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Michael Bates

@bateserino.bsky.social
106 followers 117 following 139 posts

Maths/Physics teacher | Climate science PhD | Active transport advocate | Parent | Only eats plants | Cycling fan | Freediver | As ples Hagen 🇵🇬

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Michael Bates
Urban Cycling Institute @urbancyclinginstitute.org · 08/09/2026
Japan 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...
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
On 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...
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Reposted by Michael Bates
Navid C @navidcy.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Climate 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. ✊🏼
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
As 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.pg
How has the Portuguese language influenced PNG? | The National
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
A 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?
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Reposted by Michael Bates
purepapua.bsky.social @purepapua.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
In West Papua, scientists just found marsupials believed extinct for 6,000 years. Imagine how many species disappear before we even know they exist.
theguardian.com
Marsupials previously thought extinct for millennia discovered in New Guinea
The chances of finding one mammal species thought to be lost was ‘almost zero’ and finding two is ‘unprecedented’, biologist Tim Flannery says
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Me: 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>
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Reposted by Michael Bates
The Cathy Wilcox @cathywilcox.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Cohesion. My @smh cartoon.
Single frame. Chris Minns stands beside a massive tonne weight marked NSW POLICE being lowered by a crane. Visible sticking out from under the weight are hands, legs, a woman’s face, a keffiyeh and placards saying “NO TO GENOCIDE”, “FREE PALESTINE”, “HERZOG OUT”, “NO TO VIOLENCE” Minns says, “Thst should socially cohere them nicely.”
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Alec Danelutti in the elite mens final of BMX freestyle QLD state titles #bmxsky
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
The mental gymnastics required not to implode from the cognitive dissonance is something to behold.
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Reposted by Michael Bates
Amy Remeikis @amyremeikis.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
No notes All the power and love to @cathywilcox.bsky.social
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Reposted by Michael Bates
Green School Runs @greenschoolruns.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
This! 👇😊
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Excellent and insightful commentary by @cathywilcox.bsky.social - @sydmorningherald.bsky.social needs to stay the course and resist calls for retraction.
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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 region
Tourism operators in PNG’s highlands offer access to lush scenery, adventure and culture – in contrast with the region’s dangerous image
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
An 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
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Simon Rosenberg @simonrosenberg.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Here'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
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Well 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
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Philip Thalis @philipthalis.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Stupid footpaths 101 Note roadway straight
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nixCraft @cyberciti.biz · 26/12/2025
💯 justified outrage
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purepapua.bsky.social @purepapua.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
West 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
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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.au
Our hearts are shattered – and some have broken them further
There is no going back to where we were before December 14. But a social contract Australians relied on has been destroyed by the Coalition.
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Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
The 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.
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
This 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
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Each 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.
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
As 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.
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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
Excerpt from EDO explainer on why the so-called 'One Stop Shop' and Bilateral Agreements devolving Commonwealth approval powers on environmental protection & conservation to the States is a bad idea 

It reads:
The fact is that, devolution of the federal government's environmental protection role to the state and territory governments is still a bad idea, for multiple reasons, including:

• only the Australian Government can provide national leadership on national environmental issues, strategic priorities and increased consistency;

• the Australian Government is responsible for our international obligations to protect the environment, which the EPBC Act implements;

• State and territory laws still do not meet national standards. EDO recently gave evidence at the Senate Inquiry into Faunal extinction, where we pointed to our previous two audits of state laws that concluded no state or territory laws met the full suite of federal standards necessary to have federal powers devolved to them.
To give a specific example, state laws currently cannot even protect species as iconic as koalas - as confirmed by a recent NSW parliamentary inquiry;

• State and Territory environmental laws and enforcement processes are not always up to standard, and do not consider the cross-border, cumulative impacts of state-based decisions;

• States and Territories are not mandated to act (and do not act) in the national interest;

• State and Territory governments often have conflicting interests - as a proponent, sponsor or beneficiary of the projects they assess; and

• State and Territory governments would need significant resourcing assistance to take over the job (and potentially the liability) of federal government in assessing impacts to matters of national environmental significance, but no resourcing has been committed to by the federal government to take on this extra, important work.
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Great 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.be
Slower speeds make safer streets | Infrastructure Victoria
YouTube video by Infrastructure Victoria
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
This is shockingly poor. We can and should expect better from Australia's largest council.
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Reposted by Michael Bates
marque lawyers @marquelawyers.com.au · 03/12/2025
Because if there's one thing we learned from Robodebt...wait, no sorry, turns out we learned nothing from Robodebt
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
I 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.
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
I'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.
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Reposted by Michael Bates
Amy Remeikis @amyremeikis.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Being better than toddlers isn’t good government, it’s babysitting. www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politic...
thenewdaily.com.au
No saving the Coalition – and that should be a warning to Labor
Labor 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.
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
If 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.
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Reposted by Michael Bates
WHO @who.int · 12/11/2025
The 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
Graphic showing a white outline of lungs with black branches on a green-yellow background. Text reads: “The climate crisis is a health crisis, but each one of us can be part of a solution.” Graphic on a green-yellow textured background titled “What you can do to make a difference?” Text highlights small steps: “Switch to a plant-based diet,” “Take public transport or human-powered transport such as walking, running or biking,” “Switch to renewable energy and reduce our energy consumption in homes,” and “Shop locally to reduce transport emissions and improve your economy.” Graphic on a green-yellow textured background titled “And some big steps.” Text reads: “Demand that your governments take serious climate and clean air action,” “Demand investment in and better conditions for health workers,” “Demand that your suppliers reduce their emissions,” and “Speak to your friends, relatives, community about climate change and collectively adopt sustainable practices.”
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Global Justice Now @globaljusticenow.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Jamaica 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
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
An 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.
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Reposted by Michael Bates
Yung En Chee @yungenchee.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
After 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"
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
This 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.
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Yung En Chee @yungenchee.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Minister 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
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Yung En Chee @yungenchee.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Labor'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
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Great 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.
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Almost 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.
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
In 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.
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Reposted by Michael Bates
The Chaser @chaser.com.au · 11/10/2025
It's the topic everyone in Canberra is talking about and now thanks to ChaserBet, you can win big on this bizarre story!
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Rachel Withers @rachelwithers.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Imagine 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?
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Israel 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.
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Vaccines 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.
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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!
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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Supposed to be satire, but the way vehicle design is evolving, it might not be...
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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...
Highlights
    For marginalised street users mode separation is the key to human-scale movement.
    Streets conducive to walking and cycling have functional, safe and accessible design.
    Professionals must approach street design, regulation and user behaviour holistically.
    Combinations of influencing factors persuade people to either use or avoid a street.
    There are no easy fixes to the public realm that will work for all non-drivers.
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