📰 News this Week

📅 A Decade of 20mph Benefits

Former city Transport Convener and MP for Edinburgh South West Dr Scott Arthur tabled a motion for the 2026-27 session of the UK parliament last week, which celebrates a decade since the rollout of 20mph zones in the capital:

“That this House celebrates 10 years since the City of Edinburgh Council began implementing its 20mph speed limit scheme under the Leadership of Councillor Lesley Hinds; notes that the programme, initiated in 2016, was one of the first city-wide speed-reduction initiatives in the UK and has since become a model for other local authorities; recognises the scheme’s contribution to improved road safety, including reductions in serious injuries and lives lost, and its role in creating more liveable streets for pedestrians, cyclists and families; further notes that peer reviewed research published in 2022 and 2024 revealed that fatalities and serious injuries fell significantly following the implementation of the scheme; acknowledges the positive impact on public health, active travel, and community wellbeing; commends the council staff, campaigners, and local residents whose sustained efforts helped deliver and embed the scheme; and encourages continued support for measures that make urban environments safer, healthier, and more accessible for all.”

This was subsequently posted about, and commented on, by Spokes and also by SW20, who pointed out some key stats on the scheme and its significant return on the investment that was required:

Edinburgh 20mph cost £2.8mn. Results:

📉 39% drop in casualty rates
📉 40% fewer collisions
📉 23% fewer fatalities
📉 33% fewer serious casualties
🚗 Negligible change in travel time
💰 £38mn saved in collisions, healthcare & productivity

Still lots more streets to reduce to 20mph in Edinburgh.
— SW20 on Bluesky

An interesting moment to reflect on the success of this scheme, and just how normal it seems now. Definitely a programme that has benefited safer cycling in the city, as well as the myriad of other benefits.

⛔ Welcome to Edinburgh! Be sure to check out our many route closures

There’s an awful lot of road and route closures going on; from the High road, closed but potentially passable as per Ella’s post above - to reports that the bridge in St. Mark’s Park is now fully sealed off with HERAS fencing until structural repairs can be carried out, and of course the ongoing closure of Princes Street that now looks to be continuing well into August.

As Robbie covers in this week’s closures (following 'National' news, below) we've heard that the festival closure of some areas of George St for outdoor eating and entertainment venues has now been cancelled. And as a result of the difficulties the aftermath of the fire at the former Debenhams store has been causing, more councillors seem to be questioning the reliance on Princes Street for public transport — who knows if this could affect the Princes Street report to the Transport & Environment Committee later in the year, looking to move forward both with a strategy for Princes Street and the Waverley Valley that works hand in hand with the future of George Street, and the wider transformation of the City Centre.

If you feel the need for some Tory handwaving about how this terrible set of overlapping issues demonstrates how George Street needs to prioritise car traffic rather than becoming a pleasant place to spend time like a proper European shopping street, the Edinburgh Evening News has you covered by once again platforming what we’re now calling Whyteaboutery - vacuous, but does fill the column inches, and mainstream media abhors a sensible take on transport issues.

Queen Street, meanwhile, continues to sit in parallel a mere block away with four (five, if you remove parking!) lanes for motor traffic.

One thing’s for sure - something needs to be done to get our award-winning bus network moving again, though we’ve never quite managed to follow why so many routes all need to make use of Princes Street directly. As usual a far more sensible take on the situation comes from Edinburgh Bus Users Group, who are calling on the council to take urgent action and fix the current mess - offering a number of properly sensible solutions to ease the congestion resulting from the closure of Princes Street, all of which we’d back - these would help safe cycle transit through the area too.

🏰 Local Bits

✊ This Saturday 25th: Edinburgh Critical Mass is a family-friendly mass protest / group ride, leaving at 2pm from Middle Meadow Walk - don’t forget to grab a t-shirt!. The route is generally announced on their social channels (Bluesky, FB, Instagram) a few days before;

🔭 The Workers’ Observatory this week shared a really interesting post on behalf of the Riders Observatory and Organising Movement (‘ROOM’); the best and worst restaurants and supermarkets in Edinburgh…

“🚴🏾‍♂️ Once again, here are the best and worst-rated restaurants and supermarkets to work with in Edinburgh.

“👎🏾 👍🏾 Have a look at June 2026 list, voted by some people who know them very well: your delivery riders!”

Their post on Bluesky sharing the results also has some of the reasons given by riders for the ratings this month (in the images on the post). Great campaign to see how vulnerable workers are treated, and to maybe adjust some of your own shopping or eating choices accordingly;

🚂 Powderhall active travel plans for former railway line gain momentum after SNP pledge - excellent and thorough piece from the Edinburgh Reporter team on the Powderhall.Link project;

💸 Cargo bikes for sale from Porty Community Energy:

We are selling our Mycle (only 2 years old) and our old Tern in order to make room for some new cargo bike models at our library.

