The Lothian Cycle Campaign

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  HUGE EDINBURGH CYCLE BOOST

Spending on Edinburgh cycle projects

This muddy mess near Balgreen Avenue will become a tip-top off-road section of the new Roseburn to Edinburgh Park route photo: Chris Hill

will be more than double current levels during 2003/04, 04/05 and 05/06. The £1.1m extra is from a successful £10.5m council bid to the government Public Transport Fund, to improve access to West Edinburgh and to the new Infirmary. It includes bike routes to Gyle from Roseburn, Clermiston, Stenhouse and Wester Hailes; and to the Infirmary from Brunstane, Meadows and Gracemount. Spokes warmly compliments the council on its success - and for including such a major cycle element when preparing the bid.

Spokes has stressed to transport supremo Cllr Andrew Burns the need for sufficient cycle project staff to get the money spent, and with high quality design. We reminded him of the appalling mid-1980s situation [Spokes 29] when the then very large cycle budget was only 25% spent - due to insufficient specialist cycle staff - until the Council created its first Cycle Project Team [Spokes 33, 28].

FOOTNOTE - BEST AND WORST??
In a major article on cycle policy, the Observer [22.12.02] cited Edinburgh as a top example of how a council can boost cycle use if it has the will - and East Lothian as one of the worst.

Confirmed speakers: Cllr Andrew Burns Lab, Gordon Buchan Conservative, Cllr Mike Pringle LibDem, Colin Fox SSP, Bill Brockie Green. Not yet replied: SNP.

When: Thurs 13 March, 7.30 [6.45 for coffee, stall, chat]

Where: Royal Over-Seas League, 100 Princes Street

Elections footnote: Transforming Edinburgh, a transport manifesto from S.E. Scotland Transport Activists Roundtable, will be sent to all Spokes members. Or, see www.transformscotland.org.uk/sestar. Use it to lobby election candidates from now till 1 May. 

Soon after the election the target to double Scottish bike use 1996->2002 (and again by 2012) was reaffirmed. The 2002 target has not been met, but Edinburgh has met it (2%->4% of work journeys), and Glasgow (0.8%->2.5%) exceeded it, according to Glasgow Cycle Officer Erl Wilkie - showing it is perfectly possible to increase bike use, given strong policies, funding and staffing. Sadly, few other councils have done so - even though in 1999 we warned the Executive, "councils working on cycling plan to continue, but those who have done little plan no change. The government must firmly tackle the laggards" [Spokes 73].

PUBLIC TRANSPORT FUND CRUCIAL

Sadly subsequent ministers, Wendy Alexander and now Iain Gray, have given no leadership on local accessibility, and seem obsessed by big-projectitis, as we predicted when Sarah Boyack was sacked [Spokes 81]. Soon, the Executive Cycle/Walk branch was subsumed into Road Safety branch [Spokes 82]. Now we see closure of the Public Transport Fund, top Scottish cycle project funding source [see above]. Its main successor, the Integrated Transport Fund, has no special Guidance on cycle projects. There is also talk of a local public transport projects grant scheme, using Section 70 of the Transport Act, but no hint if it would have the PTF cycle-integration philosophy or if it would furnish similar funding levels. It should also have been launched well before now, to give councils time to plan.

With elections coming, please write now to your MSP, to Minister Iain Gray, and to election candidates...

• What leadership will they give councils on cycling?

• How will they ensure cycle project funding stays at current PTF levels or higher, to help meet national targets on cycle use, environment and public health?

FOR YOUR DIARY

Spokes Sunday Rides - Meet 10am, Usher Hall, Lothian Road. Normally 1st Sunday each month. Rides are fairly gentle, 30-40 miles. Lunch at pub/café, or bring picnic. Odd showers won't put us off, but real bad weather may cause cancellation. We show the way, help with breakdowns, wait for the less-speedy, and try to ensure a wonderful time! You are entirely responsible for your own safety. Ride carefully & considerately. Ensure your bike is in good order. Children under 14, or not used to roads, may only come with an adult.

Dates: Mar 2, Apr 6, May 4, Jun 1. Stuart stuart@snowcycle.co.uk 445.7073.

