🚲 edi.bike | issue 63 | 21st Oct ‘24
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
🌺 Roseburn to (Almost) Union Canal - Bridge Mural and Drop-in Sessions
🎨 A beautiful new mural has been painted on the side of the Western Approach Road bridge over Dalry Rd, which runs parallel to the new route’s active travel bridge installed back in November, by local artist Shona Hardie (Website | Instagram):
“During my research and whilst working with the local primary school nearby, I learned that there is incredibly rich multiculturalism in the area. I figured this space would be a great opportunity to celebrate this.
I really wanted to focus on positivity, vibrancy and looking forwards. I kept the original Gorgie-Dalry legacy logo as a starting point - I think it’s such a cool design! (You can still find it on many of the road names in the area.) I’ve then tried to represent as many countries and nationalities as possible with native flowers. I wanted them to appear to grow out of and thrive from the central logo, weaving along the bridge.” — See Shona’s Instagram post for more photos
❓ In case you missed it last week, a few of Councillor Ross McKenzie’s questions were answered on a recent site tour - see this unrolled thread - and we also learned recently of a target opening date of 25th November;
ℹ️ Details below in our 🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations section of two drop-in sessions about the route and community garden spaces on October 31st; there’s also drop-in sessions about the new Hawthornvale to Seafield Leith Connections Consultation on the 29th and updated route plans / drop-in details for the Musselburgh Active Toun Consultation ⬇️
🫶 Bruntsfield Area Net Zero Action Initiative Launching Cargo Bike Library
Banzai — Bruntsfield Area Net Zero Action Initiative — are launching their new Cargo Bike Library this Saturday:
”Whether you are a cargo bike pro or have never tried one, come and join us at our launch event at Bruntsfield Links (just opposite the top of Leamington Terrace), 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm, Saturday October 26th. Hop on a cargo bike, enjoy a cake and hot drink, bring the kids and let them enjoy the Halloween-themed activities.”
ℹ️ More information on Banzai’s Website »
🚶 Edinburgh Evening News: ‘Leith low traffic neighbourhood hailed a “massive success” during its first six months in operation’
Following October’s meeting of the Council’s Transport & Environment Committee (more below) - this piece in the Evening News is fairly positive, and also covers a little of the back-and-forth on ‘data’ – with the usual suspects weighing in about whether it can be trusted because it doesn’t say what they want to hear…
🗳️ Corstorphine Connections Low Traffic Neighbourhood and Bus Gate Decision This Week
Ahead of the Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-committee meeting this Thursday 24th — try to contain yourselves, democracy is thrill-a-minute — the committee’s papers have been published. From Page 7 onwards you’ll find the agenda item regarding ETRO/21/21 – ‘Corstorphine Connections’, which is a contentious (if you like driving fast past schools) ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhood’ scheme and Bus gate in the west of the city, much maligned by a small but vocal troop of folks that have decided needing to drive two blocks further to leave their area constitutes a significant erosion of their basic human rights.
The report is an update to the one pulled from the agenda of the September meeting - at the time, apparently to ensure the objections were presented in the best possible light, a task which for anyone who’s read the highlights sounds a lot like a pork farmer buying up a Maybelline factory...
So the report has been polished up, and will be set out before a sub-committee of Councillors who will vote on whether to accept Officers’ recommendations that the schemes be made permanent (with some changes to the Bus Gate’s hours of operation). With any luck, the Council will hold firm on these changes, that challenge the dominance of motor vehicles in suburban streets in favour of vulnerable road and pavement users.
Notable consultation deadline:
💬 Comments on the ‘East Area’ Covid-era ‘Travelling Safely’ Schemes close 28th October;
🏰 Local Bits
👻 A spooky Edinburgh Critical Mass will next be haunting round a circuit of Edinburgh this Saturday 26th October, leaving 2pm from Middle Meadow Walk; a friendly and welcoming mass protest ride, with the route typically published a few days before to their Facebook, Mastodon, X and email list. Ever want to join the ride late, but not sure where it is? You can use Critical Maps - an anonymous location-sharing app for cyclists in critical mass events, aiding coordination through real-time map visualisation. Only one or two people need to use it from the start, so that others can see where the ride is.
