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Betty Offerman

@boffer.bsky.social
207 followers 765 following 75 posts

Edinburgh resident & community councillor • Interested in bikes & books

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Reposted by Betty Offerman
The War on Cars @thewaroncars.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"Isn’t it obvious that selfishness on the road changes us as a society? The belief that a driver should be allowed to do whatever they please, regardless of the impact on others, mounts the pavement and travels deep into our lives." Via @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
theguardian.com
Driving that’s too fast, too dangerous and utterly lawless: why do we tolerate this petro-masculinity? | George Monbiot
In towns and in the countryside, I see 4x4s and pick up trucks driven without care or conscience. It’s a Magafication of transport, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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mensrea @mensie.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Have you seen this
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Corey Boyle @coreyboyle.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
A cycling city isn’t really about bikes. It’s a fairer city, built around people instead of cars. Part one of three for the Edinburgh Inquirer, starting with the issues facing a car dependent capital. @spokes.org.uk @wwctrustscot.bsky.social @livingstreetsedi.bsky.social @cyclingscotland.bsky.social
edinburghinquirer.co.uk
Even ‘the world’s worst cycle lane’ works
Corey Boyle on turning Edinburgh into a cycling city
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Road safety is a social justice issue. “The number of children killed or injured crossing roads is almost five times higher in England’s most deprived areas than its wealthiest” … and the gap is widening.
theguardian.com
Child pedestrian casualties are almost five times higher in England’s worst-off areas
Official figures expose widening gap in road deaths and injuries between poor and wealthy postcodes
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Prof. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
"Many of the thousands afflicted each year by criminal driving felt that “the harm they had suffered mattered less” than that from other serious crimes" - this double-standard is exactly what we called out in our work on motonormativity. Road crime is crime www.theguardian.com/law/2026/aug...
theguardian.com
Victims of road crime feel ‘forgotten by system’, official review finds
Many of those affected in England and Wales think offences are not treated with the seriousness they deserve, says commissioner
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Calder @calderwook.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Edinburgh would never!
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SpokesLothian @spokes.org.uk · 07/05/2026
#Southside community workshop Sat 9 May, 1-3pm "Chat, share ideas, shape the future" incl 🚲 infra 🙋Register / survey / map-pins --> www.sccedinburgh.org.uk/lpp @edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @steveamburgess.bsky.social @simitakumar.bsky.social @carfreeholyrood.bsky.social @johnrobson87.bsky.social
Community Voices – Shaping the future of Edinburgh Southside
By
Southside Community Council
0 followers3 events24 total attendees
Southside Community CentreEdinburgh, Edinburgh
Saturday, May 9  •  1 PM - 3 PM
Overview

Come chat, share ideas, and shape the future of Edinburgh Southside. Organised by Southside Community Council.

This workshop is open to everyone who lives, works, studies, or spends time in Edinburgh Southside.
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The session will bring together residents, students, businesses and community members to discuss how Southside should evolve over the next decade. What’s working in Southside and what could be better? Join us and your community to share ideas and help shape the Local Place Plan.

The outcomes of the workshop will inform Edinburgh's City Plan for next 10 years.

During the session we will explore topics such as:

    Housing and student accommodation
    Getting around the neighbourhood
    Green spaces and public areas
    Local amenities, cafés and community spaces
    And any other themes that the community cares aboutCommunity Voices – Shaping the future of Edinburgh Southside
By
Southside Community Council
0 followers3 events24 total attendees
Southside Community CentreEdinburgh, Edinburgh
Saturday, May 9  •  1 PM - 3 PM
Overview

Come chat, share ideas, and shape the future of Edinburgh Southside. Organised by Southside Community Council.

This workshop is open to everyone who lives, works, studies, or spends time in Edinburgh Southside.INtro to survey form...

Your Southside, Your Say - Shaping our neighbourhood's future together
Southside Community Council is preparing a Local Place Plan – a community-led document that will influence how Edinburgh's planning policies apply to our area. We want to hear from everyone who lives, works, studies, or spends time in Southside about what matters to you and what could be better.

This survey has 25 questions and takes about 10–15 minutes. You can skip any question you prefer not to answer.  All responses are anonymous. Your answers will be combined with input from workshops and our interactive map to shape proposals for Southside's future. 

Want to tell us something about specific locations in Southside? Use our interactive map to drop a pin and leave a comment.

