Your bike hates you, Gumtree edition: How not to fit a front mech; DCS Andy Cox questions Mail coverage of Jeremy Vine cycle lane near miss; Monster Raving Loony Party: 15-minute city conspiracy theories "even too loony for us" + more on the live blog

How do you feel about not being able to drive legally about 70mph on a motorway, or 30mph on an urban road? Does that restrict your freedom too much. Or how about the freedom to drive on the right-hand-side of the road?

Or how about the freedom to drive on the right-hand-side of the road?

Standard Anti-Vax Freedom Nutter. Could well be Johnson/ Trump supporter who denies evolution etc.

Interestingly, the Germans have seemingly headed off the move towards totalitarianism by allowing people to drive any speed on motorways... ( it's a social bargain: we may restrict you in other ways but at least on this one you're free, which proves it isn't a slippery slope)

Oh good lord,  isn't there an election in the US that needs preparing for or something?

I'm trying to avoid "don't hold back - tell us what you really think" as I don't want to be reminded.

However... "there's an insidious feeling about government control..."

Yes - there's some of that about.  Not sure what "many" means - is this really new?  What is the baseline for people being suspicious of "them" over the last few decades?  Or indeed longer - when in "western" countries "freedom" was constrained in a way that the Russian and Chinese governments might envy?

I can't speak for these folks.  I do know some people who are a bit suspicious.  A couple of them come from countries where recent former governments really did quietly put people in holes though (plenty to choose from).  So I will cut them some slack.

I would agree that - like our financial system - "trust" is important.  So if lots of people did suddenly stop trusting the system to the extent that they didn't cooperate that would indeed be a change.  I'm not seeing most people - for better or worse - living as anarchists though.

It's clearly time we do even more lessons on "what are your sources" and "how to do research" in schools.  (And I write as someone who wasn't keen on history, back in the day...) Instilling "critical thinking" is always going to be fighting against the tide for humans.  We should acknowledge we're not really made like that - but it's a habit worth training.  Unless you're a salesman or a demagogue keen for a compliant populace!

"Locking down" polluting ICE vehicles. Does not affect people moving about.

Freedom to pollute is what you are arguing for.

"Permit to visit your parents" otherwise known as a vistors parking permit that we have had for donkeys years.

"creeping disease of socialism" - you should try capitalism

Roulereo wrote:

There is an insidious feeling about government control and the creeping disease of socialism,

I'm not sure socialism is creeping anywhere right now. At least, certainly not forwards. Retreating in the face of a right wing onslaught, yes.

(Although in the long run, perhaps we are heading towards socialism. How did the capitalist west defeat socialism in the 20th century? By giving us social democracy, so we had most of the benefits of socialism in terms of government services, and enough money to afford some of the fruits of capitalism. Some of those in power would do well to remember this).

Mark B wrote:

Roulereo wrote:

There is an insidious feeling about government control and the creeping disease of socialism,

I'm not sure socialism is creeping anywhere right now. At least, certainly not forwards. Retreating in the face of a right wing onslaught, yes.

(Although in the long run, perhaps we are heading towards socialism. How did the capitalist west defeat socialism in the 20th century? By giving us social democracy, so we had most of the benefits of socialism in terms of government services, and enough money to afford some of the fruits of capitalism. Some of those in power would do well to remember this).

Is there actual genuine socialism anywhere, now?

Russia is a right wing kleptocracy and I'm not really sure how to define China's totalitarianism.

I mean - even the UK Labour Party is quietly removing anyone deemed to be too left wing, FFS.

Yes on road.cc

"You're all TROLLS
This is such a left wing Corbynista, anti-eu and anti-Johnson site
just can't stand you toffee nosed snobs"

and

“I’m afraid it’s the Labour Party, it’s the Lib Dems, it’s the Coalition of chaos, it’s the Guardian-reading, Tofu-eating, wokerati - dare I say the anti-growth coalition that we have to thank for the disruption we are seeing on our roads today!”

Most of the disruption I see on the roads is caused by idiot motorists who drive carelessly or irresponsibly, regardless of conditions. For every hour I lose in roadworks of some description, I loose another two because yet another moron has driven his or her vehicle into someone elses.

brooksby wrote:

I mean - even the UK Labour Party is quietly removing anyone deemed to be too left wing, FFS.

Too left wing?  As in anyone who demonstrates any socialist tendencies, anything at all, like concern for your fellow man rather than profit?

eburtthebike wrote:

brooksby wrote:

I mean - even the UK Labour Party is quietly removing anyone deemed to be too left wing, FFS.

Too left wing?  As in anyone who demonstrates any socialist tendencies, anything at all, like concern for your fellow man rather than profit?

Tomato/tomato, says Sir Kier...

Just watched a video of the promises made by Starmer to get elected as leader, and his denial of those promises since he became leader.  He's as bad as Boris.

You mean "he's as electable as Boris / Blair"...?

Starmer always looks like the rather square / stiff teacher who's trying hard to contain his disappointment the kids find him dull and unpersuasive, because if he gives in to yelling at them he'll really have lost the class.  He really does believe he knows best and everyone will eventually see that though.  So obvs. prime minister material.

Roulereo wrote:

the concept of 15 minute cities is not as simple as having lots of nice things close by and everyone walking happily to their local shops. 

There is an insidious feeling about government control

Quite funny considering that we've had a right wing neoliberal Thatcherite Conservative government in power since 2010 (and not really Socialist one before that, Tony Blair was no Leftie).

Thanks to the endless facilitation and proliferation of private car use many people, particularly in large towns and cities, who don't drive are hemmed in by dangerous roads while noise pollution, air quality are dreadful and safety is hugely compromised.

Roulereo wrote:

This is all about freedom for many.

What 'freedom' are you referring to? Freedom to pollute, to endanger lives? Extending the ULEZ is an attempt to change priorities. If you don't like paying the tax then use a non-polluting or less polluting method of getting about the capital.

Chain link pliers and refitted it?

Older front mechs had a bolt so you could break the cage, I'm guessing so you could change the mech without breaking the chain.  Before quicklinks became a big thing.

Took it to Halfords.

IanMSpencer wrote:

Took it to Halfords.

Y'know, something just doesn't look right there, but I can't put my finger on it... 

Pedant mode = on

eburtthebike wrote:

are two stops from Dagenham.

Upney?

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:

Pedant mode = on

eburtthebike wrote:

are two stops from Dagenham.

Upney?

Way past Barking.

eburtthebike wrote:

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:

Pedant mode = on

eburtthebike wrote:

are two stops from Dagenham.

Upney?

Way past Barking.

Ha nice. I've only ever heard "three stops from Dagenham (Barking (mad)).

Local variation I've heard occasionally: "He's east of East Ham, him" - East Ham being the last stop before Barking as one heads east on the District Line.

Rendel Harris wrote:

Local variation I've heard occasionally: "He's east of East Ham, him" - East Ham being the last stop before Barking as one heads east on the District Line.

Funny, thanks for sharing. (Sincere,I know it doesn't come across on t'internet)