George Laxton
@bluebrightfire.bsky.social
Bike commuter, cycle infrastructure advocate, occasional urbanism and political discussion.
Reposted by George Laxton
In Seattle our DOTs would be reminding you that it’s *your job* to shovel off their sidewalk too
"A city's priorities become as clear as the spaces they choose to maintain in the winter."
Creative done with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
Creative done with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 5:10 PM
In Seattle our DOTs would be reminding you that it’s *your job* to shovel off their sidewalk too
Reposted by George Laxton
Access to the joy of cycling should never be limited to two-wheels!
To help demystify tricycles, @fietsersbond.nl hosts "Three-wheeler Discovery Days" - free events where the Cyclists' Union answers questions and people can test drive one for themselves.
More info: buff.ly/g9vjgTL
Photo: DigiDaan
To help demystify tricycles, @fietsersbond.nl hosts "Three-wheeler Discovery Days" - free events where the Cyclists' Union answers questions and people can test drive one for themselves.
More info: buff.ly/g9vjgTL
Photo: DigiDaan
November 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Access to the joy of cycling should never be limited to two-wheels!
To help demystify tricycles, @fietsersbond.nl hosts "Three-wheeler Discovery Days" - free events where the Cyclists' Union answers questions and people can test drive one for themselves.
More info: buff.ly/g9vjgTL
Photo: DigiDaan
To help demystify tricycles, @fietsersbond.nl hosts "Three-wheeler Discovery Days" - free events where the Cyclists' Union answers questions and people can test drive one for themselves.
More info: buff.ly/g9vjgTL
Photo: DigiDaan
@spokescanterbury.bsky.social is Canterbury’s local cycle advocacy group focused on improving cycling!
What if instead of consumption for consumption's sake this year for #BlackFriday you donated to a great organization working on #ClimateChange?
Help us help.
You'll be glad you did.
CROWDFUNDER: www.calgaryclimatehub.ca/2025fundraiser
#yyc #ClimateChange #ClimateSky
Help us help.
You'll be glad you did.
CROWDFUNDER: www.calgaryclimatehub.ca/2025fundraiser
#yyc #ClimateChange #ClimateSky
November 28, 2025 at 4:11 PM
@spokescanterbury.bsky.social is Canterbury’s local cycle advocacy group focused on improving cycling!
Reposted by George Laxton
The US is also what rampant populist authoritarianism looks like
If you fear state retribution for criticising the state, you are not in a free democracy.
If you fear state retribution for criticising the state, you are not in a free democracy.
November 28, 2025 at 12:31 PM
The US is also what rampant populist authoritarianism looks like
If you fear state retribution for criticising the state, you are not in a free democracy.
If you fear state retribution for criticising the state, you are not in a free democracy.
Reposted by George Laxton
the US is what rampant militarised populist nationalism looks like. Don't stop paying attention.
Below are just some of the actions that I added to the TrumpActionTracker this morning
www.trumpactiontracker.info
Below are just some of the actions that I added to the TrumpActionTracker this morning
www.trumpactiontracker.info
November 28, 2025 at 12:20 PM
the US is what rampant militarised populist nationalism looks like. Don't stop paying attention.
Below are just some of the actions that I added to the TrumpActionTracker this morning
www.trumpactiontracker.info
Below are just some of the actions that I added to the TrumpActionTracker this morning
www.trumpactiontracker.info
Reposted by George Laxton
There are a few times a year that essentially 10% of the population of Ōtepoti either want to leave or arrive in the city. It would be good for passenger rail to be a competitor to air at those times.
November 28, 2025 at 3:10 AM
There are a few times a year that essentially 10% of the population of Ōtepoti either want to leave or arrive in the city. It would be good for passenger rail to be a competitor to air at those times.
Reposted by George Laxton
A fitting moment to bring back this old transit meme. However they’re powered—gas, hydrogen, electricity, or driverless—leaning on cars instead of investing in quality public transit is still a poor long-term strategy.
November 25, 2025 at 10:59 PM
A fitting moment to bring back this old transit meme. However they’re powered—gas, hydrogen, electricity, or driverless—leaning on cars instead of investing in quality public transit is still a poor long-term strategy.
Exactly! It’s just a start! #taxwealthmoretaxworkless
We were honoured to have economist Jayati Ghosh join a high-level discussion we hosted with OxfamSA at the G20 in Johannesburg ast week.
In this clip, Jayati explains why a global minimum tax on the super-rich is essential to tackling rising wealth inequality and wealth extremism. #TaxTheSuperRich
In this clip, Jayati explains why a global minimum tax on the super-rich is essential to tackling rising wealth inequality and wealth extremism. #TaxTheSuperRich
November 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Exactly! It’s just a start! #taxwealthmoretaxworkless
Reposted by George Laxton
About a dozen parents and children here at Vancouver city hall this morning for a change-in protest in response to the city looking at removing change tables and hygiene stations. Today, council votes on the 2026 budget that would see a zero percent property tax increase.
