Martin McD
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mcdmartin.bsky.social
Martin McD
@mcdmartin.bsky.social
110 followers 19 following 51 posts
Mainly cycling stuff in Edinburgh
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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
Reposted by Martin McD
spokes.org.uk
#TravellingSafely East

Officer says
1. cash allocated to upgrade #ETRO routes
2. Order concerns traffic restrictions, not materials

🙄 Cllr Lang again queries the materials
A: the materials are safe but will be upgraded if permanent

No other councillors speak!

🤩 Report agreed! - East lanes saved!
Officer Deborah Paton says the order concerns traffic restrictions, NOT the nature of materials used, although info on that has been supplied at the request of councillors. cllr lang speaking
September 4, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
edi.bike
🎉 The East Area ETRO has been agreed to make permanent! And, moments later, so have the North and West Area Travelling Safely schemes.

Many thanks to everyone who joined us and @spokes.org.uk in calling for scrutiny on this process and calling for sense to prevail at the TRO Sub-Committee.
three people are riding bicycles down a road and the word swapfeet is on the bottom
ALT: three people are riding bicycles down a road and the word swapfeet is on the bottom
media.tenor.com
September 4, 2025 at 9:51 AM
mcdmartin.bsky.social
Anyone know when the works on Elm Row are going to be resumed and
Completed? There is still the cycle access to/from Montgomery Street to be done and removing the cycleway between the bus stop and carriageway - the main driver for the works!
September 1, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
edfoc.bsky.social
Handy map of Edinburgh bike shops here edfoc.org.uk/2020/04/02/e...
Edinburgh Bike Shops - Edinburgh Festival of Cycling
Edinburgh Bike Shops This map was first published as a response Covid-19 crisis, when people were looking to the bicycle as a means of transport and for exercise. So we thought it would be useful to h...
edfoc.org.uk
August 23, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Reposted by Martin McD
spokes.org.uk
🙋 #Edinburgh 🚲Network under threat

@edi.bike Spokes & others write to Council
-> www.spokes.org.uk/2025/08/edin...

@blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk @chdot.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @jarlathflynn.bsky.social @portyenergy.bsky.social @sw20.info @thebikestation.bsky.social
Start of Spokes article Edinburgh groups unite to save Bike Network Led by Edi.Bike and Spokes, Edinburgh active travel groups have combined to urge councillors to approve the traffic orders which make permanent the legal framework for the ‘Travelling Safely’ segregated bike lanes on main roads in the city. Without urgent approval, the first of the orders, covering the East of the city, will fall – and these routes, used by commuters, school pupils and leisure cyclists, will be removed. Under the Council’s Mobility Plan, the city’s future ‘Primary Cycle Network’ will mainly comprise segregated bike lanes on main roads, and it had been widely expected that the ‘Travelling Safely’ bike lanes would form the initial embryonic network. To make this happen, the Experimental Traffic Orders (ETROs) which enable the bike lanes, have to be made permanent – the first of these, for East Edinburgh, in the near future. However, at the May 12 TRO Subcommittee (which makes the final decision) an intervention by Cllr Lang resulted in a decision being postponed. At a specially-called meeting on 7 August, the same happened again. The final opportunity to save the East Travelling Safely lanes, which include vital safe routes to schools sections, will be at a further meeting on 4 September, where the West and North schemes are also expected to be discussed, with their closing dates following later. The embryonic bike network which is now under threat Bulletin 139 Summer 2025 Spokes the Lothian Cycle Campaign 0131 313 2114 spokes.org.uk spokes@spokes.org.uk twitter @SpokesLothian St Martins Centre, 232 Dalry Road, Edinburgh EH11 2JG - this is a postal address, Spokes is a voluntary body with no staff CYCLE NETWORK 2025 Year 2025 will not see any truly groundbreaking bike route openings like 2024’s CCWEL / Roseburn-Canal schemes, which were revolutionary for Edinburgh. However, by the end of 2025 the Council will decide whether to make the existing main-road Spaces for People routes legally permanent. Assuming so, this will form the initial core of what the Council calls its Primary Cycle Network* largely following main roads, “the most direct, flattest, most socially safe routes” and reflecting Transport Scotland’s ‘Active Freeway’ concept of “high quality, direct and segregated.” Once legally permanent, a rolling programme of improvements should follow, particularly at junctions and replacing bollards by kerb-segregation. The bollarded routes are currently legal under ETRO experimental orders. A report to Transport Committee is expected in early autumn, based on monitoring and consultation feedback, for a final decision on the ETROs: hopefully retaining and improving the routes and building them into a more connected network. *see pages 19-> of the Active Travel Implementation Plan (ATIP), part of the Mobility Plan, at edinburgh.gov.uk/citymobilityplan The letter is delivered by cargobike (photo by edi.bike) Co-signed by the following Active Travel Organisations: Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign Better Edinburgh for Sustainable Travel Blackford Safe Routes CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum edi.bike Jarlath Flynn, Edinburgh Bike Bus Project Coordinator Low Traffic Corstorphine Critical Mass Edinburgh Duddingston Primary Parents’ Road Safety Group Edinburgh Cycle Training Edinburgh Festival of Cycling Infrasisters Parsons Green Bike Bus Pedal on Parliament Porty Community Energy SW20 The Bike Station Wee Spoke Hub
August 19, 2025 at 11:12 AM
mcdmartin.bsky.social
@theedinburghreporter @edinburghlive police and ambulance incident on Dublin St
August 19, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
carltonreid.com
Big news for dashcam/helmetcam users:

Judge Affirms Legality Of Public-Submitted Road Crime Footage In Landmark Ruling

www.forbes.com/sites/carlto...
UK Judge Affirms Legality Of Public-Submitted Road Crime Footage In Landmark Ruling
A judge has ruled that motorists and cyclists can legally share videos with police, dismissing a lawsuit from a retired solicitor.
www.forbes.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Martin McD
danabrahamsmusic.bsky.social
Thankyou @carltonreid.com for this brilliant in-depth article giving background to my song 'Amsterdam'!

www.forbes.com/sites/carlto...

Last week of fundraising for the video:
www.indiegogo.com/projects/ams...

@spokes.org.uk @edcriticalmass.bsky.social @forbes.com
How The Dutch Got Their Cycle Paths: In Song
Potted history of the cycling infrastucture in the Netherlands as composer Dan Abrahams asks in new song: "Why can't we just do it like Amsterdam?"
www.forbes.com
August 16, 2025 at 8:21 AM