Spokes meeting Edinburgh vs Oxford

This Thursday 17 November is the Spokes Autumn public meeting on Cycling Policy and Networks in Edinburgh and Oxford

"There are big similarities between Oxford's well-established 'dual network' approach to encouraging cycle use and Edinburgh's Active Travel Action Plan, both of which feature a 'family network' aimed at the less experienced or less confident cyclist, alongside an 'onroad network' aimed at using a bike for everyday utility and commuter purposes.  Both cities also have excellent bus services which help provide a car-reduced environment (in addition Lothian Buses trains its drivers in cyclist-awareness).  The speakers will explain the approach of their own city, and the audience will then get the chance to ask questions, make comparisons and suggest lessons that each city might learn from the other.  Further details on www.spokes.org.uk".

Time: 7.30-9.30 [open 6.45 for coffee, stall and chat]

Where: Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

Speakers: 

Cllr Gordon Mackenzie, Edinburgh City Council Transport Convener

Richard Mann, sustainable transport consultant and member of Cyclox, Oxford Cycle Campaign 

One year of the Perth Bike Station

Perth and Kinross Council kindly recently held an event to mark the first year of the Perth Bike Station.

Opening in November 2010, around ten minutes before a foot of snow fell, the Perth Bike Station has already taken in well over 3,000 discarded bicycles for recycling. 800 have been repaired, and 7 volunteering posts created, plus three full-time jobs.

The Robertson Trust are supporting a project providing training and rehabilitation activities based around bicycle maintenance training in conjunction with Castle Huntly, Edinburgh and Polmont Prisons. Events, Dr Bikes and community bike sales have been held across Perth and Kinross.

Many thanks the Deputy Lord Provost of P&K Council for his hospitality, and the chance to thank everyone who has helped set up the Perth Bike Station.

Edinburgh workplaces increasing cycling

All across town, more and more workplaces are doing their bit to increase cycling.

RCAHMS (the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland), the people who look after Scotland's collection of buildings, monuments and history, recently did a survey of the historic milestone and half milestone markers on the Union canal by bike. In three hours, using bicycles loaned by the Bike Station through a Better way to work, they found some twenty markers. This was probably the first they had used bicycles for fieldwork since 1908. By bike it took half a day - by car it would probably taken a whole day.

RSTO, based in Leith have just started the process of becoming a Cycle Friendly Employer, and their first step was for the Bike Station to install cycle parking. Through the Bike Station's CFE Service Centre, NHS National Services and Edinburgh Airport have all been awarded Cycle Friendly Employer Award status.

The People's Poscode Lottery, with their offices on Leith Links, had the Bike Station in for Dr Bike, encouraging some 12 staff to cycle in especially.

People's Postcode Lottery bikes with Dr BikeOn the Bike Station's ScotBUG website, some 40 companies have now registered new Bicycle User Groups to promote and increase cycling in their workplaces.

Winter cycling Dr Bike on the Meadows

Now that the clocks have gone back, every Wednesday on the Meadows from 4 - 7pm between now and 23 November Edinburgh cyclists will be able to get free winter cycling advice from the Bike Station on the Meadows, as well as having their bicycles checked over by a Dr Bike mechanic.

With support from Lothian Buses, the Edinburgh Cyrenians, Lothian and Borders Police and the South Central Neighbourhood Partnership, the Bike Station will have 500 free hi-viz yellow jackets to give away, as well as lights and reflectors. The aim is to give cyclists the basic equipment they need where if they are cycling without.

With increasing numbers of cyclists on Edinburgh's streets, and with winter now upon us, it's more important than ever for cyclists to be aware of the basics to make sure they are visible and legal, to keep themselves safe. And as well as lights and reflectors, it's vital to keep your bike in good condition to make winter cycling easier and to make your bike last longer. The mobile Bike Station bike mechanic will be able to give you advice and top tips.

The hi-viz jackets are supplied by Lothian Buses as part of their commitment to road safety for all road users. "We are proud to be supporting this initiative from the Bike Station. As part of our Safety and Awareness programme, Lothian Buses is committed to enhancing our relationship with cyclists in and around Edinburgh. We hope these hi-viz jackets help to keep cyclists safe on the roads this winter".

Winter evening classes at the Edinburgh Bike Station

Learn how to get your bike through the winter!

We have two courses on offer:

TRAIL SIDE REPAIR COURSE - 2 evenings 7-9pm (£28/person)

HOME MECHANIC COURSE - 3 evenings 7-9pm (£40/person)

To see the dates, and details of how to book, click here.