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Cop suspended for punching cyclist wrongly accused of theft; AA chief says cyclists shouldn't "pretend they’re in Tour de France"; Nail traps buried on trail; £5m cycling infra boost for Manchester; 'Priapic cyclist' spotted + more on the live blog

Welcome to Wednesday's live blog, with Jack Sexty in charge and Simon MacMichael adding some updates later this evening...
06 May 2020, 15:16
West Midlands Police officer who repeatedly punched cyclist has been suspended

The footage was widely shared on social media earlier this week, with Birmingham Live reporting that the officer repeatedly punched and kicked the 44-year-old black male after accusing him of stealing a bike - it's now emerged that the officer has been suspended, after this incident on 20th April came the day before he was filmed kicking a 15-year-old boy in the head. 

The man in the video claims that he is entirely innocent, and that he was riding his bike to get his daily exercise during the pandemic. He says his bike is grey and that the stolen bike was black, and that officers say they recovered the stolen bike elsewhere. 

A Birmingham community activist has lodged a formal complaint on the cyclist's behalf, accusing the officer of racial discrimination, assault, false imprisonment and use of excessive and unjustified force: “This man was only guilty of riding his bicycle to take part in exercise, which he has been told he can do", said Desmond Jaddoo. 

The Metro reports that the officer has now been suspended, and is also being investigated for the incident with the teenage boy. A spokesperson for West Midands Police said: "A complaint was received after the officer stopped a teenager on 21 April in Melbourne Avenue, Newtown. In the ensuing incident it is alleged that the officer used unnecessary force in striking and kicking the young person. A further complaint was received which involves the same officer.

"It relates to a prior incident on 20 April in Frederick Road, Aston, where two officers stopped a man they suspected was on a stolen bicycle. The man was detained and it’s alleged the officer assaulted the man before he was released with no further action."

 

06 May 2020, 15:08
Brompton launch virtual in-store service
brompton junction store

It's something we've seen Ribble do already, and now Brompton customers can browse bikes via a new video call service. Staff at the Brompton Junction store in London's Westfield will guide through anything the customer wants to know and offer advice, which Brompton say is particularly useful during the pandemic. Staff will only be able to hear customers and not see them to protect privacy. 

06 May 2020, 14:52
Manchester to get up to £5 million of emergency funding as part of active travel plans
Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester

Greater Manchester's local authorities have launched the 'Safe Streets Save Lives' campaign to support social distancing during coronavirus lockdown and recovery, with pop-up infrastructure and temporary measures prioritised to enable safe essentials travel and exercise. Up to £5 million of emergency funding is promised from the Mayor Andy Burnham's Mayor's Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund.  

Transport for Greater Manchester say that while traffic volume has dropped by around 60% during the pandemic, cycling and walking now accounts for up to 33% of journeys during the lockdown. 

Greater Manchester's Cycling and Walking Commissioner Chris Boardman commented: “Like any successful response to a crisis, people must be the priority. And fortunately, the data is unambiguous; during lockdown more and more residents across Greater Manchester are turning to walking and cycling for essential journeys and exercise. So, in order give people the space they need to keep safe, the only real question was ‘how soon can we act?’

“If we don’t take steps to enable people to keep traveling actively, we risk a huge spike in car use as measures are eased. Not only is it the right thing to do to protect people now, but it’s vital to meet our clean air goals and protect our NHS long term.”

06 May 2020, 14:43
Schwalbe launch e-bike specific inner tube
schwable e-bike tube image. png

Yep, that's right... this tube has extra wall thickness which Schwalbe says retains air for longer, meaning riders of heavier e-bikes needn't pump their tyres so often. Full story on eBikeTips

06 May 2020, 13:05
AA president says lockdown "isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France"
aa-president-edmund-king pic the AA.jpg

Edmund King made the comments after a survey by the AA found that people think the behaviour of drivers and cyclists has 'got worse' since the lockdown. The Evening Standard reports that the poll of more than 19,700 drivers revealed that 25% feel drivers and cyclists were both behaving worse.

King said: “Less traffic doesn’t mean that drivers should start drag-racing at traffic lights, dangerously overtaking others or ignoring the speed limits.

