldest rides to school for a quick, healthy start to the day. My youngest meets friends and doesn’t feel left out. We explore the canal and parks together and build warm memories. We’re very grateful for the bikes and the safety gear, like helmets & locks”
🧑🎄 Donate here »
👩🦼 From Equal Footing Porty on their Instagram:
Are you disabled and want to cycle more in Edinburgh?
Please fill in our wheelchair handbike attachment survey!
We are looking to get a wheelchair handbike attachment like Rosie's Batec Mobility handbike for the bike library, but before we do we need your help.
Handbike attachments are incredibly cool bits of kit but they're prohibitively expensive for most people and there's currently no way to trial them from an unbiased 3rd party for a period before committing to a particular bike. Additionally, they're large and difficult to store if you're only using them occasionally.
Which is why we want to set up a wheelchair handbike borrowing scheme via the Porty Bike Library! Please help us set one up by filling in the survey.
📱 A few more bits on Voi’s hire bike scheme:
🎁 An interesting thread from Wingpig on Bluesky of Voi seemingly incentivising users of the scheme to stand fallen cycles back up with three free minutes per bike ‘righted’;
🗺️ An insight from Alex Robb this week that Voi bikes now appear as a transport option in Google Maps directions, including the location and battery level of the bikes:
☃️ Voi customers this week received an email suggesting that the scheme could be paused under ‘heavy snowfall’ or other unsafe weather conditions over winter, along with some seasonal riding guidance:
👑 Some of the Edinburgh Dawn Patrol [IG] regulars will be riding Doddie's Triple Crown 2026 — an epic annual cycling challenge to raise funds for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, a Motor Neurone Disease charity. The challenge takes place from the 10th - 13th March 2026 with the team riding 800 miles. Mark Baker posted a video promoting the endeavour to Instagram and you can sponsor them via their team Just Giving page here or Mark’s page here »
🚊 The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (squiggle reads, ‘the artists formerly known as Sustrans’) have weighed in on the North-South tramline consultation, where they remain skeptically neutral ahead of more detailed designs for the Roseburn Path option, but at present back the Orchard Brae alignment. In the Evening News, Transport convener Cllr Stephen Jenkinson shoots down questions around other potential North-South routes, saying we’ll “not be going back to the drawing board”.
🤑 Currently there’s 10% off Cargo bike hire from Edinburgh Festival of Cycling until December 19th;
The Bike Station is looking for three new volunteer trustees to help shape the future of cycling in Scotland. If you’re passionate about sustainability, social justice, or breaking down barriers to cycling, this could be the perfect fit.
We’re especially keen to hear from women, young people, BIPOC+, disabled people, and people in Perth & Kinross - we want our Board to better reflect our communities.
No previous Board experience needed - just your skills, commitment and passion. 💛
👉 Full details + how to apply on our website
💸 Reminder: The Bike Station are also currently running their #EverydayHeroes crowdfunding campaign »
⛈️ National
🚓 “Are cyclists in Scotland any closer to being able to submit dangerous driving footage to an online police portal?” — article on the ongoing, slow, painful and still incomplete saga at Road.cc »
🌍 Elsewhere
📺 Long watch: “This is Why Cycling is Dangerous in America” by Not Just Bikes on Youtube »
🛣 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:
🚧 Caledonia Place: Dalry improvements due to begin this Tuesday 9th December until April 2026. Later phases will impact the Telfer Subway entrance.
🚧 Saughton Crescent: Sections of QuietRoute 9 closed for resurfacing and Active Travel improvements by Balgreen until March 2026. Impact on cycling expected in phases 4-8, for which a signed cycle diversion is to be provided. Update 8th December: Phase 4 expected to begin in next 2 weeks.
🏗️ St Marks Path: Section of Quietroute 20 between McDonald Road and Warriston Path closed for CEC Powderhall redevelopment works, with a pedestrian diversion signed only. Update 8th December: Path to reopen Friday 19th December 2025 until Sunday 4th January 2026, with early plans to provide a route through the site when the path is closed in future.
🏞️ Ferry Road Path: Obstructions of offroad path between Leonardo and Morrisons by works to extend the security fence. The path was reopened during the works, but unfortunately construction kit was not moved. Update 8th December: Main obstruction has now been removed.
🟠 Valleyfield St: Section of NCR 75 between Meadows and Union Canal closed from until this Wednesday 10th December for Scottish Water works. Access for cycles was intended to be maintained, but unfortunately a dismount is required.
🚧 Silverknowes Road: Closed for resurfacing works and reconfiguration of the cycle lane. Update 8th December: Works have been paused after issues uncovered, with cycle access currently unclear.
🎄⚠️ Christmas Markets: New temporary arrangements for cycles on George St and Waverley Bridge. Exercise caution around vehicles loading in the morning and crowds in the evening, especially by the queuing area in the Waverley Bridge Pedestrian and Cycle Zone.
Longer Term Closures:
🏰 Dalmeny Estate: Private Roads within estate closed to walking and cycling every Saturday until 1st February for an undisclosed private event. NCR 76 on John Muir Way unaffected.
🚦 Bankhead Drive: Quietroute 8 along the tramline obstructed at junction with S Gyle Access until Summer 2026 for construction of West Edinburgh Link.
🏗️ East Barnton Gardens: Closed for utility connections for new care home until January 2026. If you’re travelling between Davidson’s Mains Park and the Blackhall Path, it may be better to connect to NCR1 at Barnton Avenue.
🚛 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.
🏗️ 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
🎤 Save the date for Towpath Talk #4 at Gamma Transport Division; 23rd January 2026 will see Tom Taylor speak on ‘Creating a Cycling Community’, along with a talk from adventure racer Rich Rothwell, hosted by Izabela Murtagh. 19:00 start - follow Towpath Talks on Instagram and listen to previous talks on Spotify »
🔁 Weekly Events
❄️ Seasonal warning; some of these might be on a break over the Christmas holidays, so worth checking in with them individually before you travel!
🍃 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 talks and discussion on Zoom
☕ Weds, 8:15 - 9:45: Coffee Outside [IG]: Wednesday morning hangouts at 📍 Lochrin Basin - bring a mug, water, a way to boil water, and coffee ☕
🛠️ 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.
✊ No ride in December - see you Jan 31st! Last Saturday of the month: Critical Mass Edinburgh, Family-friendly mass protest / group ride, 2pm, Middle Meadow Walk; see you again 31st January, and check out the poster below for other upcoming ride dates.
🫂 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. We are still recruiting for volunteers for 🛠️ 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
📋 Overviews: CEC’s Active travel improvements programme | Interactive Map from City Mobility Plan prioritisation exercise
✏️ In the Works:
✉️ In letters issued to residents and businesses in the area, the Council have recently been giving notification of public realm upgrades at Tarvit St and the area around the King’s Theatre refurbishment project, which has key integrations with the use of Tarvit St as a key part of the Meadows to Union Canal link project, Road surfacing aside, this phase of the project does not deliver any tangible improvements to the experience of cycling through the area, but has been a notable blocker on progress to deliver the rest of the route which is scheduled for around eighteen months’ time - and what’s another year and a half on an eleven year wait?
🛣️ Sign the petition to Stop the £55 Million A701 Relief Road »
🐚 The consultation on Station Road as part of the Musselburgh Active Toun project is currently open: respond online by mid December /via Cllr Shona McIntosh;
🚋 Recently closed: Major North-South Tramline Consultation until 17th November| Spokes’ brilliant, detailed response [PDF] | Officers A8 ‘Diversion’ Clarification
💬 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
🦦 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:
⛏️ 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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