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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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Reposted by Betty Offerman
mensrea @mensie.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Have you seen this
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I’d like to print every word of this piece on posters and stick it up outside the City Chambers. Councillors should be mandated to read every word - I’ll wait for the Fringe to finish first.
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
A doctor friend asserted that a cycle helmet was essential after his time in a head injury unit. Asked who had been admitted the most with catastrophic head injuries - motorbike riders. There’s a lot of conjecture around this in the medical profession.
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
I couldn’t agree more. The driving style makes a huge difference as well - very attentive and law abiding with pedestrian/cyclists at top of hierarchy. We chatted to some local cyclists who thought it was more becoming dangerous. We said ‘try cycling where we live’!
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
How do you know if someone’s a cyclist… but? They drive everywhere
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
If you live in a city, you should have to own a bike imho
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
In Montreal you don’t even have a beg button - just sail through most junctions and the cars have to cede the space. Pedestrians at the top of the hierarchy.
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
Calder @calderwook.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Edinburgh would never!
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Stupid click bait headline. I don’t know why it’s necessary to pit active travel advocates against one another. Of course pedestrians need adequate space. And using a mobility scooter anywhere in Edinburgh must be a total nightmare
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
I think it was Oblomov’s for a while before the car wash?
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
First cycling holiday aged 4. In the Scottish islands though where in those days it was completely safe for kids to cycle independently on the roads even at that young age
Two children on bikes and two loaded adult bikes setting off on a Scottish cycling holiday. Youngest child aged 4
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Just too many announcements all round. Give me a lovely quiet continental European train where they assume you can work out what the buffet might sell, you’re aware of which train you’re on and you will remember to take your luggage with you ‘before you leave the train’!
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Isn’t it a great exhibition? And what a painter!
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Bung some edibles flowers on the top and tell her it’s an Ottolenghi recipe
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
In Scotland cooked porridge used to put in a drawer to set and then people would cut off slices to eat later on, either cold or fried. Start a soup drawer??
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
But look at the very very selfish locked bike partially blocking the teeny tiny zebra crossing. Shocker
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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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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Jonathan Coe, David Sedaris, Tim Moore, Louis de Bernieres, Tom Wolfe, Charles Carillo (My Ride With Gus), Tibor Fischer
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
What is wrong with our society??? The police think an 11 YEAR OLD BOY failed to make proper observations to ensure he wasn’t going to be killed riding his bike to school 🤬
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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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
Agree but the govt also needs to commit to doctors’ employment. 52% of foundation year 2 docs unable to find employment in the NHS this August according to recent BMA survey. I’m sure lots of them would happily commit if they could!
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
“Don’t put your car where your eyes have not been first” Tricky, but manageable
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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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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Hands down favourite 😂
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Betty Offerman @boffer.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
I hate the ‘greed’ rhetoric. I’ve never met a doctor who went into it for the money. They’re hard working, committed, clever people who are asking for (not demanding) pay commensurate with the job that they carry out day after day, often at great personal cost.
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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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Reposted by Betty Offerman
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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