🦋 As things at Twitter / X somehow manage to deteriorate even further, we’ve seen a real uptick this week of folks involved in cycling activism and ‘Active Travel’ in Edinburgh jumping ship to Bluesky. Developed by the original creators of Twitter, it promises to have a more open model that’s less prone to centralised ownership. It’s not just cycling activists jumping ship, either:
If you’re looking to get started, you’ll find a lot of familiar names, faces and logos in our ‘Following’ list »
📖 Some Embra cycling activism history this week with another Evening News piece, “Walking on sunshine on Water of Leith is something to treasure” - which among other stories names Chris Hill of City Cycling Edinburgh as a key figure in the successful bid for funding the route along the Water of Leith. Chris subsequently shared an archived webpage from the start of his funding bid, outlining the aims and objectives of establishing the route - an interesting read over two decades later;
🕵️ An entertaining little mystery posted by Spokes to X this week: spotted by a Spokes member on holiday in Spain, how did a water bottle from Corstorphine bike shop Hart’s Cyclery end up as a cutlery receptacle in a Café in Girona, 1,260 miles away?
👥 Roundup: Transport & Environment Committee (‘TEC’) Meeting, 10th October
📅 Meeting Page / Webcast | 📄 Public Agenda Reports Pack [PDF] | 📎 Motions and Amendments ] [PDF]
💼 Business Bulletin
⚓ ‘Leith Connections’
A fairly loaded project, Leith Connections includes:
Low Traffic Neighbourhood measures (in place, and performing well as per the Edinburgh Evening News article linked above and stats on Page 113 of the Business bulletin):
Within the project area, streets which are no longer open to through motor traffic saw this traffic reduce by between 65% and 88%. Other streets within the project boundary have seen motor traffic reductions of 36.5% (Elbe Street) and 62% (Queen Charlotte Street).
Foot of the Walk to Dock St - a new protected cycleway - is about to commence construction, with confirmation that “The construction team is currently mobilising and construction work will commence in November.” This was expected, according to the Council’s road report, to last for around ten months;
Hawthornvale to Seafield route - a further extensive protected cycleway project, including the Commercial Street to Ocean Terminal leg connecting Leith Walk with the seafront retail complex, currently undergoing a further round of ‘stakeholder and community engagement’ on updated designs.
📉 30% Reduction in Car Kilometres Driven: Are We There Yet?
Goal #7 of the “Council Business Plan 2023-2027: Our Future Council, Our Future City” (linked to from Page 112 of the Agenda Pack, in the Business Bulletin section) is as follows:
People use decarbonised public transport and active travel as the first choice way to get round the city — Page 31 [PDF]
The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for this aim is stated to be the Council’s goal to reduce the number of kilometres driven by cars in the city by 30% by 2030.
Here’s what’s included in the 2023/24 progress report issued in March and updated in August:
Cllr Danny Aston, SNP, asked: “On the issue of car kilometres, I see we’re still creeping back up to pre-pandemic levels… are we still maintaining that we’re going to make a 30% reduction by 2030?”
The answer provided by Gareth Barwell (Service Director - Operational Services) took a couple of listens through to get to grips with (to be fair, somewhat put on the spot in the moment - it can’t be easy taking such a question on at Committee):
“It’s a very good question… so certainly the target of the council is 30%, I do find myself thinking that obviously the baseline slightly skews because the growth around the city increases - what seems to be, from an officer point of view, and in some communities, exponentially - so therefore the baseline has increased since the point that the council set its 30% target, so I think we need to look at the nuance of how we illustrate that but certainly taking an adjusted target and making sure we apply the 30% reduction is the aim that the council set out in this committee and has discussed it many many times… I think there has been some discussion with Transport Scotland officers, who I think it’s fair to say are wrestling with the same issue at a national level…”
You’d like that cynically paraphrased? 📣 The Scottish Government aren’t making progress on their target either, and Edinburgh’s growing, so the chart looks bad not because we’re utterly failing to implement the changes necessary to actually reach our stated goal, but because we’re not sufficiently tweaking numbers to improve the optics on the chart…
With no disrespect intended to Mr Barwell — truly — this entirely tiptoes around the actual answer, which would be something like this:
Without bold political leadership and actual delivery rather than mere rumination, we have no progress towards this target whatsoever. Yes, the city is growing, but serious and even initially unpopular decisions have to be made to actually make a dent in our mass-normalised ‘drive everywhere, always’ thinking. We can’t just propose a bold plan like Future Streets / Edinburgh City Centre Transformation, then circle back to it with ’…but of course we need to extensively model all of this and stroke our chins for another half a decade’ — you could deliver the entirety of the road reassignments using cheap filters and a modicum of signage and get the number of car kilometres driven down over the course of a single week.
