Common Ninja
@commonninja.bsky.social
A garden variety ninja, trying to go unnoticed. Mostly.
Likes: Reading, walking, cycles, cycling, amateur radio, music, Hi-Fi
Dislikes: Neoliberalism, death by car, death by climate change, prospect of WW3
Likes: Reading, walking, cycles, cycling, amateur radio, music, Hi-Fi
Dislikes: Neoliberalism, death by car, death by climate change, prospect of WW3
Pinned
Common Ninja
@commonninja.bsky.social
· Jan 29
Question bicycle riders.
For those of you that do ride on roads at night - both urban roads with street lights and rural roads with no street lighting - how many lights (front and rear)?
Have you experimented with more lights?
Have you experienced any resultant differences in driver interaction?
For those of you that do ride on roads at night - both urban roads with street lights and rural roads with no street lighting - how many lights (front and rear)?
Have you experimented with more lights?
Have you experienced any resultant differences in driver interaction?
Capping the value of the cycle to work scheme achieves one solitary objective.
It reinforces a false narrative.
That is it.
It reinforces a false narrative.
That is it.
November 13, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Capping the value of the cycle to work scheme achieves one solitary objective.
It reinforces a false narrative.
That is it.
It reinforces a false narrative.
That is it.
Rolling out career frameworks and professional development plans when employess have <0 slack time because company won't staff teams appropriately will not improve productivity.
November 12, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Rolling out career frameworks and professional development plans when employess have <0 slack time because company won't staff teams appropriately will not improve productivity.
Reposted by Common Ninja
Does anyone remember Dan & Dan from the internet old days (loved the Daily Mail song!). Well they're back! 😀 youtu.be/7V1KDXmPmlQ?...
Dan & Dan: The Elephant in the Room
YouTube video by dananddanfilms
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Does anyone remember Dan & Dan from the internet old days (loved the Daily Mail song!). Well they're back! 😀 youtu.be/7V1KDXmPmlQ?...
"Increasing road capacity to reduce congestion is an experiment that has repeatedly failed"
@spokes.org.uk have nailed this.
Useful poi t of reference for anyone responding to consultstions on any new road schemes.
@spokes.org.uk have nailed this.
Useful poi t of reference for anyone responding to consultstions on any new road schemes.
A really excellent deputation from Spokes on the A701/2 “relief” roads
Particularly the section on “induced demand” 👏👏👏
@spokes.org.uk
Particularly the section on “induced demand” 👏👏👏
@spokes.org.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:52 AM
"Increasing road capacity to reduce congestion is an experiment that has repeatedly failed"
@spokes.org.uk have nailed this.
Useful poi t of reference for anyone responding to consultstions on any new road schemes.
@spokes.org.uk have nailed this.
Useful poi t of reference for anyone responding to consultstions on any new road schemes.
Reposted by Common Ninja
A brilliant breakdown of what’s being systematically stitched in to the U.K. right now (behind closed doors) and what it means for the future. Both the Tories and now Labour have chosen to prioritise & protect corporation profits with your money. They work for corporations not for you.
November 12, 2025 at 10:36 AM
A brilliant breakdown of what’s being systematically stitched in to the U.K. right now (behind closed doors) and what it means for the future. Both the Tories and now Labour have chosen to prioritise & protect corporation profits with your money. They work for corporations not for you.
If I was a traffic cop, I'd be stopping cyclists for things like:
* oggling their cargo bikes
* admiring their bike builds
* congratulating them on breaking the speed limit
Nah I wouldn't, but I'd sure as hell issue a ticket/summons to anyone driving without due care and attention
* oggling their cargo bikes
* admiring their bike builds
* congratulating them on breaking the speed limit
Nah I wouldn't, but I'd sure as hell issue a ticket/summons to anyone driving without due care and attention
November 9, 2025 at 10:41 PM
If I was a traffic cop, I'd be stopping cyclists for things like:
* oggling their cargo bikes
* admiring their bike builds
* congratulating them on breaking the speed limit
Nah I wouldn't, but I'd sure as hell issue a ticket/summons to anyone driving without due care and attention
* oggling their cargo bikes
* admiring their bike builds
* congratulating them on breaking the speed limit
Nah I wouldn't, but I'd sure as hell issue a ticket/summons to anyone driving without due care and attention
The thing about vehicular cycling is, when I do drive*, I enjoy seeing cyclists on the road.
