📰 News this Week

🗳️ Transport Committee Agenda for this Thursday: a Turning Point for Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route?

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee (or ‘TEC’) will meet this Thursday, 2nd April at 10am. As usual, we’ve scoured the agenda for cycling and road safety contents, and written up a summary of the agenda.

Thursday looks to be like a key day for the future of the Greenbank to Meadows quiet route, with a Green group motion [PDF] ensuring the clock can’t simply run out on this vital safe walking, wheeling and cycling corridor in the south of Edinburgh. But there’s as yet no sign of how the Labour administration plan to take this matter in hand.

🏰 Local Bits

📸 Some great photos from Saturday’s Edinburgh Critical Mass ride from David Hoy and Cllr Chas Booth on Bluesky, and also posted by Critical Mass on their Instagram;

🏆 Some cracking offerings in this Edinburgh Dawn Patrol [IG] fundraiser for MND charity My Name’5 Doddie, closing tomorrow at midday:

This auction supports the Dawn Patrol Riders for Doddie as they take on the Triple Crown Ride - an 800-mile endurance challenge raising vital funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

The auction runs online, with final bids closing at 11.59am on Tuesday 31st March 2026

Every item and experience has been generously donated, with the proceeds going directly to the Foundation.

👀 View the Auction »

🥚 “I cycled Edinburgh's 'worst roads' with a carton of eggs and it was jarring” — in which an Edinburgh Live journalist takes to Voi’s solid-tyred hire bikes in a city where sticking a box of eggs in a front basket is predictably inadvisable — in much the same way clicking on an Edinburgh Live link usually is. Here it is anyway;

♿ Adaptive Riders Collective (ARC) are hosting "Come and Try" sessions, in Stirling and at Helix Park Falkirk, with handcycles and ICE trikes available to try for free - there’s a wee video on Instagram promoting the sessions:

📍 Friday 3rd April – University of Stirling
📍 Saturday 11th April – The Kelpies, Helix Park (Falkirk)

ARC run regular weekly sessions from Callander, check out their website for a full list of their events;

💬 A free talk on 21st May, 7pm with Edinburgh Festival of Cycling from Jack Thurston:

When the first Lost Lanes appeared in 2013, cycling’s public image was dominated by speed — the Tour de France, Olympic velodrome glory, and the first stirrings of the sportive boom. Into that context, Jack Thurston offered a calmer and more immersive approach to cycling.

Most cycling guidebooks tell you where to go. Lost Lanes makes you want to go there. Each route is researched and written as an experience to be savoured, drawing on the geology, landscape and the human history of the landscape through which the rider will pass. The result sits in a tradition that stretches back through Edward Thomas and Roger Deakin — writers who understood that a place reveals itself most fully to those moving through it slowly and mindfully.

Lost Lanes routes are designed to keep riders on quiet lanes and forgotten byways, away from traffic and away from the metrics — the speeds and distances, the Strava segments, the relentless quantification that dominates so much of modern cycling culture.

Jack will talk about researching and riding the routes for the new Scotland book — and the particular pleasure of travelling slowly and how the books led to the “Slow Cycling” series of feature-length travel documentaries on GCN+ that Jack presented alongside Jenny Graham, Simon Richardson, Ned Boulting, Blake Samson and Alec Briggs.

🎟️ Tickets at Edinburgh Festival of Cycling »

🏁 Meet the Edinburgh College student cycling from Land's End to John o' Groats for charity: An Edinburgh College student chef is set to undertake an arduous, almost 1000-mile cycling journey, all to support a close friend and raise money for charity — more at Edinburgh College »

📅 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

🌉 Fife Council launches new Active Travel campaign — at The Courier »

👭 Nationwide plans announced to design safer streets as 9 in 10 women report feeling unsafe walking at night: New government guidance will be issued to councils to help them consider how to make their streets safer for women and girls — at Gov.UK »

🌍 Elsewhere

🌸 Replete with numerous gorgeous photographs, these Bluesky threads from travelling urbanism advocates Melissa & Chris Bruntlett are really worth a read; on landmark changes for cycling in Chinese cities, in Guangzhou and in Xiamen, respectively.

