🚲 edi.bike | issue 70 | 9th Dec ‘24
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
🌳 Opening Today: Roseburn to (almost the) Union Canal - Event 11.30am
The new Roseburn to Union Canal link’s Opening Event is this morning (Monday 9th), featuring stalls from 11am - 2:30pm near the new Gorgie/Dalry Community Playpark from Dr Bike (repairs by Soul Cycles), Police Scotland (bike registration and marking), Spokes and others; there’s also a led ride along the route (a ministerial photo opportunity, naturally) with local schoolkids at 11:30am:
Join us for a led bike ride along the path or come along and walk the route and discover how the area has been brought into community use.
Where: Sauchiebank/Russell Road entrance
When: meet at 11.30am (depart at 11.45am, arrive at Dalry Park at around 12noon).
If you spot me there, do say hi!
✊🏼 Thursday 12th: Critical Mass Protest Outside Edinburgh Council’s Transport & Environment Committee
From Edinburgh Critical Mass:
“As Edinburgh saw its second month in a row start with news of a pedestrian fatality, Edinburgh Critical Mass will be back outside the City Chambers on Thursday 12th, where the Transport and Environment Committee will be meeting, with their message ‘Saving Lives is Not Controversial: LTNs, bus gates and modal filters now’. Anyone is welcome to come along 8:30-9:30am”
🏴 Scottish Transport Issues? That’s Not Enough to Budge-It
A great round-up from Spokes on a difficult piece of news - ScotGov draft budget 25/26: active travel cuts disguised:
Despite larger than expected financial support from the UK government, the 25/26 Scottish draft budget cuts funding for rail, for bus investment and for active travel (AT). Presentation of the figures hides the extent of the AT cuts, which we estimate to be a £40m+ drop from 5.6% of the transport budget to 4.6% or less. Yet, despite the climate crisis (and storm Darragh looms as we write) there’s more cash for trunk roads – funding which the budget’s own carbon assessment classes as “highly negative” for climate.
Read the full Spokes Article »
🛠️ Ongoing: The Bike Station’s ‘Big Give 2024’ After Rent Increases Force Move
📺 Watch The Bike Station’s Campaign Reel on Instagram »
Rent hikes at their Causewayside branch are causing cycling community stalwarts The Bike Station to have to move premises. Keeping not only a circular economy of bikes of all shapes and sizes fixed up and in circulation, but providing mechanic and volunteer training, TBS also run the Wee Bike Library community bike hire scheme for kids’ bikes, and many other outreach initiatives.
We believe that when we come together, small actions add up to create BIG change. Whether you’ve been a long standing supporter or just want to contribute to a journey that matters, your support makes all the difference.”
🤝 City of Edinburgh Council: Upcoming December Transport & Environment Committee Meeting, Thursday 12th November
The City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport & Environment Committee (‘TEC’) will meet this Thursday 12th December from 10am. As above, Edinburgh Critical Mass will be protesting outside to greet councillors as they arrive for the session (8.30-9.30am), and we’d encourage you to join them. As usual, ahead of the meeting the various reams of procedural paperwork have been summarily spooled onto the relays of the internet for your perusing pleasure:
📅 Meeting Page / Webcast | 💼 Business Bulletin [PDF] | 📄 Public Agenda Reports Pack [PDF]
💼 Business Bulletin
🅿️ City Centre Cycle Parking - PDF Page 6: Specifically, opportunities to add further cycle parking around the City Chambers investigated, but will be subject to further conservation / heritage scrutiny before going ahead;
🚶 Elm Row Pedestrianisation - PDF Page 10: a number of previously discussed changes pending, including a proposed change to the cycle lanes here to a bi-directional path on the Elm Row side of the bus shelters, look to be coming to fruition: and “officers would like to hold a workshop with local businesses, residents and local ward members to investigate if the original issues are still outstanding and how best to take forward any pedestrianisation of Elm Row”;
🧑🏻⚖️ Executive Decisions
🚘 7.1 — Petition for Consideration - Call for City of Edinburgh Council to install Traffic-calming measures within the Dalmeny Park Estate and on the major roads leading into/out of this Estate, as a matter of urgency: Report [PDF] - work seemingly already underway here, looking to be installed in the first quarter of 2025;
🚸 7.2 — Petition for Consideration - Making our Roads safe for South Morningside Primary School pupils: Report [PDF] - does what it says on the tin, really - TEC will discuss;
