Ben (BicycleBenUK)
@ben.fiets.uk
Introverted advocate/blogger on UK active travel. Self-employed podcast editor. Also sustainable public transport, nature, environment, Holland. Sometimes spins vinyl, dabbles in ham radio, badly plays piano.
📍 Nuneaton, Warwickshire
🌎 fiets.uk/links
📍 Nuneaton, Warwickshire
🌎 fiets.uk/links
Pinned
The season of preaching 'road safety' messaging
The clocks have gone back, Christmas adverts are on the TV, nights are drawing in - it can only mean one thing: it's time for official 'road safety' organisations to preach their annual messages of "b...
fiets.uk
On the blog: The clocks have gone back, nights are drawing in – it can only mean one thing: it’s time for official ‘road safety’ organisations to preach their annual messages of “be safe, be seen” to people travelling outside of motor vehicles...
fiets.uk/2025-11-06/t...
fiets.uk/2025-11-06/t...
It's so frustrating; a small city just 10 miles away is doing comparatively loads to improve active travel, yet here in Nuneaton @warwickshirecc.bsky.social won't even reduce a 40mph limit on a main road near a new school, and the only new infrastructure has come about from new housing developments
Work begins on stretch of Coventry cycleway - and won't finish until next year
Work on the Willenhall cycleway route is now underway on Humber Road
www.coventrytelegraph.net
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
It's so frustrating; a small city just 10 miles away is doing comparatively loads to improve active travel, yet here in Nuneaton @warwickshirecc.bsky.social won't even reduce a 40mph limit on a main road near a new school, and the only new infrastructure has come about from new housing developments
This must be the first time I've seen a politician do this sort of thing and it not be utterly cringe! Brilliant!
"This energy!!!" 👏👏👏👏
Zack Polanski joins Rizzle Kicks out on stage in Bristol
Zack Polanski joins Rizzle Kicks out on stage in Bristol
November 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
This must be the first time I've seen a politician do this sort of thing and it not be utterly cringe! Brilliant!
Do have to wonder what genius thought it'd be a good idea to allow a housing development to be built, immediately bordering an 60 year old estate, but it would appear with no walking or cycling links between the two - except by going out to the main road and back in, potentially on a long deviation.
November 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Do have to wonder what genius thought it'd be a good idea to allow a housing development to be built, immediately bordering an 60 year old estate, but it would appear with no walking or cycling links between the two - except by going out to the main road and back in, potentially on a long deviation.
It'd be nice if @warwickshirecc.bsky.social could also return to its north-of-county schemes which appear mothballed given the lack of development. Will it ever look again at the cancelled-but-not-cancelled A47 Long Shoot scheme? The Nuneaton-Bedworth-Coventry scheme? Weddington Road? #cycling
Councillors to decide on approval for 800-per-metre cycleway
The Lias Line is a disused railway route that now serves as a greenway that links to the wider cycle network. The council is being asked to release funding for an active travel link between Leamington...
www.coventrytelegraph.net
November 13, 2025 at 6:54 AM
It'd be nice if @warwickshirecc.bsky.social could also return to its north-of-county schemes which appear mothballed given the lack of development. Will it ever look again at the cancelled-but-not-cancelled A47 Long Shoot scheme? The Nuneaton-Bedworth-Coventry scheme? Weddington Road? #cycling
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Really pleased to see this for the 2nd year running - a much less polluting way to celebrate Bonfire Night - meaning better air quality for everyone. Well done Edgbaston 👏👏
Giant sea creatures,soaring birds and majestic animals created by more than 600 drones have lit up the night sky.The 40-minute show,WILD,at Edgbaston Stadium on Friday,brought the animal kingdom to life in a dazzling fusion of cutting-edge technology,artistry and music
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Animal drone light show in Edgbaston an alternative to fireworks
Animal welfare charities have called for alternative shows to loud firework displays.
www.bbc.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Really pleased to see this for the 2nd year running - a much less polluting way to celebrate Bonfire Night - meaning better air quality for everyone. Well done Edgbaston 👏👏
Supply chain issues, delays, and poor customer services are nothing new with #Swytch. I remember similar problems when they launched their original product via Indiegogo in 2018/19. A pity it still seems so poorly run; I liked the concept, although I had many issues with my original kit.
E-bike conversion kit firm Swytch blames extended shipping times and supply chain "pressures" for delays amid flood of negative online reviews and report of 'rescue plan' for the business
Customers have reported long delivery delays, an ineffective AI chatbot and a lack of communication from the company
road.cc
November 8, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Supply chain issues, delays, and poor customer services are nothing new with #Swytch. I remember similar problems when they launched their original product via Indiegogo in 2018/19. A pity it still seems so poorly run; I liked the concept, although I had many issues with my original kit.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
That's incredibly disappointing and rather spineless.
Trans rights are human rights.
Trans rights are human rights.
Cycling UK say the decision was made following legal advice but that the rule change "doesn't alter our commitment to transgender and non-binary people" road.cc/content/news...
Several winners of Cycling UK 100 Women in Cycling prize decline award due to exclusion of transwomen
Cycling UK say the decision was made following legal advice but that the rule change "doesn't alter our commitment to transgender and non-binary people"
road.cc
November 7, 2025 at 1:08 PM
That's incredibly disappointing and rather spineless.
Trans rights are human rights.
Trans rights are human rights.
