Peter Clinch
@peterclinch.bsky.social
Getting about the outdoors on bikes, feet, skis & boats, working at NHS Medical Physics, worrying about the world in a leftish way, increasing doses of urbanism, searching for a Round Tuit around Dundee, Scotland...
Reposted by Peter Clinch
The car industry doesn't want you to cycle because you cease to be a customer
The fossil fuel industry doesn't want you to cycle because you cease to be a customer
The NHS would LIKE you to cycle because you cease to be a customer
The fossil fuel industry doesn't want you to cycle because you cease to be a customer
The NHS would LIKE you to cycle because you cease to be a customer
December 15, 2025 at 7:55 AM
The car industry doesn't want you to cycle because you cease to be a customer
The fossil fuel industry doesn't want you to cycle because you cease to be a customer
The NHS would LIKE you to cycle because you cease to be a customer
The fossil fuel industry doesn't want you to cycle because you cease to be a customer
The NHS would LIKE you to cycle because you cease to be a customer
First bike I bought myself, an Edinburgh Bike Co-op Country tourer;
Ultimately replaced by an HP Velotechnik Streetmachine GT recumbent tourer;
A Brompton L3 folder;
A Burrows 8 Freight cargo bike;
A Thorn Me'n'U2 kiddyback triplet.
1st donated to a recycler, 5th sold on, others still used by me.
Ultimately replaced by an HP Velotechnik Streetmachine GT recumbent tourer;
A Brompton L3 folder;
A Burrows 8 Freight cargo bike;
A Thorn Me'n'U2 kiddyback triplet.
1st donated to a recycler, 5th sold on, others still used by me.
Introduce yourself with five pedal cycles you've owned
Bright yellow Ofo hire bike
Arcade Cafe Tandem
Christiana box trike
Batavus Personal
Tern Link
All currently in use
Bright yellow Ofo hire bike
Arcade Cafe Tandem
Christiana box trike
Batavus Personal
Tern Link
All currently in use
Introduce yourself with five pedal cycles you've owned
Alpha 7 Velomobile
Brompton M6L (a bastardisation conversion from an S2)
M*ulton TSR30
Tall Bike - DIY build
Bamboo café racer - DIY build
Alpha 7 Velomobile
Brompton M6L (a bastardisation conversion from an S2)
M*ulton TSR30
Tall Bike - DIY build
Bamboo café racer - DIY build
November 29, 2025 at 6:11 PM
First bike I bought myself, an Edinburgh Bike Co-op Country tourer;
Ultimately replaced by an HP Velotechnik Streetmachine GT recumbent tourer;
A Brompton L3 folder;
A Burrows 8 Freight cargo bike;
A Thorn Me'n'U2 kiddyback triplet.
1st donated to a recycler, 5th sold on, others still used by me.
Ultimately replaced by an HP Velotechnik Streetmachine GT recumbent tourer;
A Brompton L3 folder;
A Burrows 8 Freight cargo bike;
A Thorn Me'n'U2 kiddyback triplet.
1st donated to a recycler, 5th sold on, others still used by me.
Reposted by Peter Clinch
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
As a member of CUK I agree this is a Must Do Better and I've just sent in a Moan.
If the legal technicalities of a campaign name have become problematical then change the name until the law ceases to be an ass, retain the inclusivity and don't further erode the dignity of trans people.
If the legal technicalities of a campaign name have become problematical then change the name until the law ceases to be an ass, retain the inclusivity and don't further erode the dignity of trans people.
Active transport is for everyone regardless of who you are. It angers us so much as green activists that promoting active travel should *only* earn you an award if you identify with your gender assigned at birth.
Trans women are women, and @cyclinguk.bsky.social needs to do better.
Trans women are women, and @cyclinguk.bsky.social needs to do better.
Like many others, I am disappointed and angry about the decision by @cyclinguk.bsky.social to change the eligibility criteria for Women in Cycling 2025 to exclude trans women.
