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kirstendevos.bsky.social
Kirsten de Vos 🚶🏻‍♀️💚🚲🍃
@kirstendevos.bsky.social
2.7K followers 1.5K following 1.3K posts
Birmingham Spokesperson for Mums for Lungs 💚
Mum of 3 👩‍👧‍👦 | Clean air & safe streets advocate
@mumsforlungs.bsky.social @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org 🌱
#ActiveTravel 🚶‍♀️🚲 | #SafeStreets
📍 Birmingham
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kirstendevos.bsky.social
One of my favourite parts of the plans for the new BCFC Powerhouse stadium is the ‘Yes Ball Games’ space!

www.bbc.com/news/article...
A bright, lively urban plaza beneath a curved brick and metal stadium structure. Children are playing football and drawing with chalk on the ground. A large blue wall says ‘YES BALL GAMES’ in bold white letters. Some adults watch from above on a balcony, while others sit on nearby steps surrounded by greenery.
November 23, 2025 at 8:13 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Maybe we could look at organising a street-opening (through-traffic closure) event outside The Warehouse next time? I’m thinking of the one TAWS ran back in June ’23 for Clean Air Day with games, a led bike ride, talks and workshops - such a brilliant afternoon
A group of people sit under a red gazebo decorated with bunting, listening to a woman speaking in front of a graffiti-covered brick wall in an outdoor street-opening (closed to through traffic) event
November 23, 2025 at 9:45 AM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
On my way!
#HealthyAir #HealthyLives #BirminghamHealthyAirCoalition
#MumsForLungs #CleanAirNow! 💚
Interior of a city bus (no 50) with empty seats. The view looks toward the front, showing handrails, red grab handles, stop buttons, and the driver’s cab. The floor is wet from rain. Through the front window, buildings and a street are visible outside
November 22, 2025 at 9:42 AM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
There are still a few tickets available for the Birmingham Healthy Air Coalition’s ‘Healthy Air, Healthy Lives’ clean air event tomorrow 💚

Here’s the link:
🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/healthy-ai...
November 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Please share the flyer and help spread the word! 💚🌬️
Healthy Air, Healthy Lives Saturday 22nd November, 10am - 4pm Join us at The Warehouse Cafe, Digbeth, B5 5TH, for a day filled with insightful discussions and workshops, focused on promoting clean air and healthy living Discover the latest trends in air quality, hear from passionate local experts, and learn how to meaningfully engage with both media outlets and local decision makers on the topic of air pollution in our communities. Whether you are directly impacted by air quality, a health enthusiast, environmental advocate, or simply curious about air pollution in our city, this conference is perfect for you! WE DEMAND CLEAN AIR!!! A delicious lunch will be provided, as well as refreshments during breaks. As a thank you for those able to attend for the days activities, there will be a gift card available as a gesture in recognition of your travel expenses and time See event page for details on age restrictions, travel & gift cards: https://HealthyAirHealthyLives.eventbrite.co.uk Hosted by Birmingham Healthy Air Coalition & Partners: https://brumhealthyair.org.uk/
November 19, 2025 at 6:16 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Including us! 🙋🏻‍♀️💚
A roadside cycleway in a suburban area with people on hire bikes cycling towards the camera. A large green road sign points to Bromsgrove, Selly Oak, the University of Birmingham, Calthorpe Clinic, and BMI Edgbaston Hospital. Cars are on the adjacent road, and trees line both sides. The bottom of a bicycle handlebar is visible in the foreground
November 19, 2025 at 5:34 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Another update following my appointment today - solar panels over the car park ☀️
A modern building complex (Queen Elizabeth Hospital) with curved glass facades in the background, featuring a solar panel-covered parking area in the foreground. A bike is parked beside a blue railing, with signage visible nearby.
November 18, 2025 at 7:28 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
We really lucked out with the weather yesterday! 🌤️
Eight of us cycled from Sparkbrook (Ashiana Community Project) to the airport viewing platform via Sheldon Country Park, taking in the River Cole and the Grand Union Canal along the way. A lovely 27km in great company🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️ 💚
Some women are riding bicycles along a path surrounded by trees, with sunlight filtering through the foliage. The path is lined with fallen leaves and greenery. A group of cyclists riding along a paved path through a grassy area with trees on either side, under a partly cloudy sky Some women are riding bicycles along towpath beside a canal, with a graffiti-covered wall on one side and greenery on the other. To the left hand side, modern buildings are visible under a partly cloudy sky.
November 14, 2025 at 3:06 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Nice weather if you’re a duck. Less so if you’re on a bike! #FloodedBikePath #StormClaudia
View from a cyclist’s perspective on a rainy day, showing a flooded bike lane. Water has pooled across the marked cycle path, with raindrops visible on the puddles and on the bike handlebars in the foreground. A car is beginning to reverse onto the road. Trees and buildings are visible in the background.
November 14, 2025 at 12:44 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
I just completed a survey about Meta on Instagram, and my conclusion is simple: Meta is bad for the world
A survey screen on Instagram asking: ‘Please agree or disagree with the following statement: Meta is good for the world.’ Five response options are listed: Strongly agree, Agree, Neither agree nor disagree, Disagree, and Strongly disagree. The option ‘Strongly disagree’ is selected. A blue ‘Continue’ button appears at the bottom.
November 14, 2025 at 9:30 AM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Why should pedestrians in Brum have to wait nearly a minute for a driver travelling from over half a kilometre away?

