Ben (BicycleBenUK)
@ben.fiets.uk
Introverted advocate on UK active travel. Self-employed podcast editor. Also sustainable public transport, nature, environment, Holland. Spins vinyl, dabbles in ham radio, badly plays piano. Views my own.
📍 Nuneaton, Warwickshire
🌎 fiets.uk/links
📍 Nuneaton, Warwickshire
🌎 fiets.uk/links
Pinned
Ben (BicycleBenUK)
@ben.fiets.uk
· Jun 5
Breaking my smartphone addiction
When I was finally hit by how endemic phone use has become, I needed to do something about my own addiction. Here's how I reduced my phone screen time for the better.
fiets.uk
"Like the abundance of cars littering streets, the smartphone addiction is invisible until you notice it, and then you see it everywhere. It was when I finally saw it that I started looking at my own phone with some disgust." - Breaking my smartphone addiction and returning to "old" tech.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Trying to work out costs for running my e-bike, for fun. Assuming maths is right:
- If charging constant at 164w for stated 3.5hrs for full charge, at 22.12p/kWh = 12.7p
- Full assist = 50km/30mi range = 0.26p/km; 0.43p/mile!
- Cheaper still at lower assist level.
Try getting that from an EV car!
- If charging constant at 164w for stated 3.5hrs for full charge, at 22.12p/kWh = 12.7p
- Full assist = 50km/30mi range = 0.26p/km; 0.43p/mile!
- Cheaper still at lower assist level.
Try getting that from an EV car!
September 17, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Trying to work out costs for running my e-bike, for fun. Assuming maths is right:
- If charging constant at 164w for stated 3.5hrs for full charge, at 22.12p/kWh = 12.7p
- Full assist = 50km/30mi range = 0.26p/km; 0.43p/mile!
- Cheaper still at lower assist level.
Try getting that from an EV car!
- If charging constant at 164w for stated 3.5hrs for full charge, at 22.12p/kWh = 12.7p
- Full assist = 50km/30mi range = 0.26p/km; 0.43p/mile!
- Cheaper still at lower assist level.
Try getting that from an EV car!
Trying to work out costs for running my e-bike, for fun. Assuming maths is right:
- If charging constant at 164w for stated 3.5hrs for full charge, at 22.12p/kWh = 12.7p
- Full assist = 50km/30mi range = 0.26p/km; 0.43p/mile!
- Cheaper still at lower assist level.
Try getting that from an EV car!
- If charging constant at 164w for stated 3.5hrs for full charge, at 22.12p/kWh = 12.7p
- Full assist = 50km/30mi range = 0.26p/km; 0.43p/mile!
- Cheaper still at lower assist level.
Try getting that from an EV car!
September 17, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Trying to work out costs for running my e-bike, for fun. Assuming maths is right:
- If charging constant at 164w for stated 3.5hrs for full charge, at 22.12p/kWh = 12.7p
- Full assist = 50km/30mi range = 0.26p/km; 0.43p/mile!
- Cheaper still at lower assist level.
Try getting that from an EV car!
- If charging constant at 164w for stated 3.5hrs for full charge, at 22.12p/kWh = 12.7p
- Full assist = 50km/30mi range = 0.26p/km; 0.43p/mile!
- Cheaper still at lower assist level.
Try getting that from an EV car!
Change the way we travel? Then mandate that councils MUST rapidly roll-out safe, connected, direct cycle infrastructure everywhere (+fund them). It takes 15-20 mins by e-bike to travel across town, but direct uses a 40mph road with guaranteed close passes and only a narrow footpath for active travel
Andy Burnham: UK must fully commit to reaching net zero by 2050
Exclusive: PM, who is facing pressure over whether to approve North Sea oil and gasfields, makes strongest comments yet on issue
www.theguardian.com
September 17, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Change the way we travel? Then mandate that councils MUST rapidly roll-out safe, connected, direct cycle infrastructure everywhere (+fund them). It takes 15-20 mins by e-bike to travel across town, but direct uses a 40mph road with guaranteed close passes and only a narrow footpath for active travel
Completely agree with all of this. On narrow streets during the school run I see ridiculous oversized vehicles blocking everyone's way, drivers bumping kerbs to get through, U-turns over pavements and verges, wrong-way driving to get to a junction, phone use... chaos.
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 conscience. It’s a Magafication of transport, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
September 17, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Completely agree with all of this. On narrow streets during the school run I see ridiculous oversized vehicles blocking everyone's way, drivers bumping kerbs to get through, U-turns over pavements and verges, wrong-way driving to get to a junction, phone use... chaos.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
This is haunting...
It's the oldest piece of music for which we have both the words and the notes. A song to the Hurrian goddess Nikkal, it was written on clay tablets around 3500 years ago, and was discovered in the 1950s in the ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tf...
It's the oldest piece of music for which we have both the words and the notes. A song to the Hurrian goddess Nikkal, it was written on clay tablets around 3500 years ago, and was discovered in the 1950s in the ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tf...