Trans women are women 🏳️⚧️
I have requested for my name and face to be removed.
www.cyclingweekly.com/news/do-we-n...
Trans women are women 🏳️⚧️
I have requested for my name and face to be removed.
www.cyclingweekly.com/news/do-we-n...
November 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
As a member of CUK I agree this is a Must Do Better and I've just sent in a Moan.
If the legal technicalities of a campaign name have become problematical then change the name until the law ceases to be an ass, retain the inclusivity and don't further erode the dignity of trans people.
If the legal technicalities of a campaign name have become problematical then change the name until the law ceases to be an ass, retain the inclusivity and don't further erode the dignity of trans people.
Reposted by Peter Clinch
1. This is a thread on freedom, and how easy it is to lose.
Over the past 2,000 years in Europe, there have been few periods and places of freedom. For much of the time we lived under highly oppressive tyrannies of various kinds, whether small or grand, local or imperial, secular or religious.🧵
Over the past 2,000 years in Europe, there have been few periods and places of freedom. For much of the time we lived under highly oppressive tyrannies of various kinds, whether small or grand, local or imperial, secular or religious.🧵
November 7, 2025 at 6:35 AM
1. This is a thread on freedom, and how easy it is to lose.
Over the past 2,000 years in Europe, there have been few periods and places of freedom. For much of the time we lived under highly oppressive tyrannies of various kinds, whether small or grand, local or imperial, secular or religious.🧵
Over the past 2,000 years in Europe, there have been few periods and places of freedom. For much of the time we lived under highly oppressive tyrannies of various kinds, whether small or grand, local or imperial, secular or religious.🧵
Reposted by Peter Clinch
Any time anyone starts talking about taking us out of the ECHR, ask them two questions:
1. Which of these rights don't you believe in?
2. What exactly would you replace it with. And don't take any vague promises like Brexit benefits.
1. Which of these rights don't you believe in?
2. What exactly would you replace it with. And don't take any vague promises like Brexit benefits.
October 28, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Any time anyone starts talking about taking us out of the ECHR, ask them two questions:
1. Which of these rights don't you believe in?
2. What exactly would you replace it with. And don't take any vague promises like Brexit benefits.
1. Which of these rights don't you believe in?
2. What exactly would you replace it with. And don't take any vague promises like Brexit benefits.
Reposted by Peter Clinch
It's easy to forget or rush past adding alt text to your images, but there's a setting for that!
Settings > Accessibility > Alt text
Now you'll be prompted to enter a brief image/gif description so everyone can enjoy your posts. Plus your butt will look incredible, a true little known side effect.
Settings > Accessibility > Alt text
Now you'll be prompted to enter a brief image/gif description so everyone can enjoy your posts. Plus your butt will look incredible, a true little known side effect.
What a fun skeet you posted. But how disappointing that it doesn’t have alt-text because it means I’m not going to share it.
October 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
It's easy to forget or rush past adding alt text to your images, but there's a setting for that!
Settings > Accessibility > Alt text
Now you'll be prompted to enter a brief image/gif description so everyone can enjoy your posts. Plus your butt will look incredible, a true little known side effect.
Settings > Accessibility > Alt text
Now you'll be prompted to enter a brief image/gif description so everyone can enjoy your posts. Plus your butt will look incredible, a true little known side effect.
Reposted by Peter Clinch
My colleagues & I have taken a huge gamble to set up @thenerve.news We’re trying to build a new independent publication from the ground up. Social media is our only distribution for now.
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
NEW: The British politician, his Russian intelligence handler & a Kremlin plot against the US & Ukraine.
My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:
Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?
t.co/BUTtpK9C4S
My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:
Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?
t.co/BUTtpK9C4S
October 13, 2025 at 9:21 AM
My colleagues & I have taken a huge gamble to set up @thenerve.news We’re trying to build a new independent publication from the ground up. Social media is our only distribution for now.
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
Reposted by Peter Clinch
In which Larry Elliott is absolutely right. theguardian.com/commentisfre... .
