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Catherine Wykes

@cathybabes.bsky.social
173 followers 757 following 96 posts

Beer and active travel stuff

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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Mark Sutton @marksuttonbike.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
£5.62 returned for each £1 spent on cycling investments, finds @cyclinguk.bsky.social study www.cyclingelectric.com/news/5-62-re...
cyclingelectric.com
£5.62 returned for each £1 spent on cycling investments, finds study
CyclingUK has published a new report titled The Route Forward, within which it presents a diverse array of cycling schemes
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Cycling UK Official @cyclinguk.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Our partners Altura and CatEye are giving 3 lucky winners the chance to win a prize package worth up to £350, including an Altura Nightvision jacket and helmet, CatEye lights & GPS computer, plus a Cycling UK T-shirt. Entries close 30 October! 👇 altura.co.uk/pages/glow-rides-competition
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Ewan Gibbs @ewangibbs.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The BBC’s Ratcliffe interview is shocking. He’s allowed to spout unchallenged nonsense about politics, economics and energy. Ratcliffe is worth listening to because he represents an emboldened and retrograde section of Britain’s ruling class 🧵 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he has lost confidence in UK
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe tells the BBC he thinks the country is "on the slide" and calls for more investment in the North Sea.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
It’s interesting isnt it? All I’ve done here is try to understand why *other people* reacted in the way they did to David’s comment and yet you’re ascribing that reaction to me. It’s easy to be misinterpreted online - I’m just trying to get to the bottom of why it happened to David.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
We’re going round in circles here - how is ‘and can we perhaps start asking for some basic rules to be followed?’anything other than passive aggressive snark when *news flash* we already do, but there’ll always be some people who don’t/won’t follow rules?
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
‘Perhaps we should start..’ implies we don’t *already* expect cyclists to respect the rules though don’t you think?
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Touche I guess? Whilst David clearly didn't *intend* to tar all cyclists with the same brush, if I'd inadvertently offended a bunch of people online I'd want to understand why - maybe that makes me weird but that's all I'm trying to do here, not defend bad behaviour.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Subtext is the hidden or implicit meaning lying beneath spoken words, written text, or actions, ie not literally what people say - that’s what folk were getting annoyed at. Glad we’ve cleared that up finally!
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
You asked where the subtext was, I'm trying to point it out. Who are we asked to do the cracking down, and who are we asking to follow basic rules?
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
There's a commonly held misconception in the UK that cyclists *in general* break rules more than non cyclists *in general* - pointing that out isn't defending bad behaviour.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
And that's exactly the point - nobody would have taken issue with David asking for a crackdown, but that's not what his post did! The issue isn't how cyclists read it, it's how a society that treats cyclists as an anti social menace reads it, and that phrasing reinforced that viewpoint.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I suspect David realises 'can we perhaps start asking for some basic rules to be followed?' reads more like a passive aggressive generalisation than a reasonable request. It's semantics, but that stuff matters on a text based platform unfortunately!
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
You're missing the point - in reality that woman would be far more likely to ask for a crackdown on inappropriate behaviour than make a generalised plea for common decency. Granted she'd still get the not all men reaction because people see the specific request as a generalisation..
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
And would asking for common decency stop those men from behaving inappropriately? That would be as pointless as asking the minority of people who break rules while cycling to follow basic rules. They're not breaking rules because nobody asked them not to are they?
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
And if she said "a guy at work was being inappropriate today, can we perhaps start asking for some common decency?"
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
And this is why it matters www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Exactly this, and it’s usually subconscious, so it’s understandable that the person doing it would be taken aback by the defensive reaction they get. The point about applying collective responsibility to an out group is important so I hope David figures it out!
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Cycling UK Official @cyclinguk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
✨ Glow rides are lighting up the UK for #MyRideOurRight! Find a ride near you, or register your own, and join the call for safer streets for women. 👉 cyclinguk.org/glow-rides 🔦 Powered by Altura and CatEye
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Enjoy your nap - I’m off to reflect on how pointing out that “x behaviour gives all of group y a bad reputation” could be read as “members of group y never do anything wrong”. I love language, but boy are humans bad at it!