There is no cost in being patient around them and allowing them all the space they need and want.
Yes, we should have safe segregated infrastructure. But we should have safe roads with safe drivers too!
There is no cost in being patient around them and allowing them all the space they need and want.
Yes, we should have safe segregated infrastructure. But we should have safe roads with safe drivers too!
November 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The thing about vehicular cycling is, when I do drive*, I enjoy seeing cyclists on the road.
There is no cost in being patient around them and allowing them all the space they need and want.
Yes, we should have safe segregated infrastructure. But we should have safe roads with safe drivers too!
There is no cost in being patient around them and allowing them all the space they need and want.
Yes, we should have safe segregated infrastructure. But we should have safe roads with safe drivers too!
Haven't been out on a proper bike ride in 9 weeks, save for a few errands..
Today I fixed this.
And returned wet and filthy, despite full fenders.
What terrible cycle routes we have are filthy and slippy.
Drivers are still ball joints.
Still, feels great to get some miles in the legs.
Today I fixed this.
And returned wet and filthy, despite full fenders.
What terrible cycle routes we have are filthy and slippy.
Drivers are still ball joints.
Still, feels great to get some miles in the legs.
November 9, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Haven't been out on a proper bike ride in 9 weeks, save for a few errands..
Today I fixed this.
And returned wet and filthy, despite full fenders.
What terrible cycle routes we have are filthy and slippy.
Drivers are still ball joints.
Still, feels great to get some miles in the legs.
Today I fixed this.
And returned wet and filthy, despite full fenders.
What terrible cycle routes we have are filthy and slippy.
Drivers are still ball joints.
Still, feels great to get some miles in the legs.
Our roads are congested with cars full of fridges?
November 9, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Our roads are congested with cars full of fridges?
Everyone should be able to afford home, food, heat and a hobby.
No one should be kept awake at night by thoughts of financial uncertainty.
It is a shame successive governments, including this one, believe that the wealth of a few outweighs the basic needs of the many.
No one should be kept awake at night by thoughts of financial uncertainty.
It is a shame successive governments, including this one, believe that the wealth of a few outweighs the basic needs of the many.
November 8, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Everyone should be able to afford home, food, heat and a hobby.
No one should be kept awake at night by thoughts of financial uncertainty.
It is a shame successive governments, including this one, believe that the wealth of a few outweighs the basic needs of the many.
No one should be kept awake at night by thoughts of financial uncertainty.
It is a shame successive governments, including this one, believe that the wealth of a few outweighs the basic needs of the many.
Apparently it is ableist to refer to car brain as a cognitive disability.
Well I think it is a disability. A societal one we are conditioned into. The externalities of driving blight society to the extent it is dysfunctional.
We are conditioned to ignore those externalities. ..
Well I think it is a disability. A societal one we are conditioned into. The externalities of driving blight society to the extent it is dysfunctional.
We are conditioned to ignore those externalities. ..
November 8, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Apparently it is ableist to refer to car brain as a cognitive disability.
Well I think it is a disability. A societal one we are conditioned into. The externalities of driving blight society to the extent it is dysfunctional.
We are conditioned to ignore those externalities. ..
Well I think it is a disability. A societal one we are conditioned into. The externalities of driving blight society to the extent it is dysfunctional.
We are conditioned to ignore those externalities. ..
Reposted by Common Ninja
My unpopular opinion: those of us advocating for non-car travel need to stop apologetically saying "I know not everybody can cycle!" Obviously not everyone can cycle, but that's also true of driving. I fear we're just giving our opponents' attack lines legitimacy by shouting them out for free
November 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
My unpopular opinion: those of us advocating for non-car travel need to stop apologetically saying "I know not everybody can cycle!" Obviously not everyone can cycle, but that's also true of driving. I fear we're just giving our opponents' attack lines legitimacy by shouting them out for free
Reposted by Common Ninja
During covid with minimal traffic I could cycle to work in 22 minutes. Today it took me 30 as I was continually stuck behind single occupancy cars.
It’s not cyclists who hold motorists up - it’s motorists.
It’s not cyclists who hold motorists up - it’s motorists.
