October 2026
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Spokes and Me: #SpokesComp results

Our 2026 competition brought out a cornucopia of experiences, ideas and reminiscences. It is incredible to read not just how cycling and cycle facilities locally have changed over the years, but how individual lives have changed too, sometimes substantially, thanks to Spokes being around.

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City Centre: bikes now 1 in 3 in rush hour

A Spokes traffic count in George Street and Princes Street on 24 September found bikes forming over 30% of all vehicles in the morning peak period, and over 20% at lunchtime. Other findings suggest a major boost to bike travel thanks to the Council’s Voi bike hire scheme.

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Spokes members’ views on tramline & city centre controversies

Spokes operates through working groups of dedicated volunteers, not by referendum. However, in the rare case of major controversy or the need for further evidence we may conduct a survey to gauge the views of the wider membership, and whether our central decisions are reasonably compatible.

In this survey we sought member […]

Tram Consultation – next steps

The 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 […]

Princes Street – update

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 […]

… like Amsterdam

“Why can’t we do it like Amsterdam” is the opening line of an inspirational new song and video by Edinburgh musician and cycling activist Dan Abrahams, supported by Spokes. The catchy song, which risks becoming your next earworm, continues.. “when I ride, I’m free ..”

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Spokes traffic count May 2026: Bikes up everywhere!

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, […]

#Holyrood2026 : Travelling Backwards

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 […]

Spokes Bulletin #140, year 2026

Our 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 […]

Local Place Plans: have your say!

Under 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 […]