π² edi.bike | issue 35 | 8th Apr β24
your weekly edinburgh cycle digest
π° News this Week
π³ 'Dalry Living Well Locally' Consultation Launched
This week the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) unveiled the full details of 'Dalry Living Well Locally', a consultation process that plans to implement a 20-minute neighbourhood for the area:
Plans to make the town centre a more attractive place have been designed to make it easier to access local shops, schools and services with wider pavements and better cycling provision. Ideas include features to create better spaces to spend time, with trees and nature, planting, public art, and opportunities to rest.
A lot of background is included in the Council's Press release.
The detailed plans [PDF] include a raft of newly one-way side streets, safer crossings and pavement build-outs, cycle parking, and extensive segregated cycle lanes. There's also a proposal for Edinburgh's first Cycle Optimised Protected Signals or 'CYCLOPS' junction at Ardmillan Ter, Gorgie Rd and Dalry Rd - there's a useful and accessible paper all about them [PDF] from Transport for Greater Manchester.
There's a lot of great ideas here - here's hoping the process of shaping and implementation goes well. Respond to the Consultation here.
π¦ Meetings with Amazon about last mile delivery, Forest about Bike Hire Scheme
Edinburgh's Transport and Environment Committee convenor Cllr Scott Arthur posted about a couple of interesting meetings this week - firstly with Amazon about last mile delivery in the city, including a photo opportunity with an Amazon cargo bikex; and secondly with certified B-corp cycle hire company Forest, who currently operate primarily in London and offer rather classy dark green ebikes for hire, about offering a scheme in Edinburghx.
π Local Bits
πΉ The council posted a launch event video from the opening of the City Centre West to East Link ('CCWEL') earlier this week;
π° Edinburgh Inquirer: Has cycling reached a tipping point in Edinburgh? "Opening of the Capital's Β£9m bike lane into the city centre is a landmark step" (Subscription required, free trial available);
π¬ The council's Braid Estate decisions come under fire in this Edinburgh Evening News piece by Green MSP Lorna Slater: unfortunately, she also incorrectly asserts that the whole of the quiet route is being dismantled, which is not on the table;
π² The Edinburgh Reporter has a nice feature on The Bike Station's 'Wee Bike Library' resource to help families continue to access bikes for kids as they grow;
π The team at Bikes for Refugees Scotland celebrated their 7th birthday this weekx, and nearly 3,000 bikes received and donated to New Scots - congratulations to all involved.
From Last Week:
π March's update to CEC's Active Travel Investment Programme 2022-2026;
πΊοΈ TEC Convenor's updatex on Melville Crescent and the City Centre West-East Link (CCWEL):
Spokes released news bulletin #138 [PDF];
β Nationally
π£οΈ Living Streets have published two fantastic studies on Inclusive Design practices for Bus Stop Cycle Bypasses and at Continuous Footways - both of which can be seen to feature in the aforementioned Dalry Living Well Locally consultation;
βΏοΈ Following their recent article, Wheels for Wellbeing have published part 2 of their guide to choosing an accessible cycle, this time looking at cost, storage and other factors;
π΅οΈ The Guardian carries a piece extensively quoting Urbanist Carlos Moreno on his '15 minute city' concept, and exploring its impact in Paris β while our finest web-based conspiracy idiocrats spread lies about how having the shops a bit nearer your hoose will be used as a tool of government overreach and youβll not be allowed out to Lucaβs in Morningside.
π Elsewhere
π That ex you're still obsessed with β the EU β has adopted 'The European Declaration on Cycling':
"We recognise cycling's myriad benefits: it reduces pollution, eases urban congestion, and promotes healthier lifestyles. Moreover, cycling is a cornerstone of the European industry, driving innovation and growth while creating high-quality local jobs. Embracing cycling aligns with the EU's industrial strategy and its objectives." β EU Commissioner for Transport, Adina VΔlean
Miss you, babez.
π« Help Needed
π Ever considered volunteering to help marshal a local school Bike Bus? Check out the Directory on the Bike Bus Hub and find out how to get involved.
