Sam Easterby-Smith
@samsterby.com
Mobile Tech Lead at the Co-operative Bank, Green Party person, rider of massive bike. Withington, Manchester. He/Him
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Remember when they said that age ID would protect kids
Fun times
Fun times
Ofcom, which enforces the UK's Online Safety Act, says it is aware of "serious concerns" about Grok undressing people including children on X
“We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK," it says
“We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK," it says
January 5, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Remember when they said that age ID would protect kids
Fun times
Fun times
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
When parents are afraid to let their children cycle, that’s not “choice” - it’s policy failure.
Unsafe roads + patchy Bikeability = less independence, worse health, more car dependence.
Children deserve safe streets.
@solveschoolrun.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Unsafe roads + patchy Bikeability = less independence, worse health, more car dependence.
Children deserve safe streets.
@solveschoolrun.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
West Midlands councils struggling to deliver bike safety training
More than half of councils in the West Midlands are seeing a fall in the number of children taking part.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 8:12 AM
When parents are afraid to let their children cycle, that’s not “choice” - it’s policy failure.
Unsafe roads + patchy Bikeability = less independence, worse health, more car dependence.
Children deserve safe streets.
@solveschoolrun.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Unsafe roads + patchy Bikeability = less independence, worse health, more car dependence.
Children deserve safe streets.
@solveschoolrun.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
The Utrecht morning rush hour in the snow did not disappoint!
January 5, 2026 at 7:26 AM
The Utrecht morning rush hour in the snow did not disappoint!
Spent a quite long time yesterday discussing the Venezuela situation and general state of geopolitics with my 10yo.
Her: So is this the start of World War 3?
Her: So is this the start of World War 3?
January 4, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Spent a quite long time yesterday discussing the Venezuela situation and general state of geopolitics with my 10yo.
Her: So is this the start of World War 3?
Her: So is this the start of World War 3?
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
2025 annual summary for the Oxford Road Cycleway
*drum roll*
Another record-breaking year! Overall 3% growth, with new monthly records for six months, and a new daily record (7,527).
Total recorded trips: 1,403,829!
We're going to need a new scale for the counter displays.
*drum roll*
Another record-breaking year! Overall 3% growth, with new monthly records for six months, and a new daily record (7,527).
Total recorded trips: 1,403,829!
We're going to need a new scale for the counter displays.
January 4, 2026 at 9:38 AM
2025 annual summary for the Oxford Road Cycleway
*drum roll*
Another record-breaking year! Overall 3% growth, with new monthly records for six months, and a new daily record (7,527).
Total recorded trips: 1,403,829!
We're going to need a new scale for the counter displays.
*drum roll*
Another record-breaking year! Overall 3% growth, with new monthly records for six months, and a new daily record (7,527).
Total recorded trips: 1,403,829!
We're going to need a new scale for the counter displays.
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
My holiday reading included a graphic novel about Neville Chamberlain, written by my friend @benjamindickson.bsky.social
Tragically, this very timely cautionary tale from history doesn't have a publisher yet. I wonder if anyone in my network can help fix that? 🙏🏻 benjamindickson.sumupstore.com
Tragically, this very timely cautionary tale from history doesn't have a publisher yet. I wonder if anyone in my network can help fix that? 🙏🏻 benjamindickson.sumupstore.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:41 PM
My holiday reading included a graphic novel about Neville Chamberlain, written by my friend @benjamindickson.bsky.social
Tragically, this very timely cautionary tale from history doesn't have a publisher yet. I wonder if anyone in my network can help fix that? 🙏🏻 benjamindickson.sumupstore.com
Tragically, this very timely cautionary tale from history doesn't have a publisher yet. I wonder if anyone in my network can help fix that? 🙏🏻 benjamindickson.sumupstore.com
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Spray paint a plane and they'll detain you without trial and call you a terrorist.
Kidnap a foreign head of state - and Keir Starmer will make it clear we've played no part in it but will wait for the scheduled press conference in a few hours before potentially condemning it
Kidnap a foreign head of state - and Keir Starmer will make it clear we've played no part in it but will wait for the scheduled press conference in a few hours before potentially condemning it
January 3, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Spray paint a plane and they'll detain you without trial and call you a terrorist.
Kidnap a foreign head of state - and Keir Starmer will make it clear we've played no part in it but will wait for the scheduled press conference in a few hours before potentially condemning it
Kidnap a foreign head of state - and Keir Starmer will make it clear we've played no part in it but will wait for the scheduled press conference in a few hours before potentially condemning it
Been getting some of the bazillion details of the shed sorted out - to make it a functioning workspace. And creating more details to sort out.
IVAR (the terrible) shelving involves hammering the uprights together these days, but it’s ok, they are still cursed.
IVAR (the terrible) shelving involves hammering the uprights together these days, but it’s ok, they are still cursed.
January 2, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Been getting some of the bazillion details of the shed sorted out - to make it a functioning workspace. And creating more details to sort out.
IVAR (the terrible) shelving involves hammering the uprights together these days, but it’s ok, they are still cursed.
IVAR (the terrible) shelving involves hammering the uprights together these days, but it’s ok, they are still cursed.
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Happy new year to those watching on ITV+1
January 1, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Happy new year to those watching on ITV+1
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Two of these things were consumers choosing to purchase a product because they saw value in it, and the other was mostly forced upon users by crowbarring it into every aspect of their life against their will.
In 2025, AI became pervasive in American life and the economy, with ChatGPT surging in adoption much faster than any other major technology in memory. @nytopinion.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Two of these things were consumers choosing to purchase a product because they saw value in it, and the other was mostly forced upon users by crowbarring it into every aspect of their life against their will.
