Gareth Hooper
@garethhooper.bsky.social
Impact Evaluation Manager at The Strategy Unit. Advocate for active travel and clean air. Cyclist. Rower. Runner.
🌐 Birmingham
🌐 Birmingham
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
You could - perhaps - have justified a few years of a freeze or even come up with some kind of stabiliser that linked to other transport costs or investment.
But what have we achieved from freezing fuel duty for fifteen years?
Do we have huge growth from it? Has it held down inflation? (No, no)
But what have we achieved from freezing fuel duty for fifteen years?
Do we have huge growth from it? Has it held down inflation? (No, no)
November 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
You could - perhaps - have justified a few years of a freeze or even come up with some kind of stabiliser that linked to other transport costs or investment.
But what have we achieved from freezing fuel duty for fifteen years?
Do we have huge growth from it? Has it held down inflation? (No, no)
But what have we achieved from freezing fuel duty for fifteen years?
Do we have huge growth from it? Has it held down inflation? (No, no)
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
Do you trust car manufacturers to tell the truth about the #Health & environmental impacts of their cars?
63% of British adults don't.
Where illegal activity is shown by the #Dieselgate trial, the Government needs to enforce recalls, paid for by manufacturers. @clientearth.bsky.social
63% of British adults don't.
Where illegal activity is shown by the #Dieselgate trial, the Government needs to enforce recalls, paid for by manufacturers. @clientearth.bsky.social
Public do not trust car manufacturers as new Dieselgate case begins in High Court | ClientEarth
New polling shows the British public want accountability.
www.clientearth.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Do you trust car manufacturers to tell the truth about the #Health & environmental impacts of their cars?
63% of British adults don't.
Where illegal activity is shown by the #Dieselgate trial, the Government needs to enforce recalls, paid for by manufacturers. @clientearth.bsky.social
63% of British adults don't.
Where illegal activity is shown by the #Dieselgate trial, the Government needs to enforce recalls, paid for by manufacturers. @clientearth.bsky.social
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
The killer in this case should never be allowed to drive again.
But why are the people who design our roads to keep producing this result never held to any account?
But why are the people who design our roads to keep producing this result never held to any account?
Driver jailed over Birmingham crash which killed woman and dog
Danielle Mitten is sentenced for causing the death of Lucy Atkins by dangerous driving.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The killer in this case should never be allowed to drive again.
But why are the people who design our roads to keep producing this result never held to any account?
But why are the people who design our roads to keep producing this result never held to any account?
Kings Heath High Street daily scenario: I'm on a bus with (I'm estimating here) 50 or 60 people on it, being held up by about 50 or 60 single occupancy vehicles.
So we're all moving at 4mph.
The positive effects of the high street carrying two buses moving at 10mph are huge. Huge.
So we're all moving at 4mph.
The positive effects of the high street carrying two buses moving at 10mph are huge. Huge.
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Kings Heath High Street daily scenario: I'm on a bus with (I'm estimating here) 50 or 60 people on it, being held up by about 50 or 60 single occupancy vehicles.
So we're all moving at 4mph.
The positive effects of the high street carrying two buses moving at 10mph are huge. Huge.
So we're all moving at 4mph.
The positive effects of the high street carrying two buses moving at 10mph are huge. Huge.
Is there an economic analysis from a reputable source to understand the costs and expected momentary impacts of Labour's relentless migration strategies?
Has OBR commented?
Has OBR commented?
November 25, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Is there an economic analysis from a reputable source to understand the costs and expected momentary impacts of Labour's relentless migration strategies?
Has OBR commented?
Has OBR commented?
All this talk of Birmingham being more like London, this 👇🏼 is the London-like behaviour I hope Brum is able to mimic
From the latest travel in London report. When nearly 90% of journeys in Inner London boroughs are walking, cycling or public transport why do we allocate so much space for the movement and storage of motor vehicles?
November 25, 2025 at 12:44 PM
All this talk of Birmingham being more like London, this 👇🏼 is the London-like behaviour I hope Brum is able to mimic
I'm really hoping for @zackpolanski.bsky.social to announce "of course there is such thing as society".
Time to end the competition and division between individuals and start to create better, more connected, more inclusive communities.
Time to end the competition and division between individuals and start to create better, more connected, more inclusive communities.
November 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I'm really hoping for @zackpolanski.bsky.social to announce "of course there is such thing as society".
Time to end the competition and division between individuals and start to create better, more connected, more inclusive communities.
Time to end the competition and division between individuals and start to create better, more connected, more inclusive communities.
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
James May just did an entire bike episode, including a cargo bike for groceries!
James May: Is this my greatest invention?
YouTube video by James May’s Planet Gin
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
James May just did an entire bike episode, including a cargo bike for groceries!
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
When cyclists are blamed for not wearing high-viz, just remember this advertisement for the 2.5 tonne all-terrain vehicle by Land Rover
Ideally suited for the school run 🙄
Ideally suited for the school run 🙄
November 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
When cyclists are blamed for not wearing high-viz, just remember this advertisement for the 2.5 tonne all-terrain vehicle by Land Rover
Ideally suited for the school run 🙄
Ideally suited for the school run 🙄
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
We cannot take this for granted …
🚲 #cycling #roads #London
😡 Another day, another #KSI, this time a fatal #HitAndRun
😡 The 68-year-old driver traced and arrested soon after has been released on bail, pending further enquiries😡
@rantyhighwayman.bsky.social @wandsworthls.bsky.social
news.met.police.uk/news/police-...
