📰 News this Week

⏳ Further delays on St Mark’s Park bridge

Updates on the closure of St Mark’s Park bridge — a vital route for folks walking and cycling in the Warriston / Broughton area in the North of the city, with few viable diversion alternatives — are no longer coming to the October meeting of the Council’s Culture & Communities committee.

The update will instead wait until a meeting on 17th December, with papers for the 8th October meeting published without any update on the replacement of the bridge, nor on the answer to the possibility of the nearby bridge over the Water of Leith on the former Powderhall Railway line being assessed and adopted ahead of schedule to provide an alternative route.

Additionally, the updates in December are expected to be a ‘Business Bulletin’ item, providing no opportunity for deputations from affected residents or stakeholder groups able to bring insight into the effect on local residents and passers-through to the proceedings.

Chas Booth, Green councillor for Leith said,

"I'm extremely concerned to hear the timetable seems to have slipped for an update on a repair or replacement to the St Mark's Park bridge. This is a lifeline connection for many in the local community and I'm disappointed this council doesn't seem to be treating the issue with the urgency it deserves."

Currently, questions by Cllr Caldwell at Full Council published in August [PDF, page 19] have the replacement of the bridge slated for opening in ‘early 2028’ - which quite simply isn’t good enough for folks walking, wheeling and cycling here.

📈 Spokes count in City Centre, bikes over 30% of rush hour traffic

A Spokes traffic count in George Street and Princes Street on 24 September found bikes forming over 30% of all vehicles in the morning peak period, and over 20% at lunchtime. Other findings suggest a major boost to bike travel thanks to the Council’s Voi bike hire scheme.

Fantastic work from Spokes and volunteers. It’s incredible to see this count at both the post-ecommerce retail-wasteland-slash-bus-station that is Princes Street, and the city’s biggest unnecessary linear car park at George Street - just think how much more cross-town cycle traffic we might see on these streets if they had any affordances towards safer cycling…

🚲 Edinburgh Bicycle folds, but lives to fight on…

Early this week we received some sad news from someone close to the situation unfolding at Edinburgh Bicycle:

The business has been struggling for a while and has been in a process to find a cash injection and / or a buyer. This process concluded on Friday 18/9/2026 and unfortunately no offers came forward. An investor approached EBC to work with them to put forward an offer. As a result, an offer has been made, and EBC is waiting to find out if that offer can proceed in line with the strict regulatory arrangements covering the insolvency process.

In summary, the Head Office staff and Canonmills staff do not form part of that offer, and it means that the Head Office function, Warehouse, Online and Canonmills Store will cease to exist. The staff who work in these locations will be made redundant and the office and shop will close.
As these things move at speed, the Insolvency Practitioners (Administrators) take over the process and handle all such matters going forward.

As the week wore on, the Canonmills store was found to be not only closed to customers but ‘gutted’ by a poster on Reddit, with coverage in The Edinburgh Reporter who noted the closure of the Leeds store ten months prior, and whose attempts to reach EBC for comment went unanswered.

As The Press Room posted to Facebook:

“New company registered at the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op address.

“Rothar26 Ltd, (Irish Gaelic for Bike) was registered with Companies House and incorporated on September 18th, two weeks before a significant number of EBC staff were made redundant and some premises closed.

“The new company is wholly owned by the managing director of Edinburgh Bike, Mr Alan Nestor and is described as the retail sale of sports goods, fishing gear, camping goods, boats and bicycles…”

A later article in the Edinburgh Evening News quotes Mr. Nestor as saying “We need another go. We need to fight. I’m tired but there's still fight in this dog.”

Edinburgh Bicycle was originally founded as a secondhand bike shop called ‘Recycles’ on West Crosscauseway in 1977, with a workers cooperative registered the year after - though in recent years cooperative operation of the business had fallen away according to many comments across social media sites following the news. As with Spokes, Sustrans (now Walk Wheel Cycle Trust) and others, the business will celebrate fifty years since its founding next year.

Late in the week the business released a statement to customers, which can be read on its Instagram or on Reddit.

♥️ Join the Cargo Bike Carnival this Sunday 11th Oct

🎉 Edinburgh’s Cargo Bike Carnival, this weekend!

New from Edinburgh & Lothians Cargo Bike Network, a Cargo Bike Carnival is taking place this Sunday, October 11th from 11am - 2pm:

Join us in the Meadows for a fun day celebrating cargo bikes: games, stalls, best-dressed bike competition, and a world record attempt.

