Ben (BicycleBenUK)
@ben.fiets.uk
Introverted advocate/blogger on UK active travel. Self-employed podcast editor. Also sustainable public transport, nature, environment, Holland. Sometimes spins vinyl, dabbles in ham radio, badly plays piano.
📍 Nuneaton, Warwickshire
🌎 fiets.uk/links
📍 Nuneaton, Warwickshire
🌎 fiets.uk/links
Pinned
Just been told by The Boy that a driver harassed him and a friend for cycling on the road home from school - beeping + shouting out that they're too young to be on the road.
Everyone has a right to road space. You DO NOT bully and intimidate anyone, particularly children; you share with patience.
Everyone has a right to road space. You DO NOT bully and intimidate anyone, particularly children; you share with patience.
Hi weather. I think we all know what rain is now, thank you very much. The act is really rather tired. Why not try something different? Go crazy - put an orange flaming ball in the sky. That'd be fun!
February 7, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Hi weather. I think we all know what rain is now, thank you very much. The act is really rather tired. Why not try something different? Go crazy - put an orange flaming ball in the sky. That'd be fun!
Another reason, if any more were needed, to stop posting on X/Twitter!
Trump job approval rating by news platform
🟢 Twitter/X: +9
🔴 Facebook: -7
🔴 Cable TV: -10
🔴 Podcasts/YouTube: -14
🔴 Local TV: -17
🔴 Instagram: -21
🔴 Broadcast TV: -28
🔴 TikTok: -28
🔴 Newspapers/news sites: -33
🔴 Reddit: -40
www.theargumentmag.com/p/twitter-is...
🟢 Twitter/X: +9
🔴 Facebook: -7
🔴 Cable TV: -10
🔴 Podcasts/YouTube: -14
🔴 Local TV: -17
🔴 Instagram: -21
🔴 Broadcast TV: -28
🔴 TikTok: -28
🔴 Newspapers/news sites: -33
🔴 Reddit: -40
www.theargumentmag.com/p/twitter-is...
February 6, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Another reason, if any more were needed, to stop posting on X/Twitter!
"Sainsbury’s said: 'This was not an issue with the facial recognition technology in use...'”
No, it was *definitely* an issue with facial recognition technology, by virtue of the fact they *had* facial recognition technology.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
No, it was *definitely* an issue with facial recognition technology, by virtue of the fact they *had* facial recognition technology.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
‘Orwellian’: Sainsbury’s staff using facial recognition tech eject innocent shopper
Man misidentified by London supermarket using Facewatch system says: ‘I shouldn’t have to prove I am not a criminal’
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:02 PM
"Sainsbury’s said: 'This was not an issue with the facial recognition technology in use...'”
No, it was *definitely* an issue with facial recognition technology, by virtue of the fact they *had* facial recognition technology.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
No, it was *definitely* an issue with facial recognition technology, by virtue of the fact they *had* facial recognition technology.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
There's been talk of this for over a decade (a report in 2015 said action was needed then). Wonder how long they'll put it off for again this time? At this escalating timescale and cost, it may be best just to knock the whole thing down and build a new facsimile but fit for the modern age.
Parliament revamp could cost £40bn and take 61 years
MPs and peers are presented with two renovation options and told to make a decision by the mid-2030s.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 5:08 PM
There's been talk of this for over a decade (a report in 2015 said action was needed then). Wonder how long they'll put it off for again this time? At this escalating timescale and cost, it may be best just to knock the whole thing down and build a new facsimile but fit for the modern age.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
City transportation official opts for white line and signage instead of gate to keep their baby off the stairs.
February 2, 2026 at 4:15 PM
City transportation official opts for white line and signage instead of gate to keep their baby off the stairs.
Very interesting long-form video from @techconnectify.bsky.social with an incredibly powerful end that all Americans should take heed of - but that's also important in all democracies where respect for truth, decency, tolerance, and fundamental freedoms and liberties is challenged if not threatened.
You are being misled about renewable energy technology.
YouTube video by Technology Connections
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Very interesting long-form video from @techconnectify.bsky.social with an incredibly powerful end that all Americans should take heed of - but that's also important in all democracies where respect for truth, decency, tolerance, and fundamental freedoms and liberties is challenged if not threatened.
There's always one. "I can be a dangerous bully in my deadly vehicle because those people are wearing the wrong thing and themselves behaving poorly" (not that this has any relevance to the incident described, where the kids wore helmets and are trusted to cycle sensibly)
January 30, 2026 at 9:11 PM
There's always one. "I can be a dangerous bully in my deadly vehicle because those people are wearing the wrong thing and themselves behaving poorly" (not that this has any relevance to the incident described, where the kids wore helmets and are trusted to cycle sensibly)
Just been told by The Boy that a driver harassed him and a friend for cycling on the road home from school - beeping + shouting out that they're too young to be on the road.