CTC 'easyish' rides - similar to the above. 3^rd Sunday of month, 10.30, Commonwealth Pool. Anne 657.2189.

Spokes Cycling Weekends www.bikebus.co.uk 229.6274

26-27 Apr Moffat 229.3101         10-11 May Glenfinnan 652.0333

24-31 May Wales 229.6274         14-15 June Mull/Lismore 669.7458

12-13 Jul Perth 667.3983                 26-27 Jul Dumfries & G 443.6712

30-31 Aug Edzell 07773.809159     20-21 Sep Glen Doll 662.1243

13-15 Sep Knapdale 01968.673905

Go-Bike! Strathclyde Cycle Campaign rides. 1st Sunday + some w'ends. www.gobike.org 07932.460093 info@gobike.org.

Mar 10 E. Lothian members' meeting with council, 7.30. Mark 01368.864717 maj@finnsdad.freeserve.co.uk

Mar 11 Network Rail - its role CRAG open meeting, 7.30 [7pm for coffee] City Chambers, High Street. 449.5003.

Mar 13 Spokes Election Forum - see article above.

Mar 18 Obesity from a Public Health Viewpoint Public seminar at Edinburgh Uni, Public Health Sciences, Teviot Place, 5pm. Refreshments & discussion after. 650.3212.

Mar 22-23 Towpath Cleanup 9-4.30, Edinburgh-Glasgow Registration essential: 0131.666.0875 cvinfo@btinternet.com.

Mar 27 Cycling & Health conference, Nottingham Univ. 0115.951.4132 www.nationalcyclingstrategy.org.uk/html/events.

Apr 3 Future of Waverley Station Railway Preservation Soc, 7 Victoria Terr, 7.45. Speaker - station manager, Juliet Donnachie. Info: 334.5232. NB - see article in centre pages.

May 1 Scottish Parliament and Council Elections

May 3-5 CTC 125th anniversary rides 0131.554.7773 .

June 14-22 National Bike Week 1000 events expected UK-wide. Nick Harvey 01243.543888 hq@bikeweek.org.uk. Main theme - encouraging novice and family cycling.

June 18 Spokes BIKE BREAKFAST - City Chambers

June 21 Edinburgh-St.Andrews annual ride sponsored for Lepra. 01968.682369 Ros_Kerry@lepra.org.uk

June 22 EDINBURGH BIKEFEST Help needed now to make the 5^th annual BikeFest the most successful ever! www.bikefest.org.uk Callum Macdonald 0131.524.6150.

June 28 Linlithgow-Hopetoun circular family ride/quiz Info: Niall.Lobley@hopetounhouse.com

Aug 2 Borders Push annual testicular cancer sponsored Gorebridge circular ride. 01875.341158 info@tcas.fsnet.co.uk

Sep 21-22 Edinburgh Council Car-Free Days See article below.

