🚲 edi.bike | issue 56 | 2nd Sep '24
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
Don’t miss 📚 20% off Cycling Books by Markus Stitz for edi.bike subscribers — below our weekly news section ⬇️
📰 News this Week
✊ Critical Mass Rides Again - August’s Porty Potter
A hundred-plus turnout for the friendliest protest out there, Critical Mass Edinburgh enjoyed a gorgeous summer ride from the Meadows to Portobello Beach, taking in Holyrood Park and Porty’s ‘Big Busk’ event (and an ice cream or two) as well as stopping by the Porty Active Travel Hub run by Porty Community Energy before the return leg to Holyrood Park.
Music and smiles abound in the various media posted after the ride - from 📸 Councillor Chas Booth’s photos extending an invitation to the new TEC convener on X and Dr Mark Hartl’s footage [x], to Chris Red’s timelapse of the ride [x] and Sandy Watson’s great video of the day on Facebook;
➕ Labour Councillor Stephen Jenkinson Appointed as new Transport & Environment Committee Convener
The ‘Full Council’ meeting on Thursday 29th appointed a new Transport and Environment Committee Convener, Labour Councillor Stephen Jenkinson. His full list of appointments can be seen on page 5 of the Motions and Agenda pack [PDF]; outgoing Convener Scott Arthur MP posted about the appointment on X, and the council published a news post with some further context and quotes;
💰 ”Active travel projects shelved as Scottish Government clamps down on public spending”
A dire headline over at the Scotsman in trying times - the actual news within this story seems to be:
“ We have grant agreements with Transport Scotland up to £66.2 million and there have been no changes to these. There is a pipeline of Places for Everyone projects which would require additional funds. Decision making on these has been paused.” — Sustrans Spokesperson
Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, newly minted Transport and Environment Committee Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, quoted from his X post:
”These decisions will undoubtedly impact the delivery of future active travel projects in Edinburgh. Obviously we will have to look at the details but I suspect there are difficult choices ahead for our city in this space.”
It’s hard not to be disheartened that in the relatively slow and careful progress the city is making in rolling out protected cycle infrastructure — and seeing rising cycle traffic (and demand) as a result — there are yet more potential roadblocks in delivering what the city really needs;
⚠️ Safety alert for Granton cycle paths: rock throwing
A safety warning from an edi.bike reader for those passing through Granton - Kids have been waiting for cyclists to come downhill where the path goes through the industrial estate to Ocean Avenue before connecting to Spiers Bruce Way. Watch out for a gang of small boys who are falsely friendly before throwing rocks at your head!
🤔 Work Starts Soon on ‘Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal’ — and it Doesn’t Go to Ocean Terminal
As previously spotted by Leith Feeder Ride [x], work is soon to commence on ‘Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal’, which is slated on the Council’s project page as the first phase of the ‘Leith Connections’ project. A closer look at the plans suggested that this phase of development actually finishes up several busy junctions away from Ocean Terminal, where Dock Street meets Commercial Street - with the Commercial Street to Ocean Terminal leg forming part of the wider ‘Hawthornvale to Seafield’ project slated as Phase 3 of the wider project, seemingly yet to be designated construction funding.
Like with CCWEL opening without its central George Street link, and ‘Roseburn to Union Canal’ finishing up streets away from the Canal - one has to wonder whether the aspiration to have a cycle ‘network’ is merely lip service when the time between these supposedly connective projects being opened and them truly being completed is measured in years rather than months;
🌅 Inaugural Edinburgh Dawn Patrol Ride
Cyclist, writer and route designer Markus Stitz — inspired by his previous rides with Oslo Dawn Patrol — is starting a new social ride from tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd September - one for the early birds!
What: Social Group Ride
When: Tue & Thu at western gate of St Andrew Square - leaving at 5.40am
Route on Komoot - 19 miles »
Finish: Wellington Coffee
Good pace, but no race. Everyone welcome. PLS share! — Original post on X;
🏰 Local Bits
🥕 Spokes’ annual competition is coming to an end, this time around on the theme of ‘Cycling and sustenance’ - there’s some pretty incredible prizes, be sure to check it out and send something in!
