Prof. Ian Walker
@ianwalker.bsky.social
Environmental psychologist: transport, energy, water, buildings. Motonormativity person. Head of Psychology, Swansea University 🏴. Charity trustee x2. My views
Guinness World Record for the fastest bicycle ride across Europe drianwalker.com
Guinness World Record for the fastest bicycle ride across Europe drianwalker.com
Pinned
Prof. Ian Walker
@ianwalker.bsky.social
· Feb 17
HOT RESEARCH NEWS!
Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...
Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...
Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
Very close to what I posted the other week: bsky.app/profile/ianw... I tell you, it'll be this sort of thing that one day means we lose FoI
tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr... reassuring news for anyone scared of meeting aliens while travelling in london
December 29, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Very close to what I posted the other week: bsky.app/profile/ianw... I tell you, it'll be this sort of thing that one day means we lose FoI
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Wild that a city can build and maintain three- or five-lane local roads for cars but builds new sidewalks that require people to walk single file.
Yes, the city needs to actually repave streets. Yes, the city needs to repair sidewalks. Yes, the city needs to install curb ramps.
But the bigger problem is that when LA decides to do anything at all to "help" pedestrians, the result looks like this complete and utter bullshit
But the bigger problem is that when LA decides to do anything at all to "help" pedestrians, the result looks like this complete and utter bullshit
December 29, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Wild that a city can build and maintain three- or five-lane local roads for cars but builds new sidewalks that require people to walk single file.
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Interesting-looking new study by Dawid Krysinski & colleagues on how experiencing the negative sides of car dependence can lead people to support car use restrictions doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
December 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Interesting-looking new study by Dawid Krysinski & colleagues on how experiencing the negative sides of car dependence can lead people to support car use restrictions doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
“Car bloat”—increasingly oversized automobiles—worsens road safety, affordability and the environment.
Here are some of the stories I wrote in 2025 examining the trend and proposing solutions. 🧵
In @vox.com, I likened car bloat to secondhand smoke (which helped bring down the US tobacco industry).
Here are some of the stories I wrote in 2025 examining the trend and proposing solutions. 🧵
In @vox.com, I likened car bloat to secondhand smoke (which helped bring down the US tobacco industry).
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-tobacco playbook could help turn the US public against their beloved oversized cars.
www.vox.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:08 PM
“Car bloat”—increasingly oversized automobiles—worsens road safety, affordability and the environment.
Here are some of the stories I wrote in 2025 examining the trend and proposing solutions. 🧵
In @vox.com, I likened car bloat to secondhand smoke (which helped bring down the US tobacco industry).
Here are some of the stories I wrote in 2025 examining the trend and proposing solutions. 🧵
In @vox.com, I likened car bloat to secondhand smoke (which helped bring down the US tobacco industry).
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
This is absolutely wild, and super important.
There are zillions of studies claiming that fMRI signals indicate increased brain activity, and it looks like that's often just wrong.
If confirmed, this means we've misinterpreted a lot of research.
There are zillions of studies claiming that fMRI signals indicate increased brain activity, and it looks like that's often just wrong.
If confirmed, this means we've misinterpreted a lot of research.
"40 percent of MRI signals do not correspond to actual brain activity"; "Since tens of thousands of fMRI studies worldwide are based on this assumption, our results could lead to opposite interpretations in many of them.”
www.tum.de/en/news-and-...
www.tum.de/en/news-and-...
40 percent of MRI signals misinterpreted
Interpretation of numerous MRI data may be incorrect: blood flow is not a reliable indicator of brain activity.
www.tum.de
December 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
This is absolutely wild, and super important.
There are zillions of studies claiming that fMRI signals indicate increased brain activity, and it looks like that's often just wrong.
If confirmed, this means we've misinterpreted a lot of research.
There are zillions of studies claiming that fMRI signals indicate increased brain activity, and it looks like that's often just wrong.
If confirmed, this means we've misinterpreted a lot of research.
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 27, 2025 at 5:27 PM
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
I'd forgotten how good INXS's first album is. Very different to where they ended up, it was released in 1980 off the back of New Wave music and has some belters on it
December 27, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I'd forgotten how good INXS's first album is. Very different to where they ended up, it was released in 1980 off the back of New Wave music and has some belters on it
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
I've updated my document that tackles four of the common arguments used to encourage teachers to use AI.
I hope this will be helpful to those educators wanting to push back on AI mania.
I hope this will be helpful to those educators wanting to push back on AI mania.
Resisting School AI Mania Help Sheet
Help Sheet: Resisting AI Mania in Schools K-12 educators are under increasing pressure to use—and have students use—a wide range of AI tools. (The term “AI” is used loosely here, just as it is by man...
docs.google.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:23 PM
I've updated my document that tackles four of the common arguments used to encourage teachers to use AI.
