Zoe Banks Gross
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zoebanksgross.bsky.social
Zoe Banks Gross
@zoebanksgross.bsky.social
Healthy, sustainable places & physical activity, #cycling, #walking #running #wheeling, #greenspace #bluespace #kidicalmass #playingout #justttransition
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
The latest National Travel Survey clearly questions that old myth about "Active travel is just for the middle classes, what about working people who have to drive?"
November 22, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.

There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.

Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
Der LKW-Fahrer bog links ab, dabei übersah er den Scooter-Fahrer. Dann ist das Verb erfassen falsch gewählt, liebe #mopo. Er überfuhr den Menschen!
Am Windhukkai ist ein in beide Richtungen benutzungspflichtiger Fuß- und Radweg. LKW-Fahrer nehmen dort idR keine Rücksicht beim Abbiegen
Lkw erfasst Scooter-Fahrer im Hamburger Hafen
Im Hamburger Hafen (Kleiner Grasbrook) ist es am Dienstagmittag zu einem schlimmen Verkehrsunfall gekommen. Ein Lkw hatte einen Scooter-Fahrer erfasst.
www.mopo.de
November 19, 2025 at 4:19 AM
I enjoy the cycle rides with my kiddo to sports activities, good for catching up.
Active commuting with children is often cited by parents as quality time spent interacting with their child and the environment, rather than time spent isolated in separate metal boxes.
November 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
As winter flooding looms, it's worth noting that a young street tree in an asphalt surface can prevent 60% of the rain that falls on it from reaching the ground, even when not in leaf.

Increasing the low levels of urban tree cover should be a strategic national priority.
November 18, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
Yet another evidence review argues very strongly that simply providing alternatives to driving doesn't reduce driving

This isn't surprising, if only thanks to habit. If I unthinkingly jump in my car for every trip (as many do), new buses won't change that
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reducing traffic with “carrots”: A review of the evidence
Reducing traffic volumes is one way to reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector. Since increasing driving costs is often met with public resi…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Very dull, cold and damp. Brought my own dopamine for my #utilitycycling journey to the gym and shops. #getoutside #wintercycling
November 18, 2025 at 9:32 AM
A grey day, very glad I was able to #getoutside for a #walk.
November 16, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Pretty wet out there, but I still needed to go to the shops. My #walking journey featured a lot of puddles as well as #pavementparking which added unnecessary challenges.
November 14, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Another lovely #utilitycycling journey on a mild day. So glad to make short, urban trips on foot or cycle. Meant I got a little bit of sunshine too!
November 13, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
It’s not just about what you remove (cars, noise, dirty air). It’s about what you add (people walking, a lot of bike parking, trees, outdoor dining, and room for kids to play safely). Amsterdam: 1986 and today.

Streets for people.

HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the great before-and-after
November 11, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
"Not TV or illegal drugs but the automobile has been the chief destroyer of...communities." ― Jane Jacobs
November 7, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
Marcella Giulia Pace, Italian astrophotographer who took ten years to capture 48 colours of the moon #WomensArt (via Amazing Physics) #FullMoon
November 5, 2025 at 6:19 PM
17 C is quite warm for November. Made for a nice #cyclecommute though.
November 5, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
To be clear, what is being proposed here is to axe the main mechanism for getting Britain’s homes insulated - which is by FAR the best way to reduce household energy bills in the long term 🤦‍♂️

…and also, just incidentally, an absolute non-negotiable requirement for meeting UK climate targets 😬🥵☠️
Reeves considers cut to green levies in effort to reduce cost of energy bills
Exclusive: Chancellor hopes to save up to £170 from average bill but industry insiders say move would be ‘disastrous’
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
Analysis from @friends-earth.bsky.social provides new insight on environmental injustice in the UK:

“… people of colour, those on low incomes and non-drivers are now disproportionately overrepresented in the 5% of neighbourhoods still exposed to the most extreme air pollution.”
Low-income areas in England and Wales face worst air pollution, analysis finds
Exclusive: Experts say impact on people of colour and those who do not drive is ‘grave environmental injustice’
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
Air pollution linked to increased risk of breast cancer

A long-term U.S. study suggests that women living in areas with higher air pollution, particularly places with heavy traffic emissions, face an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

airqualitynews.com/health/air-p...
Air pollution linked to increased risk of breast cancer
A long-term U.S. study suggests that women living in areas with higher air pollution, particularly places with heavy traffic emissions, face an increased risk of developing breast cancer. The analysi...
airqualitynews.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
My new newsletter is out, in which we use basic high-school maths to complain about street design

simple.ghost.io/lets-do-the-...
November 1, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
It is not true “England cannot effectively subsidise travel costs”. Retired people get free travel. By freezing the fuel duty escalator we are subsidising car drivers, which compounds inequality. See more here: bettertransport.org.uk/media/groups...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No free bus passes for under 22s, says goverment
The Commons Transport Committee recommended scrapping bus fares for young people in August.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 7:48 AM
I am not afraid to admit that I like Halloween, we’ve had our first trick or treaters and it is so nice to see kids out after dark.
October 31, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Many short journeys are done in cars, but e-cargo bikes are well suited to replace them- better health for people and the planet.

www.ukri.org/news/e-cargo...
E-cargo bikes can replace car trips and reshape family travel
Electric cargo (e-cargo) bikes can replace many car journeys, from school runs to shopping trips and family outings, according to new research.
www.ukri.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
Disabled people don’t just exist off-peak. Our freedom to travel shouldn’t either.

Have you written to your MP to let them know why they need to #UnlockTransportAccess for everyone?

Take a couple of minutes to speak out now: https://bit.ly/3VIx95C
October 28, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by Zoe Banks Gross
The design of your city can help make you healthier, study finds.

(That should be ANOTHER study)

“A new study in Nature found when people moved from less walkable U.S. cities to more walkable ones, they increased their levels of physical activity & saw health benefits.”
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
The design of your city can help make you healthier, study finds
A new study in Nature found when people moved from less walkable U.S. cities to more walkable ones, they increased their levels of physical activity and saw health benefits.
www.cbc.ca
October 26, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Very glad I went for a #walk in the Quantocks today. Plenty of autumn colours and fungi. #getoutside #diversifyoutdoors
October 26, 2025 at 5:33 PM