“Put quite simply: the more people in a place who cycle, the safer it becomes for everyone”
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Sustrans Scotland is calling for improved cycling infrastructure at junctions, after research has revealed that roundabouts and T-junctions are the main cycle collision hotspots in Scotland. Drumbrae roundabout features among the twenty most dangerous locations in the country.
Continue reading Sustrans research reveals cycle safety hotspots
Detailed designs are set to be drawn up for a controversial £5.5 million project to create a’family-friendly’ west to east cycle route through the city centre following a public meeting of the city council’s Future Transport Working Group last week. The decision to press ahead has infuriated many residents and local traders, almost three thousand of whom objected to the ‘cycle superhighway’ proposals. Continue reading Green light for bike superhighway
Bike recycling charity The Bike Station are launching a crowdfunding campaign following the recent fire at their Causewayside base. The charity hopes to raise £10,000 through the campaign, which launches at midday today. Continue reading Support The Bike Station
SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 1.30 – 4.30pm
Inverleith Park (East)
Dear Editor
As both a driver and cyclist within the city I share many of the concerns regarding the poor state of road surfaces. I want to focus this letter on Ferry Road which is a major transport artery. It is full or ruts and is generally poorly maintained and where there have been attempts at ad hoc repairs they are of a very poor quality. There is indeed an irony that on the one hand the council tries to encourage people to walk and cycle – yet the road network is not friendly towards cycle users – or cars, for that matter!
Now I hear some voices saying: use the cycle way – of course that is a good option, however there are occasions when that is not viable due to the destination.
Let me focus on a particular issue that highlights an apparent contradiction in policy towards cycling. There is a lined cycle way that runs from Crewe Toll to Granton Road – both sides. However that does not stop cars parking on the pavement and across the ‘dedicated’ cycle route beside Stewarts Melville rugby when there are matches on. It appears that there is no appetite to do anything about this. That gets at the heart of my cynicism. This double standard where there is a policy of promotion of cycling on the one hand whilst not dealing with an issue that is in direct conflict with the same policy.
I attended the recent Forth Neighbourhood Partnership meeting. The issue of transport was raised at the meeting in light of the growth of the Granton Harbour developments going forward. The issue of increased traffic growth and in particular concerns that residents on Lower Granton Road have had for years is still outstanding and won’t go away. Local Community Councils and community groups have been calling for a review of the transport plan for this area for at least two years – again there appears no appetite for this to happen.
Yours faithfully
Dave Macnab
West Ferryfield, Edinburgh
A controversial city-wide cycle link has been given the go-ahead by councillors – despite objections by local traders and community councils. Members of the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee yesterdayrejected community concerns and instead agreed to proceed with ‘an ambitious project to create a family-friendly west to east cycle route through the city centre’.
The City Centre West to East Cycle Link and Street Improvements project aims to create a largely protected cycle way to and through the city centre, providing a crucial link from existing QuietRoutes in north and west Edinburgh to Leith Walk and intended to encourage many more commuters to choose to travel into town by bike instead of by car, reducing congestion and contributing to improved air quality as well as boosting health and fitness.
A new working group is being set up to help resolve outstanding design issues with the plans. Meanwhile work will start immediately to secure further funding and to make preparations to commence the necessary statutory processes for the scheme.
The Council’s Transport and Environment Committee voted to create the new stakeholder group, whose members will include the Transport Convener and Vice Convener, the transport representatives of the other political groups, local ward members, relevant local groups and selected officers.
A motion put forward by the Capital Coalition acknowledged “a strong division of opinion on the two options for the Roseburn area – with the majority of ‘Active Travel Forum’ members supporting Option A” and a “strong preference for Option B amongst local businesses and Community Councils”.
The stakeholder group’s discussions on this aspect and other outstanding design issues will be reported to the Future Transport Working Group, chaired by the Transport Convener and held in public, for a final decision under the delegated authority of the Executive Director of Place.
In approving the Capital Coalition motion, members agreed that this group “will also act as a ‘sounding board’ throughout the detailed design and eventual statutory processes”.
Transport Convener Cllor Lesley Hinds said: “We remain 100% committed to delivering this bold and transformational project, which will make it so much easier to cycle into and through the city centre by linking up with our already well-used cycle routes across the north and west of Edinburgh.
“Given the strength of feeling out there about certain aspects of the plans, there’s clearly still work to be done before the final route design is agreed.
“This new stakeholder group will allow all interested parties to get round the table and thrash out the remaining issues, listening to each other’s points of view and – hopefully – arriving at a conclusion which the majority are happy with so that the final route design can be agreed.” Continue reading Controversial city cycle link gets green light
The city council is set to install hundreds of new cycle racks across the capital. Over the coming months, 400 racks will be introduced to city streets, creating up to 800 spaces for cyclists to secure their bikes. Continue reading More cycle parking spaces across the city
Twenty-five hardy participants set off from St Columba’s Hospice to tackle The Celtic Challenge, a 200 mile cycle across Scotland, on Wednesday. Continue reading St Columba’s Celtic Challengers halfway there
With spring in the air, Edinburgh residents and organisations are being invited to get on their bikes this March for the Edinburgh Cycle Challenge. Continue reading Get on your bike in March!
Register for next May’s St Columba’s Hospice charity cycle event
Team Scotland medal-winning cyclist Jenny Davis has launched a 200 mile charity bike ride that will take place in May 2016. The Celtic Challenge takes in some of Scotland’s most challenging and breath-taking scenery, with participants cycling from Edinburgh to the isle of Iona – and you can sign up now to secure a place. Continue reading Sign up now for the Celtic Challenge