Are you interested in buying? Please email us at portybikelibrary@gmail.com to start the conversation.

Tern GSD: £1700 o.n.o
Mycle: £900 o.n.o

All money raised will go back into the bike library to keep our project going.

Originally posted to their Instagram

🗺️ This week Spokes flagged that the Council’s City Plan 2040 — the next local development plan for Edinburgh — has among its ‘evidence report’ data some really rich, ward-level maps with details including active travel provision, transport hubs, car access and ownership, housing density and more; if you’re so inclined, the data is split across several PDFs under item 7.1 from the relevant Planning committee meeting in early June of this year, and are a fascinating ward-by-ward insight into the city;

🧱 ”Housing specialist, Lovell, currently building a mixed-tenure development in partnership with Sanctuary Scotland and Sigma Capital at The Crossings in South Queensferry, upgraded the cycle path at Echline Primary School to give pupils a safer space to build confidence on two wheels for the summer holidays.” — more at North Edinburgh News »

🎪 The Bike Station are hosting several summer Fêtes as part of their Kid's Bike Life Programme in parks across Edinburgh (and also Perth). The events will feature a Dr Bike, e-cargo bike trials, and cycling games and activities for all the family. All events will run from 12 - 4pm and are completely free, with no need to sign up.

• Tomorrow, 21st July 10am to 4pm — St. Margaret's Park, Corstorphine: at 📍 55°56'24.2"N 3°17'01.5"W

• 28th July 10am to 4pm — Saughton Park and Gardens, Gorgie: near 📍 the Four Square Park Cafe

⚙️ Spokes last week announced their 2026 competition on the theme of “Spokes & Me”:

In 2027 Spokes will be 50 years old! For our 2026 summer competition, we’d like to hear any way in which you have benefitted from Spokes being around – recently, ages ago, or through the years.

• Maybe you bought one of our super maps and used it to devise a great commuter route, or for a brilliant weekend bike ride

• Maybe you cycle across the Meadows every day, enjoying the car-freeness and the cherry blossom, not even knowing that it was illegal until an arduous years-long Spokes campaign way back in the last century!

• Or maybe you are a dedicated campaigner who has been involved in loads of Spokes activities in the past – or now – and helped make a small contribution to a better world

Whatever your connection, Spokes member or not, if you are reading this, we’d love you to enter!

🌸 More details here »

💼 JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES

🧒 “The City of Edinburgh Council is recruiting a Cycling Officer to strengthen the Bikeability programme across Edinburgh's primary school and special schools” — closing date Monday 27th July with more details at MyJobScotland »

🌿 Banzai are looking for a Cargo Bike Librarian, 6h/week:

We're looking for a new bike librarian to take on the Banzai Bikes admin (coordinating loan bookings, volunteers, maintenance, some comms), around 6 hours a week across the week. Probably best for someone based within easy reach of the library but happy to chat to anyone interested. Details here [PDF] »

🚸 Become a Play Together on Pedals Instructor

Cycling UK in Midlothian are looking for enthusiastic, child-focused instructors to join our Play Together on Pedals team in Midlothian, Edinburgh and East Lothian.

As an instructor, you’ll help preschool and early primary-aged children discover the joy of cycling through fun, supportive sessions in nurseries, schools, and community settings. You’ll play a key role in giving children confidence, building life skills, and inspiring families to get active together.

Find more information on Play Together on Pedals, what an instructor role entails and how to apply to become one on the Cycling UK website

💛 Tour de France; Grand Départ GB launches nationwide search for Tour de France volunteers - at Le Tour online and also article from the City of Edinburgh Council »

📮 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

📺 New film from Markus Stitz explores the wild beauty of The Gralloch Ultra in Southern Scotland:
A new film from Bikepacking Scotland captures the endurance, atmosphere and wild beauty of The Gralloch Ultra, a 323km gravel race through the Galloway Forest Park in southwest Scotland - watch on Youtube »

🔋 “The E-Bike Positive trust mark has been launched by the Bicycle Association (BA) and the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT), bringing verified brands and approved retailers together under a single scheme intended to identify safe, road-legal e-bikes and responsible suppliers” — Bikebiz »

When asked about potential moves to make participation mandatory for sellers of electric cycles, MP Scott Arthur responded on Bluesky that “We plan to write to the Government about that. I met one of the people behind the scheme last week, and hope to meet the wider team next week.”

