Walk, wheel and cycle with us!

At North Edinburgh Arts, we have believed that creativity and community wellbeing go hand in hand, and increasingly, so does getting out on two (or three) wheels!

Our Bike Club has become one of the most joyful and quietly transformative parts of our programme. What started as a way to get people moving has grown into something much bigger: a space for confidence-building, friendship, mental health support, and discovering corners of Edinburgh that many of our members never knew existed, all on their doorstep.

We’re proud to be part of North Edinburgh Active Travel (NEAT), a working group of local organisations, including Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Muirhouse Housing Association, Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), Pilton Community Health Project, Granton Goes Greener, and others across the R2 network, dedicated to making it easier for people in North Edinburgh to walk, wheel and cycle.

Alongside Bike Club, we and our partners run weekly walking groups, a Bike Library offering free bike hire, Dr Bike repair sessions, and cycling lessons for adults and young people. It’s all part of a shared mission: helping local residents feel safe, supported and confident getting around their own neighbourhood, however that looks for them.

Get involved

Whether it’s joining our Wednesday morning Bike Club, borrowing a bike from our Bike Library, dropping in for a Dr Bike check, or simply coming along to our weekly walking groups, there’s something for everyone to enjoy active travel locally.

To find out more about Bike Club or any of our walking, wheeling and cycling activities, get in touch:

Call or text 07493876130 or email fionab@northedinburgharts.co.uk

Local stories from the NEA Bike Club

Below, four of our members share what Bike Club has meant to them.

Member 1

What first made you decide to join Bike Club?

Exercise. I have been doing it for about two years. Before you got the electric trike I found it difficult to keep up with the group.

Can you tell me about a memorable journey you’ve made with Bike Club?

I like going to Portobello Beach and the new park by Fountainbridge. These are nice flat routes.

What benefits have there been to attending Bike Club?

I feel better, I think I am more confident on my own. I also enjoy the company of the group.

Have there been any challenges or barriers to attending Bike Club?

When you did not have the electric trike it was difficult for me. The trike is not always available.

If someone was thinking about attending Bike Club for the first time, what would you tell them?

It’s fun, freedom, a way to meet new people and keep fit.

Member 2

What first made you decide to join Bike Club?

I would never have thought about cycling but it was recommended to me by Fiona and Katie from the NEA Link Up team and I was encouraged to try it.

Can you tell me about a memorable journey you’ve made with Bike Club?

Since starting Bike Club, I have attended weekly for over a year and have so many memorable journeys to choose from. Probably the most memorable was going to the Dalmeny Estate for the first time.

What benefits have there been to attending Bike Club?

There have been clear benefits to my mental and physical health; and confidence around cycling on roads; as I would previously have never cycled off a cycle path.

Have there been any challenges or barriers to attending Bike Club?

No.

If someone was thinking about attending Bike Club for the first time, what would you tell them?

I encourage everyone to try Bike Club. I am 51, overweight and hadn’t been on a bike for over 30 years! Bike Club has been a revelation for me. Despite being born and bred in Edinburgh, Bike Club has shown me many sights and places I never even knew existed. The cycle paths in Edinburgh are so well connected and sheltered from the elements.

Member 3

What first made you decide to join Bike Club?

I had been thinking about cycling more regularly, not just for fitness but as a way to explore Edinburgh and the beautiful places around it. When I heard about the Bike Club in NEA from Natasha, I thought it would be a great opportunity to join the club and become a member. I also liked the idea of meeting new people and enjoying a cycle as part of a group rather than going alone. Joining the club turned out to be a really good decision.

Can you tell me about a memorable journey you’ve made with Bike Club?

There have been quite a few memorable rides, especially to places like South Queensferry, Portobello Beach, Dalmeny Estate, Saughton Park and Edinburgh’s surf club. Each journey has had something different to offer – beautiful coastal views, greenery, peaceful paths and great scenery. One moment that particularly stands out was our ride to Portobello Beach, when Fiona surprised us by greeting the group with ice cream.

After the ride, sitting together by the beach enjoying ice creams and chatting with everyone was such a simple but lovely experience. These little moments have made the rides much more than just cycling. Lastly how can I forget Tasha’s picture moment and murals ride. Lovely memories by taking selfies in every journey.

What benefits have there been to attending Bike Club?

For me, the biggest benefit has been a combination of health, confidence and social connection. Cycling has helped me stay active and get out more, while the different routes have given me the chance to discover beautiful places around Edinburgh that I may not have visited otherwise. But probably the best part has been meeting people and making new friends.

Every ride brings new conversations, experiences, breaking records of riding cycles and lots of laughter. I now look forward to the rides not only for the cycling but also for the people and sense of community.

Have there been any challenges or barriers to attending Bike Club?

There have been some practical challenges, mainly around finding the time especially when I have other commitments like going to the office or working. Sometimes the weather conditions. But when I am out on the bike and riding with the group, the scenic views and the experience make it worthwhile. The supportive atmosphere of the group also makes it easier to keep coming back.

If someone was thinking about attending Bike Club for the first time, what would you tell them?

I would definitely recommend going the Bike Club. I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly and welcoming everyone was. It’s not just about cycling – you get to explore beautiful places, enjoy amazing views and make new friends. Till now, I have enjoyed every ride.

My advice would be: don’t worry about being new or whether you are experienced enough. Just come along, enjoy the ride and be open to meeting new people. Enjoy the experience.

Member 4

What first made you decide to join Bike Club?

At the time I was going to a group at NEA and was told about the Bike Club. At the time I was looking for ways to get fitter and I just found out I have high blood pressure. So the Bike Club came along at the perfect time.

Can you tell me about a memorable journey you’ve made with Bike Club?

There’s been so many great cycles with the group and a lot of good memories I have and will be made out cycling with the club.

One recent cycle was to the Lost Shore surf resort out by Ratho. The memorable moments for me is from the group going to new places and seeing more of where I live, that’s the treat; outside of ice cream at Portobello.

What benefits have there been to attending Bike Club?

To see new places, it challenges me, no, it makes me want to go back and cycle and try those routes on my own. It makes me more confident to get out and cycle. Especially after a recent accident when I was hit by a car while cycling on my own, it gave me a knock mentally that I didn’t think I’d go out cycling again. It’s a friendly, welcoming and supportive group that made me want to go out again.; so physically and mentally the club is a plus to my week.

Have there been any challenges or barriers to attending Bike Club?

For me, I know for others who can’t use a regular bike (two wheels) having a trike has been a good thing; being able to get out with a group but routes can limit that. One trike for half a dozen people, I assume can be a challenge for the staff.

If someone was thinking about attending Bike Club for the first time, what would you tell them?

What surprised me was how small Edinburgh is or feels out cycling, when you’re told we’re going to ‘XYZ’ there can be hesitation and make a route off-putting. Also electric bikes can do so much and if you’ve not used one before there can be a mix of assumptions that the bike does all the work and it does little. I think a tester of a shorter cycle (30 minutes) to use, test and see how good it can be.