Sustrans Scotland

Exercise, climate action and the wind in your hair 🍃

I Bike school pupils in Edinburgh tell us their top reasons to cycle 🚲

Find out more about I Bike in our latest blog ➡️ buff.ly/iTM2Bcj

#ActiveTravel #LearningForSustainability #BackToSchool #Cycling #Climate

Teenage girls lined up on bikes, learning cycling skills in a school playground during an I Bike session.

Our I Bike programme in Edinburgh is funded through SEStran 💚

We also run I Bike in:
👉 Aberdeen
👉 Dumfries and Galloway
👉 Perth and Kinross
👉 West Lothian
👉 East Lothian
👉 Scottish Borders

Find out more: buff.ly/ONDP2T2

#LearningForSustainability #BackToSchool

Sustrans I Bike Officer sitting with a primary school pupil who has stopped to tie their shoelaces during a cycling skills session in the playground.

As pupils go #BackToSchool, it's the perfect time to encourage walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling 🌞

We spoke to our Edinburgh I Bike Officer to find out why promoting #ActiveTravel in schools is so important - and joyful ✨

New blog 👉 buff.ly/iTM2Bcj

Two young women walking along the newly redeveloped canal towpath in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh.

A cyclist heading along the newly resurfaced canal towpath in Edinburgh's Fountainbridge. Purple flowers are in the foreground.

A woman pushing a buggy on the new canal towpath in West Edinburgh. A child on a scooter is in the background.

You can read more about the project in our latest blog ➡️ buff.ly/pX2JK59

#CanalMagic #LetsDoNetZero #ActiveTravel

Last week we were in Edinburgh to celebrate the new towpath in Fountainbridge 🤩

Our #NationalCycleNetwork project with #ScottishCanals has resurfaced the path and provided better lighting, to make it accessible and welcoming to all.

Find out more in this video 👇

The new path was developed in partnership with Scottish Canals, through #ActiveTravel funding via Transport Scotland 🤝

Read more about the improvements to this key link between #NationalCycleNetwork Route 75 and #Edinburgh city centre 👉 buff.ly/pX2JK59

A dad and his two children standing with their bike on the newly improved canal towpath in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. All three ride together on the same bike and are wearing helmets.

Rowan lives in Colinton and regularly uses the route to cycle his children in and out of town 🚲

“We just like being in the outdoors and seeing all the swans and the ducks along the canal. I definitely feel like it’s nice for the kids to interact with the world a bit more." 🦆

Twin girls sitting in a double buggy, pushed by their mum on the newly improved canal towpath in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh.

We caught up with local resident Roxanne, who uses the towpath for her day-to-day trips with the double buggy 🚶‍♀️

"We've been watching it develop because rattling over old cobbles with a pram on the canal wasn't working. And for cyclists it's much safer. It's a big help."

The newly improved canal towpath in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. A man and boy are cycling in the foreground, and others are walking in the background.

A man walking his dog along the newly improved canal towpath in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh.

An older golden retriever dog basking in the sun by the Union Canal in Edinburgh. The background has plants and colourful bunting.

Yesterday we joined #ScottishCanals to open the new towpath in West Edinburgh 🎉

Now a well-lit and accessible surface, people will feel safe and confident to walk, wheel and cycle along the route year-round.

Even the local pups are benefitting 🐾

More: buff.ly/pX2JK59

Two colleagues cycling on the National Cycle Network Route 1 in Broughty Ferry.

Could the #NationalCycleNetwork help you get to work?

Find routes near you 👉 sustrans.org.uk/national-cycle-network/the-national-cycle-network-in-scotland

#CycleToWorkDay #ActiveTravel #LetsDoNetZero

“I think it helps my mood and my energy to have been outside, before I get to work” 🚴‍♀️

Cycling to work can boost your mental health and better connect you with your environment.

This #CycleToWorkDay, could you change up your commute?

Energy levels 🆙 buff.ly/dAvLrSg

A parent and two young children cycling on Portobello Promenade in Edinburgh.

A hand holding up the Cycling Edinburgh guidebook: Family Adventures for Urban Explorers - 10 fantastic family rides.

