🚲 edi.bike | issue 32 | 18th Mar ‘24
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
🌆 Locally
🍺 Police pulled over and seized a 10-rider “Beer bike” x (pictured above) on Leith Walk on Saturday, “following safety concerns and road traffic offences”. Insert your own jokes here about whether the plans for the lanes on Leith walk were drawn up at the bar on one of these during a sesh;
🤕 Edward Tissiman: “Why more cyclists are being seriously injured and killed in Edinburgh” - interesting observations, data comparisons and some great conclusions;
🚲 Bikes for Refugees Scotland request on X:
New Scots refugees and asylum seekers need your bikes now.
Providing essential mobility and freedom of movement.
Please complete the bike donation form on our website, thank you
https://www.bikesforrefugees.scot
🍃 Local campaign Save the Roseburn Path have launched a new website at www.savetheroseburnpath.com - the team are also organising a joint event with Spokes at the upcoming Edinburgh Festival of Cycling on whether the Roseburn path should be replaced with a tram line;
✂️ The City Centre West East Link officially opens this week with a launch event on Wednesday 20th, 11.30 - 14:30. There’s free bike marking by Police Scotland, a Spokes stall with specially discounted maps and other offerings, the opportunity to try out a cargo bike, and more. More details below in ‘Events and Happenings’.
On the subject of CCWEL, Spokes shared their 2022 post that covers some of the (over) ten year history of the route being developed and built - a history that of course is arguably still ongoing, until George Street gets its makeover replete with segregated cycle lanes to match the remaining majority of the route;
🗞️ Following the recent Council Transport and Environment Committee decision to remove highly effective filters from the Braid Estate section of the Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route, against officer recommendations, campaign group Blackford Safe Routes have published an excellent update entitled ‘The good, the bad, and the ugly’:
The vote to remove the filters, that keep kids safe, came mere hours after an emotional motion at the same committee, discussing the death of a child on Edinburgh’s roads — Blackford Safe Routes
Meanwhile, a Guardian editorial was published regarding new research on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) like the one our councillors have voted to rip out: “The Guardian view on low-traffic neighbourhoods: spread the word – these schemes work”.
Forbes lead another with the fantastic headline “LTNs Good For Health, Economy, Concludes U.K. Government Seeking Their End”.
Normal Island 🫠
🖼️ SW20 recently shared a great visualisation of a speculative road diet for Colinton Rdx by Infra CGI;
🧼 Lovely photo album on Facebook of yesterday’s Porty Community Energy bike wash event;
📐 Councillor Ross Mckenzie has shared images ahead of an upcoming consultation on a Dalry ‘Living Well Locally’ scheme, featuring traffic filters, cycling infrastructure, junction improvements and safety measures at local schools - along with what looks like it could be Edinburgh’s first CYCLOPS junction [PDF]. You can read the thread on X or unrolled over here without giving wee Elon any ad money;
🪒 Great news from SW20 and Edinburgh Tool Library SW:
A team of volunteers from SW20 and Edinburgh Tool Library (SW branch) recently cleared an often overlooked pump track in Hailes Quarry Park -- just off the canal! The track had overgrown significantly during COVID and become unusable but is now able to be ridden, though it will take some time to get back to the original gravel in order to enjoy the berms and jumps fully! You can find the 'top' of the track next to the play area on this Google Maps link;
➕ Nationally
🧭 Video shared with us this week of the developers of the ‘MARKED: Wayfinding System’ for cycle navigation meeting with Kaukab Stewart MSP, who visited them at the University of Strathclyde’s Inspire Hub. This follows the MSP’s parliamentary motion last month, congratulating the company on their Scottish EDGE win.
The MARKED: Wayfinding System is a solution for cities to easily integrate micro-mobility vehicles on their streets and clearly communicate their active travel network. It is a holistic system, uniquely combining digital route planning with physical wayfinding.
The team are looking to connect with folks in the active travel sector - specifically around network planning, behaviour change and bike shares. Reach out to Mark on LinkedIn to connect!
⚡ The UK Government are consulting on making changes to speeds and regulations for ebikes - and Cycling UK has safety concerns. We’ve already seen some local bike shops backing this position too, even talking about backing out of ebike sales on the basis of potentially unsafe speeds being offered.
