BrightAire
@brightaire.bsky.social
Outdoorser. Teacher. Educational Visits Champion. Tree-hugger. Bradfordian. Likes bikes and making stuff from sticks. Never satisfied.
Small Prophets. Wow!
February 12, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Small Prophets. Wow!
Skipton & Ripon, Sir Julian's patch, is just up the road from me. I go cycling in that neck of the woods quite often. Here he is querying the wisdom of discouraging drink driving. A pox on him and his yellow corduroy trousers.
HT @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social
HT @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social
A question on #DrivingUnderInfluence #RuralAreas tabled by Sir Julian Smith on 03-02-2026 has been answered by Lilian Greenwood. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-02-03/110371
February 11, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Skipton & Ripon, Sir Julian's patch, is just up the road from me. I go cycling in that neck of the woods quite often. Here he is querying the wisdom of discouraging drink driving. A pox on him and his yellow corduroy trousers.
HT @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social
HT @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social
Reposted by BrightAire
“children are not choosing to stay off the streets and parents are not choosing to be helicopters; our streets are choosing to exclude children”
From @urbancyclinginstitute.org
From @urbancyclinginstitute.org
Why Our Streets Are Failing Kids – And How to Fix It
Three Steps for Designing With Children’s Autonomy in Mind
urbancyclinginstitute.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:14 AM
“children are not choosing to stay off the streets and parents are not choosing to be helicopters; our streets are choosing to exclude children”
From @urbancyclinginstitute.org
From @urbancyclinginstitute.org
A great couple of days at work. Accompanying an educational art and theatre visit to London. Highlights:
Botticelli's "Venus and Mars" at The National Gallery.
"Les Miserables" at The Sondheim Theare & "Turandot" at The Royal Opera and Ballet.
Ace colleagues and students making it all go so well.
Botticelli's "Venus and Mars" at The National Gallery.
"Les Miserables" at The Sondheim Theare & "Turandot" at The Royal Opera and Ballet.
Ace colleagues and students making it all go so well.
February 4, 2026 at 4:49 PM
A great couple of days at work. Accompanying an educational art and theatre visit to London. Highlights:
Botticelli's "Venus and Mars" at The National Gallery.
"Les Miserables" at The Sondheim Theare & "Turandot" at The Royal Opera and Ballet.
Ace colleagues and students making it all go so well.
Botticelli's "Venus and Mars" at The National Gallery.
"Les Miserables" at The Sondheim Theare & "Turandot" at The Royal Opera and Ballet.
Ace colleagues and students making it all go so well.
Any modest public sector employee would be ruined, professionally and financially, if guilty of the misconduct that seems prevalent at the highest levels. I am angry at the disregard of the Nolan principles, intended to guide all who serve the public, by those in "leadership". Prosecutions now.
Then and now the focus on individuals - Peter Mandelson and Michelle Mone - diverts attention from the real point. Our institutions, which should protect the public, just nod along with what is a kind of theft by the privileged. No one goes to prison, no one is ever held accountable.
February 2, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Any modest public sector employee would be ruined, professionally and financially, if guilty of the misconduct that seems prevalent at the highest levels. I am angry at the disregard of the Nolan principles, intended to guide all who serve the public, by those in "leadership". Prosecutions now.
It's exactly right that jaywalking isn't a thing in the UK.
“Jaywalking is permitted in London. In 1966, the police tried to crack down on it, but gave up after three months.”
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Self-driving taxis are coming to London – should we be worried? | Jack Stilgoe
Waymo’s cars were first rolled out in San Francisco, but the English capital’s old roads, pelican crossings and jaywalkers may pose issues for AI, says science and technology professor Jack Stilgoe
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:16 PM
It's exactly right that jaywalking isn't a thing in the UK.
Reposted by BrightAire
🗣️ ‘Work should be the best route out of poverty’
Analyst @franladouch.bsky.social explains that for millions across the UK, employment is not the safety net from poverty that it should be.
Recent employment reforms are a good start, but the government must go further to protect working families. 🔽
Analyst @franladouch.bsky.social explains that for millions across the UK, employment is not the safety net from poverty that it should be.
Recent employment reforms are a good start, but the government must go further to protect working families. 🔽
February 2, 2026 at 8:18 AM
🗣️ ‘Work should be the best route out of poverty’
Analyst @franladouch.bsky.social explains that for millions across the UK, employment is not the safety net from poverty that it should be.