⛔ Closure signs were incorrectly put out early on Friday [x], and also wrongly used the name ‘Telford’ [x], at the Telfer Subway underpass from Dalry to Fountainpark set to be closed overnight at the start and end of this month. Along with the Fountainpark-adjacent bus stops on the West Approach Rd, the overnight closures are part of works on the final (for now!) approach of the ‘Roseburn to Union Canal link. The Council have posted a map of a proposed diversion route on X;
🏫 Bikebus.org now have a dedicated Edinburgh page, with some great guidance and resources for setting up safe group rides for kids to get to school by bike. They also have an Interactive Map which features all the bike buses currently set up in the city;
⚙️ The lovely folks at The Wee Spoke Hub are advertising office / studio space to sublet in their building;
🩷 From last week, but still open: the JustGiving page is still open for Vie Velo’s recent fundraising campaign, where thirteen pairs of tandem riders — where sighted riders act as a ‘pilot’ for a visually impaired partner — completed a 100km anticlockwise tour of the Forth Road Bridge and Kincardine Bridge;
➕ Nationally
🎹 The opening of the new Govan-Partick active travel bridge will be marked with a mini music festival;
🚸 Kidical Mass ride in Glasgow with Parents for Future Scotland:
”Just over 2 weeks to go until our next kidical mass ride! Free tickets available here - Email sunnycycles2022@gmail.com if you need to borrow a bike, bike trailer or adapted bike.”
🤔 Fallout from the previous UK Government’s ‘Culture War’ efforts:
Average cycling distances in England fall to lowest levels in a decade: Government urged to deliver on active travel promises as think tank expert slams transport system as “broken and stacked against poorest in society” — full article at road.cc
📚 20% off Cycling Books by Markus Stitz for edi.bike Readers
Friend of edi.bike Markus Stitz - cycling journalist, writer, route designer and filmmaker - has been in touch with a very kind offer of 20% off the cost of his books for edi.bike subscribers. His titles thus far cover Bikepacking, Gravel Riding and Long-distance rides, and when bought direct from the author in this way will also be delivered by bike within Edinburgh! Big thanks to Markus for his generosity — you can see the list of books and order using the online form found here and use offer code EDIBIKE.
In addition, Markus is also an organiser of Dirt Dash, who have an upcoming event in Dunoon, September 21st-22nd:
”This friendly and welcoming overnight event is the perfect introduction if you want to give bikepacking a go, without having to worry about the logistics. We provide you with a route, a really nicely located campsite, dinner and breakfast. While you are cycling, you get to experience the rugged beauty Scotland’s Adventure Coast on some of the best gravel trails Scotland has to offer.”
Find out more at Dirt Dash »
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🛣 Route Closures and Issues
There’s a series of timed full or partial road closures - including High St, St Giles St, Parliament Square(s), Cockburn St, Blair St, Lawnmarket, and Johnston Ter during the Edinburgh Festival;
Melville St at Walker St has some partial closures of the CCWEL segregated lanes for major works as part of the public realm improvements that recently commenced and run until December this year.
📆 Events and Happenings
📆 Upcoming / Ongoing
🧺 Ongoing at Bridgend Farmhouse:
WHEELY FUN FRIDAYS with ‘A Wee Pedal’. At, or starting at, at Bridgend Farmhouse! Supported by Cycling Scotland, Paths for All, & The City of Edinburgh Council. Suggested donation per activity in brackets [£] - booking essential via admin@bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk
INCLUDING… GUIDED BIKE RIDES 2-4pm until October. Pace is gentle and social on mostly flat, off main road, routes. Destinations vary - they’ve been to the Meadows, Portobello Beach, and more. Hire an e-bike [£5] or borrow a pedal bike for free [Helmets included].
AND… BASIC BIKE MAINTENANCE Monthly sessions on the last Friday of the Month, April – October, 10am – noon in the marquee [£5] Bring your own bike to practice on, or use one of ours. Each session is a standalone class covering all of the basics safety checks and fixing a puncture etc. so one should do the trick!
🛍️ Local Bike Shop Edinburgh Bike Coop have a ‘demo day’ coming up on 8th September:
”ABUS, ASSOS and Garmin are all bringing a plethora of products for you to try whilst out on a circular pre-planned route from our Bruntsfield shop”
There are two group rides planned, followed by pizza and beer (with non-alcoholic drinks also available) and a ‘watch along’ with the final stage of the Vuelta. Find out more and book your spot here.
✊🏼 🎭 EdFoC | Ongoing - 'Pedal Power', a free exhibition on cycling and activism in Edinburgh, co-curated by Critical Mass Edinburgh, Infrasisters, Spokes and folks running Bike Buses across the city - at the Museum of Edinburgh running until the 22nd September.
Edinburgh Council archives --- behind the ‘Edinburgh 900’ project celebrating 900 years since Edinburgh became a royal burgh --- have also asked ‘Pedal Power’ to be part of the programme and will tour the exhibition around communities in Edinburgh after it finishes at the Museum of Edinburgh in September.
