📰 News this Week

📈 Edinburgh’s Walking and Cycling Index Updated for 2025

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust have updated their biennial report on the uptake of — and attitudes towards — cycling in the capital, as they do for other cities across the country:

The Walking and Cycling Index is the largest survey of walking, wheeling and cycling ever carried out.

It captures public attitudes to active travel in 22 cities and regions across the UK and Ireland, and tracks how well each area is making walking, wheeling and cycling practical, everyday choices.

Since 2015, the Index has helped shape policy, support investment decisions and give cities the evidence they need to set more ambitious plans for active travel. — Walk Wheel Cycle Trust

As well as individual cities, they also publish an aggregate UK report as well a separate aggregated Scottish report - both due out next week, on the 17th of March.

2025 saw more improvements and investment in active travel in Scotland's capital. The Index offers invaluable insights to build on these efforts to make Edinburgh more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Their Edinburgh WCI page also offers access into older copies of the reports - the last one having taken place in 2023. There’s a number of comparison points laid out in the report, like this on cycle safety:

Cycling safety and satisfaction
50% of all residents think it's safe to cycle in their local area (40% in 2023)
37% of all residents think it's safe for children to cycle in their local area (31% in 2023)
55% of all residents think their local area overall is a good place to cycle (49% in 2023)

While this is definitely positive, there’s a small drop in the modal share of ‘regular cycling’ from their research, and some pretty stark numbers on the delivery of infrastructure since 2023:

37% of households are within 125 metres of either traffic-free cycle paths away from the road, cycle paths physically separated from traffic and pedestrians, or signposted routes along quieter streets (36% in 2023)

In the city there are:
111 miles of traffic-free cycle paths away from the road (110 miles in 2023)
7 miles of cycle paths physically separated from traffic and pedestrians (5 miles in 2023)
17 miles of signposted routes along quieter streets (17 miles in 2023)

A rate of 0.5 - 1 mile per year is nearly beyond reasonable commentary — all I can muster is a deep sigh, and the suggestion that maybe we need to poach Anne Hidalgo when the transfer window opens up.

It’s not all stats - there are also a number of features with folk contributing to and benefitting from cycling in the city sprinkled throughout, including Robbie (page 23) who faithfully delivers our weekly list of Road & Route closures - as well as some summary pages about upcoming projects in the city.

Very much worth a thorough read over a cuppa.

🏰 Local Bits

🔧 The Bike Station’s Annual General Meeting will take place today, Monday 9th March:
⏰ 2pm – 4pm
📍 141 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH11 3AD Or join virtually

Members of the community, supporters, partners, and stakeholders are warmly invited to attend.

👉 Register to attend by completing our online form (required for both in-person and virtual attendance)

🎤 Spokes are hosting Scottish Election Hustings a week today - Monday 16th March. More here or in our ‘Events’ section below;

🪨 Update from Cllr Jack Caldwell posted to Facebook on Leith Walk’s pavements taking a battering from vehicle encroachment for loading:

Last month, I co-hosted a meeting with Council officers, Leith Central Community Council, and New Town and Broughton Community Council to assess and discuss the issue and results of pavement parking along Leith Walk.

While investigations are underway for additional loading provision and possible physical interventions, I'm pleased to say a task-force has been established to go down the length of Leith Walk from March 23rd to repair outstanding loose paving stones.

📰 Further up the road, the March issue of The Broughton Spurtle features front page item “Who’s At The Helm On Elm Row?” regarding the unfinished works to re-route the downhill cycleway to behind the bus stops, which has so far failed to be completed and deliver reinstated pavement space, bollards preventing parking encroachment and a number of other planned improvements;

🎤 Towpath Talks are back, Friday 27th March at 7pm, 📌 Gamma Transport Division; Anna
Ruddiman on London to Turkey and Peter Gostelow on 20 Years of Cycling Around the World — keep an eye on Towpath Talks’ Instagram for the release of tickets.

🎭 Edinburgh Festival of Cycling are selling one of their cargo bikes, a rather special brushed aluminium finish ‘Anniversary’ edition Urban Arrow Family - great value at this price with low mileage, more details on their website »

✨ The Bike Station had a visit this week from Green MSP Lorna Slater, discussing apprenticeships in this clip posted to Facebook; the organisation also won an award this week from Scottish Sports Futures for ‘Transforming Lives Organisation of the Year’ — congratulations all!

