sbarlster
@sbarlster.bsky.social
Cyclist, bike madness, rider, two wheel explorer and cycle fixer. Sometimes I get to walk a dog. Writes software. Studied economics. Vote for communists, get free stuff. Vote for Tories get robbed of societal structures.
Reposted by sbarlster
It's a story as old as time itself.
People with a £2 million house complaining they can't afford an extra £5k a year. And then you read down the article and they're also whinging that their *second property* that they rent out, might be due for extra tax too!
Cry me a river.
People with a £2 million house complaining they can't afford an extra £5k a year. And then you read down the article and they're also whinging that their *second property* that they rent out, might be due for extra tax too!
Cry me a river.
‘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 8:43 AM
It's a story as old as time itself.
People with a £2 million house complaining they can't afford an extra £5k a year. And then you read down the article and they're also whinging that their *second property* that they rent out, might be due for extra tax too!
Cry me a river.
People with a £2 million house complaining they can't afford an extra £5k a year. And then you read down the article and they're also whinging that their *second property* that they rent out, might be due for extra tax too!
Cry me a river.
Reposted by sbarlster
“We are ramping up sanctions on Russia…
We are freezing known Russian assets…
But let me be clear, I don’t actually mean the right honourable member for Clacton.”
We are freezing known Russian assets…
But let me be clear, I don’t actually mean the right honourable member for Clacton.”
Reeves aims a searing ‘Russian assets’ gibe at Farage
Rachel Reeves used her Budget speech to jab at Nigel Farage, invoking Russia amid renewed security concerns
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 7:48 AM
“We are ramping up sanctions on Russia…
We are freezing known Russian assets…
But let me be clear, I don’t actually mean the right honourable member for Clacton.”
We are freezing known Russian assets…
But let me be clear, I don’t actually mean the right honourable member for Clacton.”
Reposted by sbarlster
So much of #Edinburgh’s streetscape has been converted into private car storage.
Without consultation, gradually over time we’ve become numb to ever increasing number and size of private belongings stored in public space.
Cars ≠ thriving streets or successful public space
We need #StreetsNOTroads
Without consultation, gradually over time we’ve become numb to ever increasing number and size of private belongings stored in public space.
Cars ≠ thriving streets or successful public space
We need #StreetsNOTroads
I spent most of Tuesday following the "Singing Street" around to take photos of the filming locations. It was very hard not to be struck by streets that were once playgrounds now being car parks. In other places there is still a bustle of life, but it is now tourists playing, not skipping girls
November 27, 2025 at 10:58 AM
So much of #Edinburgh’s streetscape has been converted into private car storage.
Without consultation, gradually over time we’ve become numb to ever increasing number and size of private belongings stored in public space.
Cars ≠ thriving streets or successful public space
We need #StreetsNOTroads
Without consultation, gradually over time we’ve become numb to ever increasing number and size of private belongings stored in public space.
Cars ≠ thriving streets or successful public space
We need #StreetsNOTroads
Reposted by sbarlster
Reposted by sbarlster
Do not believe anything until the Kremlin denies it.
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Do not believe anything until the Kremlin denies it.
Reposted by sbarlster
I'm guessing Orban pays well.
Toby Young, self-appointed king of free speech, is speaking in Hungary tomorrow about UK “censorship”.
He’ll be addressing a group funded by Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime, which has seized control of the country’s media, judiciary, and routinely harasses its critics
He’ll be addressing a group funded by Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime, which has seized control of the country’s media, judiciary, and routinely harasses its critics
Toby Young to Address Orbán-Backed Group on UK ‘Censorship’
Conservative peer and right-wing commentator Toby Young is due to deliver a talk tomorrow (25 November) at the in-house think tank of Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orbán. Young is being interviewed by Mat...
www.desmog.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I'm guessing Orban pays well.
Reposted by sbarlster
I know who Nus Ghani MP is - not because we always agree - but because she’s been serving her constituency (as well as lewks) since 2015.
Who the hell is Lucy White?!
Ah, a quick google search reveals her as a rentagob for GB ‘news.’
I know which one is qualified to chair the budget debate.
Who the hell is Lucy White?!
Ah, a quick google search reveals her as a rentagob for GB ‘news.’
I know which one is qualified to chair the budget debate.
November 26, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I know who Nus Ghani MP is - not because we always agree - but because she’s been serving her constituency (as well as lewks) since 2015.
Who the hell is Lucy White?!
Ah, a quick google search reveals her as a rentagob for GB ‘news.’
I know which one is qualified to chair the budget debate.
Who the hell is Lucy White?!
Ah, a quick google search reveals her as a rentagob for GB ‘news.’
I know which one is qualified to chair the budget debate.
