🚲 edi.bike | issue 81 | 24th Feb ‘25
your weekly edinburgh cycling digest
📰 News this Week
🎉 Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood Retained!
On Tuesday, The City of Edinburgh Council’s Traffic Regulation Order (‘TRO’) Subcommittee met with the sole aim of deciding on the retention of the experimental ‘Leith Connections (Phase 2)’ Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme. These measures have cut through-traffic from the area by as much as 45% and provided safer walking, wheeling and cycling space and improved air quality, with little impact on the boundaries of the scheme - leading to 74% of surveyed residents supporting the measures being kept on.
It’s heartening to see sense prevail in this matter, in the face of vocal minority opposition; elsewhere in the city (Corstorphine and the Braid Estate), similar measures have been watered down or removed entirely in the face of counterfactual and frequently contradictory feedback — though at least for the latter, the coming year will see an opportunity to challenge and roll back the changes once residents realise quite how much rat-running traffic is reintroduced to their currently quiet streets.
Responding to the decision of the TRO sub-committee to make the Leith Liveable Neighbourhood permanent, Cllr Chas Booth, Green councillor for Leith, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted the Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) has been made permanent today. This is the right decision for Leith, and will help to lock in the traffic reductions, safer streets and cleaner air that this scheme has already delivered. Thousands of my constituents will be breathing a sigh of relief at this decision, and hundreds of kids will be able to walk, wheel and cycle to school more safely as a result.
I would like to thank the committee members for their careful deliberation, council officers for their professionalism, and the hundreds of Leith citizens who have been in touch with me and other councillors to explain what a transformative impact the LTN has had on their lives.
The next steps now must be to build on the scheme, look what further works can be introduced to address the small number of streets that have seen an increase in traffic, and improve the scheme still further for people walking, wheeling and cycling. I’m also keen that the council learns the lessons from this scheme, and looks to roll out similar schemes across the city. The Leith LTN has been incredibly successful at reducing traffic, and other communities around Edinburgh should also be given chance to see similar benefits.”
This was a much-needed ‘win’ in the campaign for safer communities in Edinburgh, buoyed in its last hours by both a solid post covering ‘10 myths about the Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood’ by residents’ campaign Liveable Leith - the article makes an extremely compelling case and has many linked resources worth keeping on hand for future reference.
Here’s to many more Liveable Neighbourhoods in our future.
More coverage at The Edinburgh Reporter »
📋 Consultation: Edinburgh BioQuarter Active Travel Gaps - Sheriffhall Park & Ride to BioQuarter Campus Route
A new consultation spotted by Spokes this week; seeking to connect up both some missing internal links in the active travel pathways around the Edinburgh BioQuarter site at Little France, and also deliver protected cycleways and quiet routes between the site and the Midlothian Council park and ride facility at Sheriffhall:
“Edinburgh BioQuarter partners (City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, Scottish Enterprise and The University of Edinburgh) are in the process of improving active travel routes and facilities in and around the campus…
The improvements being looked at within this project will see the development of a new active travel route to Edinburgh BioQuarter from Midlothian in the south to plug a 'gap' in the infrastructure. Eliminating the 'gap' will improve accessibility for walkers, wheelers, and cyclists during everyday journeys.”
The consultation is open until 23:59 this Sunday, 2nd March:
- 📝 Detailed Plans and Rationale on the project’s StoryMap »
- 💬 Survey to Respond to »
🏰 Local Bits
✊ Edinburgh Critical Mass were out for a ride on Saturday past; some nice photos on Bluesky complements of Cllr Booth who also mentioned ‘a positive vibe after the decision on Tuesday to make the Leith LTN permanent.’ Celebrate the wins!
🦋 If you’re on Bluesky give the recently joined Wee Spoke Hub crew a follow…
📗 Following her recent visit, Green Party MSP Lorna Slater has submitted a Scottish Parliamentary Motion to acknowledge the excellent work of Porty Community Energy, primarily their ongoing ‘Travel Agents of Change’ roaming exhibition (opening 4th March on the Union Canal, details in ‘Events’ below ⬇️) — if you are able to, why not write to your MSP and ask them to support the motion?
💯 A couple of glorious wee feedback stories from The Bike Station this week, well worth a read; their AGM is on today (Monday 24th, details in ‘Events’ below ⬇️), and more details below of their ‘Moving Sale’ days too;
🚴🏼♀️ A new season of SCORE Scotland cycling training has arrived: ‘Advanced Cycle Training with Safety Advice and Route Planning’ at 📍 Rannoch Community Centre — 6 Rannoch Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 7ES
- 🗓️ Saturdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th March, from 3pm to 5pm
- 🗓️ Sundays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th March, from 11am to 1pm
Booking required: Call or text Madhavi on 07496190752
💚 News from Cargo Bike Movement:
Cargo Bike Movement and Porty Community Energy are hosting a talk on bike security alongside Wee Spoke Hub tomorrow, Tuesday 25th February, 5pm - 7pm at the 📍 Cargo Bike Movement Hub.