Recent employment reforms are a good start, but the government must go further to protect working families. 🔽
Analyst @franladouch.bsky.social explains that for millions across the UK, employment is not the safety net from poverty that it should be.
Recent employment reforms are a good start, but the government must go further to protect working families. 🔽
Dipped on the local otters, today, though loads of people saw them in the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Shipley. Happy with Kingfisher, Goldcrest and #BradfordPeregrines on City Hall, though.
February 1, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Dipped on the local otters, today, though loads of people saw them in the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Shipley. Happy with Kingfisher, Goldcrest and #BradfordPeregrines on City Hall, though.
Typical fascist tactic. Denounce intellectual nuance (by "outing" the brain-box bogeys of their base). Claim that our problems are really simple ones to which they, alone, have the simple solutions.
This from a man who owns his academic credentials only when it suits him.
This from a man who owns his academic credentials only when it suits him.
You dont win 'em all! Reform's Matt Goodwin in Sunday Times: 'Most .. people criticising me are nerds.The last thing I want is to be at some dinner party table with Nick Robinson & Mary Beard. I'd rather shoot myself in the head'. Hang on, I'm not THAT bad!Nerds sometimes have a (thoughtful!) point.
February 1, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Typical fascist tactic. Denounce intellectual nuance (by "outing" the brain-box bogeys of their base). Claim that our problems are really simple ones to which they, alone, have the simple solutions.
This from a man who owns his academic credentials only when it suits him.
This from a man who owns his academic credentials only when it suits him.
Reposted by BrightAire
“When we see the hazel catkins turn yellow, we know that spring is not far off”
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
February 1, 2026 at 8:13 AM
“When we see the hazel catkins turn yellow, we know that spring is not far off”
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Sub-29 minutes for this morning's Lister Park, #Bradford #ParkRun. Quite pleased with this improvement over the last month. #ReturnToRunning
January 31, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Sub-29 minutes for this morning's Lister Park, #Bradford #ParkRun. Quite pleased with this improvement over the last month. #ReturnToRunning
Reposted by BrightAire
CITY OF HEROES, my song celebrating the courage of the people of Minneapolis defending their community from Tяump's goons, is now available to stream on numerous platforms via this link: bbragg.lnk.to/cityofheroes
Billy Bragg - City Of Heroes
Listen to City Of Heroes by Billy Bragg.
bbragg.lnk.to
January 30, 2026 at 9:52 PM
CITY OF HEROES, my song celebrating the courage of the people of Minneapolis defending their community from Tяump's goons, is now available to stream on numerous platforms via this link: bbragg.lnk.to/cityofheroes
Crack teams of municipal workers and community gardening groups (with stockpiles of tanalised timber planters, multi-purpose compost, bollards and strawberry plants) assembling at a council depot, poised to strike, near you.
Someone from the Tories’ Lords team really needs to change Sharron Davies’ X log in.
As an aside, how *would* 15 minute cities be “thrust on us overnight”?
As an aside, how *would* 15 minute cities be “thrust on us overnight”?
January 30, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Crack teams of municipal workers and community gardening groups (with stockpiles of tanalised timber planters, multi-purpose compost, bollards and strawberry plants) assembling at a council depot, poised to strike, near you.
One of the things that *seems* interesting about these headline images is how concentrated the pollution is around major roads and how quickly it drops off away from them.
Seems that quite localised measures can be very effective?
Have I got that right?
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
Seems that quite localised measures can be very effective?
Have I got that right?
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:40 PM
One of the things that *seems* interesting about these headline images is how concentrated the pollution is around major roads and how quickly it drops off away from them.
Seems that quite localised measures can be very effective?
Have I got that right?
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
Seems that quite localised measures can be very effective?
Have I got that right?
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
Objection to LTNs is largely just bleating. Convenience stacked against danger of injury and inhospirable streets blighted by cars.
Either you're happy for people to be killed and injured to save you a couple of minutes on your journey, or you're not. The evidence that LTNs and 20mph zones save lives is overwhelming.
January 29, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Objection to LTNs is largely just bleating. Convenience stacked against danger of injury and inhospirable streets blighted by cars.
Reposted by BrightAire
60% of women limit how much they cycle due to safety concerns.🚲
Too often women must choose between busy roads with little protection or quieter routes with poor lighting. Both are unsafe.
