Laura Laker

In which I stray into buses

Third run yesterday. I don't remember it being this enjoyable at all last time, but am happy to be corrected.. just have to try and fit it in around cycling, weightlifting, dancing, hiking... 😄

London cycling friends - am thinking of hosting a Scottish themed social ride to mark the publication of my new Lost Lanes book. All will be welcome. Help me compile a few 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 landmarks in Londontown.

Burnham: People laugh when I talk about buses ...but I’m not going to stop going on about it

Andy Burnham on buses, maximum devolution, frustrations with Whitehall and Westminster, and putting 'Heading South' on hold for now. It's all in this week's newsletter

lauralaker.substack.com/p/burnham-pe...

Both excellent!

This is coming up! If you fancy supporting a good cause there's still time - and I'd be grateful to be the vehicle for that support 🤞

Oh and they got rid of the narrow A- Frame barriers!

I can confirm it is an excellent read

If I was @zackpolanski.bsky.social, I would be pointing out to the BBC that whatever model they use to justify giving Farage & his boot-lickers season tickets for every BBC show under the sun must surely now treat Green Party politicians in exactly the same way. Might even be one for the lawyers...

I did see from a train, however, that the canal towpath it leads to seems to have been resurfaced - that section is delightful, as is the RSPB reserve with possibly the world's yummiest Rocky Road slices, and gorgeous views from the outdoor seats

100%

Lucky you! Must have been exciting on winter commutes home 😬

oh my goodness! I feel like this is the opposite of @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social magical portals - his through picturesque tree stumps, wooded tunnels and ancient wooden doors - and deserves to be part of a collection!

Your Santander Cycles unsung heroes 🦸 We teamed up with Santander Cycles to name ten bikes across the city after inspirational women in time for International Women's Day! 🚲

more info here madeby.tfl.gov.uk/2026/03/04/s...

Wow!! On both counts. A splash of newts? I haven't observed enough newts to come up with a collective noun but surely it's needed!

Also: Annahita Benbow, Bike buses leader; Carol Summers, cycling paramedic; Harjit Kaur Lakhan, Sikh Cycling Club leader; Dr Jenny Drife, Consultant Psychiatrist who cycles to reach rough sleepers; Naomi Rumble, Director of Together We Ride; ride leader Terry Clarke; and Tessie Reynolds, born 1893

Wonderful to pop along to see these amazing women recognised for their work empowering other women to cycle. From Cycle Sisters' Samra Said, to the amazing Emily Chappell, to campaigner Jean Dollimore, these names on Santander Cycles are a recognition of people transforming lives through cycling 💪

I've been out and about talking to women about cycle safety - have a listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts: shows.acast.com/streets-ahea...

I'll have you know that's part of both the National Cycle Network and the King Charles III England Coast Path. Truly England's finest infrastructure. The entrances, too, are *chef's kiss*

Hahaha my old friend the atmospheric alley - beware the angry badgers!!

They're still pretty great! And with all the wellbeing, wildlife etc benefits of greenery

Where's this from?

We are still stuck on this idea that congestion, i.e. traffic jams, is caused other than by too much traffic, or too little road space. Continuing to give the least efficient means of moving people an automatic pass in the equation of who gets the limited road space is not the solution.

They do look handsome but are they suds? The rain has to fall directly into them, it looks like, rather than being gathered from a wider area...

Asked about cycleways supposedly slowing buses. Bus speed data fished out by @maxsullivan.bsky.social (my graph) shows the biggest change to bus speeds was during the pandemic, when people drove their cars less. NB Camden's bike lanes didn't go away too... movepeople.substack.com/p/do-cycle-l...

I tend to grin on the bike, have to say. I think these figures would pedal more like kangaroos hopping, which would certainly be funny to watch

It's a strange one for sure... I think AI has become pretty ubiquitous, rather quickly!

yes it's safe to say nowhere probably looks like this! I used to partake, and would not be averse to a bit of spinning now. good fun.

With symmetrical pedals? I refuse to believe it

I'd probably rather someone just drew some stick figures to promote their spin class, than this. But I may be an outlier