Gareth Oakland ๐ซ๐ท๐๐
@goakl.bsky.social
19th Century Vendรฉen memorials. Former PwC partner. Treasurer at the Society for the Study of French History. Trustee at Institute of Historical Research. Trustee at NHSRF. Active travel campaigner. Cricket, cycling, rugby ร XV. France and England.
Pinned
My missus has a Times sub. Points out that theyโve led with โwoke people get honoursโ today. A black man, a brown woman, a white man who wanted to recruit a diverse workforce, a woman who wants history to include all, women sports starsโฆ
Outrage of course. How far that paper has fallen.
Outrage of course. How far that paper has fallen.
Oh god.
Neighbour going over to check tomorrow.
Neighbour going over to check tomorrow.
February 10, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Oh god.
Neighbour going over to check tomorrow.
Neighbour going over to check tomorrow.
Not reassuring me!
February 10, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Not reassuring me!
Oh great.
Had already planned to be back there on Sunday for the mid winter check, now Iโm going to have a few sleepless nights in between.
Had already planned to be back there on Sunday for the mid winter check, now Iโm going to have a few sleepless nights in between.
February 10, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Oh great.
Had already planned to be back there on Sunday for the mid winter check, now Iโm going to have a few sleepless nights in between.
Had already planned to be back there on Sunday for the mid winter check, now Iโm going to have a few sleepless nights in between.
Hah. I used a biro to untangle a music cassette.
February 10, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Hah. I used a biro to untangle a music cassette.
Personally, I wouldnโt give their brand of hate and misinformation a moment of air time.
February 10, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Personally, I wouldnโt give their brand of hate and misinformation a moment of air time.
Yeah. Me too. The beer didnโt drink itself you know.
On the other hand, our parentsโ poor opinions of us stick forever.
They fuck you upโฆ
On the other hand, our parentsโ poor opinions of us stick forever.
They fuck you upโฆ
February 10, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Yeah. Me too. The beer didnโt drink itself you know.
On the other hand, our parentsโ poor opinions of us stick forever.
They fuck you upโฆ
On the other hand, our parentsโ poor opinions of us stick forever.
They fuck you upโฆ
Doesnโt matter how many times I post about how brilliant the memorials to the Vendรฉe Wars are, nobody ever invites me to speak at student events.
A free speech disgrace.
A free speech disgrace.
This is pretty menacing.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
February 10, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Doesnโt matter how many times I post about how brilliant the memorials to the Vendรฉe Wars are, nobody ever invites me to speak at student events.
A free speech disgrace.
A free speech disgrace.
A 2:1 in history is a sign of a perfectly balanced person. Not average at all.
Why, yes, of course I did.
Why, yes, of course I did.
February 10, 2026 at 11:46 AM
A 2:1 in history is a sign of a perfectly balanced person. Not average at all.
Why, yes, of course I did.
Why, yes, of course I did.
And, well looked after, bikes last a LONG time. Unlike cars.
February 10, 2026 at 11:35 AM
And, well looked after, bikes last a LONG time. Unlike cars.
Reposted by Gareth Oakland ๐ซ๐ท๐๐
The definition of sustainable transport modes should not continue to include โultra low emission vehiclesโ. Sustainability cannot be reduced to tailpipe emissions, as even electric cars have huge environmental and social consequences.
actionnetwork.org/letters/dema...
actionnetwork.org/letters/dema...
Demand better transport in new development!
Launched with a pledge to โgo further than ever beforeโ to meet housing targets, the Government is consulting on the biggest shake-up of planning rules since 2012. A few welcome words on transport, li...
actionnetwork.org
February 10, 2026 at 11:18 AM
The definition of sustainable transport modes should not continue to include โultra low emission vehiclesโ. Sustainability cannot be reduced to tailpipe emissions, as even electric cars have huge environmental and social consequences.
actionnetwork.org/letters/dema...
actionnetwork.org/letters/dema...
โฆthings that arenโt.
February 10, 2026 at 11:31 AM
โฆthings that arenโt.
Things that ARE beautiful, andโฆ
February 10, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Things that ARE beautiful, andโฆ
Reposted by Gareth Oakland ๐ซ๐ท๐๐
Twoย grant schemes from the School of Advanced Study are now open for applications: Being Human Festival 2026 and the Centre for Public Engagement Practice in Arts and Humanitiesโ new Collaboration and Innovation Grant.
Go to bit.ly/3ZoolUq for details on how to apply
Go to bit.ly/3ZoolUq for details on how to apply
February 10, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Twoย grant schemes from the School of Advanced Study are now open for applications: Being Human Festival 2026 and the Centre for Public Engagement Practice in Arts and Humanitiesโ new Collaboration and Innovation Grant.
Go to bit.ly/3ZoolUq for details on how to apply
Go to bit.ly/3ZoolUq for details on how to apply
Reposted by Gareth Oakland ๐ซ๐ท๐๐
Having spent most of my working life in transport policy, this is the essential truth that so many people - including politicians with responsibility for transport decisions - donโt or wonโt get.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
If you widen that highway
you wonโt reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
you wonโt reduce emissions
or congestion.
What you WILL do
is spend a lot of public money
to induce even more cars
emitting even more GHGs and pollution
in the same or worse congestion
with people still demanding that you widen the highway.
Period.
February 10, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Having spent most of my working life in transport policy, this is the essential truth that so many people - including politicians with responsibility for transport decisions - donโt or wonโt get.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
To reduce congestion, you reduce capacity and reduce speed. The empirical evidence is overwhelming.
Lose thoughts from today:
Every well-designed bike lane, every frequent bus route and every pedestrian plaza represents a small erosion of the power of the automobile.
