Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

OB Cycler @obcycler.bsky.social · 15h

CicLAvia in DTLA!

#bikesky #safestreets #losangeles

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife.com · 14h

A lot of mobility innovation focuses on making existing options even more comfortable for the most privileged, at the expense of children, the elderly, people with low incomes or disabilities. If we’re not designing for them, we're designing ourselves out of the system: fair-mobility.eu/the-library/

An elderly woman rides a bike along a separated cycle path in front of two small children in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

18 48

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Will Mitchell @royalbluemersey.bsky.social · 15h

Imagine this level of expenditure on public transport and active mobility. We’d have trains, subways, buses, trams and cycleways covering every city, town and village. Instead we have gridlock, pollution, environmental disaster, disease and traffic violence. Oh what a wonderful world.

1 1 22

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 15h

“Once rare, 7-year car loans are fast becoming the norm. They’re often the only way buyers can afford new rides, with average sale prices surging 28% in 5 years to approach $50k.”

Designed-in car dependency, surging car prices, longer loan periods with more interest.

Sound like “freedom” to you?

Cars are so expensive that buyers need 7-year loans

Once rare, seven-year car loans are fast becoming the norm. They’re often the only way buyers can afford new rides, with average auto prices nearing $50,000.

www.seattletimes.com

33 73 290

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Mark McIntyre @markjmcintyre.bsky.social · 15h

Let this be the inspiration for cities everywhere.

Photo of a school street in Paris (Rue de l'Arbelete), Christophe Belin / Ville de Paris. A woman can be seen pushing a child's scooter along a street outside a school building in central Paris, newly lined with trees, greenery and abundant street space for children to play and move safely, which has been reclaimed from vehicles.

Photo of children walking down a school street in central Paris. The entire street has been transformed into a fully pedestrianised space, with new planting, bushes, and space for children to walk safely and easily to school. Christophe Belin / Ville de Paris.

A woman cycles down a new school street in Paris, as children gather outside the school's doors. Abundant new planting can be seen in the centre of the new pedestrianised street. Christophe Belin / Ville de Paris.

3 11

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

David Hope @davidhope.ca · 19h

This would not have happened without an ebike. Without protected bike lanes or separated pathways, I'm almost certain the danger would not make it feasible in the longer term.

2 11

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

David Hope @davidhope.ca · 19h

Some personal proof that ebikes and protected bike infrastructure are life changing. Spouse just hit 1k on her new bike in the 2 months since she got it. Went from almost never riding to daily commute of over 15km each way.

#OttBike #BikeSky

Close up of ebike odometer showing 1000km. On the right is cellphone camera showing William Commanda Bridge.

2 15 110

Blackford Safe Routes @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk · 18h

That they built a new bridge served as a convenient reason to introduce a charge. But the real reason to have a charge is demand management. We use money to determine who most needs a limited resource & to make sure it’s used efficiently. Otherwise we use queuing, which no one likes

1

Blackford Safe Routes @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk · 18h

Better to view the charge as “M25 road user charging”, or road toll, rather than something specific to crossing a river. To see it as managing the demand of a limited resource

Of course there should be other toll points around the M25 to prevent congestion, & avoid penalising “river crossings”

1 1

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Real Gaz on a proper bike: [email protected] @gazza-d.bsky.social · 22h

Climate change doesn't care about your building or possessions.
Your insurance won't cover you, but keep your current lifestyle thinking the climate emergency is a scam.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Towns may have to be abandoned due to floods with millions more homes in Great Britain at risk

Every constituency projected to be at greater risk, with many areas likely to be uninsurable, Guardian investigation finds

www.theguardian.com

3 26

Blackford Safe Routes @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk · 19h

There’s always a price-point where people will modify behaviour and traffic is not a force of nature

The charge *was* too low and *still is* too low

When the charge is set correctly, for “performance”, the crossing will be at around 80% capacity most of the time

The Ranty Highwayman @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social · 20h

There's actually lots of interesting background in this story, but nobody thought to wonder why things got slower moving from August into September.

www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/a...

Dartford Crossing delays INCREASE after ministers hiked charges by 40%

On 1 September, the one-off Dart Charge payment for car drivers was increased from £2.50 to £3.50 to reduce journey times, according to the DfT.

www.thisismoney.co.uk

1 3

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Real Gaz on a proper bike: [email protected] @gazza-d.bsky.social · 22h

My 5 top tips are:
1. Fit mudguards and mudflaps.
2. Keep it clean. A regular soapy wash is great
3. Keep it lubed.
4. Keep tyres inflated to almost the max pressure.
5. Swap derailleur gears for hub gears.
www.theguardian.com/thefilter/20...

‘Once a fortnight would save people hundreds’: how to make your bike last longer, according to experts

From avoiding overtightened bolts to giving it a good clean, here are the easy and affordable habits mechanics swear by

www.theguardian.com

7 8 31

Blackford Safe Routes @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk · 20h

The irony of a “cycle safety roadshow” being held at a car-based university

Bruce Mason (Deleriad) @deleriad.bsky.social · 21h

I have a question. How are we supposed to get to this venue by bicycle? As far as I can tell, the only way to cross the bypass from Edinburgh is on the unlit canal path at night. This includes two very narrow sections under bridges. Also, no sign of cycle parking at the venue.

