We cycled along and over the Govan Bridge, then continued west, into the wind and the hail and sleet started. Through Drumoyne and over the motorway towards Hillington – and under the motorway: decision time!
We turned around, into the snow and back towards the city. It was a joy to get into the Clyde Tunnel, where it was warm and dry.

Once north of the river again we made our way home, hoping that our next ride out, on Sunday 03 May, going north to Strathblane, will be pleasanter!

Then we will go into Erskine on the New Town’s path network, to end up at the waterfront. Next will be the Erskine Bridge, then return through Clydebank to Glasgow on the Loch Lomond path.

26 miles, a mix of paths and back streets, only a few short bits on busier roads, and little in the way of climbing. Potentially stopping in Clydebank for lunch.

Meet at 10:00 Sunday 05 April at the north end of Bell’s Bridge near the SEC.

For more information about GoBike rides see here

Just six of us set off on a rainy day – the official first day of spring, for a journey to the north -east of the city. Yet again, there was somewhere new for each of us.

We cycled into the city and up to Sighthill, before turning east to skirt Hogganfield Loch, some of our route along cycle lanes part full of mud and past flytipping sites. We skirted Lenzie and cycled through Merkland, before heading towards the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Here we met the most surprising structure on the ride:

Yes, we stopped at the south side and watched cars drive through before we ventured under the bridge, carefully keeping to the centre of the road to smile happily for this photo.

Then it was up to the canal for the ride back to Glasgow, with a lunch stop at the Stables Pub en route.
The ride officially finished at the Stockingfield Bridge over the canal, distance 23 miles with riders then making their way back home, most of us towards the city.

Here’s the route, should you wish to check it out: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3247559?units=km

Our next ride will be on Sunday, 05 April, heading west to Erskine, see here for details

Both projects affect their local neighbourhood but also have a knock on effect on nearby active travel projects and the wider area (or region/country for the M8 viaducts).

Both have consultation events – TODAY (Thurs 26th Feb) in Linthouse and next week in Cowcaddens (plus an earlier event just took place).

Clyde Waterfront Innovation Campus

Also known as part of Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID). This will be a new Glasgow Uni campus on the south bank of the Clyde off Govan Road (near the Clyde Tunnel entrance). Since cycle routes in the Greater Govan area have hit opposition, could this be an opportunity to add new ones without local shopkeepers holding protest meetings? Also, it could be served by the potential Route 2 to QEU Hospital in Connecting Greater Govan plans (see February 2026 Consultation update). The development uses a streamlined planning process which seems to have fewer stages for feedback.

Linthouse Housing Association say:
“Glasgow City Council are designing a Masterplan Consent Area (MCA) in Govan, between… Elder Park and the Clyde. MCAs proactively grant planning consent to developments that fit within the designed scheme. The proposed MCA will provide development parameters for the establishment of a health and innovation campus on the vacant sites at Govan Road, Holmfauld Road and Linthouse Road. The proposals comprise erection of business accommodation (office, research, laboratory, light industrial and ancillary uses) and associated roads, infrastructure, public realm, and landscaping works. As part of the design, we are proposing several civic and outdoor areas for the public to use, including a new area of public access to the River Clyde and a new civic square.”

Event: Thursday 26th February 2026, 3-7pm
Linthouse Housing Association, 1 Cressy St, Glasgow G51 4RB

Links: Linthouse HA webpage.

Deadline: No obvious deadline.

M8 Woodside Viaducts

Options for the crumbling Woodside viaducts between M8 Junction 16 (Craighall) and Junction 17 (Charing Cross). Problems with the supports between sections led to remedial works, ongoing since 2021 (due to continue until 2027 at a cost of £150+ million). These works restrict the Cowcaddens underpass (causing serious personal safety issues), access to Garscube Rd cycleway/Forth & Clyde canal and are delaying The Underline (part of Glasgow’s Avenues project).

Transport Scotland say:
“Temporary works

1. Lane restrictions are in place and temporary propping of the viaducts is being carried out as a short-term measure to ensure the safety of road users and continued operation of the M8.
2. The temporary props have a limited lifespan, will require maintenance, and take up extensive road space below the viaducts. For these reasons they are not an effective long-term solution.

