06 08 08 T h e Action-Update of Spokes the Lothian Cycle Campaign St Martins Church, 232 Dalry Road, Edinburgh EH11 2JG 0131.313.2114 www.spokes.org.uk [email protected] Spokesworker is an occasional ("roughly monthly”) news sheet, with stop-press news of forthcoming events, and of road, traffic and planning matters. It is not automatically sent to all members. A copy is enclosed if we are writing to you anyway, and copies are handed out at working group meetings. You can make sure to get a copy by sending us 10 or so stamped addressed envelopes. Spokesworker also appears on our Internet web site - to be notified of such updates by email, contact [email protected]. COMPETITIONS SPOKES NEWS & NEEDS Remember to enter our summer competition 'My Favourite Bike Facility in Edinburgh or Lothian' – closing date 25 September. SPOKES PRESS CONTACT PERSON We've not yet had many entries, so you've a good chance of a prize! Equally important, we're wanting to use the results to Our main 'press officer' of recent years can no longer do this, for highlight some good things that local councils (or others) have at least the next year, due to a change of job. We need a new done to improve life for cyclists, so we need your entry!! volunteer. The task is mainly responding to press enquiries, often RULES ...Tell us your favourite bike facility in Edinburgh or Evening News and BBC radio and TV, although you could also Lothian - parking, path, onroad lane, junction facility, whatever - help initiate new stories. You might also be asked for the and WHY it’s your favourite. Plenty people will say what’s bad, occasional radio interview, by phone or on site. Our previous but we also want to credit the good – and the why will be the most press person remains in Edinburgh and is very happy to offer full important factor in deciding the winners. A photo is welcome but advice and support, as are other Spokes people knowledgeable not essential. See www.spokes.org.uk to download entry form. about specific topics. We need a new volunteer badly!! To PRIZES INCLUDE: £50 Bike Station voucher (eg. for new find out more, contact [email protected]. parts, workshop fee, or personal training, or renovated bike); Bike Co-op Revolution Stow Expert rucsac; Kalpna Indian CARFREE DAY 2008 LOBBY/RIDE ? vegetarian meal for 2; Engine Shed drinks & cakes; Bicycle Works Tool bottle + tool; Sandy Gilchrist mini-pump ... We are considering the following event – it is not definite, and the details are draft. We need a volunteer coordinator – see below. BIKE BREAKFAST COMPETITION Time - Mon 22 Sep, 12.30-1.45. Car Free day, end of Mobility Week. The BB 'Missing Pieces' competition combined strips of the 3 Event - Group of 50-100 cyclists to deliver letters to CEC and Scot Lothians Spokes maps. 23 correct entries went into the prize Parliament, with 50 wearing the new Spokes tabards. As it is a weekday draw, made by past-years prizewinner Gandolf. The £25 lunchtime we don't expect or seek more than 50-100 participants. BikeTrax voucher was won by Richard Crerar. Runner-ups Anne Aim - Lobby Scottish Government for greatly increased funding for cycle Carter, Brian Laffoley and Iain Robinson all received prize maps. projects in forthcoming budget. Lobby Edinburgh for more investment in Many thanks to all who entered – and especially to map expert cycling, and specifically a Meadows/Bruntsfield to West End project. and competition designer Tim Smith. If you've ideas for new map Possibly also - Additional letter to CEC and/or government from school competitions for next year, email Spokes, for attention of Tim. pupils, based on some recent enthusiastic school developments. Possible details - 12.30 Assemble outside St Giles SPOKES BULLETIN 100 12.40 Cycle to CEC and deliver letter - ideally to LibDem and SNP If you've not yet seen the Spokes 100 exhibition it's now at reps?? [as council leaders]. Very short speeches by us and them? Leith Library till 16 August, then Portobello Aug 25 - Sep 12. 13.05 Cycle down High St to Scot Parliament 13.15 Deliver letter - ideally to SNP and Green reps?? [as govt partners] Unfortunately there's less space than in Central Library, so not all Very short speeches by us and them? is on display. Please email [email protected] with ideas for 13.40 - end other locations - e.g if your library has exhibition space, ask them. We're also trying for the Victoria Quay Scottish Government HQ. ORGANISATIONAL TASKS 1. Overall coordinator/ contact person, in advance and on the day. 2. Liaison person/ advance contact for participants - also to ensure some SPOKES IN PARLIAMENT competent stewards; and be in charge of ride on the day. We were surprised – and delighted! - to discover the following 3. To contact relevant politicians to accept letters at CEC and Parliament. motion in the Scottish Parliament – quite unprompted by Spokes, 4. Liaise with press/media - advice and support available. 