Jon Owen
@anotherjon.bsky.social
Not as bright as forecast. Pieces of a man, loitering at the intersection of art, cycling, and eco-socialism.
He/him. 🌳 🚴♀️🚶♀️🚶♂️👩🦽 🌳
He/him. 🌳 🚴♀️🚶♀️🚶♂️👩🦽 🌳
Classic Labour move.
Starmer: We're going to make stepping barefoot in dogshit compulsory
Public: WTF?!
Policy wonks: Terrible idea
Media: Starmer in Unpopular Policy Shocker
Starmer: No, really
Public: Bollocks
Junior minister, months later: *announces U-turn*
news.sky.com/story/govern...
Starmer: We're going to make stepping barefoot in dogshit compulsory
Public: WTF?!
Policy wonks: Terrible idea
Media: Starmer in Unpopular Policy Shocker
Starmer: No, really
Public: Bollocks
Junior minister, months later: *announces U-turn*
news.sky.com/story/govern...
Government U-turns on mandatory digital ID cards for workers
Last year, the government said it would be compulsory to have digital ID for the right to work in the UK.
news.sky.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Classic Labour move.
Starmer: We're going to make stepping barefoot in dogshit compulsory
Public: WTF?!
Policy wonks: Terrible idea
Media: Starmer in Unpopular Policy Shocker
Starmer: No, really
Public: Bollocks
Junior minister, months later: *announces U-turn*
news.sky.com/story/govern...
Starmer: We're going to make stepping barefoot in dogshit compulsory
Public: WTF?!
Policy wonks: Terrible idea
Media: Starmer in Unpopular Policy Shocker
Starmer: No, really
Public: Bollocks
Junior minister, months later: *announces U-turn*
news.sky.com/story/govern...
I promise this will be my last tweet for now about Nadhim Zahawi, but it's a good one.
❤️🔥Tory sources confirm that Nadhim Zahawi made approaches to senior members of Kemi Badenoch's team about getting a peerage just weeks before defecting to Reform UK - but was turned down.
January 12, 2026 at 3:15 PM
I promise this will be my last tweet for now about Nadhim Zahawi, but it's a good one.
Reposted by Jon Owen
Nadim Zahawi arrived in the UK from Iraq as a child refugee. His family claimed asylum once they were here. Today he has joined Reform who will stop all in country asylum applications. Under his new party, his own family fleeing persecution would be immediately deported.
January 12, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Nadim Zahawi arrived in the UK from Iraq as a child refugee. His family claimed asylum once they were here. Today he has joined Reform who will stop all in country asylum applications. Under his new party, his own family fleeing persecution would be immediately deported.
Nadhim Zahawi, then:
I would be frightened to live in a country run by Nigel Farage.
Nadhim Zahawi, now:
I have joined Reform UK and look forward to working closely with Nigel Farage.
And, lest we forget:
"I should have probably been more explicit [about my tax] in my ministerial declaration"
I would be frightened to live in a country run by Nigel Farage.
Nadhim Zahawi, now:
I have joined Reform UK and look forward to working closely with Nigel Farage.
And, lest we forget:
"I should have probably been more explicit [about my tax] in my ministerial declaration"
January 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Nadhim Zahawi, then:
I would be frightened to live in a country run by Nigel Farage.
Nadhim Zahawi, now:
I have joined Reform UK and look forward to working closely with Nigel Farage.
And, lest we forget:
"I should have probably been more explicit [about my tax] in my ministerial declaration"
I would be frightened to live in a country run by Nigel Farage.
Nadhim Zahawi, now:
I have joined Reform UK and look forward to working closely with Nigel Farage.
And, lest we forget:
"I should have probably been more explicit [about my tax] in my ministerial declaration"
Reposted by Jon Owen
🖼️ painting titled "Pani od gwiazd" (Lady of the Stars) by Polish artist Monika Szpak.
January 11, 2026 at 2:29 PM
🖼️ painting titled "Pani od gwiazd" (Lady of the Stars) by Polish artist Monika Szpak.
Reposted by Jon Owen
The Arrival of spring
David Hockney
David Hockney
January 11, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The Arrival of spring
David Hockney
David Hockney
Reposted by Jon Owen
My painting WESTERN SLOPE FALL
January 10, 2026 at 5:22 PM
My painting WESTERN SLOPE FALL
Me and The Boy went for a walk today. It was nice.
January 10, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Me and The Boy went for a walk today. It was nice.
Graham Coxon - Freakin Out (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Graham Coxon
youtu.be
January 9, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Spoiler: Most of them will bottle it, and opt for the status quo.
TLDR: DfT to devolve decision making about pavement parking to highest tier of local authority (mayors, unitary, county). No national ban.
bsky.app/profile/holy...
bsky.app/profile/holy...
2020 pavement parking consultation: government response just dropped at last. www.gov.uk/government/c...
January 8, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Spoiler: Most of them will bottle it, and opt for the status quo.
Reposted by Jon Owen
“These new powers do not go far enough to protect pedestrians. It’s disappointing not to see a nationwide prohibition.”
