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neilginscotland.bsky.social
Neil Gwynne
@neilginscotland.bsky.social
49 followers 160 following 110 posts
EngIishman in Scotland. Gone native. Now say wee a lot..... Experienced civil engineer+climate change, active travel, decarb. All Ill informed comments my own!
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neilginscotland.bsky.social
I am going to get in on the action. Amazing aurora tonight before the haar rolled in.
January 20, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
spokes.org.uk
#WestLothian #SpokesMap 2025

👍 Great double-page spread, #LinlithgowGazette

--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

@edi.bike @kinneil.bsky.social @neilginscotland.bsky.social @kittysull1.bsky.social @redheugh.bsky.social @mininglandscapes.bsky.social @trustlinlithgow.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social
Linlithgow Gazette article, first page Spokes guide expanded Cycling routes all mapped out Julie Currie i julte.currie@natioiiatworld.com The new West Lothian Cycle Map produced by the Lothian Cycle Campaign, Spokes, hasjust been published. Centred on West Lothian, but now expanded west to include parts of Falkirk, the fully revised and updated map shows new cycle infrastructure and other developments across the area. It is invaluable for cyclists and walkers seeking safe routes to shops, work or school and planning running and leisure routes. The back of the map shows large-scale street maps of Linlithgow, Livingston, Armadale, Whitburn, Bathgate and Blackburn, together with information on places of interest in the area. Printed on tear and water-resistant synthetic paper, which is also fully recyclable, it is available from bike shops, selected SPOKCS Wett LoShUin Cyile Map UPiSi A mong amt tluiablf allweathut map tptdally WfW deiisnetl for cytllsl) West Lothian Cycle Map Fifth edition of the map is available from various stockists now. bookshops and direct from Spokes. Local Spokes volunteers surveyed all of West Lothian, as well as Bo'ness and parts of Falkirk and Grangemouth, while West Lothian Council provided information on new and planned active travel improvements. Major revisions to the map include adding contours and hill-colouring and shading so users can see the hilly areas at a glance, and all the new housing developments are now shown. second page... Speaking on Spokes behalf, Katharine Taylor said: "This has been a great voluntary effort by local Spokes members and by our skilled cartographer. "The new map will help residents and visitors find their way around the area in active and healthy ways, as well as showing new quiet routes and short cuts they didn't know existed!" Spokes members met at West Lothian Bike Library in Livingston for the launch of the map's fifth edition. Also in attendance were Bathgate and Linlithgow MP Kirsteen Sullivan and West Lothian Council's deputy provost Peter Heggie. Kirsteen said: "The new map is a fantastic resource for residents across West Lothian and Falkirk, helping cycUsts and walkers find safer and greener routes to work, school and for leisure activities. "This kind of voluntary effort in active travel plays a vital role in working towards healthier communities and a cleaner environment. A huge well done to all volunteers involved in delivering the updated map." Graeme Burton, the council's design engineering manager, gave an update to guests on planned active travel projects in the local authority area. The map was also printed with the support of the council. Deputy Provost Peter Heggie said: " I was delighted to attend this launch event and hope that people from West Lothian and beyond enjoy using this new map to explore our county." The new West Lothian Cycle Map is available from local bike shops, priced £7.50. Those who order before the end of October via office@ spokes.org.uk can buy a single map for £7 (postfree) or six copies for £25. More information on sales outlets is available at www.spokes.org.uk/spokesmaps.
October 24, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
spokes.org.uk
😍 #WestLothian #SpokesMap 2025 is here!!

INFO--> www.spokes.org.uk/2025/10/west...

