Alex Nurse
@alexnurse.bsky.social
Reader in Urban Planning at the University of Liverpool. Researching: Cycling, Urban Governance, Cities and City-Regions.
Likes are usually bookmarks (or it might mean I like it!)
DMs not open. I'll reply to an email if you need me.
Likes are usually bookmarks (or it might mean I like it!)
DMs not open. I'll reply to an email if you need me.
The 2nd of two kids birthday parties in two days this morning.
Individually, most parents are really lovely people. Collectively, once the kids are off playing it really feels like being back at school.
Individually, most parents are really lovely people. Collectively, once the kids are off playing it really feels like being back at school.
December 7, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The 2nd of two kids birthday parties in two days this morning.
Individually, most parents are really lovely people. Collectively, once the kids are off playing it really feels like being back at school.
Individually, most parents are really lovely people. Collectively, once the kids are off playing it really feels like being back at school.
Well into December and I'm still eating out of my garden.
December 6, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Well into December and I'm still eating out of my garden.
In a tutorial during the week I was telling one of my students how going back to source reading is like listening to the bands who inspired the bands you're listening to now.
In the spirit of practising what you preach, here's what I'm listening to this morning:
In the spirit of practising what you preach, here's what I'm listening to this morning:
December 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
In a tutorial during the week I was telling one of my students how going back to source reading is like listening to the bands who inspired the bands you're listening to now.
In the spirit of practising what you preach, here's what I'm listening to this morning:
In the spirit of practising what you preach, here's what I'm listening to this morning:
I'll tell you what isn't buttering any parsnips: this year's parsnips crop.
This is it in it's entirety. Normally it's the best cropper. This year it's the weakest (except carrots, which never grow in my garden).
This is it in it's entirety. Normally it's the best cropper. This year it's the weakest (except carrots, which never grow in my garden).
December 6, 2025 at 9:51 AM
I'll tell you what isn't buttering any parsnips: this year's parsnips crop.
This is it in it's entirety. Normally it's the best cropper. This year it's the weakest (except carrots, which never grow in my garden).
This is it in it's entirety. Normally it's the best cropper. This year it's the weakest (except carrots, which never grow in my garden).
The other angle to that argument is not everyone wants to drive a car either.
In Liverpool, around 50% of people don't drive to work. Are they just expected to pound sand?
In Liverpool, around 50% of people don't drive to work. Are they just expected to pound sand?
“We can’t all be expected to bike.”
Fair. But that’s not the point.
“Not everyone can or wants to bike. But some people can & do—and they deserve a safe, efficient, affordable way to move through the city. It’s about freedom of choice.”
This & other useful comebacks, in @momentummag.bsky.social.
Fair. But that’s not the point.
“Not everyone can or wants to bike. But some people can & do—and they deserve a safe, efficient, affordable way to move through the city. It’s about freedom of choice.”
This & other useful comebacks, in @momentummag.bsky.social.
Your Comeback Guide to all the Anti-Cycling Arguments You’ll Hear This Year
Anti-bike arguments aren’t just frustrating—they’re outdated, inaccurate, and often repeated without a shred of evidence.
momentummag.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:19 AM
The other angle to that argument is not everyone wants to drive a car either.
In Liverpool, around 50% of people don't drive to work. Are they just expected to pound sand?
In Liverpool, around 50% of people don't drive to work. Are they just expected to pound sand?
E-scooters, those perpetual 'menaces', can be geo-speed limited. But we've got a car capable of driving down my 20mph street at 100+mph.
We need culture change on how we drive, and we need culture change on what car companies are allowed to sell.
We need culture change on how we drive, and we need culture change on what car companies are allowed to sell.
December 5, 2025 at 8:45 AM
E-scooters, those perpetual 'menaces', can be geo-speed limited. But we've got a car capable of driving down my 20mph street at 100+mph.
We need culture change on how we drive, and we need culture change on what car companies are allowed to sell.
We need culture change on how we drive, and we need culture change on what car companies are allowed to sell.
Our kids are through that period now, but we always knew if we turned right as we went into Tesco (where the baby stuff was) that weeks shopping bill went up by between 15 and 20%.
If you're on a tight budget that has to be crushing. Who's against feeding children?
If you're on a tight budget that has to be crushing. Who's against feeding children?
The right wing British politics twitter reaction/the policy.
I wish I was making this up.
