Simon Munk

Having sat in room with these folks in past it's much like some of meetings I've had with senior bus folks. A lot of noise, not a lot of actual facts & very much used to getting their way. If you counter them you're an idiot who knows nothing. But they just shrug when they say X but later Y happens.

The theory is that these are enclosed spaces with no exit for pedestrians and so are very high risk and attractive to terrorists. Yet many other 'Western democracies' don't feel need for same. Ranty has called it 'security theatre' in past I think and I'm certainly inclined to agree with that...

Had a meeting this am re: this, with key stakeholder reassuring none of the gaps <1.2m wide - far from ideal in 'usable width' and HVM does cause pinch point but perhaps not as bad as feared? Going to go look at it ASAP. With a tape measure.

I went to check and this horrific tweet is up as of now. It's a real Republican candidate really doing fascist 'banter' about Auschwitz. I have no polite words left for these fascist ghouls. And far too many Americans don't appear to see the problem, just like Brits with Farage/Reform...

Even that looks fairly narrow to get cargo bikes, trikes, handcycles, side-by-sides etc. through and you'll need to bump over the raised kerb to do so?

Doesn't look wide enough to fit a handcycle, cargo bike with box even?!

When government ministers suggest those gathering in Epping have "legitimate concerns" they are feeding a far right Reform narrative that most of the media hoovers up. Despite these tiny protests openly supported by extreme right thugs being dwarfed by 'lefty, woke' protests the media ignores...

An entire industry built on conning everyday people into signing up for ongoing payments for things they can't afford & don't really need while regulation was slashed to keep the good times rolling, until the wheels come off. The crooks get away with a bailout, the government eats the cost. Again.

This looks very familiar to anyone who has been through successive finance bubbles bursting with ordinary people left to pick up pieces. This feels fully like the sub-prime equivalent for our precious motoring industry as the finance industry & Lehman. Fat cat bailouts & stuff families...

This is a 'growth at all costs' government it seems @teamlabouruk.bsky.social that puts leasing companies, car manufacturers & dealership profits above people's health, lives & wallets. Reeves views an 'affordable family car' (or luxury SUV for idiots) as *only* thing families need to get around...

"Affordable" cars we'd see a lot more classically small cars Brits used to drive. Indeed, if we want to be serious about climate, road danger etc. then it's lighter, smaller cars we need a lot more of not #CarSpreading SUVs. Instead however of considering public health, climate, risk of harm...

Leasing now accounts for a big slice of new car sales in UK & it's increasingly enabled Brits to access previously prestige cars (that are also grossly oversized & dangerous to those outside them) like Range Rovers. The top 10 UK most leased cars last year is wall to wall SUVs. If this was about...

This is a scandal & a disgrace from UK government. In the article linked from below Reeves says "There is nothing pro-consumer about making it harder for people to buy an affordable car for their family. That would be bad for working families." But these largely aren't simply "affordable" cars...

Pale green graphic with a bike, a wheelchair, diverse legs with trainers and someone with a stick. Text in Green: Changing the narrative Ending the acceptance of road death in London

🚨 NEW REPORT: Today, I'm proud to launch ‘Changing the Narrative – Ending the Acceptance of Road Death in London’
👉 www.london.gov.uk/caroline-rus...
To mark the launch, I’m hosting a roundtable at City Hall today with campaigners, bereaved families, crash survivors, policy experts, TfL and more.

But some of us build a political system that deals with the underlying issues and where it is not profitable for politicians to lazily demonise groups to avoid facing off to billionaires while the planet burns and resources dwindle. A starting point is politicians who can articulate a +ve future.

The answer in other words isn't to try and debate or even argue the case why X shouldn't hate Y. They will continue to hate Y and everyone until we can fix politics so it starts delivering those people hope and improved lives. They want to attack immigrants? Some of us have to protect immigrants...

Great thread. IMO this is not about finding 'common ground' with those who behave abhorrently. Or being reactive. It's about refinding genuine common ground and articulating a progressive vision of the future and path to it. Hope is the missing ingredient. Currently it is politics of hopelessness...

I wouldn't mind some chat about this. Just had someone get in touch who has been fined for using this crossing of A4. Inside PSPO area. But clearly marked across crossing and in middle as shared space and with toucans. maps.app.goo.gl/9eW3bEfzMmAd...

As a Londoner & New York fan, this stood out to me in thread: "the Adams administration has enacted safe speeds on less than 1% of eligible streets." Brooklyn rolling back 'Vision Zero' plans cos 'drivers' a) is horrifically sad to read, b) seems post-Manhattan congestion charging rather misplaced?!

An unbearably sad statement from the Editorial Committee (SDJ) of the AFP news agency, please read:

"Without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die.
AFP has been working with 1 writer, 3 photographers and 6 videographers, all freelance, in the Gaza Strip… /1

Will pick this up ASAP tomorrow

Paris cycling numbers double in one year thanks to massive investment and it's not stopping The report delves into the nuances of Parisian cycling culture, exploring the vibrant community of riders who navigate the city's streets

Paris urban biking DOUBLED in just one year.

“Cycling in Paris has transcended mere trendiness; it’s become a fundamental aspect of the city’s identity. Despite challenges like inclement weather, cyclists continue to flock to the streets, setting new records and reshaping the urban landscape.”

Boroughs like Havering deserve better than this... Huge kudos to groups like @cyclehavering.bsky.social & @haveringstreets.bsky.social for keeping doing amazing campaigning in really tough conditions. Come on Havering Council. Be better. Do better. Come on Havering residents. Be better. Do better.

Flip man. World Domination Enterprises were mighty. RIP Keith, a guitarist able to wrest sounds from that instrument no one else could...

If you're a TERF please unfollow me / stay off my timeline. This absolutely reads like Labour disappearing down one of several culture war rabbit holes it is trying desperately to out-rightwing Reform on, fuelled by shiny morally-devoid folks like Streeting... (See also 'sticking up for drivers')

There was a deeply moving vigil in memory of Barry Shonibare last night in Forest Gate. Barry died five days after being hit by a driver while cycling on a known dangerous road through Wanstead Flats. His family and friends spoke of their loss. This is the heartbreaking reality of road danger

Now I'm curious about BID's stance on congestion charging, emissions charging, car parking controls in centre, circulation plans/bus gates etc.? Does rather at first thought strike me that businesses objecting to charging visitors makes perfect sense in one way, but also rather misses big picture.

Ask the Mayor to dream big, go bolder and move faster, and commit to LCC’s four big ideas for London Sadiq’s first two terms were amazing for cycling and active travel in general, but is he running out of steam? Take our 1-minute action to ask the Mayor to re-find his mojo on cycling and get a move o...

Legal action from council. 3. Doubtful gov has appetite for 2 of these at once either. Far more likely do it once successfully & demonstrate capability to do it again. What we are doing is the Dare To Dream campaign asking Mayor to recognise entire West End needs to be next. action.lcc.org.uk/dream

We have pushed idea in recent past to Mayor. But I don't agree now is "perfect time" at all for several reasons & we're not pushing it right this second. Why? 1. Ox St eaten capacity for this kind of thing in City Hall. 2. It's a very different situation. Cons control of RBKC would likely mean...

Quite the thread...