http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Recent Posts en Sat, 23 May 2026 22:54:05 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384421 Sat, 23 May 2026 18:57:49 +0000 chdot 384421@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Scotland’s oil and gas industry has demanded the new SNP government sets out its “full-throated support” for the sector in the coming days.</p> <p>North Sea bosses are also challenging the newly-appointed ministers to publish an energy strategy within the next 100 days, as the SNP begins its fifth consecutive term in office.</p> <p>Earlier this week First Minister John Swinney appointed his cabinet and downgraded the energy portfolio to junior minister level under Stephen Gethins.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://archive.ph/2026.05.23-055923/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-given-100-days-to-reveal-plan-to-save-north-sea-jobs-by-industry-leader-8637729" rel="nofollow">https://archive.ph/2026.05.23-055923/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-given-100-days-to-reveal-plan-to-save-north-sea-jobs-by-industry-leader-8637729</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21874#post-384420 Sat, 23 May 2026 18:37:20 +0000 chdot 384420@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Less than a week to go</p> <p>Come along (unless you can’t)</p> <p>Tell your friends</p> <p>Etc</p> <p>Weather looking adequate </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384419 Sat, 23 May 2026 17:30:36 +0000 chdot 384419@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>The challenge is greatly worsened by the climate emergency, which makes colder, wetter winters more frequent – though heavier vehicles and increased traffic certainly don’t help, water is the biggest cause of potholes. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/may/23/politics-potholes-bristol-britain-no-quick-fix" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/may/23/politics-potholes-bristol-britain-no-quick-fix</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15905&page=7#post-384418 Sat, 23 May 2026 17:25:20 +0000 chdot 384418@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Councils fix a pothole every 17 seconds – but getting on top of the repair backlog would cost £18.6bn. Why is it so hard to solve a problem that drives the nation crazy? </p> <p>…</p> <p>Be in no doubt: people really, really care about potholes. A YouGov poll last month, its last before the recent council elections, found that the causes about which voters said they were most exercised locally – more than the cost of living, the NHS or immigration – were potholes, congestion and road maintenance. For many, crumbling roads have come to symbolise a society that feels a bit more rubbish than it used to be. Yet New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, says he fixed 100,000 potholes in his first 100 days. Why can’t Britain solve its own pothole problem?</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/may/23/politics-potholes-bristol-britain-no-quick-fix" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/may/23/politics-potholes-bristol-britain-no-quick-fix</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384417 Sat, 23 May 2026 17:09:49 +0000 chdot 384417@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>David Whyte, the report’s co-author and professor of climate justice at QMUL, said: “These are exceptional sentences that are being used to apply to protests which are themselves profoundly political. </p> <p>“So it’s clear that extreme sentences and the level of remand detentions [before trial] at an extreme level are being used to respond to one category of prisoners and that’s prisoners who’ve been detained because they’ve been involved in civil disobedience, direct action as a result of political protest. So there is something going on which is profoundly political. Very often those protesters are reflecting majority rather than a minority view.” </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2026/may/23/anti-protest-sentences-rise-england-wales-political-prisoners" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/law/2026/may/23/anti-protest-sentences-rise-england-wales-political-prisoners</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21940#post-384416 Sat, 23 May 2026 11:49:30 +0000 mcairney 384416@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To be fair to them the issues they describe (anti-social behaviour, crime) negatively affect businesses, locals and tourists alike. It's not like the business owners of North Berwick being up in arms about the parking charges because it means they can't park their Range Rovers outside their shops- although to give a Royal Mile equivalent the Gold Brothers don't really seem to care if their brand new Lambo gets ticketed! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21940#post-384415 Sat, 23 May 2026 11:24:24 +0000 jdanielp 384415@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The survey is anonymous so anyone can complete it if they want:</p> <p><a href="https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/91113712/Edinburgh-Old-Town-BID-Business-Survey" rel="nofollow">https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/91113712/Edinburgh-Old-Town-BID-Business-Survey</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21940#post-384414 Sat, 23 May 2026 11:20:38 +0000 jdanielp 384414@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Indeed, but one of the 'local business' owners who is quoted in the article wants them to be "totally overwhelmingly inspiringly brilliant for everyone" so what could possibly go wrong if they successfully manage to organise a Business Improvement District for Old Town? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=245#post-384413 Sat, 23 May 2026 10:08:29 +0000 Frenchy 384413@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A swift over Meadowfield Park. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384412 Sat, 23 May 2026 08:29:43 +0000 Frenchy 384412@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@neddie - excellent questions, which are the kind of thing I'd like to see Simon Jenkins address, instead of pretending that the entire point of HS2 is to speed up journeys. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14986&page=10#post-384411 Sat, 23 May 2026 08:26:24 +0000 chdot 384411@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This is relevant as it would be a ‘destination’ on an ‘open’ Powderhall line path. (The rail line continues to Jock’s Lodge but it seems likely that continuing past Lochend will be even more problematic than the rest of the route from St Mark’s Park)</p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/the-history-and-tragedy-of-lochends" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/the-history-and-tragedy-of-lochends</a></p> <p>This is partly based on the Threadinburgh thread about the loch at Lochend by Andy Arthur - </p> <p><a href="https://threadinburgh.scot/2022/09/16/the-thread-about-lochend-loch-and-why-the-council-tried-to-fill-it-in-but-found-that-they-couldnt/" rel="nofollow">https://threadinburgh.scot/2022/09/16/the-thread-about-lochend-loch-and-why-the-council-tried-to-fill-it-in-but-found-that-they-couldnt/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19287&page=2#post-384410 Sat, 23 May 2026 07:40:47 +0000 chdot 384410@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For comparison </p> <p>“</p> <p>Energy, water and waste flow through an integrated ‘closed-loop system’: biogas from the sewage plant heats homes; waste heat from a data centre feeds the district energy network.</p> <p>The tram line was running before the first residents arrived - not promised for a future phase or subject to a funding review, but operational on day one.</p> <p>Buildings vary in architecture and expression, but a design framework - consistently enforced - keeps them coherent without making them uniform. The parks and waterways are structural elements of the layout, not afterthoughts fitted around the blocks.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.buildedinburgh.com/p/saturday-column-building-for-the" rel="nofollow">https://www.buildedinburgh.com/p/saturday-column-building-for-the</a></p> <p>Not just Granton of course</p> <p>“<br /> Consider the speculative house-building at Western Harbour, before the global ‘financial collapse’ in 2008.</p> <p>There was a masterplan, a development company was established, the ambitions - mixed uses, high-density urbanism, excellent public realm, sustainable transport - were clearly stated.</p> <p>But witness today the blocks of flats, many of them discoloured by the salty sea air, along with the cheerless spaces between them, filled to bursting with cars.</p> <p>Whenever there is a gap between aspiration and delivery, not only is it rarely acknowledged but no-one is ever asked to explain why.</p> <p>“</p> <p>Easy to say ThisIsEdinburgh, but more ThisIsUK - or just the ‘international money’ world </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21940#post-384409 Fri, 22 May 2026 18:07:03 +0000 Kim 384409@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Odd how it always "local business" that is worried and what local residents feel about the over tourist problems (driven by the desires of "local business") never seem to matter... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21941#post-384408 Fri, 22 May 2026 17:59:04 +0000 Kim 384408@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Meet the Electric Cranks Cycling Club <a href="https://edfoc.org.uk/2026/05/22/meet-the-electric-cranks" rel="nofollow">https://edfoc.org.uk/2026/05/22/meet-the-electric-cranks</a></p> <p>In June 2026, the Electric Cranks will be cycling across Scotland from the Golden Jubilee Hospital (LVAD &amp; Transplant Centre) to Dunbar, over three days, hoping to make even more people aware of cardiac failure and organ donation, as well as some fundraising.</p> <p>The organisers are also looking for volunteer guides to help them find their way from the Falkirk Wheel to the Meadows, just in case anyone wants to give a helping hand. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384407 Fri, 22 May 2026 17:28:11 +0000 chdot 384407@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“<br /> Meanwhile, over at the Ministry of Defence, the early hints are that next month, several billion more will be found to increase the defence budget to close an £18bn funding gap – and begin paying for the British army of the near future. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/22/drone-shortage-london-underground-nato-british-military" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/22/drone-shortage-london-underground-nato-british-military</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21928#post-384406 Fri, 22 May 2026 15:07:21 +0000 bakky 384406@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks for the help! