SW20ed #Edinburgh

cover page of new Spokes Favourite Bike Rides booklet, with photos of some of the rides inside

A taster page from the booklet - favourite ride from Balerno to Fountainbridge, with photos of the entrant, the colinton tunnel, and a map 3 A Beeline to the City 11 km, 7 miles 40–60 minutes E This is a straightforward route, suitable for cyclists of all abilities. The surfaces are good, navigation is simple, there is no traffic to worry about and the going is almost completely level. It’s worth lingering in the Colinton Tunnel to view the impressive murals. Start: Balerno End: Fountainbridge From Bridge Road, take the signposted Water of Leith path (NCN 75), which starts near Balerno High School. Follow the path for about 7 km as it meanders alongside the river. You will pass Spylaw Park (on your right), then go under the City Bypass and through the Colinton Tunnel. The path eventually leaves the Water of Leith, crossing the Lanark Road by a footbridge before dropping down to the Union Canal towpath. With the canal on your right, take the towpath (still NCN 75) for a further 4 km to its terminus at Fountainbridge. (Care is needed when crossing the Slateford Aqueduct. Cyclists are very strongly advised to dismount on this narrow section of path; those with a poor head for heights may prefer to avoid it completely.) Gregor Steele Gregor came back to cycling after he retired. He enjoys leisurely rides in the country, which he says fit in with his other hobbies: photography and local history. He is also a writer and poet, and does a lot of his composing while riding. Why this is my favourite ride: This is a journey to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. There is beauty to be found all along the route, but for me the highlight is the Colinton Tunnel, with its famous murals. I have passed through it many times, but always find something new.

How to get your copy... Getting your copy All Spokes members will be sent a free copy, as a thank-you for being a member. This will be sent out in mid or late April with our annual paper-based mailing. If you’re not a member, join Spokes by the end of March and you will be included! The Edinburgh Bike Coop and the Water of Leith Visitor Centre sell edition 2 and are being approached about edition 3. Order direct from Spokes, post free. Email office@spokes.org.uk. We will send you details to make a BACS payment. Prices.. Edition 2 (12 pages) – £2 Edition 3 (16 pages) – £3 Edition 2 and Edition 3 – £4 If you also order one Spokes map, ask for either booklet free If you also order two or more maps, ask for both booklets free Important – if you are a Spokes member, you will still receive a free copy of edition 3 in April even if you buy one now. With around 1000 members it would be too complex for us to do otherwise … your second copy could be a lovely present for a friend, relation or colleague!

🚲🚲 #FavouriteBikeRides #Edinburgh/ #Lothians - out now!

HERE-> www.spokes.org.uk/2026/03/favo...

@edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.com @gavincorbett.bsky.social @laidbackbikes.bsky.social @gregorsteele.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social @wolct.bsky.social

Get your #jazz fix locally in South West #Edinburgh!

People walking on steps in a station. Text over reads: The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 10 March 2026 Trains cancelled for a second day, Central Mosque graffiti CCTV probe, February's most-viewed local homes + a busy Community Noticeboard

🌤️  Good morning Edinburgh. Tuesday’s headlines: Trains cancelled for a second day, Central Mosque graffiti CCTV probe, February's most-viewed local homes + a busy Community Noticeboard

⏰ Edinburgh’s ad-free local news: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...

#edinburgh #scotland

When cities are built with women in mind, they become more liveable for everyone.

A fairer planning approach that promotes a universal right to access the city, and considers every aspect of human life, from infancy to elderly; not just those in the so-called productive stage.

youtu.be/uAsRoa5_jXw

A woman in a yellow jumper smiles as she cycles on a protected cycle lane.

A group of people on bikes wait to cross the road on a protected cycle lane, with one bike pictured with a child carrier seat on the rear.

Two women cycle together on a shared-use path in Stirling in the rain.

On #InternationalWomensDay, we celebrate all the women who enjoy the freedom, joy and independence that cycling can bring. It's vital that we continue tackling barriers to cycling, and make it possible for more girls and women to get on their bikes.

Team photo of the kids on their bikes stopped outside the front of the school

Rear view picture of the kids on their bikes riding to school, about to cross an expanse of tarmac. Sky is blue with fluffy white clouds. The road is glistening with slight damp

The bike bus group squeezes between the gap of two wooden planters, forming a quiet street. There are green hedges and bare mature trees

Super turnout and lovely Spring day for today’s bike bus

Fab seeing the kids energised and ready for the best start to the school day

Bike bus! Bike bus!

Congratulation to @thebikestation.bsky.social on winning the SSF Awards Transforming Lives Organisation of the Year!

Sponsored by the Commonwealth Sport Foundation:
For having used sport and physical activity innovatively and intentionally to change the lives of young people in the last year.

How to help women feel safe cycling | Streets Ahead Laura goes out and about in London

NEW POD EPISODE! 🚨Women protesting for safer cycle routes - Laura joins a protest and the opening of a new cycle lane, and meets some people along the way shows.acast.com/streets-ahea...

As we start 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 here's inspiration for more gender equity in mobility from 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

To keep learning check out @eiturbanmobility.eu - UMX 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 Course: urbanmobilitycourses.eu/courses/gend...

#paidcollaboration

Five consecutive sold-out nights at Juniper Green Note in southwest Edinburgh.

Small room. Close listening. Space cleared for dancing.