We deserves better!

Ask 2: Upgrade crossings and cut wait times so people can cross safely and quickly

✍🏼 Please co-sign the asks:

betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/10-asks-to-a...
November 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Pleased to see Birmingham City Council’s work highlighted in Air Quality News. Physical copies of their #ClearTheAir campaign were shared at their AQ conference in London this week.

airqualitynews.com/publications/

@airqualitynews.bsky.social
@mumsforlungs.bsky.social
Air Quality News Publications Air Quality News Magazine - Issue 30 - Nov'25 42 FEATURE Clean' Air! Monitors We're monitoring air quality to protect our pupils and community Switch off your engine Walk, wheel or use public transport It's time to #Clear TheAir in Birmingham By Brittany Huggins, Air Quality Monitoring (Projects) Officer Birmingham City Council's Schools Air Quality Monitoring Programme has installed over 130 Zephyr sensors across schools citywide. This marks a significant step in raising awareness on air pollution in and around schools, where children are frequently exposed to idling engines during pick-up and drop-off. National Walk to School Month saw Birmingham City Council launch their new #Clear The Air campaign highlighting the issue of air quality around the city's schools - and how air quality monitors are empowering Birmingham's local communities to take action and encourage behaviour change. *ClearTheAir builds on initiatives such as the Modeshift STARS programme already being delivered in schools, encouraging parents and pupils to walk or use public transport to travel to and from school, and addressing the issue of idling engines during pick-up and drop-off. Delivered in partnership with EarthSense, the UK's leading manufacturer of air quality products, the most recent phase has seen over 130 Zephyr sensors installed onto the exterior façades of primary and secondary schools across the city to support the Council's commitment to raising awareness of the causes of air pollution, and the steps that can be taken to reduce emissions and exposure. This builds on Phase 1, which began in January 2022 and saw 68 schools fitted with sensors. Air quality monitors installed outside schools provide real-time data that reveals the stark impact of car-heavy school runs and idling engines. All schools in the Birmingham area that sign up to the Air Quality Monitoring Programme receive a free air quality sensor. provided by Birmingham City Council, Air Quality News Publications Air Quality News Magazine - Issue 30 - Nov'25 FEATURE 43 Over the past academic year, the school has introduced a series of impactful initiatives aimed at reducing car use and improving air quality around the school site, using its two EarthSense monitors to track results. These include the launch of a Park and Stride' scheme to encourage families to walk part of the journey to school, the organisation of regular walking events and the innovative use of an outdoor classroom as a sheltered waiting area for parents. Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Birmingham City Council, said: "Through their participation in programmes such as Modeshift STARS underpinned by data from EarthSense monitors, schools like The Deanery are leading the way when it comes to educating students and parents alike of the importance of good air quality. *The benefits of walking to school are self-evident, but this campaign also focuses on the issue of idling car engines. Leaving your car engine running whilst stationary for just one minute releases enough exhaust fumes to fill 150 balloons with harmful pollutants. By simply switching off the car engine while waiting, parents and carers could be helping to protect the air children breathe every day." Speaking about the ongoing installation of monitors in schools, Owen Gardner, Chief Operating Officer at EarthSense, added: *We are delighted to be collaborating with Birmingham City Council on this major UK project, aimed at capturing real time air quality pollution data across the city. This data will enable the Council to direct measures that will reduce the pollution levels for all residents, but particularly, schoolchildren, their parents and families in these key areas." The campaign is set to further expand across the city to places of worship, focusing on areas where vehicle idling is a concern. Find out more about Birmingham City Council's work to reduce emissions at the …
November 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Loved this morning’s Women’s Breeze Ride - a relaxed 8 miles along the Worcs & Bham Canal towpath, the A38 cycleway, and the beautiful Rea Valley.

So good to see the green spaces full of life - cyclists, walkers, even kayakers! 🚴‍♀️🛶

