🚲 edi.bike | issue 60 | 30th Sep '24
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
💚 Green Party Transport & Environment Committee Members Call For “Real Leadership on Transport”
As the dust settles on Cllr Stephen Jenkinson’s first outing as the new convener of the Council’s Transport & Environment Committee, Cllr Kayleigh O’Neill lays out the Green party’s asks of his tenure in the Edinburgh Evening News:
“At every opportunity it is vital to push officers and the council on what can be achieved in terms of climate and accessibility justice. If we do not consider these issues now, and really focus on adaptation and management, then the cost of climate chaos and destruction will be tenfold very soon.”
🚸 Corstorphine Low Traffic Neighbourhood - Vote Delayed
In edi.bike Issue 58’s Transport & Environment Committee (TEC) roundup we covered the campaigning and counter-campaigning taking place over the ‘Corstorphine Connections’ bus gate and Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) - the retention of which is to be voted on by the Council’s Traffic Regulation Orders sub-committee. Last week in Issue 59 we covered some of the ‘long reads’ around the project ahead of the vote, including an excellent series in The Edinburgh Reporter. This week’s updates:
- 📰 The third part of The Edinburgh Reporter’s Long Reads on the situation was published;
- 🛑 TEC Convener Cllr Stephen Jenkinson pulled the vote on this project from the sub-committee’s agenda, telling the Evening News "I had a concern that all objections weren’t clearly being articulated in the report being considered by the sub committee on Tuesday and therefore I agreed with officers that this report should be pulled.”
- 🤔 Rumblings continued on social media about Councillor conduct - ranging from the Convener speaking to media outlets before circulating the news of the pulled agenda item to Councillors, to Lib Dem Cllr Kevin Lang’s public discussion of the party’s preferred outcome prior to the vote, given that he is one of the councillors who sits on that committee. But we won’t get into all that, as there’s only so dry this publication can get before it potentially spontaneously combusts in the weak Autumn sunshine. 🍂
📣 Whose Streets? Our Streets! Critical Mass September Ride
Fresh from the success of the co-curated exhibition ‘Pedal Power: Cycling and Activism in Edinburgh’ with Infrasisters, Edinburgh Bike Buses, Spokes and more - Critical Mass Edinburgh once more took to the streets for a family-friendly protest ride on Saturday, having also left some inspiring ideas gathered during the exhibition around the city in the form of spray-chalked stencil artworks [x].
There are some great photos/video from EdCriticalMass on X, Christina Macey on Youtube, and new Green party council candidate Daniel Milligan [x] who will be running in the Colinton / Fairmilehead ward by-election taking place in November.
🚊 Trams to Newhaven and the Sorrier Aspects of Leith Walk (and Beyond)
As reported in the Broughton Spurtle this week:
“In mid-2023, an independent Stage 3 Road Safety Audit of the Trams to Newhaven project was undertaken once construction of the new extension had finished. This made 145 recommendations to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
Edinburgh Council (CEC) and the contractor SFN responded to the RSA in November last year, but the contents of that report have only just been made public after persistent badgering by the Community Councils Together for Trams group (CCTT).”
In the response to the now-public Road Safety Audit Report, the Council and contractor have seemingly only agreed to act on just 44 of the 145 recommendations, and have provided no public means of seeing progress on those 44. Hopefully, as an update on this project is due at the Transport & Environment Committee meeting in October, we see significant movement there - but as documented in this excellent but saddening thread by Edward Tissiman [x] and this follow-up from John Robson [x], there are myriad issues still glaringly obvious in the tram infrastructure, public realm, movement / parking of vehicles and the provision of protected cycleways, which technically still haven’t — to this day — been officially opened to public use.
All too often the political wing of these processes get their photo opportunity and claims of ‘on time and on budget’, while even basic scrutiny reveals projects have been left fundamentally unfinished. One would hope that in addition to the lessons learned by the council in terms of having the snagging period go stage by stage - whereas for this route snagging items were to be dealt with only at the very end of the build, for every section of route at once - they’re also learning important lessons about transparency and communication.
