Prof. Ian Walker
@ianwalker.bsky.social
Environmental psychologist: transport, energy, water, buildings. Motonormativity person. Head of Psychology, Swansea University 🏴. Charity trustee x2. My views
Guinness World Record for the fastest bicycle ride across Europe drianwalker.com
Guinness World Record for the fastest bicycle ride across Europe drianwalker.com
Pinned
Prof. Ian Walker
@ianwalker.bsky.social
· Feb 17
HOT RESEARCH NEWS!
Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...
Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...
Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
Back in Bristol - always nice to stumble across a Bumpsy. You wouldn't believe how far off the beaten track this one was leave-the-road-and.run/mr-bumps-fri...
January 24, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Back in Bristol - always nice to stumble across a Bumpsy. You wouldn't believe how far off the beaten track this one was leave-the-road-and.run/mr-bumps-fri...
Listening to my nephew learning about plants in the next room and he's really pushing Maslow's hierarchy:
-What do plants need to grow?
-Soil! Water! Entertainment! Food!
-What do plants need to grow?
-Soil! Water! Entertainment! Food!
January 24, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Listening to my nephew learning about plants in the next room and he's really pushing Maslow's hierarchy:
-What do plants need to grow?
-Soil! Water! Entertainment! Food!
-What do plants need to grow?
-Soil! Water! Entertainment! Food!
Some important clarification here from @cyclinguk.bsky.social on submitting close-pass video evidence to the police
www.cyclinguk.org/blog/it-wort...
www.cyclinguk.org/blog/it-wort...
Is it worth submitting video footage of close passes?
After concerns that police in Wales might not be accepting video submissions of close passing, we met with the Head of GoSafe in Wales to find out more. Here’s what he told us, along with his advice f...
www.cyclinguk.org
January 23, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Some important clarification here from @cyclinguk.bsky.social on submitting close-pass video evidence to the police
www.cyclinguk.org/blog/it-wort...
www.cyclinguk.org/blog/it-wort...
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Another casualty as another car hits another bus stop. Almost as if the real safety issue at bus stops isn’t the schemes to make them accessible for school kids to pass on bikes.
It’s not normal that this happens on a weekly basis
(Not much content in the article, to save you the bother)
www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinbur...
(Not much content in the article, to save you the bother)
www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinbur...
Edinburgh woman rushed to hospital from crash as 'car strikes bus stop'
A man has been charged in connection.
www.edinburghlive.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Another casualty as another car hits another bus stop. Almost as if the real safety issue at bus stops isn’t the schemes to make them accessible for school kids to pass on bikes.
Anyone else here walking the LDWA Hundred this year?
January 22, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Anyone else here walking the LDWA Hundred this year?
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
To help with your responses to the DfT’s consultation on powered mobility aids, we are hosting a series of free webinars to discuss mobility aid regulations and how we can ensure Disabled people have the same journey-making choices as non-disabled people
January 21, 2026 at 4:02 PM
To help with your responses to the DfT’s consultation on powered mobility aids, we are hosting a series of free webinars to discuss mobility aid regulations and how we can ensure Disabled people have the same journey-making choices as non-disabled people
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Court of Appeal just ruled Tower Hamlets DECISION to remove the Bethnal Green LTN is UNLAWFUL.
Councils can't remove without going through proper process & getting Mayor of London's approval.
This is a MASSIVE precedent for London. Years of work vindicated.
#SaveOurSaferStreets
#LTN
Councils can't remove without going through proper process & getting Mayor of London's approval.
This is a MASSIVE precedent for London. Years of work vindicated.
#SaveOurSaferStreets
#LTN
January 22, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Court of Appeal just ruled Tower Hamlets DECISION to remove the Bethnal Green LTN is UNLAWFUL.
Councils can't remove without going through proper process & getting Mayor of London's approval.
This is a MASSIVE precedent for London. Years of work vindicated.
#SaveOurSaferStreets
#LTN
Councils can't remove without going through proper process & getting Mayor of London's approval.
This is a MASSIVE precedent for London. Years of work vindicated.
#SaveOurSaferStreets
#LTN
I'm a couple of weeks late with this, but if you've made a New Year's resolution to do something useful, a donation to @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk is something you might consider?
Julian got cycling!!
