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Ben Foley

@benwheels.bsky.social

320 followers 180 following 340 posts

Campaigns and Policy Lead at Wheels for Wellbeing, but views my own. Published and promoted on behalf of Ben Foley and Luton & Bedfordshire Green Party, both at 48 Olivier Ct, Bedford, MK40 2UU

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 7d

Tell them “No” by completing consultation: online1.snapsurveys.com/u1u1to
Tell them to keep 100% discount for ppl who are in poverty & in the smallest homes - answer “strongly disagree” at qu 5 & qu 7.
It’s unfair to make the poorest pay for Tories’ waste. Better options are available.
2/2

Starting survey...

online1.snapsurveys.com

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 7d

On Monday I challenged the Tory exec of Bedford council's proposal to bung a new bill of £235 at the poorest residents in the tiniest flats. They don't have an answer about how people should pay it. Tell them “No”. 1/2

www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/councillor-q...

Councillor questions council tax rises that could “subsidise free car parking” as poorer households face losing support - Bedford Independent

Plans to overhaul Bedford Borough Council’s council tax reduction scheme have come under fire for placing new financial burdens on...

www.bedfordindependent.co.uk

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 21

Yup, they have an incentive to pick on those they think they can intimidate into accepting an FPN, and leaving alone the confident/aggressive.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 21

Previous regime was one where I had very deep suspicions, in any case. What was happening was private enforcement "officers" targeted those they thought would end up paying, not those who were being antisocial and causing problems. The result was too high proportion of FPNs issued to BME residents.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 21

I have already been seeking reassurances around this, and will be monitoring VERY carefully. If there is evidence of bigotry, I will be making sure the council takes it VERY seriously.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 21

...and so often what people imagine is "objective" is actually oversimplified, too.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 21

I'd rather have a degree of subjectivity in enforcement than a blanket ban on all cycling, including cycling that is pro-social, responsible, and promotes safety (and the previous ban was worse than that).
The law has lots of subjectivity around tests of "a reasonable person" in any case.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 21

No. There will be fixed penalty notices given out by private enforcement officers who will actually be in the vicinity, so it isn't dependent on police enforcement.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 21

Thanks also to fellow Green councillors Lucy Bywater and @pauledmonds.bsky.social , whose neighbouring Castle and Newnham ward was the other ward directly affected also similarly responded.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 21

As the local councillor whose ward includes most of the affected area, I put a lot of effort into getting this result, including a councillor's response to the consultation of more than 3,000 words (which referenced Wheels for Wellbeing documents a couple of times 🙂 ).

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 18

I'm not a lawyer, but I don't think "common sense" is used in the law. By contrast "reasonable person" is. Making it clear that people cycling must act like reasonable people does the job!

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 18

Even for the many of us Disabled people who ride a standard cycle, cost is *still* more likely to be an issue than for non-Disabled people. Because of employment discrimination, Disabled people tend to have lower incomes and are more likely to be unemployed.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 12

Great to see this getting coverage from Disability News Service.

John Pring, DNS @johnpring.bsky.social · Aug 9

Disabled campaigners have welcomed the government’s announcement that it will review the laws around powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and examine how new mobility technology could be “safely implemented” for disabled people to use.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/government-r...

Government review of law on mobility aids could prove ‘absolutely transformative’

Disabled campaigners have welcomed the government’s announcement that it will review the laws around powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and examine how new mobility technology could be “saf…

www.disabilitynewsservice.com

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 4

As a wheelchair user who recently moved house, I know too well how dire the situation is. Finding properties where the walls are far enough apart and there is a hope of adapting them (even if it costs a lot) is massively challenging.

Centre for Ageing Better @ageingbetter.bsky.social · Aug 3

Since July 2022, over 375,000 new homes have been built without meeting accessible or adaptable standards.

For disabled and older people with changing mobility, this isn't just about housing — it's about basic rights, health and independence.

Infographic of a woman in a wheelchair and text reading 'MISSING 375,000 accessible and adaptable homes that could have been built since July 2022'

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 4

Kate conveys the appropriate level of excitement much better than I did in my post that she quote-posted! So many #Disabled and #elderly people who use something as a #MobilityAid could get big benefits from getting the current, offensively named "invalid carriage" regulations sorted out.

TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · Aug 1

This is so incredibly ridiculously exciting - Mobility aid laws are going to be reviewed and made fit for purpose!
Woo!
(& yes, I do think this is *that* exciting!)
#disability
#ActiveTravel
#MyCycleMyMobilityAid

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Jul 31

Easy to miss, but important. At @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk we've been working towards this moment for years - the DfT has publicly announced that it is looking at sorting out mobility aid laws. 🎉 Our #MyCycleMyMobilityAid campaign looks like it is paying off.

Reposted by Ben Foley

Kevin Hickman @kevin-hickman.bsky.social · Jul 31

Even for an old hand there’s a first time for everything - quaxing my old-meets-new prosthesis home from the limb centre.

Background: Lower limb prothesis attached to Brompton bag and saddle.
Foreground: A well earned beer…

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 1

We can't be certain of that level of detail of the outcome of a process that involves real openness to influence by a wider group of #Disabled peoples organisations, but we've got no reason to think it won't be an outcome.
Changing the terminology is certainly a VERY likely outcome.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Aug 1

Sorry, doing extra stuff about that isn't on agenda for the changes to mobility aid law. It's 100% on our agenda at @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk, though, & we're making use of other more plausible opportunities to pursue (like Timms review, reform of Equality Act 2010, influencing @ategov.bsky.social)

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Jul 31

I think just 'cos Govts hadn't got round to putting legislation legalising eScooters before Parl. But eScooter trials weren't what was interesting/important to me in that tweet (I knew extension was inevitable). Being willing *to go public* that they're reviewing mobility aid law was news.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Jul 31

Also in that email "The current regulations are nearly 40 years old and do not account for the devices people need to use". It's great to see that recognition of what we've been saying.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Jul 31

Really welcome to see in the email we were sent: "We are committed to ensuring this policy is reviewed and designed with disabled people, not for them. We hope to continue and improve our collaborative working with you" (although TBH, it's hard to think how the collaborative working could improve!)

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Jul 31

Easy to miss, but important. At @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk we've been working towards this moment for years - the DfT has publicly announced that it is looking at sorting out mobility aid laws. 🎉 Our #MyCycleMyMobilityAid campaign looks like it is paying off.

Screenshot of a tweet from Simon Lightwood MP. Jul 21.
"Everyone deserves safe, accessible transport.
That’s why we’re extending e-scooter trials to 2028 and expanding them to new towns to learn how best to regulate them.
We’re also looking at our mobility aid laws so disabled people can use the devices they need for independence." Accompanied with a photo, the alt text for which was "Hire escooters parked in a line in a designated parking area", image attribution Department for Transport.

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Jul 31

This message is one that needs repeating again-and-again!
It was good to hear recognition from Chris Whitty (Chief Medical Adviser to the UK Government) at #ActiveCityYork. UK politicians need to listen to him!

Lloyd Alter @lloydalter.bsky.social · Jul 30

A new study finds that “promoting active travel modes, particularly cycling, may be associated with better brain health and lower dementia risk.” With rising healthcare costs and an aging population, it's another reason that politicians should stop ripping up bike lanes.

Cycling is a magic pill for dementia

A study shows that people who cycle regularly have a 19% lower risk of all-cause dementia and a 22% lower risk of Alzheimer’s. But let's tear up those bike lanes!

lloydalter.substack.com

Reposted by Ben Foley

TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · Jul 31

Once again for those in the back: People who can’t drive because of:
health conditions,
age (too young!),
finances (can’t afford a car),
space (nowhere to park),
environmental concerns,
etc
…. very often can cycle & need to cycle to make basic utility journeys!

#MyCycleMyMobilityAid
#disability

2 Wheeled Wolf @2-wheeled-wolf.bsky.social · Jul 30

Just seen a letter from what looks to be @tandemkate.bsky.social for @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk in latest @cyclinguk.bsky.social magazine to remind people if you're medically disqualified from driving it doesn't necessarily mean you can't cycle & in fact could be your main form of transport. 👍👏👏👏👏

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · Jul 21

Oh, why did the tag of @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk not work? It was clearly highlighted on my screen.