This will be a day out for all the family to showcase how fantastic cargo bikes are for getting around the city, whatever you might need to carry.

If you are new to cargo bikes - or you've never tried one before - this is your chance to have a go! Got your own cargo bike? We'd love you to bring it along, dress it up, enjoy the games, meet other cargo bike users and join us for a big bike ride around the park with lots of cargo bikes (ordinary bikes are also very welcome!). We'd really like to have a world record attempt - the biggest cargo bike party ever held in Scotland!

This is a free event and is open to everyone, Sunday 11am - 2pm. See you there!

🏰 Local Bits

🪣 Great news that with match funding by Spokes, The Bike Station’s flood relief crowdfunder has passed its £10k target, as per their celebratory post on Instagram which read:

”Our crowdfunder is now closed, and we are delighted to have raised over £10,000 to help us recover from a flash flood in August! Huge thanks to everyone who donated, and to Spokes for giving us £5000 of match funding.

”Still keen to support us? We are always looking for bike donations to sell on our shop floors and use for our community programmes, helping children and adults find their own freedom on two wheels.”

🤯 Speaking of The Bike Station, they shared an astonishing cycle pick-up story this week posted to the Adventure Syndicate’s Instagram:

“Knoydart has no roads to it. Most things get shipped in by boat. Cargo bikes are the obvious solution to moving stuff about Inverie bay in a sustainable way. They are not an obvious solution to a 200 mile journey from Edinburgh in a 40mph gusting westerly but too much emphasis gets placed on convenience, right?

”The Knoydart Ranger Service got some funding from Hitrans to buy 2 electric cargo bikes, build a bike shelter and train 4 members of the community in bike mechanics.

”Already the bikes have been used to move land management tools about, transport some children places they didn’t want to go, pick up supplies from the pier for the cafe and as a delivery service for The Old Forge Inn’s popular Monday night takeaway service. 😋

“What’s next?!”

Epic cycle ride. Cargo bikes. Community resourcing. And a guid dug along for the ride; life-affirming stuff! More of the bikes in use on their Instagram.

👀 Keen eyes from Dashed Lines on Bluesky who spotted (perhaps in the Spokes action update!) the Redetermination Order (‘RSO’) and other orders for the Council’s ‘Cameron Toll to Bioquarter’ scheme being advertised - with extensive protected cycleway using verge space at the bottom of Old Dalkeith Road, crossing through a section of Inch Park through new wall openings — including links across to Bridgend Farmhouse — and further east, on-road segregation extending as far as the Royal Infirmary and the Bioquarter development.

The orders page consists of the usual indecipherably written legal orders, but also this PDF of the redetermination designs - not as pretty as the visuals we’ve looked over at drop-in sessions about the route, but all that has been made public online for now…

If anyone is reading this from CEC’s Active Travel team, we’d love to be able to share the high-fidelity designs that were on show at the Bridgend drop-in session about the route with our readers for their notes of support - [email protected]

The first round of consultation on plans to improve this route ended in November 2019 - so it’s great to see this finally reaching the legal orders stage.

📋 Your Responses needed: as per the recent Spokes action update [PDF] where this is detailed, please do send in your notes of support for this route:

The simplest way to respond is to go here, then click on ‘Respond’ at the bottom right. In the response box say you are writing in support of TRO/26/08 and RSO/26/07 [don’t muddle up the 07 and 08!!].

Then add any comments on the importance of the route, and add any detailed comments you may have.

Alternatively, you can just email your support and comments to [email protected] stating clearly that you are writing to support TRO/26/08 and RSO/26/07. The deadline is Friday 16th October.

🏞️ A brief update from Longstone Community Council on progress with the ‘Longstone Link’ crossing over the Water of Leith, facilitating journeys from Inglis Green Rd to cross and pass Asda at Chesser, heading towards Gorgie:

“As the development on the former Booker site progresses, work on the new bridge crossing also progresses. Currently CEC are approaching suppliers for the design stage of the bridge with the hope to work quickly on this. A stakeholder meeting & site visit are being organised in the next few weeks.” — with further images of the bridge location on Bluesky »

💬 Towpath Talks returns on 30th October:

“Coming in hawt!
Towpath talks, but this time a spooky version 👻 (not really).
Come and hear from Ian, who unofficially was the only person to ride the last edition of London Edinburgh London, and Sarah Small, who rode to all her gigs on her UK tour.” — Instagram

🎟️ 18:30 for a 19:00 start at Gamma; tickets £12 online here;

⚡️ BANZAI have just launched their Bike Library impact report:

In under 2 years we've built a community of over 300 borrowers, almost all first-time cargo bike users. We’ve grown to a fleet of 5 bikes with a hub on the Links (beautifully decorated by local children) and a team of fantastic volunteer bike librarians, and several community groups now use our bikes and equipment to support their own amazing work.

