🚲 edi.bike | issue 128 | 19th Jan ‘26
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
💰 Prospective Scottish budget announced for 2026 and beyond
Last week the SNP’s Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison delivered a draft of the last budget before Holyrood elections in May. As we saw from the last budget, there’s a bit of smoke and mirrors going on with the ‘Active Travel’ investment (for examples, see previous article from Spokes) where we once again have public transport funding for bus infrastructure lumped in with the figures provided; a brief post also from Spokes makes the key point that the last couple years budget also wasn’t fully spent, which is really what counts on the ground rather than how grandiose nor how fuzzy the promises are along the way.
Transform Scotland give their thoughts and a wider summary in Jets, buses and roads: Our top 3 takeaways from the Scottish Budget »
💛 Tour de France ‘Grand Départs’ route announced
The route for Le Tour’s Scottish leg from Edinburgh (Hey! That’s here!) to Carlisle was announced this week - as covered by STV and Cycling Weekly. Cue lots of yer dad’s internet friends making funny comments about Edinburgh’s potholes.
Over on Facebook the Ride to the Sun folks were having a chuckle about clearly being a source of inspiration for the route »
🏰 Local Bits
🍃 The Cycling Gardeners are hiring — see their website for more details »
📷 Another image of vehicle encroachment at the half-finished Elm Row parking-vortex-slash-cycleway posted by Leith Feeder Ride to Bluesky this week - our repost had a response from Cllr Caldwell who is on the case and suggests we might see the remaining issues (at least with the cycleway) resolved by March or so;
📨 Reader Jano reminds us there’s 23 days remaining on the consultation period for the Silverknowes Rd ETRO providing protected cycleways in the area, which some local residents have been vocal enough about to attract the attention of local minority interest champions the Edinburgh Liberal Democrats, along with an MSP who quit the Scottish Conservatives claiming the party had "fallen into the trap of reactionary politics" only to get with exactly that himself [FB] (though it’s good to see a handful of folks bringing a bit of balance to the comments section on that one, but take your ‘traffic chaos council critics’ bingo card with you, you’ll need it).
You can respond to the consultation online or by emailing TRO.Consultations@edinburgh.gov.uk and quoting "ETRO/21/30C".
🧳 Congratulations to local commuting enthusiast, Towpath Talks co-organiser and Audax-er Izabela Murtagh, who has been named an ambassador for Lancashire-based cycling goods craftsfolk Carradice — /via City Cycling Edinburgh;
🍜 Update: following a lovely spike in donations after we featured it last week, the fundraiser for a new bike for Derek has reached 65% with only £350 to go…
Derek is a Deliveroo rider in Edinburgh who has had an incredibly difficult year. He lost his home, then his pet, and suffered a heart attack. Due to his health condition, he relies on an electric bike to work - he physically can’t cycle a regular bike.
On Friday 2nd January around 5:45pm, his e-bike was stolen from North Bridge. This bike was his only means of earning a living. — Read more »
📲 A great note about the Fix my street service — whose app is a quick and easy way to report issues with traffic lights, road surfacing and more — from Edinburgh Critical Mass this week:
The city is a shared space and everyone should be playing nice.
But bikes are much more agile than cars so we can help fix things by stopping to report problems at www.fixmystreet.com in a way cars can't.
Report what it is and where it is and they'll get the message to the right people. — Edinburgh Critical Mass on Bluesky »
⚙️ Reminder that Spokes last week published their January ‘action update’ with a summary of all things Spokes org, volunteering and summaries of current consultations;
💨 Why is air pollution still a health risk in Scotland? And what can we do about it?
Join our free webinar on 20 January to hear from medical experts, environmental advocates & community campaigners on how to guarantee our right to clean air — Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland /via Spokes
🚵 Maria Ramirez is taking on ‘Maratona dLes Dolomites’ - one of the hardest cycling races in Europe - in aid of Bikes for Refugees Scotland and is now over halfway to their fundraising goal;
🔍 A fascinating tool a few folks have been talking about this week:
Understanding where speeding is taking place is an important step in improving the design of our city environments. But until recently, we had lacking large-scale data collection that had enabled its variation across space.
On this site, we present speeding behaviour data collected from goods vehicles (LGVs and HGVs) in UK cities, across a month in October 2023
While the web-based tool is limited to goods vehicles, i.e. no private cars, this has plenty of data for Edinburgh - including, as one commenter pointed out, Holyrood Park where goods vehicles supposedly aren’t allowed in…
📕 In case you missed it last week - Markus Stitz of Edinburgh Dawn Patrol [IG] has a new book coming out this week - see him talk about it in this short video »
Gravel Rides Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, the latest guidebook from adventure writer and filmmaker Markus Stitz showcases 15 of the finest gravel cycling routes through the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and Argyll in Scotland. Published by Vertebrate Publishing, the book will be released on 15 January 2026.
If that sounds like your cup of tea, you can order the book directly from Markus and deliveries within Edinburgh are typically made by bike!
⛈️ National
🚲 Ten bikes in London’s city-wide hire scheme will be named after influential women in cycling to mark International Women’s Day on March 8th: fingers crossed for the inclusion of frequently-linked-here activist, journalist and author Laura Laker, mooted for a dedication! — more at The Standard »
🌍 Elsewhere
Cycling Ireland has expressed concern following comments made by a Dublin Judge describing cyclists as “a nightmare” and suggesting they are inherently unpredictable — Ciaran Cannon »
🛣 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;
📪 Road closure info — many thanks to regular contributor Robbie for collating and preparing these:
🚲 Valleyfield Street: Closed for Meadows to Union Canal Improvement works until April 2026. Cycle diversion is to be provided, which will be lengthened during the nearby Gilmore Pl resurfacing works.
