Edinburgh All-Ability Bike Centre

25/10/2022

Latest update from The Thistle Foundation on adaptive cycling sessions at Saughton Park and at Thistle's centre in Craigmillar 👇

18/05/2022

“Cycling has been brilliant … not only has it helped me reach goals I’ve set myself physically, but...it lifts my spirits and has given me a lot of confidence in myself."

Bill has been enjoying inclusive cycling sessions in Edinburgh thanks to a new partnership between Cycling UK and Thistle.

Cycling UK has loaned its fleet of adaptive cycles previously belonging to the Edinburgh All-Ability Bike Centre which closed due to lack of external funding in May last year.

With funding from The City of Edinburgh Council, sessions run at Saughton Park and Craigmillar and are free to join.

Find out more and how to attend:
👇
bit.ly/3lmG2zK

03/03/2022

We're pleased to announce that inclusive cycling is back in Edinburgh.

As you know, we were unable to secure funding to continue running the ABC, which closed in May of last year. Since then, we have been working behind the scenes to find a partner and different funding source.

We have now loaned our fleet of adaptive cycles to Thistle who will run the sessions with support from City of Edinburgh Council. This means that the sessions will continue to be free of charge.

Sessions will run Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning at Saughton Park and on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at Thistle’s Centre of Wellbeing at Craigmillar.
Anyone interested is advised to book in advance on 0131 661 3366 or email [email protected].

Suzanne Forup, head of development Scotland at Cycling UK, said:

“We’re delighted to see the cycles back in operation, and we really hope that many of the previous participants, along with some new faces, will be able to come along and benefit.

“We know that cycling has many health benefits in particular and we’re so pleased to be working with Thistle and Edinburgh City Council to make cycling accessible to people who might have thought that cycling wasn’t for them or not possible.”

05/05/2021

IMPORTANT

Cycling UK in Scotland is very sad to announce that the Edinburgh ABC will be closing its doors on 31 May 2021.

Despite many applications, we have been unable to secure enough funding to allow the project to continue in a sustainable way, and so we have made the very difficult decision to close down the project.

Until now, the Edinburgh ABC has principally been funded from grants, trusts and donations. In the last year, this section of the funding landscape has been under tremendous pressure; many sources of funding have closed, or have changed their profile to offer much-needed Covid-response grants. Like many others, we have tried to adapt what we do, but in the end, it isn’t possible to carry on what we do without long-term funding.

We know that the ABC has made a real and lasting impression on all those who have used the service and understand that this news will be a great loss to many of our participants.

The delivery team, volunteers, and Cycling UK in Scotland team are all extremely proud of what we have achieved since the project launched in 2015. It isn’t an exaggeration to say that we have changed lives by making cycling and walking more accessible to people who thought that it wasn’t an activity for them.

We are in discussions with partners regarding the ABC's cycles and whether another organisation can run activities using them. We will update our social media as soon as we have any further information.

01/04/2021

Some exciting news, friends!
Our good friend Paolo Fril is starting his new business (Waterlark) with some amazing water bikes that he's imported. And he wants to team up with us at Saughton Park!
So we'll be able to offer bike rides up and down the Water of Leith from our site.
Paolo is keen to get started as soon as lockdown ends, so we'd like to book in some safely-distanced trial sessions within the next week or two.
Places will be limited, so please message below if you'd like to try one of these fantastic bikes and we'll get back to you.

22/03/2021

We know you are all keen to get back on our bikes.

With the recent change in restrictions regarding outdoor exercise, we are working hard behind the scenes to get things ready to ride again.

Above all, the safety and welfare of Cycling UK’s staff, volunteers, participants and the general public is always our main priority, once we’re ready to deliver sessions again, we’re likely to be operating with reduced staff and volunteer resources for the time-being.

First, we need to review our volunteer team availability, then service all of our bikes.

In addition to pre-bookable cycling sessions, we’re also hoping to offer our Paths for All Health walks from later in April.

We’ll update our social media channels and will contact recent participants once we have staff and volunteers in place to run our Cycling Sessions and Health Walks. Thank you for your continued patience.

https://www.cyclinguk.org/news/coronavirus-advice-and-guidance-cycling-uk-member-and-affiliate-groups

10/03/2021

At Cycling UK we believe cycling is amazing. And it should be for everyone.
But to make that a reality, the next Scottish Government must invest and deliver across Scotland. Add your voice and help make cycling an easy and attractive option for all.
Sign our petition ✍️ bit.ly/387lJQH

16/02/2021

🚨 Scottish election campaign launch 🚨

We’re calling for:

✅ More money for cycling
✅ Safe space for people to cycle, walk and wheel
✅ Support for people in rural communities to cycle

Add your voice by signing our petition: https://action.cyclinguk.org/page/75816/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=FB

09/02/2021

The Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme is still open; don't forget there is £100 for cycle repairs for people with non-standard cycles

www.cyclinguk.org/ScotCycleRepair

27/01/2021

Just a reminder that rules on cycling during the national lockdown have changed.

You may now ride alone, with your household or with one other person only.

Check out our graphic for a quick guide.
Keep up to date with our coronavirus Q&A.
bit.ly/2JPe6oY

Rules on cycling during the national lockdown have changed.

You may now ride alone, with your household or with one other person only.

Check out our graphic for a quick guide.
Keep up to date with our coronavirus Q&A.
bit.ly/2JPe6oY

19/01/2021

We're dismayed to hear of the theft of 20 bikes from Laggan Wolftrax Centre & Wee Bike Hub.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0935 of 16 January.

Any bike shop owners who would benefit from a Crime Prevention Survey of their property can get in touch with Police Scotland's, Preventions Interventions unit, in Inverness by e-mailing

[email protected]

Officers in Aviemore are appealing for information after a number of high value mountain bikes were reported stolen in the Laggan area.

Officers received a report of eight Polygon Siskiu T8 mountain bikes, estimated to be worth around £12,800, having been stolen from Laggan Wolftrax Visitor Centre between 11pm on Friday, 15 January and 3am on Saturday, 16 January.

At the same time, it was reported that 12 mountain bikes, of various makes and models, estimated to be worth around £39,500, were stolen from The Wee Bike Hub along with £3,100 of clothing.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and officers are appealing for anyone with any information to get in touch.

Detective Sergeant Andy Bilton said: “In order to steal 20 mountain bikes someone would need to have access to a large vehicle.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything in and around these premises and who may be able to assist with our enquiries to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0935 of 16 January.

17/01/2021

So sad to hear of the death of one of our long-term cyclists from Bangholm.
Sundays won't be the same without you, Edith!

I'll be attending her funeral on Tuesday at Warriston cemetery. In these socially-distanced times, flowers and cards won't be exchanged, but if any of you would like to add your condolences to this message, I'll make sure they all get forwarded to Stephen.

Our own Bangholm memories involve her twinkling sense of humour even as she lost the ability to speak. And her insistence on claiming the steering side of the side-by-side bike which she rode with reckless relish, while Stephen sat on the stoker side, no access to brakes or steering, with a rictus grin of anxious joy on his face. They were a big part of what made Sunday mornings at Bangholm such a wonderful, hilarity-filled experience.

I've attached Stephen's account of his and Edith's life together; it's a long read, but a wonderful record of a life well-lived, by a quite remarkable woman.

Farewell then, Edith, and thank you for being part of our cycling family. It was a privilege and honour to know you.

- David

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T186brZpdHn0w70nZMGBc55BVw0emrT6Sn3FWYnxwe8/edit?usp=drivesdk

(Edit: having some trouble getting the text file to upload. Message me meantime if you want to be given sharing access)