Cargo bikes can transform a city's streets by reducing car traffic, making them safer, quieter and less polluted. We’ve included the stories of 3 members and will share more soon, showing how our bikes are helping all kinds of people, projects and families around Edinburgh. — BANZAI Instagram

👀 Read their full report here [PDF] »

📅 This Wednesday at Edinburgh Tool Library MeadowbanK:

Have you ever wanted to build a bike from the frame up? We have two bikes that we are building up for Bikes for Refugees, and this is a chance to learn and practice hands-on how to put a bike together.

In the second half of the Build a bike class, we’ll see if we can finish the bikes we started in part 1. Participants will work in teams with guidance from the class organisers.

🗓️ Date: Wednesday 7th October
⏰ Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
📍 Location: Meadowbank Tool Library

Please note: This is an advanced beginner / intermediate level class

🎟️ Tickets here (prices vary) »

📅 Andrew Abbess, Chair of Cycling UK’s Scottish Advisory Committee, shared details of the Cycling UK in Scotland Annual Gathering 2026 which takes place on Saturday 31st October from 10:30 until 16:00 at Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Talks and speakers include:

• Gaelic speaking Mountain biker Kerry McPhee, will be amazing us with tales of riding in the Atlas Mountains, the Silk Road and setting up community cycle groups in the Trossachs

• Endurance cyclist Christina Mackenzie the holder of the LEJOG world record and the fastest women at the 2026 1000 mile Trans Alba race, will be sharing her journey of recovery to endurance riding at the highest level following serious injury and experiencing a stroke.

• A panel discussion on cycle campaigning chaired by Inverness Cycling Provost Emily Williams including Sally Hinchcliffe, Robert Wheetman Neil Russell and Aaron McCarthy

• Cycling UK updates by Chair of Trustees Ashley Wheaton

• Update on the new Cycling UK Gallovidian Gravel route by Ross Adams

• Updates on Cycling UK’s life-changing community based projects, and campaigns and policy work, with Suzanne Forup, Jim Densham and Scott Runciman.

Tea and coffee will be available from 10.30am, with the event starting at 11am.

A light lunch will be provided.

🎟️ Tickets (free / pay what you can) and more information at Cycling UK »

📝 Ongoing: Network Rail are conducting a survey regarding key Scottish stations:

❓ Do you use Edinburgh Waverley or Glasgow Central stations?

💭 We’d love to hear your thoughts. What are we doing well? Where can we do better? Please fill our the survey on the link below.

As pointed out by John Robson, this survey is a good opportunity to feed back on:

• ⚡ The nebulous, network-wide ban on parking ebikes within stations - even though the majority of fire risk is about when bikes are charging, and even then is very rare amongst established brands and largely limited to DIY frankenbikes; and that in spite of having an outdoor surface car-park that could provide secure ebike parking accessible from New Street and be in line with these onerous restrictions, Waverley still haven’t provided it;

• 🅿️ The fact that existing cycle parking is, as John puts it “away from any cycle access routes which should surely be the starting point for any cycle parking location”;

• 🚶 The ebike ban also extending to Voi hire bikes, which has resulted in more convenient parking zones being relocated to further outside of the station;

➡️ You can fill out the survey here »

🍃 The Lothians

⛏️ A new West Lothian Council bulletin shared by Spokes highlights new path works underway:

“Works are underway to upgrade a key transport link between Fauldhouse and Stoneyburn. The project to upgrade around 3km footpath from the B7010 to the A706, following the historic railway line, is expected to be completed in Autumn 2026.

”Some re-surfacing and white lining of the B7010 and the entrance to Fauldhouse railway station will also be completed.

”The surface of the path will be tarmac up until it reaches Quarry Road, where the surface material changes to a resin-bound rubber material, ensuring suitability for all users, including horse riders.”

📮 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

💚 From Bike for Good (Glasgow) on Instagram:

After 14 years of bikes, repairs, rides, learning, volunteering and plenty of cups of tea, it’s time to say farewell to Bike for Good West Hub!

On Friday 6 November, we’ll be opening the doors for one last celebration of the West Hub and everyone who has been part of its story since 2012.

The shop will be open as usual from 9am–5pm, with our farewell celebrations kicking off from 1pm.