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CAMPAIGN/RESEARCH INFO

• Bike Links www.cycling.org.uk (click Bike Links) 0161 7366.366. Advises community groups setting up cycle projects. Also factsheets on ideas, funds, equipment, etc
• Making the Links Excellent report by Scottish Forum for Transport and Environment on progress (and otherwise) towards sustainable transport in Scotland. Quote - "Perhaps the most disappointing negative has been the low priority and funding for walking and cycling. These are modes that must play a much larger role in local travel as well as in improving Scotland's record on public health. They should not be treated as leisure add-ons to transport policy." £1 from Spokes (A5 edition).
• TRANSform Scotland report 2001/2 Valuable summary of current issues by Scotland's sustainable transport campaign. 467.7714 www.transformscotland.org.uk.
• Examples of Best Practice Factsheet of council quality initiatives to promote cycle use. tony.russell@ctc.org.uk.
• Healthy Travel Newsletter of Sustrans's Active Travel project to encourage healthy travel modes as part of daily life, with special emphasis on travel plans within the NHS. www.sustrans.org.uk activetravel@sustrans.org.uk
• Review of Research on Cycling. 160 research projects were assessed for policy implications by York University Science & Technology Unit. www.york.ac.uk/org/satsu.
• Survey of Cycling in Scotland Wide-ranging survey of reported cycle use and attitudes. A point not discussed is the urban/rural contrast. We often stress [eg Spokes 69,74] that utility cycling is traditionally higher in many rural than urban areas - e.g. 6% of work journeys in Moray, 1.8% in Edinburgh [1991 census] - but that national and local government (with noble exceptions like Dumfries & Galloway) are allowing rural cycling to be driven out by more, faster motor traffic. The new survey suggests rural utility cycling has now fallen to roughly equal the (growing) urban levels - a disgraceful and unnecessary result of pure neglect. The report [pub 2002] costs £5 from Stationary Office Bookshop, 71 Lothian Road. 0870.606.5566.
• Planning for Cycling Perhaps the fullest tome yet on this topic, with urban emphasis, edited by academic and campaigner Hugh McClintock. £115, ISBN 1 85573 5814.
• Tax-free Bike Breakfasts The tax authorities now allow employers to provide 6 free cyclist breakfasts each year. "Encourage your staff to try cycling to work", they say! There is also a 20p tax-free business mileage allowance. www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/employers/empbull12.htm
• UK Council Cyclemaps Online www.cyclemaps.org.uk Only one Scottish entry so far! - South Ayrshire.
• Ivan Illich has died A renowned thinker, whose radical, stimulating work included the transport classic Energy and Equity - free at www.carbusters.org/resources/free.php
• National Cycling Archive A mass of historical material, at Warwick University Modern Records Centre. We have donated a complete set of Spokes leaflets. Friends of the Archive: c.woodland@warwick.ac.uk 024.7652.4219.
• Scotland's Health at Work [SHAW] A national scheme to encourage and reward employers in building a healthy workplace and workforce. For how your organisation can take part, contact: paul.currie@lhb.scot.nhs.uk.

• We thank everyone who contacted Edinburgh council to say how much they enjoyed the excellent 2002 George Street Car-Free festival [Spokes 83]. The council has now decided to build on this success with a car-free double-day on Sept 21-22, 2003. More info: 529.3595. Glasgow car-free day was equally gratifying: a council survey found 69% wanted a monthly event, even though 65% of interviewees were drivers [H 18.12.02]. For UK & European info see www.itwmc.gov.uk. Even the government is now helping!- susan.malcolm@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
• Our article on integrating bike-thinking into Edinburgh tram plans [Spokes 83] generated much interest: we thank readers who contacted the council. Cllr Burns has given an 'absolute assurance' this will be fully considered from the start [email 4.2.03]. The council is also liaising with Nottingham University/DfT bike/tram integration project - we have suggested inviting them to Edinburgh [www.nottingham.ac.uk/sbe/research/current.htm]. Also, since our article, Manchester Cycling Campaign has won its campaign for bike-carriage on three new major tram routes [www.gmcc.org.uk 0161.224.3843].
• We often state that physical activity strategies must stress everyday walking/cycling etc, not focus mainly on sport. We pointed out [Spokes 83] that Edinburgh's draft 'physical activity' strategy was almost entirely recreation/sport. Following our letter, the Director of Culture & Leisure is to rename it the 'Sport & Physical Recreation Strategy', and will discuss with Transport, Education, the NHS, etc our idea of a genuine corporate physical activity strategy. This could be aided by Scottish Physical Activity Coordinator Mary Allison, who promises "guidance on the potential of ... council services to contribute to physical activity levels."
• Following a major campaign by Spokes in 2000, the much-delayed Edinburgh path-maintenance regime [Spokes 76,78,81] looks close! Sustrans should soon be commissioned to prepare the plan for an initial blitz and subsequent regular attention. Work could take place on the A90 path this financial year (by May) and on the North Edinburgh and Innocent routes later in 2003/4.
• After our wake-up item [Spokes83] on the absent Lothian Road Exchange route, developers Terry Farrell met Sustrans to discuss how to meet their commitment. We await action - further delay would be intolerable.

Spokes volunteers at Christian Path, Portobello photo: Tim Smith

Phoning members who volunteered on membership forms for path work is time-consuming and many are unavailable. If you are on email please contact timsmith@ednet.co.uk or peterhawk@care4free.net saying when you are usually free, and if you can bring saw, lopper, spade etc. If you have ideas, or could help organise, please also let us know. 

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