Reposted by Michael Bates Urban Cycling Institute @urbancyclinginstitute.org · 08/09/2026Japan just made its streets safer overnight! Following Spain and Wales, the country just slashed the speed limit on more than two thirds of its streets, from 60 km/h to 30 km/h. Read more: www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s... 323244
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 22/05/2026On a quick visit to Sydney after a long time away. They have been busy! Expanded light rail (George St is so much better!) lots of separated bike lanes, and an ever expanding heavy rail network with frequent services. Makes Brisbane feel pretty backwards with its buses that pretend to be a metro... 021
Reposted by Michael Bates Navid C @navidcy.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Climate scientists @edoddridge.bsky.social @adele-morrison.bsky.social @dkhutch.bsky.social Sonya Fiddes Jorge Luis Galvez Vallejo and Yi Huang wrote a letter to federal ministers about @csiro.bsky.social cuts. ✊🏼 1137
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 02/05/2026As always, Language Tok Tok gives insights into language. This article explains lots of things about Tok Pisin that baffled me. It also brings home the outsized impact of Portuguese on communication. www.thenational.com.pg/how-has-the-...thenational.com.pgHow has the Portuguese language influenced PNG? | The National 000
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 14/03/2026A couple of times lately a blokey bloke has said something like "I'm sorry your feelings were hurt" when discussing a dangerous bike-car interaction that they were not involved in. I know they are belittling me, but is this also some kind of toxic masculinity dog whistle? 001
Reposted by Michael Bates purepapua.bsky.social @purepapua.bsky.social · 05/03/2026In West Papua, scientists just found marsupials believed extinct for 6,000 years. Imagine how many species disappear before we even know they exist.theguardian.comMarsupials previously thought extinct for millennia discovered in New GuineaThe chances of finding one mammal species thought to be lost was ‘almost zero’ and finding two is ‘unprecedented’, biologist Tim Flannery says 086
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Me: can we pls have a bike path to help kids get to school safely along this route that planning docs say is a bike route Brisbane City: we will need to consult with all residents to install a footpath. Me: I asked for a bike path and the planning doc has already had consultation BCC: <crickets> 030
Reposted by Michael Bates The Cathy Wilcox @cathywilcox.bsky.social · 10/02/2026Cohesion. My @smh cartoon. 24736279
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 31/01/2026Alec Danelutti in the elite mens final of BMX freestyle QLD state titles #bmxsky 000
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 14/01/2026The mental gymnastics required not to implode from the cognitive dissonance is something to behold. 010
Reposted by Michael Bates Amy Remeikis @amyremeikis.bsky.social · 12/01/2026No notes All the power and love to @cathywilcox.bsky.social 651169307
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 08/01/2026Excellent and insightful commentary by @cathywilcox.bsky.social - @sydmorningherald.bsky.social needs to stay the course and resist calls for retraction. 040
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 04/01/2026♥️🇵🇬 ‘Magical place’: tourists see another side of Papua New Guinea’s most troubled region www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...theguardian.com‘Magical place’: tourists see another side of Papua New Guinea’s most troubled regionTourism operators in PNG’s highlands offer access to lush scenery, adventure and culture – in contrast with the region’s dangerous image 010
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 02/01/2026An article on our trek up Mt Wilhelm 🇵🇬 has been published in Bushwalk Magazine. It was an incredible trip and I'm pleased to be able to share some of the details. #hike #bushwalk #png bushwalk.com/magazine/edi...bushwalk.com - Invalid Date - Bushwalk Magazine Flip 010
Reposted by Michael Bates Simon Rosenberg @simonrosenberg.bsky.social · 01/01/2026Here's an idea, @albomp.bsky.social : set your reform agenda in the context of fighting #inequality, to benefit all. You know, like Labor did in the old days. #auspol 24513
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 30/12/2025Well done to the Murawi Cycle Club completing the first (I think) crossing of PNG by bike rolling into Port Moresby just before Xmas. They are promoting peace & unity as they go. There is no road connecting the north and south coasts of PNG so it is quite an achievement. #bikesky #cycling #png 140
Reposted by Michael Bates Philip Thalis @philipthalis.bsky.social · 28/12/2025Stupid footpaths 101 Note roadway straight 64210
