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Drew Mabey

@drewmabey.eurosky.social
100 followers 304 following 126 posts

Sound recording engineer, general technophile, urban utopiaist, and all round problem-solver.

PostsRepliesMedia
Drew Mabey @drewmabey.eurosky.social · 12h
Rare to find one cargo bike at Screwfix let alone two. This despite really hostile roads and zero bike parking
Two cargo bikes parked outside the entrance to Screwfix on Penarth Rd in Cardiff
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Tom Flood @tomflood.bsky.social · 16h
as NKOTB once said, step by step
pink type on black

Step 1.
Let's design our cities to prioritize cars at all costs, everywhere, at all times and over everything else.
Step 2.
Let's all complain that kids are inside on screens all day
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David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 22h
Insulating homes and investing in heat pumps would be more effective in reducing living costs, creating jobs, and boosting the economy than drilling for new oil.
theguardian.com
Heat pumps and insulation would cut UK living costs more than new oilfields, study suggests
Warm homes plan would create 50,000 jobs, compared with about 1,100 for Rosebank oilfield, thinktank finds
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Alan Baxter @alanbaxter.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
With data centres being rushed in production at alarming speed everywhere, Zelensky has done the world a massive service by highlighting exactly this. Slava Ukraini!
@nateweekslaw

Things we learned recently:

-Data centers are bot farms

-Bot farms sway elections

-Billionaires want data centers

Do the math.
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Michael ᚋᚔᚉᚆᚓᚐᚂ @baoigheallain.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
This is an extraordinary story. 10,000 offences a week, in one area. Just look at the photo, a child's life in danger, but authorities shrug. Then consider the moral panic over e-bikes.
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Craig Grannell @craiggrannell.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Gah. Stop this nonsense. FOM is a benefit. Stop framing it as a negative. Also, FOM is one of the four freedoms. Without it, you can’t be in the EU and can’t even be in the single market. This isn’t difficult.
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djcaress.bsky.social @djcaress.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
If the findings on the scale of drivers breaking the law and endangering other road users is “shocking”, then you’ve not been paying attention. It’s out there, it’s everywhere and the scale of it goes way beyond the ability to address it under existing measures. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
AI cameras spot nearly 19,000 road offences in West Midlands
Captured images include a front-seat passenger holding a small child on her lap without a seatbelt.
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Marianne Heaslip @marianneh.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Heat pumps *are* defense spending. They cut our reliance on gas, and so weaken Russia.
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Matthias Eberl @eberlmat.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Meanwhile in the UK. Was. "Let's make our universities financially dependent on overseas students." Then. "Let's make overseas students feel increasingly unwelcome." Now. "Screw that, let's just withdraw our offers so they don't come in the first place." Next. "Who needs universities anyway?"
ft.com
UK universities withdraw offers from international students to avoid blanket ban
Pullback comes in response to doubling in number of study visas being refused by the Home Office in the first six months of 2026
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Urban Truth Collective @urbantruth.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
When it comes to spreading disinformation, dark money buys a lot of repetition, because repetition works. Repetition works. Repetition works. Repetition works. So WE need to be repeating the TRUTH a lot more than we do. (Did we mention that repetition works?) #UrbanTruth
White text on black background. Text reads “the single best predictor of what people believe is how many times they’ve heard it.” – FrameWorks Institute. Via the Urban Truth Collective. 
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Themperor Palpatine @mxthemfatale.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Badenoch claims £2,700 a month from the taxpayer to rent a grade II-listed farmhouse with six bedrooms. The property sits within the highest council tax bracket, costing over £4,000 in council tax a year, which the Essex MP also claims on expenses. "Best welfare" is being an MP.
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Phil M 🦻🏼💚 🍉 🏳️‍⚧️ 🇵🇸 @phillm.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
When they talk about reducing red tape, remember this image.
Grenfell Tower, a black smouldering carcass of the building shorty after the fire, in 2017.
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Drew Mabey @drewmabey.eurosky.social · 05/10/2026
Think yourself lucky you don’t live in South Wales. They’ve already stated outright that they won’t bother with close passes, and now this: bsky.app/profile/drew...
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Drew Mabey @drewmabey.eurosky.social · 05/10/2026
Seriously. What's the point of Operation Snap? @swpolice.bsky.social
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Drew Mabey @drewmabey.eurosky.social · 05/10/2026
However, Operation Snap has other ideas 🤷
A reply from Operation Snap after the video was submitted, reads: "Decision: No Further Action Taken