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21940#post-384405 Fri, 22 May 2026 14:40:31 +0000 chdot 384405@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/whats-happening-edinburghs-old-town-33974885.amp" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/whats-happening-edinburghs-old-town-33974885.amp</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384404 Fri, 22 May 2026 14:32:55 +0000 chdot 384404@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“<br /> Motorists cutting back on petrol and fuel purchases at the steepest rate since the Covid pandemic in 2020 drove retail sales in Great Britain to their biggest monthly decline in a year. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/22/biggest-drop-petrol-purchases-hits-retail-sales-great-britain" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/22/biggest-drop-petrol-purchases-hits-retail-sales-great-britain</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19287#post-384403 Fri, 22 May 2026 14:06:48 +0000 chdot 384403@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Council leader Jane Meagher said: "We declared a housing emergency in 2023 and so these energy efficient quality homes are much needed and from what I’ve seen are being greatly enjoyed.</p> <p>"The video shows how easy it is for residents to access the beach, parks, good transport links, places to walk, cycle and wheel as well as having good local shops and other facilities nearby.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26104339.edinburghs-western-villages-development-welcomes-1400-residents/?" rel="nofollow">https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26104339.edinburghs-western-villages-development-welcomes-1400-residents/?</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14401/residents-give-thumbs-up-to-granton-waterfront" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14401/residents-give-thumbs-up-to-granton-waterfront</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21928#post-384402 Fri, 22 May 2026 14:00:12 +0000 jdanielp 384402@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looking forward to helping out and just received the PoP t-shirt I had ordered! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=75#post-384401 Fri, 22 May 2026 11:15:28 +0000 chdot 384401@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Can’t say I understand this!</p> <p>“</p> <p>The council has said under the terms of the agreement with DLA Piper it cannot disclose the amount of the settlement.</p> <p>However, SNP councillor Danny Aston accused the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Green groups of “gross misjudgement” over the way the case was approached and said it could have lost the council a big chunk of the settlement.</p> <p>He said: “When we had two options on the table - whether to pursue this case independently, on our own, and trust the strength of our legal arguments, or potentially give a very large sum of whatever settlement we ultimately received to a third-party funder, despite the strength of our case, that's what the Lib Dems, Tories and Greens decided to do. It’s only good fortune that the case settled when it did.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/big-chunk-of-edinburgh-councils-tram-settlement-could-have-been-lost-councillor-claims-8613825" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/big-chunk-of-edinburgh-councils-tram-settlement-could-have-been-lost-councillor-claims-8613825</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17899&page=69#post-384400 Fri, 22 May 2026 11:04:00 +0000 pringlis 384400@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><br /> <strong>Cycle boom in Edinburgh and Glasgow as electric bike hires soar past 1 million<br /> </strong><br /> Voi said its pink coral coloured e-bikes had been hired 590,563 times in Edinburgh since it started a new rental scheme there in September</blockquote></p> <p><a href="https://archive.is/2026.05.22-095910/https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/cycle-boom-in-edinburgh-and-glasgow-as-electric-bike-hires-soar-past-1-million-8597642" rel="nofollow">https://archive.is/2026.05.22-095910/https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/cycle-boom-in-edinburgh-and-glasgow-as-electric-bike-hires-soar-past-1-million-8597642</a></p> <p>Massive success. I hope they keep expanding it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5273#post-384399 Fri, 22 May 2026 09:52:10 +0000 chdot 384399@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Dear members and associate members,</p> <p>As you may or may not know, there has been increased contractor activity on the Astley Ainslie site, and probably because of this, inaccurate rumours are circulating. AACT Trustees felt that a factual update would be useful.</p> <p>NHS Lothian still owns the whole of Astley Ainslie. They have confirmed their intention to reserve an unspecified portion of the site to accommodate future Primary Care Developments. This will include the SMART Building. Contractors are now boarding up the East Pavilion, having recently boarded the last of the Wooden Huts by the South Oswald Road entrance. We understand that any further building closures by the NHS will depend on funding becoming available for the re-provision of the services and the associated administrative staff currently on site.