November 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
During covid with minimal traffic I could cycle to work in 22 minutes. Today it took me 30 as I was continually stuck behind single occupancy cars.
It’s not cyclists who hold motorists up - it’s motorists.
It’s not cyclists who hold motorists up - it’s motorists.
My van.
Just over two years ownership, from new.
Depreciation: £11,000
VED: £700
Insurance: £650
Servicing: £300
Fuel: £430
Most mileage covered in first year of ownership.
99.1% of the time it is idle.
More than that now, given over half mileage is work miles.
Just over two years ownership, from new.
Depreciation: £11,000
VED: £700
Insurance: £650
Servicing: £300
Fuel: £430
Most mileage covered in first year of ownership.
99.1% of the time it is idle.
More than that now, given over half mileage is work miles.
November 6, 2025 at 2:44 PM
My van.
Just over two years ownership, from new.
Depreciation: £11,000
VED: £700
Insurance: £650
Servicing: £300
Fuel: £430
Most mileage covered in first year of ownership.
99.1% of the time it is idle.
More than that now, given over half mileage is work miles.
Just over two years ownership, from new.
Depreciation: £11,000
VED: £700
Insurance: £650
Servicing: £300
Fuel: £430
Most mileage covered in first year of ownership.
99.1% of the time it is idle.
More than that now, given over half mileage is work miles.
I have to wonder what these people are smoking.
Want tobring down energy bills?
Insulate more homes.
Stop pricing electricity based on cost of fossil fuel generation.
Oh and take the energy sector (retail and generation) into public ownership.
Want tobring down energy bills?
Insulate more homes.
Stop pricing electricity based on cost of fossil fuel generation.
Oh and take the energy sector (retail and generation) into public ownership.
November 5, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I have to wonder what these people are smoking.
Want tobring down energy bills?
Insulate more homes.
Stop pricing electricity based on cost of fossil fuel generation.
Oh and take the energy sector (retail and generation) into public ownership.
Want tobring down energy bills?
Insulate more homes.
Stop pricing electricity based on cost of fossil fuel generation.
Oh and take the energy sector (retail and generation) into public ownership.
A government with its own bank can not run out of money. If it needs money, it can create it.
Stop endorsing this neoliberal book balancing nonsense.
Stop endorsing this neoliberal book balancing nonsense.
A deteriorating forecast means taxes are going up - but the Government must have a plan for this.
It is possible to raise significant sums through a series of smaller reforms. A range of measures are consistent with improving the tax system in three key areas.
It is possible to raise significant sums through a series of smaller reforms. A range of measures are consistent with improving the tax system in three key areas.
November 5, 2025 at 9:13 AM
A government with its own bank can not run out of money. If it needs money, it can create it.
Stop endorsing this neoliberal book balancing nonsense.
Stop endorsing this neoliberal book balancing nonsense.
Reposted by Common Ninja
10. They circulate myths about “no-go zones” and subways in which you’re more likely to get your throat cut than arrive at your destination. They evince what might or might not be genuine terror at seeing black and brown faces.
November 5, 2025 at 8:06 AM
10. They circulate myths about “no-go zones” and subways in which you’re more likely to get your throat cut than arrive at your destination. They evince what might or might not be genuine terror at seeing black and brown faces.
I am dreading what Rachel Reeves has in store for us at the next budget.
Whatever it is, won't move the needle in terms of addressing the cost of living crisis.
The poor, the needy and the barely making ends meet will be made to pay again for the greed of capitalists.
Whatever it is, won't move the needle in terms of addressing the cost of living crisis.
The poor, the needy and the barely making ends meet will be made to pay again for the greed of capitalists.
November 4, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I am dreading what Rachel Reeves has in store for us at the next budget.
Whatever it is, won't move the needle in terms of addressing the cost of living crisis.
The poor, the needy and the barely making ends meet will be made to pay again for the greed of capitalists.
Whatever it is, won't move the needle in terms of addressing the cost of living crisis.
The poor, the needy and the barely making ends meet will be made to pay again for the greed of capitalists.
