Mark Nelson
@sphericalsquare.bsky.social
CTO in ecommerce. Cycling & active travel at the weekends.
This could easily be solved by giving Alaska to Canada.
Trump says he doesn’t want Russia as a neighbour. Could someone remind him about the Bering Strait?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
January 10, 2026 at 6:21 PM
This could easily be solved by giving Alaska to Canada.
Reposted by Mark Nelson
Pleased the government have finally published their response to the 2020 Pavement Parking Consultation.
However, it's disappointingly backwards facing.
Rather than a blanket ban and allow Local Authorities to apply for exceptions in specific circumstances,
Cont.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
However, it's disappointingly backwards facing.
Rather than a blanket ban and allow Local Authorities to apply for exceptions in specific circumstances,
Cont.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Pavement parking options for change: government response
www.gov.uk
January 10, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Pleased the government have finally published their response to the 2020 Pavement Parking Consultation.
However, it's disappointingly backwards facing.
Rather than a blanket ban and allow Local Authorities to apply for exceptions in specific circumstances,
Cont.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
However, it's disappointingly backwards facing.
Rather than a blanket ban and allow Local Authorities to apply for exceptions in specific circumstances,
Cont.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by Mark Nelson
24h average NO2 readings for Tue 6th Jan 2026
Gosforth: 27.63µg/m³
Coast Road: 48µg/m³
Tyne Bridge: 35.45µg/m³
https://sensors.spaceforheaton.com
Gosforth: 27.63µg/m³
Coast Road: 48µg/m³
Tyne Bridge: 35.45µg/m³
https://sensors.spaceforheaton.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:30 AM
24h average NO2 readings for Tue 6th Jan 2026
Gosforth: 27.63µg/m³
Coast Road: 48µg/m³
Tyne Bridge: 35.45µg/m³
https://sensors.spaceforheaton.com
Gosforth: 27.63µg/m³
Coast Road: 48µg/m³
Tyne Bridge: 35.45µg/m³
https://sensors.spaceforheaton.com
Reposted by Mark Nelson
A fun game for you all to play, but also a useful tool in the ongoing battle to remove traffic from Blackett Street and turn it into a safe space for people.
Back to work tomorrow, but I've been putting the holidays to good use and utilised a bit of AI object detection to create a game called 'Is somebody driving illegally on Blackett St?'.
Pretend you're a traffic warden see how much you earn in fines:
www.sphericalsquare.net/blackett-str...
Pretend you're a traffic warden see how much you earn in fines:
www.sphericalsquare.net/blackett-str...
January 5, 2026 at 1:13 PM
A fun game for you all to play, but also a useful tool in the ongoing battle to remove traffic from Blackett Street and turn it into a safe space for people.
Back to work tomorrow, but I've been putting the holidays to good use and utilised a bit of AI object detection to create a game called 'Is somebody driving illegally on Blackett St?'.
Pretend you're a traffic warden see how much you earn in fines:
www.sphericalsquare.net/blackett-str...
Pretend you're a traffic warden see how much you earn in fines:
www.sphericalsquare.net/blackett-str...
January 4, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Back to work tomorrow, but I've been putting the holidays to good use and utilised a bit of AI object detection to create a game called 'Is somebody driving illegally on Blackett St?'.
Pretend you're a traffic warden see how much you earn in fines:
www.sphericalsquare.net/blackett-str...
Pretend you're a traffic warden see how much you earn in fines:
www.sphericalsquare.net/blackett-str...
Reposted by Mark Nelson
I'm interested in public attitudes towards clearing footpaths (e.g. the road in your photo is clear, the path is not!) If you or your followers have time to complete my survey I'd love to hear from you.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Did you have snow overnight/today? #UKSnow
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
I’m researching public attitudes towards clearing Snow and Ice in the UK. Are you over the age of 18 and live in the UK? If so, you can take part in my research by clicking this link (details inside)
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...
Public Attitudes to Snow and Ice on Pavements and Roads
Online surveys is a powerful, easy to use tool for creating online surveys. Run by Jisc, online surveys is used by over 300 different organisations in the UK...
