Martin McD
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mcdmartin.bsky.social
Martin McD
@mcdmartin.bsky.social
110 followers 20 following 57 posts
Mainly cycling stuff in Edinburgh
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mcdmartin.bsky.social
#EdTravcyc The Mound is closed.
Heavy traffic on Lothian Road
November 25, 2025 at 9:59 AM
mcdmartin.bsky.social
The Mound closed. Heavy traffic on Lothian Road as a result.
November 25, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
spokes.org.uk
If #ScotGov introduced #Default20mph (like #Wales) then #bureaucracy like this & signage costs would be reduced

@edi.bike @markruskell.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @kevin-lang.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @20splenty.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social #20mph
Traffic order... Dear Sir / Madam WESTERN VILLAGE AND GRANTON STATION VIEW DEVELOPMENTS - EDINBURGH PROPOSED INTRODUCTION OF SPEED LIMITS, WAITING RESTRICTIONS AND PARKING PLACES I refer to our previous letter of 2 May 2025 regarding the above. In accordance with the terms of the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, I write to inform you that the City of Edinburgh Council proposes to advertise the Traffic Regulation Order which will: Introduce 20mph speed limits that operate at any time on Blackwell Rd, Fisher St, Fleet Ter, Granton Station Vw, Herring Rd, Well’s Gait and W Colonsay Vw; Introduce waiting restrictions that operate at any time on Blackwell Rd, Colonsay Vw, Fisher St, Fleet Ter, Granton Station Vw, Herring Rd, Waterfront Pk, Well’s Gait and W Colonsay Vw; Introduce waiting restrictions that operate Mon-Fri, 08.30am to 5.30pm on Blackwell Rd, Colonsay Vw, Fisher St and W Colonsay Vw; Introduce disabled bays that operate at any time on Fisher St, Granton Station Vw, Herring Rd, Waterfront Pk and W Colonsay Vw; Introduce car club bays that operate at any time on Blackwell Rd, Fisher St, Granton Station Vw and W Colonsay Vw; Introduce electric vehicle charging bays that operate at any time on Blackwell Rd, Fisher St, Herring Rd and W Colonsay Vw; and Remove a disabled bay that operates at any time on Waterfront Pk. The proposals relating to this Order can be viewed online at consultation.appyway.com/edinburgh-city, from 21 November 2025 to 19 December 2025 by following the link to “Proposals in consultation” under reference TRO/25/10. Alternatively, you can view the documents free of charge at Waverley Court Reception between 9:30 and 15:30 Monday to Friday during the same period. You can also register for email or text alerts via the Tell Me Scotland portal at www.tellmescotland.gov.uk which also provides details of this proposal. Should you wish to submit an objec…
November 22, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
edi.bike
#EdTravCyc
ellatasm.bsky.social Ella @ellatasm.bsky.social · 6d
So this is St Mark’s Path closed. Footpath diversion is Beaverhall. No map on signs or warning that parts of the path are unlit
Gates closed across path. Not very useful signage
November 19, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
geocycle.bsky.social
This.

This right here is why proper cycling infrastructure is an investment in our communities and our future.

It is only the beginning. This route isn’t even fully finished.

When we stop imagining and start doing, change happens.

@edinburghcouncil.bsky.social
@edi.bike
@chasbooth.bsky.social
8am on a frosty morning. The morning light not yet showing the sunrise. A small child wearing a pink puffy coat & matching helmet with a Hey Dougie backpack rides a small 16” wheeled bike with streamers on the handlebars. She’s on a newly built bike lane about to cross a bridge. For context, her mother runs alongside on the pavement just out of frame. There is a road marker showing a bike indicating this segregated cycle lane is for two wheels only. And this little girl is alone on the path riding towards the future.
November 19, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
robbieainsworth.bsky.social
If you can get to Inverleith Park, quietroute 20 may be a better option. Otherwise, there are few safe alternatives.
November 21, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
spokes.org.uk
☹️ If @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social can do it why not #LeonardoUK?

@edi.bike @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @vicnicsnp.bsky.social @julebandel.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @turvill.bsky.social @nellibdems.bsky.social @stockbridgeicc.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social
robbieainsworth.bsky.social Robbie Ainsworth @robbieainsworth.bsky.social · 4d
It's disappointing to see public safety cited as a reason for implementing such a dangerous diversion across a busy junction.
It should be possible to manage the risk of works along the path as done for CEC's regular lighting, devegetation and drainage works.
November 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
spokes.org.uk
#Tram consultation - Spokes submission

--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

🙋 You have till midnight Monday for your own response!
HERE--> consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/tram-nor...