🗳️ Online election hustings in April from Cycling UK in Scotland:

Want to know what political parties are really planning for cycling and active travel in Scotland?

We’re bringing together party representatives for our Scotland Election 2026 Active Travel Hustings, chaired by award winning climate activist Less Waste Laura.

We’re running the event online, alongside our friends at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust Scotland and Women on Wheels Hub, to talk about the future of walking, wheeling and cycling in Scotland; and what the next Scottish Government needs to deliver.

📅 Tuesday 14 April
⏰ 6 – 8pm
💻 Online
🎟 Free to attend

You’ll hear directly from party representatives and have the chance to put your questions to them.

If active travel matters to you, come along and be part of the conversation.
🎟 Register now: cyclinguk.org/scotland2026

🎉 SCOREScotland posted their March events calendar to Facebook, this week - featuring:

• 🗺️ Route planning, advanced cycling skills and cycle safety training: Wednesdays 11th, 18th, and 25th from 10 am to 12 noon at 📌 Gate 55;

• 🚴 Adult beginners / family cycle training: Fridays 13th, 20th and 27th March from 10 am to 12 pm - Book an appointment (see poster below)

• 🔧 Bike Maintenance Workshop: Saturdays 14th, 21st and 28th from 2pm to 4pm (indoors) at 📌 Whale arts centre;

• 🧭 Led cycle rides on Saturdays 14th, 21st and 28th from 11:15am to 1:15pm, from 📌 Gate 55;

• 🩺 Dr. Bike cycle repairs, Friday 27th March from 10 am to 3:30pm at 📌 Gate 55;

📅 SAVE THE DATE: Pedal on Parliament is back for 2026, with a mass ride of cyclists of all ages and abilities from Middle Meadow Walk to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, 11:30am on May 30th.

📲 Follow Pedal on Parliament on Bluesky | Instagram | Facebook | Mastodon | PoP Mailing List

📮 Got a story or link for the next issue of edi.bike? DM or mention @edi.bike on Bluesky, or send it in using our Submissions Form »

⛈️ National

🛢️ Aberdeen are set to be the next Scottish city getting a rollout of Voi hire ebikes ‘throughout the spring’ - more at The National »

🎙️ Podcast: Streets Ahead Ep. 38 - How to help women feel safe cycling: “In this episode Laura (Laker) joins a host of (almost entirely female) guests, out on the road in London to talk about how cycle routes deliver - or not - for women’s safety.”

👭 Also via Laura Laker — whose name should have made the list! — Transport for London “teamed up with Santander Cycles to name ten bikes across the city after inspirational women in time for International Women’s Day!” The TfL article has a nice mini-bio for each of the campaigners and change-makers newly featured on the bikes.

🛣 Route Closures and Issues

ℹ️ Encountered unexpected road issues? Find out how to report them with this guide from Spokes. The team at Edinburgh Travel News are also keen to hear about cycle path alerts and can be contacted on Threads or Facebook.

🦋 On Bluesky? Follow the #EdTravCyc feed - anyone can use the #EdTravCyc hashtag to share route issues they encounter;

📪 Road closure info — many thanks to regular contributor Robbie for collating and preparing these:

🚧 Forrest Road: Road between Meadows and George IV Bridge including NCR1 & NCR75 closed northbound for emergency Scottish Water repairs. Update 9th March: Temporary walkway now formed, for which a dismount is advised.

🌊 Union Canal: Towpath NCR75 closed for resurfacing in phases 8am-4pm weekdays until early April. Work began in Harrison Park and is moving westwards, with largest closures by Ratho.

🏗️ Dundee St: Segregated cycle lane westbound at bridge over West Approach Rd closed from today, Monday 9th March, until mid-April for building demolition work.

🚧 Bellevue: Resurfacing following recent footway widening, affecting Rodney St segregated cycle lanes from this Wednesday 11th March. Modal filters on E Scotland St Lane and Cornwallis Pl may offer alternate routes.