I hope this will be helpful to those educators wanting to push back on AI mania.
I hope this will be helpful to those educators wanting to push back on AI mania.
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
The Bluesky prayer
I wish people who mostly share my values wouldn't make such shit arguments.
December 25, 2025 at 10:44 PM
The Bluesky prayer
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
There's no such thing as a festive parking lot or a jolly stroad.
Humans crave cozy walk/bike/roll-able communities. Every holiday village is a reminder of that truth.
Gentle holidays from the BikeMN Team!
Humans crave cozy walk/bike/roll-able communities. Every holiday village is a reminder of that truth.
Gentle holidays from the BikeMN Team!
December 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
There's no such thing as a festive parking lot or a jolly stroad.
Humans crave cozy walk/bike/roll-able communities. Every holiday village is a reminder of that truth.
Gentle holidays from the BikeMN Team!
Humans crave cozy walk/bike/roll-able communities. Every holiday village is a reminder of that truth.
Gentle holidays from the BikeMN Team!
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
We analysed 73,000 articles and found the UK media is divorcing ‘climate change’ from net zero
theconversation.com/we-analysed-...
theconversation.com/we-analysed-...
We analysed 73,000 articles and found the UK media is divorcing ‘climate change’ from net zero
Articles on net zero used to always explain the scientific background. But not anymore.
theconversation.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:39 AM
We analysed 73,000 articles and found the UK media is divorcing ‘climate change’ from net zero
theconversation.com/we-analysed-...
theconversation.com/we-analysed-...
Speeding is so normalised that this article about speeding is actually a veiled advert for how Volvo cars can only go 60% over the maximum legal speed and this is apparently a great thing
Local car retailer urges safer driving after new speeding data is revealed
A Swansea car retailer has raised concerns about road safety after new research has revealed more than 1,500 motorists were caught exceeding 112mph on UK roads in the past year – equal to one every six hours.
A Swansea car retailer has raised concerns about road safety after new research has revealed more than 1,500 motorists were caught exceeding 112mph on UK roads in the past year – equal to one every six hours.
Local car retailer urges safer driving after new speeding data is revealed
A Swansea car retailer has raised concerns about road safety after new research has revealed more than 1,500 motorists were caught exceeding 112mph on UK roads in the past year – equal to one every six hours.
swanseabaynews.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Speeding is so normalised that this article about speeding is actually a veiled advert for how Volvo cars can only go 60% over the maximum legal speed and this is apparently a great thing
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Japan is joining Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme.
Openness and international cooperation can shape a bright future for science and technology.
Through science, we can build bridges, strengthen competitiveness, and accelerate the green and digital transitions.
Openness and international cooperation can shape a bright future for science and technology.
Through science, we can build bridges, strengthen competitiveness, and accelerate the green and digital transitions.
December 22, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Japan is joining Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme.
Openness and international cooperation can shape a bright future for science and technology.
Through science, we can build bridges, strengthen competitiveness, and accelerate the green and digital transitions.
Openness and international cooperation can shape a bright future for science and technology.
Through science, we can build bridges, strengthen competitiveness, and accelerate the green and digital transitions.
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Motonormativity is a term that should be discussed more in the transportation community @ianwalker.bsky.social @drtaragoddard.com Thanks to @streetsforall.org for this youtu.be/dVwsCFCgT_o?...
Ian Walker lunchtime chat on Motornormativity
YouTube video by Streets For All
youtu.be
December 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Motonormativity is a term that should be discussed more in the transportation community @ianwalker.bsky.social @drtaragoddard.com Thanks to @streetsforall.org for this youtu.be/dVwsCFCgT_o?...
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Great article with @scarlettmcnally.bsky.social about encouraging less driving and more active travel to save the #NHS
hastingsonlinetimes.co.uk/hot-topics/h...
hastingsonlinetimes.co.uk/hot-topics/h...
We must get fitter if we’re to afford the future, says McNally
McNally in traffic outside Eastbourne hospital. Cycling on the pavement is forbidden. Plans for a bus and cycle route running three miles from Polegate to the hospital were stopped by councillors.
...
hastingsonlinetimes.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Great article with @scarlettmcnally.bsky.social about encouraging less driving and more active travel to save the #NHS
hastingsonlinetimes.co.uk/hot-topics/h...
hastingsonlinetimes.co.uk/hot-topics/h...
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Fascinating from Tom’s piece
December 21, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Fascinating from Tom’s piece
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
If you want your city to be a great place for everyone, especially children, older and disabled people, to get around safely and conveniently, then don’t invite in a load of driverless cars.