🚸 UK children walk, wheel, cycle nearly 2.5 million school runs:
Our results for the Big Walk and Wheel come just two months after the government set a target of 60% of children travelling actively to school by 2035. Schools across the country have showed what is possible right now, with over 780,000 children doing the school run on foot, scooters, cycles or mobility aids — Walk Wheel Cycle Trust »

🌳 England: “Rural Design Guidance aims to help deliver interurban paths: Will it help tackle landowners and National Highways? - more great stuff from Laura Laker » [Substack]

🛣 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:

🚲 Summerhall: Segregated Cycle Lanes by Melville Dr and Melville Ter obstructed for Summerhall improvement works. Update 20th July: Roadworks now complete, however Toucan crossing on Meadows Path NCR1 remains obstructed by surfacing works and nearby Scottish Water repairs on the Segregated cycle path until mid-week.

🏞️ Holyrood Park: High Road closed due to recent rockfall. A short dismount is necessary to avoid a fenced off area. It remains unclear when the area will reopen.

🚧 Portobello Road: Segregated cycle lanes by Piershill Terrace obstructed for Scottish Water works this Sunday 27th July for 1 day.

Festival Closures:

🎪 Hill Square: close Hill Place westbound from 14th July until end Aug but cycle access will be maintained. Be aware of temporary road signage in the contraflow cycle lane westbound and an increase in pedestrians. Nearby Roxburgh Place will also be closed, which may create a pleasant low traffic area.

🎪 Summertime Streets: Expanded closures for the August festivals this year. High St closed from 10:30am daily. Lawnmarket closed and Cowgate closed daily from 3pm, however access will be maintained for loading. Cycle access on Cockburn Street Between North Bridge and Waverley Bridge expected to be retained. Exercise caution and consider dismounting if you can on High Street.

❌ George Street: Annual closure for Fringe Festival cancelled due to bus diversion following Princes St fire closure.

Long Term Closures:

🚒 Princes Street: Section between Frederick St and S Charlotte St remains closed following a building fire. At time of writing, the emergency services remain on-site, and it is necessary to dismount walk through the gardens to pass. George St may offer an alternate route. Update 20th July: Road expected to remain closed into August.

🌉 St Marks Path: Bridge over Water of Leith closed due to structural issues. The road bridge at Warriston Rd or pedestrian bridge at Beaverhall Rd may offer alternate routes. Update 20th July: bridge and path now fully fenced off.

🌉 Harrison Road: 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. Update 20th July: The south-east bridge over the Union Canal is currently closed pedestrians and cyclists whilst kerbs are altered.

🏖️ Silverknowes Road: Road to Silverknowes Beach closed for resurfacing works and reconfiguration of the cycle lane until mid-August. Be aware of resurfacing machinery in the road and consider using the footway.

🌉 Water of Leith Path: Kinauld Tan Works Footbridge by Currie closed due to a hole in the bridge deck. A diversion is suggested via Lanark Rd, which may be unsuitable.

🎾 Gyle Park: Path between Glenmuir Rd and Glasgow Rd closed until the end of October 2026 for construction work. If you’re heading to Tesco, the path by David Lloyd gym may offer an alternate route.

🏗️ 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.

🚦 Bankhead Drive: Quietroute 8 along the tramline obstructed at junction with S Gyle Access until late 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.

🏗️ 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

🌅 This Saturday, From Edinburgh Dawn Patrol [IG] rider a_wee_view [IG]:

We've had a mad idea... And once an idea gets said out loud, it has to happen!

On the 25th of July, we are going to do a dawn to dawn patrol, cycling as many laps as we can of either the road or gravel route (or both, to mix it up) as we can.

Starting at the usual time of 5:40am on the Saturday and cycling through until 7:30am on the Sunday.

Everyone is welcome to join for as many laps as you'd like, wherever that's one at the beginning and one right at the end, or a few during the day, it's totally up to you, it would be great to see some people out on the road.

We will do it all at our own pace, so there will be people cycling the route at different points.

There is plenty of late night places for coffee and food, but we will also be popping into our regular hang out, @cairngormcoffeeco Especially for our final lap on Sunday morning!

See you out there!

🔧 Basic Bike Maintenance sessions at Bridgend Farmhouse, next on 31st July:

• Inclusive, small and friendly groups with Dara

• Last Friday of the month from May to Oct

• Suggested £5 donation to Bridgend Farmhouse

Places go quickly - please book a place by emailing admin@bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk

🔧 Dr Bike session for Penicuik, from Midlothian Council:

Got a bike that needs a quick health check before your summer rides? Bring it along to our FREE Dr Bike event and get expert advice from Re-Cycles Penicuik mechanics.

