Dr Robert Davis
@chairrdrf.bsky.social
Chair of Road Danger Reduction Forum www.rdrf.org.uk
Posts on RDR, transport, #ClimateCatastrophe. Some other serious matters e.g. #Ukraine, some fun stuff e.g. cycle sport.
Posts on RDR, transport, #ClimateCatastrophe. Some other serious matters e.g. #Ukraine, some fun stuff e.g. cycle sport.
The then Prime Minister Harold MacMillan asked "Who is this Tommy Steele", was informed accordingly by a civil servant who mentioned that he also got paid more than the PM.
Joke from pop fans: "...and MacMillan can't even sing".
Joke from music lovers: "Nor can Tommy.."
Joke from pop fans: "...and MacMillan can't even sing".
Joke from music lovers: "Nor can Tommy.."
Tommy Steele, considered Britain's first teen idol and rock and roll star, riding in 1963
#BicycleBirthday Tommy Steele
December 17, 1936
#BicycleBirthday Tommy Steele
December 17, 1936
December 17, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The then Prime Minister Harold MacMillan asked "Who is this Tommy Steele", was informed accordingly by a civil servant who mentioned that he also got paid more than the PM.
Joke from pop fans: "...and MacMillan can't even sing".
Joke from music lovers: "Nor can Tommy.."
Joke from pop fans: "...and MacMillan can't even sing".
Joke from music lovers: "Nor can Tommy.."
Reposted by Dr Robert Davis
Another question on when the footway parking consultation outcome will be published and another "soon".
A question on #PedestrianAreas #Parking tabled by Anneliese Dodds on 08-12-2025 has been answered by Lilian Greenwood. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-08/97940
December 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Another question on when the footway parking consultation outcome will be published and another "soon".
Interesting comments on the very short ban on Paul Doyle by @barristersecret.bsky.social . However, I think he's wrong and is basically going along with the #Motonormativity of society as it now is because: If driving is NOT a basic human right, then we should be able to ban people for longer
1./
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Following today’s sentencing of Paul Doyle, several people have understandably queried why he was not banned from driving for life.
It’s a good question, and one I attempted to grapple with in #NothingButTheTruth in the context of repeat driving offenders.
It’s a good question, and one I attempted to grapple with in #NothingButTheTruth in the context of repeat driving offenders.
December 17, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Interesting comments on the very short ban on Paul Doyle by @barristersecret.bsky.social . However, I think he's wrong and is basically going along with the #Motonormativity of society as it now is because: If driving is NOT a basic human right, then we should be able to ban people for longer
1./
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Exactly! @gazza-d.bsky.social is right!
Interesting thoughts here. However fragmented and sometimes poor public transport affects anyone who doesn't drive.
The thought that it would impede someone's rehabilitation is a very motocentric approach. Saying someone needs a car is unimaginative. They could get a different job for example.
The thought that it would impede someone's rehabilitation is a very motocentric approach. Saying someone needs a car is unimaginative. They could get a different job for example.
Following today’s sentencing of Paul Doyle, several people have understandably queried why he was not banned from driving for life.
It’s a good question, and one I attempted to grapple with in #NothingButTheTruth in the context of repeat driving offenders.
It’s a good question, and one I attempted to grapple with in #NothingButTheTruth in the context of repeat driving offenders.
December 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Exactly! @gazza-d.bsky.social is right!
A short 🧵on how it isn't cycle lanes causing supposedly slower bus speeds.
@psimonk.bsky.social @londoncycling.bsky.social @livingstreets.bsky.social @rogergeffen.bsky.social @transportaction.bsky.social @christianwolmar.bsky.social @carltonreid.com @cyclinguk.bsky.social
@psimonk.bsky.social @londoncycling.bsky.social @livingstreets.bsky.social @rogergeffen.bsky.social @transportaction.bsky.social @christianwolmar.bsky.social @carltonreid.com @cyclinguk.bsky.social
Re-the current trope that buses are moving slower because of "cycle lanes":
IF (and it's worthwhile examining the evidence) buses are going slower - by about 1 mph which is hardly noticeable for most travellers - the reason is not cycle lanes because:
Firstly, there are very few kerb separated
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IF (and it's worthwhile examining the evidence) buses are going slower - by about 1 mph which is hardly noticeable for most travellers - the reason is not cycle lanes because:
Firstly, there are very few kerb separated
1./
December 15, 2025 at 5:49 PM
A short 🧵on how it isn't cycle lanes causing supposedly slower bus speeds.