@edi.bike @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social
Intro... Tram, Granton to Bioquarter consultation Spokes Planning Group response, November 2025 1. Introduction Spokes has the objective of promoting cycling as part of an overall sustainable transport and access strategy. As such, we support a growing tram system for Edinburgh, provided cycling is well catered for in the project design and operation. The aim of the tram is to reduce car traffic, and to head off potential traffic growth in development areas such as Granton and the Bioquarter. If successful, this is a huge benefit to walking and cycling, as well as its benefits in terms of congestion, public health and climate. However, the project should be accompanied by complementary measures to further encourage use of public transport and active travel, for example bus gates, traffic filters, and, notably, congestion charging. It is well established that traffic reduction is best achieved by a carrot/stick combination. The tram project must support and promote active travel as a whole, and cycling in particular, and must not introduce additional dangers without effective mitigation. The Council has ambitious targets to increase cycle use, much of which must come from novice and inexperienced cyclists, as well as visitors and locals using an expanding bike hire scheme. As such it is essential that there is a safe, comprehensive and connected bike network of segregated bike lanes and low-traffic areas, easy and safe to use by anybody, and with any kind of cycles - including cargobikes, adapted bikes, hire bikes, etc. Introducing the tram should be seen and planned from the outset as an integrated sustainable transport place making project, not a tram-only project into which cycling and walking have to be slotted in once all the tramline decisions are taken as happened with tramline 1 and to a considerable (though lesser) extent in the Newhaven extension. The Bridges corridor is hugely problematic.. 8. City Centre to Bioquarter Top issues ● The section through North and South Bridges is of extreme concern to Spokes, with no cycle provision, new tramlines and continued through traffic on a road where width is at a premium. This is making cycling provision far worse than in the current bus lanes. The project should include a bus gate / modal filter (as was planned, though never implemented, as part of the Spaces for People proposals ) potentially single track sections (like at Roseburn) and fully segregated cycle provision, or consideration to tram tracks on one side of the road and a bidirectional bike path on the other. For the reasons in the following two bullet points, many cyclists will continue to use this corridor - our above section on Bikes and Tramlines notes that Princes Street as a good example of this, with many choosing not to use the quieter George Street when it is less direct or lacks desired destinations. Thus cycling conditions must be safe. ● Whilst alternative north-south routes for cycles are proposed in the consultation, these would not suit all journeys, with many cyclists using the Bridges to travel between South Edinburgh and Leith given the more suitable gradient and directness than the Mound. And whilst there is a brief reference to the proposed Meadows to George Street route on the west side of the Bridges, there is no reference to the east side, where the Mobility Plan suggests a new active travel bridge connecting from the Old Town to Leith Walk. Such projects must be an integral part of the tram project provision including during the construction phase, also providing a permanent legacy of improved provision once finished. ● The Bridges corridor is a major residential, shopping and destinations location, and many cyclists use it for that reason; indeed many live along or just off the corridor. Routes via the Mound or Pleasance are irrelevant as alternatives for these categories of user.… linking the North Ed Network to the new canal path without descending and re-ascending - a transformative opportunity - diagram. ● Connecting Roseburn to the new Canal link path - The sketch below shows a possible layout for this crucial linkage. The yellow dotted line shows a ramp down to Russell Road, but this is possibly optional if it would cause engineering difficulties, given that most people will stay at high level, whilst those needing to descend or ascend could do so at Roseburn or at the nearby ramp to the new canal path. Finally, we understand that earlier discussions with Network Rail did not meet objections to a bridge provided that all necessary clearances are achieved. Picture of single-track shopping-street tram in Amsterdam
November 16, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
geocycle.bsky.social
Not sure if it’s officially officially open yet as the entrance on Dock Street still has fencing - but the Leith Connections section along Sandport has had all barriers removed and is a JOY to ride!

Want to ride along? 😁

@edi.bike
November 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
mcdmartin.bsky.social
The Gayfield wandering manhole cover is on the move again. It’s been like this for several years thanks to Trams To Newhaven. Apparently responsibility is unclear but surely CEC are responsible enough to at least bolt it down for now like this one in a New Town pavement. Amazing nobody injured yet.
November 10, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
robbieainsworth.bsky.social
Rodney Street closed citybound including uphill segregated cycle lane. Eyre Pl and George IV park may offer alternate route. #EdTravCyc @edi.bike www.threads.com/@edinburghtr...
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
edtiss.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 7:17 AM
mcdmartin.bsky.social
Carmageddon on Elm Row - echelon parking in the parallel parking encroaching on cycleway; parking in crossing area; parking on footway outside shops. This is supposed to be a place for people not a car park! Why no wardens? How about some signs to guide drivers?? @jackrmcaldwell.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
edi.bike
🚲 edi.bike | issue 116 | 27th Oct '25

Voi e-bike fleet on the rise; Spokes competition results; photos from @infrasisters.bsky.social Glow ride; plus events, route closures & more:

buttondown.com/edi.bike/arc...

