Start of election hustings article... Spokes/CUK Election Hustings #Holyrood2026 Spokes and Cycling UK are holding a joint election hustings, on Monday 16 March, for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, to hear from Holyrood candidates on cycling and related policies. Rather than the usual hustings approach, which can be rather boring, our meeting will comprise several sections, with speakers undertaking Initiation, Interrogation, Combination, Clarification and Education, as in the agenda below.

Submit a question If you have a question for all candidates (“Combination” section above) please email it in advance to spokes@ spokes.org.uk with the subject line hustings question. Note that questions to individual candidates (“Interrogation”) can only be asked in person at the meeting, after their Initiation speech.

🙋 SOON...

#Hustings #Holyrood2026 #SpokesMtg 🚲🚲

March 16 -> spokes.org.uk/2026/02/spokes-cuk-election-hustings-holyrood2026

🙋 SEND US YOUR QN FOR CANDIDATES
spokes@spokes.org.uk

@edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @furtherfrom.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @kate-c.bsky.social @cllrjomo.bsky.social

Help please: what on earth caused these incredible upside down icicle formations?! Nothing above them, nothing trapped inside them. Never seen anything like this?!

The men's figure skating has given me so much life. The Olympic dream is so real! Go Shaidorov! Go Kazakhstan! #winterolympics

Suspect nothing is going to top Hazel Irvine's 'stoating about' quip at the #MilanoCortina Opening Ceremony, but I am SO ready for 2 weeks of equally beautiful & terrifying winter sports! And come on the curling! #WinterOlympics

What's this? Another tone deaf Labour politician being thrust into the firing line? Who'd have thought the Prince of Darkness could bring down the government. Quite a lot of us who remember New Labour as it turns out... #R4Today

Why on earth are the BBC giving airtime to 30p Lee when he's using it to abuse them, as well as spreading more lies. Sado-masochism is not a good look for 'our BBC'. #R4Today

As always catching up on #TheArchers late, but just wondering if anyone else physically grimaced when George got his farm job by revealing he's going to be a dad? I see trouble ahead for him, Amber, Meadow Farm & most importantly the cows ...

I assume the nation is rising as one to support Jazzer in his desire to lamp George? We all want it to happen: it would be the best Christmas present AND the best way to start 2026 #TheArchers

Andrew Cotter sounds like someone who may be questioning his life choices by commentating on this tennis 'match'. I am similarly questioning my own for watching it. Murder on the Orient Express was the other choice dammit! #BattleoftheSexes

Melvin Bragg reading Thomas Hardy poetry to me on Christmas Eve is all the fuel I need to get to the bookshop, brought a tear to all of our eyes. We open at 9.30: see you there! #ChooseBookshops #R4Today

Splendid solstice: celebrating the shortest day with a quiet walk in the woods, collecting our sack of fabulous festive lamb from @growwildorganics & finishing with the Service of Lessons & Carols in St Michael's Church. Definitely feeling Christmassy now! #solstice #christmastime

Happy T-ewes-day 💚

Extract from Rob Reiner's Wikipedia Filmography 1986 - Stand By zme 1987 - The Princess Bride 1989 - When Harry Met Sally 1990 - Misery 1992 - A Few Good Men

Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.

Us: Across your entire career?

Reiner: In a 6 year period.

Us: That sounds-

Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.

In a world where fewer and fewer people concern themselves with the plight of others, the loss of Rob Reiner, who cared deeply about humanitarian causes, feels that much more devastating. RIP: 1947-1925.

[Selfie: July 2022, NYC]

not the kind of behavior I expect from the winner of the fifa peace prize

Still in a state of shock trying to process the tragic loss of one of the most gifted men in the entertainment industry & his wife when the Embarrassment-in-Chief disgraces common human decency with this repulsive, deranged statement.

#NoWords 🤮

I'd listen to Paddy O'Connell & Sheila Hancock bickering over the merits of Radio 3 & 4 every Sunday while they pootle around in a motor #BBCBH

Catching up on the week's events in my favourite fictional rural community. We need a special term for what George is doing to Ed. 'Abusing your stepfather who is also your uncle, with a super complicated & intertwined family history' seems quite long for a hashtag? #TheArchers

Firstly, Richard Tice clutching pearls over lack of democracy is laughable. Secondly, this is hugely missed opportunity by Emma Barnett. Move on from Farage, ask about Nathan Gill. That's what we want to hear about #R4Today

The President of the United States just called for my arrest and execution.