THE OLDEST SONG IN THE WORLD
YouTube video by Peter Pringle
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:48 PM
This is haunting...
It's the oldest piece of music for which we have both the words and the notes. A song to the Hurrian goddess Nikkal, it was written on clay tablets around 3500 years ago, and was discovered in the 1950s in the ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tf...
It's the oldest piece of music for which we have both the words and the notes. A song to the Hurrian goddess Nikkal, it was written on clay tablets around 3500 years ago, and was discovered in the 1950s in the ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tf...
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
This thread is 100% spot on! 👇
£72 million from 2 individuals - both of whom have faced questions about money laundering, both of whom live/d overseas to avoid tax - is not compatible with democracy.
I don't care if it's Reform, Labour or whoever. We can't function like this. Not for long.
So how do we fix it?
My plan:
I don't care if it's Reform, Labour or whoever. We can't function like this. Not for long.
So how do we fix it?
My plan:
September 13, 2026 at 4:52 AM
This thread is 100% spot on! 👇
The Arrogance of Space - Nuneaton Ring Road (NE)
52.52433787, -1.46402843
Approximate space ratio:
- Cars: 46%
- Buildings: 39%
- Pedestrians: 10%
- Public Transport: 4%
- Cyclists: 1%
Generate your own: cyklokoalicia.sk/arrogance/
52.52433787, -1.46402843
Approximate space ratio:
- Cars: 46%
- Buildings: 39%
- Pedestrians: 10%
- Public Transport: 4%
- Cyclists: 1%
Generate your own: cyklokoalicia.sk/arrogance/
September 12, 2026 at 5:42 PM
The Arrogance of Space - Nuneaton Ring Road (NE)
52.52433787, -1.46402843
Approximate space ratio:
- Cars: 46%
- Buildings: 39%
- Pedestrians: 10%
- Public Transport: 4%
- Cyclists: 1%
Generate your own: cyklokoalicia.sk/arrogance/
52.52433787, -1.46402843
Approximate space ratio:
- Cars: 46%
- Buildings: 39%
- Pedestrians: 10%
- Public Transport: 4%
- Cyclists: 1%
Generate your own: cyklokoalicia.sk/arrogance/
Battery is all-but flat, giving me about 50km/31mi range on highest assist level. A little short of the advertised 34 miles, but I deliberately added in some hills and am not the lightest cargo! Happy with that! Will easily cover my commuting needs for a couple of days and most longer rides too.
That's just rude - doesn't the weather know it's New Bike Day? I've just finished getting my new e-bike together and now it decides to rain! I did want to test it before tomorrow's commute - not sure using a ride to work is the best time for testing something new.
September 12, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Battery is all-but flat, giving me about 50km/31mi range on highest assist level. A little short of the advertised 34 miles, but I deliberately added in some hills and am not the lightest cargo! Happy with that! Will easily cover my commuting needs for a couple of days and most longer rides too.
Bother - one slight issue, my pannier bag which I only bought a few weeks ago but is now used and scuffed, does not fit the rack - the tubing is too thick for the clips. Need to rethink that.
That's just rude - doesn't the weather know it's New Bike Day? I've just finished getting my new e-bike together and now it decides to rain! I did want to test it before tomorrow's commute - not sure using a ride to work is the best time for testing something new.
September 10, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Bother - one slight issue, my pannier bag which I only bought a few weeks ago but is now used and scuffed, does not fit the rack - the tubing is too thick for the clips. Need to rethink that.
Went out anyway, in what I thought was a gap in the rain - not really. Got wet, but it works and it's fun! Ten miles done and not too tired!
That's just rude - doesn't the weather know it's New Bike Day? I've just finished getting my new e-bike together and now it decides to rain! I did want to test it before tomorrow's commute - not sure using a ride to work is the best time for testing something new.
September 10, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Went out anyway, in what I thought was a gap in the rain - not really. Got wet, but it works and it's fun! Ten miles done and not too tired!
That's just rude - doesn't the weather know it's New Bike Day? I've just finished getting my new e-bike together and now it decides to rain! I did want to test it before tomorrow's commute - not sure using a ride to work is the best time for testing something new.
September 10, 2026 at 5:06 PM
That's just rude - doesn't the weather know it's New Bike Day? I've just finished getting my new e-bike together and now it decides to rain! I did want to test it before tomorrow's commute - not sure using a ride to work is the best time for testing something new.
Test commute in a fair amount of rain this morning but still enjoyable (especially nipping past the cars). The highlight? Passing a maybe 5 year old riding his bike to school with a grin on his face, shouting "yay!" as he passed - just showing that rain is no impediment to a fun start to the day!
September 8, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Test commute in a fair amount of rain this morning but still enjoyable (especially nipping past the cars). The highlight? Passing a maybe 5 year old riding his bike to school with a grin on his face, shouting "yay!" as he passed - just showing that rain is no impediment to a fun start to the day!
