Cargo Bike Ben
@cargobikeben.bsky.social
Utility cycling & active travel advocate. Passionate about ending car dependency (not banning cars), reducing urban sprawl + how bikes are the easiest and most cost effective way to achieve that. Former journalist turned software developer. r/fuckcars mod
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
There's a reason ambience videos never feature a six-lane stroad. People are instinctively drawn to tranquil, car-free spaces.
We shouldn't have to go to YouTube to find quiet, safe streets, we should be demanding the urban design changes that make them a reality.
We shouldn't have to go to YouTube to find quiet, safe streets, we should be demanding the urban design changes that make them a reality.
January 2, 2026 at 12:53 AM
There's a reason ambience videos never feature a six-lane stroad. People are instinctively drawn to tranquil, car-free spaces.
We shouldn't have to go to YouTube to find quiet, safe streets, we should be demanding the urban design changes that make them a reality.
We shouldn't have to go to YouTube to find quiet, safe streets, we should be demanding the urban design changes that make them a reality.
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
How about they're just plain fun to ride.
www.bikebike.ca/blog/6-reaso...
www.bikebike.ca/blog/6-reaso...
6 Reasons To Buy A Cargo Bike In 2026 — BikeBike
6 Reasons to Buy a Cargo Bike in 2026 Or: why the most practical vehicle you’ll ever own probably has two wheels. For years, cargo bikes were treated like a niche curiosity—something you saw at a ...
www.bikebike.ca
January 1, 2026 at 4:40 PM
How about they're just plain fun to ride.
www.bikebike.ca/blog/6-reaso...
www.bikebike.ca/blog/6-reaso...
In news that should surprise no one…
280 million e-bikes are slashing oil demand far more than electric vehicles
E-bikes and scooters displace 4x as much demand for oil as all of the EVs in the world.
arstechnica.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:10 PM
In news that should surprise no one…
One of the few times you’ll catch me driving 2km. Unfortunately 300kg of books spread across multiple boxes is a bit too much for the old cargo bike to handle. In this situation, the car is the right tool for the job.
January 1, 2026 at 3:55 PM
One of the few times you’ll catch me driving 2km. Unfortunately 300kg of books spread across multiple boxes is a bit too much for the old cargo bike to handle. In this situation, the car is the right tool for the job.
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
US Department of Labour celebrates a proxy army funded and equipped by France
January 1, 2026 at 11:51 AM
US Department of Labour celebrates a proxy army funded and equipped by France
It’s almost as if all the evidence said what it said for a reason.
"Oxford's High Street booming, bucking national trend"
And this in a city where we've removed city centre parking and put in a congestion charge. Almost as if it's people who shop, not cars.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2573227...
And this in a city where we've removed city centre parking and put in a congestion charge. Almost as if it's people who shop, not cars.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2573227...
Oxford high street demand returns to pre-pandemic levels
Oxford’s high street is bucking the national trend, with demand rising and vacancy rates low
www.oxfordmail.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 12:15 PM
It’s almost as if all the evidence said what it said for a reason.
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
I see Kier Starmer has a plan to cut the cost of living? Is it to finally tackle the two major structural costs that have for decades crippled citizens & government: housing density & car dependency?
Of course it isn't. It's subsidising energy 🤦♂️ More shuffling of costs around; not cost reduction.
Of course it isn't. It's subsidising energy 🤦♂️ More shuffling of costs around; not cost reduction.
Keir Starmer to woo voters and MPs with new year plan to cut cost of living
PM to highlight energy bill and interest rate cuts, plus end to two-child benefit cap, and to invite his MPs to Chequers
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:35 AM
I see Kier Starmer has a plan to cut the cost of living? Is it to finally tackle the two major structural costs that have for decades crippled citizens & government: housing density & car dependency?
Of course it isn't. It's subsidising energy 🤦♂️ More shuffling of costs around; not cost reduction.
Of course it isn't. It's subsidising energy 🤦♂️ More shuffling of costs around; not cost reduction.
Happy new year all
January 1, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Happy new year all
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
How to create urban traffic 101:
Things cars ruined #187
School start times.
Our district voted to end school bus programs and shift the burden to parents and private cars. An outcome of this is schools have staggered their start times to accommodate the high traffic when dropping off kids.
How it impacts non-car users 🧵
School start times.
Our district voted to end school bus programs and shift the burden to parents and private cars. An outcome of this is schools have staggered their start times to accommodate the high traffic when dropping off kids.
How it impacts non-car users 🧵
December 30, 2025 at 4:41 PM
How to create urban traffic 101:
I was recently approached by a recruiter about a job opportunity. They have known me for ages (I've both placed and been placed by her over the years), and so she knows my salary. "It's a £10,000 increase on what you're on today". Only, it wasn't.
December 30, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I was recently approached by a recruiter about a job opportunity. They have known me for ages (I've both placed and been placed by her over the years), and so she knows my salary. "It's a £10,000 increase on what you're on today". Only, it wasn't.
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to this interview yet, I hope you will. And then please share your thoughts and comments to help grow the conversation. Thanks!
NEW/LISTEN! Been REALLY looking forward to this one — my interview with Jason from #NotJustBikes IS LIVE on many podcast platforms plus YouTube! We cover a LOT of really important ground on how to ACTUALLY ACHIEVE BETTER CITIES IN REAL PRACTICE! I’m looking forward to your thoughts and comments!