Want to learn more about the development of our Local Place Plan or get involved? Visit our website or contact us at lpp@sccedinburgh.org.uk.INteractive map - you can drop a pin on it and leave a comment, and you can vote on other people's comments
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
Carlton Reid @carltonreid.com · 07/05/2026
“19,934 people [were] killed in 2024 on EU roads, which are among the safest in the world.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
‘At a crossroads’: will piling-up crises force Europe to put brakes on SUV culture?
Bigger cars including electric can cause multiple harms, yet resistance to rise of US-style vehicles has had mixed support
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Scottish Greens @scottishgreens.org · 03/04/2026
Make sure you vote for the right Greens on May 7th.
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Edward Tissiman @edtiss.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Up to 60% of car commutes to, from and within Edinburgh could be replaced by walking, cycling and public transport - based on commute distances and the behaviour of neighbours:
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Cornelius Beer & Wine @corneliusbeers.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Yay! Cycle lanes.
Leith Walk cycle lane blocked by two separate articulated lorries with all four wheels on the pavement.
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
Hackney Cyclist @hackneycyclist.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
The only danger to pedestrians at floating bus stops are motor vehicles
Set of traffic lights destroyed by a motor vehicle alongside a floating bus stop
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
Dr Steve Taylor @drstevetaylor.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Independent sector is now delivering 9-10% of all #NHS elective care. Higher still for admitted elective activity, with almost 1 in 5 admitted elective care Yet consistently takes the simple more straightforward cases, making profit & building more capacity eg. Spire 30% of work
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Dr Scott Arthur MP (Edinburgh South West) 🌍🌈🌹 @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
🚨 Shocking Stats on Speeding Near Edinburgh Schools! 🚨 I’ve been exploring this fascinating tool: speeding.hasp.ac.uk It uses GPS data to show how often goods vehicles are speeding in Edinburgh (and beyond). The results? Honestly worrying. More>>
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Or possibly the government are irresponsible not to employ enough doctors in the face of a flu crisis??? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Starmer says resident doctors would be irresponsible to strike in face of flu crisis
PM urges medics to ‘do the responsible thing, accept the offer that’s on the table, and we can all move forward’
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
Martin McD @mcdmartin.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Carmageddon on Elm Row - echelon parking in the parallel parking encroaching on cycleway; parking in crossing area; parking on footway outside shops. This is supposed to be a place for people not a car park! Why no wardens? How about some signs to guide drivers?? @jackrmcaldwell.bsky.social
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Ross @rossmc10.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Stop building more student flats in Edinburgh! If there is a housing emergency, student flats wont fix it! BBC News - Hundreds of homes to be built on five-a-side football pitches www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Hundreds of homes to be built on five-a-side football pitches in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh site, which is a World of Football venue, will be turned into affordable, student and build-to-rent homes.
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Suggestions on a postcard please
Graffiti on pedestrian push button to cross the road with WAIT lit up. Graffiti says ‘for what?’
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tsjbphoto.bsky.social @tsjbphoto.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
There’s been three crashes involving a driver hitting a cycling this August. They happened in the same week. This is unacceptable. We’re riding in protest of Edinburgh’s indifference toward cyclists this Friday 22nd August at 7pm. Meet at Middle Meadow Walk. Tell and bring everyone you know
This August drivers hit three cyclists in one week on Edinburgh streets 