#bikeSky
A large group of cycle users - in reflective jackets and vests, some with helmets, and their bikes festooned with a range of fairy lights and neon, gather at the end of a ride, lighting up the dark, wide open public space in front of McEwan hall in Edinburgh, an impressive domed sandstone structure five or six storeys high and warmly lit against the dark night sky.
October 27, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
roadcc.bsky.social
Protected cycle lanes =/= Painted lines
Physical separation between cyclists, pedestrians and motorists key to safer streets, research shows
The study also found that bad behaviour is the biggest contributing factor towards streets hostile to walking and wheeling
road.cc
October 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
robbieainsworth.bsky.social
Holyrood Park High Road has re-opened to pedestrians and cycles following the grassfire and rockfall assessment. #EdTravCyc @edi.bike @spokes.org.uk www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-plac...
External Event notices | Holyrood Park | Historic Environment Scotland
Find out about external events taking place at Holyrood Park that may impact your visit.
www.historicenvironment.scot
October 17, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
roadcc.bsky.social
"We had a backlash from one councillor who wrote ''SPOKES can get lost and take its Commie friends with it."
road.cc spoke to the Edinburgh volunteers campaigning for active travel for nearly 50 years...
"If your campaigning doesn't generate a response, you're not being radical enough": Active travel campaigners Spokes on making spaces bike friendly
road.cc chat with the organisation as they release their new cycle map of West Lothian and discuss meaningful cycle campaigning after nearly 50 years
road.cc
October 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
spokes.org.uk
New #A701/ #A702 'relief'/link road 🚘🚘🚘
PA 25/00521/DPP

🙋 Object here by 7 Nov--> planning-applications.midlothian.gov.uk/OnlinePlanni...

🙋 Our previous comments--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

@edi.bike @mrjasonrose.bsky.social @midlothiancan.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info
drawing of how proposed new road fits into other roads View of proposed route from above Start of Spokes comments on previous application A701 Relief Road and A702 Link Road 2025 Spokes response - May 2025 Summary Spokes strongly object to the principle of the A701 Relief Road and A702 Link Road proposals. If built, these roads will aggravate most of the issues they are supposed to alleviate. The proposed scheme particularly fails to meet the “Takes climate action” and “Improves our health and wellbeing” Priorities identified in the National Transport Strategy,1 and also runs counter to the national commitment to reduce car-kilometres by 20% by 2030.2 The time, money and other resources being allocated to this project should instead be spent on projects which will actually help solve these problems, such as improving the public and active travel networks in Midlothian. Below we list general and specific comments on the proposals
October 19, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
jackrmcaldwell.bsky.social
Understand the central pavement will get a bollard & asked about rest of cycle lane as I think there's still 2 or 3 at southern end from first phase. Contractors are coming back to Elm Row do Montgomery Street cycle gap & remove western lane in any case.
October 17, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
spokes.org.uk
#Tram #Granton-#Bioquarter

🙋 Spokes draft response [as of 6 Oct]
--> www.spokes.org.uk/2025/10/tram...

@edi.bike @thecockburn.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @cobaltmale.bsky.social @transform.scot @sw20.info
Tram Granton to Bioquarter – Spokes early draft response, as of 6 Oct With the consultation now well underway, the Spokes draft response is developing well. You can find it here [1.9MB pdf]. We strongly stress that this is a work in progress and there are likely to be considerable further edits, particularly to the second part of the response, dealing with individual sections of the route. Major updates and ideas in the draft, since our initial thoughts, include.. An introductory section on bikes and tramlines, which includes lessons from our tramline-crash reporting tool and from earlier phases of Edinburgh tram Detailed commentary on all sections of the route [several sections still require considerable fleshing out]. Some major issues/opportunities arising include.. Great concern over cycling safety in the Bridges corridor. We urge single-line working for this section, or possibly the tramlines on one side of the road with bidirectional segregated cycling on the other side We suggest dropping North Bridge tram stop and replacing it by two stops – at Waverley Steps to serve east Princes Street and the rail station, and at the North Bridge arcade, to serve the Old Town and again the rail station. There are multiple reasons for this suggestion, in addition to a major cycling safety aspect There may be an opportunity to incorporate an active travel bridge over the mainline railway, linking the North Edinburgh Network to the new Fountainbridge link, without the long ramps down to road level and up again. What you can do Above are just some of the highlights of our draft response – there is a wealth of other detail, and we welcome any feedback Forward our draft to anyone who may be interested Repost our bluesky post Like our facebook article Most important of all – submit your own response to the consultation. Use the online QA and/or the email address given.
October 6, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
infrasisters.bsky.social
We're back! We've teamed up with @cyclinguk.bsky.social for a Glow Ride on Friday 24th October. Like us, they want to see more women cycling, and for councils to provide more safe infrastructure to enable that.
Light up your bike with lights and sparkle and join us at Middle Meadow Walk at 7.30pm.
A campaign poster for InfraSisters x Cycling UK. Showing an image of 3 silhouettes of women riding bikes. Light up your bike and join us! To call for better cycling infrastructure, safer for women at night. Friday 24th October 7.30pm Middle Meadow Walk Together with a QR code linking back to our website.
October 3, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
edinburghcouncil.bsky.social
👏 So proud of our Roseburn to Union Canal Link team for their win at the National Transport Awards 2025: Exemplary Approach to Active Travel and Public Space.