@psimonk.bsky.social @londoncycling.bsky.social @livingstreets.bsky.social @rogergeffen.bsky.social @transportaction.bsky.social @christianwolmar.bsky.social @carltonreid.com @cyclinguk.bsky.social
@psimonk.bsky.social @londoncycling.bsky.social @livingstreets.bsky.social @rogergeffen.bsky.social @transportaction.bsky.social @christianwolmar.bsky.social @carltonreid.com @cyclinguk.bsky.social
Disgraceful. Don't forget to send in your reply to the consultation by Monday!
New Government figures (tinyurl.com/3ajz9x67) show local authorities' #Cycling & #Walking funding being cut yet again! We need 10,000s of miles of new C&W links, not just 500 miles (see tinyurl.com/5dk3t5mx).
Please respond to consultation on C&W 'Investment' Strategy by Monday tinyurl.com/2v3dmx6d
Please respond to consultation on C&W 'Investment' Strategy by Monday tinyurl.com/2v3dmx6d
December 13, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Disgraceful. Don't forget to send in your reply to the consultation by Monday!
Reposted by Dr Robert Davis
A big thank you to everyone who has already donated to our Streets for Cycling campaign 🫶
🚴♂️ Every penny will be going directly into funding our work to get cycling on the ballot for the 2026 local election - want to help? Donate today: bit.ly/4rDZ1GJ
🚴♂️ Every penny will be going directly into funding our work to get cycling on the ballot for the 2026 local election - want to help? Donate today: bit.ly/4rDZ1GJ
December 13, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A big thank you to everyone who has already donated to our Streets for Cycling campaign 🫶
🚴♂️ Every penny will be going directly into funding our work to get cycling on the ballot for the 2026 local election - want to help? Donate today: bit.ly/4rDZ1GJ
🚴♂️ Every penny will be going directly into funding our work to get cycling on the ballot for the 2026 local election - want to help? Donate today: bit.ly/4rDZ1GJ
Reposted by Dr Robert Davis
"12th December 1935: Schoolchildren at Chew Magna Council School, Somerset (UK), with bicycles that they have been given as they live too far away from their school to walk."
December 12, 2025 at 4:28 PM
"12th December 1935: Schoolchildren at Chew Magna Council School, Somerset (UK), with bicycles that they have been given as they live too far away from their school to walk."
Off normal topics because his brilliance was part of childhood entertainment.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
RIP Stanley Baxter
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
RIP Stanley Baxter
Stanley Baxter obituary
Scottish comedian whose spectacular sketch shows on television made him a household name
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Off normal topics because his brilliance was part of childhood entertainment.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
RIP Stanley Baxter
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
RIP Stanley Baxter
Interesting piece www.jewishnews.co.uk/jonathan-fre... by @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
JONATHAN FREEDLAND: Why Britain’s Jewish leaders are silent on Farage’s schoolyard antisemitism
While the Reform UK leader and his allies smear accusers as liars, the Board, JLC and HET remain mute, fearing the wrath of a rising politician
www.jewishnews.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Interesting piece www.jewishnews.co.uk/jonathan-fre... by @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Robert Davis
I've submitted a response.
If you haven't yet, then Laura has put together this excellent guidance on doing so.
Shy bairns get nowt!
If you haven't yet, then Laura has put together this excellent guidance on doing so.
Shy bairns get nowt!
December 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I've submitted a response.
If you haven't yet, then Laura has put together this excellent guidance on doing so.
Shy bairns get nowt!
If you haven't yet, then Laura has put together this excellent guidance on doing so.
Shy bairns get nowt!
Reposted by Dr Robert Davis
This is why we need yearly theory tests covering changes to the highway code for all drivers when renewing tax or insurance, and 5 or 10 year practical retests.
If a car needs a yearly checkup to ensure it's fit for the road, then so does the driver.
road.cc/content/news...
If a car needs a yearly checkup to ensure it's fit for the road, then so does the driver.
road.cc/content/news...
“Zig zag lines, parallel crossing, I have no idea what any of it means”: Cyclists call for “regular compulsory retests” for motorists after driver filmed ignoring bike crossing + more on the live blog
After finally (and rather reluctantly) putting his Christmas tree up at the weekend, road.cc’s resident Grinch Ryan is back enjoying his own version of some proper festive fun: droning on about cyclin...
road.cc
December 8, 2025 at 11:22 AM
This is why we need yearly theory tests covering changes to the highway code for all drivers when renewing tax or insurance, and 5 or 10 year practical retests.
