Laura Laker
@lauralaker.bsky.social
Journalist, author of Potholes and Pavements, cohost of @podstreetsahead.bsky.social
https://lauralaker.substack.com
https://lauralaker.substack.com
I'm not sure what this tree is, but look at that banging winter colour
December 20, 2025 at 10:38 AM
I'm not sure what this tree is, but look at that banging winter colour
And a glowing bridge beside the Lee Valley velodrome
December 20, 2025 at 10:37 AM
And a glowing bridge beside the Lee Valley velodrome
I'm mildly obsessed with these blue winter skies. Behold the colour on what I term the Schumacher tree
December 20, 2025 at 10:36 AM
I'm mildly obsessed with these blue winter skies. Behold the colour on what I term the Schumacher tree
The bicycle as a literary and stage icon. Also, just a neat trick, keeping that wheel turning
December 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
The bicycle as a literary and stage icon. Also, just a neat trick, keeping that wheel turning
Just a cheery little leaf blowing mini tractor on NCN1 beside the River Lea this week.
Even the way he corners it (I'm sure there's a method to it) reminds me of Postman Pat and his van
Even the way he corners it (I'm sure there's a method to it) reminds me of Postman Pat and his van
December 12, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Just a cheery little leaf blowing mini tractor on NCN1 beside the River Lea this week.
Even the way he corners it (I'm sure there's a method to it) reminds me of Postman Pat and his van
Even the way he corners it (I'm sure there's a method to it) reminds me of Postman Pat and his van
If you want to get involved in the #CWIS3 consultation but don't know how, I've put together some suggestions substack.com/home/post/p-...
...and a list of paths you could refer to ...
...and a list of paths you could refer to ...
December 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
If you want to get involved in the #CWIS3 consultation but don't know how, I've put together some suggestions substack.com/home/post/p-...
...and a list of paths you could refer to ...
...and a list of paths you could refer to ...
More and more organisations recognise the power of active travel to help their businesses, improve patient health, reduce inequalities and make the country a better place. I'm proud to have coordinated this effort to bring those voices together around #CWIS3 with @adamtranter.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 8:54 AM
More and more organisations recognise the power of active travel to help their businesses, improve patient health, reduce inequalities and make the country a better place. I'm proud to have coordinated this effort to bring those voices together around #CWIS3 with @adamtranter.bsky.social
Some ice trees grew on the windows overnight 🧊
December 5, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Some ice trees grew on the windows overnight 🧊
Too cold this morning for handlebar deployment
November 26, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Too cold this morning for handlebar deployment
Long-term investment works: Ten years ago I stood on Vauxhall Bridge as the previous mayor opened the first of London's protected cycle superhighways (and one man emphatically flipped him the bird). Now there's 1.5m cycling trips PER DAY in London (up 12.7% on 2024) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Long-term investment works: Ten years ago I stood on Vauxhall Bridge as the previous mayor opened the first of London's protected cycle superhighways (and one man emphatically flipped him the bird). Now there's 1.5m cycling trips PER DAY in London (up 12.7% on 2024) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I FOI'd English councils whether they use legal land purchase powers to create traffic-free paths. Just 1% said they have successfully.
Why is something that's so common for roads almost never done for cycle routes? And what does it mean for cycling?
lauralaker.substack.com/p/cycleways-...
Why is something that's so common for roads almost never done for cycle routes? And what does it mean for cycling?
lauralaker.substack.com/p/cycleways-...
November 13, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I FOI'd English councils whether they use legal land purchase powers to create traffic-free paths. Just 1% said they have successfully.
Why is something that's so common for roads almost never done for cycle routes? And what does it mean for cycling?
lauralaker.substack.com/p/cycleways-...
Why is something that's so common for roads almost never done for cycle routes? And what does it mean for cycling?
lauralaker.substack.com/p/cycleways-...
What a lovely event. Trusting this leopard with a set of yellow and red cards was a dubious choice, though. Option to donate to the excellent XO bikes still open www.justgiving.com/campaign/don...
