This ride will take us down the River Clyde, starting off on the North side and using the Loch Lomond path, then crossing the Renfrew Bridge and joining the path along the A8 towards Bishopton.

From there we will cross the new Dargavel development, seeing how the paths are coming along, before continuing through Langbank, and towards Port Glasgow and Greenock. After a lunch stop in Greenock, there will be an optional continuation around the coast to Inverkip, passing the Cloch Lighthouse.

25 miles to Greenock, 35 miles to Inverkip, a mix of paths, some alongside main roads, and a section on an undulating country road. Return by train from a selection of stations in Inverclyde.

For more information on GoBike rides see: https://www.gobike.org/about-us/cycle-rides

We will meet at the north end of Bell’s Bridge at 10:00am, next to Congress Road outside the SEC

If our usual meeting place isn’t available due to Commonwealth Games events, we will meet at the other, south, end of Bell’s Bridge instead.

City Region/City Deal

Clyde Mission Masterplan

Big money regeneration project with scope from Dunoon to Lanark. Glasgow City Region says about Clyde Mission: “its purpose is to add value by helping to unlock barriers to development, and align and facilitate activity across boundaries”. The main focus is on economic development and climate issues like flood prevention and district heating. However, active travel seems to be included under ‘Connectivity’. The Clyde Mission themes diagram shows dozens of specific sites (but misses a few like Clyde Cycle Park, Cambuslang). There are 20 ‘Signature Locations’ – towns or areas on the river/firth and a few just outside it (like Carstairs Junction). Each location features in the survey so if you can comment on connections, or lack of them, in the local area (and skip other questions if you want). National active travel funding is still in limbo after the election so this regional investment could be an important alternative; especially for cross-boundary projects.

Links: Clyde Mission article, Clyde Mission StoryMap, and Clyde Mission Masterplan survey.

Deadline: 21 July 2026.

Glasgow City

North Laurieston Masterplan (draft)

Further regeneration for North Laurieston beyond the Avenues Plus program on South Portland Street (works were due to complete this month). S Portland St would be the main north-south active travel route. Its new cycletrack would extend south, through former Skills Academy site, with a link on Bedford St to South City Way at Gorbals St (near Citizen’s Theatre). Seems the Glasgow Bridge protected cycletrack would only connect onto Carlton Place. The main east-west route would be the south bank of the Clyde and Carlton Place (hopefully with a smoother surface!). See the ‘Movement Strategy’ (in Part 2, p60 onwards). Inspiration comes from Barcelona’s ‘Superblocks’ to re-route through traffic away from residential streets. There’s a lot worth supporting in the masterplan but a few questions to be asked about some of the details.

Links: North Laurieston Masterplan (parts 1 & 2), N Laurieston Masterplan article (April 2026) and N Laurieston Masterplan survey.

Deadline: 4 August 2026.

Argyle & Bute

Helensburgh Waterfront consultation

Proposal about selling off an empty site to develop a local supermarket/shops, car parking and skatepark. The Common Good land seems to be where the old swimming pool was, before the new leisure centre was built. This is part of a wider Helensburgh Waterfront Development.

Links: Helensburgh Waterfront consultation article, Helensburgh Waterfront Q&A and Helensburgh Waterfront survey.

Deadline: Monday 10 August 2026 (12 noon).

East Ayrshire

Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3)

As well as their road condition survey, below, East Ayrshire are developing their next development plan. Latest papers cover environment, economy and derelict land.

Links: East Ayrshire LDP3 Hub.

Deadline: No obvious deadline.

East Renfrewshire

Local Transport Strategy

East Ren say the LTS: “has been developed in response to key transport challenges and sets out our approach for decision making and investment. This survey provides an opportunity to share your views on the Strategy. It aims to understand whether we have identified the correct approach and what areas may need improved.”

Links: Local Transport Strategy survey (for registered users), LTS online summary.

Deadline: 15 July 2026 (deadline extended).

Transport Delivery Framework

A call for ideas, using a form in the council’s consultation website. The Walking, wheeling and cycling section already has an idea about cycling hubs and an anti-cycling/wheeling comment.

Links: East Ren Transport Delivery Framework.

Deadline: 24 July 2026.

Strathclyde

Road & Footpath Condition surveys

The Scotland Roads Survey is published by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) and Scottish Collaboration of Transport Specialists (SCOTS). According to Ayrshire Roads Alliance: “Each survey is designed to collect information on the public perception of the roads and footpaths throughout each local authority.”
Apparently: “the questions in this survey relate to local public, council adopted roads only but excluding trunk roads and motorways”.
Below are links to all the area surveys that seem to be available.