I’m calling on the Government to build the infrastructure needed to make women feel safe on our roads.
Too often women must choose between busy roads with little protection or quieter routes with poor lighting. Both are unsafe.
I’m calling on the Government to build the infrastructure needed to make women feel safe on our roads.
January 28, 2026 at 9:03 AM
60% of women limit how much they cycle due to safety concerns.🚲
Too often women must choose between busy roads with little protection or quieter routes with poor lighting. Both are unsafe.
I’m calling on the Government to build the infrastructure needed to make women feel safe on our roads.
Too often women must choose between busy roads with little protection or quieter routes with poor lighting. Both are unsafe.
I’m calling on the Government to build the infrastructure needed to make women feel safe on our roads.
Reposted by BrightAire
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
I'd go further and say cycling, generally, shouldn't require competence beyond a few absolute basics. Cycling safely within most neighbourhoods should be possible for a "tween" child. How else do they gain independence in visiting friends, school, sports & arts clubs, having adventures, play etc?
There are some great, well-intentioned and capable people in @bikeabilityuk.bsky.social but the programme only scratches the surface of making cycling safe. It's inadequate to the task because, beyond some absolute basics, the competence of cyclists isn't what most threatens their safety.
January 28, 2026 at 7:56 AM
I'd go further and say cycling, generally, shouldn't require competence beyond a few absolute basics. Cycling safely within most neighbourhoods should be possible for a "tween" child. How else do they gain independence in visiting friends, school, sports & arts clubs, having adventures, play etc?
Ex @bikeabilityuk.bsky.social instructor here. Ditto @bradfordcouncil.bsky.social #Bradford, except to get as quickly as possible to an off-road route and not to worry too much if it's a footpath.
I love cycling.
But in Kirklees I will never encourage people to ride. Especially not children or vulnerable adults. Especially not women - who experience anti-cyclist nonsense *and* misogyny. In the six years I've lived here, Kirklees council have failed to make active transport easy.
But in Kirklees I will never encourage people to ride. Especially not children or vulnerable adults. Especially not women - who experience anti-cyclist nonsense *and* misogyny. In the six years I've lived here, Kirklees council have failed to make active transport easy.
January 27, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Ex @bikeabilityuk.bsky.social instructor here. Ditto @bradfordcouncil.bsky.social #Bradford, except to get as quickly as possible to an off-road route and not to worry too much if it's a footpath.
Reposted by BrightAire
“Starlings are flying in converging flocks towards their roosting place”
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
(What to Look for in Winter, 1959)
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
(What to Look for in Winter, 1959)
January 25, 2026 at 8:36 AM
“Starlings are flying in converging flocks towards their roosting place”
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
(What to Look for in Winter, 1959)
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
(What to Look for in Winter, 1959)
Just the latest thing he's blabbed out because it occurs to him it'd be useful. He might have recognised his error but there are no scruples at play here. Just expedience. While precipitousness and escalation with psychopaths is to be avoided, big distance is now imperative.
Closest anyone will ever get to an apology from The Orange ManBoy - now he should say something similar to the other 31 countries whose military he insulted
January 24, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Just the latest thing he's blabbed out because it occurs to him it'd be useful. He might have recognised his error but there are no scruples at play here. Just expedience. While precipitousness and escalation with psychopaths is to be avoided, big distance is now imperative.
Just come across this "Get Birding" podcast promotion with Sean Bean. I love to find out about celebrities who're into nature but, come on, it's got to be "Get Bastard Birding".
January 22, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Just come across this "Get Birding" podcast promotion with Sean Bean. I love to find out about celebrities who're into nature but, come on, it's got to be "Get Bastard Birding".
The messaging and delivery here, is spot on. I don't think the Greens are a viable party of government but Labour should take note.
Help us make hope normal again.
Join the Green Party now.
Join the Green Party now.
January 22, 2026 at 8:42 PM
The messaging and delivery here, is spot on. I don't think the Greens are a viable party of government but Labour should take note.
Calling this shrink pot "done". Hopefully "a pleasing mis-match of parts which retains a sense of rustic coherence". Alder, oak, milk paint and walnut oil.
January 22, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Calling this shrink pot "done". Hopefully "a pleasing mis-match of parts which retains a sense of rustic coherence". Alder, oak, milk paint and walnut oil.