This is unacceptable 

Protest ride 

Friday August 22nd 7pm 

Middle Meadow Walk 

Join us to make cycling safer
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
A policy that benefited the richest and cost the UK £100bn: it's long past time to end the fuel duty freeze | Larry Elliott
Successive chancellors have steered clear of increasing taxes for motorists for 15 years, but this should be a no-brainer for cash-strapped Rachel Reeves, says Guardian columnist Larry Elliott
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Andrew Heald @andyheald.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Compare and contrast. Bus stops on South Bridge yesterday. A dangerous chaotic mess @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social Councillors have chosen to make people walk in the carriageway whilst refusing to restrict vehicle traffic. Massive liability issue for the Council & major problem for local businesses
People crowded at a bus stop - blocking movement along the pavement and access to a restaurant.
People forced to walk in the road whilst buses and cars drive by, all due to incompetent and cowardly Councillors unwilling to take responsibility.
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Katja Diehl @katjadiehl.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
See my crying quietly. Is it really that hard to love people more than cars? Why is Germany known for being a great place to speed on our highways - but not for protecting the vulnerable? Helsinki, minä rakastan sinua! medium.com/@backoffice_...
medium.com
People first means surviving of the weakest.
Helsinki shows how real road safety works
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
So brilliant! Sidekick Starmer can’t get a word in as The Donald dominates world’s most one-sided double act | John Crace www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Sidekick Starmer can’t get a word in as The Donald dominates world’s most one-sided double act | John Crace
The PM and his wife looked like they wanted to be anywhere else but Trump could – and almost did – go on all day
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
Real Gaz on a proper bike: gazza_d@toot.bike @gazza-d.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Thread. Drivers whine about how driving is ever more expensive, when it is getting cheaper. We need to increase fuel duty, tax and even EV charging costs by inflation as we do public transport fares. OR even more to discourage driving
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Gareth Dennis @garethdennis.uk · 02/06/2025
For those south of the border and unaware, this is an entirely realistic policy proposal. Scotland trialled it and ridership increased by nearly 10%. They're making it permanent later this year: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Peak rail fares to be scrapped by Scottish government
More expensive fares for those travelling on trains during busy times will be removed from September.
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Andrew Heald @andyheald.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
And the sky didn’t fall in … #Edinburgh www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinbur...
edinburghnews.scotsman.com
Edinburgh's LEZ one year on: More walking and cycling, less pollution and fewer fines
More people are walking, cycling and using public transport since the introduction of Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone, new research claims.
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Nigel Bagshaw @nigelbagshaw.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
You can bring the rails back to the Roseburn Path and provide safe cycling in and out of the city centre. The two things are by no means mutually exclusive.
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Scott Blair @scott-blair.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Finally unwrapped, nice to see you again @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social 💖 Can't wait for you to open again!
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Edinburgh Greens @edinburghgreens.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Reminder to all Holyrood Park users! Tomorrow there will be a 2nd public meeting on the park. Details & registration via the link below. Lorna Slater MSP has called the meeting to set up a "Friends of Holyrood Park" organisation, giving the community & stakeholders a say in the future of the park.
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
Blackford Safe Routes @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk · 27/04/2025
Really terrible news. This keeps happening because psychopaths have discovered cars can be used as mass murder weapons. Time to ban cars in all places where people gather www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
theguardian.com
Several people killed as car ploughs into Vancouver festival crowd
Man arrested after incident at Filipino Lapu Lapu Day event, as police say they are confident it was not terrorism
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Real Gaz on a proper bike: gazza_d@toot.bike @gazza-d.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Excellent editorial here. An SUV causes 16 times as much road damage as a regular car. They're way more dangerous in collisions or if one hits a pedestrian or cyclist. They have no redeeming factors and 99%+ are just ego wagons for their drivers. Tax them to hell www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The Observer view on SUVs: they are too dangerous and too big, their drivers should be made to pay
If a car generates more potholes, takes up more space and poses more risk, it is only fair that its owner pays more
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Dread and Rosie @rosiemund.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
Anyone who is more concerned about bikes on pavements than cars on the road is deeply unserious about pedestrian safety.
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Harry Willliams @harryjwilliams.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
🚧⛔️🚧 July 2025 Experimental traffic order on Lawnmarket, Castlehill, Johnston Terrace and Castle Terrace - In order to trial the impacts of introducing a pedestrian and cycle zone, so that we can monitor the impact of changes on the surrounding road network.
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Merchiston Districts Community Council @merchistoncc.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
🚗📊 Polwarth Roundabout: The Numbers Are In! Traffic and pedestrian data confirms that our busiest neighbourhood junction demands a serious rethink. @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social commissioned surveys in Nov 2024 to help inform their #Polwarth junction redesign. 🧵The data paints a vivid picture:
merchistoncc.org.uk
Polwarth Roundabout: The Numbers Are In – Merchiston Community Council
Get the latest updates on how we are representing community interests and views in Merchiston.
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
This is no way to treat staff at any stage in their career (or in any job for that matter) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
New NHS doctors only being told job location with weeks to spare - BBC News
Health bosses are accused of keeping resident doctors in the dark about their first position.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 04/04/2025
More than 1m cars sold in UK each year too big to fit typical parking space
theguardian.com
More than 1m cars sold in UK each year too big to fit typical parking space
Campaign network calls on government to prioritise smaller cars and introduce higher charges for SUV owners More than 1m cars too big to fit in parking spaces are being sold in the UK each year, and numbers are growing, research has found. A trend for cars bigger than the average urban parking space means new vehicles are outgrowing towns and cities. Continue reading...
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Living Streets Edinburgh @livingstreetsedi.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
This is how Living Streets Edinburgh calculate the roads capital spending plans against the 'sustainable transport hierarchy'. Next Year compared to this Year. Hopefully councillors will increase spending on everyday 'walking and wheeling' at the Transport Committee Meeting this Thursday.
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Edinburgh Festival of Cycling @edfoc.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Overcoming ‘motonormativity’ and car dependency in Edinburgh’s historic city centre tps.org.uk/public/downl... How local access management of private cars can unlock streetspace and improve outcomes for safety, public health and accessibility
tps.org.uk
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
The most beautiful cherry tree in Edinburgh is in full bloom right now (Gullan’s Close) and it’s spectacular 🌸 @secretedinburgh.bsky.social @threadinburgh.scot
Cherry tree with white blossom, blue sky and tenements in Gullan’s Close, Edinburgh
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mohope.bsky.social @mohope.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Child poverty - Scottish government's divergent social security agenda and mitigation against UK government's policies measures shows positive effects. These should be copied by RUK. www.resolutionfoundation.org/app/uploads/...
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
theguardian.com
Wales’s 20mph speed limit has cut road deaths. Why is there still even a debate?
Research suggests the scheme may be more popular than thought, with consultations dominated by a loud minority
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Chas Booth (he/him) @chasbooth.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
I’m delighted my motion on responding to the Audit Scotland report on reducing car use was agreed at full council yesterday, with Lib Dem addendum and with only Tories opposed. The council will not meet its #climate targets unless it makes progress on reducing car use.
Screenshot of Green motion on responding to the Audit Scotland report on reducing car use. Screenshot of Lib Dem addendum to the motion on reducing car use.
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Trisha Elliott @trishaelliott.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
From this month’s @bmj.com. Sometimes I read things that surprise me. This one did not. #MedSky #MedicalSchoolApplications #SocialInequalities
Medical students
Few students are from working class families
Research by the Sutton Trust showed that just 5% of medical students were from working class backgrounds, while 75% were from high socioeconomic groups. Data on nearly 94 000 applicants to UK medical schools between 2012 and 2022 showed that a very high numberof medical students came from a relatively small number of secondary schools. Applicants from independent schools were 1.5 times as likely to receive an offer to study medicine as those from non-selective state schools, even after adjustment for exam grades, socioeconomic status, and other demographic factors.
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Tufnell Park Cycles @tpc2s.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
More People Cycling on Glasgow’s New Cycle Path. www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/2499998...
glasgowtimes.co.uk
Cycle path in Glasgow's Southside sees record numbers using route
THOUSANDS of cyclists have used a newly completed cycle route in Glasgow, according to new data.
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The Edinburgh Reporter @edinreporter.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Plans to ban on-street parking in Edinburgh neighbourhood to go ahead Controversial plans to ban on-street parking in a congested city neighbourhood are to go ahead after being backed by Edinburgh council. Many residential streets in the Bangholm neighbourhood are very narrow, which often causes…
theedinburghreporter.co.uk
Plans to ban on-street parking in Edinburgh neighbourhood to go ahead
Controversial plans to ban on-street parking in a congested city neighbourhood are to go ahead after being backed by Edinburgh council. Many residential streets in the Bangholm neighbourhood are very narrow, which often causes cars to mount pavements when passing parked vehicles on the streets. As a result, councillors voted today (Thursday) to put double yellow lines on several roads in the neighbourhood, helping to counter the issue of vehicles mounting the pavement but also removing substantial amounts of parking in the area.
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
@edinburghcouncil.bsky.social where have these bollards gone? They disappeared when some trees were cut down several weeks ago and have not been seen since… @worldbollardassoc.bsky.social #bollardtheft #craigmillarcastle
Path and pedestrian crossing with missing bollards on Craigmillar Castle RoadStreet view and map of bollards that are now missing
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sbarlster @sbarlster.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
#belikepapertiger Real businesses operate in and support their communities. Without regret and with vigour and joy. www.linkedin.com/posts/michae...
linkedin.com
Michael Apter on LinkedIn: I've just paid our largest ever VAT bill. This year will see a… | 49 comments
I've just paid our largest ever VAT bill. This year will see a significant six figure sum handed over to HMRC for VAT paid on our sales. This year the… | 49 comments on LinkedIn
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