This is a circular to all emailable Spokes members. [If you have recently sent us a change of email address, your change may not yet be in our database, so this message may go to your old address or possibly to both]. We hope you'll have the time to read this circular carefully and take action on those points that concern or interest you. If using email addresses shown below, replace AT by @. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. SPOKES PUBLIC MEETING, ELECTION HUSTINGS We're planning a new format which will give you a better chance than usual to tackle each politician Weds 23 March, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, 7.30; Doors open 6.45 for coffee, stall, chat. http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2011/02/holyrood-hustings-23-march/ 2. NEW SPOKESWORKER 7.3.11 http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/spokesworker/ Includes... Princes St longterm future + bike parking : Leith waterfront consultation : Oxford/Edinburgh comparison : petrol dependency : canal lighting... 3. FORTH ROAD BRIDGE - £2,300,000,000 TO BE SIGNED OFF PREMATURELY - TAKE CYBERACTION! Friends of the Earth Scotland has set up an online cyberaction, in conjunction with the Forthright Alliance and others, asking that decisions on the new Forth Bridge should be taken by the new Parliament after the May elections. If you agree, please take action now, and pass on the link as widely and as quickly as possible - especially to friends in other parts of Scotland. Already several Labour, LibDem and Green MSPs are getting worried and have put forward a Parliamentary motion to delay signing until the new government is in place. In addition to the points in the cyberaction, for the same cost as the new Forth Bridge you could invest in cycling and walking at European levels (£10 per head per head) in every village, town and city in Scotland for the next 45 years! The cyberaction site is... http://tiny.cc/holdthatpen. 4. LEITH WATERFRONT CONSULTATION WORKSHOP See the article in Spokesworker 7.3.11 above. There is now a second workshop, Saturday 26 March [11am-4pm] in addition to the 19 March one. Council officials will participate on the 26th. 5. TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR PARENTS - 'WEANS ON WHEELS' This exciting new 2011 Spokes / Bike Station project aims to encourage family cycle-commuting for every-day journeys to work/nursery/school, through providing support in using child-carrying cycling equipment. This is targeted at parents with children too young to go on their own bike. For more info, and our factsheet on bike-commuting with kids, see http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2011/01/bike-commuting-with-kids/ http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/downloads/advice/commuting-with-kids/ As their part of the project the Bike Station will offer... - equipment demonstrations at nurseries, playgroups and schools (child seats, tag-alongs, trailers etc) - free hands-on whole-family training sessions with a professional trainer - [from 15 April] drop-in sessions at the Bike Station to see/try equipment, every Friday 1-4pm, coinciding with their Children’s Bike Sales. Contact the Bike Station to book a family training session, or if your nursery / playgroup/ school would be interested in hosting a free equipment demonstration session. Ruairidh, email info@thebikestation.org.uk, tel 0131 668 1996. 6. SPOKES BULLETIN NO.109 - SPARES We've a lot more leftovers than usual - possibly the printer gave us more than we ordered. If you can use a pile - 20, 50, 100, etc - please contact us. Ideas - cycle round your local area leafletting parked bikes [the big concentrations at Haymarket Station and Festival Square in working hours have been done; Waverley platform 3 has been done - not sure about the 2-tier racks on platform 11]; distribute copies at relevant conferences you are attending; leaflet bikes at your workplace; take 10 or so copies to your local hairdresser, dentist, etc... For bike leafletting we still have some copies pre-folded, to stay in place more easily between cable and tube. 7. GARDNER'S CRESCENT/F'BRIDGE OPENING, WEDS 30 MARCH Cllr Mackenzie will be officially opening the new road layout [see picture on page 1 of Spokes 109] at 1pm on Weds 30 March. They would welcome interested cyclists to come along, but don't want huge numbers. If you intend to come, please email Lynda.Haughney@edinburgh.gov.uk. 8. EDINBURGH COUNCIL ACTIVE TRAVEL ACTION PLAN A new edition of ATAP has been published - the wording is identical, but pictures have been added, together with an introduction by the top people. You can find it here... http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/downloads/members-campaigning/edinburgh/cec-cycle-action-plan/ Incidentally, although it is early days, Spokes is very impressed by the determination and staffing resources which Edinburgh council is putting into getting underway with the wide range of actions in ATAP. Since Cllr Mackenzie took over as chair of transport, and Marshall Poulton as Head of transport, we have seen a major shift in the seriousness of the attention being given to cycling policy. It is the same council as before, same parties in control, same manifestos - just two different people in charge of transport - fascinating!! 9. BIKE STORAGE SURVEY REMINDER If you are considering new bike storage in your flat or tenement, or are lobbying councillors for overnight onstreet parking, or if you have comments on the Spokes bike storage factsheet [circulated to members in the recent mailout] please fill in our survey at www. surveymonkey.com/s/ XX5982Y. More information: see Feb 28 news item at www.spokes.org.uk. 10. OTHER EVENTS... March 19: MORNINGSIDE 'COMMUNITY MAPPING' EVENT 2.30pm - 5.30pm, Morningside United Church. What is required to enable people in Morningside area to lead more sustainable lives? Tables on Food, Energy, Transport etc. More info... diane@transitionedinburghsouth.org.uk April 2: SECOND HAND BIKE SALE AT RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL 9:30 - 12am. Adult bikes, tricycles and accessories. Bring your bikes etc (which we will sell for you) from 8:30 onwards (the sale begins at 9.30). Free bike maintencance offered at the same time! Further information: contact the school office 0131- 337 3410, Rudolf Steiner School, 60 Spylaw Road. April 7: WEST LOTHIAN CIVIC CENTRE DR.BIKE The council is hoping to increase the number of staff cycling to work; and would especially like to encourage more women to use bikes. Would any female Spokes member be able to be at this workplace event (1-4pm) to answer questions and help encourage potential female commuters? - ideally you'd be from West Lothian, though that's not essential. If you can help, please contact Ross Hendry at this email address... wlccbug@gmail.com. Dave du Feu Spokes 16.3.2011