We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

UK Car Thefts 2024 Sources: Most stolen - www.carwow.co.uk/news/9018/ca... Theft hotspots - www.comparethemarket.com/car-insuranc... Longer article: www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/a...

Only seven of these UK warning signs are genuine. Which two are fake?

Cela ne fait que 70 ans que nous savons cela: "Ajouter des voies pour les voitures dans le but de réduire les embouteillages revient à détendre sa ceinture pour lutter contre l'obésité !" Lewis Mumford 1955

bikesafe.co.uk/gloucestersh... w3w.co/wipe.sooner....

bikesafe.co.uk/gloucestersh... w3w.co/wipe.sooner....

Something not quite right here.

It’s worth re-considering how to protect your motorbike. Disk & steering locks and alarms are useless if used in isolation. Have multiple different anti-theft measures, such as a chain to lock it to immovable street furniture, to deter a thief. All you buy is time but at least they’ll think twice…

This is why you shouldn't ride on the grit line on bends (nobody was injured).

The Highway Code total stopping distance at 30mph = 23 meters, at 40mph = 36m. I practised rapid braking in a large car park and was reasonably satisfied. Couldn’t practise at 50mph as there were too many others in the car park. Next time perhaps…

Here are some reasons why motorcyclists are recommended to maintain a slight positive throttle when cornering:

This is why motorcyclists are recommended to use both front and rear brakes in normal conditions. Source: DriveMag Riders 2017 youtube.com/watch?v=J42ivnmEF98

The SLAP Test; a good way to assess if a planned manoeuvre is viable when motorcycling or driving.

It is perfectly legal to know your rights and to educate others about them, too. EVERYONE in the United States, citizen or not, has rights. I will not allow this administration to intimidate us from helping you know about them. Here’s our shareable guide ⬇️: (pt. 1/2)

Here is a script you can use for any issue. Find your reps' # at reps.fyi or 5calls.org. Every time you see a news story that horrifies you: call, or something else about it. It matters to say what you believe. You are setting a norm.

The latest Gloucestershire RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders' newsletter with a special mention about our BlueSky page. ymlp.com/zJlJkJ

It is quite nuts how bad the problem of widening cars is getting. I can't help but see every single net zero / climate pledge from these car companies in the context of them actively making their products more harmful and more dangerous for us. www.transportenvironment.org/discover/car...

NEW: The Chairperson for the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency has sent a letter to the OPP advising they consult White House Counsel on the legality of ousting 17 inspectors general. 👀

This week's Internet winner goes to...

We did it!

A new OECD report confirms that US road safety is an abject failure. Americans are far more likely to die in a crash than those living in other rich countries. US per capita crash death rates are at least 3x higher than Ireland, Norway, UK, Germany, or Japan. www.itf-oecd.org/road-safety-...

And as @20splenty.bsky.social pointed out on tonight’s @activetravelcaf.bsky.social, putting the speed limit back to 30mph would result in a 39% increase in casualties.

CRASH Card? A small green sticker on the right-hand side of a motorcyclist’s helmet is to let emergency services know there’s an ICE Card inside the helmet. Details on the card could provide vital information, save time and help treatment, especially if you’re unconscious or can’t communicate.

Thank you to Greater Manchester Police for helping keep vulnerable road users safe from this. There's a reason Tesla Cybertrucks are not legal in the UK and Europe; Cybertrucks present acute dangers to pedestrians and don’t meet European safety standards. The vehicle has been seized.

Dear friends and allies, One more time: Please don't judge us all over this. Most of us didn't vote for him. Please don't give up on us. MAGA will always be the minority. They do not represent the attitude of decent Americans (most of us.) #USDemocracy #Voices4Victory #Opposition

lol Greenland rocks

Let my first BlueSky post be this one: A Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett’s podcast featuring Vanessa van Edwards is a game-changer for leaders struggling to balance warmth & competence. youtu.be/VHUrdELKjDw

Bluesky is getting its own photo-sharing app, Flashes

Another motorcycle dealer has closed down in south England. Blade Motorcycles Swindon is no more. Such a shame. www.visordown.com/news/blade-m...

In the first 9 months of Wales implementing a national 20mph urban/village default there were huge benefits to the most vulnerable road users and 489 fewer deaths and casualties on community roads. Wales is #winningwith20

Motorcycle filtering in France is now LEGAL! Excellent news. www.femamotorcycling.eu/filtering-in...

“Of the four major road user types the one with the biggest estimated percentage change for 2023 compared to 2022 for fatalities was motorcyclists, which showed a decline of 10%"

There's a term for it on 3-lane motorways: CLOD (Centre Lane Owner Driver) <sigh>. It comes under the offence of 'Careless Driving' which has a £100 ($122.10) fine and 3 points on your licence. Stephen (Editor)

I'll be very interested in the outcome of this initiative. Stephen (Editor)

Latest RAC motorist survey (covered on the front page of today’s Times) focuses on driver speeding Eight-in-10 (81%) drivers say they regularly see people ‘excessively speeding’. Growing numbers admit breaking the speed limit themselves too. Important context for new road safety strategy.