💰 7.4 — City Mobility Plan – Capital Investment Plan: Report [PDF] - a lot of wobbly words and acronyms, but as a best guess: committee are being asked to note that work is ongoing to try and organise the external funding and prioritisation of measures that make up the City Mobility Plan, and a report will come back to them in May 2025;
➕ 7.6 — Extension of 20mph network - TRO Promotion: Report [PDF] - a report presenting a “list of streets proposed for a speed limit reduction from 30mph to 20mph [that] has been further refined and analysed” - disappointingly, “proposals have been scaled back to address concerns raised by public transport operators” but promises potential reductions after further dialogue with those operators. This report has been the subject of some discussion on social media this week, as it appears to restore a 30mph limit on Inglis Green Rd which is currently a 20mph limit - this will be raised at TEC via an SNP group amendment to retain the existing 20mph limit there;
💨 7.7 — Rural Speed Limits Review: Report [PDF] - currently an unfunded proposition, but as above we’ll always welcome safer driving speeds, and especially on rural roads that nationally see unbearably high levels of serious injury or death that could have been avoided or mitigated by speed restrictions;
🚦 7.9 — Improved Process for Implementation of Traffic Calming Measures: Report [PDF] - following concerns expressed at September’s TEC about slow progress on School travel plans, reviews ‘current statutory powers available to the Council to deliver traffic calming, road safety and similar improvements’ and seeks approval for various approaches to streamline the delivery of traffic calming measures under existing powers;
🚊 8.2 — Trams to Newhaven Update: Report [PDF] - asking Committee to note the updates in this report, that updates will continue during the snagging period for the route extension up until June 2025, and that future updates will come in the Business Bulletin (rather than report form);
🚲 8.3 — Cycle Hire Scheme Update: Report [PDF] - asking Committee to ‘note’ the report; was also the subject of a fairly straightforward article in the Scotsman this week that ensaddened the usual Embra roaster commentariat on yer da’s Facebook;
📄 Motions and Amendments
At time of writing, just one item: 9.1, Motion by Cllr Chas Booth, looking for forward momentum on ‘Decriminalisation of moving traffic offences’ to make way for the council being able to enforce local rules rather than relying on Police Scotland to do so;
🏰 Local Bits
🔭 Eagle-eyed Harry Williams spotted this roadworks entry for June 2026 (!) to install a segregated cycleway on the North side of Princes St between Hanover St and the South St Andrews St Junction - very interesting given the ongoing consultation on the future of Princes St and Waverley Valley;
🔍 Harry also spotted that the “Dundee street to Fountainbridge Active travel link” now has its own page on the Council’s website; this is the project that we believe should deliver the last (crossing Dundee St and up Gibson Ter) link for the Roseburn to (finally) Union Canal project;
🏫 A recent petition in South Morningside calls for “immediate road safety measures around the school to protect children from traffic-related risks. Despite a 20 mph limit, hazards like inadequate signage, double parking, and bypass traffic create unsafe conditions daily for over 500 students” (/via Spokes);
🔧 Local bike shop Dalry Bicycle Depot are now offering Maintenance Classes, ranging from winter prep to basic maintenance and wheel / bike building;
🦋 The wonderful folks at Cargo Bike Movement are the most recent Edinburgh active travel org to start posting on Bluesky - give them a follow!
♻️ A new impact report from Circular Communities Scotland [PDF, Page 8] features a case study on local charity Bikes for Refugees, including some wonderful quotes from people they’ve helped.
Speaking of B4R, they are looking for temporary space:
We are urgently looking for temp space/s in Edinburgh that could be used as a bike drop & storage for donated bikes.
If you can help us we would love to here from you 🙏 Contact Steven at admin@bikesforrefugees.scot
🚲 Investigating cycling as a mode of active transport in ethnic minority groups in Edinburgh - take part in an ongoing cycling study by Edinburgh University student Keping Li;
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➕ National News
👋 Following the sad departure of UK Transport Minister Louise Haigh — whose appearance on the Streets Ahead podcast was really inspiring in terms of having someone bullish on Active Travel in the post (though Transport is largely a devolved issue) — Spokes surfaced a really interesting thread from May 2020 by newly appointed UK Secretary of State Transport Heidi Alexander MP. Again, great to see someone who ‘gets it’ appointed to high places in Government; there’s a lot to tackle.