I wish I was making this up.
December 4, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Our kids are through that period now, but we always knew if we turned right as we went into Tesco (where the baby stuff was) that weeks shopping bill went up by between 15 and 20%.
If you're on a tight budget that has to be crushing. Who's against feeding children?
If you're on a tight budget that has to be crushing. Who's against feeding children?
I won't be sharing any of my Spotify wrapped this year for wholly ethical reasons, and absolutely not because my two small children have overtaken it.
Yep. Purely ethical choice.
Yep. Purely ethical choice.
December 3, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I won't be sharing any of my Spotify wrapped this year for wholly ethical reasons, and absolutely not because my two small children have overtaken it.
Yep. Purely ethical choice.
Yep. Purely ethical choice.
Some potholes in Liverpool are so bad it's like the cars have opened a time capsule into the victorian city...
This on Park Place/St James' Place.
This on Park Place/St James' Place.
December 3, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Some potholes in Liverpool are so bad it's like the cars have opened a time capsule into the victorian city...
This on Park Place/St James' Place.
This on Park Place/St James' Place.
The BBC picking up on car-spreading.
Some of the vox-pop excuses from those who "need" their tanks are some weak sauce cope though...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Some of the vox-pop excuses from those who "need" their tanks are some weak sauce cope though...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Carspreading’ is on the rise - not everyone is happy
In the UK and across Europe, cars are becoming longer, wider and heavier.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The BBC picking up on car-spreading.
Some of the vox-pop excuses from those who "need" their tanks are some weak sauce cope though...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Some of the vox-pop excuses from those who "need" their tanks are some weak sauce cope though...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Alex Nurse
Tomorrow I'll be talking through the political process we went through on Wirral to get outdoor play on our council Work Programme.
Join the latest @playingout.bsky.social webinar if you can! Lots of other good stuff on the agenda as well 😎😀
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/restoring-...
Join the latest @playingout.bsky.social webinar if you can! Lots of other good stuff on the agenda as well 😎😀
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/restoring-...
Restoring children's freedom to play out: let's seize the moment
Society is waking up to children's right and need to play out; councils and orgs around the UK are taking action, come and get inspired !
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Tomorrow I'll be talking through the political process we went through on Wirral to get outdoor play on our council Work Programme.
Join the latest @playingout.bsky.social webinar if you can! Lots of other good stuff on the agenda as well 😎😀
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/restoring-...
Join the latest @playingout.bsky.social webinar if you can! Lots of other good stuff on the agenda as well 😎😀
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/restoring-...
Reposted by Alex Nurse
You can watch anything you like and nobody cares.
****Nobody cares****
****Nobody cares****
i’m setting you free. i’m releasing you from the discourse
December 2, 2025 at 8:09 AM
You can watch anything you like and nobody cares.
****Nobody cares****
****Nobody cares****
Absolute first world academic problems:
Trying to explain to the five year old what my job is, given Reader means precisely nothing to anyone.
Trying to explain to the five year old what my job is, given Reader means precisely nothing to anyone.
December 2, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Absolute first world academic problems:
Trying to explain to the five year old what my job is, given Reader means precisely nothing to anyone.
Trying to explain to the five year old what my job is, given Reader means precisely nothing to anyone.
We've got a new piece of equipment appear in the gym.
There are no instructions though, so I'm not sure what I should be doing...
There are no instructions though, so I'm not sure what I should be doing...
December 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
We've got a new piece of equipment appear in the gym.
There are no instructions though, so I'm not sure what I should be doing...
There are no instructions though, so I'm not sure what I should be doing...
It's time to add a new face to my revision quiz picture round.
December 1, 2025 at 12:29 PM
It's time to add a new face to my revision quiz picture round.
A little bit louder for those in the back...
Bicycles. Are. Transport.
Bicycles. Are. Transport.
December 1, 2025 at 8:56 AM
A little bit louder for those in the back...
Bicycles. Are. Transport.
Bicycles. Are. Transport.
The Lollipop lady from below started in early summer last year. I just said to Mrs N that I haven't seen her in a few weeks now. There is now no formal crossing mechanism on the road outside my kid's school.
The culture on Liverpool's roads is insipid and ruins *everything*
The culture on Liverpool's roads is insipid and ruins *everything*
From today.
Who beeps a lollipop lady?!
Who beeps a lollipop lady?!