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to this interview yet, I hope you will. And then please share your thoughts and comments to help grow the conversation. Thanks!
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
Forced car dependency combined with a cultivated cultural mindset that your self worth is determined by what you drive entraps people in a lifelong cycle of revolving debt.
This is not freedom.
This is not freedom.
December 29, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Forced car dependency combined with a cultivated cultural mindset that your self worth is determined by what you drive entraps people in a lifelong cycle of revolving debt.
This is not freedom.
This is not freedom.
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
The strategic road network is managed by a charity and relies on the goodwill of land owners for access. Some motorways will be muddy and flooded each winter.
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
December 29, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The strategic road network is managed by a charity and relies on the goodwill of land owners for access. Some motorways will be muddy and flooded each winter.
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
This message hits hard.
December 27, 2025 at 8:38 PM
This message hits hard.
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
will never cease to amaze me that china built out it's HSR infra for about a trillion dollars - while the US spends roughly 1.5 trillion a year just on *car ownership*
My whole life we’ve been told that The US is simply too big to have high speed rail
December 28, 2025 at 6:18 PM
will never cease to amaze me that china built out it's HSR infra for about a trillion dollars - while the US spends roughly 1.5 trillion a year just on *car ownership*
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
It’s nice when you find your bike where you left it. Too bad there are no buses after 6.30pm from Newbury to Wash Common. Please sign the e-petition! decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/mgEPetitionD...
December 27, 2025 at 11:37 PM
It’s nice when you find your bike where you left it. Too bad there are no buses after 6.30pm from Newbury to Wash Common. Please sign the e-petition! decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/mgEPetitionD...
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
These are hard to watch sometimes. Luckily he didn't get hurt.
The whole situation looks weird from my Dutch perspective. Why is the road so wide near those residential properties? Why is he driving so fast? Why CAN he drive so fast? And also, why isn't there a better place for that kid to cycle?
The whole situation looks weird from my Dutch perspective. Why is the road so wide near those residential properties? Why is he driving so fast? Why CAN he drive so fast? And also, why isn't there a better place for that kid to cycle?
December 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM
These are hard to watch sometimes. Luckily he didn't get hurt.
The whole situation looks weird from my Dutch perspective. Why is the road so wide near those residential properties? Why is he driving so fast? Why CAN he drive so fast? And also, why isn't there a better place for that kid to cycle?
The whole situation looks weird from my Dutch perspective. Why is the road so wide near those residential properties? Why is he driving so fast? Why CAN he drive so fast? And also, why isn't there a better place for that kid to cycle?
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
Maybe it's time to stop blaming kids for going on screens and staying inside and start blaming ourselves for taking their outdoors away from them in all aspects of their life.
December 28, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Maybe it's time to stop blaming kids for going on screens and staying inside and start blaming ourselves for taking their outdoors away from them in all aspects of their life.
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
*Content Warning*
Dammit kids get off YouTube and go outside and play! When I was your age we were outside the whole day!
Outside:
Dammit kids get off YouTube and go outside and play! When I was your age we were outside the whole day!
Outside:
December 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
*Content Warning*
Dammit kids get off YouTube and go outside and play! When I was your age we were outside the whole day!
Outside:
Dammit kids get off YouTube and go outside and play! When I was your age we were outside the whole day!
Outside:
The TUC is right, but it isn’t going to like the real things that need to happen to combat it; ie rapidly - at the speed of Paris - in every major UK city reducing the need for cars. It doesn’t realise it’s partly to blame for these conditions.
December 27, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The TUC is right, but it isn’t going to like the real things that need to happen to combat it; ie rapidly - at the speed of Paris - in every major UK city reducing the need for cars. It doesn’t realise it’s partly to blame for these conditions.
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
PSA:
There will likely be thousands of drunk drivers on the roads across the country tonight and for the next few days.
The phrase "I'm fine to drive" is a cultural disease. It isn't limited to bad neighborhoods or bad people, it spans every single tax bracket.
There will likely be thousands of drunk drivers on the roads across the country tonight and for the next few days.
The phrase "I'm fine to drive" is a cultural disease. It isn't limited to bad neighborhoods or bad people, it spans every single tax bracket.
December 24, 2025 at 11:10 PM
PSA:
There will likely be thousands of drunk drivers on the roads across the country tonight and for the next few days.
The phrase "I'm fine to drive" is a cultural disease. It isn't limited to bad neighborhoods or bad people, it spans every single tax bracket.
There will likely be thousands of drunk drivers on the roads across the country tonight and for the next few days.
The phrase "I'm fine to drive" is a cultural disease. It isn't limited to bad neighborhoods or bad people, it spans every single tax bracket.
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
Who needs a village when you can have parking lots?
December 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Who needs a village when you can have parking lots?
Reposted by Cargo Bike Ben
Drivers: “You can’t bike in the winter”
Minnesotans: “Hold my hot dish”
Minnesotans: “Hold my hot dish”
December 24, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Drivers: “You can’t bike in the winter”
Minnesotans: “Hold my hot dish”
Minnesotans: “Hold my hot dish”