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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 […]

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.

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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 […]

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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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 […]

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+ […]

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.

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Nov Traffic Count: bikes up, but more if new infra

The biannual Spokes city-centre and Porty traffic counts, on Tuesday 11 November found bikes up almost everywhere compared to November 2023 – though mostly not by large amounts. In the city centre morning rush hour bikes were up 4% from 365 to 381, and at lunchtime up 17% from 156 to 183. In Porty, […]

Conveners Transported

Edinburgh’s transport convenership has moved from Cllr Scott Arthur – now Scott Arthur MP – to Stephen Jenkinson, councillor for Pentland Hills ward. Cllr Jenkinson intends to continue chairing the Transport & Environment Committee [TEC] in the consensual way developed by his predecessor, but with greater emphasis on delivery – intentions which we very […]