@WC, the 20mph/Lothian Buses article is misdirecting, if not quite misleading. Even one of the commenters pointed out that it would have been correct to refer to Dave as a 'bus passenger' when he was riding a bus!
I see your point about the Leith Walk article, folk have made this point before. In this case I honestly think the cue has been taken from the Scottish government announcement rather than an overt attempt to get frothers notching up more hits...
As to the plans themselves, the consultation was on a draft design as far as I am aware. So perhaps some scope still to press for enhancements, or at least put a stop to further retranchments (like the re-instating of filter lanes for motors on Elm Row, for instance).