Meeting summary
The Aberdeen Cycle Forum meeting covered updates from recent council meetings, infrastructure discussions, and upcoming events. Gavin reported on the quarterly meeting with councillors where they discussed Tillidrone Avenue junction issues, Union Street crossings, and the implementation of 20mph zones across the city, with the council indicating completion by end of calendar year. The forum learned about Aberdeen’s pilot program for two cycle hangers, though Gavin expressed concern about the locations chosen. They discussed the council’s resistance to implementing quiet rural roads with 40mph speed limits and temporary cycle lanes, with the traffic team rejecting the idea based on concerns about drivers seeing speed limits as targets. The meeting covered updates on the B979 Netherley Road closure where they secured better signage for cyclists, and discussions about the National Cycle Network NCN1 rerouting opportunities. The forum confirmed participation in the Cycling Scotland Conference with a snakes and ladders-themed display, and discussed plans for the Celebrate Aberdeen parade on August 29th. Katy announced she would be leaving Aberdeen in August and stepping down from her secretary role, and the group discussed pavement parking consultation concerns where the council proposed exemptions that contradicted their own transport strategy.
Actions
- Alastair: Forward inquiry reference numbers for parking offences to the council
- Gavin: Follow up on Hardgate small-scale cycle improvements with the council
- Gavin: Send Alistair a copy of the full action list spreadsheet with council items
- Katy: Follow up on pavement parking consultation and suggest QR codes for bike training at Voi parking areas
- Gavin: Organize a social bike ride/coffee meet up to farewell Katy at end of July
- Francesco: Follow up on trike-related news with Katy offline
- Cycle Forum: Consider suggesting locations for temporary cycle lanes to Nestrans
- Cycle Forum: Follow up with organizers about being invited to participate in the Seton cycle hub festival
- Cycle Forum: Review and potentially comment on Aberdeenshire Council’s quiet rural road schemes consultation
- Cycle Forum: Review and potentially comment on Aberdeen City Council’s pavement parking exemption consultation for Broomhill Avenue
Welcome
The meeting began with participants joining, including Gavin who served as chair, and welcomes/introductions were made. The group confirmed that the AI Companion feature was enabled for taking notes during the meeting. Gavin noted that Alan had sent apologies and mentioned sending pictures of cycle infrastructure in Norway. The meeting started with plans to review previous notes and move forward with the agenda.
Quarterly Council Updates Meeting 29th June
Gavin provided an update on the recent quarterly meeting with councillors and senior officers, noting that Alastair’s comments about Tillydrone Avenue and junction issues were discussed, with the council offering to investigate inquiry reference numbers for parking offenses. Katy shared news about the city’s pilot program for two cycle hangers, with locations chosen on Westburn Road and Holburn Street, though Gavin expressed concern about the locations not being near flats. The meeting also covered discussions about pedestrian crossings at the Market Street and Bridge Street junctions on Union Street, as well as new signals on Links Road at the Beach Boulevard junction.
Gavin and Alastair discussed a new right-turn refuge box at the Links Road junction, with Gavin explaining that traffic light phasing means there won’t be conflict with turning traffic from the boulevard, but the potential hazard of south-bound traffic on Links Road will remain. Council officers have indicated it will undergo a final safety audit before opening. They reviewed traffic flow improvements at the junction, with Alastair noting the generous time allowance for left turns. The group expressed frustration with the traffic team’s resistance to implementing lower speed limits on quiet rural roads like Countesswells Road, despite widespread use of advisory limits by other local authorities. Several members of the forum shared experiences of near misses walking/cycling on Countesswells and other semi-rural roads within the ACC boundary. The team also noted progress on signage for the beach esplanade to indicate shared use, which they have been requesting for many years.
The group discussed road safety and cycling infrastructure updates. Katy reported that advanced stop lines and bike boxes were included in road relining work, though with a fixed budget that may affect cycling priorities.
The group discussed temporary cycle lanes as an option for consideration, though there was limited enthusiasm from council representatives. They noted that council officers committed to sharing heat map data from Voi bikes to better understand cycling demand.
ACTUP Meeting
The ACT UP meeting covered enforcement challenges: within Scotland (unlike England and Wales) only police have the authority to enforce moving traffic offenses like box junction blocking and red light running. The council lacking enforcement powers despite having cameras at junctions.
Meeting with NESTARNS on ART and RATN
Gavin expressed concern that the delayed Aberdeen Rapid Transit project may impact future cycle infrastructure delivery, as the project’s funding uncertainty could extend implementation by 5-10 years.
The forum also expressed concerns about Nestrans’ cycle map, which they felt was misleading regarding cycling demand on key routes like King Street and Holburn St.
Cycling Infrastructure Updates
Aberdeenshire Council’s proposals of speed limit setting processes were the next topic for discussion, followed by updates on road closure issues, including progress on the B979 Netherley Road closure where temporary concessions were achieved. Gavin and Katy expressed concerns about road closures and diversions affecting cyclists differently than other road users. They learned that the National Cycle Network route NCN1 was declassified due to safety criteria changes, though the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust is conducting a wider review of potential rerouting options.
Events Planning
The group also planned their participation in upcoming events. Gavin noted there will be a mini festival of cycling activities coinciding with the opening of a new path from the cycle hub at Seton to the beach on July 8th. He expressed disappointment that the forum was not invited to participate in the festival despite our support during the planning process. Katy mentioned she would be volunteering at the event with the Rock Up and Ride group to provide cycle confidence sessions.
Building on the 2025 event, Aberden Cycle Forum will once again attend the Cycling Scotland Conference on 16th September, where we will have an exhibition stand featuring a snakes and ladders cycle campaigning display.
Aberdeen Cycle Forum will join the Celebrate Aberdeen parade on August 29th where they will have a banner and meet at Albyn Place at 10am.
The discussion also briefly touched on the Envirolution event in September but noted they had no plans for it at this time.
The group discussed potential events around Climate Week in October, noting that a cycling UK glow ride event is scheduled for October 22nd, which doesn’t conflict with Climate Week (September 19th to October 4th). They explored the possibility of using Voi bikes for a group event, though concerns were raised about antisocial behaviour associated with the e-bikes. The group also discussed placing QR codes at Voi bike parking areas to promote free cycling training programs for underrepresented groups in deprived areas.
Finally, Gavin encouraged forum members to participate in Aberdeenshire Council’s consultation on quiet rural road schemes, following a previous trial in three areas.
AOB – Pavement Parking and Cycling Updates
The group discussed two main topics: a consultation on pavement parking exemptions and a list of cycling improvements. Gavin presented Aberdeen City Council’s proposal to allow pavement parking on Broomhill Avenue despite their transport strategy promoting space reallocation away from cars, and the group agreed it was legitimate to submit comments opposing the plan. The meeting also covered updates on various cycling infrastructure projects, with Francesco noting no improvements planned for Victoria Bridge or Market Street, and Katy announced she would be leaving Aberdeen in August, prompting discussion about finding a new secretary for the group.
Aberdeen Cycle Forum 