Alex
@alexsz.bsky.social
Cycling, urbanism, politics, housing, London, sometimes dogs
Why am I not surprised?
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
December 2, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Why am I not surprised?
Reposted by Alex
Well fuck you all for validating them.
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Well fuck you all for validating them.
Cheap Japanese road bike from the '70s that I've got from a friend for free, I am so grateful, RIP Maci
Trek hybrid, the first newish bike I owned
Condor single speed, beautiful bike
Cube modified to be the ideal commuter
Boardman adv 9.0, my first second bike for adventures
Trek hybrid, the first newish bike I owned
Condor single speed, beautiful bike
Cube modified to be the ideal commuter
Boardman adv 9.0, my first second bike for adventures
Introduce yourself with 5 bikes you've owned:
Dawes Kokomo- bright yellow, with cheeseburger bell...
Something else Dawes but black and hybrid
Puch Clubman - 42 years old and still boneshaking strong!
Bakfiets classic short cargo bike
Trek Checkpoint AL5
Dawes Kokomo- bright yellow, with cheeseburger bell...
Something else Dawes but black and hybrid
Puch Clubman - 42 years old and still boneshaking strong!
Bakfiets classic short cargo bike
Trek Checkpoint AL5
Go on then -
Introduce yourself with 5 bikes you've owned:
Raleigh Boxer
Raleigh Burner
Edinburgh Bikes Trailfinder
Giant SCR 2.0
Specialized Allez Elite
Introduce yourself with 5 bikes you've owned:
Raleigh Boxer
Raleigh Burner
Edinburgh Bikes Trailfinder
Giant SCR 2.0
Specialized Allez Elite
November 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Cheap Japanese road bike from the '70s that I've got from a friend for free, I am so grateful, RIP Maci
Trek hybrid, the first newish bike I owned
Condor single speed, beautiful bike
Cube modified to be the ideal commuter
Boardman adv 9.0, my first second bike for adventures
Trek hybrid, the first newish bike I owned
Condor single speed, beautiful bike
Cube modified to be the ideal commuter
Boardman adv 9.0, my first second bike for adventures
So there are companies cheating the system enabled by corruption and incompetence and the best solution is to punish asylum seekers to slightly please five Sun readers in a marginal seat in East Midlands who cannot be pleased with anything less than inhumanity. Good job, all involved.
So how exactly are they meant to get to them? Many are placed in areas without accessible transport links. They can't afford to pay for journeys themselves because of how little support they get.
Yet again Labour choosing to pander to Reform than think of consequences.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Yet again Labour choosing to pander to Reform than think of consequences.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government to ban asylum seekers from using taxis
The ban is set to come in February and any exemptions will have to be signed off by the Home Office.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 1:21 PM
So there are companies cheating the system enabled by corruption and incompetence and the best solution is to punish asylum seekers to slightly please five Sun readers in a marginal seat in East Midlands who cannot be pleased with anything less than inhumanity. Good job, all involved.
This is where Hackney's cycling is now in one picture. Lime bikes are everywhere, there are even some cargo bikes. There are still quite a lot of helmets, and too many cars. It is not a bad place to be.
November 29, 2025 at 8:17 AM
This is where Hackney's cycling is now in one picture. Lime bikes are everywhere, there are even some cargo bikes. There are still quite a lot of helmets, and too many cars. It is not a bad place to be.
I don't care about football, so my reflex is to say this is just some form of corruption and the stadium should be bulldozed to build housing in its place if fans cannot sustain the cost of maintaining it. But maybe I am missing something here?
West Ham's possible relegation sparks call for Sadiq Khan to solve stadium issue
The Greater London Authority could end up paying more than the £19.5million budgeted for this year
www.mylondon.news
November 26, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I don't care about football, so my reflex is to say this is just some form of corruption and the stadium should be bulldozed to build housing in its place if fans cannot sustain the cost of maintaining it. But maybe I am missing something here?
Reposted by Alex
Beautiful.
Karma really isnt one to be fucked with.
Karma really isnt one to be fucked with.
