Is It illegal To Read Your Phone While Cycling In London
I was just trying to cross the road and saw a young lady about twenty, riding towards me on a bicycle reading her mobile phone which was held in one hand and balanced on the handlebars. She was wearing a helmet and steering with one hand.
I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and received this answer.
No, it’s not explicitly illegal to read your phone while cycling in London, as the specific law prohibiting phone use while driving doesn’t apply to bicycles. However, it is very dangerous and you can still be prosecuted for the offense of careless cycling if your actions endanger yourself or others, with potential fines of up to £2,500.
In the past, I’ve used mobile phones, in ways that might become illegal.
- Several times, I’ve exercised a horse with a Nokia 6310i phone in my pocket, so that, if I fell off, I could call for help. I must admit, that I have received and made a few calls from the back of a horse. But in all cases, it was a well-behaved horse, that would stand quietly in a safe place.
- I once with prior arrangement of UK Air Traffic Control requested an Airways Join on a mobile phone at Ipswich Airport. But my second pilot that day, was a fully-qualified airline pilot.
I used to enjoy flying light aircraft and I do wonder sometimes, if I could still do it, after a gap of thirty years and a serious stroke? Obviously, I’d make it legal with an instructor in the right-hand seat.
Agreement To Eliminate Mobile Blackspots On Britain’s Lines
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Railway/PRO.
This is the sub-heading.
Network Rail and telecoms companies, Neos Networks and Freshwave signed an agreement named Project Reach to boost connectivity and remove mobile signal blackspots on the Britain’s rail network.
These first three paragraphs add more detail.
The ground-breaking public-private partnership delivers on the government’s Plan for Change mission to kickstart economic growth with ultra fast fibre optic cable across country’s busiest rail lines.
This is a multi-year project with the first installation of mobile infrastructure expected to begin in 2026 and fully rolled out by 2028.
The new deal will eliminate mobile signal blackspots in tunnels on key rail routes up and down the country, transforming daily journeys for millions of passengers who currently face the frustration of dropped calls and interrupted streaming on key routes between London, Manchester, Newcastle and Cardiff.
Note.
- Finance appears to be coming from both the public and private sector. Is this setting a dangerous precedent for Starmer and Rachel from Accounts.
- It is a £300 million project.
- In addition, a second project will tackle black-spots in 57 tunnels.
- Would the technology allow or improve other services on trains, where they could use mobile phone technology?
It is an ambitious and much-needed project, that could encourage many people to increase their use of rail transport.
Years ago, I built a new office on the farm, where I lived. The mobile coverage was bad in the new office, which was annoying. Someone suggested a piece of kit, that pointed at the nearest mobile phone mast and rebroadcast mobile signals, which solved the problem.
I suspect that Neos Networks and Freshwave can do the connection at 125 mph, that the solution, that I used, did without moving.
Conclusion
Sounds to me, that every train and rail line should have this technology installed.
My Broadband Lacks Muscle
I get all my broadband, TV, mobile phone from EE.
Usually, it works fine and I can watch football and Formula One, when I want to.
Occasionally, I get picture break-up, when I watch something popular.
Even more occasionally, the picture and sound is lost and a No Signal message appears on the screen.
And then, a couple of weeks ago, I was unable to watch the FA Cup Semi Final on BBC1. I just got the dreaded No Signal message.
Yesterday, was the Tuesday after Bank Holiday Monday.
- I was watching BBC Breakfast, when the signal disappeared about 09:00.
- Despite two calls to EE and a visit to their shop, by 18:00, the signal had not returned.
- I was reduced to watching the news on either my television in the bedroom or my computer.
- And then at 18:30, the signal returned miraculously and I was able to watch the television normally.
It has performed immaculately since.
So What Happened?
I had no problem on Monday, but Marks and Spencer did as this article on the BBC, which is entitled M&S Customers In Limbo As Cyber Attack Chaos Continues, explains.
Did this this cyberattack mean that everybody had spent the Easter weekend checking their systems?
Whether they did or not, when the City started up again after the Easter Holiday, they needed so much capacity, my television signal over broadband was switched off.
Only when City workers adjorned to the bars and restaurants at 18:30 and switched off their systems, did I get my television signal back.
Next Monday, is Another Bank Holiday
I don’t know what will happen! Do Openreach?
Project To Improve Mobile Connectivity On East Coast Main Lone Reaches Key Milestone
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release on LNER.
This is the sub-heading.
LNER, Network Rail and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are collaborating to improve mobile connectivity on the East Coast Main Line.
These three paragraphs outline the project.