Our @charitycat.bsky.social responds to the news that local authorities will receive legal powers to restrict pavement parking. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/pavement-parking
Our @charitycat.bsky.social responds to the news that local authorities will receive legal powers to restrict pavement parking. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/pavement-parking
“These new powers do not go far enough to protect pedestrians | Living Streets
bitly.livingstreets.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 1:25 PM
“These new powers do not go far enough to protect pedestrians. It’s disappointing not to see a nationwide prohibition.”
Our @charitycat.bsky.social responds to the news that local authorities will receive legal powers to restrict pavement parking. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/pavement-parking
Our @charitycat.bsky.social responds to the news that local authorities will receive legal powers to restrict pavement parking. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/pavement-parking
Reposted by Jon Owen
Great to finally see some action on pavement parking!
Strange it wasn't part of the Road Safety Strategy and disappointing that the option chosen isn't what most people wanted in the consultation. www.gov.uk/government/s...
Strange it wasn't part of the Road Safety Strategy and disappointing that the option chosen isn't what most people wanted in the consultation. www.gov.uk/government/s...
Pavement parking consultation: government response
Announcing the publication of the government response to the consultation on pavement parking.
www.gov.uk
January 8, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Great to finally see some action on pavement parking!
Strange it wasn't part of the Road Safety Strategy and disappointing that the option chosen isn't what most people wanted in the consultation. www.gov.uk/government/s...
Strange it wasn't part of the Road Safety Strategy and disappointing that the option chosen isn't what most people wanted in the consultation. www.gov.uk/government/s...
One of the many reasons why e-bikes are brilliant is that they expand the radius of shops, services, experiences, friends, and employers that are easily available to you.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/01/07/o...
nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/01/07/o...
Opinion: E-Bikes Are An Economic Boost That Cities Must Encourage - Streetsblog New York City
E-bikes and scooters are reshaping local retail markets by expanding who can reach neighborhood businesses with frequency, ease, and convenience.
nyc.streetsblog.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:28 PM
One of the many reasons why e-bikes are brilliant is that they expand the radius of shops, services, experiences, friends, and employers that are easily available to you.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/01/07/o...
nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/01/07/o...
"There's no moral here. Just to say this nonsense is fought for every day on a street by street basis, and our collective sense of priority is warped."
- Yep.
- Yep.
Worth reupping this on today's footway parking news. This is an example of what "local leaders" end up doing: i.e. nothing.
I have told this story before, but bringing it here. This street has footway parking on both sides which gives 1 metre of walking space beyond the lines. But, if drivers obey the markings, you can't get a car up the middle. Because residents kept getting tickets, I was asked to look at it. 1/n
January 8, 2026 at 3:23 PM
"There's no moral here. Just to say this nonsense is fought for every day on a street by street basis, and our collective sense of priority is warped."
- Yep.
- Yep.
"A major survey of journalists around the world has found that the majority believe readers and viewers have lost trust in the media."
No shit, Sherlock.
And the route back [to trust] includes journalists and their editors realising that 'both-siding' issues is not a default, it is a throwback.
No shit, Sherlock.
And the route back [to trust] includes journalists and their editors realising that 'both-siding' issues is not a default, it is a throwback.
Sky News on Renee Nicole Good murder: "There are deeply conflicting accounts of what happened."
REALLY? Gonna both-sides this? One "account" can be seen on video and is confirmed by a dozen eye-witnesses. The other is a social media post by history's most notorious pathological liar.
Grow a spine.
REALLY? Gonna both-sides this? One "account" can be seen on video and is confirmed by a dozen eye-witnesses. The other is a social media post by history's most notorious pathological liar.
Grow a spine.
January 8, 2026 at 2:56 PM
"A major survey of journalists around the world has found that the majority believe readers and viewers have lost trust in the media."
No shit, Sherlock.
And the route back [to trust] includes journalists and their editors realising that 'both-siding' issues is not a default, it is a throwback.
No shit, Sherlock.
And the route back [to trust] includes journalists and their editors realising that 'both-siding' issues is not a default, it is a throwback.
Reposted by Jon Owen
My painting DARK STORM
January 7, 2026 at 6:53 PM
My painting DARK STORM
Reposted by Jon Owen
The Road Safety Strategy lacks clear leadership on reducing speeds, fails to significantly improve safety for those outside of motor vehicles, or make pavements safe to use all year round.
transportactionnetwork.org.uk/road-safety-...
transportactionnetwork.org.uk/road-safety-...
Road safety strategy leaves vulnerable road users exposed
Road safety strategy leaves vulnerable road users exposed Transport Action Network (TAN)1 has welcomed today’s publication of the government’s Road Safety Strategy2. The strategy, long overdue, contai...
transportactionnetwork.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 3:22 PM
The Road Safety Strategy lacks clear leadership on reducing speeds, fails to significantly improve safety for those outside of motor vehicles, or make pavements safe to use all year round.
transportactionnetwork.org.uk/road-safety-...
transportactionnetwork.org.uk/road-safety-...