Come along to:
🚲 Celebrate the history of the West Hub
🛠️ Pick up pre-refurbished bikes, frames and parts
🪑 Give some of our furniture and equipment a new home
💚 Share your memories and say goodbye to the space with us

All are welcome, whether you've been with us from the start, or as someone just getting to know us!

📅 Friday 6 November 2026
📍 Bike for Good West Hub
⏰ Shop: 9am–5pm | Farewell celebrations from 1pm

🔄 From this week’s Active Travel Cafe session, available to rewatch on Youtube - folks from Marked Wayfinding discuss making cycle networks visible and usable with a project underway for wayfinding in Fort William;

🍜 Are Deliveroo riders really self-employed? Labour wants to change the test — Financial Times [paywalled] /via Dr Karen Gregory of The Workers’ Observatory

🤦 No mention of active travel in Transport Secretary's speech to Labour conference: …Heidi Alexander declined to mention active travel or announce any policy related to walking or cycling in her address to the Labour Party conference. — at Road.cc »

🌍 Elsewhere

🇪🇸 Reader Martin fae Spokes passed on this from the Majorca Daily Bulletin reporting last week on changes in Spanish law for cycling or driving around cyclists.

Mandatory helmet use is poor show (don’t @ me, we’re not litigating it again!), but the more positive rules on what UK Highway Code would call ‘primary position’, a minimum following distance of 5m and overtaking speed 20 km/h slower than the relevant speed limit for cars — plus many more changes — are certainly interesting to see from a European neighbour.

🎪 With absolutely no context or further info, here’s our favourite weird cycling contraption of the week over on Instagram!

🛣 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 — Robbie who prepares this list for us is away this week so this is a list of last week’s updates for your reference:

🌊 Possibly ongoing - see latest at Scottish Water - Duddingston Park South: Closed for Scottish Water emergency repairs. At time of writing, the crossing of NCN1 Innocent Railway Path remains accessible though the toucan crossing is obstructed.

🚧 Albion Road: Obstruction of Quietroute 20 for Scottish Power ongoing (commenced Tuesday 29th September, listed until Saturday 10th October). The Crawford Bridge may offer an alternate route.

🚧 Minto Street: Segregated cycle lanes down to Craigmillar Park expected to be obstructed in various locations from today, Monday 5th October until the end of the year, in preparation for resurfacing. Works are initially focused on crossings, drainage and signals with road surface works commencing in the new year.

Long Term Closures:

🚦 Marchmont Road: Closed southbound for Scottish Power works ongoing until end October 2026. Works may later obstruct the crossing of Leamington Walk path around the Meadows, requiring a dismount.

🚧 South Lauder Road: Road on Quietroute 6 closed at Regulas Rd for Scottish Power works. If you’re travelling to Kings Campus, Grange Loan may offer an alternate route to the cycle lanes on Mayfield Rd. Update: Works expected to finish 12th October 2026.

🏖️ Silverknowes Road: Road to Silverknowes Beach closed for resurfacing works and reconfiguration of the cycle lane. Update: Now expected to reopen in October 2026.

🌊 Waterloo Place: Closed westbound until end Nov 2026 for Scottish Water repairs. Eastbound access will be reduced to 1 lane. Be aware of vehicles overtaking within the narrow and uphill remaining lane. A dismount will be necessary westbound, and it will not be possible to rejoin the road until after North Bridge, as traffic lights will be altered.

🚧 Dundee Street: Segregated cycle lanes between Viewforth and Gilmore Park obstructed by temporary traffic lights for Scottish Power substation works until November 2026. Access to the Union Canal may require a dismount.

🏞️ Holyrood Park High Road: Closed due to recent rockfall. A short dismount is necessary to avoid a fenced off area.

🌉 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.

🌉 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. The south-east bridge over the Union Canal is currently closed pedestrians and cyclists whilst kerbs are altered.

🏗️ 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 2027 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.

📣 Help edi.bike ✍🏼

• 🗣️ Recommend us to someone - why not forward to a friend, or just point them to edi.bike online

• 📝 Share a story / issue - If you run into anything that might be a good fit for next time, feel free to send it over.

• 💜 Join the Supporters Club for £1/month to help us cover costs and promote to a wider audience. More info below.

🎉 Events and Happenings

📆 Upcoming / Ongoing

🛍️ Via this Instagram post - Sunday 18th October in Glasgow - Cycle jumble sale!