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
media: are these blackshirts fascists.
andy burnham: good question. my favourite biscuit with tea is a custard cream although in culcheth we used to call them cuppy-busters.
andy burnham: good question. my favourite biscuit with tea is a custard cream although in culcheth we used to call them cuppy-busters.
September 7, 2026 at 2:17 PM
media: are these blackshirts fascists.
andy burnham: good question. my favourite biscuit with tea is a custard cream although in culcheth we used to call them cuppy-busters.
andy burnham: good question. my favourite biscuit with tea is a custard cream although in culcheth we used to call them cuppy-busters.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
A popular tweet of mine from my early days on twitter.
September 5, 2026 at 4:37 PM
A popular tweet of mine from my early days on twitter.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Police should've swiftly cracked down on this. "Protesters" in black, faces covered, no placards, silent, intimidating, and affecting key national infrastructure - a very different vibe to the climate protests which attracted the heavy hand of the State in response.
Black-clad protesters in balaclavas block road at port of Dover in Kent
Port authorities say access roads ‘free flowing’ again after large group forces road closures in both directions
www.theguardian.com
September 5, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Police should've swiftly cracked down on this. "Protesters" in black, faces covered, no placards, silent, intimidating, and affecting key national infrastructure - a very different vibe to the climate protests which attracted the heavy hand of the State in response.
How about no? Given the number of people who can't unglue their eyeballs from phone screens, I don't see this ending well. Where are the physical switches and knobs that can be operated without taking eyes off the road? This is dangerous design and it will kill someone - probably not the driver.
September 5, 2026 at 11:09 AM
How about no? Given the number of people who can't unglue their eyeballs from phone screens, I don't see this ending well. Where are the physical switches and knobs that can be operated without taking eyes off the road? This is dangerous design and it will kill someone - probably not the driver.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
they're not protestors, they're far right thugs.
Masked protesters block access at Port of Dover
Masked protesters block access at Port of Dover
Masked protesters are preventing traffic from going in and out of the Port of Dover.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 5, 2026 at 8:39 AM
they're not protestors, they're far right thugs.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Not that many years since a popular position in right-wing British politics was calling for the police to use significant force to remove protesters blocking roads
Of course, that was when environmentalists were doing it
Of course, that was when environmentalists were doing it
Masked men dressed uniformly in black blocking a seaport, very normal
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Disruption at Port of Dover as masked men hold protest
Images appear to show hundreds of protesters, all dressed in black and wearing face coverings.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 5, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Not that many years since a popular position in right-wing British politics was calling for the police to use significant force to remove protesters blocking roads
Of course, that was when environmentalists were doing it
Of course, that was when environmentalists were doing it
Metropolitan Police getting their terminology wrong again, labelling e-motorbikes as "e-bikes" and thus furthering confusion. They're not the only ones to make this error of course, but they absolutely need to get this right. It's errors like this that lead to confusion, hostility, and mistakes.
On shift with the Police Surrons
You’ve seen the edits, now see them in action. We’re joining officers on the ground to show you how the bikes are being used in real operations across London.
Targeting phone snatchers, our message…
youtu.be
September 4, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Metropolitan Police getting their terminology wrong again, labelling e-motorbikes as "e-bikes" and thus furthering confusion. They're not the only ones to make this error of course, but they absolutely need to get this right. It's errors like this that lead to confusion, hostility, and mistakes.
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
Good as long as it happens, but I don't like this "we'll find a way" language. Don't make out it's something difficult to do. The funding cut is a miniscule <£2.8m per year.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Andy Burnham says "We'll find a way to save Jodrell Bank"
Burnham said "there is no way that we can see its demise, and it won't happen under my Government".
www.bbc.co.uk
September 2, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Good as long as it happens, but I don't like this "we'll find a way" language. Don't make out it's something difficult to do. The funding cut is a miniscule <£2.8m per year.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Make your favourite film sound as boring as possible without giving away the title.
Robin Williams finally finishes a long-running board game
Robin Williams finally finishes a long-running board game
Make your favourite film sound as boring as possible without giving away the title.
Roy Scheider goes fishing.
Roy Scheider goes fishing.
Make your favourite film sound as boring as possible without giving away the title.
Scientists create life on an island, then leave.
Scientists create life on an island, then leave.
August 29, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Make your favourite film sound as boring as possible without giving away the title.
Robin Williams finally finishes a long-running board game
Robin Williams finally finishes a long-running board game
Reposted by Ben (BicycleBenUK)
August 29, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Make your favourite film sound as boring as possible without giving away the title.
Roy Scheider goes fishing.
Roy Scheider goes fishing.
Make your favourite film sound as boring as possible without giving away the title.
Scientists create life on an island, then leave.
Scientists create life on an island, then leave.
Make your favourite film sound as boring as possible without giving away the title:
Elijah Wood goes on a long walk to dispose of jewellery.
Elijah Wood goes on a long walk to dispose of jewellery.
August 29, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Make your favourite film sound as boring as possible without giving away the title.
Roy Scheider goes fishing.
Roy Scheider goes fishing.