Silicon Valley companies are using a legal loophole to squeeze profit from the UK’s pavements. We are being sold pavement robots as a convenience. In fact, their appearance inconveniences people and the public realm - which particularly impacts disabled people - and tech companies are the ones profiting. It’s time to stand up for pavements.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
DELIVERY ROBOTS - THE LATEST ATTACK ON FOOTWAYS. Pavements are essential infrastructure for the trips we do most: walking. There simply isn’t space for delivery robots on top of the parked vehicles and other obstructions. They create trip hazards, and block the way for blind and partially sighted people, and wheelchair users. Deliveroo are the latest company to roll them out without government oversight or prior testing, using a legal loophole that permits tech companies to profit from an essential part of the public realm. The walking charity, Living Streets, is standing up to this injustice, with their campaign Pavement Overload.
CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL WORKING? It’s perhaps no coincidence that delivery robots are being scaled up within days of the government’s new Code of Conduct for gig economy companies coming into force. As of 1 October, any company found employing workers illegally (i.e., if a person isn’t allowed to work in the UK), including delivery apps using ‘sub-contractors’, could pay up to £60,000 per infraction. Anti-slavery organisations have warned delivery companies are getting off ‘scot-free’ on exploitation within their supply chains, in part thanks to a lack of oversight of riders, and are calling for tougher legislation to tackle the problem.
GILLIGAN DOES THE MATHS ON ULEZ. Ahead of London mayoral elections in 2028, hopefuls are lining up to make their pitches. The Conservative candidate, James Cleverly, is trampling familiar territory, in opposing ‘anti-motorist’ measures like ULEZ. The problem for the Tories, Andrew Gilligan points out, is that voters just don’t agree with him. As a former London cycling commissioner and No. 10 advisor, Gilligan knows a thing or two. He points out every time Tories oppose things like LTNs, bike lanes and congestion charging, voters cast their ballots elsewhere. On top of that, he adds, these measures cut congestion, which is caused by too much traffic, oversized SUVs and roadworks, not cycling. Hopefuls would do well to listen.
BUS STOP BYPASSES DRAGGED OUT AGAIN. Bus stop bypasses may not be perfect in every case, and some could use a redesign to improve sightlines, but the Tories’ pledge to spend £1m reversing 100 of them and banning new ones is not the solution. While cycling behaviour could also improve at the bypasses’ pedestrian crossings, if you’re looking to boost accessibility and road safety for pedestrians there are hundreds of other things you could focus your attention on. It’s about political choice.
WANTED: 105,000 MECHANICS. The cycle industry is nothing without mechanics. Their skills and expertise keep Europe’s cyclists on the road; they tune up €10,000 steeds and €50 beaters. Crucially, they keep us roadworthy and safe. New research by the NextGen MEchanics initiative and European Cycling Industries reveals Europe will need 105,000 more mechanics by 2032. That’s 60% of the current industry workforce. Shimano’s state of the nation 2026 report found a lack of access to workshop expertise means people cycle less. Increasing demand from new e-bike tech, along with low pay, has made the industry less competitive to trainees. Better training frameworks, better support for the existing workforce, and improving the economics of cycle maintenance are among recommendations.
OTHER HEADLINES
TUNNEL OF HUH?! The Rotherhithe tunnel, in London, is part of the National Cycle Network, and an essential river crossing for foot and cycle traffic, but cycling is nonetheless banned along its length. Due to an administrative standoff between two councils who share tunnel ownership, the long-standing problem of a lot of people cycling through it anyway has just not been solved. In another of his entertaining and informative videos, Evan Erdinger digs beneath the Thames to ask, what is happening with this uniquely dysfunctional crossing, and why can no-one seem to fix it?
INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK: How the shortage of mechanics impacts customers. Source: https://cyclingindustries.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Nextgen-Mechanics-Report-.pdf
ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:
Micro-grants. A bit of greenery can help people enjoy and feel pride in their neighbourhood. A cared-for space can also deter antisocial behaviour like fly-tipping. Lewisham in south London offers ‘micro-grants’ for residents to introduce greenery; planted areas, even small ones, can also help with our mood, our health and climate resilience too.
Until next time,
Adam Tranter
CEO, Fusion & Founder, #BikeIsBest
This newsletter is brought to you by Fusion, the agency for movers, specialising in communications and public affairs for active travel and mobility.
