Betty Offerman
@boffer.bsky.social
Edinburgh resident & community councillor • Interested in bikes & books
Or possibly the government are irresponsible not to employ enough doctors in the face of a flu crisis???
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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’
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Or possibly the government are irresponsible not to employ enough doctors in the face of a flu crisis???
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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
October 27, 2025 at 1:47 PM
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
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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...
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...
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.
www.bbc.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:10 AM
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...
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...
Suggestions on a postcard please
October 5, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Suggestions on a postcard please
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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
August 20, 2025 at 5:49 PM
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
Reposted by Betty Offerman
Heaving & overcrowded pavements and crawling buses - the consequence of allowing private cars to drive through a city centre with limited space.
No other modern European Capital would allow this.
It creates delays & unreliability across the public transport network into SW #Edinburgh and beyond.
No other modern European Capital would allow this.
It creates delays & unreliability across the public transport network into SW #Edinburgh and beyond.
August 16, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Heaving & overcrowded pavements and crawling buses - the consequence of allowing private cars to drive through a city centre with limited space.
No other modern European Capital would allow this.
It creates delays & unreliability across the public transport network into SW #Edinburgh and beyond.
No other modern European Capital would allow this.
It creates delays & unreliability across the public transport network into SW #Edinburgh and beyond.
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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
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
August 10, 2025 at 10:53 AM
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
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
Reposted by Betty Offerman
It’s the time of year!
When the #Edfringe and #EdinburghFestival make it difficult to get around the city, particularly by bus.
Festivals in the city centre and failures to pedestrianise & prioritise public transport make travel tough for everyone. Including drivers. 🧵
When the #Edfringe and #EdinburghFestival make it difficult to get around the city, particularly by bus.
Festivals in the city centre and failures to pedestrianise & prioritise public transport make travel tough for everyone. Including drivers. 🧵
August 1, 2025 at 5:03 PM
It’s the time of year!
When the #Edfringe and #EdinburghFestival make it difficult to get around the city, particularly by bus.
Festivals in the city centre and failures to pedestrianise & prioritise public transport make travel tough for everyone. Including drivers. 🧵
When the #Edfringe and #EdinburghFestival make it difficult to get around the city, particularly by bus.
Festivals in the city centre and failures to pedestrianise & prioritise public transport make travel tough for everyone. Including drivers. 🧵
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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_...
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_...
People first means surviving of the weakest.
Helsinki shows how real road safety works
medium.com
August 2, 2025 at 7:16 AM
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_...
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_...
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...
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...
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
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 5:43 AM
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...
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...
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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
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
In the last year, to May 2025, the average costs of running a car fell by 0.1% while the cost of public transport increased by 5%
How is inflation affecting your household costs? - Office for National Statistics
Use our inflation calculator to see how increases in the cost of living have affected you in the past year
www.ons.gov.uk
July 4, 2025 at 7:51 AM
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
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
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 2, 2025 at 8:17 PM
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...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Betty Offerman
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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.
May 28, 2025 at 5:18 PM
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.
Reposted by Betty Offerman
Finally unwrapped, nice to see you again @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social 💖 Can't wait for you to open again!
May 28, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Finally unwrapped, nice to see you again @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social 💖 Can't wait for you to open again!
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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.
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.
🏞️ Do you use Holyrood Park for commuting or leisure? Do you want to make a difference to the space and work with likeminded folk?
Come along on Monday!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/holyrood-p...
Come along on Monday!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/holyrood-p...
Holyrood Park Public Meeting - Lorna Slater MSP
Join Lorna Slater MSP for Lothian Region, local community groups and stakeholders as vote on the first committee of the new Friends Of group
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Betty Offerman
In most European cities a historic square in a vista like the Grassmarket would be fully pedestrianised, have lots more outdoor seating, trees or be for public transport only.
Think of how much more business activity could be accommodated instead of four lanes for cars. 🤷
📸 Grassmarket, Edinburgh
Think of how much more business activity could be accommodated instead of four lanes for cars. 🤷
📸 Grassmarket, Edinburgh
May 16, 2025 at 9:05 PM
In most European cities a historic square in a vista like the Grassmarket would be fully pedestrianised, have lots more outdoor seating, trees or be for public transport only.
Think of how much more business activity could be accommodated instead of four lanes for cars. 🤷
📸 Grassmarket, Edinburgh
Think of how much more business activity could be accommodated instead of four lanes for cars. 🤷
📸 Grassmarket, Edinburgh
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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...
Time to ban cars in all places where people gather
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
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
www.theguardian.com
April 27, 2025 at 10:27 AM
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...
Time to ban cars in all places where people gather
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Reposted by Betty Offerman
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...
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...
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
www.theguardian.com
April 6, 2025 at 6:29 AM
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...
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...
Reposted by Betty Offerman
Anyone who is more concerned about bikes on pavements than cars on the road is deeply unserious about pedestrian safety.
November 8, 2024 at 3:33 PM
Anyone who is more concerned about bikes on pavements than cars on the road is deeply unserious about pedestrian safety.
Reposted by Betty Offerman
🚧⛔️🚧
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.
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.
April 7, 2025 at 2:12 PM
🚧⛔️🚧
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.
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.
Reposted by Betty Offerman
🚗📊 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:
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:
Polwarth Roundabout: The Numbers Are In – Merchiston Community Council
Get the latest updates on how we are representing community interests and views in Merchiston.
merchistoncc.org.uk
March 31, 2025 at 3:23 PM
🚗📊 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:
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:
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...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 7, 2025 at 6:16 PM
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...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Betty Offerman
More than 1m cars sold in UK each year too big to fit typical parking space
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...
www.theguardian.com
April 4, 2025 at 4:44 AM
More than 1m cars sold in UK each year too big to fit typical parking space