Holiday is Friday.
That won't affect Economy either.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
TUC day of action
(88 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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(Sent to me.)
Posted 13 years ago # -
The St Andrew's Day holiday bill was proposed by Dennis Canavan. He was the guy who was so honest he was kicked out of his local Labour party.
It's sort of a holiday and sort of not.
I was up Tinto with number 2 son (9 yrs). He had to hold on to the 2000 year old cairn to stop being blown away but had a good time. He enjoyed the hill fort too.
I never entirely understood how the holidays were meant to upset the economy. I don't not buy something because the shops are closed on a particular day, I just buy it a different day. I hope Brenda survives till May, we're due a day off if she does.
Posted 13 years ago # -
And on the cycling MSPs issue…
I had a look at Patrick Harvie's expenses. I couldn't find anything about cycling. I did find a picture of him riding a Paper Bike and he attended GoBike's meeting last week but he doesn't seem to be a big fan himself. He's doing better than Karen Whitefield, my former MSP, who shouted about busses a lot but had no bus claims on her expenses and couldn't tell me the last time she had used one.
I did find that Patrick Harvie is happy to use a taxi from Holyrood to the North British (forgot its current name) and charge us for it. I've never quite understood why taxis are green.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I assume as our MSPs are truly representative of the nation that an x percentage of them cycle to parliament? The King of Norway (I think) used to take the tram "to work". That's my kind of king.
Posted 13 years ago # -
The new cabinet in Denmark all cycled to meet the Queen recently for their official appointment as ministers.
I had the story link somewhere but I've mislaid it...Here it is, with pics: http://www.copenhagenize.com/2011/10/bicycles-to-visit-queen.htmlMeanwhile, in the wake of Scotland's election, Wee Eck arrived by helicopter to deliver his victory speech to the assembled meeja.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/election/el-presidente-gives-a-polished-performance-1.1100146
Says it all about his transport priorities really!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Well, that was a long, cold but exciting day. Bit of advice though - don't cycle with placards attached to your bike. I felt like I was piloting a tea clipper round Cape Horn in a storm whenever the wind got up.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Crow, you've done that helicopter one before. I suspect the point has been made, you don't like the SNP much. I'm a little surprised since they do seem to be big on renewables but what the heck. Keep it up, if nothing else it's entertaining waiting to see when you manage to get the comment in.
I'll be cycling to see the three Labour hopefuls next week at the Ministry of Truth. I've tabled a cycling question but I don't expect I'll be asked to present it.
I'm not sure the UK is quite ready for politicians arriving by bike. Part of their job is showmanship. If anyone knew about that it was Freddie Mercury and he knew that the audience expected him to sweep up in a limo. Sometimes you need to give people what they expect.
The only cycling politician I remember is George Young. He might not be the best example as he had a drink driving ban although I'm pretty sure his cycling predated the ban.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Crow, you've done that helicopter one before.
Have I? Must have really grated with me then!
I suspect the point has been made, you don't like the SNP much. I'm a little surprised since they do seem to be big on renewables but what the heck.
I actually used to vote SNP. I'm severely disillusioned with them now that I've seen them in government though. I was even prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt this year, but I found the election promises scarcely credible - correctly, as it turns out.
I'm not sure the UK is quite ready for politicians arriving by bike. Part of their job is showmanship. If anyone knew about that it was Freddie Mercury and he knew that the audience expected him to sweep up in a limo. Sometimes you need to give people what they expect.
Yes, this is what is so depressing. Increasingly we act like a minor, second-tier hicksville US state or some unsophisticated place on the fringes of Europe - oh wait...
Posted 13 years ago # -
"I'm pretty sure his cycling predated the ban."
Yes, he even spoke at cycle campaigning events.
Strange how there are 'plenty' of Tory cycle persons.
The only Labour one I can think of is Sarah Boyack. She was warning off (by her Party) for being photographed by the Daily Record when she was Transport Minister.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Ahh so a wee bit like me and the Catholic church then (outwith the vote thing).
I didn't think the £8K mortgage help made sense so I was glad when they dropped that.
I don't think they explained the 100% renewables as well as they could. I only understood it after I went to the BBC "debate" in Perth and Mr Salmond was allowed a clear run at it. I had a cycling question tabled then too but Glenn Campbell seemed to spend half of the show talking about OAP bus tickets.
I can't think of anything which has made cycling more difficult since 2007 and I'm personally much less likely to use the car now (OK I did today but there is no easy way to reach the bottom of Tinto without it). Similarly the previous administration moved the motorways into private management because PFI was the big thing back then. That may have increased the costs but I don't cycle on the motorways so it had minimal impact on me.
Glasgow City have made it more difficult to cycle but not through malice, they just made a rubbish bike lane at the western end of London Rd. I think they are planning more such things related to the Commonwealth Games. I'll ignore them and anyone who tells me I should use them.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Heck, I forgot Boris and Call Me Dave.
George Young did bike on a train adverts as I recall.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"I forgot Boris and Call Me Dave."
How could you!!
Ken didn't (presume still doesn't) - claimed 'balance problem'...