Links: Road surveys article (Ayrshire Roads Alliance).

• East Ayrshire survey
• Inverclyde survey
• North Ayrshire survey
• North Lanarkshire survey
• Renfrewshire survey
• South Ayrshire survey
• South Lanarkshire survey
• West Dunbartonshire survey

Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Renfrewshire

Elderslie For Everyone

A further update and event for this project about a section of Main Road, Elderslie – one of the few road sections on this part of National Cycle Network routes 7/75 (and EuroVelo 1). Draft plans included a bi-directional cycletrack on the northern side of the road to link between the paths. To the west are Johnstone and Lochwinnoch and to the east the path goes to Paisley Canal station (and beyond to Glasgow). There was a previous event in 2024 and an updated plan in 2025.

Drop-in event: Wednesday 10 June, 3-6pm,
Elderslie Village Hall, Stoddard Square, Elderslie PA5 9AS.

Links: Elderslie For Everyone public event page on the Elderslie For Everyone Commonplace website.

East Renfrewshire

Transport Delivery Framework

This is a strand of East Ren Council’s Local Transport Strategy. It’s a call for ideas, using a form in the council’s consultation website. The Walking, wheeling and cycling section already has an idea about cycling hubs and an anti-cycling/wheeling comment.

Links: East Ren Transport Delivery Framework.

TDF Deadline: 24 July 2026 / LTS Deadline: 10 July 2026

This ride will go out through Govan and Paisley to join the NCN route 7 to Irvine, much of which is railway path. We will stop at Lochwinnoch for lunch at Castle Semple Country Park, or in the town. Once we arrive in Irvine we will visit the beach, before returning to Glasgow by train

38 miles, largely on paths and quieter roads, and most of the hill climbing is around Dalry. Option to return from Lochwinnoch station (20 miles).

We will meet at the SEC, just to the east of the north end of Bell’s Bridge at 10:00

For more information on GoBike rides, please see here

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

Next we will follow some new cycle facilities, including the now completed Renfrew to Paisley cycleway. We will also see some new provision in Blackhall and Hawkhead, before joining NCN route 7 back into Glasgow, and finish at Festival Park.
20 miles, mostly on paths and quieter roads, with a short set of steps in Renfrew.

We will meet 10am at the north end of Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.

For further details of GoBike rides see here

Argyll & Bute

Tarbert Ferry Terminal to Whitehouse – Community Path

Further consultation on a path between Tarbert’s ferry terminal, on Loch Fyne, across the top of the Kintyre peninsula to Kennacraig ferry terminal/Whitehouse. There are concept designs for the route between the two, alongside the A83. This is a Stage 2 consultation (Stage 1 was in 2024). There was an in-person consultation event in Tarbert that has passed. This path to the south-west seems to be separate from the project to create a path to the north-east (Tarbet to Inverarnan).
Links: Tarbert to Whitehouse Community Path (Engagement Hub), large plan image (ZoomHub), Tarbert–Whitehouse survey, Feedback Map and ABC website page.
Deadline: Tuesday 30 September 2025 (17.00).

East Dunbartonshire

LDP3 – Call for Ideas and Sites Consultation

Part of the Council’s continuing work to prepare its next Local Development Plan (LDP). The plan will guide what land in East Dunbartonshire is used for development. The call for ideas is about planning policy and spatial strategy. The call for sites is for general ideas or developers with plans about how to develop areas of land. The call for sites may be an opportunity to lobby for active travel routes.
Two drop-in information sessions (Kirkintilloch/Milngavie) have already passed.
Links: LDP3 web page, LDP3 call for ideas survey and LDP3 call for sites survey.
Deadline: Monday 15 September 2025.

East Renfrewshire

Parks & Green Spaces

ERC say: “We want to learn about your experience of visiting and using parks and greenspaces in East Renfrewshire. Which parks are your favourite? What do you like about them? What do you think could be better? The results of the survey will be used to inform the new Open Space Strategy and Local Development Plan 3.”
East Ren parks and green spaces with important active travel links include: Rouken Glen Park, Balgray Reservoir and Whitelee Wind Farm. There are also some ‘missing links’, like the wasteground and disused bridge between Williamwood train station and Eastwood Health & Care Centre.
Link: East Ren parks and green spaces consultation.
Deadline (extended): 12 September 2025.