In addition, IMO it's morally right to charge drivers a lot more because of the adverse effects of current levels of driving - not just potholes and congestion.
We have been saying this for some time...
1./
In addition, IMO it's morally right to charge drivers a lot more because of the adverse effects of current levels of driving - not just potholes and congestion.
We have been saying this for some time...
1./
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
theguardian.com
August 14, 2025 at 11:11 AM
In which Larry Elliott is absolutely right. theguardian.com/commentisfre... .
In addition, IMO it's morally right to charge drivers a lot more because of the adverse effects of current levels of driving - not just potholes and congestion.
We have been saying this for some time...
1./
In addition, IMO it's morally right to charge drivers a lot more because of the adverse effects of current levels of driving - not just potholes and congestion.
We have been saying this for some time...
1./
Reposted by Peter Clinch
“When people who oppose all forms of violence, who are trying to stop war and terrorism, are arrested on terrorism charges, nothing makes sense any more” - spot on from @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
I went out to challenge the law used to ban Palestine Action. Would I be arrested too? | George Monbiot
Around the country, peaceful protesters see their actions as the legitimate exercise of free speech. The police often disagree – and that’s a problem for our democracy, says Guardian columnist George ...
www.theguardian.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:59 AM
“When people who oppose all forms of violence, who are trying to stop war and terrorism, are arrested on terrorism charges, nothing makes sense any more” - spot on from @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Clinch
Generally, the Guardian's been a good resource, but their actions re: the Observer were trash. Reposting this to celebrate independent media and reporting rising from the ashes of those actions.
Earlier this year, I lost my beloved job at my beloved Observer when the Guardian, in its great wisdom, gave the newspaper away to a podcast company...who promptly sacked me.
So, forgive my delight today, in being nominated for FIVE awards in the British Podcast Awards!!
1/
So, forgive my delight today, in being nominated for FIVE awards in the British Podcast Awards!!
1/
July 25, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Generally, the Guardian's been a good resource, but their actions re: the Observer were trash. Reposting this to celebrate independent media and reporting rising from the ashes of those actions.
Reposted by Peter Clinch
2000 years ago: the Romans would let an aqueduct destroy the Gardon Valley. We need clean water, but at what cost?
July 14, 2025 at 8:40 AM
2000 years ago: the Romans would let an aqueduct destroy the Gardon Valley. We need clean water, but at what cost?
Reposted by Peter Clinch
Three years ago, I wrote this article on how radically reimagining our cities can drastically reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves.
With yet another ‘once in a lifetime’ heatwave impacting Europe, it is as relevant as ever.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/heat...
With yet another ‘once in a lifetime’ heatwave impacting Europe, it is as relevant as ever.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/heat...
40C heatwaves are now reality. It's time to transform our cities
What can we do to reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme heatwaves? Quite a lot actually, writes Jon Burke
www.bigissue.com
July 8, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Three years ago, I wrote this article on how radically reimagining our cities can drastically reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves.
With yet another ‘once in a lifetime’ heatwave impacting Europe, it is as relevant as ever.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/heat...
With yet another ‘once in a lifetime’ heatwave impacting Europe, it is as relevant as ever.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/heat...
Reposted by Peter Clinch
Aside from needing alternatives to driving, induced demand tells us this scheme will actually make life worse for drivers in time, as well as baking in our car dependency and debilitating other options.
We've been trying an everyone drives everywhere policy for decades and it carries on not working.
We've been trying an everyone drives everywhere policy for decades and it carries on not working.
We do not need new roads; we need better transport options. Think of what could be done with £9.2bn, which is to be spent on just 14 miles of road! It could transform bus services and/or cycling and pedestrian infrastructure across Britain. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK government pledges further £590m for delayed Lower Thames Crossing
Rachel Reeves calls Britain’s biggest road-building project a ‘turning point for our national infrastructure’
www.theguardian.com
June 16, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Aside from needing alternatives to driving, induced demand tells us this scheme will actually make life worse for drivers in time, as well as baking in our car dependency and debilitating other options.
