Green councillors have submitted the following motion, calling for The Sir Chris Hoy Cycle Network, to go to full Council next week (23 August)
THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL
23 August 2012
Green Motion: The Sir Chris Hoy cycle network: a Golden Legacy for Edinburgh
Council:
1) Congratulates Sir Chris Hoy on becoming Britain’s most successful Olympic athlete with six gold medals in addition to his eleven World Championship titles;
2) Believes that his success will act as an inspiration to would-be Olympians throughout Scotland and the world;
3) Notes the calls from Spokes, Pedal on Parliament, the Cyclists’ Touring Club and others that in order to honour Sir Chris’ success and build a lasting legacy for cycling, the Sir Chris Hoy cycle network should be developed, which would provide a connected network of segregated on-road cycle lanes; traffic-free paths and routes on less-trafficked roads to enable safe and pleasant cycling trips to be made throughout the city and beyond;
4) Further notes that the top priority for Leithers who participated in the ‘Vision for Leith Walk’ consultation exercise run by Leith Open Space and Greener Leithearlier this year was, “Invest in cycling and walking including separated cycle lanes”.
5) Agrees that the creation of a city-wide network of safe cycling routes would boost physical activity; help to tackle rising rates of obesity; reduce traffic congestion and cut air pollution and would be a positive lasting legacy for the city;
6) Agreesthat, subject to the successful conclusion of feasibility work and further public consultation, the first new section of the Sir Chris Hoy cycle network could be a segregated cycle route on Leith Walk;
7) Therefore resolves that by the end of 2012, in consultation with stakeholders, the Council will have set a target for the number of miles of on-road segregated cycle route in the city which are connected to traffic-free paths and routes on less-trafficked roads to form the Sir Chris Hoy cycle network, and that by the start of the next Olympic games in 2016, the city will have met that target, along with an interim target also to be set in consultation with stakeholders before the end of 2012, and which is to be met by the start of the next Commonwealth Games in 2014;
8) Further resolves to convene a meeting before the end of 2012 and to invite representatives of Spokes, Pedal on Parliament, Cyclists’ Touring Club, Cycling Scotland, Sustrans, Greener Leith and any other relevant stakeholders (this group of stakeholders could be the existing Edinburgh Cycle Forum) to set a target for the number of miles of on-road segregated cycle route in the city which are connected to traffic-free paths and routes on less-trafficked roads, and develop an action plan for delivering the Sir Chris Hoy cycle network;
9) Further resolves that the delivery of the Sir Chris Hoy cycle route will be monitored by the stakeholder group mentioned in paragraph 8) above and that an annual update on progress will be published in collaboration with that stakeholder group.
Proposed: Cllr Chas Booth
Seconded: Cllr Nigel Bagshaw
The Edinburgh branch of the 
Great idea. This MUST happen!!! Connect the disparate cycling lanes and more people will cycle. Especially city centre. Stop cars/lorries parking in cycle lanes (forcing bikes back onto the main carriageways). Prioritise cycling in the city. With electric bikes, there’s no excuse for cars in and around Edinburgh (except perhaps on the bypass!).
The only thing about this recommendation is that Leith already has a separate path from New Town to the Shore along the water of Leith walkway and other sections. Shouldn’t the priority be to make city centre bike friendly?