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.

12730279

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.

22834

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-...

000

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.

020

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

I'm not a lawyer. I can see that if you damage it, it might be prob, but if you do something careful that doesn't damage it, I can't see why it would be illegal, unless it causes an obstruction (so be careful where u turn it upside down!). Personally, I wondered about putting on the carriageway.

010

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.

000

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

45832

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.

060

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

Ian says the source is Daily Mirror, 27 June 1925

000

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. 😥

110

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

Locally in Bedford, the Harpur centre have said they will welcome people trying to get somewhere cool to use their basement. Free water fountains, toilets, Wi-Fi and power points, plus extra seating. No pressure to buy anything. www.facebook.com/HarpurShoppi...

facebook.com

010

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

...advice contd. -Try to avoid direct sunlight, esp. 11am-3pm: stay in shade, perhaps visiting parks to sit under a tree. -While trees near water are best for keeping cool, please don't be tempted to jump in the water - the temperature change makes you gasp, and too often that causes drowning. 4/4

110

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

...advice contd. If you do manage to get a draft, consider hanging up damp towels inside - the evaporating water has a cooling effect (make sure you've got bowls to catch any drips!). - drink plenty of fluids & limit your alcohol (water, soft drinks & alcohol-free drinks)... 3/n

110

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

Advice - close windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun (open windows at night if you can - I know that's a problem for those of us in ground floor flats!). Also consider putting tin foil in windows that face the sun - it's more effective at keeping the heat out than curtains. 2/n

110

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.

110

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

031

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

062

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...

000

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.

27938

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

040

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.

011

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.

020

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Thanks, Dave. The research and thoroughness is very much to the credit of @tandemkate.bsky.social!

010

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

055

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.

011

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

But putting bollards in might be effective (and thus upset the motorist lobby), doesn't make anything like such a good election photo, and will give rise to complaints about the council spending money. From their perspective, standing there is the perfect answer.

000

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Seems almost certain that the result would be excessively steep slopes that could cause problems for users of wheeled mobility aids. @tandemkate.bsky.social may be able to add more expertise than I have at my disposal.

200

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Even with the amber beacon, it's the wrong sort of dual carriageway, so she'd still be breaking rules 😢. It's fair to say circumstances where someone would want to take advantage of that rule would be _very_ rare (eg someone who lives in house on an unusually quiet dual carriageway w/o pavement).

000

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

141

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.

020

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Worrying lack of recognition that tipping is _safety_ issue for #Disabled #cycling - many of us (but not me) ride 3+ wheelers that are more likely to tip. Humps massively increase tipping risks, especially if, as illustrated they adjoin horizontal deflection of the cycle track. #MyCycleMyMobilityAid

151

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

RNIB have some really sensible people, but NFBUK stridency (particularly Sarah Gayton - not all in NFBUK) and fellow-feeling among the community of VI people is meaning the tail is wagging the dog.

110

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...

021

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.

12721

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!

084

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

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

051

Ben Foley @benwheels.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

I push my manual wheelchair up slopes with ease, I regularly swim 2.5km 💪. Its only hope would be turning round and seeing if it can go faster than me (and I'm not sure their design top speed will enable that).

170

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

If I come across one on a narrow path like that when I’m using my ♿️, one of us will end up in the road. And it won’t be me.

1270

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

It's because the Conservatives are more bothered about stopping the #EastWestRail route (originally proposed by Tories) going through the farmland of north Bedfordshire that they refuse to investigate how to effectively stop people's homes being demolished. 3/3

010

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

My successful motion also commits #Bedford Borough council "To investigate options for the #railway and construction that will similarly obviate the need to demolish homes in the Poets estate". The Tories, on the other hand, voted AGAINST helping residents threatened with demolition by #EWR!

110

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.

120

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..."

021

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

Motion makes clear to maximise the chances of making a case that will be listened to by a Government committed to building #EastWestRail, that any response to planning consultation about EWR on behalf of Bedford council shouldn't oppose the route, but should oppose all demolition of homes. 2/2

010

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.

142

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.

25328118