🚲 edi.bike | issue 26 | 5th Feb ‘24
the virtuous cycle continues
Welcome to your weekly roundup of cycle travel news, events and infrastructure progress in Edinburgh. This week: the politicians are at it again, Porty Community Energy want to help your bum, and more…
📰 News this Week
🌆 Locally
🔥 The Council’s Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) February meeting took place on Thursday and took forward several key strategic transport reports (that we introduced last week) that could provide real change in the city. Our whole team watched all six hours (!) of the meeting, even the status quo and car lobby Scottish Conservative contributions, and report in below ⏬
🚗 Regarding the Council’s report bad parking and Cycling UK’s ‘Fill that hole’ pothole reporting tool reported on last week, reader Gavin got in touch with another one worth a bookmark: FixMyStreet.
From last issue: Spokes' "What's in Store for '24?", interview with activist Ewan Maclean, and The Bike Station’s 2023 Impact Report [PDF];
🖍️ Errata and Apology
Last week we made an error, asserting that the Roseburn path section of the North Edinburgh Path Network (NEPN) — a contentious potential option for co-purposing to accommodate a new North-South tram route in the city — was unlit at night. This is not correct. Further to this, we compounded the error by repeating an equally contentious assertion that the path is “not really suitable for travel 24/7 particularly for women and marginalised groups”.
🙏 In an effort to amplify the core messaging of InfraSisters and other orgs, I fell short of representing the wider community with this statement. There are many folks across the gender spectrum who feel completely safe and comfortable using the path networks without issue, some of whom rightly got in touch to point out that fear and concern are being unduly spread. I shouldn’t have written something that suggested night time safety is a gendered issue, and while I will still try to amplify those who are calling for a better on-road cycle network with more natural surveillance than the off-road paths offer in Edinburgh, I wanted to issue my sincere apologies to anyone who felt othered or patronised by that particular point — Ben.
🌆 Transport & Environment Committee Meeting, 1st February ‘24
We covered in last issue that some major strategic plans were going up in front of TEC this past week; our team took an intrepid sprint through the six hours of the committee meeting’s webcast after the fact, with judicious use of the 2x speed control offered. Big thanks to Andrew White (and his partner Vicki for keeping the coffee flowing) for summarising this week:
Wowaee, TEC this past Thursday was hefty.
For those who like the numbers, there were over 600 pages spread across more than 8 PDFs, and the committee sat for over 6 hours to discuss it and didn't even cover all of it (and we've spent hours poring over it all!)
Everyone we've spoken with in our various active travel groups has felt overwhelmed by the volume of content presented. It's a lot to process. And this is supposed to be a weekly ‘digest’, so here we go!
📰 The BBC published a decent summary following the committee meeting.
The three big reports were:
7.1 City Mobility Plan update,
7.2 Our Future Streets (formally the Circulation Plan), and
7.3 Tram from Granton to BioQuarter and Beyond Consultation.
🔄 7.1 The City Mobility Plan
The City Mobility Plan is Edinburgh's reaction to the pressures of the climate emergency in a travel context. It outlines how Edinburgh will achieve net zero by 2030. This week, the report presented at TEC is the first biennial (every other year for those who, like me, are also new to the word) review of the plan since it was initially approved in 2021. The CMP includes a set of Key Performance Indicators [‘KPIs’] (one of which is the 30% in car KMs driven) that, thanks to a certain COVID pandemic, need to be taken with a pinch of salt. Current figures suggest Edinburgh has decreased car kilometres driven by 7%, so there is a fair way to go on that KPI. Household access to bikes has seen a massive increase, from 33% in 2019 to 48% in 2021. At the same time, though, there's been a 1% drop in the number of people cycling five days a week but a general increase in cycling from 42% of residents to 47%.
The committee approved the update, including the Green Party Addendum, which asks officers to propose a 7-7-7 bus lane trial on a suitable corridor in 3 committee cycles’ time. Easy-to-understand bus lane times are good for cyclists, as these are frequently used as quieter parts of the road network.
📃 The full review of the City Mobility Plan can be found here [PDF] - the report itself starts on page 99.
🚸 7.2 Our Future Streets
Our Future Streets is essentially a part of the implementation output in aid of the City Mobility Plan. It outlines significant changes to how the road network in Edinburgh is allocated.
It outlines four options (A, B, C, and D). The front-runner is option C which is detailed in the map below.
Source: 📃 Our Future Streets Technical Summary Report [PDF]
We covered this in last week's issue, so won’t go into too much detail here.
This plan came alongside a presentation from Peter Varnewervant, who was heavily involved in the city of Ghent’s transformation to reduce the number of cars in the city centre. They saw a 60% increase in cycle traffic to and from the city and implemented the infrastructure changes effectively over a weekend. The presentation was very informative - we’d recommend watching on the TEC webcast 📺, where it can be found between 1:52:00 and 2:34:00 including Councillors’ questions. The “Big Bang” approach is a potential option for Edinburgh’s proposed Option C.