Further Comments:
Thank you for taking the time to submit your evidence which has been carefully reviewed. Operation SNAP decision makers must prove offences to the evidential threshold of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’. All submissions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to identify potential offences, assess the weight of evidence present, consider if a prosecution is in the public interest and confirm that there is a realistic prospect of a prosecution. Unfortunately, in this case we are unable to take further action as the evidential threshold is not met. Driving on the pavement /cycleway is a non endorsable fixed penalty. Operation Snap has become so popular with an increase in submissions and a reduction of staff we are now having to prioritise what offences we take action on. In view of this we are prioritising the more serious offences that are endorsable and require the service of a notice of intended prosecution. In view of this we will not be taking any further action in relation to your submission. Whilst we appreciate this may be frustrating, we thank you for your patience, understanding and commitment in helping us keep the road network in Wales safe. We also remind you that this decision is final and there is no appeals process."
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Drew Mabey @drewmabey.eurosky.social · 05/10/2026
Gemini would suggest that a court appearance would be in order, at the very least points and a fine:
A screen capture of a reply from Gemini: "Yes, the behaviour of the white van driver shown in the video is highly illegal.
The video footage clearly captures the white van committing multiple serious road traffic offences simultaneously:
1. Driving on a Pedestrian Pavement and Cycle Path
The van can be seen actively driving forward across a paved pedestrian precinct, layout area, and designated cycle track.
• The Law: Under Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835 and Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is a criminal offence to drive a motor vehicle on a pavement, pavement structure, or footpath set aside for pedestrians.
2. Driving Through a Pelican / Zebra Crossing Area
The driver uses the wide, paved pedestrian waiting area of a controlled traffic crossing as a roadway to cut through, driving directly over the tactile paving intended for visually impaired pedestrians.
• The Law: Pedestrian crossings are strictly regulated under the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD). Driving a motor vehicle through the pedestrian-only sidewalk approaches of a crossing is a severe moving traffic violation."A screen capture of a reply from Gemini: "3. Endangering Pedestrians (Careless or Dangerous Driving)
The footage shows active pedestrians—including a man walking right past the van—using the pavement and crossing at the exact moment the van is driving through.
• The Law: Because the driver is operating a heavy commercial vehicle in an area explicitly designated for vulnerable road users, this crosses the threshold from a simple technical offence into Driving Without Due Care and Attention (Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988) or potentially Dangerous Driving (Section 2).
What are the likely penalties?
Given that this incident was caught on camera with a clear view of the vehicle and surroundings:
• Penalty Points: A court or police review of this footage would likely result in an endorsable offence, carrying 3 to 9 penalty points on the driver's licence.
• Prosecution: Because of the direct proximity to pedestrians on a crossing, the police frequently fast-track these specific cases straight to a Magistrates' Court prosecution rather than offering a simple fixed penalty ticket."
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Drew Mabey @drewmabey.eurosky.social · 05/10/2026
Slam-dunk breach of Section 72 of the Highway Act and Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act here.
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Grant Ennis @grantennis.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
“Great Britain can internalize the negative externalities of driving by expanding congestion charging, increasing the cost of parking to match its true societal cost, and by going down @gregshill.com ‘s checklist to eliminate the many laws that force society to subsidise driving.”
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Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
