Local diver finds '14 Just Eat bikes' dumped in Water of Leith under bridge at the end of a busy cycle path

Shane, pictured, says he counted 14 Just Eat bikes while diving for his friend's bicycle. A group of 'magnet fishers' also pulled out an old safe from the water last week. Pictures: Hilary Thacker/ Friends of the Water of Leith Basin

The fully certified diver, called Shane, said he was "shocked" by how many bikes he found in the water beside the Sandport Place bridge in Leith.

The 26-year-old said he was initially helping out a friend who works for Deliveroo who had his bike taken a couple of weeks ago while out delivering an order - and when he caught the youngsters in the act they dumped it in the water.

After seeking permission from the city council and Forth Ports, Shane went in to find it on Tuesday morning - and he reckons he counted 14 different Just Eat bicycles in the water.

Shane, pictured by the Sandport Place bridge and Water of Leith. Picture: Hilary Thacker/ Friends of the Water of Leith Basin

The diver, who lives in Inverkeithing, said: "I was quite shocked to come across them. I just kept thinking, 'wait a minute, is this right? Am I really seeing what I am seeing?"

As well as the Just Eat bikes, Shane found other bicycles and scooters in the water which he said was about 15 metres deep in the middle section - and he unexpectedly came across a salmon at one point.

Shane says his friend's bike was very dirty but still in a usable condition after he hauled it out with some assistance today.

Wildlife concerns

Hilary Thacker, who runs Facebook group Friends of the Water of Leith Basin, spoke with Shane today after he had been diving and shared some pictures of him all kitted out on social media.

She said that, as this location marks the end of a main cycle path, people might see it as a convenient place to dump the bikes.

She highlighted that the metal from the bikes will disintegrate over time and pose a threat to wildlife, and questioned how many of these bikes have been dumped in other parts of the Water of Leith.

HIlary also said that an old safe was recovered from the Water of Leith a few days ago, close to where the bikes were found, by some 'magnet fishers' - but it only contained a few old 5p coins.

Shane, who has been diving since the age of 12, said he planned to head back to the Water of Leith on Tuesday afternoon to try and retrieve a second safe which they had apparently detected.

He has sent an email to Just Eat about the latest bikes discovery and the company has also been contacted by the Evening News to see if they are aware.