</p> <p>The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) is now working on a Place Brief for the whole site, which includes Woodburn House, and has received some survey information and reports from the NHS. We believe the Draft Place Brief will be considered by the CEC Planning Committee in September, after which a 90-day consultation period will follow.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://mailchi.mp/aact/july-14186665?ref=edinburghminute.com" rel="nofollow">https://mailchi.mp/aact/july-14186665?ref=edinburghminute.com</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384398 Fri, 22 May 2026 09:39:23 +0000 neddie 384398@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Why must we have ever more capacity for everything? This is a "growth at any cost" mindset.</p> <p>If we are to thrive as a species, we need to start making do with what we have, and a managed reduction in harmful activities like driving and flying. As well as learning to live alongside nature, instead of trying to defeat it at every turn. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384397 Fri, 22 May 2026 08:04:12 +0000 Frenchy 384397@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is it worth reading an article on HS2 that doesn't contain the word "capacity"? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384396 Thu, 21 May 2026 23:59:00 +0000 chdot 384396@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>The HS2 project remains what it always was, a total dud. It is a superfluous railway that has simply run wild. There are plenty of fast trains to Birmingham and other ways of running more. This was always a vanity project of the David Cameron coalition. As the former Downing Street in-house HS2 expert, Andrew Gilligan, admitted to the Sunday Times 18 months ago, “HS2 was certain to fail from the start”, with the wrong route, wrong speed and wrong termini. It was ludicrous not to link up with HS1. </p> <p>The trouble is the usual one, that projects on this scale, once begun, offer huge scope for contractual cost escalation. They arm themselves with consultants and accountants and soon outgun and outsmart those who must find them money. They exploit the biggest cult in modern politics, that every brick laid or inch of concrete mixed is “investment” and therefore must be “pro-growth”. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/21/hs2-white-elephant-british-history-sunk-cost-fallacy" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/21/hs2-white-elephant-british-history-sunk-cost-fallacy</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384395 Thu, 21 May 2026 17:40:11 +0000 chdot 384395@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Oil markets will enter the “red zone” by July and August as stocks dwindle before the summer travel season amid a shortage of fresh oil exports from the Middle East, the executive director of the International Energy Authority warned on Thursday.</p> <p>Fatih Birol added that the most important solution to the Iran war energy shock was a full and unconditional reopening of the strait of Hormuz.</p> <p>Speaking to the London thinktank Chatham House, Birol said it was open to IEA members to release more strategic oil reserves as they had previously in March, and said the IEA stood ready to coordinate. As much as 80% of IEA’s collective reserves have not been released.</p> <p>He warned that while stocks were eroding, no new oil was coming from the Middle East and the demand was increasing, mainly caused by the travel season. “This may be difficult and we may be entering the red zone in July-August if we don’t see some improvements,” Birol said.</p> <p>Adding that he had “never seen the dark and long shadow of geopolitics so dominant in the energy sector”, Birol also said he feared extremist parties in Europe may opportunistically abuse the coming inflation to argue it represents the failure of existing political systems when, in truth, the price of oil is set internationally.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/21/oil-markets-nearing-red-zone-as-holiday-season-nears-warns-iea-chief" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/21/oil-markets-nearing-red-zone-as-holiday-season-nears-warns-iea-chief</a></p> <p>Apart from FM, all seem to have <a href="mailto:scottish.ministers@gov.scot">scottish.ministers@gov.scot</a> as contact email, which may not be new. CabSec etc will probably still work for individual ministers </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21936#post-384394 Thu, 21 May 2026 17:35:28 +0000 chdot 384394@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Now official </p> <p>“<br /> Stephen Flynn has 1 parliamentary and government role<br /> Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport<br /> Scottish Government</p> <p> Find out more about the Cabinet and Ministers at the Scottish Government website.</p> <p>“</p> <p>More at -</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/" rel="nofollow">https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21939#post-384393 Thu, 21 May 2026 16:19:40 +0000 chdot 384393@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>A cycle lane built as part of the £6m regeneration project to rejuvenate Greenock town centre and encourage active travel is facing calls to be scrapped just over a year after it was completed.</p> <p>Almost 1,000 people have signed a petition against the two-way lane on West Blackhall Street, with some local businesses claiming the route has "decimated" trade.