Reposted by Jon Owen
Girl on Bicycle
1925
Artist: Guy Pene du Bois
1925
Artist: Guy Pene du Bois
January 7, 2026 at 4:12 AM
Girl on Bicycle
1925
Artist: Guy Pene du Bois
1925
Artist: Guy Pene du Bois
Reposted by Jon Owen
“Bonnie Blue” (watercolor) by artist Carol Carter
January 6, 2026 at 12:45 PM
“Bonnie Blue” (watercolor) by artist Carol Carter
"We *must* protect our children.
...No, not like that."
...No, not like that."
Nigel Farage confirms that Reform UK will vote *against* the bill to lift the two child cap, keeping hundreds of thousands of children in poverty.
January 7, 2026 at 3:22 PM
"We *must* protect our children.
...No, not like that."
...No, not like that."
Reposted by Jon Owen
Critically, we also need the public to support actions that enable older people to live great lives without having to drive for when they fail the eye tests. So the public need to get onboard with no pavement parking, pedestrian priority, denser housing, fewer out-of-town shopping centres, etc etc
90% of Britons support government proposals to require drivers over the age of 70 to have their vision checked every three years - including 89% of the over-65s
yougov.co.uk/topics/trave...
yougov.co.uk/topics/trave...
January 7, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Critically, we also need the public to support actions that enable older people to live great lives without having to drive for when they fail the eye tests. So the public need to get onboard with no pavement parking, pedestrian priority, denser housing, fewer out-of-town shopping centres, etc etc
Reposted by Jon Owen
We have reviewed the huge progress 20's Plenty have made in 2025 in this blog which looks at how 20mph limits are moving forwards as the accepted best practice for urban/village roads. And with the UK Gov Road Safety Strategy adopting a Safe System approach we expect even more adoption in 2026.
Will 2026 become the year that UK transitions to a de-facto 20mph norm for urban/village streets?
We support those communities that want 20mph where peopleare
www.20splenty.org
January 7, 2026 at 7:30 AM
We have reviewed the huge progress 20's Plenty have made in 2025 in this blog which looks at how 20mph limits are moving forwards as the accepted best practice for urban/village roads. And with the UK Gov Road Safety Strategy adopting a Safe System approach we expect even more adoption in 2026.
Reposted by Jon Owen
The only target for the number of people killed on the road should be zero.
With its Road Safety Strategy, the Government has massively overlooked key actions to cut traffic and achieve safer and slower vehicle speeds, which are truly effective at saving lives and essential to reaching this goal.
With its Road Safety Strategy, the Government has massively overlooked key actions to cut traffic and achieve safer and slower vehicle speeds, which are truly effective at saving lives and essential to reaching this goal.
The Road Safety Strategy is an opportunity to address the dangers pedestrians face every day, but the vision should be for zero people to lose their lives. We should not accept that a certain number of people will die on our roads.
livingstreets.org.uk/RSScomment
livingstreets.org.uk/RSScomment
“The vision should be for zero people to lose their lives”
Living Streets comments on the Government's first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, released today (7 January).
livingstreets.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 2:41 PM
The only target for the number of people killed on the road should be zero.
With its Road Safety Strategy, the Government has massively overlooked key actions to cut traffic and achieve safer and slower vehicle speeds, which are truly effective at saving lives and essential to reaching this goal.
With its Road Safety Strategy, the Government has massively overlooked key actions to cut traffic and achieve safer and slower vehicle speeds, which are truly effective at saving lives and essential to reaching this goal.
Absolutely.
Puts me in mind of this hard-hitting ad from 'Straya from a while ago:
"What's an acceptable number of [road deaths]?"
"Acceptable? Seventy, maybe."
"[Speaks into radio] Can you send 70 people, please? This is what 70 people looks like."
"That's my family."
youtu.be/k2tOye9DKdQ?...
Puts me in mind of this hard-hitting ad from 'Straya from a while ago:
"What's an acceptable number of [road deaths]?"
"Acceptable? Seventy, maybe."
"[Speaks into radio] Can you send 70 people, please? This is what 70 people looks like."
"That's my family."
youtu.be/k2tOye9DKdQ?...
January 7, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Absolutely.
Puts me in mind of this hard-hitting ad from 'Straya from a while ago:
"What's an acceptable number of [road deaths]?"
"Acceptable? Seventy, maybe."
"[Speaks into radio] Can you send 70 people, please? This is what 70 people looks like."
"That's my family."
youtu.be/k2tOye9DKdQ?...
Puts me in mind of this hard-hitting ad from 'Straya from a while ago:
"What's an acceptable number of [road deaths]?"
"Acceptable? Seventy, maybe."
"[Speaks into radio] Can you send 70 people, please? This is what 70 people looks like."
"That's my family."
youtu.be/k2tOye9DKdQ?...
This kind of decisive action underlines how accustomed we've become to timid politicians hiding behind process, and just how big a factor *political will* is in getting shit done.
Just make streets safer, FFS.
Just make streets safer, FFS.
Zohran just went out and fixed the Williamsburg Bridge bike entrance. Just did it. No faffing, no nonsense. Bam. Fixed.
January 6, 2026 at 9:05 PM
This kind of decisive action underlines how accustomed we've become to timid politicians hiding behind process, and just how big a factor *political will* is in getting shit done.
Just make streets safer, FFS.
Just make streets safer, FFS.