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Marcus

@marcus-on-a-bike

Dad, structural engineer (on a pause), bikes, runs, hikes. Resides in London, but heart lives in NYC. (Formerly @marcus73 over on the tweets)

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22.08.2024
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Latest posts by Marcus @marcus-on-a-bike

Angus Low, Portrait of a Bridge Designer - Arup
Angus Low, Portrait of a Bridge Designer - Arup YouTube video by Arup

Designed by the late great Angus Low. I worked with him for a few years, brilliant designer. youtu.be/2TP0S4qVK5o?...

11.03.2026 21:08 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Love your lime green box cover! I went with silver + orange accents (rack and stand), but my black box cover is just a bit β€˜meh’

09.03.2026 23:46 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I’m a fan of the NRM. Two stairs and three doors make circulation easier. They should have stepped up fare patrols rather than ending all door boarding. Dwell times went way up. In comparison the interiors of the new BYD buses are horrible (that railing near the stair is a big pinch point)

09.03.2026 13:40 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Really don’t understand why the Lyon St ramp wasn’t done first since all of these pocket parks don’t allow cycling. Oh wait, that’s right, Paul Convery.

06.03.2026 14:59 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Manhattan cocktail and our good friend Wenlock, the 2012 Olympic mascot in the background.

Manhattan cocktail and our good friend Wenlock, the 2012 Olympic mascot in the background.

I see your martini and raise you Manhattan.

05.03.2026 18:42 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Are you suggesting the city should spend a billion on cigarettes and martinis for New Yorkers? If so I agree (with the martinis)

05.03.2026 18:21 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Checked this morning, disc is definitely missing.

05.03.2026 14:37 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Islington added these little wooden posts in the new Mildmay rain gardens because they had the same overrunning issues you’re having on a previous scheme. Seems to be working!

03.03.2026 21:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Definitely more than a month. They’re behind schedule due to the archeological excavation for the old sessions house. The road closures advertised in the Islington tribune had the junction with charterhouse street closed already.

03.03.2026 21:26 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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They’ve only agreed formally to β€˜explore the potential’ to make it two way (excerpt from the Liverpool St Healthy Neighbourhood decision). Very wishy washy. CoL has definitely backpedaled a bit on streets.

03.03.2026 21:22 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Yeah, quite narrow there. I rode through this week, definitely still a sign on the east side. I’ll need to check on the west. I’d imagine if it’s signed on one side it has to be technically open both ways.

03.03.2026 21:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Market Road Improvements We want your views on plans to improve Market Road Share your views on plans to improve Market Road by Sunday, 8 March. As part of our efforts to create a healthier borough we want to make some improv...

Have you responded yet ? Consultation closes on 8 March.

Who wouldn't want improvements on Market Road - been on our radar for years ! Good news from @islington-council.bsky.social @rowchampion.bsky.social

www.letstalk.islington.gov.uk/market-road-...

03.03.2026 17:47 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2

I do think it’s on the cards… somewhere (can’t remember where I read about it). Agree it’s very strange they didn’t implement it now with the repaving. Not a totally horrible detour to take Finsbury circus going westbound.

03.03.2026 20:36 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

On top of random parking bays forcing northbound cyclists into oncoming traffic. Total sh*t show.

28.02.2026 20:24 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Rainbow over Clissold Park

Rainbow over Clissold Park

Clissold Park today

28.02.2026 20:21 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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I advocate for this being the only car allowed to be owned by a homeowner in London (witness rates of car ownership drop precipitously). If they want to travel out of town on a motorway there would be neighbourhood based car sharing.

28.02.2026 20:15 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

This is a huge issue in London. We’ve had four bikes stolen in 10 years. Obviously just my experience, but I had zero bikes stolen in NYC over the course of 12 years. I really feel this is down to the fact that there is practically zero consequence for bike thieves in London, and they know it.

28.02.2026 19:57 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Over 100 bikes a day are stolen in London, and yet still nothing is being done ⛓️‍πŸ’₯

Demand action - sign our petition today: bit.ly/4bRyUXr

28.02.2026 11:00 πŸ‘ 28 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 3

Yeah, I think this is a better route than the signed CS1 route.

25.02.2026 18:52 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸš”οΈ If you cycle in London, the odds are you've either been, or know someone who's been, a victim of cycle theft...

Want action taken? Sign our petition today: bit.ly/4bRyUXr

24.02.2026 19:01 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 9 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Agreed, my cycle to school with the kids is crazy wiggly to avoid high traffic roads. At least it’s mostly LTNs though.

25.02.2026 18:17 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Map of Mildmay liveable neighbourhood

Map of Mildmay liveable neighbourhood

Final traffic filler layout.

25.02.2026 17:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Two way cycle track past Conrad House.

Two way cycle track past Conrad House.

The short two way cycle track is supposed to meet up with a new track through the estate down to King Henry’s Rd. being delivered by estates rather than highways, so strangely not included in the project website.

25.02.2026 17:36 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Southbound due to get a bus gate, so shouldn’t have much traffic. Should have already gone in, but Hackney is dragging their feet (Boleyn Rd is the border between Islington and Hackney so they both have to sign off)

25.02.2026 17:27 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Consultation drawing showing a stepped contraflow cycle track

Consultation drawing showing a stepped contraflow cycle track

Design drawing showing a painted contraflow lane.

Design drawing showing a painted contraflow lane.

Just now noticing the stepped cycle track from the consultation seems to have been ditched for a painted contraflow lane. Probably not a load of traffic, but still, bit of a β€˜step’ down.

23.02.2026 21:29 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Better still a bus gate on St Marks at Alvington, but I think the right turn ban at Dalston junction is preventing this.

18.02.2026 20:49 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Not really, the main path would be WB Dalston Ln turning right onto Ridley Rd then up St Marks and Shackwell then continuing on to Newington Green via Boleyn Rd. SB Boleyn is to be closed, so the left turn ban from Ridley onto Dalston Ln not as useful (rather see a right turn ban from EB Dalston)

18.02.2026 20:47 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Map of LTN showing route left open driving from Dalston Ln to Kingsland Rd

Map of LTN showing route left open driving from Dalston Ln to Kingsland Rd

Good news! Though unfortunate that they left open the Ridley Rd - St Marks Rise - Shacklewell Ln corridor (especially since Boleyn Rs will remain open northbound). I really think they need to change the junction priority at Sandringham / St Marks so C23 has priority.

18.02.2026 20:02 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Don’t move to London.

17.02.2026 16:42 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Citymapper has a β€˜mixed’ option for bike + train. They generally have much better cycling directions as well with a choice of fast, regular and quiet (though that only seems to be available for the cycling only option)

17.02.2026 16:15 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1