Next up: O’Malley & Grieve Quintet (2 April) and John Burgess Quintet (30 April).

Intimate jazz is thriving.

#edinburgh #grassrootsjazz

Oxgangs Primary swelling the ranks at yesterday’s Hailes Quarry Junior Parkrun. 95 children completed the 2k circuit. Fabulous! Good habits start early. 👍👍

20 minute neighbourhoods need municipal crocuses. Public beauty.

20 minute neighbourhoods need municipal crocuses. Public beauty.

✍️ Will write an article on the proposal for an Edinburgh subway for £75 if needed.

bsky.app/profile/sw20...

Up close and looking up the main monument.

It’s curious because it’s not just a monument to the Covenanters, but also to the Jacobite rising of 1745 and Oliver Crowmwell too.

And it is made from columns from the old Royal Infirmary in Infirmary Street (pre-the hospitals move to Lauriston Place which is now QuarterMile!). Very random!

The Covenanters’ Monument, Dreghorn. A large granite column with a wind vane on the top.

On of the four faces of the top of the monument - the one from which it gets it name. Covenanters 1666.

The accompanying and faded granite inscription next to the large column.

On this day, in 1638, 388 years ago, the National Covenant was signed in #Edinburgh.

c250 years later, a local MP and owner of Dreghorn Castle (sadly no longer there) erected the curious Covenanters’ Monument.

c140 years after, it still stands!

Details: scriever.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/m...

We're pleased to announce that the walkway maintenance works around Spylaw Park are now complete, and the lovely new section is now open! Lovely day for a walk or cycle too, enjoy!🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️🌞

A pink cloudy sky above flats with a park in the foreground. Text over reads: The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 27 Feb - 1 March 2026 Council tax changes confirmed, more university strikes planned, thousands raised for community bookshop, & Lucy Rose at Queen's Hall + Jamz Supernova in Porty

🌤️  Good morning Edinburgh. Friday’s headlines: Council tax changes confirmed, more uni strikes, thousands raised for community bookshop, & Lucy Rose at Queen's Hall + Jamz Supernova in Porty

⏰ Edinburgh’s ad-free local news: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...

📸: @tomduffinphotos.bsky.social

Delicious images of Edinburgh from Tom Duffin

Edinburgh O'Clock - 3 minutes to every hour. - we run fast so you don't miss your train.

A new hourly image to brighten your day taken in #Scotland very often #Edinburgh and shared with love by Tom Duffin

@tomduffinphotos.bsky.social.

Please repost with your own caption.

Fascinating.

Princes St in the wet gloam.

Beginning to lose faith completely in all socials as very few people are seeing them.

If you like them please do share them. Thanks neebs.

#Edinburgh

Customer feedback on the SW20 free-to-hire community ebike:

“The bike is awesome! Like a magic carpet on wheels.”

You can hire a magic carpet too!

One for @edinburghbug.bsky.social! Seems it largely takes the same route today - but predates Heriot Watt and the Ocean Terminal existing as termini!

Today is our Winter edition of walking the Water of Leith from Balerno to The Shore.

Since moving here we’ve done it every season to watch the landscape change. (Ok, we missed Summer the first two years…)

Love doing it, and it’s essentially downhill the entire way! 🤩

20 minute neighbourhoods need #curling ponds.

And they used to! look at this list! blogs.ed.ac.uk/roythompson/...

Urban Arrow cargobike with Nihola cargotrike on bridge over canal.

Veloe Multi Lungo and Urban Arrow Breeze longtail demo bikes from Laid Back Bikes.

'Tiny bike shop in capital surprises people with range of cargo bikes on offer' 😆
Test ride Nihola versus Urban Arrow. Or Veloe Lungo versus new Breeze. Featuring Bosch, Shimano and Bafang assist to haul your family and more around. Free delivery mainland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and north of 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. @spokes.org.uk

Safer Parks for Women and Girls Safer Parks for Women and Girls

Making parks and similiar public spaces safer and more inclusive for women and girls @makespaceforgirls.bsky.social www.greenflagaward.org/resources/sa...

Hmm, two tier racks? Nothing better than a Sheffield stand though!

Two independent Edinburgh bookshops shortlisted for award Two Edinburgh bookshops are shortlisted for The British Book Awards 2026. Argonaut Books and Book Lovers Bookshop are among the 76 independent businesses which are shortlisted in the UK for the awards called the "Nibbies", and are two of only eight in Scotland. Independent bookshops use many tools at their disposal to boost their businesses, many with community based activities. Tapping into local needs is one way of increasing engagement which can result in sales.

Two independent Edinburgh bookshops shortlisted for award

Two Edinburgh bookshops are shortlisted for The British Book Awards 2026. Argonaut Books and Book Lovers Bookshop are among the 76 independent businesses which are shortlisted in the UK for the awards called the "Nibbies", and are two of…

“During this time Spylaw Car Park will be closed to the public, and there will be path closures on the Water of Leith Walkway/National Cycle Network 75 between West Mill Road and Spylaw Car Park as necessary to allow works to be undertaken and the new path surface to set. We apologise for the inconvenience caused during these essential works and ask that everyone respects the closures and uses an alternative route”

The below was sent to various councillors and stakeholders (too large for a post, so see photo and alt text below).

Looks like no signed diversions? As you say West Mill very steep! Lots of sadly very hilly alternatives for folks walking and cycling.