Everyone has a right to road space. You DO NOT bully and intimidate anyone, particularly children; you share with patience.
Everyone has a right to road space. You DO NOT bully and intimidate anyone, particularly children; you share with patience.
January 30, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Just been told by The Boy that a driver harassed him and a friend for cycling on the road home from school - beeping + shouting out that they're too young to be on the road.
Everyone has a right to road space. You DO NOT bully and intimidate anyone, particularly children; you share with patience.
Everyone has a right to road space. You DO NOT bully and intimidate anyone, particularly children; you share with patience.
And that's an email sent to my MP, @jodiegoslingmp.bsky.social - I do feel rather strongly about this. We must keep a core, free, over-the-air television service, with internet delivery being an optional add-on. #Freeview #TV
Of course media orgs want broadcast TV switched off - they must love all that realtime viewing data they can get from streaming. Switch-off is a phenomenally bad idea. There are too many apps and accounts, and broadcast has a resilience that IP does not. #Freeview #DTV
As most TV viewers tune in via broadband, will 2034 signal the death of Freeview?
The aerial-accessed service has a fast-dwindling audience but when exactly to switch the platform off is proving highly divisive
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:11 AM
And that's an email sent to my MP, @jodiegoslingmp.bsky.social - I do feel rather strongly about this. We must keep a core, free, over-the-air television service, with internet delivery being an optional add-on. #Freeview #TV
Of course media orgs want broadcast TV switched off - they must love all that realtime viewing data they can get from streaming. Switch-off is a phenomenally bad idea. There are too many apps and accounts, and broadcast has a resilience that IP does not. #Freeview #DTV
As most TV viewers tune in via broadband, will 2034 signal the death of Freeview?
The aerial-accessed service has a fast-dwindling audience but when exactly to switch the platform off is proving highly divisive
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:41 AM
Not getting much better than that!
squareword.org 1459: 6 guesses
🟨🟨🟩🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
<6:🟩 <11:🟨 <16:🟧 16+:🟥
#squareword #squareword1459
squareword.org 1459: 6 guesses
🟨🟨🟩🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
<6:🟩 <11:🟨 <16:🟧 16+:🟥
#squareword #squareword1459
Squareword - Daily Word Puzzle Game
Play Squareword, the free daily word puzzle! Guess 5-letter words to uncover a 5x5 grid where every row and column forms a valid word. New puzzle every day!
squareword.org
January 29, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Not getting much better than that!
squareword.org 1459: 6 guesses
🟨🟨🟩🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
<6:🟩 <11:🟨 <16:🟧 16+:🟥
#squareword #squareword1459
squareword.org 1459: 6 guesses
🟨🟨🟩🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
<6:🟩 <11:🟨 <16:🟧 16+:🟥
#squareword #squareword1459
Terrible callousness on show from this car-centric framing that trivialises, even dismisses the loss of human life as an inconvenience.
Essentially, "a person has died but at least the road is open again so everyone else can carry on as if nothing happened." 😡
Essentially, "a person has died but at least the road is open again so everyone else can carry on as if nothing happened." 😡
January 25, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Terrible callousness on show from this car-centric framing that trivialises, even dismisses the loss of human life as an inconvenience.
Essentially, "a person has died but at least the road is open again so everyone else can carry on as if nothing happened." 😡
Essentially, "a person has died but at least the road is open again so everyone else can carry on as if nothing happened." 😡
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
The enemy - how they travel
January 23, 2026 at 10:38 AM
The enemy - how they travel
So, big tech boss man, I take this to mean you (+ others) have over invested into a speculative, overhyped technology solution looking for a problem, and now you're worried about your stock price since the bubble is about to burst, so you want us all to use it more - even though many of us hate it!
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
Big tech boss tells delegates at Davos that broader global use is essential if technology is to deliver lasting growth
www.irishtimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:33 PM
So, big tech boss man, I take this to mean you (+ others) have over invested into a speculative, overhyped technology solution looking for a problem, and now you're worried about your stock price since the bubble is about to burst, so you want us all to use it more - even though many of us hate it!
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Looks like a quiet week for me this week. That's not so good for me, but good for you - I'm available for a quick turnaround on a variety of jobs, from voice recordings to human-powered media transcriptions.
