Tag: cycling in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s cycling boom continues

Bikes account for nearly 10% of journeys on Leith Walk and City Centre West to East Link

New traffic data collated by Cycling Scotland, Scotland’s national cycling charity, has revealed the continuing success of new protected cycle routes in Edinburgh.

Over a 48-hour period in September 2025, traffic surveys recorded 4,744 bikes on Leith Walk. This was out of a total of 48,832 travel methods recorded, meaning that 9.7% of people cycled their journey – the highest cycling modal share yet seen on the route.

On the western-most portion of the City Centre West East Link (CCWEL), at West Coates in Roseburn, 2,798 bikes were recorded over the same 48-hour survey period. This was out of a total of 30,175 travel methods recorded on the street, equating to 9.3% of journeys being made by bike – a new record cycling modal share for this section of the CCWEL.

At York Place, where the CCWEL’s protected cycle route connects to Leith Walk via Picardy Place, 1,921 cycle journeys were recorded over the two-day period. This is the largest number of bikes yet recorded at this location by a Cycling Scotland traffic survey and evidence of the growth in cycling being supported as routes join together.

At Great Junction Street, 2,023 cycle journeys were recorded, with a cycling modal share of 4% – both new records for this location, where new safe, protected cycle lanes are currently being installed as part of the Leith Connections project.

At all survey locations, strong peaks in cycling were seen at morning and evening rush hours, indicating that people are predominantly travelling by bike for everyday journeys, like commuting to and from work.

The data also shows that where safe, protected cycle lanes are provided, the vast majority of people cycling choose to use them rather than cycling on-road. 97% of cycle journeys along West Coates were recorded as being on the cycle lane, rather than the road, and 96% of cycle journeys on Leith Walk.

Cycling Scotland organises traffic surveys across Scotland to monitor changes in travel behaviour, working in partnership with all 32 local authorities at over 100 locations, with funding from Transport Scotland. Conducted biannually in May and September each year, these nationwide traffic surveys help to track changes in modal share, highlighting how new high-quality cycle routes such as this are supporting more people to make sustainable journeys.

Additional analysis of data from the fixed cycle counter network in the capital, further reveals the long-term impact of investment in safer cycling infrastructure.

In the south of Edinburgh where Quiet Route 61 meets on-street cycle lanes on Gilmerton Road, 4,676 cycle journeys were recorded through September 2025, compared with 1,561 journeys in September 2021 – a 200% increase. This follows improvements for people walking and cycling at the crossing, including and physical protection for the cycle lanes.

38,611 cycle journeys were recorded by a fixed cycle counter on North Meadow Walk through September 2025 – a 20% increase on September 2021. On nearby Bruntsfield Place, a 20% increase in cycle journeys was also recorded over the same period.

Michael Owen, an 89-year-old Edinburgh resident who uses his bike most days to stay fit, said: “I’m very supportive of improvements for cycling in the city. I’m approaching 90, and I use my bike to get local shopping most days. If it’s a decent day I might add a mile or two onto my journey.

“I’ve always used my bike to keep fit, particularly to build fitness for skiing trips and sports – now it’s my main way of looking after myself. It keeps me more mobile than otherwise.

“Convenience, practical reasons… it’s my best form of transport. If I have any appointments, medical check-ups in the city centre for example, I’ll get there by bike. I realise just how much easier it is to get around and to deal with everyday things by using my bike. The physical fitness is a big thing for me, it keeps me more mobile than otherwise.”

City of Edinburgh Council Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “The data here speaks for itself. We’ve consistently seen that where we commit to creating and improving cycling infrastructure, new users will follow.

“From supporting more liveable local neighbourhoods, to getting physical exercise and choosing to get around more sustainably, I’d encourage anyone thinking of getting on a bike this year to give it a try.

“Under our City Mobility Plan, we’re committed to making Edinburgh as easy for people to move around as possible, and cycling is one of the key sustainable transport modes that supports this.”

Nick Montgomery, Monitoring and Development Manager at Cycling Scotland, said: “What we see from the data is that where local authorities are investing in protected cycle lanes and improved networks of cycling routes, there are big increases in people travelling by bike.

“Future improvements would support even more people to benefit from cycling as a healthy, affordable, and environmentally friendly way of getting around and help Edinburgh continue to grow and thrive as a city.”

Edinburgh sees record number of people travelling by bike

More than 2,000 daily bike trips on Leith Walk in May, following completion of cycle lanes between Leith and Picardy Place

New traffic data collated by Cycling Scotland, Scotland’s national cycling charity, has revealed how the growing network of cycle routes in Edinburgh is encouraging record numbers of people to travel by bike.

