Spartacus

Mal You've raised a good question (don't let it go to your head) Better enforcement is required but better education is also needed. Remember tufty and the green cross code man telling us how to cross the road safely (or Alvin Stardust 😅) Remember the great "think once, think twice, think bike" campaigns Remember "Clunk cluck every trip" There is nothing of that memorable ilk today. We recently had a revision to the highway code but I bet not many know the new rules in detail. Where are the public education films to remind people of the rules ? Why don't we see them anymore? Whilst it's everyone's responsibility to know the rules, positive reinforcement messaging is still required. Whilst I also get the argument that we need to protect the more vulnerable on the road, the recent changes to the highway code have shifted the responsibility for pedestrians walking out into the road from the pedestrian taking care to "its the drivers fault" does the green cross code no longer apply ? The rules are there for everyone to follow but there is almost no positive engagement to remind everyone to abide by them.

Simple I would prioritise that everyone follows the rules of the road Cars stick to the speed limit /obay traffic signals Cyclists don't jump lights or ride on the pavement And pedestrians don't just step out in the road without observing the green cross code We all need to take action and not just play the blame game. It's not always as simple as some try to paint it and our individual safety starts with ourselves.

The issue is with absolute comparisons is that in this case you are comparing grapes with the moon (relative sample size) so whilst it's factual it's not an accurate representation of the issue

Mal Thank you for posting Curiosity is gnawing away at me on two fronts 1. The comparison of deaths caused by cyclists vs. Cars is fascinating but lacks proportionality If the number of cycles on the road matched at all times the number of cars then what would the projected numbers be ? As it is, comparing the number of accidents caused by each (car or bike) is not a true comparison as statistically there are more cars on the road so you would expect a higher collision rate. What may be interesting is to scale the number caused by cyclists up to account for equal number of cyclists and cars to see what the real figure would look like. Given that they want to encourage more of us to cycle then will we see more cyclist caused accidents? 2. If a cyclists jumps a red light and causes an accident then who would be at fault? Arguing the car driver should have taken more care may not wash if the cyclists doesn't give them any opportunity to avoid the accident. Let's be Frank "All" road users should respect the rules of the road especially around lights and crossing which would negate the perception that cyclists are a law to themselves

Hopefully it goes hand in hand with a scheme similar to the one being introduced in Westminster where people will be fined for dumping bikes randomly. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64943801.amp

You may also want to widen the research to include those with mobility issues and carers as their views will very different to "seniors"

Are you two having a long distance bromance ?

It shows that the grass isn't always greener. Politicians from all party are rarely in it only for the good of the people and are all a very particular type of person to do their job. Regardless of who's in power there will always be cries of foul play and get them out because they did xyz. I suspect in 5 years time we will all be complaining about whoever wins the next election, its the cycle of things that's happened since we first had a parliament.

It's now three minutes past 11 on the 10th March Has anything happened?

It's going to be a non event On no its not Oh yes it is There are no current plans for drag Queen story telling so not sure why anyone is going at all but each to their own and maybe everyone turning up will buy a drink or lunch and make it a goldmine event for the owners 😀

You need to roll up one trouser leg, put on a cycle clip and give the sacred hand signal only used towards motorists 🖕 Then mutter the secret password phrase "everyone can cycle" and you're in 😅

I didn't see that one coming. I just knew someone would come up with that! It was predictable 😅