🔁 Weekly Events
☕️ Active Travel Cafe is a national, weekly online active travel event; news, talks & discussion via Zoom on Tuesdays at 5pm. See their list of speakers and details;
👪 Every Friday in September; All-inclusive social guided bike rides with A Wee Pedal, 2-4pm from Bridgend Farmhouse. Check out their flyer for more;
⚡️ Porty Community Energy are trialling a weekly Wednesday evening advice drop-in [fb];
⚙️ The Wee Spoke Hub host a weekly ‘Bike Cleaning and Oiling’ drop-in session at their shop every Saturday, 2-4pm;
🛠️ Edinburgh Tool Library host a weekly Bike Kitchen providing 'tools, spare parts, and expertise' to 'learn, grow, and connect with others'; Open every Wednesday from 3pm.
✴️ Other regular events on at The Wee Spoke Hub - follow their schedule here including a Bike DIY Session this Thursday 5th, 5pm - 8pm;
🫂 Help Needed
⚡ Friends of the digest Porty Community Energy are hiring for a Freelance Coordinator. Find out more on their Instagram post or find the application information on their home page under ‘Latest News’;
🎉 A kindly edi.bike reader let us know that charity fundraising org Kiltwalk are looking for support volunteers for the Edinburgh walk, including some lead / patrol cycling roles;
🔬 The University of Strathclyde, Glasgow are hiring for a ‘Research assistant in Schools and Community Cycling’;
🏠 Local charity Social Bite’s new campaign ‘100 mile challenge’ — walking, running, cycling or setting your own challenge — kicked off yesterday, running until October 10th, looking to raise money to help break the cycle of homelessness. More details and sign up on their website;
🛠️ Scottish Cargo Bike maker Ariel Bikes are looking to get 1,000 responses to their e-cargo bike market survey, and if they do they’ll give away a bike:
“Win an Ariel e-cargo bike worth £5600, with ZF 112Nm motor system, plus Magura, Shimano, Halo, Schwalbe, Suntour and Spinner parts and components. All on a hand built 4130 chromoly steel frame fabricated in our Scottish workshop. Finished in glorious orange metallic fleck powder coat.
We want to understand the UK e-cargo bike market better. So we’ve created a short survey. Fill in the survey and if we can get to over 1000 responses, we will give away the bike.”
🛠️ SW20 and Edinburgh Tool Library are looking for project volunteers:
”We are looking to expand our team of amazing volunteers and offer additional services -- if you are interested, please complete this form and we'll get back to you”;
🚸 Parents for Future Scotland are looking for more volunteers to help with organising Kidical Mass rides:
“We need volunteers to help promote and organise Kidical Mass cycle rides. Just one or two hours a month will do - help us contact local media, spread the word on social media and recce the routes. Contact rosieparents4futurescotland@gmail.com if you're interested in helping out”;
Ongoing:
🚴🏼 Friends of the Skelf bike park and pump track just off Holyrood Park are raising money currently;
💁 Help Fund a New Specialised Active Chair for Porty Community Energy Activist Roseanne Sinclair at her campaign page;
🚌 Volunteer to help marshal a local school Bike Bus - see the Bike Bus Hub Directory;
🙋 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 donation 🐦or on EasyDonate;
🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations
📋 Travelling Safely Schemes
The ETRO for City Centre ‘travelling safely’ schemes recently concluded as highlighted by Spokes on X. The other schemes have various end dates (barring ‘South’, which is not yet published) and can be found for comment at the Council’s Travelling Safely Commonplace microsite;
⚒️ Work ongoing, August to November - Lasswade Rd Cycleways
Spokes shared [x] the project page for a partial resurfacing of Lasswade Rd that includes a stretch of segregated cycle lane at each side, close to Gracemount High School. Spokes’ response makes mention of various interesting aspects and suggests changes.
✍🏽 ‘Spaces for People’ Lanes in East of Edinburgh - ETRO
This ‘East Area’ Experimental Traffic Order (ETRO/21/28A) covers a number of Covid-era parking suspensions used to facilitate bollarded cycle lanes around London Rd, Willowbrae and Duddingston, including cycle routes used by school pupils, teachers and parents to and from multiple primary and secondary schools. It is currently open for comments until 28th October by emailing TRO.Consultations@edinburgh.gov.uk quoting ETRO/21/28A.
👣 Foot of the Walk to ‘Ocean Terminal’ (actually Commercial St)
⚓️ 'Signs of life' [x] - planned cycleway construction works starting around the end of September (TBC) for 10 months - on the 'Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal' protected cycle route as part of Leith Connections, which promises to be a great continuation of the segregated routes slowly taking root in the city centre. Confusingly, a closer look at the project reveals that it doesn’t go to Ocean Terminal (shades of Roseburn to Union Canal here) and instead gives up at Commercial St, with the Commercial St to Ocean Terminal leg covered by the third phase of Leith Connections, ‘Hawthornvale to Seafield’ - where there are some concept designs in place from 2022 on the project page but worryingly no funding for construction assigned yet, only for further community engagement.
Thanks for reading - ride safe 🚲
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