Michael Bates
@bateserino.bsky.social
Maths/Physics teacher | Climate science PhD | Active transport advocate | Parent | Only eats plants | Cycling fan | Freediver | As ples Hagen 🇵🇬
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.
November 13, 2025 at 1:29 AM
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.
Reposted by Michael Bates
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
👍 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
November 12, 2025 at 8:56 AM
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
👍 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
Reposted by Michael Bates
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...
This is climate injustice in action. Time to put people before profit and phase out fossil fuels for good.
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:21 PM
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...
This is climate injustice in action. Time to put people before profit and phase out fossil fuels for good.
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
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.
🧵The @albomp.bsky.social govt’s regard for the environment lies somewhere between indifference & hostility
Devolving Cwealth powers of enviro protection to the states & territories under Bilateral Agreements is a continuation of the contempt with which they have treated environmental policy-making:
Devolving Cwealth powers of enviro protection to the states & territories under Bilateral Agreements is a continuation of the contempt with which they have treated environmental policy-making:
Devolving Commonwealth powers for environmental protection & assessment to states & territories is a longstanding goal of Big Business that the LNP repeatedly failed to accomplish
👀post👇 for why It's a terrible idea
Will the @albomp.bsky.social govt deliver to Big Business what the LNP couldn't❓
👀post👇 for why It's a terrible idea
Will the @albomp.bsky.social govt deliver to Big Business what the LNP couldn't❓
November 1, 2025 at 9:26 AM
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.
Reposted by Michael Bates
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"
The environment minister would be able to approve projects at odds with nature laws if it was deemed in the “national interest” under the Albanese government’s planned overhaul of the environmental protection regime.
Environment minister could approve projects at odds with nature laws under Labor overhaul
New ‘national interest’ provision revealed as extracts of legislation circulated to stakeholders before bill introduced to parliament later this week
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:54 AM
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"
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.
Demand strong, on-the-table EPBC National Environmental Standards
Write Enviro Minister Murray Watt with @envirojustice.bsky.social's resources👇
Write Enviro Minister Murray Watt with @envirojustice.bsky.social's resources👇
High standards for nature
Will you email Murray Watt to say that Australians have high standards – and we expect environmental laws that live up to them?
envirojustice.org.au
October 28, 2025 at 4:17 AM
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.
Reposted by Michael Bates
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
Here's the thing LNP: climate change is real and as NASA and others have said "human activities are driving the global warming trend observed since the mid-20th century."
October 24, 2025 at 12:52 AM
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
Reposted by Michael Bates
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
👎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
Greens say Labor’s nature laws revamp ‘worse than status quo’ with climate impact of fossil fuel projects overlooked
Greens say Labor’s nature laws revamp ‘worse than status quo’ with climate impact of fossil fuel projects overlooked
Private briefings confirmed how Labor intends to deal with some contentious elements of rewritten Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
Labor has confirmed the climate impact of fossil fuel projects still won’t be considered before they are approved under a revamp of federal nature laws, with the Greens labelling the government’s plan “worse than the status-quo”.
The Greens, opposition and select environment and business groups have been briefed on parts of the long-awaited re-write of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Epbc) Act ahead of its introduction to parliament in the upcoming sitting fortnight. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:21 AM
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
👎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
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.
October 23, 2025 at 8:20 AM
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.
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.
October 22, 2025 at 9:24 AM
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.
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.
Cardiff will be the first UK city to introduce a surcharge for oversized SUVs and trucks, "while very large vehicles – those over 3,500kg – will be excluded from residential permits entirely."
Cardiff set to tackle SUV 'carspreading' in UK first
Cardiff Council is set to become the first local authority in the UK to introduce higher parking charges for SUVs and other heavy vehicles, in a move campaigners say will make city streets safer and f...
nation.cymru
October 16, 2025 at 9:10 AM
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.
Reposted by Michael Bates
It's the topic everyone in Canberra is talking about and now thanks to ChaserBet, you can win big on this bizarre story!
October 10, 2025 at 11:27 PM
It's the topic everyone in Canberra is talking about and now thanks to ChaserBet, you can win big on this bizarre story!
Reposted by Michael Bates
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?
To paraphrase Groucho Marx, who'd want to belong to a club that would accept Responsible Wagering Australia as one of its sponsors?
Making his point for him -- just asking about the power of the gambling lobby gets Senator David Pocock booted from sports club the Prime Minister heads. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Former Wallabies star David Pocock booted from parliamentary sports club
Exclusive: Senator accused of bringing social club into disrepute after raising concerns about its association with betting lobby
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:25 AM
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?
To paraphrase Groucho Marx, who'd want to belong to a club that would accept Responsible Wagering Australia as one of its sponsors?
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.
