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GeorgeWeeks2014

@georgeweeks2014.bsky.social

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บBritish/New Zealand urban planner & university teaching fellow living and working in Auckland. Twitter refugee. Interested in most things, esp. architecture, energy, accessibility, sustainability, comedy and health. My views are my own. #FBPE

2,437 Followers  |  3,668 Following  |  2,269 Posts  |  Joined: 15.11.2024  |  1.7275

Latest posts by georgeweeks2014.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Via www.tumblr.com/oshea55/8085...

15.02.2026 05:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 16    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2

Shakespeare knew about environmental psychology centuries before it became an academic discipline.

15.02.2026 11:18 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
๐Ÿ“ธ NASA

๐Ÿ“ธ NASA

February 14, 1990: Voyager 1 took the famous "Pale Blue Dot" photo.

"Consider again that dot. Thatโ€™s here. Thatโ€™s home. Thatโ€™s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives."
~ Carl Sagan

15.02.2026 00:58 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 155    ๐Ÿ” 32    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Yes, this. An electric motorcycle ๐Ÿ is not the same as e-bike ๐Ÿšฒ.

An electric motorcycle is basically a dirtbike with a large electric motor replacing the two-stroke petrol engine.

An electric bicycle uses a combination of human (pedal) and electric power. It's a different design philosophy.

15.02.2026 11:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A portion of the Strรธget pedestrian street in Copenhagen that widens into a grand people-place.

A portion of the Strรธget pedestrian street in Copenhagen that widens into a grand people-place.

One of the most successful pedestrian streets in the world, the Strรธget in Copenhagen, was filled with cars until a 2 year pedestrianization pilot project in 1962. The opposition argued โ€œno cars means no business,โ€ but the street has been a massive retail success, the cityโ€™s busiest shopping street.

15.02.2026 06:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 540    ๐Ÿ” 153    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 15    ๐Ÿ“Œ 13
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โ€˜Growing epidemicโ€™: Bay Area teenโ€™s 40-mph crash reveals overlooked dangers of e-bikes Crashes on e-bikes and illegal โ€œe-motosโ€ are causing alarm across the Bay Area. โ€œThey think theyโ€™re buying anย e-bike when theyโ€™re not.โ€

I think the media understands the difference between e-bikes and illegal e-motos. They are intentionally conflating the difference between legal e-bikes and illegal e-motos to stoke fear and get clicks.

It's could destroy the e-bike revolution if we don't find a way to stop it.

14.02.2026 19:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 114    ๐Ÿ” 23    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 11    ๐Ÿ“Œ 4

The archetype of Dr Who!

15.02.2026 08:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Yes. Having sabotaged the remaining good bits of Britain first.

15.02.2026 06:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The UK will follow the EU...provided that Reform fails to win the next general election. They are funded by fossil-fuelled lobbyists.

15.02.2026 06:48 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Government wants to bypass fast-track process for proposed liquefied natural gas terminal A proposed LNG terminal will bypass even the fast-track process in order to be built in time.

Indeed yes. It can be done; America just chooses not to ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™‚๏ธ

If it's any consolation to Americans, "clean, green New Zealand" is beholden to the same forces ๐Ÿ”ฅ

www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

15.02.2026 06:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Green Building Council calls for solar over Government's LNG plan

๐Ÿ“ข Andrew Eagles said he didnโ€™t accept the contention that liquefied natural gas would smooth out the highs in electricity prices.

15.02.2026 03:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 10    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I am not surprised that Turkey ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท is in a respectable position; petrol there is incredibly expensive. Surprised that it isn't higher.

15.02.2026 01:16 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Yeah it's funny that. South Africa has had terribly unreliable electricity supplies for decades (thanks Eskom) so maybe there's a reluctance to buy anything that runs off the mains?

15.02.2026 01:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

A country that is neither warm, nor wealthy, nor famed for the quality of its infrastructure.

Kathmandu has dreadful air quality. I can see why EVs would be a popular public policy.

15.02.2026 01:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Clear example of industry capturing policy. Japan has almost no oil and gas of its own; it would do well to adopt EVs. Air quality in big Japanese cities could also use improvement. But Toyota isn't keen on this and the current policy settings don't favour EVs.

15.02.2026 01:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Aggressive marketing has driven rise of double-cab ute - time to hit the brakes? Analysis: "Explore your inner beast." That was the slogan used last year to sell the Ford Ranger. At 2.4 tonnes, that's a lot of "light" truck, but the stakes are rising.

New Zealand has similar population density, GDP/capita, population distribution and urbanisation to Finland ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ฎ where 56% of new vehicles are electric.

NZ public policy favours car companies selling double-cab utes (with snorkels) to people who live in urban Auckland ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™‚๏ธ

www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-...

14.02.2026 23:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

It's funny - in the 1970s China and Inida were the poor countries that relied heavily on coal for railways and industry while the USA was trying to diversify its energy mix.

The situation in 2026 is the opposite. Yes, China still burns far too much coal. But they're investing heavily in solar etc

14.02.2026 23:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I'd watch James Bond over Marvel any day.

Bond films are actually funny.

14.02.2026 23:19 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Totally a bunker. To retreat to the "island paradise" of New Zealand after American society has collapsed due to the efforts of Thiel et al.

14.02.2026 23:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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US billionaire Peter Thiel โ€˜abandonsโ€™ Lake Wฤnaka lodge build The PayPal co-founder and Donald Trump supporter had envisaged a private residential estate to accommodate up to 30 guests.

Peter Thiel repeatedly had his resource consent applications refused for his house in Wanaka, which was a good thing.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

14.02.2026 22:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Xtwitter became irrelevant many years ago. The UK government would be better off using OnlyFans. Or Bluesky.

14.02.2026 20:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Nothing is more fragile than the ego of a man with a shiny new pick-up truck.

14.02.2026 20:19 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I donโ€™t know how many people join Bluesky each day, but my sense is that more & more people are discovering the outstanding community/conversation here (best on social media) about better cities. I still think STARTER PACKS are a superpower. Iโ€™ve made many, but hereโ€™s my first again. Please share.

11.02.2026 19:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 183    ๐Ÿ” 61    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5    ๐Ÿ“Œ 12

It was overplayed on all the crappy radio stations in October 2002.

I much prefer a Bond-theme singer with a 10,000 watt voice. Shirley Bassey. Or Adele. ๐Ÿ”‰ ๐ŸŽถ

14.02.2026 12:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

One of the most ludicrous Bond films ever. As silly as any of the silliest Roger Moores. And that's pretty silly.

14.02.2026 12:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Ireland seems to have become infected with anti-cycling mania. This year we have seen:

โ–ช๏ธŽ Compulsory cycle helmets making it within a whisker of Cabinet.
โ–ช๏ธŽ Judge explicitly incorporating personal bias in a judgement
โ–ช๏ธŽ Proposed ban on bikes on rapid transit system.

Who's behind this? Anyone know?

14.02.2026 12:23 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Woohoo! I hope that this can be a precedent for other rail reopenings in the NE, e.g. Leamside Line via Washington to Durham.

14.02.2026 12:15 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

Welcome to the Plutocracy

14.02.2026 02:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 10531    ๐Ÿ” 3382    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 221    ๐Ÿ“Œ 169

I daresay. I don't know Blenheim particularly well but I suspect there is a substantial cohort of pupils within cycling distance of schools. Whether or not kids do cycle will depend on the overall quality of the network.

14.02.2026 12:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Obvs.

It's healthier to enable *many* businesses to make a profit on the basis of high-quality public infrastructure.

14.02.2026 10:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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