Come and join our family cycle ride on Sunday 14 December at 12.30pm, starting in Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park. Free family bike ride on roads and cycle paths. Riders of all abilities welcome. Ride approximately an hour long. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Is it just me/in the West Midlands, or is bus tracking completely broken this weekend? Can’t get real time info on google maps, bustimes.org or bus stops. Disconcerting waiting at a stop without it 😬

Finally caught up with the WM Active Travel & Road Safety Commissioners’ chat on @activetravelcaf.bsky.social (I can never make it live, it’s right after work when we’re dealing with tea & kids’ activities) Sounds like they’re up to great things locally. Hoping for change! youtu.be/ftXA6UhTzp8?...

Transport modes for Saturday afternoon activities for the kids: last week a party for 8yo son - we used 🚌; this week a Scout Jamboree selection day for 12yo son - we used 🚗 club. Different locations, different circumstances, different best tools for each job. Privileged to have this much choice.

What’s the hardest thing about not owning a car? When we first sold the car, I’d have guessed something like inconvenience or it takes more time to travel. But now, 5 years later, honestly I’d say the mental energy involved having to explain to others why we don’t need their (well intentioned) lift.

I made a new thing 🧵 Working with @transportforall.org.uk we have built an even better spreadsheet for analysing streets (actual or being designed) and showing their likely accessibility for different disabled people. It’s free to download and use www.rossatkin.com/wp/?portfoli...

We’ve had a busy summer so far, juggling work and spending time with the kids, and we’ve not been on a family holiday yet. Day trips, local trips, parks, Scout camps, staying with grandparents and cousins… and more! No car necessary: all doable by walking, cycling, bus or train.

The economic value of buses in England’s Economic Heartland is neatly captured in this new report. Every £1 invested in buses generates an estimated £4.55 in wider economic benefits. Over £2.6bn is spent by bus users in the local area (including in shops & leisure venues).

I rode into town to join @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org demo marking a year since Bham City Council declared a Road Safety Emergency. We held 2 min silence & 23 white roses to remember those who died on Bham roads this year. I don’t accept any road death as an inevitable fact of life in the city.

Join us on Friday 1st August to mark one year of Birmingham's road safety emergency. Meet in Victoria Square at 5pm for a 5.30pm start. Stay around for the monthly Circle the City ride.

Next weekend we need to get the 14yo to Scout camp, the 12yo to a different Scout camp, & the twins to swim lessons all at the same time. This is not a lack of car issue, as people often assume. This is just we can’t be in several places at once. Good job the 14yo can get himself places by train.

Out of office on! Birthday 🎉 weekend, followed by 2 days off paid work, to spend time with the kids on days out. Starting with a podcast that I’ve been looking forward to, and can’t wait to read the upcoming book! Thanks @podstreetsahead.bsky.social @modacitylife.com shows.acast.com/streets-ahea...

Gone up to £15, but still excellent value for 6 of us to get to Coventry and back in a day, using any train or bus (or tram, but not useful) in the nNetwork WM area. Handily we came home with the 14yo: when we drop them all there, we don’t come back with a child, so it’d be invalid on the way home.

End of an era today: last Beavers ever and last infant school run for me (dad will do it for the next couple of days before end of term). Not sure how my youngest kids got so big?! At least we don’t have all the year 6 things this year to add to all the end of term fun and games.

New @ippr.org report out today Transport isn’t working for low-income households Reducing car dependence is essential for providing greater access to opportunity, cutting transport costs and reducing the harms caused by car-dominated places Read how the UK government can achieve this👇

'Ethan Akotiah, 22, who lives off Stratford Road, said: "It's terrible, it's getting worse and worse. My nan was in a collision and so was my mom. It's constant ... I fear for my family's life."' @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

Fewer cars --> Safer streets In London, Low Traffic Neighborhoods saw a 35% drop in all traffic injuries and a 37% drop in deaths/serious injuries. injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/earl...

Swim lessons were cancelled (again) so we decided to go for a splash time swim, as an activity to cool down for all of us 💦 & to give the twins some practice whilst lessons are off. Easy to get the bus, no worries about a parking space. Even better one day if the A38 cycle route ever gets extended!

Latest study to conclude that providing children more & diverse opportunities to be active is a good idea. “These findings highlight the importance of both active mobility and physical activity for enhancing children's well-being…” Regular cycling found to be particularly beneficial for wellbeing.

Dammit kids, get off your screens and go outside!!! Just kidding, stay inside and stop bothering the neighbourhood and drivers by playing on your street

I had a trip to London today for the launch of a research report I’ve been involved in. Great to be in Parliament to talk about this important work. Most importantly we heard from some of the disabled people who had taken part in the research. These are the voices who planners need to listen to.

Who doesn’t love a local featival? See you there. ‘Don't drive to CoCoMAD - there is NO parking. It's a local festival for local people or those prepared to cycle, walk or use public transport.’ cotteridgepark.org.uk/cocomad-info

A parenting win.

Bit baffled by this fake news in the commons today that floating bus stops are a completely new thing (various MPs saying they first appeared in 2013). Here's one on the Marston Road Cycle track, which dates from the 1930s. Many bus stops there from pre-2013. Look outside London lads!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... I couldn’t make it to see the film yesterday due to work and family commitments this week. Looks like people thought it was a great film, and I hope I can see it another time. Such an important topic to draw attention to so families affected are not forgotten.