🏖️ West Shore Road: Section of Quietroute 12 closed past the Pitt Market for drainage works by Advance Construction from tomorrow Tuesday 10th March until April 2026. Silverknowes Esplanade may offer an alternate route.

🏗️ Potterrow Underpass: Closed for a crane lift at W College St this Thursday 12th March 8am – 3pm.

🚧 Ferry Road Path: Ramp down to W Granton Access potentially obstructed by telecoms works this Wednesday 11th March for 3 days.

Long Term Closures:

🚧 Caledonia Place: Dalry footway improvement works underway until July 2026. Update: Closures of Orwell Terrace and Telfer Subway estimated from 30th March for 8 weeks.

🚧 Saughton Crescent: Sections of QuietRoute 9 closed for resurfacing and junction improvements by Balgreen until May 2026. A signed cycle diversion is to be provided in phases 4-8. Phase 5 currently underway with closure of Saughton Crescent.

🚲 Valleyfield Street: Closed for Meadows to Union Canal Improvement works until April 2026. A cycle diversion is in place on Glengyle Ter, which will be lengthened during the nearby Gilmore Pl resurfacing works.

🚲 Summerhall: Segregated Cycle Lanes by Melville Dr and Melville Ter expected to be obstructed by Summerhall improvement works until April 2026.

🏗️ St Marks Path: Section of Quietroute 20 between McDonald Road and Warriston Path impacted by CEC Powderhall redevelopment works. The path is expected to remain open during the majority of the construction programme. Until a temporary path is provided, exercise caution at manned crossing gates when passing through the site.

🏖️ Silverknowes Road: Road to Silverknowes Beach closed for resurfacing works and reconfiguration of the cycle lane. Works have halted, with cycle access in the meantime currently unclear.

🚦 Bankhead Drive: Quietroute 8 along the tramline obstructed at junction with S Gyle Access until Summer 2026 for construction of West Edinburgh Link.

🏞️ Water of Leith Path: Closure of Pansy Walk by Balgreen until end March 2026 for Scottish Water upgrades. Pedestrian diversion to be signed via Westfield Ave. However, for cyclists, the Water of Leith Conservation Trust advise an alternate diversion via Baird Drive.

🏗️ Edinburgh Park Station: Quiet Route 8 cycle path between Hermiston Gait and the Gyle Centre closed for works in preparation of the Edinburgh Arena development. It’s only possible to go around by carrying your bike up roughly 20 steps or by following the shared use footway on Lochside Ave.

🌉 Harrison Road: two bridges closed due to structural concerns with micro-cracking in the original cast iron beams:

• The north-west bridge over a small path is closed to be rebuilt until end August 2026, including path below.

• The south-east bridge over the Union Canal is currently closed to cars but not cycles. Strengthening to the bridge from April 2026 will require a closure of the Union Canal Towpath under. Exact date to be confirmed.

🌉 South Gyle Road: Bridge between modal filter and Quiet Route 9 closed for repairs until April 2026. It is required to dismount and use a temporary bridge.

🏗️ Port Hamilton Cyclepath: Shared use path between Union Canal and West End closed until 2026/27 for building works. A diversion is advised via Gardeners Crescent and Semple Street.

🏗️ Craighall Road: Closed until May 2028 for the Refurbishment of Trinity Academy. Access to the Victoria Path is expected to be maintained. A diversion will be signed along Newhaven Road, however the removal of parking for improved traffic flow may lead to this being a wider and faster road, less suitable for cycles.

⚡ 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;

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🎉 Events and Happenings

📆 Upcoming / Ongoing

🎤 Spokes and Cycling UK are holding a joint election hustings, next Monday 16th March, for the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary election, to hear from Holyrood candidates on cycling and related policies. The hustings starts at 7.30pm, ending 9.30pm with doors open from 6.45pm for coffee, stalls and chat.

If you have a question for all candidates (“Combination” section above) please email it in advance to spokes@spokes.org.uk with the subject line hustings question. Note that questions to individual candidates can only be asked in person at the meeting, after their initial speech.