Reposted by sbarlster
Reposted by sbarlster
This road is now 30mph
Since the legacy “design speed” of the road remains high, it needs at least an average speed camera & red light camera
In the meantime, WAIT and check everything is stopped before crossing
@davidfkey.bsky.social
@rosssmckenzie.bsky.social
Since the legacy “design speed” of the road remains high, it needs at least an average speed camera & red light camera
In the meantime, WAIT and check everything is stopped before crossing
@davidfkey.bsky.social
@rosssmckenzie.bsky.social
Am always wary of this crossing on the Western Approach Road, but yesterday took it to a new level.
At least we have speed and power limits on ebikes, though.
#TheyDriveAmongUs
At least we have speed and power limits on ebikes, though.
#TheyDriveAmongUs
November 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This road is now 30mph
Since the legacy “design speed” of the road remains high, it needs at least an average speed camera & red light camera
In the meantime, WAIT and check everything is stopped before crossing
@davidfkey.bsky.social
@rosssmckenzie.bsky.social
Since the legacy “design speed” of the road remains high, it needs at least an average speed camera & red light camera
In the meantime, WAIT and check everything is stopped before crossing
@davidfkey.bsky.social
@rosssmckenzie.bsky.social
Reposted by sbarlster
Am always wary of this crossing on the Western Approach Road, but yesterday took it to a new level.
At least we have speed and power limits on ebikes, though.
#TheyDriveAmongUs
At least we have speed and power limits on ebikes, though.
#TheyDriveAmongUs
November 26, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Am always wary of this crossing on the Western Approach Road, but yesterday took it to a new level.
At least we have speed and power limits on ebikes, though.
#TheyDriveAmongUs
At least we have speed and power limits on ebikes, though.
#TheyDriveAmongUs
Reposted by sbarlster
Badenoch is so incredibly unpleasant. Her response is nothing but personal attacks and describing support for kids in poverty as "hand outs". Grim.
November 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Badenoch is so incredibly unpleasant. Her response is nothing but personal attacks and describing support for kids in poverty as "hand outs". Grim.
@edinburghcouncil.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social @cllrconorsavage.bsky.social
Leadership matters. I bring you Colinton Road and its zero metres of active travel provision.
Leadership matters. I bring you Colinton Road and its zero metres of active travel provision.
London wasn't a cycling city until it was. Leadership matters.
Proud to see London is fast becoming a cycling city ⤵️
📈 Daily journeys are 12% up from last year to 1,500,000 trips
📈 Up by more than 40% since 2019
This is just the start, we’ll continue working with partners to improve safety and invest in more routes.
📈 Daily journeys are 12% up from last year to 1,500,000 trips
📈 Up by more than 40% since 2019
This is just the start, we’ll continue working with partners to improve safety and invest in more routes.
November 25, 2025 at 11:58 PM
@edinburghcouncil.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social @cllrconorsavage.bsky.social
Leadership matters. I bring you Colinton Road and its zero metres of active travel provision.
Leadership matters. I bring you Colinton Road and its zero metres of active travel provision.
Reposted by sbarlster
Build it and they will come! 😻
📣New data shows London cycling is soaring:
📈 12% up from last year to 1,500,000 daily journeys
📈 that's 43% up from 2019
🚲Cycleway Network grows to 431km (up from 90km in 2016)
😎 & 76% of London cyclists feel safe our routes
🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📈 12% up from last year to 1,500,000 daily journeys
📈 that's 43% up from 2019
🚲Cycleway Network grows to 431km (up from 90km in 2016)
😎 & 76% of London cyclists feel safe our routes
🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Build it and they will come! 😻
Reposted by sbarlster
The uphill bike lane on the Mound is still open, and passable with care in both directions #EdTravCyc @edi.bike
#EdTravcyc The Mound is closed.
Heavy traffic on Lothian Road
Heavy traffic on Lothian Road
November 25, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The uphill bike lane on the Mound is still open, and passable with care in both directions #EdTravCyc @edi.bike
Reposted by sbarlster
Two miles of ice core on the shelf at our national ice core facility in Lakewood, Colorado. The WAIS Divide core from West Antarctica is a 3400m long (deepest US core, 2nd deepest ice core ever) 68,000 year old record of high resolution climate.
November 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Two miles of ice core on the shelf at our national ice core facility in Lakewood, Colorado. The WAIS Divide core from West Antarctica is a 3400m long (deepest US core, 2nd deepest ice core ever) 68,000 year old record of high resolution climate.
Reposted by sbarlster
It’s Russia who needs to be demilitarised , to make world a safer place. Because clearly, Russia can’t handle having an army without constantly attacking its neighbours for no reason. And so maybe Russia shouldn’t have one at all.
November 25, 2025 at 2:02 AM
It’s Russia who needs to be demilitarised , to make world a safer place. Because clearly, Russia can’t handle having an army without constantly attacking its neighbours for no reason. And so maybe Russia shouldn’t have one at all.