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk
January 3, 2026 at 1:34 PM
I'm interested in public attitudes towards clearing footpaths (e.g. the road in your photo is clear, the path is not!) If you or your followers have time to complete my survey I'd love to hear from you.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Mark Nelson
When there's snow on the ground it's clear to see how often people drive on the pavement.
January 3, 2026 at 12:08 PM
When there's snow on the ground it's clear to see how often people drive on the pavement.
Reposted by Mark Nelson
Also, when reporters start talking about the chatbots this way, it is imperative to remind them they are basically asking a toaster for comment. They should be a lot more embarrassed about this than they currently are.
“Grok told CNN…” no it didn’t. You typed stuff into an unreliable calculator.
“Grok told CNN…” no it didn’t. You typed stuff into an unreliable calculator.
January 3, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Also, when reporters start talking about the chatbots this way, it is imperative to remind them they are basically asking a toaster for comment. They should be a lot more embarrassed about this than they currently are.
“Grok told CNN…” no it didn’t. You typed stuff into an unreliable calculator.
“Grok told CNN…” no it didn’t. You typed stuff into an unreliable calculator.
Cramlington politicians -
Tuesday: “This isn’t joined up transport planning."
[rail service reduced]
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Friday: “What are we doing?"
[campaigning for half a billion pounds to be spent on one roundabout]
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Tuesday: “This isn’t joined up transport planning."
[rail service reduced]
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Friday: “What are we doing?"
[campaigning for half a billion pounds to be spent on one roundabout]
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
January 2, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Cramlington politicians -
Tuesday: “This isn’t joined up transport planning."
[rail service reduced]
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Friday: “What are we doing?"
[campaigning for half a billion pounds to be spent on one roundabout]
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Tuesday: “This isn’t joined up transport planning."
[rail service reduced]
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Friday: “What are we doing?"
[campaigning for half a billion pounds to be spent on one roundabout]
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Reposted by Mark Nelson
2025 has broken historical climate records, with provisional Met Office figures showing it has been both the warmest and sunniest year on record for the UK.
Find out more: www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Find out more: www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
January 2, 2026 at 12:35 PM
2025 has broken historical climate records, with provisional Met Office figures showing it has been both the warmest and sunniest year on record for the UK.
Find out more: www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Find out more: www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Reposted by Mark Nelson
Here's an idea for 2026...
January 2, 2026 at 4:14 AM
Here's an idea for 2026...
Still a few days of work so continuing festivities with a pint with a view before the New Year's Day concert at the Glasshouse.
January 1, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Still a few days of work so continuing festivities with a pint with a view before the New Year's Day concert at the Glasshouse.
2025 was the sunniest of the last 5 years, just pipping 2022.
That meant I was 48% solar powered ⚡for the year.
As it was quite warm too export income was nearly 1/3 more than the gas bill, or just slightly less than the electric bill, including standing charges.
Embrace the ☀️save 💷💷
That meant I was 48% solar powered ⚡for the year.
As it was quite warm too export income was nearly 1/3 more than the gas bill, or just slightly less than the electric bill, including standing charges.
Embrace the ☀️save 💷💷
January 1, 2026 at 11:37 AM
2025 was the sunniest of the last 5 years, just pipping 2022.
That meant I was 48% solar powered ⚡for the year.
As it was quite warm too export income was nearly 1/3 more than the gas bill, or just slightly less than the electric bill, including standing charges.
Embrace the ☀️save 💷💷
That meant I was 48% solar powered ⚡for the year.
As it was quite warm too export income was nearly 1/3 more than the gas bill, or just slightly less than the electric bill, including standing charges.
Embrace the ☀️save 💷💷
No really long rides in 2025, but more 100km+ rides than ever meant a new annual distance record for me.
Probably a record for train/bike trips too, but nothing records that.
Also managed a full 12 months without a cycling related A&E visit for the first time in a while, which I hope to continue.
Probably a record for train/bike trips too, but nothing records that.
Also managed a full 12 months without a cycling related A&E visit for the first time in a while, which I hope to continue.
January 1, 2026 at 11:18 AM
No really long rides in 2025, but more 100km+ rides than ever meant a new annual distance record for me.