Derek Gee hits back hard at Israel-Premier Tech after torn-up contract, 30 million euros damages claim #DerekGee #IsraelPremierTech #CyclingNews #GirodItalia #Cycling
Derek Gee hits back hard at Israel-Premier Tech after torn-up contract, 30 million euros damages claim
Derek Gee has spoken out now that his contract with Israel-Premier Tech has been terminated and a transfer is imminent. The 28-year-old Canadian was the team's top rider, finishing fourth in this year's Giro d'Italia, but Israel-Premier's stance forced Gee to leave, according to his own statement. H...
dlvr.it
October 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
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.
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.
Annual COVID Vaccines Protect People against Severe Disease, Even with Prior Immunity
"The new research also “calls into question the idea that younger individuals and those without risk factors don’t need the vaccine,” Viswanathan says."
"The new research also “calls into question the idea that younger individuals and those without risk factors don’t need the vaccine,” Viswanathan says."
Annual COVID Vaccines Save Lives, New Study Shows
A new study shows that receiving an updated COVID vaccine reduced people’s risk of severe disease and death in all age groups, regardless of immunity from prior infection or vaccination
www.scientificamerican.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM
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.
"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!
“When streets became calmer & safer, more people felt comfortable trying a bike commute for the first time. Families began pedaling to the park…Local businesses saw new life…And cycling stopped feeling like a niche activity—it became part of everyday Parisian life.”
Via @momentummag.bsky.social
Via @momentummag.bsky.social
New Study Shows How Paris Pedaled Its Way to a Cycling Revolution
Cycling through central Paris meant weaving between buses and scooters—a bold choice reserved for the fearless few.
momentummag.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:21 AM
"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!
Supposed to be satire, but the way vehicle design is evolving, it might not be...
October 7, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Supposed to be satire, but the way vehicle design is evolving, it might not be...
Reposted by Michael Bates
"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...
We've got a new study out, learning from a broad mixture of street users, planners and designers
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 7, 2025 at 7:18 AM
"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...
We've got a new study out, learning from a broad mixture of street users, planners and designers
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Why don't the rich and powerful care about climate change? Because they profit from fossil fuels and costs are disproportionately born by the poor. @australianlabor.bsky.social and @chrisbowenmp.bsky.social need to take real action, not just words. Leave it in the ground.
Climate change is driving up insurance costs & making homes uninsurable
🇦🇺ns are paying the price while disasters worsen
As Minister Bowen said: "The cost of inaction will always outweigh the cost of action"
We need real action & investment in adaptation
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
🇦🇺ns are paying the price while disasters worsen
As Minister Bowen said: "The cost of inaction will always outweigh the cost of action"
We need real action & investment in adaptation
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
October 6, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Why don't the rich and powerful care about climate change? Because they profit from fossil fuels and costs are disproportionately born by the poor. @australianlabor.bsky.social and @chrisbowenmp.bsky.social need to take real action, not just words. Leave it in the ground.
Reposted by Michael Bates
Lessons from Vancouver on the value of city leadership, keeping "bikelash" in perspective, and transforming into a bicycle-friendly city.
When newly-elected Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson started converting car lanes to bike lanes in 2009, pundits claimed it was political suicide. In 2018, he stepped down after three terms as the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. So what can this tale teach us about so-called "bikelash"?🧵
October 6, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Lessons from Vancouver on the value of city leadership, keeping "bikelash" in perspective, and transforming into a bicycle-friendly city.
Reposted by Michael Bates
Not just that you will be punished for standing up for the oppressed, but that you will be ritually humiliated and made an example of.
Hello, world?
Hello, world?
October 5, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Not just that you will be punished for standing up for the oppressed, but that you will be ritually humiliated and made an example of.
Hello, world?
Hello, world?
Reposted by Michael Bates
Reposted by Michael Bates
CO2 readings from my kids 6-hr holiday program activity today, in a room shared with 20-30 other kids. Clearly an increased risk of COVID & other airborne infections. Reducing kids chances of re-infection (therefore long COVID) means improving indoor air quality in classrooms. This is achievable.
October 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
CO2 readings from my kids 6-hr holiday program activity today, in a room shared with 20-30 other kids. Clearly an increased risk of COVID & other airborne infections. Reducing kids chances of re-infection (therefore long COVID) means improving indoor air quality in classrooms. This is achievable.
Reposted by Michael Bates
"Hundreds of children in Indonesia lined up for free measles shots Monday as authorities rolled out a vaccination campaign in response to an outbreak that has caused 17 deaths."
Humans really have short memories 😔
Humans really have short memories 😔
September 29, 2025 at 11:20 PM
"Hundreds of children in Indonesia lined up for free measles shots Monday as authorities rolled out a vaccination campaign in response to an outbreak that has caused 17 deaths."
Humans really have short memories 😔
Humans really have short memories 😔
Reposted by Michael Bates
Nostalgically thinking back almost two years to a time when we were debating whether bombing a single hospital could be justified under international law or was per se a war crime.
September 29, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Nostalgically thinking back almost two years to a time when we were debating whether bombing a single hospital could be justified under international law or was per se a war crime.