“Drivers should also leave a wide ‘social distance’ when overtaking cyclists. Equally, this isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France and ignore mini-roundabouts and stop signs.”

The Standard report that the Metropolitan Police enforced 800 speeding offences last week, more than three times the number during the same period last year. One driver caught doing 93mph in a 30mph zone, and 34 drivers in total were caught doing over 100mph.

Bizarrely, drivers who took part in the AA's survey were also asked how they feel about the 'behaviour' of pedestrians, and 25% said they feel that pedestrians are 'behaving better' than before the pandemic. As if to provide a damning snapshot of the reported worsening in driving behaviour, shocking footage was widely shared yesterday of a Birmingham man forced to stand in front of a car at a pedestrian crossing to stop the driver from running over his children.

06 May 2020, 12:41
Someone claims to have spotted a priapic cyclist in London

And it wouldn't be the first time a cyclist's appendage has landed them in trouble... that time when a Dublin man sustained a seven-week erection after crash-landing on his bike's top tube for example, and who can forget the man who was chucked out of the World Naked Bike Ride in Canterbury for getting 'overexcited'? We're having a hard time racking our brains for more examples from the archives, but do let us know if we've missed any...

06 May 2020, 12:34
Prime Minister promises "new golden age of cycling"

This is referring to new plans set to be announced by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps later today, as already mentioned by British Cycling - full story to follow. 

06 May 2020, 10:49
This 'Ritchey Rider' isn't 50 quid
ritchey rider scam pic - via facebook marketplace.PNG

We believe the bike in the picture is the brand new Ritchey Outback, and the photo of the pedals is from bikepacking.com - just in case anyone genuinely thought this was some unbelievable bargain. We've reported it to Facebook...

06 May 2020, 10:31
British Cycling say "exciting announcements on cycling and walking" are coming later today

Once again London's Streetspace plan is mentioned, but we're hoping this will be something along the lines of funding boosts for the whole country. 

06 May 2020, 09:56
Nail traps buried under the soil on trail in the north-east

Janclare Miller told Teesside Live that her husband Paul found numerous wooden boards with nails sticking out of them hidden under the soil on a trail in East Cleveland, and was left stranded after both his tyres were punctured. Mr Miller first went straight home after getting picked up by his wife, but discovered the boards after going back when he thought the damage to his tyres was too severe to have been an accident. The incident has been reported to the police. 

Mrs Miller continued: "Since we put it on Facebook we have heard it's not the first time it's happened.

"It's scary to think they could be anywhere. A lot of people walk their dogs and ride horses there so they need to be careful.

"The NHS is busy enough as it is without idiots doing this sort of thing. It's shocking."

Like the traps left in Regent's Park yesterday evening, this undoubtedly looks like a deliberate attempt to injure cyclists, runners or walkers in the area, and some have suggested it's once again the actions of individuals twisting their version of the lockdown guidance to a shocking and dangerous extreme.  

06 May 2020, 10:26
Another 50km of emergency bike lanes for Paris

Mayor Anne Hidalgo already had expansive plans for a comprehensive cycle network around Paris, and they've been quick to dedicate street space for cyclists and pedestrians during the lockdown; another 50km will be ready to go by Monday.  

06 May 2020, 09:45
Plans for helping Londoners cycle around the city in video form

Despite The Beeb forgetting to suggest cycling in their travel suggestions article mentioned below, yesterday they explored what it will take to get more people cycling around the capital when people return to work. 

06 May 2020, 09:35
BBC 'travel alternatives' article makes no mention of cycling or walking

With public transport set to be greatly reduced to maintain some social distancing, the article asks the question of how people will get around when the lockdown lifts; and although the BBC quote Professor Tony Travers who says that "a sudden and radical change in road use" is needed if we're all to get around on bikes and scooters, the alternative travel suggestions don't include cycling or walking. Instead, electric scooters (which aren't currently legal on British roads), taxis, cars and drone taxis. 

06 May 2020, 08:21
Cyclists discover nails and drawing pins on the road in Regent's Park Outer Circle

The Regent's Park Cyclists group have blamed negative press coverage from the media for what looks to be an attempt at vigilante action to prevent cyclists from using the road around Regent's Park in Central London. 