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Beautiful.
Karma really isnt one to be fucked with.
Karma really isnt one to be fucked with.
Reposted by Alex
No mention of Local Housing Allowance that I can find in Budget documents (so assume freeze in rates will continue) or of benefit cap (assume will continue at current rate). Both would blunt some of the impact on child poverty of scrapping two-child limit
November 26, 2025 at 2:38 PM
No mention of Local Housing Allowance that I can find in Budget documents (so assume freeze in rates will continue) or of benefit cap (assume will continue at current rate). Both would blunt some of the impact on child poverty of scrapping two-child limit
On my 17th winter on the bike, I thought I share my current setup so I can get some tips for further improvements.
First with dry weather. Gloves. Wear them from under 10°, I have one pair for above 0 up to light rain and one pair that is less comfortable but warmer and fully waterproof. Thread 1/
First with dry weather. Gloves. Wear them from under 10°, I have one pair for above 0 up to light rain and one pair that is less comfortable but warmer and fully waterproof. Thread 1/
November 25, 2025 at 12:47 PM
On my 17th winter on the bike, I thought I share my current setup so I can get some tips for further improvements.
First with dry weather. Gloves. Wear them from under 10°, I have one pair for above 0 up to light rain and one pair that is less comfortable but warmer and fully waterproof. Thread 1/
First with dry weather. Gloves. Wear them from under 10°, I have one pair for above 0 up to light rain and one pair that is less comfortable but warmer and fully waterproof. Thread 1/
Reposted by Alex
Here's my favourite way of visualising this 👇
(🔴L) The 15 min catchment of your station by foot.
(🔵R) The 15 min catchment of your station by bike.
Hundreds, thousands more potential passengers to sustain the railway. All within grasp, by providing bike parking and the routes to get there. 🚲🚆
(🔴L) The 15 min catchment of your station by foot.
(🔵R) The 15 min catchment of your station by bike.
Hundreds, thousands more potential passengers to sustain the railway. All within grasp, by providing bike parking and the routes to get there. 🚲🚆
November 24, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Here's my favourite way of visualising this 👇
(🔴L) The 15 min catchment of your station by foot.
(🔵R) The 15 min catchment of your station by bike.
Hundreds, thousands more potential passengers to sustain the railway. All within grasp, by providing bike parking and the routes to get there. 🚲🚆
(🔴L) The 15 min catchment of your station by foot.
(🔵R) The 15 min catchment of your station by bike.
Hundreds, thousands more potential passengers to sustain the railway. All within grasp, by providing bike parking and the routes to get there. 🚲🚆
Yes! Densification all the way. But for that, we need to get rid of leaseholds and enter the 21st century.
London 'could have 500k more homes if key planning change is made'
The Centre for Cities think tank argues that London should focus more on medium rise developments than building tall towers sporadically
www.mylondon.news
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Yes! Densification all the way. But for that, we need to get rid of leaseholds and enter the 21st century.
The problem with this issue is that it cannot really be personalized because of confidentiality and because we want to protect individual young people and their stories are not fictionalized enough. We need a lot more stories about care leavers and young people in care in the media.
'However, 16- and 17-year-olds can still be housed in so-called “supported accommodation” that does not provide day-to-day care. In exceptional circumstances, these older children can be placed in hostels, caravans, tents, boats, or shared housing with unrelated adults'
Tents? TENTS????
Tents? TENTS????
How is this not the top story on every news bulletin?
This has been happening for years and instead of doing anything to protect children successive governments have made the situation worse. This isn't just on councils. It is part of failings on a State level.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
This has been happening for years and instead of doing anything to protect children successive governments have made the situation worse. This isn't just on councils. It is part of failings on a State level.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
November 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The problem with this issue is that it cannot really be personalized because of confidentiality and because we want to protect individual young people and their stories are not fictionalized enough. We need a lot more stories about care leavers and young people in care in the media.
I love that voters are like man, whatever, when it comes to a choice between Starmer and Streeting and tbf they are right.