🏰 Local Bits
🧑⚖️ Following the Cowgate incident reported last week, 37-year-old Joseph Hedley was charged by Police Scotland with “assault to severe injury, impairment and danger to life” and appeared at the Sheriff Court on Monday 23rd, where he entered no plea and was granted bail. While we remain suspicious of whether an appropriate sentence will be passed, it was good to see a swift arrest and court appearance following the assault;
📸 Some great photos on Facebook from Porty Community Energy’s stand at Lothian Buses Doors Open Day - and lovely to see some edi.bike stickers adorning their cargo bike fleet!
❤️🩹 Edinburgh tricyclist Caroline Barr’s story: “Disabled cyclist says she’s being targeted by thieves after having two trikes stolen due to being unable to store them at city’s bike hangars” — more at Road.cc »
🌳 A piece in the Herald Scotland this week drew attention to the first of Historic & Environment Scotland’s strategic plans for Holyrood Park, published a couple of weeks ago.
Car Free Holyrood are well quoted in the article, noting the disappointing outcome that where initial talk from the organisation had talked about making active travel the primary way people move through the park, that any potential mitigations on through-traffic have been delayed in lieu of an upcoming “...Movement Strategy for the Park, which is still being developed in collaboration with The City of Edinburgh Council and will align to their City Mobility Plan 2030. Additional, detailed surveys are required to inform the plans for future traffic movement and active travel, ensuring a sustainable future for the Park.”
You can see the currently published outcomes and strategy documents over at HES »
➕ Nationally
🏴 Transform Scotland:
”Scotland's climate targets are at risk, with transport — especially car use — the biggest obstacle
After years of delay, how can we cut road traffic by 20% and meet our climate targets?
Our latest blog outlines 5 urgent steps to make it happen” — @transformScot on X
Read more in Five steps to deliver 20% traffic reduction now »
📦 “Where Cargo Bikes Are Freeing Cities From Polluting Vans”, Laura Laker’s article for Bloomberg:
”According to Transport for London’s smart traffic cameras, newly trained to differentiate passing cargo cycles from regular ones, the former increased by 73% in inner London in the year to 2023 and 63% citywide.”
🚸 Tyneside: “210 cyclists (double speed!) - all ages and abilities, and all sorts of cycles (tandems, follow-mes, balance bikes, cargo bikes, etc) - all adding their voices, or their wheels, to the call for more, better, safer, family-friendly cycling infra. ” — includes footage of this huge Kidical Mass ride over on X
🌍 Elsewhere
⚖️ Over at Fast Company: ”Why car companies might finally have to care about pedestrian safety: the Biden administration is finally taking a stand against car bloat”
🛣 Route Closures and Issues
- Part of Quiet Route 8 - Roseburn to Edinburgh Park is currently blocked as reported on X by John Robson;
- Lawnmarket and Upper Bow: Road improvements started last week; be sure to read the Council’s page about the closures, which managed to completely omit arrangements for a certain human-powered transport mode so mind how you go;
- Reader Robbie kindly got in touch to share an upcoming closure of Holyrood Park: 4 - 11pm October 31st for Samhuinn. Potential Cycle access until 6pm on Croft-An-Righ is being considered - some of the information on HES’ Events page is still to be confirmed;
- 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 runs until December this year;
- Spokes shared the upcoming partial closure of NCN 196, on the Auchendinny-Rosewell railway path for resurfacing with ‘flexipave’ - an ongoing 6-8 week closure from mid-September, so around 6 weeks remaining. Details from Midlothian Council »
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📆 Events and Happenings
📆 Upcoming / Ongoing
⚡ Porty Community Energy are leading some friendly, communal rides out from Portobello during September and early October, this week (2nd) to Queen Margaret University, with a ride to the Meadows next week - more details on their Facebook post and you can book into the rides here »
ℹ️ The team are also pausing hires from their Bike Library during the October break:
Just a quick note to let you know that our Bike Library will be closed for the autumn school holidays from Monday, October 14 to Sunday, October 20. 🎉🍂
But here's the great news: we would absolutely love for you to hire one of our bikes during this time! 🍁
More info on their Instagram post »
⛪ Dalmeny & Queensferry Parish Church have a new cycle parking area funded by Cycling Scotland, and are celebrating with a ‘Cycle Cafe’ event from 10am to 12pm on Saturday 5th October. Features cycle maintenance advice, bacon rolls and a Spokes stall;
🏴 Cycling UK in Scotland’s annual gathering - “some really inspiring talks and a free lunch”:
Sat 5th October, 10.30-4pm at Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge Edinburgh EH1 1EL.