The joint project, which is delivering new mobile phone infrastructure into tunnels outside London King’s Cross station, has reached an important milestone, with the installation of a bespoke antenna. The work inside Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnels will mean most customers can expect a more reliable and consistent mobile phone and on-train Wi-Fi connection and see the removal of ‘not-spots’ customers can experience when travelling through the tunnels.
The successful delivery of the project, funded by LNER working in collaboration with Network Rail and major mobile network operators, will mean the tunnels will be the first on the country’s operational railway to be fitted with the bespoke solution, with the system installed by rail connectivity and technology integration specialist Linbrooke. Rigorous testing has been carried out at Network Rail’s Innovation and Development Centre between Network Rail and the phone companies before introduction onto the network.
The technology will mean from later this year most customers will be able to maintain direct voice and data access to their mobile provider, keeping their calls connected and meetings online as they approach and leave the capital.
Anything that improves connectivity is to be welcomed.
British Gas Joins Forces With Samsung To Help Customers Power Smarter Energy Use
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Centrica.
This is the sub-heading.
British Gas and Samsung have today announced the exciting first step in a long-term venture – aimed at helping customers better manage their energy use and increase the adoption of low carbon heating technologies in homes across Britain.
These are the first two paragraphs.
The collaboration will see British Gas integrate with Samsung’s SmartThings app to help customers optimise their home appliances to use energy when the cost and demand are lower. This is now possible through the integration of SmartThings Energy and British Gas’ PeakSave demand flexibility scheme informing customers (by sending notifications via their smartphone, TV or other compatible devices) of the best times to use household appliances to save money.
The PeakSave scheme includes PeakSave Sundays, running every Sunday until the end of February with half-price electricity from 11am to 4pm for British Gas customers and PeakSave Winter events which encourages customers to move their electricity use out of peak times when there is high demand on Britain’s energy grid.
As a Graduate Control Engineer, I believe that this could make optimising your energy use much easier.
- It would surely be a lot easier to check usage on your phone rather than a smart meter, when you perhaps cook a ready meal, so that you can see if your microwave or traditional cooker is cheapest.
- Suppose you and everybody, who lives with you are out for supper and British Gas want to cut off your gas for a reward, you can make an appropriate decision.
- Hopefully, if you have the right controls, you’ll be able to switch lights and appliances off and on.
The possibilities are endless.
I shall certainly be looking at the reviews of this app.
There is a section in the press release called Scaling Up Low Carbon Heating Opportunities, where this is said.
The collaboration will also help support customers in their journey to decarbonising their homes by introducing smart technologies in a way that is simple and empowering. From early 2024, British Gas will include Samsung heat pumps in its offering to British households to support the UK’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050.
The venture will see specially trained British Gas surveyors and engineers working with consumers to explain the benefits of heat pumps and then conducting the installations on-site. Samsung will be supporting workforce training as part of their efforts to upskill the heating industry to ensure there are enough installers to service the expected growing demand.
British Gas also offers customers the chance to purchase heat pumps through flexible financing methods. This, combined with the recently increased UK Government Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7,500, creates an attractive package of financing options to help people make the transition more affordable.
Various plumbers, who I would trust, have given me different views about heat pumps.
I suspect the Samsung’s SmartThings app might be able to simulate your energy usage with or without the heat pump, as it would know your energy use with your current boiler.
I was doing similar calculations for chemical plants in the early 1970s at ICI, using a PACE 231-R computer.
Consider.
- It may look rather old fashioned, but it could solve a hundred simultaneous differential equations in one go.
- Two similar computers linked together were the analogue half of NASA’s moon mission simulator.
- Without these wonderful machines, NASA would not have been able to re-calculate the dynamics of Apollo 13 and the mission would be remembered as a disaster, rather than the first space rescue.
The average current smart phone has more computing power than a PACE 231-R.
What’s In It For Samsung?
I have a Samsung television, but unfortunately it has a screen fault because of age. So if I had the Samsung app and liked it, I might buy another Samsung TV.
Similarly, the app might give me a financial reason to buy a Samsung heat pump.
Samsung will sell more equipment.
What’s In It For Centrica?
Centrica would appear to be a loser, as bills will fall and they could be paying customers to not use energy.
But they are surely hoping that their market share will increase and I’m sure Samsung will give them a commission.
What’s In It For The Consumer?
Hopefully, they’ll get lower energy bills.
But also they might get a lot of convenience controlling their appliances and heating.
Conclusion
Using energy is becoming a computer game with monetary rewards.
Is the deal between Centrica/British Gas and Samsung another deal that has been brought to fruition by the Korean President’s visit to the UK?
