Welcome to the online home of Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign… Continue reading Welcome To Spokes
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The toucan crossing of Marchmont Road on the Bruntsfield to Meadows arterial bike route has been closed, to allow cars unfettered passage through nearby roadworks. This follows a not dissimilar example at the Buccleuch Street crossing at the east of the Meadows. Forcing cyclists and pedestrians to take their chances with traffic at these long-established crossings of major bike routes is not good enough – and better examples elsewhere in the city have shown it is unnecessary. Spokes has been in extensive correspondence with the Council over the Buccleuch Street crossing and we now have written, joint with Living Streets, over the even more unacceptable example at Marchmont Road – see full text below. Continue reading Toucans closed on major bike routesThe Council has published the results of its 2025 consultation on a north-south tramline between Granton and South Edinburgh. A proposed business case (presumably with the next iteration of plans) is to be published this autumn, for councillor decisions at the 10 September Transport and Environment Committee (TEC). However, rather to our surprise, the Council has provided feedback on main issues raised in the consultation. So, although we must wait till September for definite proposals, these responses do give slightly more clarity on what officers are currently thinking. Feedback on the 3 top issues raised in the Spokes consultation response is included in this article. In summary…
A major council workshop of some 100 councillors, officers, experts and community representatives (including Spokes) to discuss the future of Princes Street and the Waverley Valley was held on 8 June. Specifically on Princes Street, the discussion boiled down to two alternatives: the officers’ preferred “Ambitious Pragmatism” solution which comprises footway repaving and some other enhancements (as below); or “Complete Rethink” which means rethinking the roadspace, to give much improved pedestrian space and segregated bike lanes. Paul Lawrence, the Council’s Chief Executive, stated that officers will now consider all points raised at the workshop and prepare a set of options for councillors to take decisions in September. Continue reading Princes Street – update
Our regular May traffic count, at Lothian Road and Forrest Road, found bikes up everywhere: northbound and southbound, morning rush hour and lunchtime. With car numbers fairly static compared to last year, bikes rose to 19.2% of all vehicles in the morning and 12.3% at lunchtime, our highest post-pandemic figures. At Forrest Road, morning bikes formed 31% of all northbound vehicles, almost one in three. Parallel counts by Spokes Porty members found the highest ever number of bikes during both time periods, whilst analysis of automatic counter data by Edward Tissiman (below) has found substantial 2026 bike use growth on Leith Walk. Interestingly, car single-occupancy in our central area count fell to its lowest ever level, although that was not the case at Portobello. Continue reading Spokes traffic count May 2026: Bikes up everywhere!The Holyrood election on 7 May is critical to active travel and wider transport policies and budgets for the next 5 years. Is there a local project being planned that you’re looking forward to? – in Edinburgh, say Meadows to George Street, or Portobello to Musselburgh? When and if such projects will happen depends largely on the existence and size of the Scottish Government active travel budget. Sadly and shockingly, in view of the climate crisis, the cost of living crisis, and the need for healthier lifestyles to help the NHS crisis this year’s manifestos mark a massive deterioration in active travel policies as compared to the 2021 election – or even 2016. Post-election: Great article from Transform Scotland, summarsing the election outcome for all aspects of transport – generally pretty negative – and how things can hopefully be improved Continue reading #Holyrood2026 : Travelling BackwardsOur 2026 printed Bulletin – all 10,000 copies – is here! With most communication now electronic, there’s still great value in an occasional printed Bulletin which can be picked up in bike shops, libraries, etc. The novelty of a print Bulletin also adds to its impact, for example on politicians – all Edinburgh and Lothians councillors, MSPs and MPs get copies. Continue reading Spokes Bulletin #140, year 2026Our March 16 Spokes/CUK hustings whilst polite and friendly throughout, revealed some clear policy differences, particularly on how, if at all, to tackle car numbers in the city. Perhaps not surprisingly, there was more agreement on the multi-faceted value of cycling as a means of getting around, whilst the issue of illegally ridden modified e-bikes featured prominently in questions. Continue reading SpokesMtg: #Holyrood2026 Hustings – ReportUnder recent legislation, local communities (either geographic or based on a common local interest) can produce a ‘Local Place Plan‘ (LPP) which the Council must then take into account in preparing its development plan for the whole local authority. Many communities in the Lothians have already produced LPPs, and several in Edinburgh are now doing so. You have an opportunity to put in comments – or, through a community group, to initiate a new LPP. Continue reading Local Place Plans: have your say!Spokes has published a new booklet of Favourite Rides. The rides are based on entries from our 2025 Favourite Rides competition. They feature not just the wonderful rides themselves, but also brief bios and explanations from the contributors, adding greatly to the appeal of the booklet. Continue reading Favourite Bike Rides (edn 3) – here!! |
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