📍 The Precinct, John Street, Penicuik
📅 Friday 31 July
⏰ 1pm–4pm

More on Facebook »

🧘 Join Detour this August for a weekend of movement, community and adventure.

We will meet in Perth and cycle through stunning Perthshire landscapes, stopping off to enjoy the views along the way, before arriving at Morningside Farm. Here, you will be guided through three movement sessions in the spectacular Wild Hive Dome or outdoors.

Enjoy good food and good company, moving and relaxing in the cosy indoor spaces, before camping under the stars. There will be plenty of time to rest, socialise and explore.

Ride & Retreat, and Retreat Only tickets are available 🌿

The first 3 of each ticket type will receive an early bird discount 🦜

Ride & Retreat - £260/295
Retreat Only - £215/255

📍Morningside Farm, Logiealmond, Perthshire

Follow this link for full event details and tickets, and feel free to drop us a message with any questions!

🔁 Weekly Events

🚴 Weekly

• 🍃 Mon, 12-2.30pm: Free, fun group ride on paths from Bridgend Farmhouse;

• 💪 Adult (16+) Confidence Builder bike rides with The Bike Station, 5-6pm from outside Pav cafe, Meadows;

• 🌅 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

• 👑 Weds 7pm - Queens of Pain evening group ride for women & non-binary folk - ride details & locations

• 🌅 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;

• 👑 Fri 6am - Queens of Pain morning group ride for women & non-binary folk - ride details & locations

• 🪛 Fri, 10am-3pm Dr Bike cycle repairs from ELREC’s Edinburgh Cycling Club at 📍 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: Edinburgh Critical Mass is a family-friendly mass protest / group ride, leaving at 2pm from Middle Meadow Walk - don’t forget to grab a t-shirt!

🫂 Help Needed

📦 Edinburgh charity Goodies are offering free Cargo Bike training for those looking to volunteer with them in their food redistribution work:

Our head rider Fabian will be doing cargo bike training every Wednesday starting 17:30 at the Meadows, next to the East Meadows play park.

This is for anyone who would like to volunteer as a food rider in the evenings during the week.

We will also be signing T&C's that will be required before you can ride.
Looking forward to seeing you there ✨
Remember your helmets also! 🚲

❤️ Charlotte’s Tandems are looking for help in Edinburgh:

We lend, throughout the UK, at no cost (i.e. for free), tandems and tag-alongs (trailer bikes) to (and only to) people with disabilities or additional needs, who are unable to ride a bike safely on their own, so that they can enjoy the wonders of cycling.

In other words we provide all-ability, adapted, inclusive cycling for adults and children who are disabled, have special needs, SEN, SEND or impairments, such as Autism, Down's Syndrome, visual impairments, learning or physical difficulties.

They’ve published a Facebook post in which they are seeking a new ‘helper’ in Edinburgh - you can read about this role here, and a commenter shared:

As a former helper in Edinburgh, there are a couple of things you need to know if you are interested in taking this on.

1. You need to be able store several tandems when they are not being used.

2. The riding skills of who want to borrow a tandem are highly variable, so you may need to try to teach them how to ride a tandem, which is not like riding a solo bike.

If you can help, do get in touch with them.

👏 Cycling Without Age Musselburgh [FB] are raising funds to modernise their trishaw fleet - they have a JustGiving page, but more effective direct giving is also possible using the bank details on their Facebook post;

🚲 The Bike Station - can you volunteer with us? 🚲

Help us make cycling more accessible and connect people with the joy of a bicycle. We have a fantastic team of volunteers who support us in many ways, so please do reach out if you'd like to be part of the community.

🛒 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. We are also busy with the Wee Bike Library project which you can get involved with, connecting children with a free bike loan (smiles all round).

Current opportunities, with 3-4 hours weekly shifts:

Tollcross: Friday (between 12:30pm-6:30pm) and Saturday morning (9:30am-1pm) fortnightly.

Gorgie: Saturday 1-4pm.

🛠️ Fix Your Own Bike volunteers: We are seeking experienced mechanics to support our FYOB sessions, where people pay £6/hour to utilise a stand and full toolkit to work on their own bike. We are looking for volunteers to help provide advice to those attending these sessions, to ensure we can continue to offer this valuable resource. Those best fit for the role would have a lot of experience with bike maintenance and also be good at calmly communicating advice to participants. Sessions are on Wednesday (5-8pm) and Saturday (1-4pm) with the later more in need of regular support.

If any of these roles are 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: 👥 Get help with routes & road confidence through Cycle Buddies or become a buddy | 🚌 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’.

Thanks for reading - ride safe 🚲

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