We will have speakers who will discuss good practice with bike security, and Police Scotland are bringing along kit to mark and protect your bike and provide guidance on using BikeRegister. Bike locks will be available on sale with a discount code. Come along with your bike to mark and protect, and with any questions for our presenters.
If you’re heading along, please register via Eventbrite »
📺 CBM also shared a fun wee video [IG] from last week’s ‘Give it a Go’ cargo bike tryout session with Edinburgh Garden Partners;
📆 Upcoming Training Sessions
“Cargo bike trainings, providing in-depth instruction. The course will give you Cycling Scotland accredited training for cargo bike use, and we’ll have loads of fun!”
Email jamie@cargobikemovement.org to sign up to one of the training sessions:
- 1-4pm this Wednesday, February 26th
- 1-4pm Wednesday March 12th
- 1-4pm Wednesday March 26th
🧭 Do you travel from Milnathort, Cairneyhill or Troon to one of Glasgow or Edinburgh? Could you pick up a bike being donated to Bikes for Refugees and deliver it to them en route? Contact bikedonations@bikesforrefugees.scot
☔️ National News
🚒 Fought on the front lines of the ‘liveable neighbourhoods’ culture war? Ever hear the line about LTNs hindering emergency services access?* Consider it officially retired after London Fire Commissioner Andy Rowe sees it off in this video from a recent Fire Services Plenary;
no word yet about the effect Clarkson and his mob of tractors have on emergency service access*
🌙 London Cycling Campaign report: “24% of Cycle Network Unsafe After Dark - Women's Freedom After Dark report finds nearly a quarter of the total length of TfL’s cycle network is ‘socially unsafe’ after dark” »
🔦 At Roads.cc: Cyclists’ hi-vis clothing invisible to some car brands’ automated emergency braking systems, shocking crash prevention study finds »
💟 Cycling UK Interview: Islabikes has stopped making bikes but that isn’t the end of the company’s story – or that of its founder, Isla Rowntree »
🛍️ Buying a cycle as a mobility aid? Here’s some excellent guidance from Wheels for Wellbeing on their ‘Funding Route Guide’
🚗 Fascinating new Research Paper: Why do cars get a free ride? The social-ecological roots of motonormativity - a brief summary in this thread »
🛣 Route Closures and Issues
A ‘tree down’ warning thanks to the winds yesterday afternoon (Sunday 23rd), so likely still in place, courtesy of John Edward on Bluesky:
Goldenacre Path 13 completely blocked just south of bridge at Warriston Gardens
⛔️ Rodney Street tunnel approach from George V Park closed until 7th March
This diversion should be coming to a close around the 7th of March, according to Sustrans.
Spokes have been doing a fine job pressing for better communication and diversion signage, some of which is now in place (though still small, A4 arrow signage rather than anything more obvious) and provided the diversion map below. Unfortunately a better diversion route - the contraflow cycle lane on Eyre Pl - is currently blocked by building works. Thanks to Martin for sending through.
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📪 The week’s road closure info - many thanks as always to contributor Robbie:
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🌉Harrison Road: two bridges closed due to structural concerns with cracking in the original cast iron beams. Until works begin, it’s possible to cycle over the bridges. This has created a pleasant temporary low traffic area; however, access will likely be restricted soon.
- The west bridge over a small path is to be fully rebuilt, with a closure of the path and signed diversion for an estimated 6 months.
- The east bridge over the Union Canal is to be inspected this week and may require the same. Please be especially aware of inspection works in this narrow section.
- 🌊 Gilmore Place closed westbound between Leamington Lift Bridge and Viewforth, hopefully reopening later this week. If travelling towards Merchiston, it may be possible to use the modal filter at Montpelier.
- 🚶 CCWEL at Melville Street – Wed 26th closure of Stafford St to repair continuous footway, may affect westbound segregated cycle path.
- 🚧 CCWEL at Wester Coates – Closure this Sunday (3rd March) of Wester Coates Ter at Wester Coates for a Scottish Water manhole repair which may affect the segregated cycle path.
- 🚧 East London Street – Closed all next week for CityFibre works. The route forms a quiet link between Leith Walk and Broughton St that avoids Picardy Pl. It’s been asked if cycle access can be maintained.
