iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Ben Foley

James Ball @jamesrball.com · 07/09/2026

If every statement about Extinction Rebellion had opened with "Climate change is the single biggest issue facing humanity, and we understand why people have legitimate concerns the world isn't doing enough to tackle it…" this approach might be *faintly* defensible. But they didn't, and it isn't.

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Reposted by Ben Foley

Wheels for Wellbeing @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk · 12/08/2026

Paid opportunity for Disabled people: Please share Are you interested in floating bus stops? Are you a Disabled person based in the UK? Why not apply to the Floating Bus Stops Disability Advisory Group? Applications close midnight Wednesday 09/09/2026 wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/floating-bus...

wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk

Floating Bus Stops Research Disability Advisory Group - Information and Application Form

Wheels for Wellbeing is an award-winning charity supporting disabled people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of cycling.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I'm intrigued by this. Are pipe cutters cutting tubular cycle stands a significant issue in the UK? (Fietser mentions some good aspects of cycle parking, but comments on his post suggest problems with this design too) Does work's guidance need updating? wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/14-features-...

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Yesterday @appgcw.bsky.social meet w/ @liliangreenwood.bsky.social. Focus on #CWIS3. ✅reiterated commitmt 2 sort out Mobility Aid law ✅Pavemt Parking action But nothin more 2 help #Disabled ppl be more physically active. Need 2 end "activity trap": Disabled ppl fear losing bfits by getting active.

Alt text: photo of Ben, masc presenting and middle aged, essentially clean shaven, wearing a straw hat, specs and a green polo shirt. In the background the distinctive stonework and windows of the Palace of Westminster in sunshine, and a bright blue sky with white wispy clouds.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

It was lovely to go along to #BedfordMarket to buy some produce from the schools and home educators. It’s on until 2pm. Well done to the children, the educators, #FoodEtc-Bedford. #SchoolFoodMatters

Photo of Ben, masc presenting and middle aged, using wheelchair, wearing trilby hat, glasses and purple sweatshirt with a Green Party badge. Ben is holding out his hand showing radishes he’s just bought. To the left of Ben a group of six primary age children of various ethnicities, wearing blue tops and white aprons saying “School Food Matters”. One is holding a brown paper bag, and another a plant that is about 300mm tall. Behind them is their teacher, a bearded man wearing a green t-shirt. Also in the background another market stall and landmarks on the north side of St Peters Square, Bedford.

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Reposted by Ben Foley

Wheels for Wellbeing @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk · 30/06/2026

We support @livingstreets.bsky.social #PavementOverload campaign to get delivery robots off our pavements. Pavements are already inaccessible for many #Disabled people, and these robots will make them less safe and more inaccessible. #TakingTheDis

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Colleague Kate put this together. I argued "leave out 'taking part in democracy'", but she said it was far too important: for situation of #Disabled ppl to be improved, we need more Disabled ppl elected. I'm proud that I've navigated this obstacle course to get elected, but understand my privileges.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

OK, so they failed to predict motorways, or that the roads would be full of queueing traffic, but another example of how satire turned out to be prediction. 😥

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

RED warning for extreme heat. Wed & Thur. Danger to life, not just for people who are the most vulnerable. I'm very concerned for residents in properties that overheat, including top floor flats, south facing flats, & single aspect flats where it's almost impossible to get a through draft. (thread)

Map of England and Wales, with an area marked out and labeled Red, extreme heat. The area covers much of southern England and south Wales, including Greater London, Bedford, Birmingham, Swansea and Taunton. A wider area is covered by the Amber extreme heat warning, including virtually all of the parts of England and Wales visible.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Great to see my colleagues at work are making good contacts with the new administrations of London councils that have changed administration in the May elections! #Lewisham #ActiveTravel #EveryJourneyEveryone

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Reposted by Ben Foley

Wheels for Wellbeing @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk · 15/06/2026

It’s #BetterTransportWeek, so why not learn all about micromobilities and Disabled people with the third in our series of free CPD webinars to accompany the 5th Edition of The Guide to Inclusive Cycling. #MobilityJustice www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R7V...

youtube.com

Guide to Inclusive Cycling Webinar 3: Micromobilities and Disabled People

YouTube video by Wheels for Wellbeing

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

The picture illustrates the "quality" of so much current debate around active travel (walking/wheeling and cycling). Blocked pavements are a problem for those of us using wheelchairs...

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Reposted by Ben Foley

Caroline Russell @carolinerussell.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Expansion due to extreme temperatures can push our bridges (and flyovers) towards their engineering limits. Illustrated here by a swing bridge, no longer able to swing, being hosed (cooled) down by fire fighters. This is the visual for a serious heat wave.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

The most gains Greens have ever made in our history. We didn't have elections in Bedford this year: but it will be our turn next year, get involved to be part of our local success next year! join.greenparty.org.uk If you've joined, to get active locally email info@bedford.greenparty.org.uk

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Last week I was privileged to be a guest at the Modeshift 25 years celebration in Parliament. #TeamModeshift Thanks to www.akoz.media for the brilliant photo! modeshift.org.uk/news/modeshi...

