Scotland is not yet a particularly cycle-friendly country, so we want to make getting to our start point on Chambers Street in Edinburgh as simple as possible. The main options are joining a feeder ride or coming by train.

Feeder Rides

Feeder rides are rides organised to arrive at the start point by 1pm. In the past, numbers on some feeder rides have reached into the 100s. They aren’t organised directly by Pedal on Parliament, but by some of our most dedicated supporters (both organisations and individuals).

Riding in a group can feel much safer than riding on your own on our roads and feeder rides also give you a good opportunity to meet other local people who care about safe cycling and have a chat. Who knows, you might end up starting your own local cycle campaign by the time you get to Chambers Street!

As we don’t organise the feeder rides directly, they all operate a bit differently. Some are more explicitly family-friendly than others. In general, the further the distance, the more they might attract more ‘serious cyclists’. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with organisers to check the pace they’ll be aiming for and whether there are good locations to  stop early and jump on the train if you need to.

Keep checking this page for details as we’ll be adding to it as soon as we have final details of the rides. Want to organise your own feeder ride? See this page for more information and let us know your plans via email (hello@pedalonparliament.org) or social media.

Feeder Rides From Edinburgh

Edinburgh rides tend to be the most family-friendly, since distances involved are relatively short.

So far, the is the list of confirmed rides from in and around Edinburgh:

  • Corstorphine Feeder Ride – A family-friendly event, starting point will be leaving at Gyle Park at 11.30am and then there will be a second pick up point at St Margarets Park, which will also gather from 11.30am (Facebook Event | Route)
  • Edinburgh Park Feeder Ride – Starting at Edinburgh Park train station at 12:15pm, then a relaxed pace along the canal to the start. Organised by Colin Sinclair. A good option if you’re mixing train / cycle to get to us! Email us for the organiser’s contact details. (Route)
  • Fairmilehead Feeder Ride – A family-friendly event, meet at the entrance to the playpark in Fairmilehead Park at 11.15 for a 11:30am departure , organised by Friends of the Quiet Route & Spokes South Edinburgh (More info)
  • Leith Feeder Ride – A family-friendly, sociable cycle from Leith Links. Meet Outside the Cricket Club at 10:45am for an 11am start.  (Twitter | Facebook Event)
  • Portobello Feeder Ride – A family-friendly event, meet at the Community Garden on Porty Prom at 11:15am for a 11:30am departure, organised by Spokes Porty (More Info)
  • Royal Infirmary Feeder Ride – Mostly on off-road routes, organised by staff at the hospital. Meeting 11:30am outside the Sick Kids Hospital (Route and More Information)
  • Spylaw Park (via Harrison Park) Feeder Ride – A family-friendly event, meeting by the CVE shed at 11:30am and going via the Canal, picking up at Harrison Park at 12noon. Organised by SW20. (Twitter | Facebook Event)

Feeder Rides From The Rest of Scotland

Pedal on Parliament is a Scotland-wide campaign, and we want to encourage people from all over the country to join us. We chose a later start time of 1pm this year to encourage people to cycle from further afield (without having to set off too early).

We have local groups and individuals interested in organising rides from a number of places. Confirmed rides are as follows:

Glasgow Feeder Ride – Organised by Graeme Cook – event page is here.

The Glasgow to Edinburgh feeder ride is dedicated to the memory of Emma Burke Newman. Please arrive at 7am prompt as we would like to pause beside Emma’s white bike on our way out of the city.

Join our feeder to ride 45 miles to Pedal on Parliament Edinburgh, from Glasgow! Meet at George Square at 7am for a prompt start.

We will ride at a social pace, around 10-12 mph but we want to ensure that we arrive in time for the start of the PoP demo at 1pm on Chambers Street. We will take a cafe stop around half way, probably at Armadale, and will pass train bail out options at Armadale and Bathgate on route.

Please ensure that your bike is in good working condition and that you are dressed for the weather, with water and a snack. Riders join us at their own risk.

There will not be a formal return leg although some folk may wish to cycle back too. Bikes are not required to be booked onto trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The planned route is here.

Perth Feeder Ride – Organised by ByCycle

Starting at our most NorthEasterly town in Perth and Kinross , Alyth, the POP ride leaves at 04.00 hrs on Saturday 22nd. Then via Coupar Angus for 0430, then wending it’s way to Perth City Bells Sports Centre– passing through Burrelton, Woodside and Scone using the main road as traffic is very light early in morning – to leave Perth at 6.00am. Then over to Bridge of Earn on the road, up through Glen Farg to reach Kinross by 8.00am. Carry on the direct road to Kelty, then skirting edge of Cowdenbeath, and through centre of Crossgates, over to Inverkeithing and down hill to Park and Ride for 1145am. Follow the NCN route into Haymarket then through Edinburgh to Chambers Street for 1300 hrs.

Average speed of approximately 10-12mph with only brief stops. See the proposed route here. Please contact the organiser for more information and to let them know if you’re joining! Email garthlamb [at] iCloud [dot] com.

Uddingston Feeder Ride – Organised by Jimmy Keenan

7.30 am – Muiredge Primary School Uddingston

8             – Bargeddie roundabout

8.15        – Lock Street Coatbridge

8.30        – Forrest St, Airdrie

8.45        – Plains

9              – Caldercruix

9. 15       – Hillend

9.30        – Blackridge

9.45        – Bathgate

10           – Boghall

10.15     – Uphall

10.30     – proceed from NCR 75 to NCR 754

11          – Ratho

11.15    – Kingsknowe

11.30    – proceed from NCR 754 to NCR 75

11.45    – Melville Drive

12         – The Meadows

Return to Uddingston by train to be arranged.

The total distance of this ride is 45 miles. The pace will be moderate and adaptable to whoever turns up for the ride. The times given above are estimated but aimed to reach The Meadows at midday. 

You are advised to bring drink and sandwiches.

Each rider is responsible for her/his safety, ‘though assistance will be given for minor repairs.

For more information, contact contact Jimmy Keenan – jadeekee [at] hotmail [dot] com

If you’d like to organise your own, please get in touch and we’ll add it to this list.

Train

Alternatively, you can take the train to Waverley station. It’s about 1km from the station to the start point – a 5-minute cycle on some main roads with limited cycle provision or a 10-minute walk if you feel more comfortable.

Lots of people will hopefully be coming to PoP, so use a folding bike if you can! If that’s not an option, check out ScotRail’s page on bringing bikes on trains. Cycle space on trains is fairly limited and so aim to come fairly early if possible and be prepared to queue and be patient. Similarly, on the way back, it might make sense to grab some food or a coffee before heading to the station so everyone isn’t there at once and you don’t have too long a wait.

It’s also worth noting that it’s absolutely OK to come without a bike and walk or wheel the route with us. If getting you and your bike to our start point just doesn’t seem feasible, then this is definitely an option!