This response to a petition to "Carry out a review into Low Traffic Neighbourhoods" was posted yesterday (7th March) https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/632748?reveal_response=yes Government responded: The Department has appointed the University of Westminster to undertake an independent evaluation of active travel schemes funded in 2020/21, including low-traffic neighbourhoods. Responsibility for traffic management on local roads rests with the relevant local authority as they are best placed to consider how local needs can be effectively met. It is entirely a matter for individual authorities to decide on the nature and scope of policies. The Department is responsible for setting legislation and for providing guidance to local traffic authorities but has limited direct influence over locally managed roads. To help local authorities make safe provision for pedestrians and cyclists during COVID-19 and to mitigate the lack of capacity on public transport due to social distancing, the Department launched the Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF). This funding was designed to help local authorities create an environment that is safe for both walking and cycling, allowing people to get around whilst maintaining social distance while also aiding longer term increases in walking and cycling along with the associated health, air quality and congestion benefits. Some local authorities decided to implement temporary LTNs as part of this programme. Many of these were made permanent as part of later funding rounds, where authorities considered that the schemes were working effectively. A number were also removed. In order to better understand the impact of this funding, the Department has appointed the University of Westminster to undertake an independent evaluation of schemes funded through the second tranche of active travel funding, including a deep dive into the impact of segregated cycle lanes and low traffic neighbourhoods. The results will be published in due course. The Department has been clear that traffic management schemes should always be developed through consultation and engagement with local communities. As a condition of receiving funding provided by Active Travel England ATE), all local authorities are required to undertake consultation, and monitoring and evaluation work, to ensure that schemes meet the needs of the local area and the people that live there. ATE is an Executive Agency of the Department, based in York. It was launched in August 2022 and is working with local authorities to develop and deliver new high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure schemes. Department for Transport I love the latter section that talks about the schemes must meet the needs of the local area and the people who live there, obviously a point that has conveniently slipped the councils mind as they are driving ahead regardless.

We are Council tax has been raised from April by almost 5% Yet the only service we get more off is parking controls and LTNs 😆

This is the problem "You don't agree with my scheme to reduce traffic that is actually causing problems (be it displacement or financial issues in the middle of a cost of living crisis) then you must be defamed and associated with the darker side of humanity." Personally in this situation, I think Khan is clearly demonstrating bullying tactics and as such should resign as its unethical politics.

BBC News - First class stamp price to rise to £1.10 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64840646 I'll leave it there but hopefully the increase will come hand in hand with a better service 😉

Sack him now The Mayor has gone too far with this clip from a people's question time which I believe was today. Inciteful language. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64833644

I was very disappointed this morning, expecting the Flying Pickets I got my copy of "Only You" out that just requires David Gittins signature on it to make it a full set of signatures but obviously the NUT couldnt afford them. Still I did get a photo

I think, Billy, that most of 2001 was setting the scene for the final 5 minutes. 😅

Personally I hope the picturehouse chain stays afloat as they are good local cinemas that help bring people into local town centres. If they fold it will make the Golden Panacea of 15 minute places that much harder to achieve. I agree that competition is there but cinema always reinvented and weathered the storm in the past and hopefully will do this time as seeing a film as it was meant to be seen is so magical.

Vladi I think the real question is why Thames Water don't plan a total pipe replacement which would possibly cost less to complete in one hit then multiple visits to the same site. Possibly nothing to do with the council at all (apart from increased traffic caused by the LTN displacement) and unfortunate that recently resurfaced Road was dug up due to emergency road works. There is a register of planned road works held by the Mayors office that is supposed to align road works to occur at the same time (one hole to repair utilities rather than multiple sets of roadworks on the same spot) but it can't account or plan for emergencies.

Don't be a clot Mal "Fahrenheit 451" sounds so much better then the literally translated "232.778 degrees celsius" Do you work in the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth altering history to fit the current narrative and trying to implement newspeak guidelines fulfilling the ideological requirements of Ingsoc? Thank the stars that Oceania isn't at war with Eurasia: although Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia. The enemy of the moment always represented absolute evil, and it follows that any past or future agreement with Putin was impossible. 🤔

Rockets, pre covid I went to a screening of 2001 with the London philharmonic playing the music live. Lots of long artistic scenes and a young couple (20 something) next to me said it was slow and didn't have fast paced action. Shows how our viewing habits have changed.

Have you tried Tonkotsu in Peckham? https://tonkotsu.co.uk/

They were possibly on their way to arrest the Green cross code man filming on North Road.