If a car needs a yearly checkup to ensure it's fit for the road, then so does the driver.
road.cc/content/news...
If a car needs a yearly checkup to ensure it's fit for the road, then so does the driver.
road.cc/content/news...
Not as anti-social as bad driving (it doesn't endanger, hurt or kill).
Nor as damaging to the countryside as road building, which is legal.
But countryside fly tipping is really, really annoying.
(This tip upsetting my weekly Chilterns ride outside Hyde Heath).
Nor as damaging to the countryside as road building, which is legal.
But countryside fly tipping is really, really annoying.
(This tip upsetting my weekly Chilterns ride outside Hyde Heath).
December 9, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Not as anti-social as bad driving (it doesn't endanger, hurt or kill).
Nor as damaging to the countryside as road building, which is legal.
But countryside fly tipping is really, really annoying.
(This tip upsetting my weekly Chilterns ride outside Hyde Heath).
Nor as damaging to the countryside as road building, which is legal.
But countryside fly tipping is really, really annoying.
(This tip upsetting my weekly Chilterns ride outside Hyde Heath).
I don't know which is more abdurd/grotesque:
A. The "Peace Award" to Trump from FIFA.
B. The World Cup draw as top news item on
@BBCNews
at 10, above Venezuela, never mind Ukraine, #ClimateCrisis etc.
A. The "Peace Award" to Trump from FIFA.
B. The World Cup draw as top news item on
@BBCNews
at 10, above Venezuela, never mind Ukraine, #ClimateCrisis etc.
December 5, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I don't know which is more abdurd/grotesque:
A. The "Peace Award" to Trump from FIFA.
B. The World Cup draw as top news item on
@BBCNews
at 10, above Venezuela, never mind Ukraine, #ClimateCrisis etc.
A. The "Peace Award" to Trump from FIFA.
B. The World Cup draw as top news item on
@BBCNews
at 10, above Venezuela, never mind Ukraine, #ClimateCrisis etc.
Reposted by Dr Robert Davis
If this driver hadn't managed to plead hardship when facing a ban for phone use, then he may not have later killed someone when using phone whilst driving.
Clearly a habit.
I hope the magistrate/judge who gave him leniency thinks long & hard about their decision
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Clearly a habit.
I hope the magistrate/judge who gave him leniency thinks long & hard about their decision
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Family mourns Farnham cyclist after man jailed over his death
Cyclist Aran Potkin's wife pays tribute to her husband, after a motorist is jailed for causing his death by dangerous driving.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 8:21 PM
If this driver hadn't managed to plead hardship when facing a ban for phone use, then he may not have later killed someone when using phone whilst driving.
Clearly a habit.
I hope the magistrate/judge who gave him leniency thinks long & hard about their decision
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Clearly a habit.
I hope the magistrate/judge who gave him leniency thinks long & hard about their decision
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dr Robert Davis
Peter Ettedgui who says Nigel Farage abused him at school because he is Jewish is accused of lying on the Today programme by Richard Tice...He should sue...Who is going to start a crowdfunder for him?
December 4, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Peter Ettedgui who says Nigel Farage abused him at school because he is Jewish is accused of lying on the Today programme by Richard Tice...He should sue...Who is going to start a crowdfunder for him?
Shot on my Chilterns ride yesterday.
Cold, and I wouldn't have been a happy bunny if I had had a puncture - but do get out on your bike(s) in the winter: more sun for your Serotonin levels, nice views and the benefits of physical activity!
Cold, and I wouldn't have been a happy bunny if I had had a puncture - but do get out on your bike(s) in the winter: more sun for your Serotonin levels, nice views and the benefits of physical activity!
December 1, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Shot on my Chilterns ride yesterday.
Cold, and I wouldn't have been a happy bunny if I had had a puncture - but do get out on your bike(s) in the winter: more sun for your Serotonin levels, nice views and the benefits of physical activity!
Cold, and I wouldn't have been a happy bunny if I had had a puncture - but do get out on your bike(s) in the winter: more sun for your Serotonin levels, nice views and the benefits of physical activity!
This is not only important work (well done WF, hackney and some others), but it is essential that people have the possibility of secure and convenient home parking.
My guess is that one of the reasons for the explosion in hire bike use is the absence of such facility.