Our new Edinburgh guidebook with Ordnance Survey makes light work of planning fun cycling trips for people of all ages 🚲

Whether it's a staycation or a local day out, get inspired to leave the car at home and explore the capital by bike 🌞

👉 buff.ly/eKyAsAI

The Inner Forth Bike Bus, which was piloted by the Climate FORTH project in 2024, is back for another season. The free transport service runs between Alloa and the Forth Bridges with clockwise and… A Sunday with the Inner Forth Bike Bus - Cycling from Alloa to South Queensferry

Considering getting out and about on your bike this weekend?

The Inner Forth Bike Bus is running every Sunday until 26 October - for free ✨

Explore further by taking your bike on the bus, with services between Alloa and the Forth Bridges 👇

youtu.be/yPhn75HIAAQ?si=0wGSsaN_hwOSufXf

White, navy and green graphic with a quote from Porty Community Energy in Edinburgh, and a photo featuring a staff member using a cargo bike on the Portobello Promenade: "Bike Libraries will be a crucial part of normalising the use of e-cargo bikes. They help solve the storage and cost issue, and create a supportive community which can advise on cycling, mechanics, insurance, storage, events and simply introducing people to how easily cargo bikes can replace car journeys in a fun, healthy way."

The cargo bike library @portyenergy.bsky.social has existed for 3+ years 🐚

In that time, they've had 1000+ bike hires, proving there is demand for #CargoBikes if they are made available 📈

Our new research explores how we can encourage cargo bike use in Scotland: buff.ly/GKGkAVq

Person standing with a bike in Colinton Tunnel, admiring the artwork on the tunnel walls.

Since opening in 2020, the #ColintonTunnel has become a local landmark 🤩

By enhancing public spaces through art and creating points of interest along the #NationalCycleNetwork, more people are inspired to walk, wheel and cycle.

More on the tunnel 👉 buff.ly/75CXuhF

A mural depicting scenes from Victorian Colinton, featuring a horse and cart.

A mural depicting scenes from Victorian Colinton, featuring young women feeding chickens.

Victorian Colinton never looked so good 🎨

Last Friday saw a new mural unveiled in Edinburgh, supported by our #ArtRoots programme.

Visitors to the #ColintonTunnel on #NationalCycleNetwork Route 75 are now encouraged to discover the historic village 🚶‍♀️ 🚴‍♀️ 👩‍🦽

White, navy and green graphic with a quote from Robin in Aberdeen, pictured smiling outdoors: "We’ve been using it [our cargo bike] for commuting, shopping, and weekend adventures. Our kids, 5 and 2 years old, absolutely love riding them. We hope that cycling daily will show them that active travel is an option and that cars shouldn’t be the default choice."

"We've been using it for commuting, shopping, and weekend adventures" 🛍️

Cargo bikes can work for businesses and families alike.

Our new report digs into what's stopping #CargoBikes from being used more widely in Scotland ➡️ buff.ly/GKGkAVq

White, green and navy graphic featuring a quote from Eve in Edinburgh, pictured cycling on a road in a white helmet and sunglasses: "I think cargo bikes can shift the way that people view cycling. They can carry people and goods around the city more quickly and cheaply than cars and vans, and with far less environmental cost. Edinburgh could be a real pace setter here, but there is a desperate need for more segregated cycle lanes."

"I think cargo bikes can shift the way that people view cycling" 💭

Our new report explores the potential of #CargoBikes, and what can be done to encourage wider uptake across Scotland.

Read more 👉 t.co/w4PwPTezhq

Person cycling a cargo bike carrying plants, on a segregated cycle lane outside a train station

Published today 🗞️

Our latest research looks at the barriers preventing widespread use of #CargoBikes – and what can be done to overcome them 📦🚲

Read more: buff.ly/GKGkAVq

We're celebrating our nominations for this year's #NationalTransportAwards 🏆

On the shortlist is our Roseburn to Union Canal project with @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social - a new #ActiveTravel corridor that enhances public safety and access to greenspace 👇

Read more: sustrans.org.uk/r2uc

Custom natural wooden signs for a woodland poetry trail and an accompanying beautifully illustrated map

Visitors gather at Three Hares Community Woodland to celebrate the opening of the new Poetry Trail

Art enhances communities and encourages people to explore their area by walking, wheeling and cycling 💚

Supported by our ArtRoots programme, a new Poetry Trail at Three Hares Community Woodland in Midlothian is connecting people with art and nature 🐇

More #NationalCycleNetwork art: buff.ly/eFteyPG

Sustrans CEO Xavier Brice speaking at the launch of the Transforming Mobility report in London on 8th July 2025.