October 18, 2025 at 1:56 PM
What a lovely event. Trusting this leopard with a set of yellow and red cards was a dubious choice, though. Option to donate to the excellent XO bikes still open www.justgiving.com/campaign/don...
British Transport Police haven't 'decriminalised' bike theft per se; catching bike thieves is very hard. Last year my bike was stolen; the BT offices in Aldgate scanned their CCTV, found the theft (and the scout who chose my bike), passed footage to police and they couldn't identify the perpetrators
October 7, 2025 at 8:38 AM
British Transport Police haven't 'decriminalised' bike theft per se; catching bike thieves is very hard. Last year my bike was stolen; the BT offices in Aldgate scanned their CCTV, found the theft (and the scout who chose my bike), passed footage to police and they couldn't identify the perpetrators
Two screenshots of BBC articles about floating bus stops, the picture editors have inadvertently used the same image to illustrate what one is, and what one isn't. The most recent article shows the wrong type, the one that isn't under DfT/TfL review, twice www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
September 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Two screenshots of BBC articles about floating bus stops, the picture editors have inadvertently used the same image to illustrate what one is, and what one isn't. The most recent article shows the wrong type, the one that isn't under DfT/TfL review, twice www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This will be Greenways and Cycleroutes' last annual work camp; John G turned 80 this summer. What they've achieved in 4 camps with the Friends of Windsor Hill Tunnel, connecting the last bit of the Somerset Circle, is incredible (lots of Circle is still on roads, so it's not finished, by a long way)
September 16, 2025 at 7:38 AM
This will be Greenways and Cycleroutes' last annual work camp; John G turned 80 this summer. What they've achieved in 4 camps with the Friends of Windsor Hill Tunnel, connecting the last bit of the Somerset Circle, is incredible (lots of Circle is still on roads, so it's not finished, by a long way)
Much of the work uses recycled materials - old concrete railway sleepers, stone from the bridge cutting, local fallen timber for the shelter. We repointed walls, raked, shifted soil and stone, some people put in fence posts or built benches. Amazing group of people
September 16, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Much of the work uses recycled materials - old concrete railway sleepers, stone from the bridge cutting, local fallen timber for the shelter. We repointed walls, raked, shifted soil and stone, some people put in fence posts or built benches. Amazing group of people
Volunteers filled gabion baskets with tonnes of stone to create this impressive curved retaining wall, while contractors built this innovative bridge and shifted materials
September 16, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Volunteers filled gabion baskets with tonnes of stone to create this impressive curved retaining wall, while contractors built this innovative bridge and shifted materials
I visited a brand-new mile-long stretch of rural path last week nr Shepton Mallet as volunteers and contractors did the final touches. An incredible community effort to help complete the 76-mile Somerset Circle, with John Grimshaw (pictured) and Caroline Levett helping lead it (sound is poor, sorry)
September 16, 2025 at 7:26 AM
I visited a brand-new mile-long stretch of rural path last week nr Shepton Mallet as volunteers and contractors did the final touches. An incredible community effort to help complete the 76-mile Somerset Circle, with John Grimshaw (pictured) and Caroline Levett helping lead it (sound is poor, sorry)
Found the feed station at the Tour of Britain. Delighted
September 7, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Found the feed station at the Tour of Britain. Delighted
In Newham there's a vehicle nuisance PSPO (sadly it didn't cover my former neighbourhood)... I'd be interested to learn how successful it has been www.newham.gov.uk/community-pa...
August 21, 2025 at 10:57 AM
In Newham there's a vehicle nuisance PSPO (sadly it didn't cover my former neighbourhood)... I'd be interested to learn how successful it has been www.newham.gov.uk/community-pa...
My usual Instagram experience these days, tbh
August 21, 2025 at 10:54 AM
My usual Instagram experience these days, tbh
July 31, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The Telegraph seems to have spelled 'employment rights and online product safety' very wrong here
July 16, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The Telegraph seems to have spelled 'employment rights and online product safety' very wrong here