Our nearest CoWheels car club vehicle now has a higher bonnet than the previous one (a Toyota Auris estate, which was vandalised recently so they’ve replaced it). Great to have access to a car at all, but concerning that driving this new one is riskier.

This is a blast from the past! They’re 8 now, and really don’t like sitting together on the back of this bike. One of them doesn’t like not being the rider in control. They ride their own bikes on this piece of cycle infra now, and we’d like more of it please, to enable their freedom & independence.

If you’re local to Birmingham UK, this looks like an interesting film 🎥 flatpackfestival.org.uk/event/flatpa... Sadly I probably can’t make it as we have loads on that week in evenings. I know the film maker and I’m sure she’s done a great job on this subject.

We’ve hit that time of year when there’s loads of things going on at weekends; it’s summer and near end of school year. Work is also really busy for me. So I’ve not posted on here for a while. Here’s my late lunchtime trip to get some fruit and veg locally. Saw another longtail cargo bike as I left.

Report available here: www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/... Many important recommendations in this, including the central one of a new national play strategy. Strongly support this call for more child-friendly neighbourhoods.

Cyclists! Your cycle route has ended! Please now cease to exist! 🤪

This afternoon I met camera shy Rachel who told me she pops these on cars blocking the pavement. She’s in her 80s, has never driven and doesn’t use the internet. We need a pavement parking ban now! @liliangreenwood.bsky.social #PavementsforPeople #SaferStreetsforAll #footways 💚

So glad we have a teen who gets himself a lot of places under his own steam rather than relying on us for lifts. It’s good for his independence (he’s really savvy on his own with maps, travel apps, directions and navigating transport options) and he gets exercise built naturally into his day.

It’s been 290 days since Birmingham City Council declared a road safety emergency.

Today our cargo bike got used to take one of our 7 year olds to a party about 7 miles away. High (for Birmingham) quality separated cycle infrastructure enabled this trip. If it had been at Goals Dudley rather than Perry Barr, we would’ve used public transport instead, despite being 2 miles closer.

Not been travelling for work for a while. Just waiting for a little while in Birmingham New St before heading down to London on the train for our away day. Looking forward to catching up with colleagues.

Our cargo bike was in for service for a few days at our local (Bosch dealer) bike shop. I had time during my lunch break today to pick it up, and already put it to good use this evening for swim club. Not normally here on Tuesdays but this week we’ve juggled things around for various reasons.

Cycle infrastructure designed for 8-80 year olds (although these two are 7 and three quarters - very important that 3/4 is!) Lovely ride to Cannon Hill Park and back this morning, made possible by @a38cycleway.bsky.social Not in view: the 12yo who rode there and back solo, also enabled by the infra.

We took the train to a Beavers outdoor activity day and back yesterday. Several people wound their window down to offer us a lift back. I sensed pity when I politely declined - no car seats/travel sickness meds with us were the main issue, but also this is our choice, no need to feel sorry for us 😊

I was sorry to miss this due to work and family commitments. Great to see my MP engaging with constituents so positively on the matter of safer and easier ways for everyone to move around our local area.

Our next #KidicalMass cycle ride is 2 weeks today on Sunday 11th May. Meet outside MAC Birmingham at 10.45 for an 11am start. All ages are welcome and no one will be left behind 😊

At the dental hospital for an orthodontic appointment. The easiest, cheapest and quickest way for us to get here and back (I need to be on time) is by bike, as there is cycle infrastructure most of the way door to door.

It was great to ride with a mixed group in a laidback and sociable family friendly ride around leafy Bournville. Chris plans to repeat this KH Critical Mass (Bournville) ride. Why not join us next time?

Lighter evenings are perfect for impromptu rides to the park after work. Made possible by a mostly off-road route between home and the park.

Last week I went Interrailing with my older 2 children to Italy. We stayed in Rome and did a day trip to Herculaneum. It took 2 days to get there and 2 to get back. The train travel was lovely and relaxing, the views through the Alps were so stunning, photos can’t capture it. I highly recommend!

This Earth Day - a reminder: 71% of disabled people want to use more sustainable modes of transport, but face needless barriers such as overcrowding, missing announcements and a lack of lifts. Public transport must be accessible, so we can all make choices about how to travel.

At 4:45pm I finished work. At 4:50pm I knew that our twins are going out with friends in their car tomorrow. At 4:55pm I realised we didn’t have any travel sickness tablets left for tomorrow. By 5:10pm I have some. How? Because I live in one of those awful 15 minute cities, I walked to the pharmacy.

BIN LORRY!!!!

📢 We're recruiting! We're seeking someone with experience in political influencing, campaigning or public affairs to become our new Senior Campaigns and Public Affairs Officer. Find out more and apply on our website by 22 April: www.transportforall.org.uk/about-us/wor...

Can’t wait for our Interrail trip starting on Saturday! There’s a bit of a story behind it. The 14yo’s school are doing a trip to Rome & Pompeii, but it would cost us £1k for just him, and a short-haul return flight. So I said I’d take him and the 12yo on the train, costing much less than £1k each!