CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".
IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 15years old!
Well done to ALL posters
It soon became useful and entertaining. There are regular posters, people who add useful info occasionally and plenty more who drop by to watch. That's fine. If you want to add news/comments it's easy to register and become a member.
RULES No personal insults. No swearing.
“
I'm sorry. I failed. I thought it would work and I was wrong. And now I don't know what will work. But I will keep on keeping on.
“
https://twitter.com/sallyhinch/status/1673051113933742082
“
You didn’t write that in the hope ppl would contradict you
BUT
The fact is that without YOU
@POPScotland
wouldn’t have been the success it HAS BEEN
The real failure is politicians believing ’voters = motorists’ and being too scared to do enough
@SpokesLothian
@TransformScot
“
Of course Sally hasn't failed. Nor has any other active travel campaigner. She, and they, have been failed by our elected leaders. Leaders that have declared a climate emergency. Leaders that have committed to reducing the distance travelled by car. Leaders that promised to provide an environment where 10% of all trips would be made by bike. Leaders who committed to "town centre first" development. Leaders who promised 20-minute neighbourhoods.
Yet none of these leaders seem to have the courage of their convictions. If truth be told, very few appear to have either courage or convictions. Instead they dither, prevaricate and bluster in the face of a global emergency and degraded local environments. And for what? In the hope of grubbing up a few votes - typically from people who would never vote for notionally progressive political parties anyway.
Sally, and every other active travel campaigner, can hold their head up high. It reminds me of the WW2 poster of a small child asking "Daddy, what did YOU do in the war?" Well, active travel campaigners can rightly say - "I was on the front line in the fight against climate change".
Well, fame at last to be an actual CCE Topic title! Thanks for the supportive comments. I'm not giving up with the cycle campaigning (although I have taken several steps back with POP). However, it's increasingly clear that the sort of change that we're able to achieve, especially outside Glasgow and Edinburgh, will not happen fast enough or go far enough to bring about mode shift in time to cut transport emissions noticeably.
As to what I could have done instead, I don't know. At least I did try, I guess.
Stop guessing, just admit you did a LOT.
“it's increasingly clear that the sort of change that we're able to achieve, especially outside Glasgow and Edinburgh, will not happen fast enough or go far enough“
Likely true and actually most depressing given how used ‘we’ are to the sloth of Edinburgh.
“As to what I could have done instead“ -
Write more books?
Just be a bystander?
There’s no “sliding doors” moment.
There’s a million what ifs.
Different/better politicians (everywhere).
The pandemic changed lots, but very little really.
UK - would Starmer change much?
Scotland - Independence solve thing’s significantly/quickly?
Brexit sort of happened, I think the downsides are still being underestimated.
Cost of living/interest/mortgage crises - still developing.
Climate Crisis, wot crisis??
No Sally, you weren’t ready to run the world.
I could certainly have written more books!
Elsewhere (in case you are thinking of emigrating)
“
Once sworn in, Ms Chow will assume the new "strong mayor" powers granted last year by Mr Ford's provincial government.
These powers include hiring and firing power over senior city staff and - in certain instances - powers to pass bylaws with just one-third support of council.
“
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-66026811.amp
“
A VERY good morning to everyone in Toronto who cycles: to work, to school, for fun.
Last night we elected a true cyclist as our Mayor - not some swashbuckler, but a true cyclist.
After years of near despair, I am officially allowing myself to expect great things. It is time!
“
Sally - thanks to you and the others your views resonate with, active transport is on the radar to stay. Walk, wheel, cycle, vote - a clear message that's broadened the base for those campaigning against regressive transport decisions.
not some swashbuckler, but a true cyclist.
Changing our country is about more than that. Cycling is only one option. Canadian politics different of course?!
No Sally, you weren’t ready to run the world.
But if she did, the world might now be a rather better place.
+1 for Sally as benevolent dictator for life.
heheh be careful what you wish for!
You must log in to post.
Cycling in Edinburgh Flickr group
Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin
posts