iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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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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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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I fear you're right. Take Sleeman for instance - they are rapidly running out of time to plan and build the promised eastern busway extension. Considering it was originally sold to the public as a way to get legacy infrastructure, that would be a hugely unsatisfactory outcome.

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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I remember being aghast at the transport chaos at Atlanta 96. Most of the people making decisions are older than me and should be able to remember it too. I fear the main thing Brisbane is on track for is being added to case studies of how *not* to do transport for the Olympics.

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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 · 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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Reposted by Michael Bates

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

Small clarification - there is a road currently under construction that connects Lae (north coast) and Kerema (south coast). It was officially opened in August but I understand it is still under construction with cars not able to pass. Were these bikes the first users of the road!?

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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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Reposted by Michael Bates

Philip Thalis @philipthalis.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Stupid footpaths 101 Note roadway straight

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Reposted by Michael Bates

nixCraft @cyberciti.biz · 26/12/2025

💯 justified outrage

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Reposted by Michael Bates

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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Reposted by Michael Bates

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

It's time for some real leadership. We need a step change to provide Brisbane with a comprehensive, safe, and connected active transport network. Others have done it. We can do it too. It just takes vision and backbone. n/n

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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Brisbane has terrible traffic. One more lane won't fix it. Interestingly this week traffic has been heaps better. With lots of schools finished there are fewer short trips by car. We have more than enough capacity on the roads for our population - they are just used inefficiently 5/n

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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Despite the clear economic and social benefits, Australian governments at all levels choose political expediency over good governance. Diverting funding from roads or ceding road space for safe and separated bike lanes would be decried as the end of days. 4/n

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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Australia has one of the lowest participation rates of active transport compared with similar countries; the vast majority of our infrastructure is not only inconvenient but feels unsafe for all but the most confident users. This is a massive barrier to participation. 3/n

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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

It is estimated that every $1 of investment in active transport infrastructure yields $5 of benefit. Australia spends $714 per person each year on roads, but only 90c per person on active transport. 2/n

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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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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

In my experience motorists are the hazard and break the rules way more often than cyclists. A study found that 80% of hospitalisations in car-bike crashes were the motorist's fault.

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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Most of the time I see cyclists breaking road rules, it is because they are not confident on the road and act like a pedestrian. For example, riding on the road shoulder in the contra direction.

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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Signalling, in my jurisdiction, is only required when crossing traffic (right turn). Left signal is optional. There are lots of reasons people may choose not to use a bike lane. Most of them are not obvious to a passing motorist (e.g. debris that is likely to cause a flat).

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Michael Bates @bateserino.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

A lot to unpack there. There are very few stop signs on my regular routes but I do adhere to them. Having said that, there is a lot to be said for the Idaho Stop Law. theconversation.com/cyclists-may...

theconversation.com

Cyclists may be right to run stop signs and red lights. Here’s why

Should cyclists be allowed to treat stop signs as yield signs? This rule from Idaho is divisive, but the scientific data is surprising.

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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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Reposted by Michael Bates

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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