Reposted by sbarlster
🔥 Rachel Reeves says there’s a “hole” in the public finances.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
New: Boris Johnson’s ‘Brexit Titanic success’ was half right
Nearly ten years on, the first full assessment of Brexit confirms what millions warned: Britain made itself poorer
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 6:56 AM
🔥 Rachel Reeves says there’s a “hole” in the public finances.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
A new decade-long Brexit study quantifies it:
A 6–8% hit to GDP
That's £180bn-£240bn a year
It means less tax revenue and so less money for everything.
Brexit made Britain MUCH poorer.
Reposted by sbarlster
TEN MEN, TEAMMATES FIGHTING, WHO CARES? THIS IS EVERTON 💙
November 24, 2025 at 8:38 PM
TEN MEN, TEAMMATES FIGHTING, WHO CARES? THIS IS EVERTON 💙
Reposted by sbarlster
FT: Manchester United 0-1 Everton.
Despite being down to 10 men the Toffees take all three points home. UTFT!!!! 🔵🔵🔵
What are your thoughts on the game? ⬇️
Despite being down to 10 men the Toffees take all three points home. UTFT!!!! 🔵🔵🔵
What are your thoughts on the game? ⬇️
November 24, 2025 at 10:05 PM
FT: Manchester United 0-1 Everton.
Despite being down to 10 men the Toffees take all three points home. UTFT!!!! 🔵🔵🔵
What are your thoughts on the game? ⬇️
Despite being down to 10 men the Toffees take all three points home. UTFT!!!! 🔵🔵🔵
What are your thoughts on the game? ⬇️
Reposted by sbarlster
This is who she was.
Passionate in her beliefs. Fiercely loyal to her friends. Never afraid to let you know exactly where she stood. The best.
Fun Fact: I remember arguing with her over which of us hated Piggy the most. I was sure I did. She disagreed. It remains unresolved...
Passionate in her beliefs. Fiercely loyal to her friends. Never afraid to let you know exactly where she stood. The best.
Fun Fact: I remember arguing with her over which of us hated Piggy the most. I was sure I did. She disagreed. It remains unresolved...
November 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
This is who she was.
Passionate in her beliefs. Fiercely loyal to her friends. Never afraid to let you know exactly where she stood. The best.
Fun Fact: I remember arguing with her over which of us hated Piggy the most. I was sure I did. She disagreed. It remains unresolved...
Passionate in her beliefs. Fiercely loyal to her friends. Never afraid to let you know exactly where she stood. The best.
Fun Fact: I remember arguing with her over which of us hated Piggy the most. I was sure I did. She disagreed. It remains unresolved...
Reposted by sbarlster
Cameron Toll would be the ideal transport interchange - a covered, cross platform interchange with high capacity, rapid trams.
Would reduce the number of buses using the key Bridges corridor allowing more space for pedestrians along the line
Good for business too - if integrated with the centre?
Would reduce the number of buses using the key Bridges corridor allowing more space for pedestrians along the line
Good for business too - if integrated with the centre?
November 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Cameron Toll would be the ideal transport interchange - a covered, cross platform interchange with high capacity, rapid trams.
Would reduce the number of buses using the key Bridges corridor allowing more space for pedestrians along the line
Good for business too - if integrated with the centre?
Would reduce the number of buses using the key Bridges corridor allowing more space for pedestrians along the line
Good for business too - if integrated with the centre?
Reposted by sbarlster
Cycling feels incredibly dangerous now, contemplated giving it up altogether myself, too many close calls and violent drivers, it's definitely got worse
I need to quit road riding – seeing a van hit a cyclist was the final straw | BikeRadar
The risk when clocking up the road miles isn’t worth it for me anymore
www.bikeradar.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Cycling feels incredibly dangerous now, contemplated giving it up altogether myself, too many close calls and violent drivers, it's definitely got worse
Reposted by sbarlster
1) Start the worst European war since 1945 and commit every imaginable war crime
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
November 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
1) Start the worst European war since 1945 and commit every imaginable war crime
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
2) Decide how you want to be rewarded for your aggression
3) Leak the list of your desiderata to the US press
4) Wait for the US president to enforce your wish list on your victim.
Russian policy 2025
Reposted by sbarlster
There's always money for more driving
Reeves to announce £1.5bn boost in EV subsidies amid pay-per-mile concerns
Reeves to announce £1.5bn boost in EV subsidies amid pay-per-mile concerns
Industry experts welcome extra incentives but fear a consultation on a mileage tax sends mixed messages
Drivers will be able to claim government subsidies to cut the cost of buying a new electric car until 2030 under plans to be announced by Rachel Reeves at next week’s budget.
The chancellor will unveil an extra £1.3bn for subsidies for new electric vehicles (EVs) and a further £200m for charging points, as she attempts to prevent the market for clean cars drying up amid concerns about a new pay-per-mile tax. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:07 AM
There's always money for more driving