You’ll just be landed with a new source of congestion and serious extra chaos if there’s a power cut.
You’ll just be landed with a new source of congestion and serious extra chaos if there’s a power cut.
“Traffic lights across the city were down, seemingly confusing the driverless cars —& halting them in their tracks. Riders and pedestrians posted videos of Waymos stuck at intersections, long lines of drivers behind them.”
Less well known— driverless cars contribute to traffic congestion EVERY day.
Less well known— driverless cars contribute to traffic congestion EVERY day.
Waymo halts service during massive S.F. blackout after causing traffic jams
Numerous autonomous vehicles caused traffic jams across San Francisco after a PG&E outage hit 1/3 of the city.
missionlocal.org
December 21, 2025 at 7:37 AM
If you want your city to be a great place for everyone, especially children, older and disabled people, to get around safely and conveniently, then don’t invite in a load of driverless cars.
You’ll just be landed with a new source of congestion and serious extra chaos if there’s a power cut.
You’ll just be landed with a new source of congestion and serious extra chaos if there’s a power cut.
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
In 2024 there was one fatality after a pedestrian / bike collision - in the entire UK.
Meanwhile 265 pedestrians died after being hit by a car.
So why was there huge focus on bikes using this one #Edinburgh street, but little about the vehicles using it?
#motornormativity @ianwalker.bsky.social?
Meanwhile 265 pedestrians died after being hit by a car.
So why was there huge focus on bikes using this one #Edinburgh street, but little about the vehicles using it?
#motornormativity @ianwalker.bsky.social?
December 16, 2025 at 1:06 PM
In 2024 there was one fatality after a pedestrian / bike collision - in the entire UK.
Meanwhile 265 pedestrians died after being hit by a car.
So why was there huge focus on bikes using this one #Edinburgh street, but little about the vehicles using it?
#motornormativity @ianwalker.bsky.social?
Meanwhile 265 pedestrians died after being hit by a car.
So why was there huge focus on bikes using this one #Edinburgh street, but little about the vehicles using it?
#motornormativity @ianwalker.bsky.social?
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
One thing that I think I want to emphasize in the conversation about what society should do about drivers being extremely lawless and dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists is that if you spend a lot of time as a cyclist or a pedestrian you see a lot of behavior that is *driven by individual choice*.
December 13, 2025 at 1:36 PM
One thing that I think I want to emphasize in the conversation about what society should do about drivers being extremely lawless and dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists is that if you spend a lot of time as a cyclist or a pedestrian you see a lot of behavior that is *driven by individual choice*.
Just got round to reading the latest Cycle magazine and... yay!
December 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Just got round to reading the latest Cycle magazine and... yay!
Hi America: we've done the science on this bsky.app/profile/ianw...
A lot of people think basically all traffic laws are a fundamentally illegitimate pretext to harass and fine motorists at random, rather than regulations designed to prevent injury and death.
Striking that opponents of automated enforcement so often cite something easily fixed in policy design as a reason to reject the whole idea. For example fretting that local governments will use ATE as a money-printing machine when you can just stipulate the revenue go to specific purposes.
December 13, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Hi America: we've done the science on this bsky.app/profile/ianw...
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
If HS2 was a motorway, it would have been built by now! But because new rail projects are minutely analysed with this "value for the taxpayer" nonsense. If road building was held to the same level of scrutiny, a sizable amount of the road network would still be cart tracks.
December 12, 2025 at 10:55 PM
If HS2 was a motorway, it would have been built by now! But because new rail projects are minutely analysed with this "value for the taxpayer" nonsense. If road building was held to the same level of scrutiny, a sizable amount of the road network would still be cart tracks.
There's a top-class trolling opportunity here: "In the absence of people driving over Hammersmith Bridge it's not clear there's any demand for a car route"
In what universe could you look at this and think yeah let’s reopen this to cars.
December 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
There's a top-class trolling opportunity here: "In the absence of people driving over Hammersmith Bridge it's not clear there's any demand for a car route"
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Do people support the core idea of degrowth? A recent paper we published show the majority do.
See our press release here: www.uab.cat/web/newsroom...
See our press release here: www.uab.cat/web/newsroom...
First comprehensive investigation shows large support for core ideas of degrowth, but not the label
The first major study into public attitudes toward degrowth – the notion that high-income economies should prioritise wellbeing over growing...
www.uab.cat
December 12, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Do people support the core idea of degrowth? A recent paper we published show the majority do.
See our press release here: www.uab.cat/web/newsroom...
See our press release here: www.uab.cat/web/newsroom...