⚓ The Leith Connections Foot of Walk to Dock St route has been completed — which in future should connect with an additional phase from Seafield to Hawthornvale, and a leg off to Ocean Terminal. There’s an official opening from 10am on Wednesday 18th March, at the bridge on Sandport Place. There will be a ribbon cutting, a Spokes stall, repairs from Dr Bike and Porty Community Energy will have Cargo Bikes to try out.

/via Spokes’ February action update [PDF]

🤝 March Cycle Co-op get together: “An online meeting [March 20th] to connect with other worker co-ops in the cycling sector and explore how we might support each other. The session is open to non-members of workers.coop too. Any bicycle-related projects, collectives, fix spaces or courier co-ops welcome along.”

Thanks to reader Nick for sharing; there's also an Edinburgh Co-ops meet-up / chat group that (bike) people who are interested in cooperatives can join 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 - more info on their Instagram;

• 🚺 Tues, 5-8pm: Fix My Own Bike session for Women and Minority Genders at The Wee Spoke Hub

• 🎙️ Tues, 5pm: [National] Active Travel Cafe talks and discussion on Zoom

• 🪨 Weds, 5.40am: Edinburgh Dawn Patrol [IG] Gravel edition - starting from 📍 Cairngorm Coffee;

• ☕ Weds, 8:15 - 9:45: Coffee Outside [IG]: Wednesday morning hangouts at 📍 Lochrin Basin - bring a mug, water, a way to boil water, and coffee ☕

• 🛠️ Fortnightly (second & fourth Weds each month), 3pm: Bike Kitchen at Edinburgh Tool Library

• 🔧 Weds, 5-8pm Fix Your Own Bike Sessions at The Bike Station, Tollcross

• 🌅 Thurs, ⏰ 5.40am: Edinburgh Dawn Patrol (same as Tues, details above);

• ✴️ Thurs, 5-8pm: Bike DIY Session at The Wee Spoke Hub

• 🪨 Thurs Evenings: Edinburgh Gravel Cycling Club social group rides;

• 🪛 Weekly Dr Bike cycle repairs from ELREC’s Edinburgh Cycling Club, 10am-3pm at the 📍 Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre - no booking required and all welcome;

• 🔧 Sat, 1-4pm Fix Your Own Bike Sessions at The Bike Station, Tollcross

• ⚙️ Sat, 2-4pm: ‘Bike Cleaning and Oiling’ drop-in session at The Wee Spoke Hub

• 🟰 Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council’s Edinburgh Cycling Club run weekly group rides and introductory classes;

🔁 Monthly Events

• 🚲 First Friday of the month: Inclusive social bike rides with A Wee Pedal from Bridgend Farmhouse - every Friday 2-4pm between April and Hallowe’en, 1-3pm on the 1st Friday of each month November to March.

• ✊ Last Saturday of the month: Critical Mass Edinburgh, Family-friendly mass protest / group ride, 2pm, Middle Meadow Walk; check out the poster below for upcoming ride dates - don’t forget to grab a t-shirt!

🫂 Help Needed

🚌 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, The Wee Spoke Hub or ‘Brake the Cycle’.

📋 Jobs & Opportunities

• 💛 ScoreScotland are recruiting for their board [FB]

• Parents for Future Scotland are looking for immediate cover for an organiser working on air pollution in Edinburgh - starting ASAP until June 2026, possibly extending after this, funding dependent.

  3.5 days a week £200/day on a freelance contract term-time (£9,200 in total)
  The role involves working with schools, parents, and local councils to improve air pollution in different neighbourhoods, through setting up schemes like bike buses/walking buses. Experience of working on active travel/behaviour change initiatives is preferred. Please contact fatima.parents4futurescotland@gmail.com

• 🔧 Via Critical Mass - Edinburgh Tool Library are looking for volunteers to help people learn to repair their bicycles during regular Cycle Kitchen workshops — form here »

🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations

📋 Overviews: CEC’s Active travel improvements programme | Interactive Map from City Mobility Plan prioritisation exercise

✏️ In the Works:

👏 Merchiston Districts Community Council ongoing campaign regarding the junction at Merchiston Ave;

✍️ Take Action:

• 🛣️ Sign the petition to Stop the £55 Million A701 Relief Road »

🔐 Recently Closed:

• 📨 Closed 10th Feb: consultation period for the Silverknowes Rd ETRO providing protected cycleways (ETRO/21/30C).