Hand holding up a physical copy of the Sustrans Transforming Mobility Report, with Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and a sunny blue London sky in the background.

“When disabled people are represented, we get better outcomes for everyone”

Great to launch the report today in London, with several research participants making the trip down from Edinburgh 🎉

@sustrans.bsky.social @transportforall.org.uk

Transforming Mobility: Including disabled people in transport planning Transforming Mobility is a Sustrans project with Transport for All, funded by the Motability Foundation, exploring how to better include disabled people in transport planning.

The report highlights 5 ideas to improve transport for disabled people:

🦓 Legalise side road zebra crossings
🚶‍♀️ Rebalance street space
🚗 Reduce unnecessary car parking
🚋 Develop a network of mobility hubs
♿ Set up paid access panels

Read the full report 👇 sustrans.org.uk/transforming-mobility

Visually impaired man standing at a bus stop on Princes Street in Edinburgh.

📢 Our Transforming Mobility report is published today, in partnership with @transportforall.org.uk and funded by the Motability Foundation.

It found half (48%) of disabled people in the UK think government is not doing enough to prioritise accessibility 👩‍🦽

Read more: buff.ly/PLGPFJG

Two teenagers riding bikes in Colinton Tunnel, Edinburgh.

Did you know 💡

You can discover some amazing art right from the #NationalCycleNetwork 🚲

Edinburgh's Colinton Tunnel, once a derelict and dark railway tunnel, has become one of the most visited locations on the Network 🎉

Find out more: buff.ly/eFteyPG

Our new Sustrans Director for Scotland, Cymru and Northern Ireland, Fiona MacLeod, joined Councillor Angus Miller and Cabinet Secretary for Transport @fionahyslop.bsky.social at a site visit this week 🤝

Avenues Plus is funded by the Scottish Government through our #PlacesForEveryone programme ✨

Glasgow City Councillor Angus Miller is joined by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop, and Sustrans Director for Scotland, Cymru and Northern Ireland Fiona MacLeod to celebrate construction progress on the Duke Street Glasgow Avenues Plus project in Glasgow.

We are excited to see construction progress on our Avenues Plus projects with @glasgowcc.bsky.social 🚴‍♀️

By transforming connections in and around the city centre, more Glaswegians will have fairer and safer choices for their everyday journeys ✅

More: glasgow.gov.uk/avenues

Project partners and local people gather to cut the ribbon at the opening of National Cycle Network improvements in Carnoustie.

We're delighted a number of our projects have been shortlisted for this year's #NationalTransportAwards 🏆

Including 2 nominations for our work with Angus Council to improve the #NationalCycleNetwork Route 1 in Carnoustie 🤩

Read more about the project: buff.ly/HG0R87p

Behold the yellow (not made of) brick road to Monklands Canal ✨ 🦆

We spoke to local residents about the new Oakridge Greenway, which completes a traffic-free route between Bargeddie and Coatbridge along the #NationalCycleNetwork 75 🚲

Read more: buff.ly/5a3Z9Fi

Colourful graphic showing the results of the Hands Up Scotland Survey 2024. How did pupils in Scotland travel to school in 2024? Results shown are: 39.8% walked; 23.9 driven; 2.9% scooted; 17.1% by bus; 3.9% cycled; 10% by park and stride; 1.7% by taxi; and 0.6% by other modes.

Almost 2 in 3 pupils in Scotland travel to school sustainably 🌍

That's what our Hands Up Scotland Survey 2024 has found, with results published today.

Our Head of Programmes, Dr Lee Muir, explores the findings and what they mean for young people 👉 buff.ly/fhF2jsV