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Several developments give hope that the Scottish government may have to accede to growing pressure to raise cycle spending from its current miserable 'under 1%' of transport spending [as revealed in Spokes Bulletin 100]. And you can help make it happen...

Public meetings to display and consult on final detailed designs for the tram will be held this week and next.

Spokes members are urged to drop in and have their comments recorded - points to note include asking whether any cycle facilities are included along the route (lanes, advanced stop lines, cycle parking at stops, etc) and whether bikes will be allowed off-peak on the trams. Email info@spokes.org.uk if you have any comments after attending one of the sessions.

Spokes has been meeting regularly with tie and TEL, the bodies building and running the tram. While we have made progress and continue to hope for more provisions, pressure from members is very important. We have seen some but not all of the plans that will be on display at these sessions.

Please note that since Bulletin 100 went to print, we have received slightly more positive messages from TEL (the operators), who may now consider bike carriage experiments. The onroad plans (by TIE, the developers) remain very difficult for cyclists at some locations, due to the reduced road width and the priority being given to other uses for what space remains. However, we can expect lots of junction advance stop lines (these don't occupy road width) and possibly some new higher quality provision at some locations. Bike parking is being provided at most stops - but that is the easy bit of course!!

Please click on 'full article' to see times and locations of meetings for each stretch of the route. The tram section being displayed at each meeting is listed below the date.

The Bulletin is out, the online gallery is up, and the Library Exhibition is open! Even more important - as always - we need you to email or visit your councillors and MSPs - the Scottish government and Edinburgh Council are still treating bike travel as a minor side-issue....

The new cyclepath alongside A1 near Torness (NCN route 76) is still not finished, even though it is marked on our new East Lothian Cycle Map.