There are two regulations being debated:
To amend the legal definition of Electric Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs), so that the maximum continuous power output of the electric motor is 500 watts instead of 250 watts;
To allow ‘twist and go’ EAPCs to have throttle assistance up to 15.5mph (25km/h) without the need for type approval - where currently for something to be an ebike it has to be pedalled and can’t provided electric assistance when the user isn’t actively pedalling or else it’s classed as a moped / electric motorbike and needs to be licensed and insured accordingly.
Just think, almost overnight every Deliveroo rider that curses your local pavement with their seemingly effortless rolling could suddenly be road legal 😉
🫂 Help Needed
💸 13 days to go - support the Transport Action Network legal action to challenge funding cuts to walking and cycling - around 25% of their £40k fundraising goal remains;
🔧 Bikes for Refugees are hiring a Project Worker / Bike Mechanic, deadline this Thursday 21st March;
🎭 The ninth Edinburgh Festival of Cycling will run from Friday 31st May to Sunday 9th 2024 and they’ve recently put out a call for events;
Ongoing:
🙋 Sustrans seek volunteers for their ‘I Bike’ school programme: teaching kids, maintaining a bike fleet or marshalling rides with pupils;
🗨️ Spokes are in need of new members for their Planning and Resources groups;
🤝 SW20 are a Co-op Local Community Fund Cause - support them via this page;
🆘 Support Bikes for Refugees with an SMS donationx or on EasyDonate;
🎭 Edinburgh Festival of Cycling are looking for new volunteers and additional directors
🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations
💚 Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust shared some progress:
The final phase of the active travel path at Little France Park has been completed thanks to funding from Sustrans. A 160m section of new path links the Bioquarter with the existing active travel path on the south side of the park.
📈 Six months of monitoring data on the Corstorphine Connections project has been published [PDF]. This project remains another litmus test of whether the Council can keep the heid when faced with a highly vocal minority of folk who believe statistics and transport policy are just another form of governmental oppression, and instead push on with changes that are broadly popular with local residents in spite of a nasty opposition campaign;
🕳️ Spotted on the Save the Roseburn Path Facebook group - the new dropped kerb at the Roseburn path zig-zag entry (on Russell Rd) has been confirmed by the Council as still waiting for a top coat on the asphalt;
🌈 There’s an open consultation on the future of the Lindsay Rd ‘Pride Bridge’ in Leith, running to the 4th April;
⚓ Measures as part of the Leith Connections project that are under Experimental Traffic Order (ETRO) are open for feedback until 8th April, namely:
Prohibition to motor vehicles at Tolbooth Wynd/ Water Street junction
Making Tolbooth Wynd two way operation
Prohibition to motor vehicles at Wellington Place/ John’s Place junction
Westbound bus lane/ bus gate on Links Place
Contraflow cycling on one way streets within the area - Water Street, Carpet Lane, Giles Street, Spier's Place, Maritime Lane, Seaport Street.
Restrictions on waiting and loading associated with new pavement buildouts
Details on how to respond »
🚲 Spokes recently shared this piece outlining various considerations around the north-south tramline extension being proposed - and potentially slated for a section of the Roseburn path - which is worth a read;
🗨️ Another Council consultation currently running for Roseburn to South Gyle walking, wheeling and cycling improvements (Quiet Route 9) here, running until 27th March - including some interesting (and decent looking) before and after visuals.
📆 Events and Happenings
🛠️ Edinburgh Tool Library recently launched their weekly Bike Kitchen:
A Cycle Kitchen is a community-driven space where people can share their knowledge about bicycle maintenance, repair, and building. We provide tools, spare parts, and expertise to help members fix and maintain their bikes… The Cycle Kitchen is more than a workshop; it’s a place where you can learn, grow, and connect with others.
Open every Wednesday from 3pm.
Regular events on at The Wee Spoke Hub - follow their schedule here:
✴️ Thursday 21st March, 4pm - 8pm: The weekly 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.”
