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The Lothian Cycle Campaign

• Membership benefits and how to join
• Link to Campaigns page
• SPOKES Working Groups

We very much hope that you will decide to become a member of SPOKES, even if you don't have time to help actively, as it is important that we can speak for a large membership. Please go to the Membership section for details on how to join and the benefits of membership.

One of the best ways that you can help is to write to your MSP, MP, councillor (names and addresses) or the press every so often about cycling matters which concern you. Letters from constituents really do make a difference! If they are already sympathetic to your cause then a letter gives them the opportunity to raise the issue with a Minister or council official. If not, then your letter may make them think about the issue and help them to change or formulate a new policy. Please send us copies of useful replies - we get lots of helpful information in this way! For more details of road, traffic and planning matters that we are currently campaigning on, addresses and ideas, please visit the Campaigns page.

Other occasional help is needed delivering envelopes, leafletting parked bikes, staffing a stall, making phone calls etc. If you can help in this way please fill in the appropriate section of the Membership Form.

If you want to get more involved, join one of our Working Groups, which mostly meet roughly-monthly.

Membership

Where do you live?

We are the Lothian cycle campaign, so our main efforts and activities are in the council areas of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. We also lobby government extensively - especially the Scottish Office.

People living outside Lothian (especially in Scotland) are welcome to join SPOKES, to keep in touch with developments and with what you can do. However, if you do live outside Lothian, your top priority should be to join (or to set up!) a campaign group in your own area. For links to other campaign groups throughout the UK see our Links page.

Benefits of SPOKES membership

• Regular newsletter with details of new cycle schemes, events and campaigns
• Specialized working groups
• Events, rides, youth-hostel weekends (all ages!)
• Advice and information on all aspects of cycling
• BIKE MATE scheme to help new cyclists
• Advance notice of SPOKES publications - such as new editions of our city bike map
• Your mailings include lots of other information - new cycleroute leaflets; special offer handouts from bike shops. Many of these are only sent to members
• Notification of major developments affecting cyclists in your area (within Edinburgh and the Lothians)
• Safety and campaigning materials by mail order

Membership is open to all individuals and organisations who support our objectives.

• For individuals living in Lothian membership is FREE but a donation will be welcomed (see below).
• For individuals living outside Lothian we make a minimum charge of £1 (please also consider a donation).
• Voluntary organisations - minimum fee £5
• Other organisations - minimum fee £10

To join, please send a stamped self-addressed envelope (at least 9" x 4") to SPOKES and we will mail you a membership form. The address is at the bottom of this page.

Membership donations

SPOKES receives no grants to meet running costs and we rely heavily on members for donations to finance our campaigns, publicity and ongoing work. Please be as generous as you can afford - whether it be 50p, £5, £50 or £500. Cheques should be crossed and payable to SPOKES.

SPOKES Working Groups

Events Group

SPOKES organises many events, including cycle rides, weekends, rallies, socials, parties, sometimes an entry in the Festival Cavalcade, help with charity rides such as St. Andrews, demonstrations-stunts in support of campaigns, and so on. At present, rather than a group we have various contacts....Sunday rides: Stuart Tel 0131.445.7073; Cycling weekends: Stuart Tel 01968.676797.

Planning Group

Reacts to all road, traffic and planning proposals likely to affect cyclists - from motorways to supermarkets. Campaigns for new facilities, and to influence Council and Government cycling policies. Periodic meetings are also held with councillors and officials from the City of Edinburgh Council and, occasionally, the other councils in Lothian. Sandy Scotland Tel 0131-551-2663.

Resources Group

Deals with membership, sales, advertising, stalls and ensuring that the skills and interests of as many members as possible are used as fully as possible. To join, you musn't mind paperwork and other similar tasks! Hope this doesn't all sound too boring - it's crucial to our success! Dave Tel 01506-670165.

Local Areas

In several areas members meet to discuss local planning or other issues. Local lobbying is very useful, and our Lothians contacts also help organise Sunday rides for the city-dwellers to get out. In Prestonfield-Mayfield there are periodic meetings with the councillor for Prestonfield/Mayfield; and the Linlithgow group has had several cycling proposals accepted. Contacts include: Linlithgow: Dave Tel 01506-670165.
If you would like to organise a local meeting, whether for lobbying or social, please get in touch.

Pathways Group

If one of your new year resolutions is to DO SOMETHING how about becoming an occasional SPOKES Pathways volunteer? A productive bit of manual labour in the open air is just what you need! One project last year was the clean-up of Christian Path, Portobello.Details

Please send a brief email to timsmith@ednet.co.uk stating what times you are available (eg weekend, weekdays, etc) and what tools you have (eg secateurs, loppers, bow saw etc) (We have some tools but it helps if you can bring your own). We can then email whole groups of volunteers (by area) and save on time and phone bills!

Bike Station

Although not strictly 'part of SPOKES' this (and it's predecessor Castlecliff Bicycle Workshop) was helped to start by a donation from SPOKES and has SPOKES members directly involved. Why not become a user or volunteer helper. Details.

 

Please e-mail us with your comments and suggestions.

 

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