Nov 18th - Nov 20th polling of Labour members on hypothetical leader contests if Starmer stood
Current leader loses by 26%, ties, and wins by 16-18% & even 34%
Starmer does best (+34) 50-16 against his new Home Secretary in a poll held as her asylum reforms were leading the news on Nov 17th
Current leader loses by 26%, ties, and wins by 16-18% & even 34%
Starmer does best (+34) 50-16 against his new Home Secretary in a poll held as her asylum reforms were leading the news on Nov 17th
November 23, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I love that voters are like man, whatever, when it comes to a choice between Starmer and Streeting and tbf they are right.
The Barbican Architectural tour is awesome. I knew that the Barbican is beautiful, but never knew how wonderful it is.
November 22, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The Barbican Architectural tour is awesome. I knew that the Barbican is beautiful, but never knew how wonderful it is.
Reposted by Alex
We’re calling for an end to the fuel duty freeze and 5p fuel duty cut in next week’s Budget. We also want to see the Chancellor out a clear process and timetable for introducing a per-mile charge on EVs.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:46 AM
We’re calling for an end to the fuel duty freeze and 5p fuel duty cut in next week’s Budget. We also want to see the Chancellor out a clear process and timetable for introducing a per-mile charge on EVs.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alex
this week's newsletter is titled "aren't you tired of feeling insane all the time?" and I think it speaks for itself
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
November 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
this week's newsletter is titled "aren't you tired of feeling insane all the time?" and I think it speaks for itself
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
I might have become too prejudiced. I looked at the picture, the website and headline and my first reaction was: Transphobia?!?
November 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I might have become too prejudiced. I looked at the picture, the website and headline and my first reaction was: Transphobia?!?
Reposted by Alex
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
Cars are dangerous tools and I don't understand why we don't treat them so. If I started shooting in random directions with a rifle it is no more dangerous than speeding down a street, but I would get a ticket for one and potentially years in prison for the other.
Insane but true fact: making US roads as safe as Canadian, Australian, or European roads would save more lives than eliminating murder from the US.
November 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Cars are dangerous tools and I don't understand why we don't treat them so. If I started shooting in random directions with a rifle it is no more dangerous than speeding down a street, but I would get a ticket for one and potentially years in prison for the other.
I know it is becoming controversial, but refugees, even asylum seekers are in fact people.
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
November 19, 2025 at 11:25 PM
I know it is becoming controversial, but refugees, even asylum seekers are in fact people.
Reposted by Alex
Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, one of the greatest comic strips of all time, was born on this day, November 18, 1985 -- December 31, 1995.
And Calvin's dad remains a beacon of inspiration to cyclists everywhere.
And Calvin's dad remains a beacon of inspiration to cyclists everywhere.
November 18, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, one of the greatest comic strips of all time, was born on this day, November 18, 1985 -- December 31, 1995.
And Calvin's dad remains a beacon of inspiration to cyclists everywhere.
And Calvin's dad remains a beacon of inspiration to cyclists everywhere.
Jesus fucking Christ, what is wrong with this country?
Great news team! Labour is ahead of the Conservatives when it comes to immigration!
Oh that's good news. Can we see the figures?
No.
Oh that's good news. Can we see the figures?
No.
Best party on asylum and immigration
November 17, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Jesus fucking Christ, what is wrong with this country?
Reposted by Alex
Since the counter was fixed, well over half a million cycle journeys have been made in less than two months. At peak times, records show that rush hour traffic consists of 250 motor vehicles ph in the am & 350 in the pm, considerably less than the number of bikes. Time for another cycle lane
November 16, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Since the counter was fixed, well over half a million cycle journeys have been made in less than two months. At peak times, records show that rush hour traffic consists of 250 motor vehicles ph in the am & 350 in the pm, considerably less than the number of bikes. Time for another cycle lane
Reposted by Alex
NEW REPORT: the govt has been running the NHS in England for 16 months
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: NHS | Institute for Government
NHS performance is improving, but a complex and haphazardly planned reform package might slow progress.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 2:47 PM
NEW REPORT: the govt has been running the NHS in England for 16 months
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...