A Facebook post from a member of the London Cycling Facebook Group first fell victim to the traps yesterday, saying: "Someone decided to drop a box of pins on the outer loop of Regent’s Park outside the London Business School. Myself and 10+ others got punctures (I had 5 in my tyres).

"I saw the police as I was walking out of the park and let them know - they have said they will log it and would go and take a look. I picked them up with another victim - hopefully we got them all but watch out."

It's not the first report of 'vigilante' action since the pandemic started, with numerous signs reported in towns and villages to deter cyclists from passing through, believing that they could spread the virus. We also reported that drawing pins had been spread across a popular South London cycle route on 19th April, in what looked to be a deliberate attempt to target cyclists. 

06 May 2020, 07:13
Euston Road and Park Lane in London to get temporary cycle lanes

The All Party Cycling Group say they also want to see provisions on local high streets, but nevertheless welcome the changes. This is all part of the Streetspace plans announced by Will Norman recently. 

06 May 2020, 10:04

Can't see the comments? Click here

Arriving at road.cc in 2017 via 220 Triathlon Magazine, Jack dipped his toe in most jobs on the site and over at eBikeTips before being named the new editor of road.cc in 2020, much to his surprise. His cycling life began during his students days, when he cobbled together a few hundred quid off the back of a hard winter selling hats (long story) and bought his first road bike - a Trek 1.1 that was quickly relegated to winter steed, before it was sadly pinched a few years later. Creatively replacing it with a Trek 1.2, Jack mostly rides this bike around local cycle paths nowadays, but when he wants to get the racer out and be competitive his preferred events are time trials, sportives, triathlons and pogo sticking - the latter being another long story.  

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80 comments

Avatar
MattieKempy | 3 years ago
0 likes

'Someone claims to have spotted a priapic cyclist in London'

I'm intrigued how this story isn't subject to outrage in the same way an inappropriate Twitter comment discussing the female genitalia would be?

I'm even slightly concerned about typing the words 'camel' and 'toe' in case someone says it's sexist or objectifying women.

Please don't think I'm a misogynist! I'm married and I have two young daughters. All of the women in my immediate family ride bikes. I'm just highlighting double standards, that's all!

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Jack Sexty replied to MattieKempy | 3 years ago
1 like

MattieKempy wrote:

'Someone claims to have spotted a priapic cyclist in London'

I'm intrigued how this story isn't subject to outrage in the same way an inappropriate Twitter comment discussing the female genitalia would be?

I'm even slightly concerned about typing the words 'camel' and 'toe' in case someone says it's sexist or objectifying women.

Please don't think I'm a misogynist! I'm married and I have two young daughters. All of the women in my immediate family ride bikes. I'm just highlighting double standards, that's all!

 Because it's not attacking an individual and naming them on a public forum, it's just a really crude way of describing erect male genitalia - for all we know the person who tweeted it might not even have been telling the truth. If the tweet had have named the individual and invited the rest of social media to join in, there's no way we'd have posted it and we certainly wouldn't have found it funny. 

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id483727 | 3 years ago
0 likes

You can pretend you are in the Tour de France anywhere you can consume drugs surely?!?

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ktache | 3 years ago
4 likes

During my hourish mandated exercise ride today I pulled a large thorn out of the rear tyre, the twig it was attached to was making an annoying sound when it hit the seat stays, biggish one, jet of air, rotated down and it seemed to seal.  I rode on and cannot find where it might have been now.

I will stick in another oz of Orange Enduance Seal later tonight.

I think that my low pressure 3 inch knobblies might just withstand a tack attack, I hope so.  There have been many thorn holes in both the tyres, and no lasting damage (I hope, I'm still going to uses them) and an anchovie fix that's as good as permenant (as far as I can be bothered anyway).

I very much doubt if I could withstand the mounted nail booby traps though.  I carry a spare tube and a couple of tyre boots and I have 4 small anchovies from my first fix kit.  And a mini pump.  Who knows how much damage those nails would do.  I dread getting the bead off the rim in the outdoors if I ever need to fit the tube.

Even when I rode tubes, I would always carry a spare tube and a pack of Park quick patches, and the tyre boots, which have fixed some slashes and a destroyed sidewall in the past.  Another tube and a full repair kit at work, with a mini track pump, or an extra tube and the mini track pump if I was doing a long day ride.