Julian tried out our Van Raam Easy Rider Compact, with e-assist, comfortable seat and semi-recumbent riding position.
Just one of many on our scheme!
Want to find out if a cycle might suit you and loan one for free?!
Get in touch today to find out more. www.wheels4me.co.uk
Julian tried out our Van Raam Easy Rider Compact, with e-assist, comfortable seat and semi-recumbent riding position.
Just one of many on our scheme!
Want to find out if a cycle might suit you and loan one for free?!
Get in touch today to find out more. www.wheels4me.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 1:06 PM
I'm a couple of weeks late with this, but if you've made a New Year's resolution to do something useful, a donation to @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk is something you might consider?
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Julian got cycling!!
Julian tried out our Van Raam Easy Rider Compact, with e-assist, comfortable seat and semi-recumbent riding position.
Just one of many on our scheme!
Want to find out if a cycle might suit you and loan one for free?!
Get in touch today to find out more. www.wheels4me.co.uk
Julian tried out our Van Raam Easy Rider Compact, with e-assist, comfortable seat and semi-recumbent riding position.
Just one of many on our scheme!
Want to find out if a cycle might suit you and loan one for free?!
Get in touch today to find out more. www.wheels4me.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Julian got cycling!!
Julian tried out our Van Raam Easy Rider Compact, with e-assist, comfortable seat and semi-recumbent riding position.
Just one of many on our scheme!
Want to find out if a cycle might suit you and loan one for free?!
Get in touch today to find out more. www.wheels4me.co.uk
Julian tried out our Van Raam Easy Rider Compact, with e-assist, comfortable seat and semi-recumbent riding position.
Just one of many on our scheme!
Want to find out if a cycle might suit you and loan one for free?!
Get in touch today to find out more. www.wheels4me.co.uk
This is also a good reminder of the astonishing skill gap between a proper professional driver and the millions of people we allow to pilot vehicles with barely any training or safeguards
Great video - and I hadn't appreciated another use of ASLs - allowing an emergency vehicle to turn left out of a junction after "wrong siding it" (at 6:15 into video) youtu.be/kSoOW35qO84?...
Driving in a fire engine through London - Watch how traffic reacts!
YouTube video by The Online Driving Instructor
youtu.be
January 21, 2026 at 6:06 PM
This is also a good reminder of the astonishing skill gap between a proper professional driver and the millions of people we allow to pilot vehicles with barely any training or safeguards
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
This is a truly horrifying account of increasingly likely collapse of essential natural systems which would bring mass food shortages, price rises & global disorder. Commissioned from UK intelligence chiefs but scandalously suppressed by Govt, & sneaked out now while attention is elsewhere 👇
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 20, 2026 at 9:48 PM
This is a truly horrifying account of increasingly likely collapse of essential natural systems which would bring mass food shortages, price rises & global disorder. Commissioned from UK intelligence chiefs but scandalously suppressed by Govt, & sneaked out now while attention is elsewhere 👇
I'm no fan of the car industry, but even so I have to give them some free advice: Guys, do you realise how much you're cheapening your brands with these tacky illuminated logos?
January 21, 2026 at 3:59 PM
I'm no fan of the car industry, but even so I have to give them some free advice: Guys, do you realise how much you're cheapening your brands with these tacky illuminated logos?
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
As we all know, evil fossil fuel firms extract oil and gas and then immediately burn it. No one else is involved. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Half of world’s CO2 emissions come from just 32 fossil fuel firms, study shows
Critics accuse leading firms of sabotaging climate action but say data increasingly being used to hold them to account
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:29 AM
As we all know, evil fossil fuel firms extract oil and gas and then immediately burn it. No one else is involved. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
This will get massively overshadowed today and as ever the devil is in the detail, but is should be one of the best things Labour has done. It has the potential to improve the lives and finances of millions of people.
www.businessgreen.com/news/4524489...
www.businessgreen.com/news/4524489...
'A national project to turn the tide': Government unveils £15bn Warm Homes Plan
Long-awaited plan aims to help millions of families to cut energy bills by installing solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, and insulation
www.businessgreen.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:17 AM
This will get massively overshadowed today and as ever the devil is in the detail, but is should be one of the best things Labour has done. It has the potential to improve the lives and finances of millions of people.
www.businessgreen.com/news/4524489...
www.businessgreen.com/news/4524489...