Permanent works

1. Transport Scotland is assessing options for permanent works that ensure the long-term future for this vital stretch of Scotland’s Trunk Road Network.
2. The long-term plan is to maintain and invest in the M8 motorway network to ensure that it supports existing and future transport plans and the Scottish economy for many years to come.
3. As part of our project development processes, we are considering a range of options for Repairing, Replacing or potentially Removing the viaducts.
4. This consultation is being carried out to inform the Strategic Development stage of work, and presents information in a manner that allows high-level comparisons to be made between the strategic options being considered.”

Removal is the most eye-catching option – especially as the mock-up is more radical than anything proposed by the Replace the M8 campaign! Their petition to the Scottish Parliament asking for a feasibility study for replacing the city centre M8 was turned down in 2022. Transport Scotland have done traffic modelling of removal only – showing knock on effects in the region. However, that seems to have assumed no further changes to the transport network!?

Event: Wednesday 4 March 2026, 10am to 5pm
Woodside Halls, 36 Glenfarg Street, Glasgow, G20 7QE

Links: Transport Scotland webpage, ‘Virtual room’ consultation site, M8 Woodside booklet, M8 Woodside survey.

Deadline: Wednesday 25 March 2026.

This ride will see us head northeast from Glasgow, stopping briefly in Hogganfield Park, see photo above, and then over the council boundary into North Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire.

We will use some country lanes and the Strathkelvin Railway Path, then head to Merkland Nature Reserve. After that, we will join the Forth & Clyde Canal for the return to Glasgow, with potential for a stop at The Stables.
25 miles, mostly on paths and quieter roads, but some bits on main roads here and there, and one big hill. Some unsealed paths as well.

Meet 10am at the north end of Bell’s Bridge, next to Congress Road, Glasgow.

For more information on GoBike cycle rides, see here.

Glasgow City

Connecting Greater Govan – Route 1: Govan Road to Pollok Country Park

Glasgow City Council call this route Govan-Partick Bridge to Pollok Park but it starts to the east of Water Row on Govan Road (see featured image, at top of page). On Orkney St and Broomloan Rd it is fairly direct, via Ibrox and Bellahouston Park, down to Drumbreck Rd (2.7km). The route skirts past residential areas and shopping streets but still serves some major destinations in a car-dominated area (which includes Ibrox Primary School’s Bike Bus). Proposed new junctions at busy Paisley Road West and removing the Edmiston Dr roundabout would be a boost to active travel and road safety (see above – unclear if the ‘Route 1’ name is a football reference!). Online reaction was split and local businesses have been vocal critics of cycle lanes so it could do with a good response in the consultation. This route needs to stick if more are to follow (including Route 2 towards Queen Elizabeth University Hospital).

Consultation events:
Pop‑up event – Saturday 21 February (8:30am-11am) at Elder Park.
Drop‑in event – Tuesday 3 March (3:30pm-7pm) in the McLeod Hall, Pearce Institute, 840-860 Govan Road.
Pop-up event – Wednesday 18th March (4pm-7pm) at Govan Subway Station.

Links: Route 1 article, Route 1 Storymap and Route 1 survey.
Deadline: 30 March 2026.

East City Way – Phase 5

The current East City Way has kerb-protected cycle lanes on London Road from Bridgeton train station, past Celtic Park/Sir Chris Hoy velodrome, as far as Canmore St. Phase 5 is the “proposed upgrade of the existing Spaces for People cycle lanes between Braidfauld Street and Canmore Street into fully segregated infrastructure”. This continues the 1-way lanes and includes a ‘cyclops’ junction (like the one at Clyde Gateway). The area around the flats, car wash and Celtic Supporters Club has issues with pavement parking (not least on match days). Some parking bays are included but not many bollards. East of Braidfauld St, the last section of ‘armadillos’/‘zebras’ will remain for now (to the Shell garage). This is another step towards completing the East City Way but further phases will be needed to close the gap, past the M74 junction, to the protected 2-way lanes at Mount Vernon (see StoryMap). 