π οΈ Porty-based Velow Bikeworks are hiring for a mechanic positionIG:
Weβre looking for an experienced mechanic to join the Velow team in our Portobello workshop. You will ideally be Cytec or Velotec qualified but most importantly have a passion for classic bicycles. Drop into the workshop for a chat or send your CV to walter@velow.cc
π² Bikes for Refugees Scotland request on X:
New Scots refugees and asylum seekers need your bikes now. Providing essential mobility and freedom of movement.
https://www.bikesforrefugees.scot
Please complete the bike donation form on our website, thank you
π The ninth Edinburgh Festival of Cycling will run from Friday 31st May to Sunday 9th 2024 β get in touch if you can offer help;
Ongoing:
π Sustrans seek volunteers for their βI Bikeβ school programme: teaching kids, maintaining a bike fleet or marshalling rides with pupils;
π¨οΈ Spokes are in need of new members for their Planning and Resources groups;
π€ SW20 are a Co-op Local Community Fund Cause - support them via this page;
π Support Bikes for Refugees with an SMS donation π¦or on EasyDonate;
π Edinburgh Festival of Cycling are looking for new volunteers and additional directors
π Infrastructure Progress & Consultations
π Save Our Streets - Keep the Braid Estate Filters
"With your help, we can send a strong message to Local Government to re-consider their proposals on future local travel and resident amenity in the Braid Estate:"
ποΈβπ¨οΈ The new Dalry Living Well Locally consultation runs until 26th June:
π€ CEC Press Release
βπ½ Detailed Drawings [PDF]
There is also an in-person local engagement event at The St Brides Centre on Thursday 11th April, 3 β 7pm.
π Spring 2024 Project Update on the proposed Curriehill Active Travel link: "A formal, lit and surfaced active travel path linking Curriehill Station to Heriot-Watt is now at the detailed design stage" - while not a formal consultation, comments are welcome;
β‘ The UK Government are consulting on making changes to speeds and regulations for ebikes until 25th April. Worth reading about - Cycling UK have safety concerns.
π Events and Happenings
β¨ New This Week
π Queens of Pain are a cycling community based in Edinburgh that centres on the experience of women in cycling. You may spot them on one of their group cycles, through Edinburgh every Wednesday evening. On Thursday 25th April they will be hosting a screening of the film "Women Don't Cycle" at 50 George Square (University of Edinburgh). All funds raised from the sale of tickets will go to Medical Aid for Palestinians. All welcome! Follow on Instagram.
At the Wee Spoke Hub -
β΄οΈ Saturday 13th April, 11am - 1pm: Soβ¦ you've bought a bikeβ¦ what next?, βThis 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.β
π Weekly Events
π οΈ Edinburgh Tool Library host a 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 bikesβ¦ The Cycle Kitchen is more than a workshop; itβs 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:
β΄οΈ Thursday 11th April, 4pm - 8pm: The weekly Bike DIY Session, βΒ£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.β
π Upcoming
π΄πΌ Across various dates throughout April and May - The Bike Station's 'Free Wheel Gorgie' community programme is offering Gorgie folks free absolute beginner cycling lessons, and Introduction to Bike Maintenance Classes;
βοΈ Cargo Bike Movement's 'Spring Caper' is on the 13th April from 10:00 to 14:00 at the Meadows Compass. Open to everyone for:
Free mechanical help from Dr Bike;
Free bike security marking from Police Scotland; and
Free, of course, cargo bike tryouts - challenge yourself with the cargo bike try-athlon!
See you there whatever bike you ride!
ποΈ In Restalrig, from community hub The Ripplex:
"Ripple Riders weekly cycle launches on Thur 25th Apr 9.30-11. Do you love cycling and want to do local quiet off road routes, easy paced, with trained leaders and friendly members? Come and join! Its free! Bike borrowing available. Call Cat 07510 521759 to join or find out more."
π£ Route Closures and Issues
π€ Trial run - poring over the council's dense Road Report each week takes ages, and largely ends up listing closures that cycling makes it trivially easy to route around. So, experimenting with only mentioning cycleway-specific issues here. Do you miss it? Let us know.
β°οΈ Holyrood Park Weekend Road Closure times changed on Saturday 6th:
Please note that from Sat 6 Apr, our weekend road closure times are changing. Closures will commence from 8.15am (completed by 9am) and the roads will reopen from 5pm (reopened by 5.45pm) β Historic Scotlandx
β οΈ Thanks to friend of the digest Martin for getting in touch to about 7 weeks remaining for the closure of Dublin St between Dublin Street Lane North and Albany Street. This is on National Cycle Route ('NCR') 75, just off York Place, and is particularly steep which - so potential issues getting rolling again when travelling southbound after walking around the closure, on such a steep hill. The council policy to have a space left for cycle passage around works has not been followed here, and that's being looked into.
π¨ Ahead of the Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) going live on 1st June, a new right-hand turn at Tollcross is now permitted (Thursday 4th April onwards):
Allowing a right hand turn to all traffic from Home Street to Brougham Street, at Tollcross junction. This will go live to all traffic on 4 April 2024 at around 01:00 AM and will be communicated on street with new / temporary signage. β @CllrScottArthurx
Ongoingβ¦
𦩠Water of Leith: in Leith, 7 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.
Thanks for reading - ride safe π²
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