Great work underway in Westminster, transforming streets one cycle lane at a time!

Wonderful!

I have been using a lovely Sustrans path from Rye to Camber Sands across Romney Marsh for the last two days. Let’s us get to Camber safely by bike from Rye (and train from London). So liberating.

Well we went away for a few days and nothing much happened, except of course I came up with loads of ideas of how we need to completely redesign our towns and cities 🤯😃 Anyone else have this any time they go away? … 1/7

-/- far from a “war on people who drive”, Green policy makers are trying to share our street space in towns and cities, giving children, older and disabled people a fair chance to cross the road and get around safely and independently. Mirror link: www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-n...

The fossil oil lobby has managed to make *everyone* identify as “motorists”. So many of us walk, ride bikes catch buses and trains, even occasional planes and we drive cars or vans too. But measures to make our streets safer and more accessible are seen as a “war on people who drive” -/-

The many media outlets calling @greenparty.org.uk transport policy a “war on motorists” should try talking to bereaved families and seriously injured survivors of road crashes rather than ignoring the trauma and pain left when people drive without considering the harm they may cause at the wheel.

There’s also been some road markings that have got my attention (isn’t it always like this on a trip?) Milton Keynes has a LOT of car parks, and there are these little zebras everywhere - no beacons. And I’ve been reminded of the thread by @westminster-lcc.bsky.social about side zebras. … 4/8

Gorgeous Willen Lake this morning, near Milton Keynes 🙌🏻 Happy Easter to all of you who celebrate. There’s been a few interesting things that I’ve noted on a family trip. Mainly to do with road markings obviously. OfC! … 1/8

Absolutely wonderful piece on Substack from my friend Helen, a CEO in New York. It’s a story about her grandma’s whistle, and what it means to her. #LipstickOn open.substack.com/pub/johannes...

I mean - LOOK!

Super cute ducklings at Ally Pally alert … The only thing better than this of the Easter hols so far, is when I let my kids sing the F words in a song the other day …

1000 simple side zebras you say 👀👀 🦓🦓🦓🦓

*Starts googling the cheapest places to live in Westminster*

How to Manifesto on Transport (And yes it’s a verb since you ask).

I had the pleasure of showing the incomparable @carlafrancome.bsky.social around some of our new and in progress cycling infrastructure. Now you get the pleasure of reading about it. (All this at risk on 7th May!)

Epic active travel thread. Make tea, and take the weight off...

Well friends, today I wrote the longest thread I’ve ever done. 32 posts in it!!! With subtitles added in too on the videos, and alt text on every photo. So I extremely DO NOT care if you find it interesting or not, please read the whole thing just to make it worth my whole goddammit! ✊🏻✊🏻🚲🚲

Amazing achievements! It’s quite something when someone as passionate as @maxsullivan.bsky.social gets given the active travel brief. He’s truly got the bug - once you start you can’t stop! And he knows you’re the perfect channel for his advocacy Carla! Cheering you on, Max. Allez allez!

Can we borrow him please?

Westminster, so close to Brent and yet, when you see all the recent infrastructure changes, this feels so far away. Well done to all involved in our neighbouring borough that made cycling easier and safer for everyone. #Inspiring

We then glided along the cycle lane of Sussex Gardens, with tulip wands made from recycled plastic waste. 

I’d prefer a kerb aswell as wands, I pointed out (which Max gets), but they are still pretty, and atleast provide some separation. … /21

Tour with Max PART TWO 🙌🏻 SO, the George Street stepped cycle tracks will have KERB DELINEATORS. You can see the lovely ripple in them. The raised groove means that those on the cycle lane are kept separate from pedestrians on the pavement. (I had to get close for a look obviously). … 1/7

THE THREAD IS HERE! 🙌🏻 This week, I had a fantastic tour of Westminster from @maxsullivan.bsky.social, to see what the council is doing to make it safer for walking and wheeling. It was quite frankly, an extravaganza.  

We met at Grand Junction, right next to … 1/25

Spot the person not au fait with my stuff on here 😂 Thank goodness they didn’t see when I got out stomach at top of hill climb.

