🚲 edi.bike | issue 24 | 22nd Jan ‘24
taking inboxes, by storm
Welcome to your weekly roundup of cycle travel news, events and infrastructure progress in Edinburgh. This week: ‘Living roof’ cycle parking, consultations and surveys, and fighting for equality in harassment-free cycling.
📰 News this Week
🌆 Locally
🇸🇪 While initially dismayed to find IKEA Straiton had removed all of its front door cycle parking in recent works at their entrance, we quickly discovered their new ‘living roof’-covered cycle shelter just round the corner. It has space for up to 14 cycles (provided it’s not being used as a dumping ground for trolleys) and if signage to it is improved from the front of the store, it’s a truly solid choice - especially given the weather we’re prone to! We shared some photos of it on Mastodon 📸, found this article on a similar installation at IKEA in Greenwich, and linked from there is the supplier Green Roof Shelters - their page of cycle shelters has a lovely range of options.
🥄 (IKEA still has a wee circlet of ‘wheel-benders’ near the front door meant for temporary parking during the works; it’s still there and it would be a shame if anyone braved IKEA by bike and thought that was the extent of their offering…)
👍 As mentioned last week Spokes had pointed out on XX that the final decision on the permanence of schemes like the locally approvedX Corstorphine Connections Low Traffic Neighbourhood, and other projects such as School Streets, will be the responsibility of the council’s Licensing Sub-committee, not the Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) as one might expect. Spokes clarifiedX with a link to a TEC motion back in November regarding ensuring TEC will still be closely involved, and Cllr Jack Caldwell weighed inX to explain the involvement of the Licensing Sub-committee is to do with issues around scrutiny and legality and is not affected (at least directly) by party lines. Easy!
From last issue: Wee bike library’s great testimonials, and Transport & Environment Committee (Jan): Our roundup, Convenor’s video recapX, and Spokes’ live threadX.
🔥 Nationally
🤬 London Cycling Campaign found 90% of women biking in London have faced abuse while doing so; they posted a videoX, a full report – What Stops Women Cycling in London? [PDF] – and a petition calling for Safe Cycling for Women. I’d encourage you - especially if you are a bloke / dude / lad / chappy and don’t normally engage with this kind of issue (and especially if it makes you feel uncomfortable) - to have a really close listen to the women raising their voices around this - and think about how we can show up and support the likes of Infrasisters (riding on International Womens’ Day 8th March, save the date), LCC and others doing equalities work around the right to ride.
💟 People who cycle to work are less likely to be prescribed drugs to treat anxiety or depression than those who commute using different modes of transport, new research shows — University of Edinburgh Study
🌍 A new international report [PDF] found over 400 bike bus routes, via SpokesX;
From last issue: Cyclehoop Cargo BikehangersX; UK Government setting policy based on conspiracy theories.
🫂 Help Needed
Ongoing:
🙋 Sustrans seek volunteers for their ‘I Bike’ school programme: teaching kids, maintaining a bike fleet or marshalling rides with pupils;
❄️ “Oh The Urbanity!” have a cycling in cold climates survey;
♿ Wheels for Wellbeing are running a survey (password: cycling) for disabled persons who cycle or would like to cycle;
💼 Scottish Cycling are hiring for a new Coaching Development Manager, deadline 28th Jan;
🗨️ Spokes are in need of new members for their Planning and Resources groups;
🤝 SW20 are now a Co-op Local Community Fund Cause - support them via this page;
🆘 Support Bikes for Refugees with an SMS donation 🐦or on EasyDonate;
🎭 Edinburgh Festival of Cycling are looking for new volunteers and additional directors
🛠 Edinburgh Tool Library still seeking donations of unused bike tools – get in touch.
🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations
📋 Survey on improvements to Powderhall junction open until 16th Feb; the website has plans, context and background, along with details of a drop-in session this Weds 24th Jan;
📜 Open until 8th February, the City of Edinburgh Council are consulting on the second phase of the George Street & First New Town project, covering North Castle St, Frederick St and Hanover St (North) - you can review and respond to the consultation, but it’s also worth looking over some of the criticisms that campaign group SW20 have of the designsX and the excellent response from Spokes [PDF];
🦐 While on the subject of Spokes’ consultation responses, the recent response in conjunction with Spokes Porty to the recently-closed Musselburgh Active Toun consultation is comprehensive and well worth a read [PDF].