It looks like this is the third recent deal signed between UK and Korean companies, after these two.
- South Korea, UK Strenghten Offshore Wind Ties
- UK And South Korea Help Secure Millions For World’s Largest Monopile Factory
I suspect, there might be a few more deals, if Charles and Camilla really turned on the charm.
In Mersey Tidal Project And Where It Is Up To Now, I wrote about talks between Liverpool City Council and Korea Water about a tidal barrage of the Mersey. This project must surely be a possibility!
This is said in the Wikipedia entry for Korean Air under Fleet Plans.
At the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Assembly in 2018, Korean Air announced that it was considering a new large widebody aircraft order to replace older Airbus A330, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-200ER and Boeing 777-300. Types under consideration for replacement of older widebody aircraft in the fleet include the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350 XWB. At the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting (IATA AGM) in Seoul, Chairman Walter Cho said Korean Air’s widebody order is imminent and it is considering an extra order of Airbus A220 Family including developing version, Airbus A220-500.
Note.
- Airbus A350 XWB have Welsh wings and Rolls-Royce engines.
- Airbus A220-500 are made in Canada with wings and composite parts from Belfast. Rolls-Royce may have a suitable engine.
Could a deal have something in it for the UK?
Although Korea has its own SMR program, I wonder, if there could be a link-up between Korean industry and Rolls-Royce over SMRs?
My Phone Died!
So I bought a new one!
I’ve managed to set it up, but it’s so different to my previous Samsung, that i haven’t a clue hoe to use it. I also made the mistake of using a secure password, which it constantly asks me.
I’m seriously, thinking of giving up having a mobile phone.
Can’t designers leave well enough alone!
I hate being ripped off!
The Lack Of Phone Charging On East Midlands Railways
I arrived at Lincoln station yesterday, after my trip from London, with a full battery on my phone, as LNER trains have charging points. But by the time I left Cleethorpes station to come home, my phone was dead, as I suspect the latest version of a news app, I use is a battery drainer.
There were also no charging points on TransPennine’s Class 185 trains or East Midlands Railways Class 170 trains.
Only, when I boarded a British Rail-era Class 158 train to get to Peterborough, was I able to recharge my phone.
There is surely a need for phone chargers on every train.
ORE Catapult, ABP, Microsoft & Co To Create World’s Biggest Offshore Wind ‘Living Lab’ In UK
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
A consortium led by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has launched a project that will create the biggest offshore wind “living lab” in the world in the UK through the development of a 5G Testbed that includes Grimsby Port and the Lynn and Inner Dowsing offshore wind farm.
These two paragraphs outline the project, its aims and partners.
The GBP 2.8 million (approximately EUR 3.2 million) project, which will run until March 2024, involves setting up a 5G Testbed to allow technology providers to test and demonstrate their equipment in real-world conditions, with access to reliable, high-speed communications.
The aim is to kickstart a digital revolution in offshore wind operations and maintenance (O&M) and accelerate the development of a new generation of digital technologies essential for the expansion of offshore wind generation, according to ORE Catapult, which partnered with Microsoft, Vilicom, JET Connectivity, XceCo, Associated British Ports (ABP), Acceleran and Satellite Applications Catapult to realise the project.
This seems to me to be a very good idea and it is certainly well-backed.
Metro Operator Opts For Better Mobile Signal Instead Of Wi-Fi
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Railway Gazette.
This is the first paragraph.
Tyne & Wear Metro operator Nexus has chosen to eliminate mobile phone connectivity ‘not spots’ instead of deploying on-train wi-fi as previously planned.
I agree with this, as it is so much more convenient. Especially, if like me, your eyesight isn’t a hundred percent.
If Greater Anglia were able to offer it on their Mark 3 coaches, the technology must be easy to implement.
Hands-Free Phone Ban For drivers ‘Should Be Considered’
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the introductory paragraph.
Drivers could be banned from using hands-free mobile phones in England and Wales, a group of MPs has suggested.
I don’t drive and I rarely use a mobile phone to make or receive a phone all, so it won’t bother me much.
But sitting in my preferred slightly-raised position in the downstairs facing-seats on a New Routemaster bus, it’s amazing the number of drivers you see having a phone conversation or typing.
Recently, I nearly had a collision whilst walking along Moorgate.
A young lady going the other way was having a video call with her phone in front of her face. I went left to pass on the road side, as gentlemen are supposed to do and she went the same way.
Luckily, she saw me at the last minute!
So if drivers are to be banned from mobile use, whilst driving, what about banning pedestrians from mobile use, whilst walking on busy streets?
The Anonymous Widower 