We've been trying an everyone drives everywhere policy for decades and it carries on not working.
We've been trying an everyone drives everywhere policy for decades and it carries on not working.
Reposted by Peter Clinch
McDonald's says their new restaurant will be accessible to cyclists. What it will actually do is create a dangerous junction crossing Dundee's only serious cyclepath. It should not be given permission. @dundeecitycouncil.bsky.social @dundeecycling.co.uk
McDonald’s responds to Dundee Riverside concerns as application moves forward
McDonald’s responds to Dundee Riverside concerns as application moves forward
A full planning application has been submitted seeking permission for a McDonald's restaurant to be built on land south of Riverside Avenue.
dlvr.it
June 1, 2025 at 6:46 AM
McDonald's says their new restaurant will be accessible to cyclists. What it will actually do is create a dangerous junction crossing Dundee's only serious cyclepath. It should not be given permission. @dundeecitycouncil.bsky.social @dundeecycling.co.uk
Wot Skunk Cabbage Sez...
Bikes are a highly efficient way to get about. One can easily go faster than most runners for less effort than walking, while carrying quite a lot of stuff.
The modern urban bike is in significant part a *labour saving device* and that's without e-assist.
Bikes are a highly efficient way to get about. One can easily go faster than most runners for less effort than walking, while carrying quite a lot of stuff.
The modern urban bike is in significant part a *labour saving device* and that's without e-assist.
A lot of people haven't ridden a bike since they were a kid and immensely overestimate how much fitness it requires to cycle at a leisurely pace on an upright bicycle on permissive infrastructure
May 23, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Wot Skunk Cabbage Sez...
Bikes are a highly efficient way to get about. One can easily go faster than most runners for less effort than walking, while carrying quite a lot of stuff.
The modern urban bike is in significant part a *labour saving device* and that's without e-assist.
Bikes are a highly efficient way to get about. One can easily go faster than most runners for less effort than walking, while carrying quite a lot of stuff.
The modern urban bike is in significant part a *labour saving device* and that's without e-assist.
@livingstreets.bsky.social and @bikeabilityuk.bsky.social have released www.bikeability.org.uk/wp-content/u... which scores well on content but has a 🤦♂️cover image that suggests a crash helmet is a precursor to road safety.
They really ought to have done better with their picture selection 🙁
They really ought to have done better with their picture selection 🙁
www.bikeability.org.uk
May 22, 2025 at 6:42 AM
@livingstreets.bsky.social and @bikeabilityuk.bsky.social have released www.bikeability.org.uk/wp-content/u... which scores well on content but has a 🤦♂️cover image that suggests a crash helmet is a precursor to road safety.
They really ought to have done better with their picture selection 🙁
They really ought to have done better with their picture selection 🙁
@peterwalker99.bsky.social typically on-point here, and the comments are, predictably, full of people sweeping anyone on a bike, entirely oblivious to what was actually written, into a generic "cyclist and therefore bampot" category 🙄
No wonder Jeremy Vine is hanging up his helmet cam – the rage we cyclists face is off the scale | Peter Walker
No wonder Jeremy Vine is hanging up his helmet cam – the rage we cyclists face is off the scale | Peter Walker
Why does cycling make so many drivers lose their cool? It’s partly ignorance, but demonisation by politicians doesn’t help, says Peter Walker, a senior political correspondent for the Guardian
www.theguardian.com
April 30, 2025 at 9:02 AM
@peterwalker99.bsky.social typically on-point here, and the comments are, predictably, full of people sweeping anyone on a bike, entirely oblivious to what was actually written, into a generic "cyclist and therefore bampot" category 🙄
Reposted by Peter Clinch
Tony Blair is literally being paid by a man with one of the highest carbon footprints on the planet - Larry Ellison. The founder of Oracle is his biggest funder & these techsolutionist remarks have to be seen for what they are: tech lobbying
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Phasing out fossil fuels ‘doomed to fail’, says Tony Blair as he calls for rethink of net zero policy – UK politics live
‘Any strategy based on either phasing out fossil fuels in the short term or limiting consumption is a strategy doomed to fail,’ says former PM
www.theguardian.com
April 29, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Tony Blair is literally being paid by a man with one of the highest carbon footprints on the planet - Larry Ellison. The founder of Oracle is his biggest funder & these techsolutionist remarks have to be seen for what they are: tech lobbying
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by Peter Clinch
I have written a thing about Jeremy Vine and cycling campaigning.