Group of smartly dressed people applauding, virtually all pale skinned and middle aged. In front of them, and facing the same direction as them, a masc presenting wheelchair user wearing specs, a trilby hat, a colourful sweatcshirt and grey trousers. All of the group are wearing orange lanyards.
They are in a room dressed with drapery at the ceiling and windows as a pavilion, and with high tables with long tablecloths on them. On the one table able to be seen clearly, and blurred in the foreground are champagne flutes.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

I was impressed when I saw this toolkit from @lauralaker.bsky.social . Great to see @cyclinguk.bsky.social promoting it.

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Reposted by Ben Foley

Wheels for Wellbeing @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk · 20/04/2026

It's great to see DRUK supporting our 10 key asks for the Government consultation on mobility aids. Please take the time to respond by the end of Wednesday evening.Simply email: mobilitydevices@dft.gov.uk. You can email even if you've already responded to the consultation and want to add more.

disabilityrightsuk.org

10 Key Asks For Inclusive Mobility Regulations: Respond to the

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Great to see the "10 key asks" document being promoted. Responses to the consultation can be emailed to mobilitydevices@dft.gov.uk. You don't need to put your answer in the format of the consultation questions, and can send a second response if you want to add to your first.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

While at @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk we want cycles used by Disabled ppl to be recognised as mobility aids, we are not keen on the idea that they'd be _regulated_ under class 3 in the Government consultation. This graphic might give you a clue about why... For more info wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/ejeo

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

This is quite something. The Green Party on a record 19%, in second place in a national opinion poll, and with the gap behind RefUK smaller than in any previous poll where Greens have been second, as RefUK share down sharply, and Greens up. #GreenParty #OpinionPoll

Coloured bar chart. Headline: Greens 2nd place and highest ever vote share.

REFUK: 29% (-3)
Green: 19% (+2)
LAB: 17% (+3)
CON: 17% (-1)
LDM: 11% (-)
changes from 21 January.
Source Find Out Now 28 January.
Graphic from Green Elects.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

If you are interested in the Government consultation about mobility aids, these free webinars are for you...

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Reposted by Ben Foley

Wheels for Wellbeing @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk · 06/01/2026

To support the DfT’s consultation into modernising the law for powered mobility devices in achieving the best possible outcome for Disabled people, we will be launching explainer information resources, webinars and carrying out consultation sessions.

wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk

Campaigning for inclusive cycling, Wheels for Wellbeing

Wheels for Wellbeing is an award-winning charity supporting disabled people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of cycling.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Such a good morning's work! Thanks to @whizzkidz.bsky.social for the event and the campaigning!

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Just love this year's Christmas "card" from work...

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

The Tories should look at my feed. I've been clear what I voted for. My successful motion commits the council to "investigate designs for Bedford station that will provide the most convincing case that ...there is no need to demolish homes." Facts cannot lie, but Conservatives do all the time.

Screenshot of a social media post from Bedford & Kempston Conservatives. The main item is a green-coloured montage, with text "Tell your residents the truth - you voted for it!" "Green Party voted for East West Rail 'Route E' Demolishing homes and businesses." "Facts cannot lie". On it is a photo of Ben Foley and buildings that look similar to some buildings in Ashburnham Road.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

#Bedford council has rejected Tory proposals on council tax support. So, Bedford & Kempston's poorest households saved from bills of £100s next yr. @greenparty.org.uk took key role w/ other opposition cllrs. Greens delivered 10,000 leaflets, successfully urging rejection of proposal in consultation.

Montage of three leaflets with titles "Castle and Newnham Green" "Kempston News" and "Greyfriars Green". While each has a different design, each of them features prominently on the front page a story about saying "no". Accompanying text visible includes "Council want to make the poorest pay" and "Overspending by the Tory-run council has left it in financial trouble. Now to balance the books they want to cut council tax support for the poorest. They're consulting on council tax support changes. These changes will mean everybody who qualifies for council tax support will pay hundreds of pounds..."

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Last night's meeting of #Bedford Council included passing @greenparty.org.uk motion, committing to defend all residents whose homes are threatened w/ demolition for #EWR, investigating designs for Bedford station (& options for #railway nth of station) to make sure there's no need to demolish homes.

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Reposted by Ben Foley

Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 24/11/2025

According to Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's former leader in Wales being convicted of taking money to undermine British national interest in favour of Russia is "ancient history". 😂🤣😂 He was sent down for ten years three days ago. Three. Days. Ago. ~AA www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Reform UK's Zia Yusuf calls Nathan Gill 'ancient history'

The party's head of policy says he has never met Nathan Gill, who served as the leader of Reform UK in Wales in 2021.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

The claimed excuse for a cap on #Cycle2Work doesn't hold water & will be harmful for Disabled ppl. If Govt was bothered abt rich ppl benefitting from Govt tax breaks for things rich people use for leisure, they'd tax aviation fuel, when air travel is disproportionately used by richest (by LONG way).