Reposted by Michael Bates purepapua.bsky.social @purepapua.bsky.social · 22/12/2025West Papua is not being developed. It is being consumed. Forests are flattened. Rivers are poisoned. People are silenced. The largest deforestation project on Earth is not an accident. It is policy. It is occupation. It is ecocide. #deforestation #palmoil #biofuel #sugarcane #WestPapua #ecocide 033
Reposted by Michael Bates Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 21/12/2025“Never has there been a time where politics has been played so blatantly, so openly at the expense of a terrified, traumatised community and the wider nation at large.” @amyremeikis.bsky.social www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2025...thenewdaily.com.auOur hearts are shattered – and some have broken them furtherThere is no going back to where we were before December 14. But a social contract Australians relied on has been destroyed by the Coalition. 14404133
Reposted by Michael Bates Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 12/12/2025The ALP need to realise they will be criticised whatever they do, so how about do things that are good? And do things to please those who voted for you not those who never will. 20400147
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 11/12/2025This week my 2025 distance ridden ticked over 6000km. More than 2/3 was commuting. According to Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads that represents a societal level of economic benefit of over $5800 (I've calculated this only including the commuting distance). You're welcome 🤣 🧵 1/n 141
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 09/12/2025Each car park is estimated to cost $67k to construct. No provision for improved cycling infra on a "primary" route. We always seem to be able to afford massive $ for cars but not for other modes despite all the benefits of reduced car use, not the least of which is safety for kids. Shame on BCC. 010
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 09/12/2025As usual @thejuicemedia.com nails it. @australianlabor.bsky.social have chosen "doing something" that probably won't be effective at achieving its aims and will definitely negatively affect some. Meanwhile climate change, gambling, transparency, jobs 4 mates etc is all too hard. 010
Reposted by Michael Bates Yung En Chee @yungenchee.bsky.social · 08/12/2025'Open-air asbestos waste dump exposed after bushfire at Tasmanian iron ore plant' Reason #83967 why we do NOT want Federal EPBC powers devolved to states and territories 33328
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 08/12/2025Great explainer from Victoria - speed limits on local streets have very little impact on travel time, but lower speed limits helps everyone stay safe. youtu.be/XhkBxs28n-M?...youtu.beSlower speeds make safer streets | Infrastructure VictoriaYouTube video by Infrastructure Victoria 000
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 08/12/2025This is shockingly poor. We can and should expect better from Australia's largest council. 010
Reposted by Michael Bates marque lawyers @marquelawyers.com.au · 03/12/2025Because if there's one thing we learned from Robodebt...wait, no sorry, turns out we learned nothing from Robodebt 814643
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 21/11/2025I love riding my bikes. I enjoy racing my bikes. I love watching others race bikes, especially people who are exceptional at it. The sports washing in cycling makes me deeply uncomfortable. 010
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 21/11/2025I'm wondering more and more if @albomp.bsky.social is a wolf in sheep's clothing - massive cuts to CSIRO, expansion of fossil fuels, ordering states to reduce health spending, etc. These are not things that @australianlabor.bsky.social should stand for, nor what people voted for. 110
Reposted by Michael Bates Amy Remeikis @amyremeikis.bsky.social · 15/11/2025Being better than toddlers isn’t good government, it’s babysitting. www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politic...thenewdaily.com.auNo saving the Coalition – and that should be a warning to LaborLabor is trying to present itself as the adult in the room, by pointing to the opposition's tantrums. That’s not governing, it’s babysitting. 1116762
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 13/11/2025If you find yourself thinking "cyclists don't belong on the road" then the logical corollary of that is to support safe, separated cycling infrastructure. But in my experience it is often the same people who vociferous oppose cycling infrastructure who also abuse cyclists for riding on the road. 58915
Reposted by Michael Bates WHO @who.int · 12/11/2025The climate crisis is a health crisis and each of us has the power to act: 👍 Choose clean transport 👍 Try a plant-based diet 👍 Shop locally 👍 Call on governments to ensure clean air & adopt smart climate policies 👍 Speak up about #ClimateChange 👍 Demand suppliers to reduce emissions #COP30 110042