Links: East City Way article, ECW StoryMap and ECW survey.
Deadline: 22 February 2026.

People First Zone (PFZ) – Phase 1

GCC have talked about a ‘People First Zone’ since the City Centre Transport Plan consultation in 2022. These plans for an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) are the first look at how it would work. The initial focus is Queen St, which has some of the highest footfall in the city centre. Plans show extended pavement space with planters on Queen St and towards the junction with Ingram St (similar to those at St Vincent Place). The t-junction would get a ‘raised crossing’ (level with pavement) to try to slow down motor traffic. Also, a bus gate from 7am–7pm (to let buses through but not cars). The council have used ETROs before for Spaces for People bike lanes – they usually last 18 months. Project timeline says works are due to start during January to March. The PFZ will be monitored from April between Queen St and Candleriggs in the Merchant City. It will be interesting to see how it develops along with the bus gate proposed for Argyle St in the next item.

Links: PFZ article, PFZ StoryMap, PFZ circulation plan and PFZ survey.
Deadline: 19 April 2026.

Argyle St East (Traffic Regulation Order)

This TRO covers Argyle St east of Glasgow Central Station. It would link to the Argyle St west project (from Hielenman’s Umbrella) and on Trongate to High St and Gallowgate/London Rd. The current protected westbound cycle lane (from the Four Ways crossroads) would be made 2-way and extended past the St Enoch Centre. Then it would run along a new carriageway through the precinct past Argyle St station. The route crosses over to ‘with flow’ protected lanes on Trongate. After crossing to London Rd they go back to 2-way lanes again. These then cross to the other side of the road (at James Morrison Street). A bus gate at Queen St and a new bus (and taxi) lane will go direct to Glassford St/Stockwell St and cut out the current loop around Ingram St.

At Stage 1, GoBike raised concerns about pedestrian space, angle of lanes at bus stops and switching between uni-directional and bi-directional lanes. GCC said the type of lanes in each location are dictated by the shallow depth of utilities and rail tunnels under Argyle St. While we’re a bit sceptical about that, the same line does have shallow tunnels under London Rd. We supported the plans overall as, while far from perfect, they’ll be an important west-east link to stations and shops in a busy city centre area.

Links: GCC Proposed TRO page and email correspondence between GoBike and GCC.
Deadline: 25 February 2026.

Glasgow’s Climate Plan 2026–2030 Consultation

Glasgow’s Climate Plan has an overview of the actions needed to become a net-zero carbon city by 2030. It covers a lot of topics and is broken down into 18 benefits in 11 categories. Under Transport, action 4 says: “Deliver a comprehensive active travel network and reduce the need to use a car for short everyday journeys.” 

The target is still 2030 – the key thing is what “comprehensive” means. The Avenues project is making strides towards a network in the city centre and there have been other success stories, like the South City Way having more bikes than cars last summer. However, progress with the first three areas of the full City Network has been slow. With four years to go, and plans for cycle lanes in Possil scrapped or scaled back in Shawlands and Govan, there’s a question mark about what will be delivered by then. 

Links: Glasgow’s Climate Plan, quick guide and Climate Plan survey.
Deadline: 15 February 2026.

East Ayrshire

East Ayrshire Active Travel Strategy

East Ayrshire has existing active travel routes including NCN73 (Irvine to Kilmarnock) and the Chris Hoy Way – a 20km shared use route connecting Hurlford to Galston. It also has some ambitious plans, including Kilmarnock Green Infinity Loop, amongst 41(!) potential routes. As well as campaigns and policies there is some detailed analysis of issues in different localities. It looks quite promising so we can only hope East Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire Roads Alliance have the political will to match (and avoid neighbouring South Ayrshire’s issues with NIMBYs).

Links: Ayrshire Roads Alliance page, Draft East Ayrshire Active Travel Strategy & EA ATS short survey (3 pages, multiple choice).
Deadline: 1 March 2026.

Inverclyde

Inverclyde Active Travel Strategy Public Survey

Inverclyde put out a survey for a new Active Travel Strategy but it seems to have stopped taking responses.