🪧 A signage update via Laura Laker, following her excellent language guidelines update thread we featured last issue:
“Another step forward in improving language around road crashes: Government gives police permission to replace 'accident' with 'collision' on road signs” — article at Fleet News
📉 Haringey Council publish another Low Traffic Neighbourhood success story:
Three #Haringey LTNs set to continue after major fall in traffic 🚲🚶♀️ 🛴
✅ Traffic cut by 50%
✅ 80k fewer vehicles counted per day
✅ _Road collisions fall on average 34% _
More on their website »
🥊 Andrew Gilligan: ”Conservatives won’t win in London by opposing bike lanes and low-traffic neighbourhoods” — article at Conservative Home [comment section found to be as expected, you have been warned]
🛣 Route Closures and Issues
💧 Union Canal: Towpath improvement works are ongoing from Leamington Lift Bridge to Edinburgh Quay until May 2025. A section of towpath is closed with diversion across the lift bridge and along the southern side of the canal - more info at Scottish Canals;
🛤️ Thanks to reader Nick for letting us know that the works and partial closure of NCN 196, on the Auchendinny-Rosewell railway path for resurfacing with ‘flexipave’, is still ongoing following weather-related delays, and the path is unlikely to open before mid December;
📪 Many thanks to Robbie for — not one, but four! — closure updates this week:
🧭 CCWEL at Haymarket terrace has re-opened. Roseberry Crescent remains closed for emergency sewer repair works and we’re not aware of any cycle diversion to continue on CCWEL;
🐴 King Stables Road: The council’s Roadworks & Events Report describes the road closed for Edinburgh’s Christmas, with cycle access only permitted until the 9th, so beware access may be restricted;
🎥 Filming on Leith Links this week: Links Place, Links Gardens, Poplar Lane, Salamander Place (except buses) closed Wed/Thurs 8.30am - 4.30pm;
☎️ Wester Hailes Road: 1 week closure at Lanark Rd junction from Wednesday 11th for BT duct repairs;
⚡ 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 run until some time this month;
🎉 Events and Happenings
📆 Upcoming / Ongoing
🔁 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 (Except December! 🧑🎄): Critical Mass Edinburgh, Protest Group Ride, 2pm, Middle Meadow Walk (no ride this month 🎄);
🫂 Help Needed
🚸 From Parents for Future Scotland:
”We are recruiting enthusiastic speakers to join our 2024 Schools Air Pollution Programme as workshop facilitators. Our programme empowers children and their parents to take meaningful action against air pollution in Edinburgh. Workshop facilitators help deliver an engaging and informative talk to parents in the city, raising awareness about air pollution and the steps we can all take to help tackle it. This is a paid role and no previous experience in speaking to groups or expertise in air pollution is 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.”
More info at Vacancies — Parents for Future Scotland »
✏️ 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 | 🆘 Donate money or bikes to Bikes for Refugees | 📦⚡️ Hire Community Cargobikes, E-bikes or Trailers from SW20, Porty Community Energy or Banzai | ♻️ Donate old bikes to The Bike Station or ‘Brake the Cycle’.
🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations
🚢 Leith Connections: Foot of the Walk to Dock St Construction Underway, Schedule Shared
🦶Foot of the Walk to ‘Ocean Terminal’ (actually Commercial St)
📸 Some shots from Martin on Bluesky of the works on Foot of the Walk to Dock Street commencement last week;
⚓️ 'Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal' - construction is now underway on the Great Junction St cycleway, with work on Henderson St recently started too, 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.
This Leith Connections works leaflet [PDF] outlines the rough timeline for construction of the route.
Confusingly, the project 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 (below);
⚓ 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) »
🌳 Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route
Some recent movement on the Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route, in an update from Blackford Safe Routes and this update from Cllr Ben Parker;
📋 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
⚒️ Work ongoing, August to November - Lasswade Rd Cycleways
Update: Still some works around this taking place - as per the Council’s Weekly Roads Report:
Anti-skid surfacing at crossing points planned for w/c 16/12/24 with off-peak temporary traffic lights.
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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