November 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
About a dozen parents and children here at Vancouver city hall this morning for a change-in protest in response to the city looking at removing change tables and hygiene stations. Today, council votes on the 2026 budget that would see a zero percent property tax increase.
Reposted by George Laxton
It's finally here! "Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves From the Tyranny of the Automobile" is now available wherever you buy books. Thank you to everyone who has made this day possible, including our amazing podcast listeners. We hope everyone finds the book valuable!
www.lifeaftercars.com
www.lifeaftercars.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
It's finally here! "Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves From the Tyranny of the Automobile" is now available wherever you buy books. Thank you to everyone who has made this day possible, including our amazing podcast listeners. We hope everyone finds the book valuable!
www.lifeaftercars.com
www.lifeaftercars.com
Reposted by George Laxton
A lovely gathering in Hagley Park this evening for Trans Remembrance Day. Sadness, anger, fear - but also hope, resilience and pride. Heartfelt and heart-wrenching stories, including from a mum who now needs to tell her daughter she won't be able to get the care she needs. A lot of tears. 💙🤍🩷
November 20, 2025 at 10:20 AM
A lovely gathering in Hagley Park this evening for Trans Remembrance Day. Sadness, anger, fear - but also hope, resilience and pride. Heartfelt and heart-wrenching stories, including from a mum who now needs to tell her daughter she won't be able to get the care she needs. A lot of tears. 💙🤍🩷
Incredibly important guest post here. As a non-American keeping up with all the authoritarian Trump administration moves is much easier without getting overwhelmed. Thanks Prof Christina.
Privileged to share a guest post today by a US veteran and intelligence analyst on the echoes they see between the regimes they used to monitor and today’s US.
They asked to remain anonymous - itself a sign of how worrying things have become in America.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/authoritar...
They asked to remain anonymous - itself a sign of how worrying things have become in America.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/authoritar...
Authoritarian echoes: how America is mirroring Egypt and Russia
**Guest post**: A US veteran’s perspective on the erosion of US democracy and the urgency of the 2026 midterms
christinapagel.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Incredibly important guest post here. As a non-American keeping up with all the authoritarian Trump administration moves is much easier without getting overwhelmed. Thanks Prof Christina.
Reposted by George Laxton
“They don't realise that if you don't tax the rich, the rich will squeeze you out.
"If you accept a situation where the rich grow their share every year, then, of course, your share and your family's share will eventually be squeezed to nothing," he said. #nzpol
"If you accept a situation where the rich grow their share every year, then, of course, your share and your family's share will eventually be squeezed to nothing," he said. #nzpol
30 with Guyon Espiner: Economist Gary Stevenson on why New Zealand should tax the rich
British YouTuber and economist Gary Stevenson tells 30 with Guyon Espiner fire engines aren't coming to fix the New Zealand economy.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 18, 2025 at 6:46 PM
“They don't realise that if you don't tax the rich, the rich will squeeze you out.
"If you accept a situation where the rich grow their share every year, then, of course, your share and your family's share will eventually be squeezed to nothing," he said. #nzpol
"If you accept a situation where the rich grow their share every year, then, of course, your share and your family's share will eventually be squeezed to nothing," he said. #nzpol
Reposted by George Laxton
I barely know how to express how sad and angry I am at the politicisation of essential healthcare for trans kids.
Just - this election can’t come soon enough. And when it does, we need to fight as if lives depend on it - because for some, that’s the literal truth.
#nzpol 🏳️⚧️
Just - this election can’t come soon enough. And when it does, we need to fight as if lives depend on it - because for some, that’s the literal truth.
#nzpol 🏳️⚧️
November 19, 2025 at 9:16 AM
I barely know how to express how sad and angry I am at the politicisation of essential healthcare for trans kids.
Just - this election can’t come soon enough. And when it does, we need to fight as if lives depend on it - because for some, that’s the literal truth.
#nzpol 🏳️⚧️
Just - this election can’t come soon enough. And when it does, we need to fight as if lives depend on it - because for some, that’s the literal truth.
#nzpol 🏳️⚧️
Modern day slavers
Saudi Arabia: Migrant workers behind the Riyadh Metro system subjected to decade of devastating abuse www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Saudi Arabia: Migrant workers behind the Riyadh Metro system subjected to decade of devastating abuse
Migrant workers who travelled to Saudi Arabia to work on the Riyadh Metro project were forced to pay exorbitant recruitment fees, worked in dangerous heat and earned pitiful wages during a decade of s...
www.amnesty.org
November 18, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Modern day slavers
This govt priorities are all wrong
$4 BILLION to save 'up to 10 minutes' during peak traffic. Fucking hell - imagine what that $4B could do for housing, education, health, etc, in Aotearoa.