Good for the body and soul 💚

letsride.co.uk/rides/breeze...
Two cyclists in red and pink jackets pause beside a calm canal lined with autumn trees. Fallen leaves cover the path and float on the water, and the towpath curves gently ahead under a canopy of golden foliage A cyclist rides along a leafy canal towpath while several kayakers paddle in the calm water beside them. Autumn trees arch overhead, with golden leaves reflecting on the canal’s surface. A cyclist in a bright pink jacket rides along a separated cycle path lined with trees and grass. Cars travel on the parallel road, and a blue sign ahead encourages drivers to let cyclists through. The sky is clear and blue with late autumn light.
November 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Nice one Birmingham City Council!
It’s good to see Brum leading the way on raising awareness about fireworks and air quality. Let’s celebrate without polluting our city 🎆💨 #ClearTheAir #FunWithoutFireworks #BrumBreathes
November 5, 2025 at 6:08 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
My incredibly eagle-eyed neighbour spotted that the BBC video “Free bus passes for under 22s in England scrapped” was filmed at the bus stop opposite the Dovecote in Moseley. While it’s disappointing news, it was lovely to see a little glimpse of our local gem 🕊️
@fionaamoseley.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
TAWS (The Active Wellbeing Society) bike mechanics being subjected to diesel fumes from an ice cream van in Cannon Hill Park this morning ☹️. Half term’s here, so lots of kids about as well…
An ice cream van is parked next to a gazebo with people (bike mechanics) and bikes underneath in a park
October 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Autumn #Parkrun
Photo credit @cannonhparkrun.bsky.social 🍁🍂
October 25, 2025 at 12:31 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Rain didn’t dampen spirits at @cannonhparkrun.bsky.social this morning! Plenty of smiles while volunteering - even from my husband who wasn’t too keen to come!
Fantastic to see the 5k Your Way - Move Against Cancer team out there spreading such great energy. 💙
#CancerSupport #LoveParkrun #5kYourWay
Four people standing together outdoors at Cannon Hill parkrun on a wet autumn day. Two are wearing pink parkrun volunteer vests, and two are wearing blue “5k Your Way - Move Against Cancer” shirts. They are smiling, with trees showing autumn leaves in the background. Runners and walkers taking part in a wet Cannon Hill parkrun, with umbrellas in the background and reflections on the rain-soaked path. Trees and park features are visible under a grey, cloudy sky
October 25, 2025 at 11:12 AM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Congratulations to Lib Dem Philip Mills on winning the by-election in our ward following the sad loss of Kerry Jenkins. It’s heartening that the community has spoken on Places for People, rejecting Reform and other anti-LTN candidates - a clear sign residents value cleaner air and safer streets.
October 24, 2025 at 8:23 AM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
💚 E-cargo bikes for NHS staff in Stratford - love this!

www.stratford.gov.uk/news/press.c...
A man smiling as he rides an e-cargo bike with a Stratford-on-Avon District Council logo on the front box, in a garden filled with colourful flowers and greenery.
October 21, 2025 at 8:28 AM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/mrja...
October 20, 2025 at 6:09 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
We feared Brexit would hit jobs, trade and growth - and it has. The UK economy’s roughly 5% smaller today because of it. We saw this coming.
A large crowd fills a London street during the 2019 People’s Vote march, waving EU and UK flags and holding placards with messages like “Revoke,” “Don’t trust Brexit’s folly,” and “Together for the final say.” The mood is energetic and determined under a bright sky surrounded by historic buildings. A large crowd fills a central London street during the 2019 People’s Vote march, with EU flags, Union Jacks, and protest placards held high. Demonstrators wearing blue and gold gather under bright skies between rows of historic buildings, calling for a second referendum on Brexit A large satirical float at the 2019 People’s Vote march in London shows a caricature labelled “Demonic Cummings” holding a smaller puppet-like figure with blonde hair. The float is surrounded by protesters waving EU flags and taking photos, set against the backdrop of a grand neoclassical building (Canada House)
October 19, 2025 at 11:50 AM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Six years ago today, I was in London marching with a million others for a People’s Vote on Brexit. A powerful day demanding a final say, even if history went a different way ☹️
October 19, 2025 at 11:33 AM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
3+ years #carfree for me too 🚶🏻‍♀️🚲🚌🚖

Walk, ride, public transport, and the occasional car share (Co-Wheels) or taxi when needed. Honestly? It’s nowhere near as hard as we thought it would be

Still saving money, still getting places, still feeling good.
#CarFree #NoRegrets #ActiveTravel #BrumbyBike
A woman (me!) wearing a red jacket is standing next to her bike beside a street sign which reads ‘Carless Avenue’
October 12, 2025 at 4:22 PM
kirstendevos.bsky.social
Yesterday we said goodbye to @kerryjenkins.bsky.social - a fierce heart for clean air, safe streets, youth services & social justice. Grateful for her support & backing my campaigns. She inspired us to keep fighting for a fair united Brum. Thinking of her loved ones as we carry her spirit forward ❤️
The front of a Memorial Order of Service with photo of Kerry Jenkins; Russian Doll and hare illustrations and words ‘in loving memory of Kerry Jenkins 25/12/1962 - 31/07/2025 A group of 5 people standing on a pavement, including me and Kerry, with a West Midlands Cycle Hire branded hire bike in the foreground. (Kerry advocated successfully to bring the cycle/scooter hire scheme to Moseley) A group of 7 people including Kerry and me (wearing a Mums for Lungs t shirt) are standing in a row outside a park holding a 20mph sign and leaflets. (This was in May 2023 outside Highbury Park/Queensbridge School at the start of the Better Streets for Birmingham’s campaign for safe streets. Cllr Izzy Knowles and Mat MacDonald (now WMCA) Road Safety Commissioner are also pictured.) 6 people are gathered together at a junction (Moseley Village) with red clip boards and flyers. (Canvassing + food bank collection initiative by Kerry)
October 12, 2025 at 11:53 AM