Links: Inverclyde Active Travel Strategy article and Inverclyde ATS public survey.
Deadline: may have passed (consultation started 12 January).

North Lanarkshire

Muirhead to Coatbridge: Strategic Network Routes 1 and 7

Early consultation about route options between Muirhead and Coatbridge (Strategic Network Route 1). This is mainly on minor roads past Drumpellier Country Park and Gartcosh. Also, there’s a west-east route across Coatbridge town centre (SNR7) along the A89 and Main Street. In line with NLC’s Active Travel Strategy these are likely to be shared path/widened pavement routes. While they’re not done to the same level as routes in Glasgow or East Kilbride, NLC have at least got on with building some of them – see their Live & Constructed Active Travel Routes webpage (MS Sway). Coatbridge already has the National Cycle Network route 75 west-east on Bank St and the former canal/railway. The new route will pass shops and should be better lit. However, it’s a shame NLC aren’t adding north-south links first (such as to New College Lanarkshire or Monklands Hospital).

Links: Active Travel Live Projects page (SNR1/7), SNR1 and 7 StoryMap and SNR1 and 7 survey (four questions).
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Local Transport Strategy (LTS – Shaping North Lanarkshire’s Future)

North Lanarkshire Council also had a consultation about their Local Transport Strategy which ended before this update was published (apologies). See Shaping North Lanarkshire’s Transport Future for details. A response went in before deadline passed (on 8 February 2026).

Nine of us set off on Sunday 01 February, along by the Clyde and then through Newton as we started to climb – here’s the full route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3220777

From the high point we turned and returned to the city via Cathkin, Burnside and King’s Park – past lots and lots of pebble-dashed houses. The South City Way led us back to the Clutha crossroads (with its not-so-excellent traffic light system where the ride ended.

Of the 9 who set off 1 person left us when we moved away from the Clyde and 2 southsiders left on our return to the city centre.

March’s ride will be on Sunday 01 March, when we head out to the north-east via Hogganfield Park for a 25-miler.

We will follow the Clyde Walkway upstream to Cambuslang, then continue on NCN route 75 through to Newton.

Then we will head south to climb up and around Dechmont Hill to the south of Cambuslang, before returning to Glasgow via Cathkin and Hampden. Finishing on the South City Way back at the River Clyde.
22 miles, mostly on paths and quieter roads, with a climb up to Dechmont.

Meet 10:00 hrs at the north end of Bell’s Bridge, at the SEC

For more information see here

12 of us set off from the SEC on a very chilly but very sunny morning and circumnavigated the city centre, as shown on the Strava map above (with thanks to Carol) and the Cycle Travel Map, https://cycle.travel/map/journey/782905 provided by Andy.

The route may be found here: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3196131?units=miles

We saw work completed, work started but not yet finished and areas where work is required. Also on our route, just before we exited Lauriston for the South City Way is now the shortest cycle route in the city, blocked off by that very same South City Way!

Thanks are due to Tim for the feature photo, taken just after we travelled along the under-threat Gordon Street contraflow lane. Tim, of course, is not in the photo, but nor is another member of the group, who left us early because of the cold.

The question of the ride was “Why are cycle lanes surfaced in so many different colour finishes? Someone must, or should know?

Next month’s ride will, no doubt, feature fewer sets of traffic lights, but a longer distance, as we head south to Dechmont Hill.

Here are the details:
For our infrastructure ride to kick off 2026, we will take a spin around some of the routes of Glasgow City Council’s Avenues project, concentrating on the city centre area. This will include visiting recently opened sections of cycleway, and also some that are still under construction. We will venture out into the inner city areas every now and then, and even visit what might be Glasgow’s shortest cycle lane! The ride will finish around lunchtime at Central Station.
12 miles, a mix of path, cycleway and city street, with one big climb.

We meet on Sunday 04 January, at 10:00 at the north end of Bell’s Bridge and look forward to seeing you there.
For more details of GoBike rides see: https://www.gobike.org/about-us/cycle-rides