Prof. Ian Walker
@ianwalker.bsky.social
Environmental psychologist: transport, energy, water, buildings. Motonormativity person. Head of Psychology, Swansea University 🏴. Charity trustee x2. My views
Guinness World Record for the fastest bicycle ride across Europe drianwalker.com
Guinness World Record for the fastest bicycle ride across Europe drianwalker.com
Pinned
Prof. Ian Walker
@ianwalker.bsky.social
· Feb 17
HOT RESEARCH NEWS!
Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...
Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...
Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
"Pairing free buses with paid parking says we value people in motion more than cars at rest."
💯
💯
New Yorkers: read this piece, makes total sense. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/o...
December 3, 2025 at 7:01 PM
"Pairing free buses with paid parking says we value people in motion more than cars at rest."
💯
💯
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Wed, Dec 3rd, at 2 pm EST for my chat with @healthtepi.bsky.social from Perth, Australia, about the institutional subsidization of motonormativity that directly contributes to epidemic levels of physical inactivity.
youtu.be/ZGIatCdRQVY
youtu.be/ZGIatCdRQVY
EPISODE 319 DR. TEPI MCLAUGHLIN: It's No Accident Why We're Inactive
YouTube video by Active Towns
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 3:51 PM
YAY! IT’S PREMIERE DAY: Pls tune in today, Wed, Dec 3rd, at 2 pm EST for my chat with @healthtepi.bsky.social from Perth, Australia, about the institutional subsidization of motonormativity that directly contributes to epidemic levels of physical inactivity.
youtu.be/ZGIatCdRQVY
youtu.be/ZGIatCdRQVY
The Freedom of Information system is great and everything, but it does mean a non-zero amount of my time is spent writing emails explaining that no, we aren't doing any secret mind-control research for aliens
December 3, 2025 at 6:33 PM
The Freedom of Information system is great and everything, but it does mean a non-zero amount of my time is spent writing emails explaining that no, we aren't doing any secret mind-control research for aliens
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
A remake of Armageddon but where the council just declares an "Asteroid Emergency" and everyone carries on as normal until the asteroid hits Earth
November 4, 2024 at 2:21 PM
A remake of Armageddon but where the council just declares an "Asteroid Emergency" and everyone carries on as normal until the asteroid hits Earth
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
If you go to a suburban mall, you will probably have to park outside and walk in. You don’t expect to drive in to your store.
But for some reason in urban areas it’s considered an injustice if you can’t park directly in front of the store you want to go to.
But for some reason in urban areas it’s considered an injustice if you can’t park directly in front of the store you want to go to.
December 2, 2025 at 7:25 PM
If you go to a suburban mall, you will probably have to park outside and walk in. You don’t expect to drive in to your store.
But for some reason in urban areas it’s considered an injustice if you can’t park directly in front of the store you want to go to.
But for some reason in urban areas it’s considered an injustice if you can’t park directly in front of the store you want to go to.
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
“There’s a public health imperative to quickly expand the adoption of autonomous vehicles.”
Would the author say the same about building bike lanes? Installing automatic traffic cameras? Requiring Intelligent Speed Assist?
All of those are proven to save lives — and at a fraction of AVs' cost.
Would the author say the same about building bike lanes? Installing automatic traffic cameras? Requiring Intelligent Speed Assist?
All of those are proven to save lives — and at a fraction of AVs' cost.
Opinion | Don’t Fear Self-Driving Cars. They Save Lives.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:46 PM
“There’s a public health imperative to quickly expand the adoption of autonomous vehicles.”
Would the author say the same about building bike lanes? Installing automatic traffic cameras? Requiring Intelligent Speed Assist?
All of those are proven to save lives — and at a fraction of AVs' cost.
Would the author say the same about building bike lanes? Installing automatic traffic cameras? Requiring Intelligent Speed Assist?
All of those are proven to save lives — and at a fraction of AVs' cost.