🏞️ Holyrood Park: High Road including footway closed to cycles from today Monday 19th January until Friday 23rd January.
🚧 Haymarket Terrace: CCWEL segregated cycle path potentially obstructed by Openreach, Scottish Water and Virgin Media footway works across this week.
🚧 Minto Street: Segregated Cycles Lanes on A7 corridor obstructed at Duncan St for BT emergency repairs to a collapsed manhole.
🌉 Lanark Road: Footbridge carrying NCN75 and Segregated Cycles Lanes underneath obstructed by bridge inspections this Thursday 22nd January.
🛒 Gilmerton Road: Segregated Cycle Lanes expected to be obstructed south of Morrisons for Scottish Water works until Thursday 22nd January.
🚂 Meadow Place Road: Segregated Cycle Lanes at the rail bridge expected to be obstructed by Network Rail works until Friday 23rd January.
🚲 Summerhall: Segregated Cycle Lanes by Melville Dr and Melville Ter expected to be obstructed by Summerhall improvement works from Monday 26th January until April 2026.
🏗️ St Marks Path: Section of Quietroute 20 between McDonald Road and Warriston Path impacted by CEC Powderhall redevelopment works. The path is expected to remain open during the majority of the construction programme. Until a temporary path is provided, exercise caution at manned crossing gates when passing through the site.
🚧 Caledonia Place: Dalry footway improvement works underway until April 2026. Closures of Caledonian Rd and Caledonian Pl underway. 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. A signed cycle diversion is to be provided in phases 4-8.
🏖️ Silverknowes Road: Road to Silverknowes Beach closed for resurfacing works and reconfiguration of the cycle lane. Works have halted, with cycle access in the meantime currently unclear.
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.
🏞️ 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
🚲 Reece & Erin from Scottish Bmx School are running weekly Bmx workshops every Tuesday from 6:30pm at 📍 the Pitt market in Granton.
If you would be interested in supporting them and coming along, check out tickets here »
🎤 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
🍃 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.
✊ Last Saturday of the month: Critical Mass Edinburgh, Family-friendly mass protest / group ride, 2pm, Middle Meadow Walk; check out the poster below for upcoming ride dates - don’t forget to grab a t-shirt!
🫂 Help Needed
👑 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. As featured in this piece by Alastair Dalton, 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 follow them on their Instagram, sponsor them via their team Just Giving page here or Mark’s page here »
💙 PARIS. [5] December 2025 – Association EBN today is launching 2nd annual €5,000 Architecture and Arts grant for young adults in the memory of Emma Burke Newman.
The grant supports the realization of a community-shaping artistic, educational, or cross-cultural project by a young adult (17-35) residing in the EEA, the U.K., or U.S. in the fields of art, architecture, or place-making—including ones that address cycling or road safety—and reflecting the values of Emma Burke Newman.
“The grant is dedicated to the memory of Emma, to honor her compassion, community, and creativity as well as her zest for life and learning,” said association President Rose Marie Burke and the young woman’s mother. Tragically, Emma was killed by a truck driver while she was cycling to university on Jan. 27, 2023, in Glasgow.
⏩ More information on the grant here - thanks to Jim Winston for sending over.
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:
⛏️ As shared by SW20, work will begin on the paving of a key link between Bloomiehall Park in Juniper Green and Muir Wood Road in Currie on the 9th of February. Owned by developer Taylor Wimpey, an informal path link along the edge of the field has been used for decades since the development of the nearby housing estates, but will only now be formalised into a path suitable for all weather conditions and night-time passage. The linked article at Deadline News provides some slightly cryptic technical drawings and for some reason gives platform to local NIMBYs concerned about how giving people safe spaces to walk and cycle guarantees anti-social behaviour, like existing and moving around.
✍️ Take Action:
🛣️ Sign the petition to Stop the £55 Million A701 Relief Road »
🚲 Consultation: Barnton Connections; open for comments until January 26th;
💬 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.
🔐 Recently Closed:
⛲️Dundee Street Fountainbridge Active Travel Project consultation closed 12 January 2026 | 🗺️ Mapped illustrations (do zoom in!) — Image 1 and Image 2 | 📄 Technical drawings [PDF, 23.7mb]
📝 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”, the first phase underway with an initial focus primarily on links to Quiet Route 8 - Technical plans [PDF]
🤔 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 until at least a Standards Commission hearing in March ‘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;
🔄 Proposals to address issues at Davidson's Mains Roundabout; City Cycling Edinburgh thread | Planned ‘options’ | Comments closed Friday, 16th January
🔬 Trials & Programmes Underway:
✨ Improving Old Town Streets | Includes current ETRO for Lawnmarket & Johnston Terrace
📋 Consulted On:
🐚 The consultation on Station Road as part of the Musselburgh Active Toun closed mid December;
🚋 Major North-South Tramline Consultation | Spokes’ brilliant, detailed response [PDF] | Officers A8 ‘Diversion’ Clarification
⭕️ Polwarth Gardens road layout consultation | “Safety Wins: Residents Choose New Polwarth Junction Design, Construction to Begin Within 18 Months” at Merchiston Districts Community Council »
⛏️ 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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