Such a fantastic, new connection from Roseburn over to Fountain Park and a great outdoor space for the whole community to enjoy.
October 3, 2025 at 4:10 PM
mcdmartin.bsky.social
So much for side-on parking on Elm Row - drivers parked right into the cycleway and on the pedestrian access/crossing to the bus stop. @jackrmcaldwell.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
willnorman.co.uk
Fantastic progress being made by Camden Council team in the pedestrianisation of Camden High Street.

Removing the traffic has made it so much safer - and now the street is being made welcoming and fun.
September 30, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
spokes.org.uk
#Tram #Granton-#Bioquarter

🙋Early Spokes thoughts
-> www.spokes.org.uk/2025/09/tram...

@edi.bike @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @ssc-edinburgh.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @alastairdalton.bsky.social @transform.scot @edinburghlive.co.uk
Tram Granton to Bioquarter – initial Spokes thoughts With the consultation underway, we are publishing some initial thoughts from Spokes and welcome any feedback. You may also wish to consider our points in your own consultation response. Basically, Spokes supports the principle of the tram, but we have identified some problems and some missed opportunities on the integration of cycling. We urge a fuller treatment of cycling in the forthcoming stage of more detailed planning, and we urge that complete details on cycling provision are included in the next round of consultation. Decision criteria In all decisions on the tram project, Spokes considers that the following criteria are crucial.. Traffic reduction. Traffic reduction is a major factor in positive cycling, wheeling, walking and living conditions throughout the city, and a major contributor to desirable outcomes on congestion, public health and climate. Thus decisions, such as in the Bridges corridor, must have traffic reduction as a top objective. Improving cycling conditions. Every opportunity should be taken to improve cycling conditions – for example, if the Council selects the Roseburn route the project should incorporate a new active travel bridge over the mainline railway Not worsening cycling conditions. Our biggest concern from the tram project is dangers from onroad tramlines where the layout neglects proper consideration for cycling safety. This is a major concern in the Bridges and also in the sections at Orchard Brae and from Granton to Crewe Toll. General points relevant to the scheme as a whole, or all areas Bike carriage on the trams – Edinburgh was (and, we think, still is) a pioneer in the UK in catering for, albeit this is fairly common in many European and US tram systems. With the planned tram extensions, including eventually over long distances into the Lothians, it is vital that the policy continues and, in particular, that the design of further tram vehicles continues to enable this. City Centre to Bioquarter Top issues The section through North and South Bridges is of extreme concern, with no cycle provision, new tramlines and continued through traffic on a road where width is at a premium. The project should include a bus gate (as was planned, though never implemented, as part of the Covid proposals) potentially single track sections and fully segregated cycle provision. & Photo showing... Netherlands single-track tram shopping street section, allowing safe space for walking, wheeling and cycling Crewe Toll to City Centre, via Roseburn corridor Top issues The Council is to be congratulated on modifying the project north of Roseburn bridge to single track, and with battery running, enabling a 3m+ active travel path (with one pinch point). This follows the instruction to the tram team by councillors at the 1.2.24 Transport Committee, for which we again thank all members and others who contacted councillors at that time. However, south of Roseburn Bridge, to Russell Road, there is a lack of clarity, and indeed contradictions, in the consultation materials – see these clarifications from the tram team, the Roseburn bridge cross section, the path cross section, the artist impression and the map view. Further investigation is essential, with a firm intention to continue the 3m offroad path through this section. The tram project should incorporate a 3m active travel bridge over the mainline railway, thus providing a level offroad path from Leith right through Roseburn to Dalry and Fountainbridge. This bridge is included in the Council’s Mobility Plan, Active Travel Delivery [page 43]. To forget it now, with major earthworks likely for the tram project, would make a mockery of these intentions. Whilst costly, the cost would be lost in the overall tram project. Crewe Toll to City Centre, via Orchard Brae Top issues The onroad tramlines, combined with traffic pressures, including at several junctions and narrow sections, present a major hazard to cyclists, given the absence of segregated provision. Indeed, the current proposals actually remove existing segregation, presenting a situation similar to the first tramline. The Council needs to provide detailed plans of how these dangers will be averted if this route option is chosen. CEC should give consideration to single-tracking on Dean Bridge rather than stating “cross-section prohibits segregated cycle provision”.
September 9, 2025 at 2:58 PM