--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a circular to all emailable Spokes members. [If you 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 @. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. PRINCES STREET PETITION We have launched a major petition, using the Edinburgh council online petitions site, for a traffic-free Princes Street. There's a lot about this in the 31.1.13 Spokesworker and in our 28 Jan website article... http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2013/01/princes-street-petition/ The petition itself of necessity has to be quite short and to the point, but there is explanation and background in the above articles, which give our thoughts on some of the obvious questions about the petition. The website article above includes a link to the petition, or you can go to it direct here... http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory_record/212684/princes_street_for_people. There was also a major article in the Evening News... http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/princes-street-could-ban-all-traffic-except-trams-1-2762441 We hope you will sign up to the petition if you are an Edinburgh resident - and there is a suggestion in the above articles if you visit Edinburgh but live outside, near or far away. Please also tell friends, family and colleagues about the petition, and circulate via facebook, twitter etc. It is vital for us to get at least 500 signatures - that is the threshhold for the council to discuss whether to act on the petition - but we'd like 1000 if possible. We were over 100 signatures within 24 hours of the petition going live, which probably reflects initial circulation via social media. If you are involved in an organisation which supports the idea, let us know if we can include them in the website article as a supporter [we will include a link to their website]. We might also include a list of 'prominent people' who sign the petition, so if you are such a person, or know one who has signed, and would be willing to be listed in the article, let us know! B. SPOKESWORKER 31.1.13 The latest Spokesworker is at... http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/spokesworker/ As well as a major Princes Street article, there's the usual varied collection of ideas - and actions we hope you will follow up on those topics that concern you. C. VIDEO IDEAS COMPETITION We've a competition seeking ideas for a 'motorist awareness of cyclists' video, and we've been donated a bottle of port [normal cost £19] for the best ideas. This is a short-term competition as we want your ideas quickly for possible use in an actual video. Full details in Spokesworker above. D. BE INTERVIEWED AND GET A PARLIAMENT INVITE If you'd like to be interviewed by an Edinburgh Uni PG student on your ideas for promoting 'considerate cycling', see Spokesworker above. Everyone interviewed will get an invite to the Scottish Parliament to see the results of the student project. E. CONSULTATIONS Spokesworker includes details of several consultations, and we hope you will send in your views to any that concern you. Please copy your email to Spokes too. Including... a. RPP2 - the Scottish Government's latest plans to reduce carbon emissions - a very disappointing document on first look. b PATAP - Edinburgh Council's 'Public and Accessible Transport Action Plan.' This is to be the public transport equivalent of ATAP, the council's Active Travel Action Plan. We feel it says far too little on integration between cycling and the various forms of public transport. F. BE NICE TO YOUR COUNCILLORS!! If you are pleased with something the council has done cycling-wise, it's a good idea to thank your councillors - they are more used to criticism than praise, and with the council budget 2013/14 coming up in early February it's a good idea to let them know where their efforts are appreciated. A recent example where the council HAS come in for a lot of praise is this year's gritting of the main offroad paths - the first time this has been in the full gritting schedule, and thanks to the council's decision to allocate a % of the transport budget (capital and revenue) to cycling. If this has helped you, why not tell your councillors how much you appreciated it! Find them at www.writetothem.com. Our article about the gritting is here... http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2013/01/grit-not-greet G. BUFFS We have around 35 left of the 100 Spokes 'original' buffs featuring the Edinburgh Cycle map. Originally sold at £10 we're offering these to Spokes members at just £8 if you collect from an address in Edinburgh Grange or Merchiston [pay cash or cheque on collection] or £10 by post. For details of how to order, and photos of the buff, see www.spokes.org.uk/2012/11/get-your-present-before-christmas-is-present Remember to use the prices in this email, not the prices on the website! H. GARDEN SHEDS/CONTAINERS FOR BIKE STORAGE Our campaign to allow bike storage for people with no alternative to a front garden shed/container http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2012/09/bike-shed-bans/ has moved forward, with victories at appeal for 2 householders - the first ever to win appeals. However, there is still reluctance in the Planning Department to have revised guidelines which clarify the position, leaving many people uncertain whether they will be allowed a shed, or whether an anonymous complaint will lead to a removal notice. If you are currently in dispute with the council over such a problem, or know anyone who is, please get in touch and we will try to advise. Dave du Feu Spokes 31.1.13