While much work has gone into the Our Future Streets report, there’s still much more to do to make it a reality. With TEC having approved the report, the next stage will involve further planning to work out the detail and what kind of implementation the city should go with - Big Bang (🤞) vs staggered. The hope is this will happen quickly, though, and indeed it sounds like the Cowgate will have its nighttime closures extended to most hours during the summer as a trial for indefinite pedestrian priority.
The committee approved the report with several additions/amendments from the SNP, Greens and Lib Dems. One notable addition relates to Holyrood Park. HES (Historic and Environment Scotland) operates the park, and if you remember from a few issues back, they’ve recently completed a consultation which may result in a significant or total reduction to motor vehicles in the park. The amendments included the addition of “1.1.6 Agrees that implementation of Our Future Streets must not serve as a delay to possible implementation by Historic Environment Scotland of Objective 5 of the emerging Outline Strategic Plan for Holyrood Park (“Make active travel the dominant travel mode through and to the Park”) and reiterates the Council’s view as set out in the 1 February 2024 Business Bulletin at Item 6.1.”
The detail of the full Our Future Streets report is staggering, and has a lot of insight into the predicted traffic displacement as a result of implementing the varying options. Well worth a read if you’re a nerd 🤓.
🚊 7.3 Tram from Granton to BioQuarter and Beyond Consultation
This has caused a significant amount of debate online. The Granton section’s ‘preferred’ route would see the Roseburn cycle path replaced with the tram line and a parallel path that may not permit cycling.
Alex Robb, representing Spokes, did a fantastic deputation. While internally it’s a divisive issue within both Spokes and the wider community, Spokes position does not oppose expansions to the tram network, nor necessarily the co-purposing of a section of the Roseburn path for some of the route. However, they think it’s crucial to try and find a balance and allow leisure cycling to continue.
🗨️ As ever, Spokes had a comprehensive live thread of the proceedings on X. If you don’t use X, you can read it here.
We’d also like to highlight the deputation presented by Friends of Dalry Cemeteryx who oppose the use of the Roseburn path for the Tram route. They said:
“Clearly the Roseburn option is preferred because it’s anticipated to be less expensive, but only in monetary terms. Not in terms of the quality of the city, the physical and mental health of its inhabitants, or the well-being of its nature. Take one walk along the Roseburn path and another along Leith walk and tell me in your heart of hearts that this plan with walkers put next to 40mph trams and cycling actively discouraged would be an improvement”.
Financial cost is not the only measure of good. You can read Jakob’s full deputation on X, as sadly it seems to be missing from the Deputations PDF.
During the debate section of 7.3 at TEC (checks clock, 5h 12m in) SNP Cllr Dobbin asks about the width concerns on the parallel path alongside the potential tramline preventing cycling. The main concern is around the experience users of the proposed path would have, by minimising the width of the path they don’t need to cut into the ecology of the surroundings as much. It’s not that the route won’t allow for cycling, it’s simply that it will no longer be considered primary infrastructure for cycling, instead primary network routes will be on the road.
It’s important to stress that nothing on this is set in stone, the Roseburn path is not going away anytime soon. The implementation will take roughly 12 years and that’s if the funding (around £2 billion) is secured. But before funding is even requested, a consultation is needed. The report presented outlines what will be included in that consultation - and importantly, thanks to the amendments tabled the council will no longer present one route as their preferred choice when consulting the general public.
After a pretty fiery back and forth between Cllr Arthur and Cllr Osler, the committee approved the report with a few amendments. Look out for a consultation on the proposed North/South Tram route later this year. If you’re keen - as many folks are - to support the protest against the tram on this route, you might consider joining the Save the Roseburn Path Facebook group. Others will agree with the Spokes position. One thing is for sure - there’s a strong case for nuance in all of this big-picture work the TEC is taking on, and nuance is one thing our public discourse is not well trained for.
Remember that scene in LOTR Return of the King where Frodo and Sam have just fled Mt Doom, and Frodo says “It’s Over, It’s Done”? Okay, it wasn’t quite that dramatic, but TEC ended with Convenor Cllr Arthur saying “I think this is the latest ever TEC so thank you, and apologies”, and council officers can be seen hugging…
🧵 There were a couple of excellent threads by Angus Calder, Senior Mobility Planner at Sustrans, in the run-up to TEC - which we found helpful in giving context to all this work.
On the Circulation PlanX (or read elsewhere);
On the Roseburn tram optionX and wider circulation plan (or read elsewhere).
👿 If you’re enjoying this level of detail, you might be a member of the Evil Cycling Lobby. Might as well buy the t-shirt, especially with proceeds going to Pedal on Parliament and others.
🔥 Nationally
“Extreme weather has caused extensive damage to the National Cycle Network, and freezing temperatures are making things worse. The Network urgently needs repairs. Your support could help keep it safe and accessible for everyone.” – Donate at Sustrans
From last issue: Wheels for Wellbeing’s excellent accessible cycle parking guidance.
