Journalist, author of Potholes and Pavements, cohost of @podstreetsahead.bsky.social
https://lauralaker.substack.com
Muted live on Julia Hartley-Brewer's Talk show
@lauralaker.bsky.socialSounds like a chap who needs a hobby
Laura Laker
@lauralaker.bsky.social
@lauralaker.bsky.social@lauralaker.bsky.socialAnd a lot of the bikes are of a very similar design!
@lauralaker.bsky.socialAlso - I now have 80 paid subscribers. Thank you to everyone who supports the Substack - I couldn't do it without you!
@lauralaker.bsky.social‘Ohh wow. They look like designated cycle lanes separate to the roads?’
Notes from Utrecht.
@lauralaker.bsky.socialAnd here's a nice aerial view of the city's busiest bike lane, which I'm told carries 20,000-30,000 cycling trips a day
@lauralaker.bsky.socialI was in Utrecht for the annual Velo City conference last week and got to cycle slowly around the world's largest bike parking garage beneath the Centraal station. Room for 12,500 bikes and the first 24h of parking is free
@lauralaker.bsky.social🚨New Streets Ahead Episode! A day in the life of the City of London cycling cops, out on the streets catching illegal e-motorbikes: shows.acast.com/streets-ahea...
@lauralaker.bsky.socialWhile I understand hesitancy, I've yet to hear of convincing risks to reporters from the Guidelines. The Guardian has said 'driver hit' in relation to a medical episode. Journos usually say 'cyclist hits' -it doesn't signify intent/control- and if worried around cars, they can say 'vehicle driven'.
@marksuttonbike.bsky.socialReposted by @lauralaker.bsky.socialHats off to @lauralaker.bsky.social for continuing to dig beneath the surface of the gig economy exploitation model.
Here @antislavery.org and @britishretail.bsky.social call for a higher-grade mandatory 'human rights due diligence' from the #gigeconomy.
@lauralaker.bsky.socialNow updated with Cycle to Work Alliance comments, saying Cycle to Work providers have safeguards in place to ensure supplied e-bikes are legal and meet required safety standards. Also from Cyclescheme: While it is not illegal for retailers to supply illegal e-motos, they aren't eligible under C2W
@lauralaker.bsky.socialYes - I'd imagine the cost of living is tipping the balance for some people, in favour of cheap products
@lauralaker.bsky.socialPure joy. Your dad's zeal for life is 👌
@lauralaker.bsky.social👏 Social media means some forget that you can disagree, and even debate, without resorting to hateful speech. I'm sorry you experienced this - it is genuinely unsettling to be on the receiving end of any online attack, let alone a pile on, no matter how we rationalise it away. Handled with dignity.
@lauralaker.bsky.socialNews that people are buying illegal e-motos for commuting; some without realising they aren't road legal and allegedly even via Cycle to Work. The new E-Bike Positive Trust Mark will help, but plenty of public confusion still.
My latest for Cycling Industry News cyclingindustry.news/commuters-in...
@lauralaker.bsky.social100% - the relationship side is not easy, or quick, to build. And, as you suggest, because a charity lacks the powers or authority of a government department or council it's all about persuading people cycling is the right thing to do... if you can't do that you're stuck!
@lauralaker.bsky.socialYes - I also had this thought. It was only 18 months ago they lost a fifth of staff to funding cuts ... this expertise doesn't re-materialise overnight www.transportxtra.com/publications...
@lauralaker.bsky.socialUpdate - I'm told because this is not the only investment in the NCN it can't be divided up by the mileage pledge, which will also be funded through other means. This one is for projects delivered directly by the Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust
@lauralaker.bsky.socialUpdate - I'm told because this is not the only investment in the NCN it can't be divided up by the mileage pledge, which will also be funded through other means. This one is for projects delivered directly by the Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust
@lauralaker.bsky.socialIndeed.. some of this will be upgrades, which can be as simple/ cheap as barrier removal, which is really impactful, as illustrated by Laura's story in Lancashire www.cyclinguk.org/route-forwar.... but a lot of it will be bigger stuff
@lauralaker.bsky.socialAnd here's what else you get for £25m, which National Highways' route manager describes as "not a lot of money for this type of engineering" - though it does have a 'segregated footway/cycleway' on one corner www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/2614939...