- 🚦 Tollcross – Planned resurfacing works with temporary lights and road closures loosely planned for next week. Details remain somehow unconfirmed.
- 🧭 CCWEL at Rosebery Crescent - further sewer repair works are ongoing – it was raised that works failed to mention cycle accommodation, as pointed out by Spokes. Scottish Water are reviewing adding a cycle diversion Northbound via Grosvenor St and accommodating cycles in the next phase of the works.
- 🚂 Waverley Bridge - concrete barriers have been placed across the southbound lane with no gap. Council officers are planning to replace them with temporary barriers with a southbound cycle lane.
- ⛔️ North Bridge closed to northbound traffic from 17th Feb for 6 weeks total (~5 weeks to go). The diversion temporarily allows vehicles to turn right from Chambers St onto George IV Bridge, so be aware of unexpected vehicle manoeuvres here. Passing northbound is feasible providing you are able to dismount and use the pedestrian route provided;
- 🧱 Ellen’s Glen Rd, a quiet link in Liberton, closed at the modal filter to repair flooding damage for 4 months. Closure includes pedestrians and a diversion is signed via Malbet Wynd;
- 💧 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;
- ⛔️ A member of Merchiston Community Council dropped us a note to let us know that a part of the Roseburn to Union Canal link — the ramp from Dalry Community park down to Dalry — is currently closed, due to the construction of new Toucan crossing as part of Roseburn to Union Canal project from 15/01/25 to 25/02/25
- 🛤️ Cheers Martin for passing on another update from Midlothian Council on the partial closure of NCN 196, on the Auchendinny-Rosewell railway path for resurfacing with ‘flexipave’:
”Resurfacing will restart on 3rd February 2025. It is estimated that the remaining works will take roughly 2-3 weeks to complete weather dependent.
There will be limited through access to use the pathway at the Rosewell end the section which is to be completed. If users can cooperate with the workers as they pass this section, that would be much appreciated.
The council would like to thank local residents and users for their patience.”
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- ⚡ 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, though recently ban signs have been absent (we’re seeking clarification with station management);
- 🏹 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;
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🎉 Events and Happenings
📆 Upcoming / Ongoing
♻️ Circular cycle economy champs and new home of Cargo Bike Movement, The Bike Station will be holding their AGM today 24th February, in Gorgie or by joining online, 2-4pm;
Their 📍 Causewayside branch also has a Moving Sale coming up on the following dates ahead of their relocation:
- Friday 28th Feb - 1st March;
- 8th March;
- 15th March
🚲 From Edinburgh Leisure: “Back in the Saddle: New Course Helps Seniors Rediscover Cycling Joy”, an 11-week course starting on 3rd March;
🛄 On the move: Check out the new ‘Travel Agents of Change’ [IG] exhibition by Porty Community Energy and BANZAI. Having first exhibited in Portobello and subsequently the Water of Leith Visitor Centre, it will open again on 4th March on the Union Canal:
- 🦆 4th Mar – 17th Mar near the 📍 Leamington Lift Bridge on the Union Canal, hosted by BANZAI. Opening event on 4th March — with pancakes! — from 5pm.
💯 Reader Alastair shared with us a new campaign by cycling club Edinburgh RC celebrating its hundredth year:
As part of the celebration of our Centenary year, we are launching our 100x100x100 women's challenge. This aims to get 100 women of all cycling abilities to ride 100k. If you are an experienced rider, why not encourage some of your family or friends to take part in the challenge? If you are nervous about rising to the challenge fear not, ERC is ready to help.
More info at Edinburgh RC »
🖼️ The Spokes, Infrasisters, Bike Buses and Edinburgh Critical Mass co-curated campaigning exhibition ‘Pedal Power’ has opened at its new venue [IG] of Duncan Place in Leith - well worth a visit;
🔁 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, Family-friendly mass protest / group ride, 2pm, Middle Meadow Walk;
🫂 Help Needed
🚐 Could you shift a bike donation into Edinburgh on behalf of Bikes for Refugees? “Milnathort, Cairneyhill or Troon 💪HELP needed! Can you collect/drop a bike donation on your commute to Glasgow or Edinburgh hubs?” — bikedonations@bikesforrefugees.scot
🙋🏽♀️ Volunteering Vacancy
The Active Travel subgroup of the Musselburgh Area Partnership are seeking a Volunteer Chair:
The Active Travel subgroup meets quarterly to discuss how to make Musselburgh, Wallyford and Whitecraig better and more inclusive for walking, wheeling and cycling.
We have a productive relationship with Roads officers at East Lothian Council and have secured many improvements to local infrastructure, including dropped kerbs, refuge islands and improvements to signage.