Through May 2024, a daily average of 1,812 bikes were recorded travelling on the cycleway on Leith Walk, with a peak of 2,107 journeys on 30th May.[1]

Demonstrating the significant year-on-year growth in cycling on Leith Walk, a total of 219,070 bike journeys were recorded along the route between January 2024 and the end of May 2024 – almost double the number recorded over the same time period in 2022 (117,969). Data shows that cycling volumes are at their highest during commuting times, indicating many people are using the route for everyday journeys.

Data was captured by an automatic counter located on the cycle path at Picardy Place, one of Cycling Scotland’s nationwide network of counters, funded by Transport Scotland to help measure cycling levels across Scotland.

In addition, a survey organised by Cycling Scotland to monitor traffic over a 48-hour period between 15th and 16th May, recorded that bikes accounted for 9.1% of all journeys on Leith Walk: a level of modal share rarely seen in Scotland.

A person cycling on Melville Street separated cycle lane, part of the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) route in Edinburgh

On the other side of the city centre, Melville Street also recorded a high cycling modal share of 6.4%. The number of cycling journeys in Edinburgh is up 12% compared to May 2023, and up 19% compared to May 2022.

The sustained growth in bike journeys seen on Leith Walk comes after the completion of fully separated two-way cycle lanes along the 2km route, as part of the Trams to Newhaven project, connecting communities in Leith and Edinburgh’s city centre. The route was developed by City of Edinburgh Council, with funding from the Scottish Government.

The route has also recently connected to the newly opened 4km City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL), which runs from Roseburn to Picardy Place via Haymarket Train Station, and is already seeing increases in cycling.

The results in Edinburgh follow on from an autumn 2023 traffic survey in Glasgow, which similarly revealed record levels of cycling along the newly completed South City Way.

Elspeth at Leith Walk

Leith resident Elspeth, who uses the Leith Walk and CCWEL routes to cycle to work in Edinburgh Park several times a week, said: “I use the Leith Walk cycle lanes regularly – for travelling to work but also for lots of other shorter journeys, like popping into town or visiting friends.

“The separated cycle lanes have made my bike journeys so much more relaxed, and thanks to CCWEL, it’s now almost completely on separated cycle lanes. It means I can go whatever pace suits me without feeling rushed with traffic on my tail.”

“I love how it gives me independence and allows me to get about town. I find getting around by bike is great for my physical and mental health, and I love the passing waves and nods from other people on bikes in the morning!”

People cycling on Leith Walk

Rowan Simpson, Monitoring and Development Officer at Cycling Scotland, said: “It’s really encouraging to see more than 2,000 people are cycling on Leith Walk each day – yet more evidence that where Scotland builds networks of connected cycling routes, separated from vehicle traffic, more people travel by bike.

“We know that road safety is the single biggest barrier to more people cycling, and the early success of Leith Walk and City Centre West to East Link underlines the critical role of safe, convenient, separated cycle routes, if more people are to choose cycling for short and medium journeys.”

“The new cycle routes make it possible to cycle to Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket stations more safely, supporting multi-modal journeys by bike and public transport and helping more people to choose sustainable transport.

“With transport the largest source of carbon emissions in Scotland, we need to help more people to cycle, walk and wheel safely. Investing in dedicated, separated cycling lanes, limiting polluting traffic growth and helping everyone to access bikes, training and bike storage are all key actions to reduce our climate impact and improve health.”

Person cycling southbound on Leith Walk

Transport and Environment Convener of City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Scott Arthur, said: “These are really exciting counts that showcase the significant growth in cycling on Leith Walk following completion of the Trams to Newhaven project and the connection with the recently opened City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL).

“The Leith Connections project will be continuing the segregated cycle infrastructure and public space improvements, from the Foot of the Walk northwards, first to Commercial Street and ultimately to Ocean Terminal in the north, Hawthornvale path in the west and Seafield in the east.

“This improved connectivity, and better active travel and public transport links support our wider ambitions to achieve net zero by 2030 and active travel across Edinburgh.

“Once the Leith Connections project is complete, this improved route will not only provide a safer environment for people walking, wheeling and cycling but will transform the area to create a more pleasant, welcoming space to spend time.”

Person cycling northbound on Leith Walk

Karen McGregor, Scotland Director at Sustrans, added: “Edinburgh residents want to safely and easily get around without needing to rely on a car. This new data shows the demand that can be unlocked by delivering safe walking, wheeling and cycling links like the City Centre West to East Link.

“People in Edinburgh know that every time they decide to travel under their own steam, they are helping their health, our planet and improving the quality of the air we all breathe – and delivering more of these opportunities has support across the city.

“It’s so important to build on the success of projects like CCWEL and deliver even more high-quality, active connections which give everyone fairer, better choices to reach the places they need to.”

Further data on cycle rates in Scotland can be found on the Cycling Open Data Portal.