</p> <p>Meanwhile, cyclists have told BBC Scotland the lane is frequently blocked by parked cars and they have faced hostility from motorists.</p> <p>Inverclyde Council has acknowledged there have been "teething troubles" and said a review is underway.</p> <p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8091dd11njo" rel="nofollow">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8091dd11njo</a></p> <p>Problem not really ‘cycle lane’ but removing parking spaces. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384392 Thu, 21 May 2026 15:08:14 +0000 chdot 384392@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>But that started to change when one of the parent governors, Sarah Taggart, spearheaded St John’s climate action plan. “This school is in a high flood-risk area, so we were able to get [Department for Education] funding for a bigger project and take up some of the tarmac,” says Taggart, who enlisted the help of Trees for Cities, a charity whose work includes planting green spaces in urban playgrounds to assist their adaptation to the climate crisis. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/21/flood-prone-london-school-climate-adapted-playground" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/21/flood-prone-london-school-climate-adapted-playground</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=165&page=20#post-384391 Thu, 21 May 2026 15:03:14 +0000 chdot 384391@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This thread is 16 years old!</p> <p>I wrote -</p> <p>“Will electric bikes move many people from 4 wheels to 2?“</p> <p>The answer must be “yes”</p> <p>But to what extent?</p> <p>Extra journeys or car substitute?</p> <p>Is there any recent research? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=165&page=20#post-384390 Thu, 21 May 2026 14:52:31 +0000 chdot 384390@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“<br /> VOLT Bikes, the award-winning British e-bike manufacturer, today unveils the all-new URBAN, a premium city e-bike engineered to deliver a seamless, intelligent riding experience. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://bikebiz.com/volt-unveils-the-urban-a-lightweight-intelligent-e-bike-redefining-effortless-city-riding/" rel="nofollow">https://bikebiz.com/volt-unveils-the-urban-a-lightweight-intelligent-e-bike-redefining-effortless-city-riding/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21936#post-384389 Thu, 21 May 2026 14:27:10 +0000 chdot 384389@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“<br /> (designate) </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/cabinet-secretary-for-economy-tourism-and-transport/" rel="nofollow">https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/cabinet-secretary-for-economy-tourism-and-transport/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20766&page=81#post-384388 Thu, 21 May 2026 13:10:33 +0000 chdot 384388@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“<br /> Colombia’s climate crossroads: Trumpism casts shadow over presidential battle </p> <p>Colombia is a global leader in climate activism. Could US influence drag country to a future of mining and fracking? </p> <p>…</p> <p>Colombia plays an outsized role in the push for climate justice. In recent years, Muhamad has become a familiar face on the international stage, notably as a leading advocate for the transition away from fossil fuels at the Cop29 climate conference in Dubai, and then as president of the biodiversity Cop16 in Cali, Colombia.</p> <p>Muhamad is by no means a lone voice for the environment in the Pacto Historico government. Francia Márquez, the vice-president of Colombia, won the Goldman environmental prize for her campaign to halt illegal goldmining in her ancestral community of La Toma. The environment minister, Irene Vélez Torres, has just co-chaired the world’s first conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, involving an alliance of countries that want to accelerate the energy transition rather than be held back by the consensus-based UN system and the vetoes of big oil producers.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/21/colombia-climate-crossroads-trumpism-casts-shadow-presidential-election" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/21/colombia-climate-crossroads-trumpism-casts-shadow-presidential-election</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21571&page=3#post-384387 Thu, 21 May 2026 13:06:42 +0000 chdot 384387@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>One of Edinburgh's new MSPs has been given a ministerial job in John Swinney's government less than two weeks after being elected to Holyrood.</p> <p>Simita Kumar, SNP MSP for Edinburgh South Western, has been made Minister for Equalities and International Development, working under Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.</p> <p>…</p> <p>Mr Swinney also reappointed Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh North Eastern &amp; Leith, as a minister, giving him the new title Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education. He was previously Minister for Higher and Further Education. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/new-edinburgh-msp-simita-kumar-goes-straight-into-ministerial-job-in-john-swinneys-government-8556706" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/new-edinburgh-msp-simita-kumar-goes-straight-into-ministerial-job-in-john-swinneys-government-8556706</a> </p>