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

If you're trans or non-binary and struggling, please ring 116 123 to go through to Samaritans 24/7. You can also reach out to Switchboard: switchboard.lgbt

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Result of Bedford's council tax consultation yesterday. More people gave right answer than wrong answer on question 5 😀. But signs are it's being ignored 🤬. So: petition calling on council to respect the outcome. *Please sign & share* actionnetwork.org/petitions/bedford-council-respect-the-decision

Photo of five white envelopes, four with the words "private and confidential", three with windows visible. One has "Overdue" printed in red on the envelope, a second "Final notice" and a third has a red exclamation mark and obscured other parts in red.

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Reposted by Ben Foley

Andy Brown @andybrown1951.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Labour took money from building developers before the last election so it is no great surprise that their policies do more for developers than for those who need affordable houses. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Developers met ministers dozens of times over planning bill while ecologists were shut out

Exclusive: Leading ecologists say warnings over threat to wildlife have been ignored in drive to build 1.5m new homes

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

I'm appalled to find Beds Police seem to have no notion of what a legal Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle is, or of a legal, licenced an insured e-motorbike. If they are quite so ignorant of the law, how can they be trusted to enforce it? @roadcc.bsky.social www.facebook.com/share/p/1BNH...

facebook.com

Redirecting...

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

💚 Great news for Bedford! 💚 Welcome to the Greens, Cllr Caroline White (Kempston Cent&E) a hardworking former Labour cllr who’s always stood up for fairness & local people. Bedford Borough @greenparty.org.uk Group up to 4. The politics of hope keeps growing here in Bedford. join.greenparty.org.uk

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

This is quite something. An opinion poll with Greens ahead of LibDems, Conservatives AND Labour. One more to go (and fortunately at least RefUK seems to have stopped going up). join.greenparty.org.uk

Screenshot of social media post from Election Maps UK, 30 Oct 2025.
Westminster voting intention:
RefUK: 32% (=)
Green: 17% (+2)
Con: 16% (-1)
Lab: 16% (=)
LibDem: 12% (=)
SNP: 2% (=)
Via @FindOutNowUK, 29 Oct.
Changes compared with 22 Oct.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Unusually I was at work for @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk on Sat. I was at the "Homes for Us" Summit - back in Westminster for the 2nd time in a week, but mingling with activists rather than politicians. A productive & creative day looking at housing crisis & how it affects minoritised communities.

Selfie. In the foreground, Ben, white, masc-presenting, clean shaven, wearing a trilby hat and specs, In the background a display showing the words "...up and closing", with below them in smaller writing and largely obscured text from the live captions "have to rush for the train... ...look forward to it..."
Between, a small huddle of people near the stage

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Wow. Last time Ashcroft published a poll, it had the Greens at 13%, & _that_ was a record high. *This has just smashed the record again* (there had been three polls from other pollsters with Greens on 15% in the mean time). There's a way of countering hate. Turning to hope. join.greenparty.org.uk

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Today I was delivering leaflets, urging ppl 2 respond 2 council consultation abt bunging new bills of £100s/year on the poorest in our community: people who get council tax support. Pls respond - link in thread! Are you willing & able to help out delivering leaflets, please? Plenty more to go out!

Photo of Ben on a balcony at rooftop level, with block towering above him to the right. He's holding up in front of himself a leaflet that says "Greyfriars Green, Ben and James's Issue 22
Tell them 'No'!
Council want to make the poorest pay!
Overspending by the Tory-run council has... [edge of photo]...financial trouble. Now to balance the books... ...cut council tax support for the poorest."

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

That's incredible. Doubled since the start of September? Seriously!

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

This afternoon’s workplace for @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk comes with a fine view of the Thames. At the joint meeting launching the report “Behind the headlines: sentencing after fatal crashes”. Joint meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Transport #Safety and #Cycling / Walking.

Photo of Ben (white, masc presenting, wearing specs and a trilby hat). Behind, a window with lead glazing bar and just visible through the window, a broad river.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

I was interested to see this blog. While it's less than two years old, for me as a regular at a London premier league club, it seems out-of-date. Huge numbers now use dockless hire cycles to get to the ground. There needs to be adequate provision for parking them! modeshift.org.uk/news/wheelin...

modeshift.org.uk

Wheeling all the way to Wembley: Cycle parking at football grounds - Modeshift

Wheeling all the way to Wembley: Cycle parking at football grounds Jonathan Oldaker from Modeshift partner Turvec share’s his thoughts on Cycle parking at football grounds. In the UK, hundreds... View...

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

When I joined the Green Party it had fewer than 10,000 members. It’s very hard to get my head around it having more than 10 times that number.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Wow. 💚 Green Party up to its highest ever national opinion poll rating, and within 2% points of Lab and Con! 💚

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

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...

bedfordindependent.co.uk

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...

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Great to see this getting coverage from Disability News Service.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

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.

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Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

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.

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