In 1971, 80% of British 7 year olds went to school on their own; today it’s unthinkable. As Meyer Hillman (who has died) pointed out, we’ve removed children from danger rather than removing danger from children – and filled roads with polluting cars on school run www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
'We're doomed': Mayer Hillman on the climate reality no one else will dare mention
The 86-year-old social scientist says accepting the impending end of most life on Earth might be the very thing needed to help us prolong it
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
It’s remarkable how many people can move on a street when those people don’t feel the need to always take a massive car with them. Mobility in cities is about space.
Busy European street with buses filled with people in a long line of people on bikes, waiting for the light to change in a separated, protected bike lane. Imagine if all those people or each in a separate car.
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Karl-on-Sea @karlonsea.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
“Cyclists should have number plates” Also: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Thousands of illegal ghost plates on cars revealed by new cameras
Illegal registration plates are far too easy to get hold of and are putting the public at risk, BBC is told.
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The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 28/09/2026
Well, well, well - if it isn’t the consequences of our own actions. It would appear that migrants are not, in fact, the fiscal drain we’ve been told they are by years if we go by the £4bn to £6.5bn shortfall that’s been caused by the precipitous drop in numbers under this government. Funny that.
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Personally, I’d rather have healthy kids than mollycoddled millionaires
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Real Gaz on a proper bike: gazza_d@toot.bike @gazza-d.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I do think that people without an off road parking space need to accept that they have to use public charging. Like they use filling stations now. Maybe they charge at work or elsewhere.
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Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The BBC has long given up even pretending to be interested in who these people are, why they are coming or how they might feel, in favour of acting as a kind of shop window for the parties to display their wares of violence and cruelty
bbc.co.uk
Most migrant small boat arrivals in single day of 2026
A total of 781 migrants arrive on Wednesday, but the yearly total is below the same point in 2025.
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Cab Davidson @gnomeicide.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We have closed all safe and legal routes. This is all that's left. We can fix this by opening safe and legal asylum claims from the other side of the channel, breaking the criminal gangs overnight. That's just not racist enough. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Home Secretary hits out at 'unacceptable' migrant landings in Kent
The arrivals of two unescorted migrant boats mark the first uncontrolled landings recorded in the UK since 2025.
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Brandon - "Fietser" @americanfietser.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Every city has the room to make their urban spaces better. You simply have to look under the cars.
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Mums for Lungs @mumsforlungs.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
“What family needs a car with a 4.4-litre engine that goes from zero to 60 in four seconds?" Powerful piece on the need to ban SUV advertising and introduce limits on the width, length and bonnet height of cars. #Carspreading #RoadDanger
standard.co.uk
Daughter calls on Sadiq Khan to crack down on ‘monster’ SUVs after parents killed
Claire Corkery is calling on Sadiq Khan to back tougher controls on large SUVs after her parents were killed by a BMW X5 travelling at 87mph
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Thousands of university jobs lost too, and barely a peep either.
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Will cycles slower than you 🇿🇦🇬🇧🏳️‍⚧️ @williamnb.eurosky.social · 22/09/2026
One for all those BuT hOsPiTaL pArKiNg ShOuLd Be FrEe people: the free parking at this hospital removed £10 million from being spent on patient care.
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Smooth Dunk @smoothdunk2.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
when ai leaves u behind
7 panel comic.