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
It is insane car-brain that we load trams up with millions of dollars/euros in cost to avoid stringing wires, while allow tons and tons of cars to begrime the view just next to the tracks (plus the scooters and waste bins…)
December 2, 2025 at 2:46 PM
It is insane car-brain that we load trams up with millions of dollars/euros in cost to avoid stringing wires, while allow tons and tons of cars to begrime the view just next to the tracks (plus the scooters and waste bins…)
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
If one feels so strongly that AVs are necessary because driving by people is too unsafe, they should take that idea further and support reducing the need to drive in all or most circumstances. We don’t need AVs to make safety improvements, and we shouldn’t get stuck on tech fixes. Gift link
Opinion | Don’t Fear Self-Driving Cars. They Save Lives.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:48 PM
If one feels so strongly that AVs are necessary because driving by people is too unsafe, they should take that idea further and support reducing the need to drive in all or most circumstances. We don’t need AVs to make safety improvements, and we shouldn’t get stuck on tech fixes. Gift link
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
It's December. You're panicking about buying things for people. Why not consider an alternative gift, by making a donation to support the work of @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk?
WfW works to ensure that everyone can access the benefits of cycling. Donate here: cafdonate.cafonline.org/11192#!/Dona...
WfW works to ensure that everyone can access the benefits of cycling. Donate here: cafdonate.cafonline.org/11192#!/Dona...
Wheels for Wellbeing - Donate now
cafdonate.cafonline.org
December 1, 2025 at 9:48 AM
It's December. You're panicking about buying things for people. Why not consider an alternative gift, by making a donation to support the work of @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk?
WfW works to ensure that everyone can access the benefits of cycling. Donate here: cafdonate.cafonline.org/11192#!/Dona...
WfW works to ensure that everyone can access the benefits of cycling. Donate here: cafdonate.cafonline.org/11192#!/Dona...
Thinking a lot about the Four Questions as "rural people with no choice but to drive" try to nudge me off the road while driving the largest car they could find for less than 5 miles
Four questions for people who say their driving is essential:
1. why is it essential to drive THAT car?
2. do you drive it as little as possible?
3. why is it essential to drive it that fast?
4. why do you need priority over people who aren't driving?
1. why is it essential to drive THAT car?
2. do you drive it as little as possible?
3. why is it essential to drive it that fast?
4. why do you need priority over people who aren't driving?
December 2, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Thinking a lot about the Four Questions as "rural people with no choice but to drive" try to nudge me off the road while driving the largest car they could find for less than 5 miles
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
The fact many/most PHEVs are rarely plugged in means they are burning extra oil to lug around an extra motor and a big battery pack
Why does this matter? I once estimated that adding 1 kg to the average car burns 0.8 extra litres of fuel per year*
*So if you have to drive, try to lose weight 😉
Why does this matter? I once estimated that adding 1 kg to the average car burns 0.8 extra litres of fuel per year*
*So if you have to drive, try to lose weight 😉
Lots of studies showing a similar result: people who buy "plug-in hybrids" do not, as a rule, plug them in. They are mostly used & operated as gas cars.
(My take is, EVs are improving so fast, PHEVs are gonna look like a silly kludge w/in 5 years or so, well within the lifetime of a car.)
(My take is, EVs are improving so fast, PHEVs are gonna look like a silly kludge w/in 5 years or so, well within the lifetime of a car.)
Drivers aren't charging their plug-in hybrid cars, research suggests | CBC Climate Change News
Plug-in hybrid cars are a compromise for people wanting range with electric capability. But new research finds they’re less green than you think — so how should they fit into a zero-emissions future?
www.cbc.ca
December 1, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The fact many/most PHEVs are rarely plugged in means they are burning extra oil to lug around an extra motor and a big battery pack
Why does this matter? I once estimated that adding 1 kg to the average car burns 0.8 extra litres of fuel per year*
*So if you have to drive, try to lose weight 😉
Why does this matter? I once estimated that adding 1 kg to the average car burns 0.8 extra litres of fuel per year*
*So if you have to drive, try to lose weight 😉
The fact many/most PHEVs are rarely plugged in means they are burning extra oil to lug around an extra motor and a big battery pack
Why does this matter? I once estimated that adding 1 kg to the average car burns 0.8 extra litres of fuel per year*
*So if you have to drive, try to lose weight 😉
Why does this matter? I once estimated that adding 1 kg to the average car burns 0.8 extra litres of fuel per year*
*So if you have to drive, try to lose weight 😉
Lots of studies showing a similar result: people who buy "plug-in hybrids" do not, as a rule, plug them in. They are mostly used & operated as gas cars.