We are doing it again. Sunday 18th October 9am - 1pm at the Sir Chris hoy velodrome for a bike jumble and open day with free come and try track taster sessions. Jumble tables are £10 for a single table, £20 for a double and all of that goes to charity. All cycling and cycling related stuff is welcome, not just track kit. Free entry for browsers and buyers. Hit us up at [email protected] to book a stall or with any questions.

❄️ A wee bit of winter wind-down news from ELREC’s Edinburgh Cycling Club, from their Instagram:

We’ll be pausing our cycling classes at the end of October, so make sure to come along to the classes while you can!

Here're the dates when you can still join:
Saturday 10.10.2026
Saturday 17.10.2026

We will continue with every other activity, so don't fret, the Cycling Club will be still be here to take you to pedalling - come rain or shine : )

And rest assured, we will be back with the Cycling Classes in Spring 2027.

⏩ As ever all their events are listed on Meetup for more information and booking where required.

🔧 Basic Bike Maintenance sessions at Bridgend Farmhouse, next on Friday 23rd October (last one for a wee while!):

• 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 [email protected]

🔁 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, 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: Fix My Own Bike session for Women and Minority Genders 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;

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

• 🔧 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.

• ✊ This week! 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

💸 Fundraising via Bridge 8 Hub on behalf of Beyond Boundaries East Lothian:

🚴‍♀️🇩🇰🇸🇪 BEYOND BOUNDARIES EAST LOTHIAN – DENMARK & SWEDEN BROMPTON ADVENTURE! 🇸🇪🇩🇰🚴‍♂️

Beyond Boundaries East Lothian are taking on an incredible Denmark & Sweden Brompton Bike Packing Adventure to raise vital funds for a Van Ramm Velo Plus — with an amazing £7,500 fundraising target!

Their ‘Big Bertha’ Van Ramm Velo Plus does fantastic work supporting adults with disabilities across Edinburgh & Lothian, helping people access cycling opportunities, build confidence, get active and, most importantly, enjoy the freedom and connection that cycling can bring. 💙🚲

Bridge 8 Hub are asking as many people as possible to get behind the challenge and help them reach their target over the coming days.

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference and help support this incredible organisation and the people who benefit from its work.

💷 Please donate if you can. 🔗 Hit the link and help us get to £7,500!

☀️ Porty Community Energy have Cargo bikes for sale:

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 [email protected] 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

🚲 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 team.

📦 Online Sales Support volunteer 📦

Do you have a good eye for detail with some experience with online sales? Do you like tinkering with unique bike parts and connecting these with keen customers?

We are looking for a new online sales support volunteer, who will lead on our eBay sales; from photographing, writing descriptions, communicating with buyers, to carefully packing and sending packages out. This is a fantastic way to ensure we maximise revenue from the brilliant salvaged parts and donations we receive - allowing this to be funneled straight back into supporting our overall mission and communities programmes.

Ideally the incoming volunteer would be able to get involved from start-mid October, to allow for crossover with the outgoing team member. The minimum commitment is 3-4 hours per week, with in store time spent at our Gorgie shop ideally on a Thursday or Friday.

🛠️ Fix Your Own Bike volunteers:

Our main requirement for volunteers at the moment are volunteers to help support on our Fix Your Own Bike (FYOB) sessions; notably those able to support the Saturday sessions which run from weekly 1-4pm.

The ideal candidate would be someone with extensive bike maintenance experience and someone who would feel comfortable articulating ideas and advice to members of the public. These sessions are a valuable resource for shared learning, lower cost self repairs and are a great community addition to the Edinburgh cycling landscape. Being volunteer-led, we cannot keep up with demand without the brilliant team that helps to operate the sessions. If either of these roles are of interest, please contact [email protected] to discuss the role in more detail; it would be wonderful to hear from you. 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’.

🌈 Infrastructure Progress & Consultations

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

✏️ In the Works:

💬 From Merchiston Districts Community Council:

Polwarth and Merchiston Road Safety schemes are developing well and need your input - we’re pleased to share a mega-update on several key road safety initiatives within our Community Council area, focused on the Merchiston Ave / Polwarth Crescent / Yeaman Place corridor.

The junction at Merchiston Avenue / Rochester Terrace will be also redesigned this year, following a successful submission by our Community Council to CEC’s Local Traffic Improvement Programme… The CEC road safety team has now proposed significantly widened pavements at all four corners of the junction, which will create a much shorter crossing radius for pedestrians, and improve sightlines for drivers and pedestrians and cyclists alike. The narrowed junction would also force speed reduction and discourage larger vehicles (especially HGVs) from using this road as a rat run. There will be ground-level planters here as well, and which will be placed to deter illegal parking which also blocks sightlines. CEC wants to hear your views! If you have any views on these proposed improvements, please fill out this short survey.