😡 Another day, another #KSI, this time a fatal #HitAndRun
😡 The 68-year-old driver traced and arrested soon after has been released on bail, pending further enquiries😡
@rantyhighwayman.bsky.social @wandsworthls.bsky.social
news.met.police.uk/news/police-...
Police appeal for witnesses after cyclist dies in collision
Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward after a cyclist was killed in a collision.
news.met.police.uk
November 23, 2025 at 11:14 AM
We cannot take this for granted …
Read this and tell me that LTNs in two wards in South Birmingham are a problem.
I really cannot recommend this excellent piece on Hammersmith Bridge highly enough
Hammersmith Bridge
Where did 25,000 vehicles go?
nickmaini.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Read this and tell me that LTNs in two wards in South Birmingham are a problem.
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
I dunno, convert some of the endless paved space reserved for cars into green space that can absorb water, maybe?
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Is there anything we can do to alleviate flash floods in the West Midlands
Experts say housebuilding and concrete drives are making floods worse, but that there are things we can do.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I dunno, convert some of the endless paved space reserved for cars into green space that can absorb water, maybe?
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
I wish Labour were as committed to good stuff as they were to bad stuff
November 23, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I wish Labour were as committed to good stuff as they were to bad stuff
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
Word on the street is that there are a bunch of new folks joining Bluesky right now, so it seems like a good time to re-share my first & biggest STARTER PACK of urbanists & city-making organizations from across the world. Hope you’ll consider following the excellent accounts here. And please share!
October 16, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Word on the street is that there are a bunch of new folks joining Bluesky right now, so it seems like a good time to re-share my first & biggest STARTER PACK of urbanists & city-making organizations from across the world. Hope you’ll consider following the excellent accounts here. And please share!
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
Hello and welcome to all our new followers!
Please do sign up to our newsletter to stay in touch with the latest air pollution news, find out about our campaigns and how you can get involved.
Please do sign up to our newsletter to stay in touch with the latest air pollution news, find out about our campaigns and how you can get involved.
Sign Up to Our Newsletter — Mums for Lungs
Hear the latest news on air pollution, and find out more about our campaigns.
www.mumsforlungs.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Hello and welcome to all our new followers!
Please do sign up to our newsletter to stay in touch with the latest air pollution news, find out about our campaigns and how you can get involved.
Please do sign up to our newsletter to stay in touch with the latest air pollution news, find out about our campaigns and how you can get involved.
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
New data shows just £1.5 million was given to councils in England in the past year to tackle air pollution – down from a high of £225 million in 2021 @bylinetimes.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/21/t...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/21/t...
The Government Has Cut Air Pollution Funds to Councils by 99% as Illegal Levels of Pollution Shorten Lives
New data shows just £1.5 million was given to councils in England in the past year to tackle air pollution - down from a high of £225 million in 2021
bylinetimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:02 PM
New data shows just £1.5 million was given to councils in England in the past year to tackle air pollution – down from a high of £225 million in 2021 @bylinetimes.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/21/t...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/21/t...
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
Compare and contrast the Government language.
£3,750 EV grant on a £35k car: ‘helping families’.
Cycle to Work: ‘subsidising leisure’.
And yet cycling delivers TEN TIMES the impact of electric cars for reaching net zero. It’s almost like narrative, not data, is driving policy.
£3,750 EV grant on a £35k car: ‘helping families’.
Cycle to Work: ‘subsidising leisure’.
And yet cycling delivers TEN TIMES the impact of electric cars for reaching net zero. It’s almost like narrative, not data, is driving policy.
November 21, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Compare and contrast the Government language.
£3,750 EV grant on a £35k car: ‘helping families’.
Cycle to Work: ‘subsidising leisure’.
And yet cycling delivers TEN TIMES the impact of electric cars for reaching net zero. It’s almost like narrative, not data, is driving policy.
£3,750 EV grant on a £35k car: ‘helping families’.
Cycle to Work: ‘subsidising leisure’.
And yet cycling delivers TEN TIMES the impact of electric cars for reaching net zero. It’s almost like narrative, not data, is driving policy.
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
Gill-ty as charged.
I wonder if Nigel Farage will be giving a press conference on this one?
I wonder if Nigel Farage will be giving a press conference on this one?
November 21, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Gill-ty as charged.
I wonder if Nigel Farage will be giving a press conference on this one?
I wonder if Nigel Farage will be giving a press conference on this one?
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
We await your response Mr Farage
November 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
We await your response Mr Farage
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
Reposted by Gareth Hooper
![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu@jpeg)
Anyone else expecting Labour's Road Safety Plan to consist of a focus of drivers born outside UK, and putting leaflets in supermarkets telling drivers to be more careful.
November 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Anyone else expecting Labour's Road Safety Plan to consist of a focus of drivers born outside UK, and putting leaflets in supermarkets telling drivers to be more careful.