This isn’t just ranting: go and look at Paris and how their leadership have created the circumstances for cycle journeys to now outnumber private car journeys in the city — in one of Europe’s gnarliest cities to drive in! — in the space of the decade it took us to get two flagship protected cycleways past the NIMBY crowd.
The number goes down if we actually do something — tangible, not theoretical — that’s aimed squarely at making it go down.
📋 Agenda Items
📦 Item 9.2: Motion by Councillor Booth - Delivery Cyclists: Insights Into An Overlooked Demographic
Following a recent report from Sustrans on the experiences of all types of delivery cyclist in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Green party Councillor Chas Booth brought this motion to TEC, which essentially asked the committee to note the report and asked several pertinent questions about how the Council could learn from its findings.
Conservative corner announced during discussions on this item that using a cyclist using a dropped kerb amounts to a ‘flagrant violation of the highway code’, which would be an interesting take if it weren’t such a flagrant violation of the laws of sense, context and basic understanding.
Discussion around this issue from other parties was very solid - addressing the issue of food delivery cyclists especially, accepting the dangers of poor cycling behaviour but also refusing to separate out the corporate pressures and working conditions of these often maligned workers, that pavement cycling is not always illegal, and the fact that in countries where there is adequate cycle infrastructure, it’s rare to see folk cycling on the pavement.
➕ Nationally
🛣️ England: “National Highways has confirmed it will phase out the use of the word ‘accident’ from its communications, in what is being branded as a ‘significant step forward’ in recognising the preventable nature of road collisions.” — Fleet News
📱 ‘Stan’ — Safer Travel Around Neighbourhoods — ‘...the app’ is a new bit of consumer technology aiming to use pothole reporting and computer vision to map the quality of the UK’s roads and get them fixed. There’s a mode you leave running while driving, and a standard photo reporting mode also - no word on if it would work from your handlebars or not…
Elsewhere
🇳🇱 On this day [14th October] in 1971, Simone Langenhoff, aged 6, was killed while cycling to school; hit by a speeding driver.
Her death and the movement started by her father, Vic Langenhoff, a newspaper journalist, changed an entire country and saved thousands of Dutch lives. Here's how…
A long (unrolled) thread by Adam Tranter, outlining the campaign that changed a whole country’s relationship with driving.
🛣 Route Closures and Issues
🚦 The crossing over Bruntsfield Links at Whitehouse Loan is functional again;
Ongoing: The questionable Network Rail ban on ebike parking at Waverley Station - best to make alternative parking plans if travelling from this station at present;
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 are ongoing until July ‘25; 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 3 weeks remaining. Details from Midlothian Council »
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🎉 Events and Happenings
📆 Upcoming / Ongoing
🍂 Midlothian: “Get your bike or scooter serviced by a qualified mechanic for free at the Bike Tent. Woodburn Community Hub, Today Monday 21 October from 1:30-3:30pm. Check out the family craft stall for fun activities, try the Smoothie Bike and pick up cycling equipment freebies.”
✊ ‘Bring back our streets’ Webinar, Thursday 24th October, 8-9pm:
Hosted by Parents for Future Scotland and Bearsden Safe Streets, this webinar will explore the challenges we face in creating safe, liveable streets. We'll look at what we mean by a 'safe street' and how we can challenge the status quo to bring about cleaner, happier streets for everyone. The webinar will refer to both global and local challenges and is relevant to anyone who wants better streets!