• 🚲 Closed February 9th: Barnton Connections consultation on safe, protected cycle routes through the area;

• ⛲️Dundee Street Fountainbridge Active Travel Project consultation closed 12 January 2026 | 🗺️ Mapped illustrations (do zoom in!) — Image 1 and Image 2 | 📄 Technical drawings [PDF, 23.7mb]

• 📝 West Edinburgh Link, including Glasgow Rd, South Gyle, Bankhead, Sighthill, Wester Hailes and Clovenstone. “Around 5km of new segregated and improved cycleways, new crossings, path and pavement improvements”, the first phase underway with an initial focus primarily on links to Quiet Route 8 - Technical plans [PDF]

• 🤔 The ‘Curriehill Active Travel Link’ reported by Spokes to have been delayed beyond its 2025 due date by ‘biodiversity concerns’.

• 🤫 Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route having detrimental changes made, delayed until at least a Standards Commission hearing in March ‘26: Detailed Designs [PDF] | ETRO Published as TRO/25/17

• ⚒️ Road Resurfacing & early ‘Dalry Living Well Locally’ Outcomes

• 🧱 Vital path upgrade through Muir Wood park in Currie

• 🌳 Meadows to Union Canal Link

• 🦦 Burdiehouse & Niddrie Burn Restoration - blue-green regeneration project including 3m wide ‘Pentlands to Portobello’ core path;

• 🔄 Proposals to address issues at Davidson's Mains Roundabout; City Cycling Edinburgh thread | Planned ‘options’ | Comments closed Friday, 16th January

🔬 Trials & Programmes Underway:

• ✨ Improving Old Town Streets | Includes current ETRO for Lawnmarket & Johnston Terrace

📋 Consulted On:

• 🐚 The consultation on Station Road as part of the Musselburgh Active Toun closed mid December;

• 🚋 Major North-South Tramline Consultation | Spokes’ brilliant, detailed response [PDF] | Officers A8 ‘Diversion’ Clarification

• ⭕️ Polwarth Gardens road layout consultation | “Safety Wins: Residents Choose New Polwarth Junction Design, Construction to Begin Within 18 Months” at Merchiston Districts Community Council »

• ⚒️ Queensferry Connections project;

• ⛏️ Marionville Rd and Smokey Brae improvements;

• 🚶🏽‍♂️ Walking, wheeling and cycling improvements in Currie

• 🧪 Edinburgh BioQuarter Active Travel Gaps - Sheriffhall Park & Ride to BioQuarter Campus Route;

• 🌞 Dalry Living Well Locally | Initial Feedback Report » [PDF]

• ⚓ Leith Connections Phase 3 - Hawthornvale to Seafield | Detailed Designs (PDF) »

• 🚴🏽‍♂️ Midlothian Council - A7 Sustainable Transport Corridor

• East Lothian Council - Prestonpans to Levenhall | Combined plans » [Large PDF]

🚧 Under Construction:

• ⛏️ As shared by SW20, work will begin on the paving of a key link between ​​Bloomiehall Park in Juniper Green and Muir Wood Road in Currie on the 9th of February. Owned by developer Taylor Wimpey, an informal path link along the edge of the field has been used for decades since the development of the nearby housing estates, but will only now be formalised into a path suitable for all weather conditions and night-time passage;

• 🧱 Changes to southside protected cycleways at Summerhall under construction until April 2026;

• ⛏️ Burnside Path Repairs & Longstone Sinkhole
  Contractors setting up on site w/c 3/11 for repairs required to the retaining wall/sinkhole. Hope to complete the in-river works by xmas, & reinstatement of sinkhole by end of Feb. Option to extend contract if required. — Longstone Community Council on Bluesky » (including site plan images)

• ⛴️ Queensferry High Street Improvements | Technical drawings [PDF]

• ⚓️ Foot of the Walk to Dock Street | Works leaflet » [PDF] | Progress photos »

• 🚋 Trams to Newhaven Snagging / Defects List »

• 🤬 Silverknowes Rd North being returned to cars | Spokes’ area history

Thanks for reading - ride safe 🚲

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