Michael Bates

Teacher. Freediving instructor. Climate PhD. Ⓥ. Tweets on maths, science, cycling, 🇵🇬, social/enviro justice. As ples Hagen. Views my own.

[Brent Toderian @BrentToderian]

The most important thing about this amazing Paris transformation is how fast it happened — how fast people on bikes “appeared” — once streets were transformed. You can’t write this off as “#Paris was always this way,” because it wasn’t. It took leadership.

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

@carmodyl @WanlessWaste @YPLAC I got in touch with @WanlessWaste and to their credit the manager responded promptly apologising. I've also asked council for more enforcement along that stretch of road because there are often vehicles parked in the bike lane. This is one of the more egregious examples though.

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

Rubbish truck parked in a bike lanen on a busy roady, i.e. this is super dangerous to cyclists. When I pointed out to the driver this was not allowed he told me to "eat sh!t" and that I was a "sh!t for brains". Stay classy @WanlessWaste. @YPLAC

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

The next Olympic city showing what is possible. Will #brisbane2032 continue to double down on car culture or do something transformative? @brisbanecityqld @bne_lordmayor @MarkBaileyMP @AnnastaciaMP

[Urban Cycling Institute 🚲  @fietsprofessor]

"Look, our city can't just change its car-dominated streets to accommodate people. We are not Amsterdam!!"

#Paris: "Wait. Hold our 🍷/🥖"

~Rue de Rivoli

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

How is Australia going at delivering the aims of an egalitarian education and parental choice? Are these aims actually dichotomous? How do we do better? A thought provoking article.
https://t.co/1nNeevb4si

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

@WHuiskamp Infrastructure too - they need to invest in infrastructure for PMDs (*bikes, e-scooters, etc.). I would love to ride my regular bike to work, but not without infrastructure that keeps me safe!

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

Please help me spread the word by liking the Facebook page. If you have any questions, I will answer them or, if I can't, I will find out the answer. They look forward to welcoming tourists again. It is an experience you will treasure forever. 5/5 https://t.co/m6sW7f5vdb

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

In 1998 I ascended Mt Wilhelm 🇵🇬 from the Jimi. This trip sparked a dream by the people of Ambullua to have an income from sustainable tourism. They built their own guest haus and a track to the summit. Pictured is my friend Raphael looking up at the summit from Seeku camp. 🧵1/n

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

The mountain and people have left an indelible mark on my heart. I have setup a Facebook page to help try and help get the word out about their guest haus and their track to Mt Wilhelm (Korel Khu in the Upper Jimi language). Pic: view from Hkelip camp. 4/n

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

@lancBumble @davidandrewt @TheBlueUlysses *Mr. Full Stop

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

@lancBumble @davidandrewt @TheBlueUlysses *their

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

@lancBumble @davidandrewt @TheBlueUlysses Lolz - cleverest person in the room usually isn't telling others they are stupid. The stat is pretty robust across jurisdictions. My experience? Part of the 80%. 8 broken bones and massive haemotoma. Motorist clearly at fault - plenty of sympathy to them from police but not me 🤷‍♂️

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

@lancBumble @davidandrewt @TheBlueUlysses My grandmother used to say "you ask a stupid question, you get a stupid answer." I know you technically didn't ask a question, but I feel like it is still applicable here. PS the stats are from police reports, not insurance.

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

@lancBumble @davidandrewt @TheBlueUlysses Tell me more of this land where police are biased in favour of cyclists! Do they have other mythical creatures there too? My kids have been bugging me to see a unicorn!

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

@themunchkinbear @davidandrewt @TheBlueUlysses The stat isn't about justifying rule breaking. It's about highlighting that, contrary to what is implied, cyclists tend to be good at following rules. Also shows taking responsibility is great but the consequences of bad driving are much higher for a cyclist than a motorist.

[Michael Bates @bateserino]

@davidandrewt @TheBlueUlysses I'm tired of this retort. In 80% of cases where a cyclist is hospitalised by bike-car crash the motorist is found to be at fault. When that stat is reversed you can talk to me about how massive the problem is of cyclists breaking the rules.

[John H Knox @JohnHKnox]

Today, the Human Rights Committee, held that Australia has violated the rights of Torres Strait Islanders by failing to protect them from climate change. This is the most important climate decision yet issued by an international human rights tribunal. 1/12

[Cadel Evans @CadelOfficial]

David Lappartient…”I feel very safe riding in Wollongong…except for the birds!” 🤣 @wollongong2022 @UCI_cycling