Power never surrenders willingly.
Especially not patriarchal dominance.
Letยดs discuss!
medium.com/@backoffice_...
Every well-designed bike lane, every frequent bus route and every pedestrian plaza represents a small erosion of the power of the automobile.
Power never surrenders willingly.
Especially not patriarchal dominance.
Letยดs discuss!
medium.com/@backoffice_...
From Fossil Patriarchy to Electric Technofascism: Why Automotive Violence Wonโt End with EVs.
How the car-centric system perpetuates patriarchal violenceโโโand why the electric transition threatens to make it worse.
medium.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Winter riding is like skiing in many ways. Takes forever to get ready to go out.
I read that itโs about core heat (body diverts heat from extremities to protect vital organs) so I layer up the core. Fingers stay toasty. Feet still freeze!
I have gortex winter boots and merino socks. Still fails.
I read that itโs about core heat (body diverts heat from extremities to protect vital organs) so I layer up the core. Fingers stay toasty. Feet still freeze!
I have gortex winter boots and merino socks. Still fails.
February 10, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Winter riding is like skiing in many ways. Takes forever to get ready to go out.
I read that itโs about core heat (body diverts heat from extremities to protect vital organs) so I layer up the core. Fingers stay toasty. Feet still freeze!
I have gortex winter boots and merino socks. Still fails.
I read that itโs about core heat (body diverts heat from extremities to protect vital organs) so I layer up the core. Fingers stay toasty. Feet still freeze!
I have gortex winter boots and merino socks. Still fails.
The evil car culturist patriarchy in action.
Probably a whole PhD to do on this.
Probably a whole PhD to do on this.
February 10, 2026 at 10:09 AM
The evil car culturist patriarchy in action.
Probably a whole PhD to do on this.
Probably a whole PhD to do on this.
My memory of this is vague. I am VERY old.
Did the mummies go chatter chatter chatter. While their babies went wah wah wah?? (Dadโs noticeably absent from the bus).
What terrible parents we must have been.
Did the mummies go chatter chatter chatter. While their babies went wah wah wah?? (Dadโs noticeably absent from the bus).
What terrible parents we must have been.
February 10, 2026 at 10:06 AM
My memory of this is vague. I am VERY old.
Did the mummies go chatter chatter chatter. While their babies went wah wah wah?? (Dadโs noticeably absent from the bus).
What terrible parents we must have been.
Did the mummies go chatter chatter chatter. While their babies went wah wah wah?? (Dadโs noticeably absent from the bus).
What terrible parents we must have been.
Lots of places have loan schemes. Even some bike shops will let you have one for a couple of days to try it out. I remember the massive grin the first time the motor cut in. Mind blowing.
February 10, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Lots of places have loan schemes. Even some bike shops will let you have one for a couple of days to try it out. I remember the massive grin the first time the motor cut in. Mind blowing.
E bikes are AMAZING. Like time machines. Stuff I could do 20 years ago on an acoustic bike, I can do just as well on my e-bike now.
February 10, 2026 at 12:23 AM
E bikes are AMAZING. Like time machines. Stuff I could do 20 years ago on an acoustic bike, I can do just as well on my e-bike now.
Nope. Well maybe just a bit.
Ok. Yes they are.
Ok. Yes they are.
February 10, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Nope. Well maybe just a bit.
Ok. Yes they are.
Ok. Yes they are.
And Iโll just say this about your doctor.
Sheโs wrong. I cycled 50 miles today. And ate a massive toastie, a large latte, a big piece of cake, egg and chips, 100g of chocolate and two glasses of red wine.
Calories expended: 1900. Calories consumed: lots more. Weight lost: negative.
Sheโs wrong. I cycled 50 miles today. And ate a massive toastie, a large latte, a big piece of cake, egg and chips, 100g of chocolate and two glasses of red wine.
Calories expended: 1900. Calories consumed: lots more. Weight lost: negative.
February 10, 2026 at 12:08 AM
And Iโll just say this about your doctor.
Sheโs wrong. I cycled 50 miles today. And ate a massive toastie, a large latte, a big piece of cake, egg and chips, 100g of chocolate and two glasses of red wine.
Calories expended: 1900. Calories consumed: lots more. Weight lost: negative.
Sheโs wrong. I cycled 50 miles today. And ate a massive toastie, a large latte, a big piece of cake, egg and chips, 100g of chocolate and two glasses of red wine.
Calories expended: 1900. Calories consumed: lots more. Weight lost: negative.
My personal trainer invoice is in the post.
Obviously youโll need to deduct the cost of the coat. Barbours have appropriately sized pockets.
Obviously youโll need to deduct the cost of the coat. Barbours have appropriately sized pockets.
February 10, 2026 at 12:03 AM
My personal trainer invoice is in the post.
Obviously youโll need to deduct the cost of the coat. Barbours have appropriately sized pockets.
Obviously youโll need to deduct the cost of the coat. Barbours have appropriately sized pockets.
This was me today.
I think I may have Raynauds. Better go for a bike ride, see if that helps.
Really cold feet at the end of the ride. Mainly due to water getting into boots.
Definitely not Raynauds then.
I think I may have Raynauds. Better go for a bike ride, see if that helps.
Really cold feet at the end of the ride. Mainly due to water getting into boots.
Definitely not Raynauds then.
February 10, 2026 at 12:02 AM
This was me today.
I think I may have Raynauds. Better go for a bike ride, see if that helps.
Really cold feet at the end of the ride. Mainly due to water getting into boots.
Definitely not Raynauds then.
I think I may have Raynauds. Better go for a bike ride, see if that helps.
Really cold feet at the end of the ride. Mainly due to water getting into boots.
Definitely not Raynauds then.