Public space is ruined by #UKCarCulture, which drives people indoors, which exposes them even more to a steady stream of online poison, which spreads the idea that #UKCarCulture = freedom.
And so the cycle continues. But it's a cycle we can break.
This is an excellent explanation as to why the fight against any infrastructural intervention that might rein in #UKCarCulture is so bitter and unhinged.
The "cars everywhere" side know they're successful and popular if given a chance, and each one that gets implemented will just encourage more.
It feels hopeless, but I think here in Britain, cities can take effective local action against #UKCarCulture which is a significant driver of this war and, frankly, Trump's terrorism.
This is in the center of Birmingham. A meaningful antiwar measure would be to replace it with a public park.
I think that two things are true.
The solution to the problem of #UKCarCulture is redistribution of public space, not law and order.
It's noticable how flippant our law and order system is about traffic violence.
Wow. @zackpolanski.bsky.social is the only national-level leader who wants to have a grown-up conversation about #UKCarCulture.
In light of the enormous car-lobby bias across so much of the media, this is a particularly courageous stand. But many of us want to see change on this issue. Go Zack!
We need a list of folks running in Birmingham's elections who take the problem of #UKCarCulture in our city seriously, instead of offering "do nothing," "be kind," or "increased policing" as the only options.
I'll start:
@skinofstars.bsky.social
@kamelhawwash.bsky.social
@izzyknowles.bsky.social
Council demands sacrifice of five people before any inconvenience to car owners can even be considered.
This is #UKCarCulture.
Though not its focus, this brilliant conversation is a reminder of how we need a national conversation about #UKCarCulture.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social is the one who could lead it, taking up how it is ruining our public space while driving far right culture wars and literal wars of extraction.
This is #UKCarCulture.
Hope you were seen promptly & it heals well!
Sadly #UkCarCulture is a pestilence everywhere in this country. Here in Brighton & Hove idling your car while parked along a public road seems to be considered a right by some drivers although illegal since 2002 under Rule 123 of The Highway Code.
Broken thumb photo.
Waiting at Emergency with a broken thumb because some asshole doored me, and because the powers that be in this city believe that parking for car owners matters more than safety for everyone else. #UKCarCulture is a pestilence upon Birmingham.
That a major media outlet has developed the imagination to run a story about #UKCarCulture from a pedestrian perspective and not the usual "Residents [by which they mean only car owners] fuming..." because they're going to have to share our public space is itself a sign that the tide is turning.
I think that two things are true.
The solution to the problem of #UKCarCulture is redistribution of public space, not law and order.
It's noticable how relatively flippant our law and order system is about traffic violence.
Everyone running for @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social should have a public position on the content of this urgent discussion between @skinofstars.bsky.social and @sarahchaundler.bsky.social.
When someone asks for your vote, ask them what they plan to do about the crisis of #UKCarCulture in our city.
Enforcement is not the solution to the problem of school run #UKCarCulture.
Permanent pedestrianization is. Like Paris has now done for hundreds of schools.
The fact that there even exists a safety-for-kids v. convenience-for-car-owners debate, let alone which side is dominating it, says so much.
Or we could let the United States land its military planes here on the way to bomb Iran to get the oil to try to keep #UKCarCulture going for a little longer.
Thinking today about the effectiveness of our mayor's "drivers should pledge to be kind" message as a solution to the problem of #UKCarCulture in Birmingham.
Just caught up with this fascinating conversation. Very worth a listen.
As #CarsRuinCities everywhere, so #UKCarCulture is ruining this country. But this conversation helps us imagine how we can turn that around, and how things could actually get better.
And now, everything will just get worse in this beleaguered city, and the inequalities of #UKCarCulture will just become more entrenched.
Birmingham once again the poster child for how #CarsRuinCities.
Guessing that this facility was paid for by all but was built for car owners only.
It says so much about #UKCarCulture that this story doesn't even tell us that.
Pedestrians have indeed lost a lot to #UKCarCulture in Birmingham. But there is something we can do about it!
@betterstreetsforbirmingham.org meets on the first Monday of every month, 6 PM, @birminghamfoe.bsky.social.
All welcome to join us to reclaim the public space of our streets!
Screenshot from a promotional piece for car parks and drive thrus.
The article really uses the words "a modern, high-quality retail destination" then follows with a photo of a drive-thru Starbucks and a massive 1960s parking lot.
The two further stories about #UKCarCulture you can link to on the side make this quite the primary document of life in our times.
There's no understanding this horrible incident without considering the individualist, get-out-of-my-way ideology of #UKCarCulture.
"In air pollution hotspots...half the population are people of colour, 48% are on the lowest incomes, and 60% don’t drive."
#UKCarCulture deepens inequality, as will voting for the Reform-Tory-Labour bloc who champions it.
Glasgow is one of the few British cities taking on #UKCarCulture, and here is the result.
This could be your city too, if people with power weren't preventing it from happening.
Yet another pedestrian killed by a driver on Birmingham's roads.
Thinking tonight of those with the political power to do something about #UKCarCulture, but won't.
To be fair, discerning the difference between the Onion and #UKCarCulture requires constant vigilance.
For example: my daughter has a bus pass and travels from Ladywood to Smethwick to school.
But she has figured out that this 30 minute bus ride is also - you guessed it! - a 30 minute walk.
#UKCarCulture is Birmingham public transport's biggest problem.
Tories, Reform, and Labour are interchangeable on the huge issue of #UKCarCulture.
Question for @brenttoderian.bsky.social: can you think of progressive politicians whose platform addresses the concerns and aspirations of more than just car owners? We could use some positive examples over here!