Probably a record for train/bike trips too, but nothing records that.
Also managed a full 12 months without a cycling related A&E visit for the first time in a while, which I hope to continue.
Probably a record for train/bike trips too, but nothing records that.
Also managed a full 12 months without a cycling related A&E visit for the first time in a while, which I hope to continue.
New year celebrations have started and there appears to be a chicken crossing the road.
There's a message there somewhere.
There's a message there somewhere.
December 31, 2025 at 8:07 PM
New year celebrations have started and there appears to be a chicken crossing the road.
There's a message there somewhere.
There's a message there somewhere.
I had Fridays off in August so used them to get the train and go cycling around bits of the north I don't get to often.
December 30, 2025 at 10:57 AM
I had Fridays off in August so used them to get the train and go cycling around bits of the north I don't get to often.
I think the wine labelling machine or person in M&S might have been sampling the goods.
Unless it's an elaborate ploy, and the bottles really only have 75ml in.
Unless it's an elaborate ploy, and the bottles really only have 75ml in.
December 21, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I think the wine labelling machine or person in M&S might have been sampling the goods.
Unless it's an elaborate ploy, and the bottles really only have 75ml in.
Unless it's an elaborate ploy, and the bottles really only have 75ml in.
As if the lack of daylight wasn't bad enough, today is really the longest day of the year, but we just ignore the extra 30s and sort it out later.
youtu.be/nZMMuv0Ltyo?...
youtu.be/nZMMuv0Ltyo?...
Why December Has The Longest Days
YouTube video by minutephysics
youtu.be
December 21, 2025 at 9:31 AM
As if the lack of daylight wasn't bad enough, today is really the longest day of the year, but we just ignore the extra 30s and sort it out later.
youtu.be/nZMMuv0Ltyo?...
youtu.be/nZMMuv0Ltyo?...
A handy tool if you are ever tempted to enter a Facebook comments section and cycle lanes.
roaddamagecalculator.com
roaddamagecalculator.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:10 PM
A handy tool if you are ever tempted to enter a Facebook comments section and cycle lanes.
roaddamagecalculator.com
roaddamagecalculator.com
Reposted by Mark Nelson
There's a top-class trolling opportunity here: "In the absence of people driving over Hammersmith Bridge it's not clear there's any demand for a car route"
In what universe could you look at this and think yeah let’s reopen this to cars.
December 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
There's a top-class trolling opportunity here: "In the absence of people driving over Hammersmith Bridge it's not clear there's any demand for a car route"
Reposted by Mark Nelson
Buses in Heaton are not where they should be due to a fire on Chillingham Road this evening.
You can find where yours is at sensors.spaceforheaton.com/bustracker
You can find where yours is at sensors.spaceforheaton.com/bustracker
December 9, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Buses in Heaton are not where they should be due to a fire on Chillingham Road this evening.
You can find where yours is at sensors.spaceforheaton.com/bustracker
You can find where yours is at sensors.spaceforheaton.com/bustracker
Reposted by Mark Nelson
If you want to get involved in the #CWIS3 consultation but don't know how, I've put together some suggestions substack.com/home/post/p-...
...and a list of paths you could refer to ...
...and a list of paths you could refer to ...
December 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
If you want to get involved in the #CWIS3 consultation but don't know how, I've put together some suggestions substack.com/home/post/p-...
...and a list of paths you could refer to ...
...and a list of paths you could refer to ...
Winter weather is very good a highlighting poor pedestrian infrastructure.
Still, you can see some nice reflections, before you get covered in dirty water by passing drivers.
Still, you can see some nice reflections, before you get covered in dirty water by passing drivers.
December 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Winter weather is very good a highlighting poor pedestrian infrastructure.
Still, you can see some nice reflections, before you get covered in dirty water by passing drivers.
Still, you can see some nice reflections, before you get covered in dirty water by passing drivers.
Reposted by Mark Nelson
That time already? Social ride this Friday, Spanish City, 6:30pm. Who’s in?
November 26, 2025 at 6:23 PM
That time already? Social ride this Friday, Spanish City, 6:30pm. Who’s in?
Reposted by Mark Nelson
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.