Jack Maizels
@jackmaizels.bsky.social
Planner who likes to explain. Tackling climate, housing, health and economic inequality crises through better transport & places. In London, from Scotland
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Jack Maizels
@jackmaizels.bsky.social
· Nov 9
The idea that prioritising cars somehow provides people with more choice is the biggest misconception in transport. Instead, making it easier to drive sets off three distinct vicious cycles that lock in more car use and *less* choice
The answer to this question may be in the DfT quote referring to creating a "thriving" driverless sector. The primary aim here appears to be supporting (perhaps any?) new economic activity, rather than creating cities where *people* are the ones that thrive
Five minutes of chat on BBC R4 Today programme this morning on how autonomous vehicles are coming by 2027... lots of chat about how to make them publicly acceptable, but no question about *why* we supposedly need them. What problem is this meant to solve, and is it worth all the investment?
May 19, 2025 at 12:53 PM
The answer to this question may be in the DfT quote referring to creating a "thriving" driverless sector. The primary aim here appears to be supporting (perhaps any?) new economic activity, rather than creating cities where *people* are the ones that thrive
And if the 175m road is drawn to scale, you would have to bulldoze the buildings...
January 7, 2025 at 8:22 AM
And if the 175m road is drawn to scale, you would have to bulldoze the buildings...
One explanation: the pollution is unpleasant, so each local community is keen for cars to linger near them as little as possible. In contrast, people walking cause no harm, so they are made to wait.
Two identical twins leave two identical houses to go to two identical jobs
One walks, the other gets into a car that causes pollution and danger
Explain to me why the former twin is made to wait for the latter, rather than the other way round
One walks, the other gets into a car that causes pollution and danger
Explain to me why the former twin is made to wait for the latter, rather than the other way round
December 30, 2024 at 2:06 PM
One explanation: the pollution is unpleasant, so each local community is keen for cars to linger near them as little as possible. In contrast, people walking cause no harm, so they are made to wait.
Reposted by Jack Maizels
Does HS2 have a future?
And why does that question hinge on an unseen government document and a sugar mill in Nottinghamshire?
And why does that question hinge on an unseen government document and a sugar mill in Nottinghamshire?
December 7, 2024 at 10:48 AM
Does HS2 have a future?
And why does that question hinge on an unseen government document and a sugar mill in Nottinghamshire?
And why does that question hinge on an unseen government document and a sugar mill in Nottinghamshire?
Massive congrats to @mikehakata.bsky.social and team for years of hard work on this. My old stomping ground in Bruce Grove had one of the worst records for people getting hurt while walking and cycling. After the LTN, casualties have reduced by *60 per cent*
December 4, 2024 at 11:14 AM
Massive congrats to @mikehakata.bsky.social and team for years of hard work on this. My old stomping ground in Bruce Grove had one of the worst records for people getting hurt while walking and cycling. After the LTN, casualties have reduced by *60 per cent*
Pothole tax on SUVs anyone?
Potholes are likely the most salient transport issue in the country. Three focus groups this week all described them as a danger to anyone trying to use the roads and source of many repair bills. Transport Secretary right to make road network renewal & safety a priority
Britain’s pothole hell revealed -Map lays bare if you live in a danger zone?
THE scale of Britain’s pothole crisis has been revealed by a new map of major hotspots. The past year has seen a massive jump in claims for damage related to potholes, each costing drivers hu…
www.thesun.co.uk
November 23, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Pothole tax on SUVs anyone?
Indeed, the 'cyclists Vs motorists' debate is greatly exaggerated: in London, those living in car owning households are as likely to cycle each week as those without a car
November 22, 2024 at 10:29 PM
Indeed, the 'cyclists Vs motorists' debate is greatly exaggerated: in London, those living in car owning households are as likely to cycle each week as those without a car
Tackling climate change relies on millions of people making different choices. For those trying to make that happen, understanding what drives those people - many of whom will disagree with our personal politics - is essential to making change work in practice.
This tendency to want to just close the eyes to opposing viewpoints has proven a huge problem for progressive politics. It's rooted in the the idea that even to engage is somehow morally compromising. It means that the argument is not joined and real people aren't won over. bsky.app/profile/lewi...
