Walking and cycling
Past and ongoing projects
The active travel team would like to showcase some of our behaviour change projects that are ongoing or we have done in the past.
Make sure to check out our upcoming events so you don't miss any!
Note: All of these projects have been made possible through the People and Place funding which is administered by SEStran and funded by Transport Scotland.
2025/26
Middy Miles
As a fun and engaging way to get pupils and the public engaged in active travel, we asked our primary school pupils to come up with an active travel mascot design. The winning design came from a talented P7 pupil at Lasswade PS which was chosen by Councillor Alexander.
The name Middy Miles was the winning vote from the public following their submissions in our online competition.
Keep an eye out for Middy Miles to make appearances at events and on our active travel material!
Development Officer from Cycling UK in Shawfair
For 2025/26, we've collaborated with Cycling UK to have a development officer to promotional work in and around Shawfair to promote active travel.
Bike maintenance sessions, led walks/rides, play on pedal sessions and much more can be expected to be happening there. We'll make sure to add any events on our events page.
Cycle mobility hub
To make cycling more convenient, we are trialling the implementation of two cycle mobility hubs – in Penicuik Precinct and Auchendinny (Glencorse Centre). These hubs will aim to be focal points for the community to gather with seating and planters, covered cycle storage to facilitate cycling as an everyday mode of transport, secure cycle parking (Penicuik only), a bike repair station, and information on local routes.
In addition, we are looking to include in the future the provision of ebike charging stations/lockers to make it convenient for electric bike users to charge their bike on the go.
2024/25
Dinosaur Trail
In February 2025, we teamed up with Iconic Bricks to bring their 18 toy-brick dinosaur models to Dalkeith. We hosted the dinosaurs for two weeks placing them around town to showcase some of our points of interest and active travel routes.
School cycle, scooter, and pram storage
With year-on-year cycling, scooting and wheeling numbers increasing in many of our primary schools, we installed £125,000 worth of bike, scooter, and pram storage in 9 of our primary schools.
These included: Bilston, Burnbrae, Cornbank, Cuiken, Easthouses/Mayfield, Gore Glen, Roslin, St David’s, St Mary’s, Woodburn Primary School.
Bike repair stations
To help cyclists with bike repairs that happen out and about, we installed 6 free bike repair stations throughout Midlothian. Each repair station has a pump, tools (including allen keys, Philips and flathead screwdrivers, Torx keys, chain tool, various socket tools, long nose pliers, and tyre levers).
Locations include:
- Dalkeith (Cowden park)
- Eskbank train station
- Gorebridge train station
- Loanhead (Station Road)
- Penicuik Leisure Centre
- Sheriffhall Park and Ride
Exact locations can be found on our interactive map.
Brompton Hire scheme
With the help of SEStran, we installed a Brompton folding bike locker with 8 bicycles available for hire for £5 a day.
Each of the eight bikes has a name thanks to a competition run for pupils at Danderhall Primary School. The winning names are:
1st Skinny Malinky Fold Legs
2nd Swiftie
3rd Willy Wonka
4th Flying Scotsman
5th Freddie Mercury
6th Tiny McWheel
7th Blade
8th Sherriff of Fold
Stunt show
We teamed up with the Clan Stunt Show for two successful events at Lasswade and Newbattle Leisure Centres. They put on three shows for each event featuring plenty of stunts, flips, and tricks on a bike.
Coached skateboarding sessions at primary schools
In February 2025, we invited Team Rubicon to come to 12 Midlothian Primary Schools to provide coached skateboarding sessions to P4-P6 classes totalling around 1000 pupils taking part.