🚲 edi.bike | issue 67 | 18th Nov ‘24
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
⚠️ STOP PRESS - Critical Mass Protest 08.30 This Morning Outside City Chambers, High St (Monday 18th Nov)
Meeting 8.30am, City Chambers, High St
“Saving Lives is Not Controversial”: This morning the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) will meet at the City Chambers on the High St, and on their way in will face protestors organised by Critical Mass calling for more Bus Gates, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and Safe Street measures:
“Nine people have already been killed on Scotland’s roads in November alone - six of those were pedestrians. Delays cost lives. One fatality could have been avoided if a proposed bus gate on the Cowgate had been implemented. Councillors discussed this proposal at the February Transport and Environment Committee, as part of a wider Our Future Streets plan for Edinburgh. When councillors repeatedly delay road safety improvements with amendments and consultations, whose interests are they serving? Not the majority of residents who elected them, the person going to the shops, the parent walking their child to school or people having a night out.
Low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), bus gates and modal filters make everyone 50% safer, whether they walk, cycle or drive. That’s not controversial. Keeping access for cars and adding access for people walking and cycling, by creating safer streets, is not controversial. That bus gates, LTNs and modal filters are low cost and effective is not controversial. This is a win-win-win for Edinburgh residents but councillors aren’t showing leadership.
People are fed up with culture wars, they want to be safer, they want their loved ones to be safer. So we are taking our protest to the TEC, who are meeting today, to hold them to account and say ’Saving lives is not controversial’. These are our streets and Edinburgh’s people deserve the best in road safety design.”
Hope to see you there.
⬇️ We have links to the Committee’s Papers for today’s meeting below ‘Local Bits’, with a round-up next week ⬇️
📈 Picardy Place Cycle Lane Counter Hits New Record with Half a Million Cycle Journeys So Far This Year; Following National Upwards Trend
Edward Tissiman on the cycle counter data, reports:
”The Omni Centre cycle lane has now recorded HALF A MILLION cycle journeys this year. That's 40% higher than at this point in 2023.
Despite the dark nights and cold weather, over 2,000 cycle journeys are still being recorded on weekdays” — @edtiss on Bluesky
Spokes linked to a new roundup by Cycling Scotland:
”Analysis of national cycle counter data shows 14 locations recording increases of over 30% in the number of cycle journeys in summer 2024 compared with summer 2023, with a site in Stirling recording a 100% increase” — Cycling Scotland
In response, Councillor Lesley MacInnes posted to X:
”Absolutely delighted to see these figures. If you build it, they will come…,😁 vindicates the decision-making I led in last administration to push for further active travel infrastructure. Very positive outcome.”
The council has a number of schemes and plans, and we have the evidence of success; what next?
🦋 The Great X-odus to Bluesky Continues: Edinburgh Council, Spokes and Edinburgh Festival of Cycling Establish Outposts
Bluesky is a decentralised-by-design social platform by some of the team originally behind Twitter;
Bluesky is based on a protocol that makes the control and destruction of its social fabric by a megalomaniacal technologist / embarrassing dunderheid more or less impossible;
Bluesky also has far more functional controls to block accounts, share blocklists with other community members, report and moderate content, making for a much more hopeful and safe online environment.
This week saw many more City of Edinburgh Councillors make their home on Bluesky; Spokes joined up, and even the Council itself now has an account. If we see @edinhelp and @edintravel start posting there too, we’re quickly running out of reasons to need X around at all, provided the shift of political voices and organisations continues at this pace.
Many folks are taking the opportunity to fully leave X, including Edinburgh Festival of Cycling, who also published some great reasons to move this week.
Speaking of pace, it’s not just the active travel folks making the jump: the team behind the platform have been sharing some pretty wild growth stats, reaching up to one million new users per day.
If you’re looking to get started, the good folks at SW20 now have an Edinburgh Starter Pack that’s worth a look as a great way to kick off or grow your feed there.
🏰 Local Bits
🌍 Harry Williams has been up to his Google Earth tricks again, this time mapping the Meadows to George St plans onto the navigable 3D model of Edinburgh’s Streets — to get started, click ‘Table of Contents’ in the bottom left and then ‘Meadows to George St’;
⚠️ Man threatens to throw girl, 9, in Edinburgh canal — BBC News Article. Described as “big bulgy hazel eyes, a bald head and huge”, the child’s Mother also said he matched the description of a man back in April 2022 Police Scotland described as a “white man, 60ish, possibly tanned complexion, 5'7"-5'10", medium to stocky build with grey/balding hair pushing people into the water in the area of Meggetland”.
Beyond unacceptable for a child - and indeed Mother - to be subjected to this. Please be vigilant for this chap as he’s clearly either unwell, radicalised — or indeed, both.