And of course it...
1./
My guess is that one of the reasons for the explosion in hire bike use is the absence of such facility.
And of course it...
1./
>1,000 cycle 'hangars' in Waltham Forest. Amazing scenes @labourstone.bsky.social! "From 30 to 1,000 since 2015" says email. Fast catching up on frontrunners (AFAIK) Hackney, who currently have over 1,300 says their website. Secure cycle parking on residential streets in progressive boroughs FTW!
November 29, 2025 at 5:40 PM
This is not only important work (well done WF, hackney and some others), but it is essential that people have the possibility of secure and convenient home parking.
My guess is that one of the reasons for the explosion in hire bike use is the absence of such facility.
And of course it...
1./
My guess is that one of the reasons for the explosion in hire bike use is the absence of such facility.
And of course it...
1./
Little known fact:
In 1972 I worked Front of House (a lowly usher) at the Old Vic when Jumpers premiered.
The author was in a good mood and while I waited to tear ticket stubs he put his arm around my shoulders as a friendly greeting.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
RIP Tom Stoppard.
In 1972 I worked Front of House (a lowly usher) at the Old Vic when Jumpers premiered.
The author was in a good mood and while I waited to tear ticket stubs he put his arm around my shoulders as a friendly greeting.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
RIP Tom Stoppard.
Tom Stoppard, playwright of dazzling wit and playful erudition, dies aged 88
A theatrical sensation since the 1960s, whose dramas included Arcadia, The Real Thing and Leopoldstadt, Stoppard also had huge success as a screenwriter
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Little known fact:
In 1972 I worked Front of House (a lowly usher) at the Old Vic when Jumpers premiered.
The author was in a good mood and while I waited to tear ticket stubs he put his arm around my shoulders as a friendly greeting.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
RIP Tom Stoppard.
In 1972 I worked Front of House (a lowly usher) at the Old Vic when Jumpers premiered.
The author was in a good mood and while I waited to tear ticket stubs he put his arm around my shoulders as a friendly greeting.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
RIP Tom Stoppard.
Reposted by Dr Robert Davis
It’s not a great deal if you don’t need it. And especially this year, others really need support. So for all of us who have enough, let’s refuse to get sucked into the holiday shopping frenzy and share instead of shop. We don’t need more stuff, we need communities where all our neighbors are safe.
November 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
It’s not a great deal if you don’t need it. And especially this year, others really need support. So for all of us who have enough, let’s refuse to get sucked into the holiday shopping frenzy and share instead of shop. We don’t need more stuff, we need communities where all our neighbors are safe.
Reposted by Dr Robert Davis
Surely Putin has paid off Witkoff
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
Check this from @nickcohen.bsky.social out.
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
Check this from @nickcohen.bsky.social out.
Surely Putin has paid off Witkoff
The Kremlin’s man in Washington
open.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Surely Putin has paid off Witkoff
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
Check this from @nickcohen.bsky.social out.
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe...
Check this from @nickcohen.bsky.social out.
Reposted by Dr Robert Davis
This is an absurd situation: my driving licence must be renewed every 10 years, but there's absolutely no requirement to prove that I'm still competent to drive a potentially lethal piece of machinery.
November 26, 2025 at 8:02 AM
This is an absurd situation: my driving licence must be renewed every 10 years, but there's absolutely no requirement to prove that I'm still competent to drive a potentially lethal piece of machinery.
As feared, the Chancellor has not raised the financial costs of driving to drivers.
I note that media commentary indicates that to do so would be "political suicide" - which reminds me of my mentor Professor John Adams saying that the alternative was actual suicide - or at least serious
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I note that media commentary indicates that to do so would be "political suicide" - which reminds me of my mentor Professor John Adams saying that the alternative was actual suicide - or at least serious
1./
November 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
As feared, the Chancellor has not raised the financial costs of driving to drivers.
I note that media commentary indicates that to do so would be "political suicide" - which reminds me of my mentor Professor John Adams saying that the alternative was actual suicide - or at least serious
1./
I note that media commentary indicates that to do so would be "political suicide" - which reminds me of my mentor Professor John Adams saying that the alternative was actual suicide - or at least serious
1./
Happy Birthday Billy!
(photo by Phil O'Connor)
(photo by Phil O'Connor)
November 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Happy Birthday Billy!
(photo by Phil O'Connor)
(photo by Phil O'Connor)