🛣 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:

🚦 Canaan Lane: Temporary traffic lights at Woodburn Ter for Virgin Media cable installation may obstruct Greenbank-Meadows quiet route. From today, 30th March 2026 for 1 week.

🕳️ Gorgie Road: Section of advisory cycle lane (no segregation bollards) closed westbound at Tynecastle Ter for BT manhole repairs this weekend Saturday 4th April.

🚧 Telfer Subway: Dalry footway improvement works underway until July 2026. Closure of Orwell Terrace from today 30th March for 8 weeks, which may require a dismount to access Telfer Subway from Dalry Rd.

🌉 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 for rebuilding until end August 2026, including the path below.

• The south-east bridge over the Union Canal is currently closed to cars. Strengthening works to underside of bridge will affect Union Canal Towpath 12:00-20:00 daily from today Monday 30th March for 1 week. It’s expected that the towpath will only be closed for short periods when works are carried out directly above it.

🚧 Haymarket Terrace: Potential obstruction of CCWEL cycle path at Devon Pl for Scottish Water repairs this weekend, Saturday 4th April.

🛒 Cramond Road South: Section of NCR 1 by Tesco and roundabout by Davidsons Main Park obstructed by resurfacing and footway widening from next week Tuesday 7th April 2026 for 4-5 weeks estimated.

🚧 Lanark Road: Segregated Cycle Lanes obstructed by rolling works to replace streetlights between Currie and Longstone until next week Tuesday 7th April 2026.

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

Long Term Closures:

🏗️ Dundee St: Segregated cycle lane westbound at bridge over West Approach Rd closed until mid-April for building demolition work.

🚧 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.

🏗️ 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.

🌉 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

🔧 The Bike Station’s Affordable Bike Event - ”Join us at our Gorgie branch 3rd and 4th April for a range of refurbished bikes priced between £100-£250…

A great chance to find a reliable, affordable way to get around just in time for spring” — The Bike Station, 473 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3AD - open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30am - 4:30pm

🗳️ 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

🔁 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

🅿️ From Gear Up Scotland - cycle racking for sale:

We are a small social enterprise based in Lanark and will shortly vacate our current premises. We have two two tier cycle racks with Sheffield lowers for sale. Open to any reasonable offers - can transport to Edinburgh. Installation would need to be managed by the recipient. Happy to sell the racks separately.

Get in touch: 07872 161913 / gearup@healthyvalleys.org.uk

🚲 The Bike Station Gorgie: shop volunteers needed! 🚲

With the days getting longer and brighter, thankfully more people are keen to get back on their bike, or on one for the first time. If you would like to support accessible cycling in Edinburgh, we are recruiting new shop volunteers in The Bike Station’s Gorgie branch!

🛒 Shop volunteers: Helping with customer service and support, with the role focused on offering advice up to your comfort level and building up to assist with sales. In busy times this is invaluable support to try and allow our refurbishment mechanics to continue getting bikes ready for sale; while in quieter times it allows for extra help across the general retail duties of the shop. Gorgie is also busy with the Wee Bike Library project which you can get involved with, connecting children with a free bike loan (smiles all round).

We are currently looking for volunteers who can offer a weekly commitment of 3-4 hours on a Saturday afternoon. If this could be of interest, please contact jamie.henderson@thebikestation.org.uk to discuss the role in more detail.

As a volunteer you not only join a community of like-minded individuals passionate about cycling - you can also access bikes, parts and accessories at a discounted price as well as heavily discounted maintenance courses after 6 months of volunteering.

Ongoing: 👥 Help others cycle more with Cycle Buddies | 🚌 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’.

🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations

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

✏️ In the Works:

✍️ Take Action:

• 🧭 Comments open for North Edinburgh Connections - protected cycling and walking improvements for West Granton Road, Pennywell Road, and Ferry Road — closes 9th June;

• 🛣️ 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 has begun on the paving of a key link between ​​Bloomiehall Park in Juniper Green and Muir Wood Road in Currie from 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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