5

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Bruce Mason (Deleriad) @deleriad.bsky.social · 21h

I have a question. How are we supposed to get to this venue by bicycle? As far as I can tell, the only way to cross the bypass from Edinburgh is on the unlit canal path at night. This includes two very narrow sections under bridges. Also, no sign of cycle parking at the venue.

1 2 5

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

oli @olil.bsky.social · 20h

Edinburgh parenting tip: downstairs in the board game section of Borders they have games open to play around with

2 1 1

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

American Fietser @americanfietser.bsky.social · 1d

Yet another reason to reallocate space from the arrogance of car culture to active mobility in cities. This single file shit for bikes shouldn't have to exist.

C Tomaszkiewicz @ctomaszkiewicz.bsky.social · 1d

Congestion on the bike lanes, good problem to have! (though folks could also stop two abreast) #BikeChi

5 9 86

Blackford Safe Routes @blackfordsaferoutes.co.uk · 1d

UK-wide? They obviously forgot Scottish schools are on holiday this week 🥴

Wheels for Wellbeing @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk · 1d

It's 'Cycle to School Week', a UK-wide event run every year by Bikeability to celebrate cycling to school and the huge benefits it brings to children's health and wellbeing.

Graphic says. "This Cycle to School Week, don't just encourage us; enable us! Every child needs safe space to walk/wheel and cycle". There are two drawings, one above the other. Top has a busy road full of grey cars and fumes, with standing silhouettes holding signs that say "you can cycle!" and "we heart bikes!". Bottom has "safe space for cycling" with a planter showing road open to cycles, pedestrians and wheelchair users, "people-friendly speed limits" with a 20mph sign and "inclusive cycles and accessible cycle parking" with a range of different trikes and bikes all parked on stands under a big shelter.

3 3 10

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

OB Cycler @obcycler.bsky.social · 1d

💯, it would also signify that driving is a dangerous activity, which is in fact reality.

1 9

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

American Fietser @americanfietser.bsky.social · 1d

With the average new car at $50,000, let's look at the real costs of "freedom":

✅ Decades of debt
✅ Social isolation for every trip
✅ A leading cause of death & injury

Car dependency is a financially and socially crippling system, not a choice.

Forbes @forbes.com · 1d

Prices for new vehicles have risen steadily in the last year as the pace of price increases has sped up in recent months, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book.

Average U.S. New Car Price Surpasses $50,000—An All-Time High Amid Surging EV Sales

Prices for new vehicles have risen steadily in the last year as the pace of price increases has sped up in recent months, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book.

www.forbes.com

3 41 170

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Simon Christie @thebonnieloon.bsky.social · 1d

Should correct this about Queensferry High St “transformation“ The Council did loose funding - due to too
much parking but they’ve also shortened the route so it no longer covers the Hawes car park. Questions have been asked in Parliament about what they’ll do about boy racers - specifically here 🤷

Simon Christie @thebonnieloon.bsky.social · 7d

None of them. They loss Sustrans funding as it has too much car parking but they managed to find the money anyway. IT's going to look nicer but will resolve none of the issues with the current high street. A massive waste of money

1 3

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Simon Christie @thebonnieloon.bsky.social · 1d

Kevin Laing "Is there anything to be said for having another consultation on a bike lane"

Edinburgh Live @edinburghlive.co.uk · 1d

They described how winter sea ice would cover the North Sea, temperatures could dip to as low as minus 30C in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh could see temperatures of 'minus 30' as climate tipping point reached

www.edinburghlive.co.uk

1 1 5

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

portyenergy.bsky.social @portyenergy.bsky.social · 1d

Sunny ☀️ final weekend for Mónica as our summer Bike Library worker. Lucky for us she will continue helping run the Bike library until at least the spring 🙌 so we had to celebrate 🍻

Over winter our bike library won't be staffed during weekends but we are always open by appointment: bit.ly/4nP3XGH

2 6

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

@LaidBackBikes @laidbackbikes.bsky.social · 1d

Returning by train after quick delivery to Glasgow. Veloe Multi Lungo is one of our smaller models - this one Bosch CargoLine / 545Wh battery / Shimano 5 speed hub to keep (rear weight down) Belt drive standard with Smart System. @cargobikemovement.bsky.social @banzaiedinburgh.bsky.social @edi.bike

Veloe Multi Lungo - Bosch CargoLine longtail cargo bike in red.

Veloe Multi Lungo - delivered by ScotRail with cargobike friendly storage space.

1 1 5

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Calder @calderwook.bsky.social · 1d

Tales of dispair and disaster from a cycle lane in Edinburgh became a 20% increase in local spending a year after it was opened. Business approvel went for 30% ish to 70% from memory.

2 6 17

Reposted by Blackford Safe Routes

Gravel Influencer @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social · 1d

Something about the "pedestrians hate bicyclists" posts that always annoys me is that people seem to forget cyclists are also pedestrians too. I am more than a mode of transportation. I'm a human being who moves through this world in a variety of ways. And I am safest when not in a car or near cars.

1 18 250