(My take is, EVs are improving so fast, PHEVs are gonna look like a silly kludge w/in 5 years or so, well within the lifetime of a car.)
(My take is, EVs are improving so fast, PHEVs are gonna look like a silly kludge w/in 5 years or so, well within the lifetime of a car.)
Drivers aren't charging their plug-in hybrid cars, research suggests | CBC Climate Change News
Plug-in hybrid cars are a compromise for people wanting range with electric capability. But new research finds they’re less green than you think — so how should they fit into a zero-emissions future?
www.cbc.ca
December 1, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The fact many/most PHEVs are rarely plugged in means they are burning extra oil to lug around an extra motor and a big battery pack
Why does this matter? I once estimated that adding 1 kg to the average car burns 0.8 extra litres of fuel per year*
*So if you have to drive, try to lose weight 😉
Why does this matter? I once estimated that adding 1 kg to the average car burns 0.8 extra litres of fuel per year*
*So if you have to drive, try to lose weight 😉
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
We’re cautiously optimistic about this changed attitude towards our dirty air from this government.
If it is serious about protecting everyone’s health, we will also need a legal commitment to reducing NO2. Many areas have been in breach of legal limits for 15 years. #AirPollution #Dieselgate
If it is serious about protecting everyone’s health, we will also need a legal commitment to reducing NO2. Many areas have been in breach of legal limits for 15 years. #AirPollution #Dieselgate
December 1, 2025 at 10:43 AM
We’re cautiously optimistic about this changed attitude towards our dirty air from this government.
If it is serious about protecting everyone’s health, we will also need a legal commitment to reducing NO2. Many areas have been in breach of legal limits for 15 years. #AirPollution #Dieselgate
If it is serious about protecting everyone’s health, we will also need a legal commitment to reducing NO2. Many areas have been in breach of legal limits for 15 years. #AirPollution #Dieselgate
It's December. You're panicking about buying things for people. Why not consider an alternative gift, by making a donation to support the work of @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk?
WfW works to ensure that everyone can access the benefits of cycling. Donate here: cafdonate.cafonline.org/11192#!/Dona...
WfW works to ensure that everyone can access the benefits of cycling. Donate here: cafdonate.cafonline.org/11192#!/Dona...
Wheels for Wellbeing - Donate now
cafdonate.cafonline.org
December 1, 2025 at 9:48 AM
It's December. You're panicking about buying things for people. Why not consider an alternative gift, by making a donation to support the work of @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk?
WfW works to ensure that everyone can access the benefits of cycling. Donate here: cafdonate.cafonline.org/11192#!/Dona...
WfW works to ensure that everyone can access the benefits of cycling. Donate here: cafdonate.cafonline.org/11192#!/Dona...
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Paint is not infrastructure.
"Vancouver’s painted lanes were associated with higher cyclist KSI; Calgary’s cycle tracks with fewer KSI."
KSI = Killed or seriously injured
doi.org/10.1016/j.aa...
"Vancouver’s painted lanes were associated with higher cyclist KSI; Calgary’s cycle tracks with fewer KSI."
KSI = Killed or seriously injured
doi.org/10.1016/j.aa...
November 30, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Paint is not infrastructure.
"Vancouver’s painted lanes were associated with higher cyclist KSI; Calgary’s cycle tracks with fewer KSI."
KSI = Killed or seriously injured
doi.org/10.1016/j.aa...
"Vancouver’s painted lanes were associated with higher cyclist KSI; Calgary’s cycle tracks with fewer KSI."
KSI = Killed or seriously injured
doi.org/10.1016/j.aa...
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Carbon capture and storage has always been a smoke and mirrors cover for business as usual in the fight against climate breakdown
Now something looks like stopping it in its tracks in the UK
Climate breakdown 😊
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Now something looks like stopping it in its tracks in the UK
Climate breakdown 😊
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Water shortages could derail UK’s net zero plans, study finds
Tensions grow after research in England finds there may not be enough water for planned carbon capture and hydrogen projects
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Carbon capture and storage has always been a smoke and mirrors cover for business as usual in the fight against climate breakdown
Now something looks like stopping it in its tracks in the UK
Climate breakdown 😊
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Now something looks like stopping it in its tracks in the UK
Climate breakdown 😊
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How many separate car brains within Swansea Council must have approved and actioned placing a parking space right across the end of this footpath?
