Local Bike Campaigning: public meeting, 21 November

Local initiatives for better cycling infrastructure and to encourage getting about by bike are flourishing … along with wider demands for car-reduced living, walking, wheeling, local public transport and places no longer dominated by the demands of the car. Why is this happening? How is it happening? What can you do?

Our meeting will hear from four diverse local Edinburgh bike initiatives, together with an overview from a transport and accessibility expert with a strong interest in community action. What is the spark to get started? the challenges, successes and failures? and what happens next?

Speakers

• Derek Halden – expert in developing collaborative approaches for better accessibility; participant in the Roadshare campaign for presumed liability; currently involved in the EU DUT project ‘Driving Urban Transitions to a Sustainable Future.’ Derek also has a fascinating personal website, explaining his motivations, as well as his professional site.
• Ben Seven – editor of the excellent new(ish) Edi.Bike weekly newsletter
• Julie Clarke – from Infrasisters
• Jarlath Flynn – promoter of school bike buses
• Vicky Hawkins – from Edinburgh Critical Mass
• … followed by our hotly-anticipated one-hour panel QA – your chance to interrogate and challenge the speakers, hosted by Helen Todd, chair of Planning Democracy and former Ramblers Scotland policy manager

When Spokes began we were the only local group campaigning for cycling, and, with zero onroad or offroad cycle infrastructure (cycling was even banned in the Meadows) we sure were needed! We’ve always supported and encouraged other subsequent initiatives, whether it be bike workshops, reclaim the streets rides, cargobikes, bike buses or local area campaigns; and it’s great to see the huge diversity and numbers of local groups, organisers and participants now in the 2020s.

Much of the motivation is surely the insidious growth in the number, size and dominance of motor vehicles on local streets. Governments have allowed this to happen to public space with zero public consultation, unlike the lengthy consultations which accompany any moves to reallocate space to walk, wheel, bike or bus. Indeed, the last 10 years have seen this growth encouraged as government freezes on fuel tax made driving cheaper and cheaper in comparison to public transport fares, resulting in more and bigger cars congesting the roads and making cycling or walking more scary.

Whilst road danger is a prime motivation, cycling and walking initiatives often now also reflect widening concern about the world we are leaving to our children: the ever-growing evidence of climate breakdown and destruction of nature, as well as growing public health problems resulting from an environment which encourages inactive lifestyles.

Local campaigning has undoubtedly also been spurred in recent years, not just by the above motivations, but also by the new shared digital opportunities for communication and information (e.g. Open Street Map) through the internet, and this will be discussed by Derek Halden in his talk.

Arrangements

• Where Augustine United Church 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL
• Date Thursday 21 November
• Time  Starts 7.30, Ends 9.30.  Doors open 6.45 for coffee, stalls and chat, including a special stall to join Spokes or renew your membership
• Questions Questions for the speaker, can be emailed (at least a day in advance) to spokes@spokes.org.uk. However, questions in person from audience members are likely to have greatest priority on the night
• Online We hope to live broadcast on our youtube channel – confirmation nearer the time – and make the recording available a few days later
• Social media If tweeting/posting about the meeting, use hashtag #SpokesMtg
• More info If you have any queries about the meeting, email spokes@spokes.org.uk or phone Emma, 07982278936.

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