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
That’s not really true though is it? Young drivers maybe, but in general the media portrays drivers as decent, hard working folk, put upon by governments engaged in a ‘war on cars’. Asking people to think about the impact of their language choices is how we prevent misunderstandings surely?
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Nobody’s saying don’t talk about. Indeed, it’s vital that we do. Wording like ‘gives all cyclists a bad reputation’ is applying collective responsibility in a way we wouldn’t accept for other groups, eg you never hear “Idiot drivers who speed give all drivers a bad name” do you?
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I’m afraid I lose a little bit more faith in the ability of humans to keep things in perspective every time I get yelled at the for the crime of existing as a cyclist, in real life and online. Language matters.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I agree that the intent probably wasn’t to tar all cyclists with the ‘idiot’ brush, but when certain sections of the UK media and political class love to paint cyclists as an antisocial menace, that kind of framing is at best unhelpful, at worst actively dangerous.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Because they give all drivers a bad reputation? Not doubting you, but I don’t recall ever seeing criticism of substandard driving framed that way - have you?
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Richard Waite @waiterich.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
“Every fraction of a degree of warming avoided means lives saved” is going to remain a true statement for the rest of our lives
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A regressive policy which disproportionately benefits the wealthiest, and does nothing to tackle car dependency, which actually would benefit the less well off as well as tackling the climate crisis that’s going to lead to more extreme winters. www.smf.co.uk/fuel-duty-fr...
smf.co.uk
‘Fuel duty freeze is a reckless waste of public money’ - Social Market Foundation.
Permanently freezing fuel duty at the Budget would mean a loss of £5.5 billion each year to the public finances and benefit the richest, a think-tank warns today.
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Cycling UK Official @cyclinguk.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
✨ Glow rides are back! This autumn, join #MyRideOurRight to light up the streets and call for safer streets for women. Because when streets are safe for women, they’re safer for everyone. Join in the fun at cyclinguk.org/glow-rides 🔦 Powered by Altura and CatEye
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Cool Bike Art @coolbikeart1.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
"If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours." #RIPDollyParton
Photo of Dolly Parton wearing a flowing dress astride a bicycle.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Post a picture that should be an album cover
Black and white image of an oil rig in harbour framed by a Victorian cemetery entrance
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Joshua Foust 🪖🎮 @joshuafoust.com · 16/08/2026
Media doesn’t “make” anyone do or believe anything. But it does provide permission structure and prioritization for what people think society will accept them doing or believing. This can be much more powerful and determinative than the seterotypical didactic propaganda we typically imagine.
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife.com · 16/08/2026
We’ve long felt Montréal is one of North America’s best kept cycling secrets, but it was reassuring to get a fresh perspective from our daughter and her partner this week. After spending the day rolling across the city on BIXI bikes, they returned with a clear verdict: “It’s even better than Paris.”
People dressed in casual summer attire ride shared bikes along dedicated cycling infrastructure on the streets of Montreal.People dressed in casual summer attire ride shared bikes along dedicated cycling infrastructure on the streets of Montreal.People dressed in casual summer attire ride shared bikes along dedicated cycling infrastructure on the streets of Montreal.People dressed in casual summer attire ride shared bikes along dedicated cycling infrastructure on the streets of Montreal.
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
We need to show rightwing newspapers that actions have consequences. Add your name: goodlawproject.org/s/abb8a1
goodlawproject.org
Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now | Good Law Project
Commission an immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press given its contribution to Dr Arday’s tragic death.
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Justin on eurostar @eurostarjustin.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
This clip is well worth 4 minutes of your time. #ClimateAction
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
I’m now researching merino underwear 😂 But yes, the main thing is definitely if what you’re doing is working for you, keep doing that, and should chafing ever become an issue you have the option of trying wool before you consider going commando!
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
David Hulloween 胡大衛 @hushuo.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
The photos at the end of this article are worth the whole world.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
That’s understandable! Anecdotally, I’ve cycled in padded shorts for years with no issues 👍
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Padded bike shorts *are* underwear, and you should feel absolutely free to wear baggies, jeans or whatever else you fancy over the top, but never anything under them, is my view!
