Spokes

Spokes Traffic Count May 2025: new post-pandemic bike % record!

Our regular May traffic count, at Lothian Road and Forrest Road, found bikes forming the highest proportion of all vehicles so far post-pandemic.

The 8-9am increase to 16.7%, from 16.3% in 2024, was marginal, with both car and bike numbers rising somewhat. However, at lunchtime (12.30-13.30) the bike percentage was up from 10.2% to 11.1%, with car numbers falling – indeed, for the first time ever there were fewer private cars than the bus/taxi/van total, our ‘commercial’ category.

At Forrest Road northbound, bikes formed a remarkable 26.9% of all vehicles between 8 and 9a.m. – our highest post-covid figure so far at any count point.

Continue reading Spokes Traffic Count May 2025: new post-pandemic bike % record!

Programme for Government 25/26 – retreat on active travel, bus and traffic reduction

The Scottish Government’s 25/26 PfG has one big and welcome surprise on sustainable transport – peak rail fares will be permanently abolished from 1st September. Apart from that, funding for active travel is no longer transparent, the PfG confirms that the 20% traffic reduction commitment no longer exists, and trunk road expansion continues.

Continue reading Programme for Government 25/26 – retreat on active travel, bus and traffic reduction

It’s “Wait and See for AT Projects” – #SpokesMtg report

A major report to the May 22 Transport & Environment Committee will lay out a 10-year prioritised programme of active travel and wider transport projects in support of the city’s Mobility Plan. Speaking to a crammed hall, Transport Convener Cllr Stephen Jenkinson said that when he came into post he found an ever-expanding list of ongoing projects which needed rationalised. They are being scored on a range of criteria, and will be presented on 22 May, as a robust and deliverable programme, with realistic implementation timescales.

Continue reading It’s “Wait and See for AT Projects” – #SpokesMtg report

Public Meeting, 30 April: Cycling as part of Edinburgh’s Transport Policy

Your first opportunity to hear the Council’s new(ish) Transport Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson speak on Edinburgh transport policy and, specifically, the role of cycling. He will be accompanied by Deborah Paton, a senior officer with responsibilities including transport strategy, and with considerable previous active travel experience.

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Scot Budget 25/26: update

The budget 25/26 is now expected to pass with no changes to active travel (AT) funding from December’s draft version. At no more than 4.6% of total transport spending it will be well below the 5.6% in the original 24/25 budget and far below the 10% previously promised – although probably up on 24/25 actual spend following the drastic 24/25 in-year cuts. However, the exact 25/26 total is very unclear and there is a risk that it could be well under 4.6% – see below.

Spokes correspondence with the Cabinet Secretary gives some interesting further insights.

Continue reading Scot Budget 25/26: update

20% Traffic Reduction: ScotGov research shows how

30.1.25 update: In a scathing report, Audit Scotland confirms that, 5 years after its commitment to cut car-km 20% by 2030, the Scottish Government “still does not have a clear plan.” Yet the research in the article below is not covered, and even Audit Scotland’s “Key messages” don’t explicitly mention the road user charging which the research says would achieve the commitment.

12.5.25 update: A great result from the recently introduced New York congestion charging. “NYC’s congestion pricing is a policy miracle: Less traffic, less noise, faster transit, more business sales, more transit revenue. And it hasn’t produced the negative effects outside the cordon zone we were afraid of.“

Research commissioned by the Scottish Government from AECOM consultancy shows that it is perfectly possible to achieve the government’s commitment to a 20% reduction in car-km by 2030. But … the government’s weak response shows no sign of adopting the recommendations of the research, and leaves tough decisions up to Councils and to the UK government.

Continue reading 20% Traffic Reduction: ScotGov research shows how

2024–>2025 : What for Active Travel ?

Edinburgh 2024 saw big highlights for cycling, as major long-term projects came to fruition, and data showed bike use rising alongside new infrastructure. But 2025 may be a disappointing contrast, with no completions on a similar scale, and a general slow-down following the Scottish Government’s 2024 active-travel funding procrastination and eventual cuts.

Meanwhile, both Government and Council continue the failed ‘carrots-only’ approach to meeting their (20% / 30% respectively) ambitions for 2030 car-km reduction, meaning continued climate emissions, congestion and hostile conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling.

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Roseburn to (almost) Canal opens

A fantastic new offroad route linking the North Edinburgh path network to Dalry, with bridges over Dalry Road and the Midcalder electrified railway, opened on 9 December 2024 after a 10-year gestation. It will later be extended to join the canal towpath at its wider inner-city section near Boroughmuir School.

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ScotGov draft budget 25/26: active travel cuts disguised

See also our 4.2.25 update to this article.

Despite larger than expected financial support from the UK government, the 25/26 Scottish draft budget cuts funding for rail, for bus investment and for active travel (AT). Presentation of the figures hides the extent of the AT cuts, which we estimate to be a £40m+ drop from 5.6% of the transport budget to 4.6% or less. Yet, despite the climate crisis (and storm Darragh looms as we write) there’s more cash for trunk roads – funding which the budget’s own carbon assessment classes as “highly negative” for climate.

Continue reading ScotGov draft budget 25/26: active travel cuts disguised

Local Bike Campaigning: #SpokesMtg report

A culture change on active travel and local accessibility is underway in Edinburgh, inspired by a wide and growing variety of local organisations and initiatives – this understanding was perhaps the main outcome of our hugely positive 21 November public meeting on local campaigning.

Continue reading Local Bike Campaigning: #SpokesMtg report

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