Launched by MP @kittysull1.bsky.social & Deputy Provost #PeterHeggie

🤩 See Special Offer [ends 31 Oct]

@edi.bike @thecockburn.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social
West Lothian #SpokesMap – 5th edition! The 5th edition of our highly praised West Lothian Cycle Map was launched on 11 October by Kirsteen Sullivan, MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow and Cllr Peter Heggie, Council Deputy Provost, at West Lothian Bike Library / Crofthead Community Centre. The whole county was surveyed in detail by Spokes volunteers, together with a new area covering Falkirk, Bo’ness and the Kelpies. The map was then completely redrawn and revised by our maps group’s skilled volunteer cartographer, using new software which enables simpler future updating. Kisteen Sullivan MP & Deputy Provost Peter Heggie launch the Spokes Map at West Lothian Bike Library (see weather-proof map copies on the Library's fence behind) Map extract, extending to Falkirk, Bo'ness Steam Railway - and the Kelpies! Special Offer [ending 31 October] Until 31 October 2025 you can order direct from Spokes, by post or email [office@spokes.org.uk] at the special price of £7 each including postage. You can also order 6 maps for our standard bulk-order price of £30 – perfect to resell at your workplace, school or amongst friends and relations – give them a cheap price or raise cash for a charity. Or as a present to your 6 best friends! [Postage may be added if delivery or collection cannot be arranged].
October 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
spokes.org.uk
🤩 #SpokesMap #WestLothian 2025

🤩 Back from printer, in shops soon £7.50

🙋 Special £7 offer below, ends 31 October

@edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @mininglandscapes.bsky.social @neilginscotland.bsky.social @trustlinlithgow.bsky.social @cameronglasgow.scot @spoinged.bsky.social @ancetetere.bsky.social
spokes.org.uk SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · Sep 6
🤩 #SpokesMap #WestLothian 2025, £7.50 in shops October

🤩 Pre-order £7 post-free, email [email protected]

🤩 £5 each for 6+ copies (e.g. join friends/workmates)

@edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @mininglandscapes.bsky.social @sw20.info @keithirving.bsky.social @cameronglasgow.scot @chdot.bsky.social
spokes WL 2025 map - front cover spokes WL 2025 map - back cover map extract - showing Kelpies location! Town maps on reverse side - this is Linlithgow
October 8, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
spokes.org.uk
#SpokesMaps: #WestLothian offer!

Existing 2018 edition £1 each for 10+ copies; or *free* to schools etc
-> www.spokes.org.uk/2025/08/spok...

@edi.bike @chdot.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @mininglandscapes.bsky.social @neilginscotland.bsky.social @spoinged.bsky.social @trustlinlithgow.bsky.social
Spokes West Lothian map – offer! The new, fully revised Spokes West Lothian map is expected in the next 4 weeks, and will retail at £7.50. However, we still have a few hundred left of the existing version (pictured). We’d rather these were used rather than pulped, so a very special offer… 10 copies or more copies at £1 each.* Shops or groups could then resell them for say £2 or £3 For schools, and possibly other educational institutions, 10 copies or more free.* Our factsheet on innovative ways of using the map in schools may be useful. * plus postage if we cannot deliver or arrange collection Send your request/order by email to: office@spokes.org.uk Most of the existing map remains valid, although cycleroutes built in the last 5 years or so are not shown, obviously! picture of map cover picture of map at West Lothian Bike Library Picture of map used by West Lothian bikeroutes tour guide Donald Tainsh
August 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
spokes.org.uk
#SpokesComp 2025

😍 We'd love some #WestLothian entries!

@neilginscotland.bsky.social @keithhouston.bsky.social @ffmaddingcrowd.bsky.social @trustlinlithgow.bsky.social @mininglandscapes.bsky.social @westlothiansgp.bsky.social @kittysull1.bsky.social @mariamacsnp.bsky.social @drmoiras.bsky.social
spokes.org.uk SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · Jun 2
'My Favourite Bike Ride' ... #SpokesComp 2025

😍 Spread the joy!
😉 Become famous
🤩 .. and win one of our amazing prizes

--> www.spokes.org.uk/2025/06/spok...

@edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @chdot.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @alastairdalton.bsky.social
Spokes 2025 competition, intro to the post #SpokesComp 2025 : My Favourite Bike Ride For our 2025 summer competition we’d like to hear about your favourite local bike ride, in Edinburgh and/or the Lothians. It may be a leisure ride, or your daily commute or perhaps the school ‘run’ with your kids. In judging the competition, we want to know not just the route itself but, most of all, why this ride is so special to you. Hopefully your entry will entice or inspire other people to get on their bike and try the same or something similar. So that the competition does not require technical skills, judging will be based on written entries. Your route should be fairly easy to describe, without too many intricate instructions, frequent turnings, etc. Photos and/or a sketch can be included and often help, but are not essential. You can also include electronic mapping if you wish, but this will not be included in the judging. canal towpath photos from our previous competition The incredible prizes! ... PRIZES Top prizewinner gets first choice of prizes, and so on till all prizes allocated. Runner-up entries which don’t win a prize will get to choose a free Spokes map or buff Museum of Scottish Railways (Bo’Ness) Family annual pass to the extensive museum Bo’Ness & Kinneil Steam Railway Family ticket for one return trip Ember Bus [takes 2 bikes] £50 bus tickets credit Edinburgh Bicycle £50 Edinburgh Bicycle voucher Camera Obscura Family ticket Cameo Picturehouse Tickets for 2 Laidback Bikes Recumbent tour or cargobike hire Harts Cyclery One-week ebike hire Edinburgh Festival of Cycling Urban Arrow Cargo-bike day hire Lanterne Rouge bike cafe, Gifford £20 voucher Lanterne Rouge bike cafe, Gifford Blue/white no-plastic Africap from Sierra Leone Spokes £1000 voucher* towards cargo-bike purchase Spokes £200 voucher* towards e-bike purchase Spokes Set of all 4 Spokes maps RUNNERS-UP Spokes map or Edinburgh map-buff countryside photos from previous competitin
June 4, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
spokes.org.uk
#A701 Relief Rd & #A702 Link Rd 🚘🚘

🙋 Spokes response
-> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Now closed, but email your cllrs
-> midlothian.cmis.uk.com/live/council...

@edi.bike @loanhead.bsky.social @leanahosea.bsky.social @mrjasonrose.bsky.social @jestermouse.bsky.social @midlothiancan.bsky.social
map of the road proposals Intro to the spokes response... A701 Relief Road and A702 Link Road 2025 Consultation page 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.
May 30, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
ianwalker.bsky.social
HOT RESEARCH NEWS!

Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...

Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
Cover sheet of a journal article: "Why do cars get a free ride? The social-ecological roots of motonormativity" by Ian Walker and Marco te Brömmelstroet
February 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
cyclingscotland.bsky.social
We’re one of 50 organisations publishing a Joint Active Travel Manifesto for 2026: Thriving Places, Healthier Communities, and Saving Lives. It calls on all parties to support commitments on long-term investment, infrastructure, public transport and safer streets: drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Front page of 'A Joint Active Travel Manifesto for 2026', featuring the logos of 50 signatory organisations. The cover features images of people walking and cycling, with the subtitle: "Thriving places, healthier communities, and saving lives". A full list of signatory organisations and more information about the manifesto can be found via the associated link in this post.
May 12, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
edinreporter.bsky.social
Witness appeal following death of 65-year-old cyclist in fatal crash

Police are appealing for information following a fatal crash on the A70 near Harburn, West Calder. Around 8.45am this morning, Friday, 2 May, officers received a report of a crash involving the driver of a white Vauxhall van and…
Witness appeal following death of 65-year-old cyclist in fatal crash
Police are appealing for information following a fatal crash on the A70 near Harburn, West Calder. Around 8.45am this morning, Friday, 2 May, officers received a report of a crash involving the driver of a white Vauxhall van and a cyclist. Emergency services attended and the 65-year-old male cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.
theedinburghreporter.co.uk
May 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
lewisgoodall.com
Charing Cross Road, pedestrianised today. Glorious. Because whenever you take cars away, cities get better.
February 2, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Reposted by Neil Gwynne
blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk
Better walking & cycling routes remain “very politically noisy”, which puts off local politicians…

It needs people with courage to stand up and say: ‘This is not in the public interest. I want my kids to be able to get to school under their own steam.’
www.theguardian.com/news/2024/de...
Anti-cycling stories are bad for the UK’s health, says Chris Boardman
Racing champion turned active travel advocate criticises parts of the media for safety scaremongering
www.theguardian.com
December 30, 2024 at 9:20 PM
neilginscotland.bsky.social
#stormdarragh was like an average Scottish winter storm, nice to see some snow on the hills at last.
Beinn vorlich
December 8, 2024 at 10:03 PM