The Ranty Highwayman
@rantyhighwayman.bsky.social
A highway engineer's adventures in time & space. The street is not too narrow your imagination is too narrow | Independent sustainable mobility design specialist | Better streets & places | Runs @cityinfinity.bsky.social | https://linktr.ee/rantyhighwayman
Pinned
#HelloBluesky, I'm Mark, a civil & highway engineer with nearly 30 years experience, with the last decade as a specialist in sustainable mobility design. I'm a freelancer at @cityinfinity.bsky.social.
I post about highways & transport, often with Opinions.
Also homebrewing, silly films and snark.
I post about highways & transport, often with Opinions.
Also homebrewing, silly films and snark.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
A tax on pre-Budget think pieces would be a good idea.
November 25, 2025 at 6:24 PM
A tax on pre-Budget think pieces would be a good idea.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
🤝 When you join LCC, you're not just getting all the benefits that come with membership, you're also directly funding work to campaign for a London that everyone can cycle in...
🛒 So, enjoy 33% off LCC Membership this Black Friday, and become one of our 12,000 members: bit.ly/3KmhV46
🛒 So, enjoy 33% off LCC Membership this Black Friday, and become one of our 12,000 members: bit.ly/3KmhV46
November 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
🤝 When you join LCC, you're not just getting all the benefits that come with membership, you're also directly funding work to campaign for a London that everyone can cycle in...
🛒 So, enjoy 33% off LCC Membership this Black Friday, and become one of our 12,000 members: bit.ly/3KmhV46
🛒 So, enjoy 33% off LCC Membership this Black Friday, and become one of our 12,000 members: bit.ly/3KmhV46
Paddington to Stratford on the Elizabeth Line at 6pm.
Such Hell on Earth, I expected Pinhead and his CD Face Launching mate to get on.
Such Hell on Earth, I expected Pinhead and his CD Face Launching mate to get on.
November 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Paddington to Stratford on the Elizabeth Line at 6pm.
Such Hell on Earth, I expected Pinhead and his CD Face Launching mate to get on.
Such Hell on Earth, I expected Pinhead and his CD Face Launching mate to get on.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
When cities build protected cycle tracks, families don’t have to choose between safety and freedom. Kids can ride on their own, dads can hang back, and everyone gets where they’re going safely and comfortably. Safe infrastructure turns everyday trips into independence, not stress, yo!
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
When cities build protected cycle tracks, families don’t have to choose between safety and freedom. Kids can ride on their own, dads can hang back, and everyone gets where they’re going safely and comfortably. Safe infrastructure turns everyday trips into independence, not stress, yo!
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Who remembers that Brexit campaign slogan from 2016? 🤔
November 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Who remembers that Brexit campaign slogan from 2016? 🤔
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Today marks 50 years of 'Protect and Survive'.
Brilliant to see Ste from @scarredforlife.bsky.social on BBC Breakfast TV this morning talking about growing up in the shadow of the bomb.
Also featured was an amazing piece with Roger Limb discussing the music and sounds he composed for the PIF.
Brilliant to see Ste from @scarredforlife.bsky.social on BBC Breakfast TV this morning talking about growing up in the shadow of the bomb.
Also featured was an amazing piece with Roger Limb discussing the music and sounds he composed for the PIF.
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Today marks 50 years of 'Protect and Survive'.
Brilliant to see Ste from @scarredforlife.bsky.social on BBC Breakfast TV this morning talking about growing up in the shadow of the bomb.
Also featured was an amazing piece with Roger Limb discussing the music and sounds he composed for the PIF.
Brilliant to see Ste from @scarredforlife.bsky.social on BBC Breakfast TV this morning talking about growing up in the shadow of the bomb.
Also featured was an amazing piece with Roger Limb discussing the music and sounds he composed for the PIF.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Since 2011 the fuel duty freeze has cost the Treasury £133 billion.
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Rachel Reeves will freeze fuel duty to dodge ‘political suicide’
The chancellor will also highlight a rise in the minimum wage and plans to cut energy bills as she tries to win over voters by focusing on cost of living
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Since 2011 the fuel duty freeze has cost the Treasury £133 billion.
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
When can you declare an emergency over?
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
November 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
When can you declare an emergency over?
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
when we say we want more streets to be pedestrianized, this is what we mean
November 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
when we say we want more streets to be pedestrianized, this is what we mean
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
There's always money to subsidise driving more.
When can you declare an emergency over?
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
November 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
There's always money to subsidise driving more.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Disappointed that I’m not allowed to use an Uzi 9-millimetre to build this bookcase.
November 25, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Disappointed that I’m not allowed to use an Uzi 9-millimetre to build this bookcase.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
The New Manchester. Vibrant streets.
November 25, 2025 at 12:39 PM
The New Manchester. Vibrant streets.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Who had 'Moving the M25' on their list of things that the 'committed to tackling climate change' Labour administration would do?