Always an opposition's promises are "undeliverable" + "simple". I'd take his comments as an endorsement of a credible challenge from a surging @greenparty.org.uk. Labour have so far offered poor leadership, outdated business-as-usual politics. A changed/changing world needs new, different approaches
Greens’ ‘undeliverable’ promises will let voters down, says Labour minister
Exclusive: Darren Jones says Labour has to convince young people it is ‘modern party of the future’
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Always an opposition's promises are "undeliverable" + "simple". I'd take his comments as an endorsement of a credible challenge from a surging @greenparty.org.uk. Labour have so far offered poor leadership, outdated business-as-usual politics. A changed/changing world needs new, different approaches
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
On the blog: The clocks have gone back, nights are drawing in – it can only mean one thing: it’s time for official ‘road safety’ organisations to preach their annual messages of “be safe, be seen” to people travelling outside of motor vehicles...
fiets.uk/2025-11-06/t...
fiets.uk/2025-11-06/t...
The season of preaching 'road safety' messaging
The clocks have gone back, Christmas adverts are on the TV, nights are drawing in - it can only mean one thing: it's time for official 'road safety' organisations to preach their annual messages of "b...
fiets.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:22 AM
On the blog: The clocks have gone back, nights are drawing in – it can only mean one thing: it’s time for official ‘road safety’ organisations to preach their annual messages of “be safe, be seen” to people travelling outside of motor vehicles...
fiets.uk/2025-11-06/t...
fiets.uk/2025-11-06/t...
On the blog: The clocks have gone back, nights are drawing in – it can only mean one thing: it’s time for official ‘road safety’ organisations to preach their annual messages of “be safe, be seen” to people travelling outside of motor vehicles...
fiets.uk/2025-11-06/t...
fiets.uk/2025-11-06/t...
The season of preaching 'road safety' messaging
The clocks have gone back, Christmas adverts are on the TV, nights are drawing in - it can only mean one thing: it's time for official 'road safety' organisations to preach their annual messages of "b...
fiets.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:22 AM
On the blog: The clocks have gone back, nights are drawing in – it can only mean one thing: it’s time for official ‘road safety’ organisations to preach their annual messages of “be safe, be seen” to people travelling outside of motor vehicles...
fiets.uk/2025-11-06/t...
fiets.uk/2025-11-06/t...
Wasn't sure at the start of the series how much I'd like a celebrity edition of The Traitors, but it has been good! Great ending, without giving it away too much #CelebrityTraitors
November 6, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Wasn't sure at the start of the series how much I'd like a celebrity edition of The Traitors, but it has been good! Great ending, without giving it away too much #CelebrityTraitors
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Which one is more English?
November 6, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Which one is more English?
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Interval at the @daraobriain.bsky.social gig in #WarwickArtsCentre - very funny; having a great time!
November 5, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Interval at the @daraobriain.bsky.social gig in #WarwickArtsCentre - very funny; having a great time!
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Gotta love Private Eye.
Always cuts through the crap.
Always cuts through the crap.
October 31, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Gotta love Private Eye.
Always cuts through the crap.
Always cuts through the crap.
Not sure the ladybird, which possibly hitchhiked from the supermarket, was too impressed with us carving the pumpkin today!
October 29, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Not sure the ladybird, which possibly hitchhiked from the supermarket, was too impressed with us carving the pumpkin today!
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Cannot stop thinking about this one star review for Harlech Castle
October 29, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Cannot stop thinking about this one star review for Harlech Castle
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Always a sad time of year when we lose an hour! Don't forget to put your clocks forward tonight team.
Cat Changing The Clock Changing The Time GIF
ALT: Cat Changing The Clock Changing The Time GIF
media.tenor.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Always a sad time of year when we lose an hour! Don't forget to put your clocks forward tonight team.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Please, please, please, stop installing and using wood burners. Your wish to have a wee, nice cosy fire puts lives at risk. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Wood burners linked to 2,500 deaths a year in the UK, analysis finds
Use of wood-burning stoves and fires in homes is mostly unnecessary and their toxic pollution costs the NHS millions
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Please, please, please, stop installing and using wood burners. Your wish to have a wee, nice cosy fire puts lives at risk. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Maybe, just maybe, "smart" technology - particularly non-local without offline control - doesn't need to pervade every single aspect of existence!
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025...
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025...
AWS outage reminds us why $2,449 Internet-dependent beds are a bad idea
“Would be great if my bed wasn’t stuck in an inclined position …”…
arstechnica.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Maybe, just maybe, "smart" technology - particularly non-local without offline control - doesn't need to pervade every single aspect of existence!
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025...
arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025...
Monday's move went pretty smoothly if totally exhausting (as was Tuesday). Today I've been setting up my little office space which is pretty much ready for work. It's a shame the internet connection isn't - the only hiccup; there's low light on the line. Thank goodness for unlimited mobile data!
October 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Monday's move went pretty smoothly if totally exhausting (as was Tuesday). Today I've been setting up my little office space which is pretty much ready for work. It's a shame the internet connection isn't - the only hiccup; there's low light on the line. Thank goodness for unlimited mobile data!
The year has been leading up to this - completion and moving day! Eek! Final bits of packing underway before movers arrive. If all goes well, in say 7 hours we'll have keys to our next house! After nearly 10 years here but somewhat ready to go now, it's a mixture of delight and trepidation!
October 20, 2025 at 6:15 AM
The year has been leading up to this - completion and moving day! Eek! Final bits of packing underway before movers arrive. If all goes well, in say 7 hours we'll have keys to our next house! After nearly 10 years here but somewhat ready to go now, it's a mixture of delight and trepidation!
All set and the seats are good! #TheStablesMK #NerinaPallot
October 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
All set and the seats are good! #TheStablesMK #NerinaPallot