Hear from journalist Laura Laker, endurance MTB-er Naomi Freireich, Ed Shoote on bikepacking with kids, update on the Drem-Gullane Path Campaign from Iain Monk, and Scottish campaigns and project inspiration from Cycling UK. There's also an optional bike ride beforehand. Please book in advance on Eventbrite to help manage the catering.
⚡ Porty Community Energy have a fundraising ceilidh on Saturday 12th October, 17:00 - 22:00:
“Cosmic Ceilidh Band will be our band for a heady evening of live music, dance, local bar and delicious food. Run by the ceilidh collective, this event is supporting, fundraising, and fun raising for Portobello Community Energy (PCE). PCE's wonderful projects including: Porty Bike Library, Cosy Homes, Porty Car Share, Porty Action Travel Hub, and the all new embryonic Porty Community Solar... Find out more, lots more in between dances!
Ceilidh tickets range from £10 - £25, depending on what you can afford. In addition you can buy a meal ticket for a hearty plate of vegan stew with rice and sides to power you through the night.”
👥 Facebook Event page »
🎟️ Get Tickets »
🔁 Weekly Events
☕️Tues, 5pm: [National] Active Travel Cafe on Zoom
🛠️ Weds, 3pm: Bike Kitchen at Edinburgh Tool Library
✴️ Thurs, 5-8pm: Bike DIY Session at The Wee Spoke Hub
👪 Fri, 2-4pm: All-inclusive social guided bike rides from Bridgend Farmhouse (until 25/10)
⚙️ Sat, 2-4pm: ‘Bike Cleaning and Oiling’ drop-in session at The Wee Spoke Hub
🫂 Help Needed
✴️ The Wee Spoke Hub are looking for an Administration Volunteer:
“For a charity like ours to succeed, a lot of behind-the-scenes work needs done. If you are a super-organised person with a bit of time on a regular basis, please get in touch!
Bonus points if you have a passion for active travel or for the climate 🌱”
More on their website listing »
ℹ️ They’re also advertising office / studio space to sublet in their building;
🛠️ 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”;
Ongoing:
- 🚴🏼 Friends of the Skelf bike park and pump track just off Holyrood Park are raising money currently;
- 🚌 Volunteer to help marshal a local school Bike Bus - see the Edinburgh Bike Bus Hub;
- 🙋 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
🛣️ Powderhall Junction Update
The Council have published a fairly thorough documentation of the consultation and design iteration process - showing the preferred design for the junction and its cycling affordances before and after consultation. More context on the project - including next steps predicated on funding and developer contributions - can be found over at The Spurtle.
🌈 Lindsay Rd Pride Bridge Reaches Planning Permission Stage
The Pride Bridge project has a new update:
”We've reached another milestone in the process of building the new Pride Bridge.
A Planning Permission Application has now been submitted to Edinburgh Council. Thank you to the entire team for the huge amount of work that has gone into this.” — Tweet / X
View and comment on the planning application at City of Edinburgh Council »
See a gallery of imagery from the plans posted to Instagram »
📋 Travelling Safely Schemes
ETROs for these 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)
⚓️ 'Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal' - construction start date has been updated to 21st October (for ten months) in the council’s weekly roads report, but still to be confirmed - 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 as-yet unfunded third phase of Leith Connections, ‘Hawthornvale to Seafield’.
Thanks for reading - ride safe 🚲
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Hi, May I suggest you add the 'no parking for e-bikes in waverley station' under the "Ongoing" section? Thanks, Gavin
Good shout, Gavin. Will do next issue.