In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:

What a gig! We celebrate you Baxter, you are the one. And @swg3glasgow.bsky.social you did us proud! #BaxterDury #Glasgow

Just finished the latest season of Blue Lights. My spirit animal is Tina. Best TV series in years #bluelights

That was unsurprising, but also mildly disappointing. Tom won on the day. And Aaron won best outfit of all Bake Off time. Still, it's been a cracking series - not a single dud amongst them. Definitely time for a slice of cake! #GBBO

Picture of ebikes E-bikes are a great alternative to using the car for short journeys. But they can be an expensive outlay, particularly if you don’t know if one will fit into your lifestyle and work for you. In this blog, our Project Officer, Beth Harley-Jepson, writes about employer e-bike trials we’ve been funding.

West Lothian Bike Library works directly with employers to tailor the trial to best suit their site and staff. Typically, around six e-bikes are provided for a four-week period, but this can be adjusted depending on the size and needs of the organisation. An older person with short white hair, dressed in a navy blue shirt and light grey trousers, stands gesturing with one hand and holding keys in the other. A younger person with long hair tied back, wearing glasses, a black jacket, and jeans, sits on a red bicycle labelled 'GO e-Bike'. They are outside near a building with a sign reading 'West Lothian Bike Library', with greenery and part of the building visible in the background.Before the bikes are loaned out, staff are offered an induction session covering how to use the e-bike safely. There’s also the option for bike training and confidence-building sessions, which are especially helpful for those who might be new to cycling or unsure about tackling longer or more complex journeys.

E-bikes are a great alternative to using the car for short journeys. But they can be an expensive outlay, particularly if you don’t know if one will fit into your lifestyle and work for you. In this blog, our Project Officer, Beth Harley-Jepson, writes about employer e-bike trials we’ve been funding. To help make it easier for people to try out an e-bike and see how it could be a good transport option, we’re funding West Lothian Bike Library to run an employer bike hire scheme in our region. The purpose is to give staff the chance to try an e-bike for everyday use, whether for commuting, errands or leisure. We’re delighted to see that it’s proving a great way to build confidence, reduce car dependency and encourage more sustainable travel choices. West Lothian Bike Library works directly with employers to tailor the trial to best suit their site and staff. Typically, around six e-bikes are provided for a four-week period, but this can be adjusted depending on the size and needs of the organisation. An older person with short white hair, dressed in a navy blue shirt and light grey trousers, stands gesturing with one hand and holding keys in the other. A younger person with long hair tied back, wearing glasses, a black jacket, and jeans, sits on a red bicycle labelled 'GO e-Bike'. They are outside near a building with a sign reading 'West Lothian Bike Library', with greenery and part of the building visible in the background.Before the bikes are loaned out, staff are offered an induction session covering how to use the e-bike safely. There’s also the option for bike training and confidence-building sessions, which are especially helpful for those who might be new to cycling or unsure about tackling longer or more complex journeys. During the trial, staff are free to use the bikes however they like – for commuting, popping to the shops, or simply getting out and about. It gives them the opportunity to explore how an e-bike could fit into daily life, and for th…

👍 #WestLothian #employer #Ebike 🚲 trials
by WL #BikeLibrary & #SEStran

--> sestran.gov.uk/pedal-power-...

@edi.bike @redheugh.bsky.social @kittysull1.bsky.social @gregorpoynton.bsky.social @furtherfrom.bsky.social @angelaconstance.bsky.social @trustlinlithgow.bsky.social @nhslothian.bsky.social

I have a very bad feeling about this...

Watching State of War on ITV, such a powerful documentary, but utterly heartbreaking to see this level of normalised violence existing in Ecuador today. Even sadder that this could literally be filmed anywhere & I wouldn't be surprised #stateofwar

Catching up on the week's events in Ambridge. The Game of Aldridge is the intrigue we've all been missing. Who will win: who knows? But I am here for the DRAMA! #TheArchers #GameOfAldridge

Fork candles.