🫂 Help Needed
Ongoing:
🙋 Sustrans seek volunteers for their ‘I Bike’ school programme: teaching kids, maintaining a bike fleet or marshalling rides with pupils;
♿ Wheels for Wellbeing are running a survey (password: cycling) for disabled persons who cycle or would like to cycle;
📣 Leith-based Edinburgh Bike Tours are looking for a manager, and bike tour guides - kathy@edinburghbiketours.co.uk / 07754442434
🗨️ 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
📜 Deadline Thursday 8th! 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];
🌉 There was a great deputation at TEC from Alan Gordon of Longstone Community Council, relating to the developer of 120 new flats at Inglis Green Rd in Longstone agreeing to pay up to 30% of the costs of a bridgeX between Inglis Green Rd and New Mart Road “providing a much-needed active travel connection between Longstone/Redhall and Chesser”;
🚥 West Lothian Council are planning a range of toucan and pedestrian crossings. You can view the PDF plans here and email your comments in before 16th February - to Martin.Wilkinson@westlothian.gov.uk (please /CC spokes@spokes.org.uk too);
📋 Survey on improvements to Powderhall Junction open until 16th Feb; the website has plans, context and background.
📆 Events and Happenings
🌃 Tomorrow! 6-7.30pm — Night time workshop to increase your confidence riding at night, run by Porty Community Energy, all fitness levels welcome - details on Facebook;
Regular events on at The Wee Spoke Hub - follow their schedule here:
✴️ Thursday 8th February, 4pm - 8pm: Bike DIY Session, “£6 per hour for use of a stable bike stand, in a warm, dry, well-lit space. Wee Spoke Hub tools are available for your use. Also spare parts, and mechanical assistance by competent volunteers, backed up by a workshop mechanic.”
✴️ Saturday 10th February, So... you've bought a bike... what next?, “This session will offer you an introduction to looking after your bike and being a responsible bike owner. We also cover aspects of safer on-road cycling, and answer any questions you have.”
🗡️ The Causey are running Our Streets - a linocut workshop about walking, cycling and other forms of active travel with Beetroots Collective CIC, from which the artworks will be “digitalised, animated and projected during a street event at the Causey in early March 2024”. You can book into one of the weekly workshops here, next is this Weds 7th;
👶 A new block of Balance Bike classes kicks off at Bridgend Farmhouse from Saturday 17th Feb;
🍑 On Wednesday 21st February, Porty Community Energy launch their Porty Saddle Library:
“Hold on to your seats, this is going to be comfy ride! We're launching a saddle library and we're hosting a cosy evening at the book shop to discuss sore botties and what helps improve cycling in style. Everyone is welcome.”
More details on this Instagram post;
🧑🏫 Edinburgh University Staffer or Student? The university is offering cycle training courses if so;
🗨️ 29th 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 this month that are worth a look;
🛣 Road Closures and Route Issues
⚠️ Continuing safety issues with the cycleway green light at the foot of Leith WalkX - mind how you go, and consider reporting to the Council too;
⚒️ North Bridge closed 8pm - 6am, for 7 consecutive nights this week for alterations to the work area and running lanes;
💩 Lady Lawson St is closed Northbound starting today, between West Port and Castle Ter for repairs to a collapsed sewer lasting 6-8 weeks;
🐟 Lane closure and contraflow on Sir Harry Lauder Rd between Baileyfield Rd and Fishwives' Causeway, today until Weds 7th;
🚽 Brunstane Rd between Abercorn Ter and Dalkeith St now closed until 3rd March for sewer repairs;
⚽ Weds 7th, Easter Rd area: Hibs v Celtic, kick-off 8pm with roads closed before and after the match: Hawkhill Ave & Cl / St Clair St / Albion Pl, Rd, Ter & Gdns, and Harrismith Place;
🍊 Sat 10th - Gammon Orange Order Parade with rolling road closures / Police 'stop & hold' between 11am and midday. Distillery Ln - Dalry Rd - Gorgie Rd - Wheatfield Rd - Wheatfield St - Gorgie Rd - McLeod St;
🏉 Sat 10th, Six Nations Rugby at Murrayfield - Scotland v France, kick-off 2.15pm with road closures before and after the match affecting Roseburn, Murrayfield, Haymarket areas plus West Approach Rd after the match. Here’s the closure map [PDF]
Ongoing…
🚦Traffic management measures in place 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;
⛏️ 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 2 weeks;
🧑🌾 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 around one more week;
🚰 Colinton Rd between Craiglockhart Rd and Craiglockhart Pk has a lane closure / contraflow commencing for Scottish Water works lasting around another 4 weeks;
🦩 Water of Leith: in Leith, 16 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:
Currently - lane closures on North and South Charlotte St, George St closed, no right turn from Charlotte Sq south side into South Charlotte St.
💡 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 - ride safe! 🚲
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