To be clear, I built nothing myself. Incredibly soft hands, these.

BIG NEWS 🚨 Yesterday, I was treated to a 2-hour tour of the infrastructure currently being built in Westminster Council, by the brilliant cabinet member for streets @maxsullivan.bsky.social 🙌🏻 We saw a bollard that’s only 3 weeks old 🥲 This is Stan, you’ll understand why he’s called that soon .. /1

I’ve just had my first ever ride on a forest bike (delicious), and been given a tour of a borough by a VERY interesting person. Bollards, different types of cycle lanes and a specific type of kerb were discussed. Off to write it up. It will be with you when it’s ready! 🙌🏻

They did at UCL in 1959 ;) youtu.be/QSkgiJwaRow?...

Extremely cool and only slightly nerdy thread about traffic, and how to slow it down so pedestrians and cyclists are safe. Also while calmly breaking DfT rules which is fun!

Absolute banger of a thread from WCC about Westminster’s side zebras. From some stunning results on their effectiveness, to the story of why @maxsullivan.bsky.social got thinking about them. What a trailblazer this man is, installing side zebras that are “not permitted” by the DfT! ⬇️

There’s a great video of this on X that I’m hoping will soon hit here!

Incredible plan for Paris 🇫🇷Including “completion of city’s full bike network”. Now something like this for London too please!

You can’t do better than gain an endorsement from Carla Francome, @maxsullivan.bsky.social. Top marks!

Rollercoaster thread on what's been going on at WCC HQ for the last 3 months - with some great news at the end!

If you are curious about the balance of people campaigning for, and campaigning against, schemes to make streets safer then this is the Sunday thread for you. @carlafrancome.bsky.social has in inimitable style made a fun read about the deadly serious story of the Bayswater Rd consultation. 🧵 👇

Big news everyone 🔔🔔 I have exclusive info about the big Bayswater Road consultation that ended last month. And it’s in this highly influential publication that you might never have heard of – SEBRA magazine. Ae you all know, I’m a member of HCC. But I work in Marylebone … 1/15

Know anyone who lives in Westminster and rides a bike? Know someone who might know someone who lives in Westminster and rides a bike? See below! ⬇️

It is probably obvious, but can I just take a moment to say how absolutely behind this plan I am to not get involved in this war. If you read the Daily Mail they’re trying to push it as a good idea the whole time. IT’S NOT. And whatever party you support, bravo to Keir for standing his ground.

@carlafrancome.bsky.social - this is the appalling case I mentioned ...

Come celebrate Spring Equinox with Haringey Cycling Campaign with a roll around Tottenham Marshes on Saturday 21 March with a ride for all the family ⏰ Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 📍+ 🏁 Start + Finish: Stonebridge Lock Waterside Cafe N17 0XD Register here and come along lcc.org.uk/events/sat-2...

Well done Caroline! A nice bit of reading for you all later on. This woman is a force of nature. The City Hall day Vision Zero action plan day last summer was one of the most powerful days of my life. We felt inspired and then we sobbed when we heard from the families of victims. Crucial work

Extremely excited re: this news! More on this to come...

Oooh - new cycle lanes being built alert!! If anyone goes by please give us updates on how they are coming along …

This looks positively European - but it's right here in London ! Must have a wander down to enjoy some dining al fresco

Quiet streets in Westminster klaxon! 🚨🚨 A road has been closed, and residents have finally got the peace and quiet that they’ve wanted. A great place to visit if anyone fancies going rollerskating or similar …

A shout out to Westminster’s Helen Jones here. While a residents association and a former MP mounted a campaign against a protected cycle lane in Lancaster Gate last month, Helen wrote a letter of support to her local paper, which was duly published. Campaigning takes many shapes ✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻

New cycle lane alert - building underway for Westminster’s first stepped tracks - same as a kerbed cycle lane I think. Bravo @maxsullivan.bsky.social and team!!

This is a BRILLIANT thread - all about what Westminster has been up to of late with regards to active travel, and why Westminster residents should write to the leaders of the main parties re the future … Anyone know any Westminster locals? If so please send this their way 🙌🏻🙌🏻