Panel 1:
A Red Guy with AI across his chest looks like he’s about to run away. A Yellow Guy stands next to him. Red Guy says “I’m the future, buddy. You comin’?”
Yellow Guy replies “Nah”

Panel 2: 
Red Guy is almost out of the panel. He leans in and says “Enjoy getting left behind, pal”
Yellow Guy replies “ok”

Panel 3:
Yellow Guy stands alone.

Panel 4: 
Close up on Yellow Guy, there is a quiet “huff-huff-huff” noise coming from behind him

Panel 5:
Yellow Guy turns to look behind him

Panel 6: 
Close up on Yellow Guy’s face as if from the point of view of an attacker.
Yellow Guy yells “Jesus Christ”

Panel 7:
AI Red Guy is now chasing the Yellow Guy. 
Red Guy: “Use me”
Yellow Guy “No”
Red Guy “USE ME”
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Scowlin Munkeh @scowlingmonkey.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Respect.
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Drew Mabey @drewmabey.eurosky.social · 19/09/2026
Omg. Although I'm gutted that #Octopus haven't yet set up our outgoing tariff 😡
A graph showing negative electricity prices for tomorrow from midnight until 5pm on Octopus' Agile tariff
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Patrick Harvie @patrickharvie.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
There are few things as pathetic as the insecure whining of the super rich. To sit there on top of such a vast pile of wealth, complaining that it's all so unfair. 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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Brandon - "Fietser" @americanfietser.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The "massive weekly grocery haul" is a symptom of car-dependent sprawl, not a universal rule of life. Healthy cities don't force you to drive to a warehouse store. Good design makes grabbing fresh food a quick, passive part of your daily walk or bike commute. These straw men arguments bore me.
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Harry @harry-is-human.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Thanks to abundant wind power, my electricity (which provides all my heat and transport energy) is free for *15 hours* tomorrow.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A short thread on “legitimate concerns”. The phrase is used repeatedly by UK government ministers. The Home Secretary is at it again this week. But only ever - as far as I can tell - in one context: people’s response to the arrival of asylum seekers. Please read whole 🧵before responding - thanks
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A macho culture of performative selfishness might start on the roads, through racing, rolling coal, ever bigger SUVs ... But it doesn't end there. If we want to live in a decent country which values human life, we need to change this culture. My column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Driving that’s too fast, too dangerous and utterly lawless: why do we tolerate this petro-masculinity? | George Monbiot
In towns and in the countryside, I see 4x4s and pick up trucks driven without care or consicence. It’s a Magafication of transport, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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djcaress.bsky.social @djcaress.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
As a cyclist on UK roads, you can follow every law, cycle responsibly at all times with consideration to others and still be routinely endangered by motorists. Partly because general driving standards are abysmal, but also because you bear the responsibility for other cyclists‘ misdemeanours.
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Shivaji Shiva @shivajishivalaw.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
It's a simple message. Why are so few mayors able to speak this clearly on road danger, still less act so decisively? @richardparkerwm.bsky.social
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Drew Mabey @drewmabey.eurosky.social · 17/09/2026
Impatient drivers and zebra crossings are not a good combination...
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Caroline Russell @carolinerussell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Our normalisation of driving cars over walking cycling or catching the bus or train, leaves us in a very non resilient state as this escalates.
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Rich @hoxtonrich.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
5) If you are complaining about being ‘nearly’ hit by a bike or seeing cyclists run reds, but you’ve never mentioned the 29,000 motor KSIs or endemic speeding & phone driving; you’re not serious about road danger, you're just unfairly othering cyclists as a uniquely law-breaking collective
What kills pedestrians showing the vast majority are cars, HGVs buses and motorbikes
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Rich @hoxtonrich.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
2) Why are you so disproportionately furious about rule-breaking by a minority of cyclists who make up a minority of road-users, but not the tsunami of death & destruction from cars? Read Ian Walker’s recent paper on Motonormativity before posting further. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
A car smashed into a house
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Rich @hoxtonrich.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Suggested ground rules for the ‘debate’ on 'bad' cycling 🧵: 1) Cyclists or cycling advocates are not collectively responsible for the bad behaviour of individuals. What’s your actual point? You want less cycling or rules that have that effect? Be clear.
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Stephen Frost @sfrost.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Bravo Bristol. The ban covers advertising of petrol, diesel and hybrid-electric vehicles and SUV’s, flights, airports, cruise holidays and travel agents, firms and lobbying related to the fossil fuel industry, and marketing that encourages excessive consumption of fashion products or trends.
bristol247.com
Council bans advertising of fast fashion, flights and cars
Adverts for high carbon products will no longer appear on council-owned ad spaces
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Matt Bors @mattbors.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
It was exactly ten years ago today, on my 33rd birthday, that I posted this comic online.
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
With our kids now #BackToSchool, never forget that we ARE the traffic that we’re afraid of. If more kids walked, biked or rode transit to school, it would erase a LOT of car trips each day, and our kids would be safer, healthier and better at school as a result. HT Ian Lockwood. Spread the word.
Cartoon of a mom and dad with a kid in front of a minivan. The parents are saying “there is too much traffic for Billy to walk to school, so we drive him.” The caption at the bottom says “traffic inducing traffic.” Let kids walk and bike to school, and tell your leaders to make that trip safe and enjoyable for kids and families. #LetKidsWalk #LetKidsBike
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deadmanrunning1.bsky.social @deadmanrunning1.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Breaking out the meme again
Batman slapping Robin meme. 
Robin saying "We've introduced free parking in order to..."
Batman slapping saying "The parking isn't free, it's subsidised by the taxpayer"
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Cardiff Cycle City | Dinas Feicio Caerdydd @cardiffcyclecity.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
New on the website: Everything you need to know about secure bike storage in Cardiff! cardiffcyclecity.org/2026/09/11/c...
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