🛠️ A Wee Pedal are hosting a Basic Bike Maintenance class at Bridgend Farmhouse this Friday 25th October, 10am-12pm - with all-inclusive, friendly small groups - book by email to admin@bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk;
🔁 Weekly Events
🍃 Mon, 12-2.30pm: Free, fun group ride on paths from Bridgend Farmhouse;
☕️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 25th Oct);
⚙️ Sat, 2-4pm: ‘Bike Cleaning and Oiling’ drop-in session at The Wee Spoke Hub
🫂 Help Needed
⭕ Circular economy stalwarts The Bike Station are looking for new board members - take a look at the role description »
💚 Cargo Bike Movement - ‘shifting hearts, minds and other stuff by Cargo Bike’ - are hiring for a ‘Freelance Communication and Marketing Lead’. Could that be you? Check out their Jobs page »
✴️ 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;
🛠️ Update - with 500 responses, halfway there! 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: 🚌 Marshal for School Bike Buses | 🙋 Help with school programme ‘I Bike’ | 🗨️Join Spokes’ Planning or Resources group | 🤝 Support SW20 via Co-op shopping | 🆘 Donate money or bikes to Bikes for Refugees
🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations
🌉 Roseburn to Union Canal
📅 There’s a couple of Roseburn to Union Canal project drop-in sessions open on Thursday 31st October, 2pm-5pm and 6.30-8.30pm:
There will be an opportunity to find out more about the Roseburn to Union Canal Link, including Dalry Community Park and the Sauchiebank Community Garden. We want to hear your ideas and encourage you to get involved in future plans for the Community Park and Garden.
Held at St. Martins Episcopal Church, 232 Dalry Road, EH11 2JG.
🌊 Musselburgh Active Toun Consultation
Updated plans over on Musselburgh Active Toun with further consultation in the coming weeks, including two drop-in sessions about the updated plans: these may be of particular interest to Edinburgh residents as they cover the East Lothian section of Edinburgh Road that would eventually facilitate the long-held ambition of a tie-in to Joppa and Portobello prom, as well as the rest of the North Edinburgh network.
📅 Drop-in sessions for the project are on:
Weds 30th October, 5pm – 7pm at The Fisherrow Centre, South St, EH21 6AT
Thurs 7th November, 6pm – 8pm at Wallyford Learning Campus, Rosehill High School, Masons Wy, EH21 8BF
Comments on the consultation can also be emailed to musselburgh.uki@aecom.com
✨ Prestonfield Rd and Priestfield Rd Improvements
Consultation closed yesterday, 20th October; includes street trees, footway widening and crossing build-outs, junction narrowing, and filtering of all but occasional refuse vehicle traffic in the vicinity of Prestonfield Primary School. Click through to view:
⏬ The filtering and layout plan for Prestonfield Road [PDF];
🌳 The PDF Plans for Footway Adjustments and Street Trees - Plan 1 | Plan 2 | Plan 3
📋 The Consultation Hub;
⚙️ This Response to the Consultation from Spokes
🚢 Leith Connections - New Consultation for ‘Hawthornvale to Seafield’ Open
⚓ Leith Connections Phase 3 - Hawthornvale to Seafield
Consultation now open - running until 17th November.
📅 Drop-in session announced: View and comment on the plans with members of the project team on Tuesday 29th October, 2pm - 6pm at Leith Community Centre, 12A Newkirkgate, EH6 6AD.
View the:
Consultation Hub Page (link at the bottom to fill out the survey before the deadline);
Detailed Design drawings (PDF) »
🦶 Foot of the Walk to ‘Ocean Terminal’ (actually Commercial St)
As spotted by Harry Williams [x], 'Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal' - construction start date has been updated to ‘start of November 2024’ (for ten months) - 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 (above).
🛣️ 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.
📋 Travelling Safely Schemes - East Area ETRO Consultation Closes 28th October
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;
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 or using the Travelling Safely website form.
⚒️ 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.
Thanks for reading - ride safe 🚲
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