Easy as riding a bike
Active travel journeys make a real difference for everyone
THERE IS A FAMOUS climate change cartoon by the American cartoonist Joel Pett for USA Today. The cartoon is of a climate summit. There’s a man on the stage, and behind him there’s a list of things on a presentation.
The list includes liveable cities, clean air and water, and healthy children. One member of the audience turns to the other and says, ‘What if it’s a big hoax and we create a better world for nothing?’ Luckily, we have largely moved on from the hoax accusations, but the point remains salient. So many of the things that we can do to reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions have other benefits. Cycling is one of these. Every time you swap a trip in the city from a vehicle to a cycle, you’ll make a difference – contributing to your own health, and everyone else’s.
If you aren’t already cycling you may worry that you aren’t fit enough, you are too old, or it isn’t cool, or people will laugh at you. You might be anxious about heavy traffic, or where to store your cycle, or that you’ll sweat, or get wet. You might not be able to ride a bicycle because you didn’t learn as a child. Perhaps you are disabled, a standard two-wheeler isn’t appropriate for you, and you haven’t had the opportunity to try something that works for you, for example a non-standard cycle such as a handcycle or trike. These are natural concerns to have, but help is at hand.
Edinburgh is undergoing a transformation in terms of cycle infrastructure, services, and the types of cycles that are now available. We are lucky to have fantastic local bike shops across the city. The owners of these shops know their neighbourhoods well. Don’t be nervous about going in to ask questions whether it be about bikes, clothing, or routes. Many of these businesses sell electric cycles and can point you in the direction of e-bike interest-free loans or the Cycle to Work scheme. And if you want to buy a refurbished bike, head to The Bike Station in Causewayside. Not only will you get a great bike, you’ll also be part of a movement that prevents 10,000 bikes a year going to landfill.
There are also shops, businesses and organisations that can assist with specialised services. Parents taking their children out in cargo bikes is now a common and lovely sight across the city. Pop into the Cargo Bike Movement Hub in Tollcross to get advice, and even get a loan of a cargo bike yourself to try out. Or use a company such as Farr Out Deliveries to deliver your stuff by cargo bike. You’ll be surprised at what they can carry! And if you’re looking to buy a trike or recumbent bike, check out Laid Back Bikes in St Peter’s Place.
For those of you that want to start cycling on off-road paths to build your confidence, you have a wealth of choice, including the North Edinburgh Path Network, many parks, and the promenades. To find the routes, buy a Spokes Lothian map from a local bike shop, or download Cyclestreets or another app, or try the Council’s QuietRoutes maps, and look out for the blue signs around the city with the cycle icons.
Adult cycling lessons are available in the city in various settings. Log on to Cycling Scotland’s web page on Essential Cycling Skills for details. Organisations such as SCOREscotland, that works on social justice and race equality, provides child and adult training as well as free bike repairs through its Dr Bike service.
People who don’t cycle often refer to Edinburgh’s hills, or the weather. It doesn’t rain as often as you think, and good waterproofs are available that don’t cost the earth. And it’s not the hills that put most people off cycling, it’s the fear of traffic. The installation of safe practical inclusive cycle infrastructure means many more of us will be able to experience the joys of cycling.
The world’s eyes are on Scotland this month, as COP26 takes place in Glasgow. This global annual summit on climate change is what many believe to be the world’s best last chance to get runaway climate change under control. Cities that replace a significant number of their vehicle trips with cycling and walking will be an important part of the solution. We can all play our part in turning Edinburgh into a cycling city, a city that will be better for all of us, whether we as individuals cycle or or not.