Spokes campaigns for cycling “within a sustainable transport context,” not purely cycling for its own sake. We need to live in places which are safe, pleasant and easy to get around, and free from climate or toxic pollution. This means quality public transport and active travel provision, with private motor traffic a last resort. Planners and providers must work to ensure the maximum possible integration and synergy between public and active modes, so they work together and minimise conflicts.
Our public meeting brings together speakers from the worlds of bus, rail and tram, to discuss the cycling /public transport relationship. As always, the second half of the meeting will be an audience Q/A, so do come along with constructive suggestions, and to give feedback on the speakers’ introductory talks.
Obviously this is a huge topic, but we decided to limit the number of organisations speaking to three, to allow, as always, maximum time for the Q/A session. This means that the speakers between them may not have responsibilities or answers for every topic that comes up in the Q/A, though may be able to pass them on in some cases.
Speakers
John Lauder, Network Rail, Programme Manager for Railway for Everyone
John leads Scotland’s Railways accessibility strategy ‘Railway for Everyone’. The strategy aims to make the railway open and accessible to everyone that wants to use it, including, of course, people coming by bike. The strategy works across all the rail service and has been endorsed by all national transport bodies in Scotland, including 3rd sector such as Transform Scotland, as well as Disability Equality Scotland and the Mobility & Access Committee (MACS)
John will cover the strategy, its aims, and current operational projects. While happy to hear from everyone, it is important to note that John cannot speak on behalf of ScotRail.
New active travel path to Dunbar station, to serve new housing developments. This is a page from the Railways for Everyone report, March 2026
David Cameron, Head of Operations, Lothian Buses
Don McClurg, Head of Safety: Edinburgh Trams
The two speakers will talk about the relationships between buses, trams and cycling, which share space on the road whether in bus lanes or elsewhere. They will focus on safety and the work of their training academies. Lothian Buses driver training includes getting on a bike to better understand the cyclist perspective. Both bus and tram drivers are made particularly aware of the dangers presented to cyclists by tramlines, so that they can anticipate potential cyclist tramline crashes and stop the vehicle in time. Lothian Buses also work closely with Police Scotland on these issues, for example taking part in Operation Close Pass.
Note that Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, despite their distinct names, have a shared corporate structure with one CEO, Sarah Boyd, overseeing both.
Lothian Buses drivers taking part in cycle awareness training
Rob Falcon, Chair, Tram-Trains for Edinburgh
TTfE is a campaign to get services running on the South Suburban railway across Edinburgh – but using tram-trains which can run direct on existing tram lines and thus to Princes St. or Edinburgh Park. Little more than a year old, TTfE has achieved remarkable momentum, with government cash for an initial technical feasibility study, now underway.
TTfE sees an urgent need for a mass transit system for the region, to provide an alternative to cars and this project would be an integral part of that. Reducing car use will be highly beneficial to cycling conditions, but additionally TTfE intends to integrate cycling (and walking) into the project itself as far as possible. Indeed, a Spokes working party has already been set up, coordinated by Mike Lewis, and joint with TTfE, to report on the best possible cycling and walking routes to each of the proposed stations.
TTfE map showing proposed phase 1 route (blue), stations and how this fits into Edinburgh’s existing and proposed tram and train networks
Arrangements
- Where Augustine United Church 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL
- Date Thursday 19 November
- Time Starts 7.30, Ends 9.30. Doors open 6.45 for coffee, stalls and chat, including a special stall to join Spokes or renew your membership
- Questions Questions for the speakers, can be emailed (at least 2 days in advance) to spokes@spokes.org.uk. However, questions in person from audience members are likely to have greatest priority on the night
- Online We hope to live broadcast on our youtube channel – and make the recording available a few days later
- Social media If posting about the meeting on Bluesky or elsewhere, use hashtag #SpokesMtg
- More info If you have any queries about the meeting, email spokes@spokes.org.uk or phone Emma, 07982278936.
Your help needed
Please help publicise our public meeting by reposting our Bluesky, passing on the link to this article, and/or liking on facebook.
Resources
- Railway for Everyone – For more information, to send suggestions for improved station accesses, or to get on the mailing list for the periodic ‘Railway for Everyone‘ reports, email john.lauder@networkrail.co.uk.
- Tram Trains for Edinburgh – If you have suggestions for our working party on active travel access to the stations, or have the time and interest to get involved, please email spokes@spokes.org.uk. Note also that TTfE has a public meeting coming up at the Eric Liddell Centre in Morningside on 30th Nov.
- Tramline extension Decisions on the future have now been taken by the Council, with no further developments expected until Autumn 2027 at the earliest, so this is not part of our public meeting. For more details on the decisions see section 3 in our 1.10.26 member circular. For the views of Spokes members, see our member survey report.