Thornliebank Consultations

Feedback about completed projects in Thornliebank, including access improvements to Thornliebank Playing Fields.
Link: Thornliebank Consultations page and Thornliebank Projects Feedback survey.
Deadline: no obvious deadline.

Inverclyde

Proposed Installation of Road Humps – Kirn Drive, Gourock (ETRO)

Following previous consultation, Inverclyde Council propose traffic calming on Kirn Drive in Midton, Gourock. The road would be made one-way between Arran Rd in east and Divert Rd in west with humps added. Also, Staffa Street would be made one-way from Ivy Crescent to Kingsway east. An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) usually lasts 18 months to pilot a change.
Link: Kirn Dr, Gourock TRO page.
Deadline (extended): 1 September 2025.

North Ayrshire

Montgomerie Park, Irvine

North Ayrshire Council is planning the development of 188 new homes at Montgomerie Park, Irvine. Following previous consultations, the final plans for the site are available to view. A proposed road at the south of the new estate seems to include a cycle path but there are no details on width/surface.
Link: Montgomery Park page and final plans (PDF).
Deadline: Sunday 31 August 2025.

Renfrewshire

Outcomes of previous consultations

Renfewshire Council’s new website has an ‘Outcome available’ section with feedback from previous consultations. These include: Erskine Town Centre consultation and Johnston Civic Squares consultation.
Link: Renfrewshire Council consultations and ‘Outcome available’ page.

South Lanarkshire

Update on Hamilton Town Centre Masterplan

An update from South Lanarkshire Council is mostly about progress with property. Sadly, this includes demolishing the facade of the former Vogue Bingo hall on Keith St (apparently as it’s now unsafe). Other negative news includes the trial reintroduction of cars on Quarry St being made permanent. Quarry St used to be pedestrianised – see featured image at top of post from 2012 (with Vogue building in background). Car parking had crept up since the pandemic (leading to the trial). There should be disabled parking and it always had some access for loading, etc. However, officially opening the street to all cars removes safe space for walking, wheeling and cycling (even if it’s still one-way and not really a through road).

Also, work is starting to look at renewing the Duke St multi-storey car park – it’s due to be demolished (apart from the section under Wyler Tower!). However, the plan is to build a new multi-storey in the same place, on the wrong side of the road from the shops! It could potentially have been moved behind Quarry St, in the footprint of the current Regent Shopping Centre, if road access had been adjusted (see alternative plans, ignored by SLC). There is due to be an improved pedestrian/cycle path behind the Duke St car park, to Hamilton Central station, but it doesn’t seem like the rest of the town centre will be very cycle-friendly.

Local Action Fund

The Local Action Fund is £50,000 for each of the 20 council wards in South Lanarkshire. Several projects have already been awarded but there is funding remaining in some wards. There doesn’t seem to be a formal consultation or application process – constituents have to contact their councillors, who will decide where the remaining funds go.

For example, Rutherglen South, Ward 11, reportedly has £23,200 still to be spent by Councillors Robert Brown (who has attended GoBike hustings in the past), Margaret Cowie and Carol Nugent. Could some of the funding go towards improving local active travel routes?

East Renfrewshire

Parks & Green Spaces

ERC say: “We want to learn about your experience of visiting and using parks and greenspaces in East Renfrewshire. Which parks are your favourite? What do you like about them? What do you think could be better? The results of the survey will be used to inform the new Open Space Strategy and Local Development Plan 3.”
East Ren parks and green spaces with important active travel links include: Rouken Glen Park, Balgray Reservoir and Whitelee Wind Farm. There are also some ‘missing links’, like the wasteground and disused bridge between Williamwood train station and Eastwood Health & Care Centre.
Link: East Ren parks and green spaces consultation.
Deadline: 14 July 2025.

Glasgow City

North Laurieston Masterplan – Stage 1

This seems to be in early stages so not many details about plans yet. Laurieston area on south bank of Clyde sits between city centre and Gorbals. South Portland Street’s Avenues Plus project (linking from suspension bridge) has been paused for this masterplan.
Drop-in event: Tuesday, 24 June, between 2-8pm (with a presentation at 6.30pm) in the Savings Bank, 57 Bridge St, Glasgow G5 9JB.
Links: North Laurieston event tweet and North Laurieston microsite.
Deadline: no obvious deadline.

City Network feedback – South & Inner North areas

Report on consultation process and next steps. GCC say: “Around 60% of the comments were positive, 24% negative, and the rest neutral. Positive comments generally supported active travel infrastructure; negative comments questioned the use of funds or raised unrelated issues… Engagement was stronger in the South”. The second stage of consultation added a few short routes in each area based on earlier suggestions.