ℹ️ It’s really tough reading and sharing incidents like this, we will often skirt around all too common incidents of cyclist collision, road violence and bike theft in favour of a focus on forward progress and campaigning, but there are some cases like this where there’s a need to warn others.
🌿 Councillor Ben Parker shared a good update on the recent movements on the Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route changes;
📺 Over on X Councillor Chas Booth shared a short video update about the great results from the ‘Leith Connections’ Low Traffic Neighbourhood project; usual rules apply about wearing roaster-proof goggles before reading the responses;
♻️ The council has launched a new scheme called ‘Brake the Cycle’:
A scheme has been launched to provide free bikes for the community. Bikes that are either old or unwanted can be collected by the scheme or donated to the workshops. The bikes are renovated and then freely given to community organisations, youth groups and schools.
The scheme involves people on community payback orders renovating the bikes, learning new skills and gaining confidence.
You can find out how to donate or apply for a bike here.
We’d also be remiss not to also mention here the wonderful Bikes for Refugees, who do similar work to provision bikes for New Scots, and the circular economy charity The Bike Station, both of whom also accept donated bikes for repurposing.
🤖 For fans of Cycle Counter data, David Brennan shared a pretty phenomenal Cycling Scotland open data dashboard that might be worth a look;
🤝 City of Edinburgh Council: November Transport & Environment Committee Meeting, Today 18th November
The City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport & Environment Committee will meet today, Monday 18th from 10am.
Unfortunately due to a heavier workload this week I’ve not been able to rifle through this in my usual fashion — i.e. like an over-caffeinated raccoon in a discarded bin bag of shredded paper and leftover pastries — so here’s the links to the webcast and various document packs should you wish to do your own info-snuffling, or tune in next week for our usual fuller summary of the agenda items and outcomes.
📅 Meeting Page / Webcast | 💼 Business Bulletin [PDF] | 📄 Public Agenda Reports Pack [PDF] | 📄 Late Report on Cowgate [PDF] | 🗳️ Motions and Amendments [PDF] | 💬 Deputations [PDF]
➕ Nationally
🌸 Glasgow: the council have published their plans and consultation timeline for remediating the junction where Emma Burke Newman tragically died last year. At first look, the consultation doesn’t seem to include a cycles-first traffic light phase, which had been acknowledged as something that could have potentially saved Emma’s life in terms of getting to commence junction crossing first - but hopefully this is something that gets implemented more widely as a key way to make difficult junctions safer. Thanks to Emma’s friend and edi.bike supporter Shellie for sharing with us;
💰 England: ”Transport Secretary wants end to ‘perverse half cycle lanes’ and hints at long-term funding for cycling and walking”:
Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, has said £100m for cycling and walking was the start, and long-term funding could be pledged in the Spring Spending Review, as she adds road deaths have been "normalised for too long"... — Laura Laker for Road.cc
🚐 ”What’s more efficient than a van, faster in urban traffic, cheaper to run and cuts emissions? Many firms may not consider the humble e-cargo cycle a feasible alternative to a diesel, or even electric van, but a growing number of businesses are proving the case for ever more possibilities for pedal power” — Fleet News’ ‘Sustainable Mobility Week’
🛣 Route Closures and Issues
🍂 edi.bike reader Jamie let us know the crossing from Tantallon Pl to Cumin Pl across Grange Rd has now reopened; thanks also to reader Melissa for updating us that Valleyfield St has reopened ☺️, and John Robson for letting us know Quiet Route 8 is no longer blocked;
📥 From reader Robbie: “CCWEL Cycle Path Closed at Haymarket between Rosebery Crescent and Coates Place in both directions for emergency sewer repair works. However, there's room to cycle through and it's been asked if the closure can be amended”;
⚡ 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;
🏹 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;;
🚶 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;
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🎉 Events and Happenings
📆 Upcoming / Ongoing
⚙️ Local Bike Campaigning: Spokes Public Meeting, 21st November
I’ll be giving a short talk about edi.bike at the Spokes public meeting this Thursday 21st November, in excellent company: Accessible and Sustainable transport expert Derek Halden, speakers from Infrasisters, Edinburgh Critical Mass, and Jarlath Flynn — who does a huge amount for Edinburgh’s school bike buses.
The five short talks are then followed by a panel Q & A hosted by Helen Todd, chair of Planning Democracy and former Ramblers Scotland policy manager.
📆 Save the Date - Infrasisters Ride Again
”The first InfraSisters Edinburgh ride of this winter is planned for the evening of 29th November, starting at 7:30pm, meeting at Middle Meadow Walk, for a slow circular ride around Edinburgh city centre lasting about an hour…
The theme, following UN Women UK is #NoExcuse - no excuse for unsafe cycle infrastructure, no excuse for inaction, no excuse for standing by.”