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Never a fucking tsunami around when you need one.
December 31, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Never a fucking tsunami around when you need one.
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
I didn't get round to writing a year in review. But it's been a busy year for the blog, with Wordpress telling me I published 49 posts in total, which must be a record for me! 🧵
The start of the year saw me finishing off the Berlin 23 series, a little behind schedule!
domcycling.com/tag/berlin-23/
The start of the year saw me finishing off the Berlin 23 series, a little behind schedule!
domcycling.com/tag/berlin-23/
December 31, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I didn't get round to writing a year in review. But it's been a busy year for the blog, with Wordpress telling me I published 49 posts in total, which must be a record for me! 🧵
The start of the year saw me finishing off the Berlin 23 series, a little behind schedule!
domcycling.com/tag/berlin-23/
The start of the year saw me finishing off the Berlin 23 series, a little behind schedule!
domcycling.com/tag/berlin-23/
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
HS2 is doing some incredible, world-leading engineering. In a sane country, we'd create a pipeline of projects. It would become cheaper and we would start selling our expertise to the rest of the world.
But this is the UK, so we'll throw it all away. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkEN...
But this is the UK, so we'll throw it all away. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkEN...
HS2 completes UK’s heaviest bridge slide
YouTube video by HS2 Ltd
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:24 PM
HS2 is doing some incredible, world-leading engineering. In a sane country, we'd create a pipeline of projects. It would become cheaper and we would start selling our expertise to the rest of the world.
But this is the UK, so we'll throw it all away. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkEN...
But this is the UK, so we'll throw it all away. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkEN...
Oh my! It was indeed a good day! (Hi Dylan! Miss you! 👋)
youtu.be/gztCqxYYznM this was a good day with friends and I'm still proud of this video xx
"Brain Rot" - Nyctophonia
YouTube video by Nyctophonia
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Oh my! It was indeed a good day! (Hi Dylan! Miss you! 👋)
I keep thinking that everything looks a bit blurry and hard to read.
And then I remember to put my glasses on and it’s amazing.
And then I remember to put my glasses on and it’s amazing.
December 31, 2025 at 12:48 AM
I keep thinking that everything looks a bit blurry and hard to read.
And then I remember to put my glasses on and it’s amazing.
And then I remember to put my glasses on and it’s amazing.
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Congestion pricing for every UK city this very instant
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
December 31, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Congestion pricing for every UK city this very instant
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Whether it’s the Tory government mismanaging the Elizabeth Line 30 years ago, or the Labour government mismanaging HS2 today, the conservative playbook remains the same.
No matter what we need, negotiate into the ground to keep tax low, to the economic ruin of the country.
No matter what we need, negotiate into the ground to keep tax low, to the economic ruin of the country.
December 30, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Whether it’s the Tory government mismanaging the Elizabeth Line 30 years ago, or the Labour government mismanaging HS2 today, the conservative playbook remains the same.
No matter what we need, negotiate into the ground to keep tax low, to the economic ruin of the country.
No matter what we need, negotiate into the ground to keep tax low, to the economic ruin of the country.
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
There’s salmon in the Goyt!
Young Atlantic salmon seen in three English rivers for first time in a decade
Species that is critically endangered in Britain is spotted in Mersey, Bollin and Goyt rivers in north-west
www.theguardian.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:41 PM
There’s salmon in the Goyt!
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Idea for growth: run public transport at the time of year when everyone wants to travel across the country in order to give people things they will have spent money on
December 27, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Idea for growth: run public transport at the time of year when everyone wants to travel across the country in order to give people things they will have spent money on
It’s not every day that a path near my home makes a major political announcement and national news… but the “Mersey Valley Way” has that honour this Boxing Day. /1
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
First of nine new river walks in England announced for north-west
Mersey Valley Way takes in Manchester and Stockport on its 13-mile route with other walks to be identified in 2026
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:14 PM
It’s not every day that a path near my home makes a major political announcement and national news… but the “Mersey Valley Way” has that honour this Boxing Day. /1
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
on the tramway in Nantes and a pretty old woman gave her seat to a very old woman so I gave my seat to the pretty old woman then a man gave me his seat then a teenager gave a man his seat and then we all laughed, aren't people fantastic
December 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM
on the tramway in Nantes and a pretty old woman gave her seat to a very old woman so I gave my seat to the pretty old woman then a man gave me his seat then a teenager gave a man his seat and then we all laughed, aren't people fantastic
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
"There's no man that I fancy
Except Zack Polanski!“ The brilliant Grace Petrie.
Except Zack Polanski!“ The brilliant Grace Petrie.
New Fairytale of New York lyrics just dropped... 😮💨
Grace Petrie 👏
Grace Petrie 👏
December 22, 2025 at 1:55 PM
"There's no man that I fancy
Except Zack Polanski!“ The brilliant Grace Petrie.
Except Zack Polanski!“ The brilliant Grace Petrie.
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Watching Die Hard 2 as a councillor:
I applaud that officer for diligently enforcing the parking restrictions and resisiting John McClane's charms.
I applaud that officer for diligently enforcing the parking restrictions and resisiting John McClane's charms.
December 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Watching Die Hard 2 as a councillor:
I applaud that officer for diligently enforcing the parking restrictions and resisiting John McClane's charms.
I applaud that officer for diligently enforcing the parking restrictions and resisiting John McClane's charms.
Reposted by Sam Easterby-Smith
Winter Wonderland.
#WorldBollardAssociation
#WorldBollardAssociation
December 22, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Winter Wonderland.
#WorldBollardAssociation
#WorldBollardAssociation