Reposted by Michael Bates Global Justice Now @globaljusticenow.bsky.social · 05/11/2025Jamaica contributed 0.03% of global emissions in 2023. Now warming oceans have cost it 30% of its GDP, while big oil keeps cashing billions. This is climate injustice in action. Time to put people before profit and phase out fossil fuels for good. www.reuters.com/world/americ...reuters.com 11912
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 01/11/2025An important thread on how @albomp.bsky.social and @australianlabor.bsky.social are failing climate and the environment with their reforms. Bob Hawke would be turning in his grave. 021
Reposted by Michael Bates Yung En Chee @yungenchee.bsky.social · 27/10/2025After removing ministerial ability to revoke a past decision even if there's impt new info on impacts of the action or a change of circumstances (EPBC Reconsiderations Bill), the @albomp.bsky.social gov's now gunning to give the Minister ability to override EPBC for projs in the "national interest" 53117
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 28/10/2025This is important. @australianlabor.bsky.social do not have a good record on the Environment. They need to hear from voters that it matters - please take the time to let them know that they need to strengthen the EPBC Act, not weaken it. 1167
Reposted by Michael Bates Yung En Chee @yungenchee.bsky.social · 24/10/2025Minister Bowen affirms the facts of climate change to shame the moribund LNP but more importantly, to distract fr the @albomp.bsky.social gov's unceasing approvals of NEW/EXTENSIONS of Coal & Gas projs (31 so far) tt make up ~80% of 🇦🇺’s contrib to death-dealing, environment-wrecking global emissions 1168
Reposted by Michael Bates Yung En Chee @yungenchee.bsky.social · 22/10/2025Labor's EPBC reforms: 👎removed Minister's powers to revoke prev decisions (EPBC Reconsiderations bill) 👎NO climate trigger 👎NO fully independent EPA decision maker 👎bilateral agreements devolving Fed powers to states (bad idea) 👎allowing pay-to-destroy enviro offsets Revamp IS worse than status quo 78358
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 23/10/2025Great piece by @amyremeikis.bsky.social Centrism is supporting the status quo. Step changes are always controversial and centrists rewrite history so they are on the right side. To properly fix our current problems we need step changes not the same 💩 status quo being peddled by the centre. 020
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 22/10/2025Almost missed my first piece of fanmail! Messenger rightfully classified this as junk so I only noticed it today. Serious repressed sexuality vibes from this eloquent gem of a human. 010
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 16/10/2025In Australia we are conditioned to think that parking is a god given right. It isn't. It is an inefficient use of public land. We need to discourage parking and use of large, dangerous vehicles. 000
Reposted by Michael Bates The Chaser @chaser.com.au · 11/10/2025It's the topic everyone in Canberra is talking about and now thanks to ChaserBet, you can win big on this bizarre story! 521265
Reposted by Michael Bates Rachel Withers @rachelwithers.bsky.social · 10/10/2025Imagine kicking the former national rugby captain out of your sports club instead of the gambling lobby. To paraphrase Groucho Marx, who'd want to belong to a club that would accept Responsible Wagering Australia as one of its sponsors? 24458154
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 10/10/2025Israel Premier Tech is claiming €30M damages from Derek Gee. There's a number of reasons he terminated his contract, including matters of conscience. Full kudos to Derek for taking a principled stand. 000
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 09/10/2025Vaccines help even for this with no risk factors including young people. I hope ATAGI is paying attention because it's not possible to get children vaccinated in Australia without risk factors. 010
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 09/10/2025"The lesson is clear: ... It’s not enough to paint a few bike lanes and hope people come. Cities need to design environments where ... the fastest, safest, and most enjoyable way to get across town happens to be by bike." Take note Australia! 010
Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 07/10/2025Supposed to be satire, but the way vehicle design is evolving, it might not be... 010
Reposted by Michael Bates Prof. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 07/10/2025"The single most important behaviour, design or regulation for creating streets conducive to walking and cycling, was physical separation between the modes" We've got a new study out, learning from a broad mixture of street users, planners and designers www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... 13316140