The same survey also covers proposals for further up the road, at the junction with Colinton Road:

We are delighted to share that CEC is also examining how to make improvements for this heavily used junction (near Starbucks and Tesco), which also happens to be an entry point for the Merchiston Ave / Polwarth Crescent / Yeaman Place rat run. We are in touch with the Road Safety Officer managing the scheme, and will share updates once the project is further along. Tell us what you think! If you have any views on this junction (problems and ideas for improvements), please fill out the survey.

⛏️ “West Lothian Council has been granted planning permission (application 0034/FUL/26) to construct a cyclepath, including bridge crossing over the A706, from Stoneyburn to connect to core path WL24 Fauldhouse Rail Path.” — more details and plans in this Facebook post »

📋 The Council’s consultation report for Barnton Connections has now been published, and is available to read on the project website;

🎭 With works on the refurbishment of the King’s Theatre concluded, but commencement on the build of this ‘missing link’ cycle route not due until next year, there were concerns that potentially Tarvit Street — part of the new route and closed to motor traffic for around four years during works on the theatre — might be reopened to through-traffic and add to an already busy junction and close again shortly afterwards. Instead, a modal filter will be installed at the junction of Tarvit St and Drumdryan St — which will be made one-way — so motor traffic will only be permitted one-way round a loop of Tarvit westbound, Drumdryan north and then east, returning to Brougham St - with two-way cycling allowed on both arms of the loop. — More details [PDF] »

🚊 A couple of linksfrom the June Workshop on the future of Princes St and George St, posted by Spokes this week; the collated renders and sketches of the project by Edinburgh architect Richard Murphy, and a brief concept video on Youtube;

🏞️ “The prize is a lin­ear path­way from the Pent­lands through Fairmil­e­head, Bur­die­house, More­dun, Gilmer­ton, Nid­drie and Craig­mil­lar and all the way to Joppa where it could meet the Por­to­bello coastal cycle­way and link up to the city’s entire water­front. You could in the­ory cre­ate a tri­an­gu­lar route that would include the Water of Leith Walk­way. That route would be around 25-30 miles and would include some of the finest urban green space and views in Scot­land.” — Pent­lands to Porty path could be huge asset for city com­munit­ies, Evening News / Press Reader »

📝 The good folks at Spokes have spotted a planning application 24/05843/FUL for a “Cycle path link connection and associated works from Gogar Station Road south to land east of 1 Gogar Station Road” - though they also note in their Bluesky post the width of the path being around a meter less than design guidance would instruct…

🅿️ Seven new on-street ‘cycle hangar’ storage units are planned for the locations marked with a green dot on this newly published Traffic Regulation Order - thanks to Spokes for sharing;

🆕West Edinburgh Link - Torwood path section between Torwood Crescent and Meadow Place Rd ready for use [FB];

🔐 Recently Closed:

• 📋 Comments recently closed (8th July) for Craigmillar Niddrie Connections — see the technical plans;

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

• 📨 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

🚧 Under Construction:

• ⚒️ Work has commenced at the former Dalton’s Scrap Yard on Yeaman Place - which includes a ‘Section 75’ requirement for the developer to create a new walking, wheeling and cycling access to the Union canal from the site. A linear connection through the new purpose-built student accommodations slated for the land (surprise!) connect to Dundee St, while a ramped access looks to link to the Yeaman Pl side directly. Planning application documents here »

• 🧱 Changes to southside protected cycleways at Summerhall under construction until July 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

📋 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]

Thanks for reading - ride safe 🚲

💜 Join our 'Supporters Club'

The weekly edi.bike digest will always be free (gratis) to read for anyone who subscribes, as well as remaining ad-free.

For £1/month, you can join our Supporters Club, and help with existing costs for our domain name, hosting, and promotional materials like posters and stickers.

Huge thanks to those of you who have already signed up to support us - we really appreciate it 💜

🎁 Club Perks

As well as supporting us, we're also planning the following perks for Supporters Club patrons:

• A quarterly behind-the-scenes update sharing subscriber numbers / growth, promotional efforts, and other stuff about the running of edi.bike;

• A shiny 'Supporters Club' sticker;

• Over time, we might also consult Club patrons on strategic decisions and other matters.

If you can't support us in this way, that's grand too - thanks for reading!