More bikes than cars recorded on Edinburgh rush hour route for first time - and this may be why
Highest figures also notched up on major Glasgow cycle routes too
The “overwhelming popularity” of Edinburgh’s new electric cycle hire scheme has helped it record more bikes than cars for the first time on a commuting route during the morning rush hour.
The milestone on Leith Walk from 8-9am on May 13 was the first time that had been observed on a road in the capital, according to development body Cycling Scotland’s annual traffic survey. The street’s segregated cycle lanes may have also contributed.
The news comes a year after the city council launched a new Voi all-electric rental scheme which has clocked up nearly 1.5 million rides.
Cycling Scotland said over two days in May, a record 5,653 bike journeys were recorded on Leith Walk, accounting for 11 per cent of all travel.
There were also a total of 67,572 cycle journeys there in May - 25 per cent more than a years ago.
New records were also set in Picardy Place, at the top of Leith Walk, and on York Place at the east end of the segregated City Centre West East Link cycle route to Roseburn.
Meantime, in Glasgow, a record 5,637 people travelled by bike over two days on Victoria Road on the south side - 38 per cent more than in 2025. Cycling accounted for 16.6 per cent of all travel - a new record.
There were also record cycle numbers on Clyde Street in the city centre and Garscube Road, which links the city centre to Maryhill in the north, which also have segregated lanes.
Glasgow’s Voi hire scheme has clocked up 1.62m rides since it took over from nextbike last November.
City of Edinburgh Council transport convener Stephen Jenkinson said: “We’ve seen the overwhelming popularity and success of our cycle hire scheme, providing a convenient and economic way for people to get around.”
A total of 1.46m rides have been made since its launch last September.
Cycling Scotland said: “Strong peaks in cycling were seen at morning and evening rush hours, indicating that the new infrastructure is helping more people to travel by bike for everyday journeys, like commuting to and from work.”
It said improvements to existing segregated lanes had helped more than double the number of trips on the five-mile East City Way on London Road in Glasgow from an average of 300 a day in May 2024 to nearly 700 this May.
The body also recorded record cycling numbers on South Road in Peterhead, and the highest levels on Paisley Road in Barrhead since 2020, when traffic was significantly reduced by Covid lockdown restrictions.
Kirsty Milton-Moir, an NHS health visitor in Glasgow, said: “I’ve found that cycling is much quicker than driving, so that’s cut a massive proportion of time from my visits.
“I feel so much safer on the cycle lane where I know that that area is for people on bikes, and there are no cars.”
Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn said: “Active travel is pivotal in helping people save money, improve their health and reduce transport emissions – walking, wheeling and cycling is transformational for both people and planet.”
Glasgow City Council transport convener Angus Millar said: “Cycling Scotland’s latest figures are really encouraging and show the clear impact of investing in safe, high-quality cycle routes across Glasgow.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.