Posted 13 years ago # -
Call Me Dave was visiting a BMW (I think) factory recently where he mentioned that one of the downsides to being PM is that he is not allowed to drive - anywhere, ever.
I think he said he had driven twice since becoming PM: an electric car at some other factory visit and a golf buggy, probably at some G8/G20 do.
I guess he's not 'allowed' to cycle even if he wanted to.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Strange how there are 'plenty' of Tory cycle persons.
Not that strange when you consider the number of city gents, civil servants, etc. who have traditionally (in C20th at least) commuted into London by train from the suburbs. The Moulton, and now the Brompton, have (to some extent) become associated with a certain type of chap who works at 'something in the city'. Just the bowler hats and the brollies have largely disappeared...
Posted 13 years ago # -
The Moulton, and now the Brompton, have (to some extent) become associated with a certain type of chap who works at 'something in the city'.
You better be smiling when you say that!
I like it because it's an elegant solution and largely well engineered. The back hinge is pesky and the clamps could be improved. Clamps seem like they would be better if they were asymmetrical but perhaps Mr Ritchie knows something.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Not that strange when you consider the number of city gents, civil servants, etc. who have traditionally (in C20th at least) commuted into London by train from the suburbs."
I was meaning politicians.
Not sure your argument works - bikes used to cost £3 per journey.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I was meaning politicians.
I know, but quite a few Tories used to be 'something in the city', and often return there when they leave politics.
Not sure your argument works - bikes used to cost £3 per journey.
A trifling sum for a senior mandarin or broker.
You better be smiling when you say that!
Not at all! I understand Bromptons in particular are seen as 'aspirational' by a certain strata of middle class urban professionals.
I like it because it's an elegant solution and largely well engineered.
The Bentley of folding bikes, perhaps?
Posted 13 years ago # -
claimed 'balance problem'...
No excuse - get himself to Laidbackbikes and fitted out with the finest in recumbent
trickerytrikery that is on offer!Posted 13 years ago # -
Perhaps there is also an Oxbridge factor at work for Tories who cycle? Young posh students, rakishly clattering around Oxford on tasteful old roadsters, college scarves fluttering in the breeze...
Posted 13 years ago # -
The Bentley of folding bikes, perhaps?
No if it were a Bentley it would be 4 times as heavy, 3 times as long, 10 times the price but still only seat one rider.
I'd liken it more to a Volvo or a Saab or something - a bit pricier than the competition, but with a reputation for practicality and engineering prowess that comes with it and worth paying that bit extra for if it's what you want. Apart from some of the colour options, there's nothing bling, flashy or ostentatious about a Brommie. It's got some quite "backwards" components like the threaded stem. Handsome and practical and obviously the work of an engineer's mind. No, not a Bentley.
Women behind me at work talking about getting her son insured as an additional driver on a car she's bought for him (Corsa or some equivalent 1 litre banger). She's going to pay £90 a month for just the insurance.
She'd be cheaper buying him a Brompton if he wants mobility...
Posted 13 years ago # -
"A trifling sum for a senior mandarin or broker."
Perhaps - but that's £6 a day on top of a fare that might be less - and on trains that wouldnt have luggage vans.
"Perhaps there is also an Oxbridge factor"
That makes more sense.
On the 'other side' there is the class issue (historic) of cars being aspirational.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I was under the impression that the want of a car thing transcends class boundaries. Rather it seems to be what sort of car is wanted (or within financial reach) that differs, the desire is there regardless.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I know this has already been posted -
"
And cycling is not Poor Man's Transport any more. A video produced for Bikeminded - click above - shows an affluent guy leaving a plush house on an expensive Moulton bicycle and shopping at up-scale retailers, and not paying for parking."We did considerable research into which people are most likely to cycle in the borough in order for our limited budget to be utilised to the greatest effect. We found that educated men, aged 30 – 45, living in above average value homes and working in well paid jobs are most likely to cycle. Our research tells us that South Kensington, Earl’s Court and Notting Hill have high numbers of this target group."
"
http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/from-mercs-to-moultons/012231Posted 13 years ago # -
BBC News Magazine Article - Is £40,000 really a liveable income for families in the UK?
The average income for a British family with two adults working is £40,000 a year. But while there are people who feel well-off living on this, for others it is a daily struggle.
"I try and buy myself a new-ish car every two years," says Kate Golding.
I stopped reading.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Insuring a 14 yr old Volvo for number one son (21) was coming in around £3-4K. The type of car insured doesn't make much difference because he might hit something expensive.
I just laughed. I'd expect to buy a car for that money.
There are parents doing that though. I see senior pupils driving into school.
Number one was annoyed about the lack of trains today. I pointed him towards the garage to little effect. He hasn't used a bike since he was in Poole 2 years ago and wanted to get into town. Even then I got a phone call asking how to fold it.
Anyway, Frozen Planet is on. I had to order a second copy of the poster because one side is Arctic and the other Antarctic. I wanted to have both on the wall.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Earth's got a flipflop hub?
Posted 13 years ago # -
Well the magnetic poles have flipped in the past and most likely will again.
Posted 13 years ago #
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