November 17, 2025 at 6:20 PM
This govt priorities are all wrong
Ohhh, so you wanted us to focus on the cost of living for people who are struggling, not the wealthy and sorted landlords, tabbaco companies, gas companies and Ute drivers. We gave them all tax breaks and public money. Isn’t that what you wanted? #nzpol #onetermgovt
#nzpol
The minimum wage increased by 1.5% this year. Data today from Stats NZ shows annual increases of:
- Food prices up 4.7%
- Fruit up 11%
- Beef up 17.4%, Lamb up 32.2%
- Bread up 11.4%
- Cheese up 14.8%
- Eggs up 16.2%
- Electricity up 11.8%
Laser-focused on the cost of living
The minimum wage increased by 1.5% this year. Data today from Stats NZ shows annual increases of:
- Food prices up 4.7%
- Fruit up 11%
- Beef up 17.4%, Lamb up 32.2%
- Bread up 11.4%
- Cheese up 14.8%
- Eggs up 16.2%
- Electricity up 11.8%
Laser-focused on the cost of living
November 17, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Ohhh, so you wanted us to focus on the cost of living for people who are struggling, not the wealthy and sorted landlords, tabbaco companies, gas companies and Ute drivers. We gave them all tax breaks and public money. Isn’t that what you wanted? #nzpol #onetermgovt
T&E’s report says AEB can prevent some crashes but that “a car with a good AEB system and a [hood] height between 60cm and 75cm will always be safer than a [taller] vehicle with the same AEB.”
“The rise in high-fronted SUVs poses a clear and growing threat to public safety, especially for children,” states the report. “With no benefit to society, it’s time for lawmakers at all levels to act.” Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com.
Cap SUV/truck hood heights. And ban unsafe designs.
Cap SUV/truck hood heights. And ban unsafe designs.
EU Must Cap SUV Hood Heights Urges Report. Crash Test Body Says Not As Simple As That
Higher fronts on cars significantly increase the death rate when pedestrians and cyclists are struck, says new report. EuroNCAP says more complex than that.
www.forbes.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:30 PM
T&E’s report says AEB can prevent some crashes but that “a car with a good AEB system and a [hood] height between 60cm and 75cm will always be safer than a [taller] vehicle with the same AEB.”
Reposted by George Laxton
I’m just blocking the intersection with my big truck for a couple of minutes. Promise.
November 15, 2025 at 4:26 AM
I’m just blocking the intersection with my big truck for a couple of minutes. Promise.
Made this many years ago after a child was killed by a driver while walking home from school, I’ve never stopped thinking about that tragedy. bsky.app/profile/tomf...
We build aggressive vehicles
We market them recklessly
We celebrate dangerous driving
We design violent streets
We prioritize the driver at all costs
We shame and blame everyone else
Road violence is no accident it’s a direct result of our choices.
We market them recklessly
We celebrate dangerous driving
We design violent streets
We prioritize the driver at all costs
We shame and blame everyone else
Road violence is no accident it’s a direct result of our choices.
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Reposted by George Laxton
If you need me, tap me on the shoulder. I’ll be happily working all day listening to this on a loop.
November 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
If you need me, tap me on the shoulder. I’ll be happily working all day listening to this on a loop.
Reposted by George Laxton
Turns out the real political spectrum is just how people feel about free parking 😂
Tag yourself!
Tag yourself!
October 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Turns out the real political spectrum is just how people feel about free parking 😂
Tag yourself!
Tag yourself!
It’s insane what powerful people are doing to our precious planet and saying it’s all our fault. We have the solutions, we need to implement them, from the plant roots up! I want a planet where my children grow up in wonder at the beauty of our world. Not this unfolding disaster #whatifwegetitright
Hektoria glacier on the Antarctic Peninsula retreated 25 kilometres in just 15 months. Its rapid melt could have implications for other glaciers and the rate of sea level rise
Antarctic glacier's alarming retreat is the fastest ever seen
Hektoria glacier on the Antarctic Peninsula retreated 25 kilometres in just 15 months. Its rapid melt could have implications for other glaciers and the rate of sea level rise
www.newscientist.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
It’s insane what powerful people are doing to our precious planet and saying it’s all our fault. We have the solutions, we need to implement them, from the plant roots up! I want a planet where my children grow up in wonder at the beauty of our world. Not this unfolding disaster #whatifwegetitright
Reposted by George Laxton
we need to protect both the independent, expert creation of evidence and information *and* the communication of it by independent, non-partisan, media organisations.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/informatio...
christinapagel.substack.com/p/informatio...
November 11, 2025 at 10:56 AM
we need to protect both the independent, expert creation of evidence and information *and* the communication of it by independent, non-partisan, media organisations.
christinapagel.substack.com/p/informatio...
christinapagel.substack.com/p/informatio...