Reposted by Common Ninja
George Osborne 2010 before implementing austerity that caused 190k excess deaths: “we’re all in this together”
Rachel Reeves 2025:
Rachel Reeves 2025:
Reeves puts country on notice for tax hikes as ‘each of us must do our bit’
Reeves puts country on notice for tax hikes as ‘each of us must do our bit’
Reeves puts country on notice for tax hikes as ‘each of us must do our bit’
www.independent.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:55 PM
George Osborne 2010 before implementing austerity that caused 190k excess deaths: “we’re all in this together”
Rachel Reeves 2025:
Rachel Reeves 2025:
Reposted by Common Ninja
This has been a really rough few days. I recently learned of a controversy around our book THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE PRINCE IN PINK. Some were outraged that Deseret Book carried it (a chain of bookstores in the west). Deseret Book appears to have complied to their demands and removed it. 1/
November 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM
This has been a really rough few days. I recently learned of a controversy around our book THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE PRINCE IN PINK. Some were outraged that Deseret Book carried it (a chain of bookstores in the west). Deseret Book appears to have complied to their demands and removed it. 1/
A graduate salary back in 1999, where I worked as a modern apprentice, was £24,000.
It is embarassing that graduate salaries in technology are still, on average, around the £25k mark.
www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/11...
It is embarassing that graduate salaries in technology are still, on average, around the £25k mark.
www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/11...
How can the economy survive when most wages are too low?
The Financial Times has reported this morning that senior figures in the City are now complaining that the minimum wage is rising so close to graduate starting salaries that it threatens recruitment i...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 PM
A graduate salary back in 1999, where I worked as a modern apprentice, was £24,000.
It is embarassing that graduate salaries in technology are still, on average, around the £25k mark.
www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/11...
It is embarassing that graduate salaries in technology are still, on average, around the £25k mark.
www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/11...
Twenty hours clocked up on a technical test for an interview... I hope it was worth it.
Still, I got to do some actual Infrastructure as Code and even learned a thing or two, so that was nice.
Still, I got to do some actual Infrastructure as Code and even learned a thing or two, so that was nice.
November 3, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Twenty hours clocked up on a technical test for an interview... I hope it was worth it.
Still, I got to do some actual Infrastructure as Code and even learned a thing or two, so that was nice.
Still, I got to do some actual Infrastructure as Code and even learned a thing or two, so that was nice.
Today, I am actually using for the first time, a PC I bought all the bits* to build in 2019.
Sometimes takes me a while to get around to things.
*Okay so the processor was acquired as recently as 2023
Sometimes takes me a while to get around to things.
*Okay so the processor was acquired as recently as 2023
November 2, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Today, I am actually using for the first time, a PC I bought all the bits* to build in 2019.
Sometimes takes me a while to get around to things.
*Okay so the processor was acquired as recently as 2023
Sometimes takes me a while to get around to things.
*Okay so the processor was acquired as recently as 2023
When society's sanctuaries are bookmakers and gambling premises, something has gone desperately wrong.
This is definitely scaremongering bollocks from the betting industry, just let them shut down! Then replace with good local coffee shops or cafés & help men improve their mental health for far less financial strain.
All in favour of shared spaces that get people out and about and it you’re going to burn money on gambling then yeah, better to do so with a friendly person on hand. But still some incredible “men’s mental health” lobbying against a gambling tax in the Sunday Times. www.thetimes.com/article/f115...
November 2, 2025 at 11:23 AM
When society's sanctuaries are bookmakers and gambling premises, something has gone desperately wrong.
Meanwhile, private UK motorists are subsidized to the tune of at least £35 bn each year.
That's roughly £1,500 per driver.
In reality, depending on how externalities are accounted for, it could at least be three or four times that figure.
That's roughly £1,500 per driver.
In reality, depending on how externalities are accounted for, it could at least be three or four times that figure.
It is not true “England cannot effectively subsidise travel costs”. Retired people get free travel. By freezing the fuel duty escalator we are subsidising car drivers, which compounds inequality. See more here: bettertransport.org.uk/media/groups...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No free bus passes for under 22s, says goverment
The Commons Transport Committee recommended scrapping bus fares for young people in August.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Meanwhile, private UK motorists are subsidized to the tune of at least £35 bn each year.
That's roughly £1,500 per driver.
In reality, depending on how externalities are accounted for, it could at least be three or four times that figure.
That's roughly £1,500 per driver.
In reality, depending on how externalities are accounted for, it could at least be three or four times that figure.