Media Coverage

BBC News • 28th December 2024

West Midlands free new year buses help people leave car at home

Free bus services have been announced in the West Midlands on New Year's Day.The move is to encourage people to leave the car at home and avoid the stress and expense of driving and parking during the busy holiday period.Mayor Richard Parker said it meant that everyone could travel for free to see friends, watch their local football team play or have a meal out.The region's bus operators will generally be running a Sunday timetable, although some services may finish earlier. The free travel appl...

Birmingham Live • 14th December 2024

Birmingham fashion brand loved by celebrity fans is heading to the US

A Birmingham clothing brand loved by celebrities across the world has announced major plans to expand into America - while keeping "firm roots" in their home city. Knitwear company HADES Collections, which makes its buttons in the city's Jewellery Quarter, is set to export its 'cult British style' into the US market. The fashion company, run by two sisters, boasts famous fans including Normal People star Paul Mescal. The Irish actor recently wore a HADES cardigan for an interview about his lead...

BBC News • 18th November 2024

Wolverhampton exhibition shows art inspired by walking and bikes

An art exhibition celebrating cycling and walking has opened in Wolverhampton.The event called Cycle? Walk? Art? has put art on display that was created in community workshops from July to September.In the workshops, people took part in creative writing activities, sketching, mixed media projects, painting and photography.The Wolverhampton exhibition runs until 1 December at the 01902 urban room gallery space in Queen Square.

An art exhibition celebrating cycling and walking has opened in Wolve...

Mail Online • 13th September 2024

Does Britain's first AI crossing for cyclists REALLY work?

By ROSS SLATER Published: 14:58, 13 September 2024 | Updated: 15:08, 13 September 2024 Britain's first AI crossing aimed at giving priority to cyclists over cars was piloted this week, and locals have already given their verdict on it - and it's not looking too positive.The toucan crossing uses AI sensors to detect riders up to 30m away and changes lights red for oncoming vehicles so that cyclists can cross the road.Transport for West Midlands and Solihull Council installed the new 'grou...

Top Gear • 13th September 2024

UK city pilots AI-based traffic lights to prioritise cyclists over cars

Midlands-based Toucan crossing gets tech-upgrade to make roads safer for those on foot and bicyclesSolihull, the UK's most unlikely tech hub where the coffee remains affordable (for now), is piloting artificially intelligent traffic light technology that stops cars sooner and lets cyclists keep pedalling.

Developed by VivaCity, the sensors detect cyclists up to 30 metres away from the crossing and prompt the signal to change to green earlier, meaning pedal-pushers really need to work for it. Sa...

GB News • 10th September 2024

New AI traffic lights prioritise cyclists and pedestrians over cars to 'make streets safer'

New traffic light changes are being tested in the UK which prioritises cyclists over cars in a bid to improve safety for all road users.New traffic lights are being tested in Solihull, West Midlands, which aims to give cyclists "uninterrupted journeys" and protect pedestrians.The technology has been installed at a toucan crossing in the city, with an AI-controlled traffic management system aiming to give cyclists a smoother journey.The sensors used in the technology are designed to detect cyclis...

WMCA • 2nd September 2024

New smart sensor technology to improve safety on key cycle route in Solihull

Innovative smart sensor technology is being tested on Solihull’s A34 Stratford Road in a bid to make busy crossings safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and Solihull Council have installed the ground-breaking technology at a toucan crossing near Blythe Valley.
These sensors, developed by VivaCity, detect cyclists 20-30 meters away from the crossing compared to standard technology.
This early detection enables...

Birmingham Live • 27th November 2024

Grieving sister's urgent safety plea after brother killed in speeding horror

The sister of a 'loving' brother who was flung from a speeding car in a horror smash has issued an urgent appeal for drivers to act responsibly behind the wheel. Arjun Singh Gandham was just 19-years-old when the Seat Leon he was in hit a parked car on Pelsall Lane, Walsall, in March 2021. The driver of the car - Manveer Gill - was jailed for causing the smash which saw six other people injured, including a nine-year-old girl. Gill had been 'aggressively driving' at twice the 30mph speed limit...