Heidi Alexander chooses larger of two options for Heathrow 3rd runway, requiring part of M25 to be moved - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
November 25, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Who had 'Moving the M25' on their list of things that the 'committed to tackling climate change' Labour administration would do?
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
The diagram shows, in black, the national annual distance cycled. On top of this I have drawn the growth rates seen in the City of London and Wilmslow Road in Manchester. A few schemes see a phenominal growth (the heavy lifting) but there aren't enough of them (yet) to affect the national picture.
November 25, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The diagram shows, in black, the national annual distance cycled. On top of this I have drawn the growth rates seen in the City of London and Wilmslow Road in Manchester. A few schemes see a phenominal growth (the heavy lifting) but there aren't enough of them (yet) to affect the national picture.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Would appreciate the inclusion of Tower Hamlets to gauge the impact of our bicycle-hating mayor on an inner London borough with the second lowest rate of car ownership in the entire country.
Save Our Safer Streets is in the appeal court, today or tomorrow...
www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...
Save Our Safer Streets is in the appeal court, today or tomorrow...
www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...
Bid to save Tower Hamlets LTNs to be heard in Appeal Court
A legal bid to prevent Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in Tower Hamlets from being dismantled by the local mayor will be heard at the Court of Appeal next week.
www.leighday.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Would appreciate the inclusion of Tower Hamlets to gauge the impact of our bicycle-hating mayor on an inner London borough with the second lowest rate of car ownership in the entire country.
Save Our Safer Streets is in the appeal court, today or tomorrow...
www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...
Save Our Safer Streets is in the appeal court, today or tomorrow...
www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Keep your receipt guys, you’ve been had. That polar bear is, in fact, what’s known as a “cow”.
November 25, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Keep your receipt guys, you’ve been had. That polar bear is, in fact, what’s known as a “cow”.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Good morning! To very nearly everyone
November 25, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Good morning! To very nearly everyone
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Every transport system has to deal with changes in elevation leading to slopes, also known as gradients. Even in the Netherlands, which is often described as being 'flat as a pancake', there are slopes on roads. Reproducible code using our {slopes} #rstats package: github.com/ropensci/slo...
November 25, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Every transport system has to deal with changes in elevation leading to slopes, also known as gradients. Even in the Netherlands, which is often described as being 'flat as a pancake', there are slopes on roads. Reproducible code using our {slopes} #rstats package: github.com/ropensci/slo...
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
A reminder that cars aren’t a technology problem. They’re a geometry problem.
Waymo privatized another public street:
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco
Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.
The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.
OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
November 25, 2025 at 4:16 AM
A reminder that cars aren’t a technology problem. They’re a geometry problem.
I'd love to see this by inner and outer London as well as boroughs; clearly a few key boroughs are doing some heavy lifting.
📣New data shows London cycling is soaring:
📈 12% up from last year to 1,500,000 daily journeys
📈 that's 43% up from 2019
🚲Cycleway Network grows to 431km (up from 90km in 2016)
😎 & 76% of London cyclists feel safe our routes
🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📈 12% up from last year to 1,500,000 daily journeys
📈 that's 43% up from 2019
🚲Cycleway Network grows to 431km (up from 90km in 2016)
😎 & 76% of London cyclists feel safe our routes
🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 25, 2025 at 8:08 AM
I'd love to see this by inner and outer London as well as boroughs; clearly a few key boroughs are doing some heavy lifting.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Next week...
Good Bug Dead Bug GIF
ALT: Good Bug Dead Bug GIF
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Next week...
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
The problem with UK fiscal policy is low productivity, Brexit and a refusal of Chancellors to be straight with the public about what it costs to have the services they want.
None of this is the responsibility of the OBR.
If anything, they've been too accommodating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
None of this is the responsibility of the OBR.
If anything, they've been too accommodating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The difficult question about how powerful the Budget watchdog is
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 AM
The problem with UK fiscal policy is low productivity, Brexit and a refusal of Chancellors to be straight with the public about what it costs to have the services they want.
None of this is the responsibility of the OBR.
If anything, they've been too accommodating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
None of this is the responsibility of the OBR.
If anything, they've been too accommodating.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
Reposted by The Ranty Highwayman
It was raining, so I was very excited travelling to Newbury Park Underground station.
Outside the entrance is a Grade II listed bus shelter, designed by Oliver Hill in 1937 but built after the war
I knew a puddle shot would look good here, so I took a shot as the 66 bus arrived
Outside the entrance is a Grade II listed bus shelter, designed by Oliver Hill in 1937 but built after the war
I knew a puddle shot would look good here, so I took a shot as the 66 bus arrived
November 25, 2025 at 7:42 AM
It was raining, so I was very excited travelling to Newbury Park Underground station.
Outside the entrance is a Grade II listed bus shelter, designed by Oliver Hill in 1937 but built after the war
I knew a puddle shot would look good here, so I took a shot as the 66 bus arrived
Outside the entrance is a Grade II listed bus shelter, designed by Oliver Hill in 1937 but built after the war
I knew a puddle shot would look good here, so I took a shot as the 66 bus arrived