Consultation events included the Saracen Street Active Travel Project with a choice of two routes – one on Saracen St and an alternative route on Sunnylaw St behind it. This downgrading of routes off of main roads onto back street ‘Quietways’, with little or no traffic calming, has happened in both areas. However, it has had more effect on the South area, along with routes being “paused”. While there is still a skeleton network, it’s been eroded from the initial ambitions. Most recently seen in Kilmarnock Rd planned bike lanes being moved due to opposition. The good news is nine routes will be taken forward (four Inner North and five South).

National funding changes mean “current City Network and Liveable Neighbourhood programmes will be reviewed and consolidated to maximise delivery opportunities.” We’ve yet to see what happens with the other Phase 1 area, Greater Govan, after a recent meeting held by shop keepers opposed to cycle lanes. However, it puts a big question mark over the 2030/31 timescale.
Links: Plans for 11km of City Network routes and City Network Inner North & South report (PDF).

Liveable Neighbourhoods update (Tranche 3, Stage 2)

There are in-depth reports for four areas. GCC say: “The initiatives which have been shaped by community input are detailed in reports for the Cardonald to Mosspark, Knightswood to Anniesland, Lambhill to Milton and Ruchazie to Easterhouse areas…”
But… “Due to recent changes in national funding structures, efforts are now underway to enhance collaboration across our services, investigate new delivery methods for the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, and identify additional funding sources that can support the development of prospective projects to construction.”
Links: Potential Neighbourhood projects and LN Programme Tranche 3 report (PDF).

North Ayrshire

Local Development Plan 3 – Call for Ideas

NAC say: “Individuals, community bodies, organisations, landowners and developers are invited to submit their ideas for what should be included in LDP3. This may include ideas for the development of land or buildings; ideas relating to policies to be included in LDP3 and applied to the assessment of future planning applications, or any other aspect of the new local development plan.”
Links: NAC LDP3 info page and LDP3 survey.
Deadline: Monday 30 June 2025.

North Lanarkshire

East Airdrie Link Road – Stage 3

Formerly ‘Airdrie bypass’, now due to link to new hospital site. No cycle lanes and pavement seems to have been removed since earlier plans. Latest stage is “…part of the Pre-Application Notice (25/00593/PAN), which was submitted on 28 May 2025 and is the first stage in the process of applying for planning permission.”

Drop-in events:

• Airdrie Library – Tuesday 17 June 2025, 2pm to 7pm
• Chapelhall Library – Thursday 19 June 2025, 2pm to 7pm
• Cumbernauld Library – Tuesday 24 June 2025, 2pm to 7pm

Links: EALR stage 3 consultation – feedback in person or via email: EALR@northlan.gov.uk.
Deadline: Sunday 10 August 2025.

Renfrewshire

Johnstone Civic Squares

“Following completion of the Johnstone Town Centre Vision in spring 2024, Page\Park Architects were appointed by Renfrewshire Council to develop enhancements for the two Civic Squares in the town – Houstoun Square and Ludovic Square – as well as the Houstoun Court precinct which provides a key link between the squares.”
Links: Johnstone Squares consultation and display boards (PDF).
Deadline:  22 June 2025.

here are 3 of them, with Andy.

Here’s the route and here are 6 of the 7 riders on the cycle path out to Kilmacolm,

We got a view of the Quarriers Village and proceeded on to Kilmacolm for lunch in the cosy (compared to outside) Carriages pub.

Then it was on towards our goal, but in the open countryside, the wind and the rain got the better of us and we headed down to Port Glasgow for the train home. We certainly enjoyed the sun – when it chose to appear, and Andy did say that he will re-programme this route for another time

The next ride will be on Sunday 06 July, heading south to Calderglen Country Park and East Kilbride. Details are here

From there, we will head to Linwood to join the NCN route 75 railway path. After a lunch-stop in Kilmacolm, we will leave the path to take the forest trail through to the Loch Thom reservoir itself. After a stop at the visitors’ centre, we will then probably split into two groups to arrive back in Greenock for the train back to Glasgow, with an optional leisurely visit to the Greenock Cut for those not in a hurry.
38 miles, with most of the climbing on the unpaved forest track to Loch Thom, and before that a couple of short sections on main roads.

We will meet at the north end of Bell’s Bridge, between the Armadillo and the Clyde at 10:00.

See here for more details of GoBike rides