Helen Back
helenback1.bsky.social
Helen Back
@helenback1.bsky.social
Edinburgh based. Here for the politics, cycling chat, community news, nature, quality of life, comedy, cats, old and beautiful things. End the monarchy. Rejoin the EU. Ban sleeping bag style coats
Reposted by Helen Back
Silverknowes Road being returned to cars and car parking after a typically disingenuous campaign by the Edinburgh Liberal Democrats.
Never let those lying sellouts tell you they give a shit about carbon reduction, climate change, active travel or road safety.
August 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by Helen Back
Scotland must act on the rise of SUVs.

These heavier vehicles increase road maintenance costs, take up more space, and pose a greater risk to pedestrians.

The public should not bear the cost of larger, more dangerous cars.
April 4, 2025 at 9:34 AM
@rosssmckenzie.bsky.social pedestrians sacrificed on a caged narrow pavement so cars can have a wide junction to race in off the motorway slip road of the WAR on roseburn street. This must be difficult or impossible for some. Nothing on other side at all. Any chance of a revision here?
March 1, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Reposted by Helen Back
"Cycling is not a practical daily travel option for most people."

In 2022, 26% of car trips in the UK were shorter than 1 mile, and 71% were under 5 miles.

A 5-mile bike ride takes around 30 minutes.

Provide people with the option to cycle and build more safe infrastructure
February 10, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by Helen Back
Today's Poll: Would you prefer the UK was closer to the US or the EU in international relations and trade terms? Which is closest to your view.

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/zDXaNd/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">I'm under 40: EU
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/zDXaNd/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">I'm under 40: US
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/zDXaNd/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">I'm 40+: EU
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/zDXaNd/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">I'm 40+: US

📊 Show results
February 3, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Reposted by Helen Back
you don't have to give your email address after voting, just submit and see poll results.
nice poll the Express has got here...

xd.wayin.com/display/cont...
February 2, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Reposted by Helen Back
Stop Musk from funding far-right politics in the UK!

I just signed this petition 'Tighten the rules on political donations' - it's nearly at 30,000 signatures - can you add your name too? -

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
Petition: Tighten the rules on political donations
We want the government to: Remove loopholes that allow wealthy foreign individuals to make donations into UK political parties (e.g. by funnelling through UK registered companies). Cap all donations ...
petition.parliament.uk
January 26, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Helen Back
Pity Farage wasn’t asked about this - he should be forced to own it @bbclaurak.bsky.social @theneweuropean.bsky.social
January 5, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Helen Back
Golf courses don't belong in cities
Just a reminder that roughly 5.5% of Edinburgh is golf courses.
January 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Reposted by Helen Back
Just a reminder that roughly 5.5% of Edinburgh is golf courses.
January 3, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Reposted by Helen Back
I love how Denmark isn’t taking any shit from Donald Trump. 🇩🇰 🤣
December 25, 2024 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Helen Back
I’m old enough to remember Boris Johnson telling businesses Brexit paperwork could go in a bin. Now they need a warehouse to store it in
December 16, 2024 at 8:31 AM
Reposted by Helen Back
This morning's commute in #Edinburgh from Russel Road along the new #Roseburn Path extension to the Canal. Wonderful and a game changer, cutting out Russel Road, Murieston Place, Ardmillan Terrace and Harrison Road (4.5x speed). #CyclingToWork #CyclingInEdinburgh
December 10, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by Helen Back
I’m confident a new e-bike hire scheme can be in place by next summer and that it’ll prove popular with both visitors and residents alike 🚴‍♂️

www.scotsman.com/news/transpo...
All-electric bike hire scheme to be launched in Edinburgh by next summer - here's how it would work
Successor to ill-fated Just Eat Cycles would be at no cost to city council
www.scotsman.com
December 4, 2024 at 8:23 AM
Reposted by Helen Back
Great starter pack of major news outlets now on Bluesky.

Truth matters.
bsky.app/starter-pack...
November 25, 2024 at 10:02 AM