(no paywall)
open.substack.com/pub/nedboult...
(no paywall)
open.substack.com/pub/nedboult...
April 28, 2025 at 9:44 AM
I have written a thing about Jeremy Vine and cycling campaigning.
(no paywall)
open.substack.com/pub/nedboult...
(no paywall)
open.substack.com/pub/nedboult...
Once you know it starts "Ah, it's cycle helmet day again" you can probably the guess the rest without a translator...
(your regular reminder that the main effect cycle helmets have on cycle safety is taking useful bandwidth away from stuff that would actually make a significant difference to it)
(your regular reminder that the main effect cycle helmets have on cycle safety is taking useful bandwidth away from stuff that would actually make a significant difference to it)
Ah, het is weer fietshelmdag. Benieuwd wanneer auto-snelheid-omlaag-dag is. Of betere-fietsinfrastructuur-dag. Of geen-auto's-in-schoolstraat-dag. Of leg-je-focking-telefoon-weg-als-je-in-de-auto-zit-dag.
April 16, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Once you know it starts "Ah, it's cycle helmet day again" you can probably the guess the rest without a translator...
(your regular reminder that the main effect cycle helmets have on cycle safety is taking useful bandwidth away from stuff that would actually make a significant difference to it)
(your regular reminder that the main effect cycle helmets have on cycle safety is taking useful bandwidth away from stuff that would actually make a significant difference to it)
Reposted by Peter Clinch
NEW: Last week’s newsletter had ‘IT’S A COUP’ in big red letters on front page of NYT. Well, guess what? It still is. We have to stop framing what’s happening as in any way normal. It’s a coup & a collapse in the international order & none of this is ‘normal’
broligarchy.substack.com/p/us-coup-ga...
broligarchy.substack.com/p/us-coup-ga...
US Coup Gains Speed
Europe shakes as a new world order emerges. Here's what's not on the front page of the New York Times right now
broligarchy.substack.com
February 18, 2025 at 8:52 AM
NEW: Last week’s newsletter had ‘IT’S A COUP’ in big red letters on front page of NYT. Well, guess what? It still is. We have to stop framing what’s happening as in any way normal. It’s a coup & a collapse in the international order & none of this is ‘normal’
broligarchy.substack.com/p/us-coup-ga...
broligarchy.substack.com/p/us-coup-ga...
Reposted by Peter Clinch
“How is the government failing to understand that you can’t implement an ambitious programme of change without robust government bodies? You can’t simultaneously appease corporate lobbyists, the Daily Mail, Times & Telegraph & deliver effective & beneficial policy?” 👏👏 👏@georgemonbiot.bsky.social
It’s straight from the Trump playbook: Labour is tearing up the machinery of government | George Monbiot
If Starmer and Reeves really want a greener, cleaner, wilder nation, then why attack vital state bodies that are already on their knees?, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2025 at 4:39 PM
“How is the government failing to understand that you can’t implement an ambitious programme of change without robust government bodies? You can’t simultaneously appease corporate lobbyists, the Daily Mail, Times & Telegraph & deliver effective & beneficial policy?” 👏👏 👏@georgemonbiot.bsky.social
My ride is here.
All aboard the Bennie Railplane!
All aboard the Bennie Railplane!
February 11, 2025 at 9:53 AM
My ride is here.
All aboard the Bennie Railplane!
All aboard the Bennie Railplane!