November 30, 2025 at 10:56 AM
How many separate car brains within Swansea Council must have approved and actioned placing a parking space right across the end of this footpath?
The replies to this are really interesting. It looks like parts of America are really leading the way in using parking policy to give people options not to drive
WORKPLACE PARKING. Has anyone heard of an employer paying people a daily sum, which if you drove went towards your parking space and if you didn't drive went into your pocket? I'm sure I've heard of somewhere doing this, but cannot remember where I heard it
November 28, 2025 at 1:17 PM
The replies to this are really interesting. It looks like parts of America are really leading the way in using parking policy to give people options not to drive
WORKPLACE PARKING. Has anyone heard of an employer paying people a daily sum, which if you drove went towards your parking space and if you didn't drive went into your pocket? I'm sure I've heard of somewhere doing this, but cannot remember where I heard it
November 28, 2025 at 12:02 PM
WORKPLACE PARKING. Has anyone heard of an employer paying people a daily sum, which if you drove went towards your parking space and if you didn't drive went into your pocket? I'm sure I've heard of somewhere doing this, but cannot remember where I heard it
@jonnelledge.bsky.social Really pleased to hear you make the point on OGWN about the number of car trips that could be walked. It's great to have that out there somewhere people might hear it
November 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
@jonnelledge.bsky.social Really pleased to hear you make the point on OGWN about the number of car trips that could be walked. It's great to have that out there somewhere people might hear it
Ill-informed non-economist thought: It seems a shame the government didn't create a joined-up package on houses: e.g., lots more tax on the very expensive ones, but also remove stamp duty to enable people to move more easily if they can't or don't want to pay that
‘I don’t live in a mansion. It’s a 1930s house’: Richmond residents react to council tax rise
‘I don’t live in a mansion. It’s a 1930s house’: Richmond residents react to council tax rise
Rachel Reeves’s new council tax surcharge on homes worth £2m or more earns mixed reception in well-heeled London borough
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Ill-informed non-economist thought: It seems a shame the government didn't create a joined-up package on houses: e.g., lots more tax on the very expensive ones, but also remove stamp duty to enable people to move more easily if they can't or don't want to pay that
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
"Road Cost Recovery Trends" (vtpi.org/rcrt.pdf)
This short study calculates the portion of US roadway expenditures paid by fuel taxes and tolls. Most local road costs and a growing portion highway costs are funded by general taxes; user fees now cover less than half of road spending.
This short study calculates the portion of US roadway expenditures paid by fuel taxes and tolls. Most local road costs and a growing portion highway costs are funded by general taxes; user fees now cover less than half of road spending.
November 26, 2025 at 10:11 PM
"Road Cost Recovery Trends" (vtpi.org/rcrt.pdf)
This short study calculates the portion of US roadway expenditures paid by fuel taxes and tolls. Most local road costs and a growing portion highway costs are funded by general taxes; user fees now cover less than half of road spending.
This short study calculates the portion of US roadway expenditures paid by fuel taxes and tolls. Most local road costs and a growing portion highway costs are funded by general taxes; user fees now cover less than half of road spending.
Holy moly - Welsh Government have approved side-road zebras! www.gov.wales/written-stat...
Written Statement: Side Road Zebra Crossings in Wales | GOV.WALES
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales
www.gov.wales
November 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Holy moly - Welsh Government have approved side-road zebras! www.gov.wales/written-stat...
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Do drivers not think that use of the roads is worth paying for?
"Well I drive 2000 miles a week, that will cost me £____!"
Yeah...that's the point
"Well I drive 2000 miles a week, that will cost me £____!"
Yeah...that's the point
November 26, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Do drivers not think that use of the roads is worth paying for?
"Well I drive 2000 miles a week, that will cost me £____!"
Yeah...that's the point
"Well I drive 2000 miles a week, that will cost me £____!"
Yeah...that's the point
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Another Budget, another attempt to pretend that endlessly frozen fuel duties will be raised at some point in the future
November 26, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Another Budget, another attempt to pretend that endlessly frozen fuel duties will be raised at some point in the future