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Dylan Roth @dylanroth.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
“We see a future where intelligence is a utility, like electricity or water, and people buy it from us on a meter.” - Sam Altman. I will never stop thinking about how nakedly evil this is, and it has framed every single AI headline I’ve read since.
gizmodo.com
Sam Altman Says Intelligence Will Be a Utility, and He's Just the Man to Collect the Bills
"Intelligence too cheap to meter" doesn't quite come across the way Altman might intend.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
And a great bunch of lads to boot!
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife.com · 29/07/2026
After discovering @bicycledutch.bsky.social, a Tsinghua University professor advocated for the fietsstraat: where cyclists are the main users and cars are guests. Today, that idea has spread across Beijing: Hundreds of kilometres of bike-priority streets now form the backbone of the city’s network.
Photos of a fietsstraat, or bicycle-priority streets where cyclists are the main users and cars are guests, along a quieter side road in Beijing.
Photos of a fietsstraat, or bicycle-priority streets where cyclists are the main users and cars are guests, along a quieter side road in Beijing.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
I think that’s fair, though I’d rather see small, independent cafes get the support than Wetherspoons if I’m honest!
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The UK countryside is full of interdimensional portals. You just have to know where to look. I've decided to make a thread here of some of the best ones I've found on walks. 1. JRR Tolkien's Psychedelic Lime Kiln.
I can never resist getting inside an old lime kiln. This one was near Newton Abbott. The view up through the hole in the top of it to the overhanging trees on the ledge above is, I have to assume, even better than listening to the second Doors album on acid.
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Katja Diehl @katjadiehl.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
The average occupancy rate of passenger cars used for commuting in Germany is on par with that of bicycles—did you know that? 1.075 people per vehicle.
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Next time someone tries arguing that it’s “social engineering” (cue ominous music) to give people more CHOICE to walk, bike & take public transit in their city, tell them that designing our current car DEPENDENCY has been the largest and most damaging social engineering experiment in human history.
Highway filled with car congestionLow density suburban sprawl filled with roads and cookie cutter subdivisions.
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Cllr John Morris @plaistovian.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
1/ Four people die on UK roads every day. Someone is killed or injured every 18 minutes. 1,600 deaths and 28,000 serious injuries a year. This isn't statistics. This is normalised violence in our public space. 🧵
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Eric Doherty @ericdoherty.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
There is no solar power crisis. No wind power crisis. No insulation crisis. No heat pump crisis. No e-bike crisis. No electric bus crisis. But there is a #fossilfuel crisis. And a #climatecrisis.
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
I studied in Edinburgh and live in Dundee, so not too far from St Andrews! The photo with a double decker bus is on George IV Bridge in Edinburgh, looking from the National Museum of Scotland - it's a very familiar view!
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Catherine Wykes @cathybabes.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A lot of my holiday photos these days are of bikes and cycle parking, so I’m enjoying this collection of holiday photos of estate cars taken in my local area! Leuchars Station, St Andrews, Edinburgh and not sure about the rest 🤔
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Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife.com · 12/07/2026
One of the most pernicious myths about Dutch cities is they have always been designed for people, and are somehow finished with that process. In reality, places like Den Bosch spent decades accommodating growing volumes of motor traffic, often at the expense of public space, safety and liveability.🧵
People walk, cycle, and sit in the low-car streets of ‘s-Hertogenbosch lined with trees, terraces, benches, planter boxes, and bike parking.People walk, cycle, and sit in the low-car streets of ‘s-Hertogenbosch lined with trees, terraces, benches, planter boxes, and bike parking.People walk, cycle, and sit in the low-car streets of ‘s-Hertogenbosch lined with trees, terraces, benches, planter boxes, and bike parking.People walk, cycle, and sit in the low-car streets of ‘s-Hertogenbosch lined with trees, terraces, benches, planter boxes, and bike parking.
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Reposted by Catherine Wykes
Common Ninja @commonninja.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
In the UK, in 1949, 37% of all traffic was people on bicycles. Today's 1.4 - 1.6% is a staggering decline, and in the face of climate change, a staggering failure of transport policy.
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