🚲 Edinburgh Leisure recently started Cycle Skills courses as part of their over-50s ‘Ageing Well’ programme, encouraging folks to rediscover cycling. See the flyer here [PDF];
🎓 Folks at Edinburgh Napier University kindly got in touch to share details of free Adult Cycle Training happening today and tomorrow (18th and 19th March at Sighthill and Merchiston campuses respectively). You don’t need to be a student or staff member at Napier to get involved:
A great way to start your journey into cycling or build your confidence in terms of cycling. You don’t need a bicycle to join the training. Bicycles and helmets will be provided free of charge to all participants. All funding for the courses has been provided by Cycling Scotland and the training is provided by Ali Grieve from Lothian Cycle Training.
Today! Monday 18th March: Sighthill
Absolute beginners - booking and details. 09:30 to 12:30.
Introduction to on road cycling - booking and details. 12:30 to 15:00.
Tuesday 19th March: Merchiston
Absolute beginners - booking and details. 09:30 to 12:30.
Introduction to on road cycling - booking and details. 12:30 to 15:00.
✂️ On March 20th there is an opening ceremony / event marking the ‘completion’ (just don’t mention George Street) of the City Centre West to East Link or ‘CCWEL’ — 11:30 to 14:30 outside the ‘Four Points by Sheraton’ hotel, including:
Free Bike Marking by Police Scotland;
Free bike checks and fixing;
Try a cargo bike;
Grab some travel maps and freebies;
Chat to the team.
There’s also an organised ride as part of the event from Roseburn to Haymarket, meeting at Old Colt Bridge at 12.30pm.
As Andy said earlier this week - “If there's not a ceremonial lamp post felling I'll be disappointed.”
🕺 Shrub Co-op - hosts of The Wee Spoke Hub - are holding a Sustainable Fashion Show and Ceilidh Fundraiser for the International Day of Zero Waste, helping to support the Co-op’s various projects.
2pm to 8pm at Stockbridge Church on Saturday 30th - get your ticket here.
2.30pm - SHRUB Presentation
3pm - Sustainable Fashion Show
4pm - Food, Stalls & Raffle
6pm - Ceilidh
🛣 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;
⚡ Scottish Power cable renewal on Saughtonhall Dr starts today - road closed to southbound traffic from Saughtonhall Ave to Balgreen Rd for 2 weeks;
📱 Today until Friday - North Fort St closed north of Lapicide Pl for a Vodafone Mast installation;
⛔ Gillisland Rd closed today until Friday for resurfacing of Polwarth Ter at Harrison Rd;
🕳️ Corstorphine Rd at Ormidale Ter - lane closures / contraflow for trial holes from Thursday 21st. Ormidale Ter closed. Access to Abinger Gdns via Murrayfield Gdns;
🔧 Also from Thursday 21st, Bruntsfield Ter at Bruntsfield Pl closed for Scottish Power cable jointing until 3rd April;
🪖 Sunday 24th, 10-11am - SCOTS Veterans Association ‘Muster, March and Remember’ parade with rolling road closure (joining traffic held as required): Castlehill - Lawnmarket - High Street - Canongate;
Ongoing…
❌ Blackford Rd recorded as closed until Mid April for gas main renewal, but in our recent experience still thoroughly passable by cycle at present;
⚡ Ongoing until 24th March: Oxgangs Brae closed to through traffic between Oxgangs Medway and Caiystane Gdns for Scottish Power to install new ducting;
🌊 Closure of part of the Cameron Toll roundabout thanks a collapsed section of 200 year old culvert, until around mid May;
🚦 7 weeks remain for Grange Rd temporary lights at Cumin Rd / Tantallon Pl (and closure of those roads); Council footway, carriageway and drainage improvements including improved crossings;
🌹 Roseburn Dr is closed until 3rd May for a sewer diversion;
💩 Lady Lawson St is closed southbound between West Port and Castle Ter for repairs to a collapsed sewer lasting around 2 further 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 late March/April;
🦩 Water of Leith: in Leith, 10 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 finishing soon:
Charlotte Sq has reopened as of Friday 8th, with pending Lane closures for installation of cycle lane defenders and line marking.
💡 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, concluding this month;
💧A significant programme of Scottish Water drainage improvement work on Longstone Rd until mid summer ‘24;
Ongoing updates on the Council’s Road reports page as the week unfolds and via @edintravelX
Thanks for reading - ride safe 🚲
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