I find the number of people saying they want to block her as a response to this genuinely baffling. You don't need to like her. She's the leader of the opposition. Even if you're absolutely convinced she's wrong about everything, why not listen to ideas you disagree with?
November 18, 2024 at 11:59 AM
Tackling climate change relies on millions of people making different choices. For those trying to make that happen, understanding what drives those people - many of whom will disagree with our personal politics - is essential to making change work in practice.
Reposted by Jack Maizels
Avoiding flying is one of the hardest ways to cut emissions, but it could be easier. What if you could change between international rail lines like a massive metro? What if you could plan trips with a map as clear as the London Underground's? It could look something like this #TubeMapForEurope
November 17, 2024 at 9:58 PM
Avoiding flying is one of the hardest ways to cut emissions, but it could be easier. What if you could change between international rail lines like a massive metro? What if you could plan trips with a map as clear as the London Underground's? It could look something like this #TubeMapForEurope
Avoiding flying is one of the hardest ways to cut emissions, but it could be easier. What if you could change between international rail lines like a massive metro? What if you could plan trips with a map as clear as the London Underground's? It could look something like this #TubeMapForEurope
November 17, 2024 at 9:58 PM
Avoiding flying is one of the hardest ways to cut emissions, but it could be easier. What if you could change between international rail lines like a massive metro? What if you could plan trips with a map as clear as the London Underground's? It could look something like this #TubeMapForEurope
They've created a real world Department of Administrative Affairs
Hey you know what's inefficient?
Creating another department to "lead efficiency".
Creating another department to "lead efficiency".
November 13, 2024 at 8:03 AM
They've created a real world Department of Administrative Affairs
When it comes to transport emissions - the UK has been implicitly telling people how they should get around for decades: by car. People respond to the *system* around them. Responsibility has to start with those who design that system, not individuals making choices within it
Great to see Starmer committing the UK to a strong climate target at COP29. But.... the framing of (I quote) "What we're not going to do, is start telling people how to live their lives" is unhelpful.
Instead: "We know that people are concerned about climate, & we're going to help them to act"
Instead: "We know that people are concerned about climate, & we're going to help them to act"
November 12, 2024 at 8:13 PM
When it comes to transport emissions - the UK has been implicitly telling people how they should get around for decades: by car. People respond to the *system* around them. Responsibility has to start with those who design that system, not individuals making choices within it
Reposted by Jack Maizels
Today the GLA published its annual ‘Housing in London’ report data.london.gov.uk/housing/hous.... It has 70 pages of analysis and data visualisations and I think you should read the whole thing, but here is a thread with some of the key findings.
November 11, 2024 at 12:52 PM
Today the GLA published its annual ‘Housing in London’ report data.london.gov.uk/housing/hous.... It has 70 pages of analysis and data visualisations and I think you should read the whole thing, but here is a thread with some of the key findings.
And because a faster bus is a cheaper bus to run, local authorities can also make buses more affordable by putting in more bus lanes (or get higher frequencies for the same cost)
When local authorities say they can't afford to subsidise buses, remind them that every car parked for free on a road means they've found the money to subside driving
Another city region's Metro Mayor has committed to retaining the £2 bus fare cap - that's now Liverpool and Manchester. Plus of course London's standard bus fare of £1.75.
When will Dan Norris follow suit?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
When will Dan Norris follow suit?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
November 10, 2024 at 9:42 AM
And because a faster bus is a cheaper bus to run, local authorities can also make buses more affordable by putting in more bus lanes (or get higher frequencies for the same cost)
Reposted by Jack Maizels
Exactly this. We drove from #Swindon to #Swansea today to see family because trains were £Silly. If Trains were cheaper it would actually be a choice....
The idea that prioritising cars somehow provides people with more choice is the biggest misconception in transport. Instead, making it easier to drive sets off three distinct vicious cycles that lock in more car use and *less* choice
November 9, 2024 at 8:29 PM
The idea that prioritising cars somehow provides people with more choice is the biggest misconception in transport. Instead, making it easier to drive sets off three distinct vicious cycles that lock in more car use and *less* choice
November 9, 2024 at 8:25 PM
The idea that prioritising cars somehow provides people with more choice is the biggest misconception in transport. Instead, making it easier to drive sets off three distinct vicious cycles that lock in more car use and *less* choice