edwardajames.bsky.social
@edwardajames.bsky.social
West Midlander - Cycling - Politics - YIMBYISM - nerdery
Reposted
Class 1 e-bikes, which require pedaling and have electric assist that tops out at 18mph, are very different than throttle-operated class 2 and 3 bikes, which are themselves very different from the bigger, faster electric motorcycles that are proliferating under the “ebike” label.
My unpopular urbanist opinion is that big, hyperfast two-wheelers are a menace and should be banned from bike lanes/paths (with enforcement).

These things endanger everyone riding a bike or legal e-bike. Worse, they deter some from even trying.
E-bikes have evolved into e-motorcycles. Law enforcement is lagging behind.
Serious injuries are on the rise in emergency rooms around the country, as electric cycles become bigger and faster. Lawmakers and police departments are scrambling to address the problem.
www.inquirer.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
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This guy needs to be put in team with Danny Kruger.
October 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
birminghamdispatch.co.uk/manchesters-ec…

This article makes me angry but also determined. If Greater Manchester can improve productivity so can West Midlands. And looking forward to the day where the conparison is not London because other areas are equally rich!
@richardparkerwm.bsky.soci
al lets go
https://birminghamdispatch.co.uk/manchesters-ec…
July 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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New post just out

A timely guest post from John Kingman - chair of Legal + General and Barclays UK - on what Labour need to do if they're serious about getting the economy moving.

More important than ever given the impact of the Trump tariffs.

(£/free trial)

open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
The Bazooka Revisited
Six ways for Labour to get the economy growing
open.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Uniqlo is set to open at the shopping centre at long last

Excited!
March 24, 2025 at 1:08 PM
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...

This cd be a really important pilot. A shame it's not being tried.
Teachers blocked from swapping big pensions for higher wages
The Government has told a trust of nearly 100 schools that it cannot go ahead with a plan to offer teachers higher pay for smaller pensions
inews.co.uk
March 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Got the @bbcradio6musicbot.bsky.social #timemachine right today!! If only I had time to listen live at lunch time! 😩

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Craig Charles - Welcome to your midweek pick-me-up with Peter Perrett - BBC Sounds
Peter Perrett chats to Craig about his career, before hijacking the Trunk of Punk.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Donald Trump assumes office with promise to be the very bestest best
January 20, 2025 at 8:34 PM
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The spirit of Chamberlain’s municipal socialism is still here, but it has since moved north from its birthplace in Birmingham. labourlist.org/2025/01/news...
Andy Burnham backs public control of key services, blasting ‘damaging deregulation’ – LabourList
Andy Burnham has called for key services to be brought back into public control, blasting the "pretty disastrous policy" of the 1980s and 1990s privatisation-era.…
labourlist.org
January 10, 2025 at 9:30 PM
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The comments under this week's newsletter, particularly from people who changed their career in their 40s, are extremely lovely. In short: it's not too late. You can still do it iandunt.substack.com/p/happy-new-...
Happy New Year: Now sort your fucking life out
It'll keep on pissing itself away until you set goals.
iandunt.substack.com
January 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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I really value the analysis via Comment is Freed, I only pay to subscribe to a few people on Substack and this is my top pick! It helps me feel more informed and sometimes challenges my existing thinking in a constructive way. Highly recommended, especially with this new year discount ⬇️
It's the third anniversary of us launching our Comment is Freed substack today.

To celebrate we're doing our first ever special offer. 25% off for your first year. We probably won't do another one in 2025 so if you've been thinking of signing up now's the time.

samf.substack.com/p/special-an...
Special Anniversary Offer *25% off for your first year*
Today is the third anniversary of us launching this substack after deciding, over Christmas lunch in 2021, that a father/son format would be fun.
samf.substack.com
January 3, 2025 at 9:18 AM
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Parish notice: am looking for a couple of people (ideally grad students with pol science or history background) to help me out with some research for a project I’m working on. Will pay for the time. DM if interested or send on to someone if you think would fit the bill.
January 3, 2025 at 9:12 PM
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Umm… this is a little unexpected from the Express.

A short travel piece on Helsinki that praises the public transport & pedestrian friendly spaces. It highlights how:

“Extensive car-free zones have transformed neighbourhoods into havens of clean air and tranquility.”
The European city where you don't need a car because of world-class transport
Helsinki has an excellent public transportation system where locals and visitors alike can benefit from effortless navigation without a car.
www.express.co.uk
December 18, 2024 at 9:21 PM
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England win ODI series in South Africa after Tammy Beaumont steadies ship
England win ODI series in South Africa after Tammy Beaumont steadies ship
* 3rd ODI: England 153-4, bt S Africa 233-8, by six wkts (DLS) * Opener hits unbeaten 65 to guide England home England scrapped their way to a six-wicket win in the third ODI against South Africa on Wednesday to win the series 2-1, relying on the…
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2024 at 9:45 PM
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I see green belts are in the news again. May I recommend this ep of Jam Tomorrow? The LSE's Paul Cheshire:

'More of Surrey is covered by golf courses than is covered by houses or domestic buildings.'

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
The Green Belt: Fields forever?
Podcast Episode · Jam Tomorrow · 16/07/2024 · 37m
podcasts.apple.com
December 11, 2024 at 6:19 PM
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Very much enjoyed doing the @theifs.bsky.social podcast on public service productivity with the supersmart @benzaranko.bsky.social and Paul Johnson.

ifs.org.uk/articles/how...
How can we make government more productive? | Institute for Fiscal Studies
How can the public sector do more with less? We explore productivity trends, government reform and lessons from private sector innovation.
ifs.org.uk
December 4, 2024 at 8:41 AM
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The craziest thing about this story? It’s all legal

Britain’s election laws are awful - as successive governments have been told this for years and done *nothing*

And Musk has shown that he is very, very willing to funnel cash to distort democratic politics…

www.thetimes.com/article/6c2c...
Will Elon Musk give Nigel Farage $100m to make him PM?
The Tesla boss, who used his immense fortune to help Donald Trump’s campaign, is turning his attention to Britain
www.thetimes.com
December 1, 2024 at 10:16 AM
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Why can't the British start making ebikes? Why does it have to be cars?
Offer some serious subsidies to the likes of Brompton and Pashley, and to the buyers of ebikes
December 1, 2024 at 7:58 AM
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What urbanist, city planner, architect, urban designer, transportation planner/advocate, housing expert/activist, elected official or city champion in general would you most like to see here on Bluesky, but isn’t here yet? #UrbanistShoutOut
November 29, 2024 at 12:47 AM
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I've written my first editorial piece for The Teesside Lead tonight. For paid subs on Sunday, all to do with the assisted dying bill.

theteessidelead.substack.com/subscribe
Subscribe to The Teesside Lead
The Teesside Lead is news that's on your side - a new voice to connect, enable and help find solutions. Click to read The Teesside Lead, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
theteessidelead.substack.com
November 29, 2024 at 10:36 PM
open.substack.com/pub/worksinp...

Magnificent piece on easy architecture - the type we can all get behind. Would give me so much joy if this approach was adopted. #urbanism #yimby
Making architecture easy
Architecture is inherently public, which means buildings should be agreeable, not unpopular works of genius
open.substack.com
November 25, 2024 at 9:39 PM
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Spotted on the other place many of us are “in transit” from, a great post by @createstreets about how #Leeds, like many other #UK cities, once had a huge #tram network. Now: none. But hopefully soon to return them.
November 24, 2024 at 8:43 AM