🌺 ✊Last of the year! Edinburgh Critical Mass is coming up on Saturday 30th November, 2pm 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.
This month, joined by:
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance, who will be handing their Rewilding Nation Charter to the Scottish Government on 3rd December. Everyone is encouraged to wear something/decorate their bikes with a Scottish wildlife theme, or to make a placard highlighting the link between cycling and nature.
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.*
⚡ From Porty Community Energy:
“Our next led cycle ride will be to a cafe - Rosearista Coffee House on Pencaitland railway path. If you've not been on your bike for a while and need a confidence boost, or are looking for new cycle routes to try - our led rides are for you!
We start at Portobello Active Travel Hub - our bike library on the prom. Sign up so we know you're coming, and we'll meet you there!”
Sunday December 1st, 10am - 3pm: Sign up here »
🔁 Weekly Events
🍃 Mon, 12-2.30pm: Free, fun group ride on paths from Bridgend Farmhouse;
🌅 Tues, ⏰ 5.40am: Edinburgh Dawn Patrol - Meet St. Andrew Square, same route each time - contact Markus [x];
☕️Tues, 5pm: [National] Active Travel Cafe on Zoom
🛠️ Weds, 3pm: Bike Kitchen at Edinburgh Tool Library
🌅 Thurs, ⏰ 5.40am: Edinburgh Dawn Patrol (same as Tues, details above);
✴️ Thurs, 5-8pm: Bike DIY Session at The Wee Spoke Hub
⚙️ Sat, 2-4pm: ‘Bike Cleaning and Oiling’ drop-in session at The Wee Spoke Hub
🔁 Monthly Events
🚲 First Friday of the month: Inclusive social bike rides with A Wee Pedal, 1-3pm, from Bridgend Farmhouse;
✊ Last Saturday of the month: Critical Mass Edinburgh, Protest Group Ride, 2pm, Middle Meadow Walk (with no ride in December);
🫂 Help Needed
🚸 From Parents for Future Scotland:
”We are looking for enthusiastic parents to join our 2024 Schools Air Pollution Programme as parent speakers. Our programme empowers children and their parents to take meaningful action against air pollution in Edinburgh. Parent speakers help deliver an engaging and informative talk to other parents in the city, raising awareness about air pollution and the steps we can all take to help tackle it. No previous experience in speaking to groups or expertise in air pollution needed - we provide free training and a buddy system to help build your confidence as you grow into this important role. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to positive change in your community, meet other like-minded parents, and develop new skills.”
✏️ Jobs and Voluntary Roles
⭕ The Bike Station — Board Members and Shop Floor volunteers for their Causewayside branch [x] »
💚 Cargo Bike Movement — Freelance Communication and Marketing Lead »
🛠️ SW20 & Edinburgh Tool Library — Project Volunteers:
✴️ The Wee Spoke Hub — Administration Volunteer:
ℹ️ Also: office / studio space to sublet;
🛠️ With over 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.”
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 | 📦⚡️ Hire a community Cargobike / E-bike from SW20, Porty Community Energy or Banzai
🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations
🌳 Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route
Some recent movement on the Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route, in an update from Blackford Safe Routes:
New Traffic Regulation Orders representing the Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route, as currently implemented, are to be drawn up within the next couple of weeks.
This is a technicality – there is no need to comment on them, and comments will not be counted by the council.
Following on, in January 2025*, another traffic order will be drawn up to include the changes that were discussed (removal of the traffic filters in the Braid estate and implementation of a segregated cycle lane) during the March Transport & Environment Committee (TEC) meeting. Comments to the council on the changes will be invited. We will be back in touch with you then.
*January 2025 will be the (almost) 4 year anniversary of the traffic filters being installed outside the school. That’s 4 years of a simple, low-cost traffic intervention helping to keep children safe and the neighbourhood more pleasant! 4 years of successful community campaigning to support the council to meet its own policies, objectives and manifestos. Policies that the majority of residents support. Thank you for continuing to show that people do have agency and can make a difference!
📋 Travelling Safely Schemes (Various)
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; also by emailing TRO.Consultations@edinburgh.gov.uk quoting the relevant scheme.
🌊 Musselburgh Active Toun Consultation
Updated plans over on Musselburgh Active Toun with further consultation ongoing: 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.
Comments on the consultation can be emailed to musselburgh.uki@aecom.com
🚢 Leith Connections - Consultation for ‘Hawthornvale to Seafield’ Now Closed, Foot of the Walk to Dock St Commences Construction
⚓ Leith Connections Phase 3 - Hawthornvale to Seafield
This consultation has recently closed (17th November).
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)
⚓️ 'Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal' - construction commences today (at least, according to the roads report!) on the Great Junction St cycleway, with work on Henderson St commencing at the start of December, for around ten months - a 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);
⚒️ 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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