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
anybody know if Trump is going to nuke us before the tax return deadline, or after it
January 20, 2026 at 6:28 PM
anybody know if Trump is going to nuke us before the tax return deadline, or after it
"Every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse" - wow, the wording in this isn't pulling its punches
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
The UK Govt has quietly published - without announcement - the Joint Intelligence Committee/DEFRA report it suppressed last October. They tried to sneak it out in the midst of crisis. Read and share:
“Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse & National Security.”
(link below)
The UK Govt has quietly published - without announcement - the Joint Intelligence Committee/DEFRA report it suppressed last October. They tried to sneak it out in the midst of crisis. Read and share:
“Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse & National Security.”
(link below)
January 20, 2026 at 6:08 PM
"Every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse" - wow, the wording in this isn't pulling its punches
I have to point to our recent work where most of the people we spoke to favoured car-reduction policies, but thought they were unusual for doing so. This is one reason why consultations, as currently enacted, won't work to gauge support www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
*Sighs once again*.
Consultations are not referendums. We have a system of representative democracy. Those elected enact policy and consult on *how* it is enacted, not if. There are many, many good reasons why this is the case.
Consultations are not referendums. We have a system of representative democracy. Those elected enact policy and consult on *how* it is enacted, not if. There are many, many good reasons why this is the case.
January 20, 2026 at 3:31 PM
I have to point to our recent work where most of the people we spoke to favoured car-reduction policies, but thought they were unusual for doing so. This is one reason why consultations, as currently enacted, won't work to gauge support www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
What3words is an opaque techy non-solution that seeks to lock people into a proprietary system that replaces a better system that was working perfectly fine. They're almost the last company I'd want to see influencing how government thinks
At what3words for Darren Jones speech on 'Move fast and fix things: modernising Whitehall to deliver for Britain'
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Hannah White asks what will make this attempt at reform different - says what matters is what comes next
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Hannah White asks what will make this attempt at reform different - says what matters is what comes next
January 20, 2026 at 1:16 PM
What3words is an opaque techy non-solution that seeks to lock people into a proprietary system that replaces a better system that was working perfectly fine. They're almost the last company I'd want to see influencing how government thinks
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
May I once again not-at-all-humbly reiterate what I said back in 2022: the centrist brain-worm that "energy security" comes from crawling from dependence on one fossil fuel supplier to another is absolute bullshit: Europe could and should have been reducing gas reliance faster for the past 3 years
January 19, 2026 at 10:56 AM
May I once again not-at-all-humbly reiterate what I said back in 2022: the centrist brain-worm that "energy security" comes from crawling from dependence on one fossil fuel supplier to another is absolute bullshit: Europe could and should have been reducing gas reliance faster for the past 3 years
I know we're suspicious about all the vape shops but I just saw one called "Vape of Good Hope" so perhaps it's not so bad after all
January 18, 2026 at 3:58 PM
I know we're suspicious about all the vape shops but I just saw one called "Vape of Good Hope" so perhaps it's not so bad after all
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
Reposted by Prof. Ian Walker
January 16, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Stephen Collins is brilliant
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
The stress management app that doesn’t even pretend things are OK! The Stephen Collins cartoon
Download our app if you really want to feel bad about yourself
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Stephen Collins is brilliant
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
I'm deep in DfT travel statistics right now. Here's another that's blown my mind: Wales saw 3.5 billion miles of driving on minor urban roads in 2024 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/684964... Great Britain as a whole had 67.6 billion miles *driven* on *minor urban roads*!
January 16, 2026 at 9:24 AM
I'm deep in DfT travel statistics right now. Here's another that's blown my mind: Wales saw 3.5 billion miles of driving on minor urban roads in 2024 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/684964... Great Britain as a whole had 67.6 billion miles *driven* on *minor urban roads*!
Another useful link to bookmark: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/689b58... Shows, for example, that in 2024 the average disabled adult in England drove 282 car trips and the average non-disabled person drove 474 car trips. Disabled people no more likely to be car passenger either
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 16, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Another useful link to bookmark: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/689b58... Shows, for example, that in 2024 the average disabled adult in England drove 282 car trips and the average non-disabled person drove 474 car trips. Disabled people no more likely to be car passenger either