5. Notify police shortly in advance? [only expecting 50-100 so no road but obviously taken from Bulletin 100 and our exhibition... closure request, but suggest police at North Bridge and foot of High St?] S3M-02069 Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Scottish Labour): 6. Draft letters to CEC and Goverment, then circulate for comment. Congratulations to the Lothian Cycle Campaign. 7. Organise mailout and possible email reminder. That the Parliament congratulates the Lothian Cycle Campaign RESPONSIBILITIES organisation on reaching the milestone of the 100th edition of its Some members of Spokes Resources Group have already volunteered for SPOKES bulletin, promoting the benefits of cycling for the environment tasks 2,6,7 but we need an enthusiastic, competent overall coordinator, and developing cycling as a healthy leisure pursuit; who would probably also take on tasks 3-5. Please contact Spokes if further notes that the first SPOKES bulletin was issued in April 1978 you are interested. One or two planning meetings would be held as and that it is estimated that, since the first edition, approximately 500,000 needed. Also if you can come on the ride and/or be a steward, please words have been written for the bulletins and that each print run is in notify [email protected]. excess of 10,000 copies, many of which are delivered by bike; congratulates the Lothian Cycle Campaign on the success of its local campaigning, including working with the previous administration to gain SPRING MASS RALLY ?? additional funding for Sustrans, amounting to £8 million over two years, and its more recent success in securing a car parking ban on the Mound in We are also considering a mass rally for the Spring – possibly Scotland's capital city with similar objectives to the above, and with participants dressed welcomes the establishment of Linlithgow Cycle Action Group, to represent cycling as an ordinary everyday activity. The route formed by local cyclists to promote cyclists issues in West Lothian and might be Meadows – Lothian Rd – Princes St – Mound – High St hopes they will build on the successes of the Lothian Cycle Campaign – Holyrood. We would also aim for some big-name participants further welcomes the Bulletin 100 Exhibition that is being hosted by and a top speaker at the end. This would be a larger undertaking, Edinburgh's Central Library throughout June 2008, and wishes the and we ideally need to find an overall coordinator for that also, so Lothian Cycle Campaign every success in its future efforts to promote the values and benefits of cycling. planning can start over the autumn/winter. Below: Please copy useful emails to [email protected].. SUMMER DIARY Spokes Sunday Rides – First Sun of month [Bulletin p2]. The annual LOCAL ACTION lawn picnic at Dave du Feu, Linlithgow will be Oct 5, not Sep 7. A199 FISHERROW CYCLEROUTE LINK Edinburgh Aug 10 W. Lothian Ranger service countryside Access day - Council has ambitious long term plans for a Waterfront bike/walk 12-4pm, Beecraigs (Balvormie bus park, near play park). Stalls route, Cramond to Joppa. Westwards there should also be a good include Rangers, ramblers, wildlife crime, fire brigade, dog Cramond-Queensferry link eventually, albeit not all by the coast. training, etc. Spokes W.Lothian maps on sale at the ranger stall. Spokes Planning Group would like the plan extended east to join E.Lothian's coastal routes, but there is a 400m missing link at the Info: Debbie Skinner 01506.844516 email [email protected]. A199 from EL boundary to New St at Fisherrow. We'd like the Aug 12 (& 19?) Edinburgh airport expansion workshop - traffic lanes narrowed, to provide a 2-way path, or a bike lane on impacts on climate change and local communities. Kirkliston each side. If you agree and live in E.Lothian contact your Community Centre, 16 Queensferry Rd. By AirportWatch councillors [at www.eastlothian.gov.uk]. If you live in Edinburgh Scotland and Plane Stupid. Info: email [email protected] and feel this would encourage you/your family to visit E.Lothian, www.airportwatch.org.uk/scotland/, phone 07717.811747. email the transport convener [email protected]. Aug 17 - Member David Wardrop-White is running a Sustrans ROUTES TO NEW ROYAL INFIRMARY The NRIE bike stall at a local fete in Dalkeith. He'd be pleased if locals could group, under Dr Lesley Forrester, and backed by Spokes, made a help at the stall (and/or visit the fete!) Info: 07802.948461 deputation to a recent Council Transport Committee; supporting a [email protected].