Spokes

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+ drop from 5.6% of the transport budget to 4.6% or less. Yet, despite the climate crisis (and storm Darragh looms as we write) there’s more cash for trunk roads – funding which the budget’s own carbon assessment classes as “highly negative” for climate.

Continue reading ScotGov draft budget 25/26: active travel cuts disguised

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, totalling morning and lunchtime, bike numbers were up a huge 36%, albeit from the low base of 70, to 95.

Whilst it is great to see numbers rising at our traditional city centre on-road count locations,* it is notable that Cycling Scotland’s automatic counters have found much greater increases in bike numbers at locations where new bike infrastructure is in place – see below.

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

Local Bike Campaigning: public meeting, 21 November

Local initiatives for better cycling infrastructure and to encourage getting about by bike are flourishing … along with wider demands for car-reduced living, walking, wheeling, local public transport and places no longer dominated by the demands of the car. Why is this happening? How is it happening? What can you do?

Continue reading Local Bike Campaigning: public meeting, 21 November

Cycling & Sustenance: #SpokesComp results

Yes, bikes and food are inextricably linked in so many ways .. and our super competition entries certainly proved that! Sourcing food by homebaking, foraging, cafes or shopping; Sharing food for family, for friends, for people in need, and even using it to promote cycling. Entries in text, photos, diagrams or poems; advice or amusement; serious or tongue in cheek – our lovely entrants had it all!

And if anyone wondered where to go for a bike-cafe crawl, we discovered that East Lothian is without doubt the place to be!

Continue reading Cycling & Sustenance: #SpokesComp results

#SpokesComp 2024: Cycling & Sustenance

Closing date extended to midnight Sunday 22 September

😉 ^{“I cycled to the shop to use up the calories I’m going to put on by buying chocolate! “}

Yes, bikes and food are inextricably linked in so many ways! We want to hear how you connect bikes with food and/or drink, in whatever way. You could win a great prize and some modest fame, and your ideas or experiences could help other people!

Continue reading #SpokesComp 2024: Cycling & Sustenance

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 much welcome.

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Granton Tramline: #SpokesMtg Report

Our Spokes public meeting on the proposed Granton tramline extension was jammed, with the hall at capacity, the gallery opened, and 20 or more latecomers still having to be turned away – over 200 in total! Whilst many issues were raised, the future of the Roseburn walking/cycling path was the top issue raised in discussion, with many in the audience seemingly unconvinced that any form of path would remain if the tram uses the Roseburn route.

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General Election 2024

With virtually all transport and cycling-related policy now a Scottish rather than a UK responsibility we are not asking individual candidates for statements or holding a hustings for the UK General Election. However, as always, we will give any useful information as it becomes available. Please let us know of hustings or other relevant events/ material.

Continue reading General Election 2024

#SpokesMtg: The Granton Tramline

Controversy rages over whether the tram should use the Roseburn path or an onroad route via Orchard Brae and Dean Bridge. The four speakers at our June 5th public meeting will present the two cases, then the pros and cons of each option for cycling and walking, and for wider public health. Followed by our always stimulating one-hour QA and panel discussion.

Continue reading #SpokesMtg: The Granton Tramline

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