They are currently looking for someone to chair the group. Chairing involves:
- Identifying items for the agenda
- Encouraging participation from attendees
- Bringing summary reports to main Area Partnership meetings (also quarterly)
- An enthusiasm for active travel in all its forms!
Support is provided from the Connected Communities manager and Area Partnership Chair.
If you would like to talk about this informally, please contact the Connected Communities Manager, Scott - smckail@eastlothian.gov.uk
We particularly welcome expressions of interest from women, people with disabilities, or any other demographics under-represented in transport planning forums.
They are also always looking to welcome new members, so if you live in the Musselburgh, Wallyford and Whitecraig area and just want to join as a regular member, do get in touch for details of the next meeting.
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
✨ This section of the digest will receive a revamp in the coming months to move long-running, detailed consultation information onto web pages, and instead publish a list of links for open and recent consultations (along with summaries for anything actually new). In the meantime, anything new or changed is found near the top. ✨
🗺️ Prestonpans to Levenhall Update: There is a drop-in session for reviewing and discussing the plans today, Monday 24th Feb, 3.45pm - 6.45pm at Prestonpans Community Centre - or you can contact AECOM to arrange a one-to-one session;
In Previous Updates:
🗺️ East Lothian Council are carrying out consultations on proposed improvements between Prestonpans and Levenhall; there is of course some local resistance, and it would be great to see folks who feel able to comment responding to the consultation.
Download the (muckle!) combined plan [PDF] or browse the list
🍃 Spokes recently highlighted a new consultation from Midlothian Council to create Active Travel provisions along the A7:
The aim of the project is to improve active travel connections within the study area making it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for their everyday journeys and to connect to public transport services more easily. Currently, there is no or limited provision for walking, wheeling and cycling along the majority of the A7 corridor.
The consultation has a deadline of 30th March for comments and input;
📋 Following the recent deadline for the ETRO (Experimental Traffic Regulation Order) consultation for the Northern ‘Travelling Safely’ areas, Spokes shared their final response [PDF] to the various areas and schemes covered - as always, thoughtful input on taking the schemes forward and potential improvements;
📃 From lurking in Community Council mailing lists, I spotted this rather handy document listing upcoming City of Edinburgh Council consultations and their approximate launch dates for the coming year;
🏞️ Via Spokes - in an update from Friends of Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park the start of a new project to improve the valley is ongoing:
Burdiehouse Burn Restoration - Concept Design
“For the Burdiehouse Burn to become a successful and notable blue-green regeneration project, restoring approximately 5 km of the burn and surrounding habitats”
Core project objectives:
- Sustainable river restoration
- Habitat restoration in the surrounding landscape ✨ 3. Active travel connections
- Placemaking & access improvements
- Education & engagement of people and organisations local to the burn
- Net zero gains
- Improve the resilience of the site to climate change.
More in their newsletter »
🏚️ New plans for 21 flats on the site of the derelict Longstone Inn - damaged due to local flooding - have been published, featuring a ramp and alley access to the Burnside path; in addition, the council have now progressed with identifying who owns which bits of land and wall where the Burnside path sinkhole is situated, so discussions with the landowner will be ongoing to come up with a plan for remedial works here to fix not only the sinkhole, but hopefully the underlying cause too.
⚒️ Merchiston Community Council are back on the campaign trail to improve Polwarth’s worst junction. News of the Council commencing a redesign, and more background on the project, can be found on their website;
📋 Dalry ‘Living Well Locally’: the council have published an Initial local resident feedback Report on the Dalry Town Centre proposals [PDF]. There is a summary on the main Consultation page.
🕳️ Photos shared by Longstone Community Council show recent works have provided “Some improvements to the diversion path surface and the gradient made on the Burnside path. Barriers also secured more robustly stopping access to the sinkhole.”;
⬆️ The statutory process for a handful of one-way street cycle exemptions have been published by the Council - available here as a list and more detailed plans: ‘TRO/24/27 - One-way street exemptions for cyclists - Various Roads - Ending on 31 January 2025’. Just one part of a city-wide project over the next 18 months or so to make more one way streets legal for contraflow cycling.
🚧 Works on the West Edinburgh Link project look to be starting at the end of May according to the listings on the Scottish Road Works Commissioner web portal spotted by Longstone Community Council;
🚢 Leith Connections: Foot of the Walk to Dock St Construction Underway, Schedule Shared
🦶Foot of the Walk to ‘Ocean Terminal’ (actually Commercial St)
⚓️ 'Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal' - construction is 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
View the:
Consultation Hub Page (now closed to responses);
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
Thanks for reading - ride safe 🚲
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