December 1, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The Lollipop lady from below started in early summer last year. I just said to Mrs N that I haven't seen her in a few weeks now. There is now no formal crossing mechanism on the road outside my kid's school.
The culture on Liverpool's roads is insipid and ruins *everything*
The culture on Liverpool's roads is insipid and ruins *everything*
Reposted by Alex Nurse
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
November 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
Reposted by Alex Nurse
I notice the "We were never consulted" crowd are silent on the lack of consultation that happened for this takeover of pavements
November 30, 2025 at 9:02 AM
I notice the "We were never consulted" crowd are silent on the lack of consultation that happened for this takeover of pavements
I've been growing veg for 10 years. I've tried all kinds of methods and these are, genuinely, the best carrots I've ever managed.
November 30, 2025 at 8:51 AM
I've been growing veg for 10 years. I've tried all kinds of methods and these are, genuinely, the best carrots I've ever managed.
Reposted by Alex Nurse
The eyes tell a story
November 29, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The eyes tell a story
Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus
That's it.
Technically I don't own a car now, but we have a family car that Mrs N technically owns, and which I drive a bit.
A lot of cyclists can (and do) drive. I just choose not to whenever I can because it's rubbish and I hate it.
Ford Focus
That's it.
Technically I don't own a car now, but we have a family car that Mrs N technically owns, and which I drive a bit.
A lot of cyclists can (and do) drive. I just choose not to whenever I can because it's rubbish and I hate it.
Introduce yourself with 5 cars you've owned
Car-free
Vauxhall Zafira
Ford Focus
Ford Escort
Ford Escort
I haven't owned 5 cars!
Car-free
Vauxhall Zafira
Ford Focus
Ford Escort
Ford Escort
I haven't owned 5 cars!
Introduce yourself with 5 cars you've owned
*cracks knuckles*
Renault 4
Austin Allegro Equipe
Fiat Strada
Nissan Micra
Mini Cooper Estate
Currently: Škoda Scala, the first time I’ve bought new.
*cracks knuckles*
Renault 4
Austin Allegro Equipe
Fiat Strada
Nissan Micra
Mini Cooper Estate
Currently: Škoda Scala, the first time I’ve bought new.
November 29, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus
That's it.
Technically I don't own a car now, but we have a family car that Mrs N technically owns, and which I drive a bit.
A lot of cyclists can (and do) drive. I just choose not to whenever I can because it's rubbish and I hate it.
Ford Focus
That's it.
Technically I don't own a car now, but we have a family car that Mrs N technically owns, and which I drive a bit.
A lot of cyclists can (and do) drive. I just choose not to whenever I can because it's rubbish and I hate it.
Upon further investigation, this was another two week turnaround. Can't even be bothered to sign their emails from any of the editors. Can't even be bothered to put anything in the title beyond the journal title.
All the hallmarks of thinking they're the ones doing me the favour...
Decline.
All the hallmarks of thinking they're the ones doing me the favour...
Decline.
When you get so much predatory journal spam that you miss that legitimate review request...
One of these is not like the others.
One of these is not like the others.
November 29, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Upon further investigation, this was another two week turnaround. Can't even be bothered to sign their emails from any of the editors. Can't even be bothered to put anything in the title beyond the journal title.
All the hallmarks of thinking they're the ones doing me the favour...
Decline.
All the hallmarks of thinking they're the ones doing me the favour...
Decline.
Fully concur with this. I've taught a 1st year undergrad "intro to" for the last decade. It fluctuates a bit from year to year, but generally this year's first years are much of a muchness to the first years 10 years ago.
Anyone who says otherwise, n my view, is full of their own wind.
Anyone who says otherwise, n my view, is full of their own wind.
(have deleted my quote tweet of the catastrophising university lecturer as, happily, tons of other academics said they didn't recognise their experience at all)
November 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Fully concur with this. I've taught a 1st year undergrad "intro to" for the last decade. It fluctuates a bit from year to year, but generally this year's first years are much of a muchness to the first years 10 years ago.
Anyone who says otherwise, n my view, is full of their own wind.
Anyone who says otherwise, n my view, is full of their own wind.
I now own three of these. The impending 2026 hosepipe ban will not affect me one jot (and if they run out then, lads, we really will have stacked it).
November 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I now own three of these. The impending 2026 hosepipe ban will not affect me one jot (and if they run out then, lads, we really will have stacked it).