Get in touch if you need anything!
bgprofessional.co.uk
Get in touch if you need anything!
bgprofessional.co.uk
a man in a suit and tie is dancing in a field .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is dancing in a field .
media.tenor.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Looks like a quiet week for me this week. That's not so good for me, but good for you - I'm available for a quick turnaround on a variety of jobs, from voice recordings to human-powered media transcriptions.
Get in touch if you need anything!
bgprofessional.co.uk
Get in touch if you need anything!
bgprofessional.co.uk
Thoroughly entertaining #Snooker final - not the cleanest, best snooker, but fun. Would've liked to see Higgins win, just cos he's my "era", from when I started watching in the mid-1990s, but Wilson's win is deserved - and The Boy will be happy tomorrow; one of his favourite players. #MastersSnooker
January 18, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Thoroughly entertaining #Snooker final - not the cleanest, best snooker, but fun. Would've liked to see Higgins win, just cos he's my "era", from when I started watching in the mid-1990s, but Wilson's win is deserved - and The Boy will be happy tomorrow; one of his favourite players. #MastersSnooker
What happened between 2001 and 2006 that led to dinner jackets and bow ties being dropped by audience-goers at #TheMasters? Not that it's a bad thing, but didn't realise the formality lasted so long! #Snooker #MastersMemories #BBCSport
January 18, 2026 at 9:06 PM
What happened between 2001 and 2006 that led to dinner jackets and bow ties being dropped by audience-goers at #TheMasters? Not that it's a bad thing, but didn't realise the formality lasted so long! #Snooker #MastersMemories #BBCSport
Goodness, how many twists and turns in this Masters final? #Snooker #SnookerMasters
January 18, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Goodness, how many twists and turns in this Masters final? #Snooker #SnookerMasters
Would love to see the same in @warwickshirecc.bsky.social, however given its Reform controlled, I can't see them making concerted efforts to remove fascist flags.
January 18, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Would love to see the same in @warwickshirecc.bsky.social, however given its Reform controlled, I can't see them making concerted efforts to remove fascist flags.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
And that's why the system is broken. A council is rated highly for it's highway maintenance by a government more interested in data on the quality of road surfaces, but for walking and wheeling, it's only down to a "members' initiative" that something got repaired.
It's warped.
12/12
It's warped.
12/12
January 17, 2026 at 1:04 PM
And that's why the system is broken. A council is rated highly for it's highway maintenance by a government more interested in data on the quality of road surfaces, but for walking and wheeling, it's only down to a "members' initiative" that something got repaired.
It's warped.
12/12
It's warped.
12/12
I always find it amusing watching the #Snooker when the commentator says "very good" and then comes the applause! Certainly doesn't always happen of course, but often enough that it feels like the audience sometimes need that little prompt, "yes, that was good. You can clap now."
January 16, 2026 at 11:10 PM
I always find it amusing watching the #Snooker when the commentator says "very good" and then comes the applause! Certainly doesn't always happen of course, but often enough that it feels like the audience sometimes need that little prompt, "yes, that was good. You can clap now."
Given the controversy, I've just had a look at the @metoffice.gov.uk redesign which applies to the mobile website as much as the app (bet it's just a wrapper). It's not the best - the old design had a nice, compact viewing showing all information at a glance. Why do I need to scroll and tap now?
January 16, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Given the controversy, I've just had a look at the @metoffice.gov.uk redesign which applies to the mobile website as much as the app (bet it's just a wrapper). It's not the best - the old design had a nice, compact viewing showing all information at a glance. Why do I need to scroll and tap now?
The "we're above your petty food rules" is not the best look. Rather snobbish and entitled in fact
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Ynyshir: Giles Coren says hygiene ratings should not apply to Michelin restaurants
The restaurant critic says inspectors should "modernise" after Ynyshir recieved a one-out-of-five hygiene rating.
www.bbc.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM
The "we're above your petty food rules" is not the best look. Rather snobbish and entitled in fact
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Doesn't matter if it's a cycle lane or tiny Very Light Rail test track; always the same complaints: "oh, the disruption", "no proper consultation", moan, moan, moan. It's a wonder anything ever gets done. Imagine the noise if it's determined to be viable and a city-scale route/network is proposed.
Disruption fears raised over Coventry's Very Light Rail scheme
Councilors highlight concerns from residents and firms over the new extension planned in Coventry.
www.bbc.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Doesn't matter if it's a cycle lane or tiny Very Light Rail test track; always the same complaints: "oh, the disruption", "no proper consultation", moan, moan, moan. It's a wonder anything ever gets done. Imagine the noise if it's determined to be viable and a city-scale route/network is proposed.