📆 Events and Happenings
🗓️ The Bike Station’s Annual General Meeting is on tomorrow, Tuesday 23rd Jan 2pm to 3:30pm at their Causewayside branch (250 Causewayside, EH9 1UU) - fill out the form if you plan on attending;
✊ The next Edinburgh Critical Mass group protest / community ride will be on Saturday 27th January, 2pm from Middle Meadow Walk; the precise route is sent out via their newsletter or social media channels a couple of days ahead, but they’ve shared this month it’s a ‘short ride around the city centre’ finishing up at The Causey Development Trust to learn about their project;
🗨️ February: The Transport Studies Unit of Oxford University will host “Urban Futures - the proximity revolution. An introduction to the 15 minute city concept by its founder” and a number of other really interesting talks throughout next month that are worth a look;
🛣 Road Closures and Route Issues
Storm Isha’s closed all the routes. That’s it, stay in yer hoose.
🚦Traffic management changes today on Greenbank Ter / Comiston Rd at BraidBurn Ter visualised on the transport Convenor’s postX making way for new crossing installations and other junction works relating to Braidburn Ter at the main road;
⚽ Fitba tomorrow, Tues 23rd in Gorgie; Hearts v Dundee, kick-off 7.45pm with McLeod St, Wheatfield St and Wheatfield Pl closed before and after the match; 📅Same again on Sat 28th for Hearts v Aberdeen, kick-off 3pm;
⚽ Yet mer fitba on Weds 24th at Easter Rd; Hibs v Rangers, kick-off 7.45pm with roads closed before and after the match: Hawkhill Ave & Close / St Clair St / Albion Pl, Rd, Ter & Gdns / Harrismith Pl;
Ongoing…
💛 The city-bound lane of Dalry Rd at Haymarket junction is closed for two further weeks, one week in to works on cycle safety improvementsX
⛏️ Lanark Rd West between Bridge Road and Ravelrig bends - carriageway resurfacing road closure between 19:30 and 06:00 on weeknights, with a diversion signed via A70 - B7031 - Kirknewton - A71 - Curriehill Road, running for around another 4 weeks; CityFibre are also in the area doing patches of remedial work this week with lane closures and temporary lights around them as required between Baberton Ave and the City Bypass bridge;
🧑🌾 Gardner’s Cres is closed with temporary lights on Morrison St at Dewar Pl for Council works associated with the implementation of the Low Emissions Zone. Hopefully this is still passable by cycle, as the work is slated to go on until March/April;
💡 Scottish Power works have closed Murrayfield Rd Between Ellersly Rd and Stair Pk for three weeks;
😮💨 On Corstorphine Rd, between Ormidale Ter and Murrayfield Rd - section of citybound inside lane closed until around this Weds 24th Jan for a gas main disconnection;
🚌 Willowbrae Rd – from the bottom of Northfield Cres to Abercorn Ave – has the citybound bus lane closed for around 2 more weeks for carriageway repairs;
🚰 Colinton Rd between Craiglockhart Rd and Craiglockhart Pk has a lane closure / contraflow commencing for Scottish Water works lasting around another 6 weeks;
🦩 Water of Leith: in Leith, 18 remaining weeks of closure at a section of the shared walkway - Spokes have worked with the Water of Leith Conservation Trust on suggested diversions [PDF] during the Coalie Park closure.
⛏️ CCWEL-adjacent works on Charlotte Sq and North / South Charlotte St running until March 2024:
Phase 1 and 2 are completed;
Phase 3 is underway - daytime lane closures on Charlotte Sq (east side), North and South Charlotte Street, daytime closures of Charlotte Sq (south and west sides).
💡 Footway works and street lighting renewal on Polwarth Gdns, involving lane closures and parking restrictions. Polwarth Pl, Polwarth Pk, Harden Pl and Mertoun Pl will be closed as work progresses, running until March ‘24;
💧A significant programme of Scottish Water drainage improvement work on Longstone Rd until mid summer ‘24;
🧰 Braidburn Ter closed (dismount to pass via pavement) at the end of the Greenbank-Meadows Quiet Route while the new pedestrian and cycle realm enhancement worksX are underway. There’a a comprehensive update from Council Officers on the works in this post from Cllr Scott Arthur.
Ongoing updates on the Council’s Road reports page as the week unfolds and via @edintravelX on X.
Thanks for reading - wishing you the wind at your back. Wait, NOT TOO MUUCH 🚲
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