Well done Paul for going back and finding the traps, and i'm glad it only got your tyres.  Could have been nasty if you'd come off.  It could have been a runner, walker or a child with those in their feet.  Or a poor little dog, or worse a horse  with perhaps a terrible outcome from it's reaction for the rider.

Only one spare tyre might not be enough.  Cars generally only have one spare wheel, or only one can of "stuff".  You cannot fully prepare for these forms of sabotage.

We are not doing a transcontinental ride here, it's a quick hourish ride.

Avatar
Rick_Rude | 3 years ago
2 likes

What a bizarre 'news' story. Attention seeking twitter user makes up bizarre story about cyclist with a foot long John Thomas. I clicked on the link and it's like some James Joyce rambling of thoughts every hour. Is this what we've become? Is this your average twitter user?

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Jack Sexty replied to Rick_Rude | 3 years ago
1 like

It's a live blog, sometimes we go a bit left-field. Plus it opened up an opportunity to link phallus-related stories from our archive, which everyone deserves to read. 

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crazy-legs | 3 years ago
12 likes

Quote:

 Equally, this isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France

The sunny weather has brought out an awful lot of people making essential journeys in convertible Astons, Ferraris, Mercs and Lambos recently (might be because I live not far from Alderley Edge / Wilmslow / Knutsford and there's a lot of bored footballers and WAGs around the place with nothing better to do than to take the supercar out).

And if they're allowed to pretend to be in the Monte Carlo rally then I demand to be allowed to pretend I'm in the Tour de France.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to crazy-legs | 3 years ago
1 like
crazy-legs wrote:

Quote:

 Equally, this isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France

The sunny weather has brought out an awful lot of people making essential journeys in convertible Astons, Ferraris, Mercs and Lambos recently (might be because I live not far from Alderley Edge / Wilmslow / Knutsford and there's a lot of bored footballers and WAGs around the place with nothing better to do than to take the supercar out).

And if they're allowed to pretend to be in the Monte Carlo rally then I demand to be allowed to pretend I'm in the Tour de France.

I think his point was that no, the motorists should not be dicks, and neither should cyclists. The exact opposite of what you say.

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Captain Badger replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
2 likes

Not sure there's any real equivalence between drivers being dicks and riders being dicks. I think AA man needs to stay in his lane.....

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Sriracha replied to Captain Badger | 3 years ago
2 likes

So we are back to the argument that it is ok for cyclists to be dicks because car drivers?

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brooksby replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like

Well, in all fairness, there do seem to be a lot of motorists who justify their behaviour with "there was this cyclist who I'm told jumped a red light this one time"...

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Captain Badger replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like

Not sure where I said it's ok for people on 2 wheels to behave like dicks - maybe you could point it out to me?

However, I say again there is no equivalence. A driver being a dick stands a very real chance of killing someone. A rider, well not so much.

If all AA man can bring to the discussion surrounding driving standards during a pandemic is " yeah but... cyclists.. tour de France.... stop signs..." I'd expect him to at least make some kind of coherent argument as to his contibution's relevance. If not he can, y'know, stay in his lane.

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eburtthebike replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like

Sriracha wrote:

So we are back to the argument that it is ok for cyclists to be dicks because car drivers?

No, merely pointing out that there is lots of evidence that drivers are breaking the law and putting other people's lives at risk, and precious little evidence that cyclists are doing anything illegal.  With more power comes more responsibility, something drivers, and Edmund King should acknowledge.

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Zebulebu replied to crazy-legs | 3 years ago
1 like
crazy-legs wrote:

Quote:

 Equally, this isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France

The sunny weather has brought out an awful lot of people making essential journeys in convertible Astons, Ferraris, Mercs and Lambos recently (might be because I live not far from Alderley Edge / Wilmslow / Knutsford and there's a lot of bored footballers and WAGs around the place with nothing better to do than to take the supercar out).

And if they're allowed to pretend to be in the Monte Carlo rally then I demand to be allowed to pretend I'm in the Tour de France.

The other day riding through Ashley & Mobberley I was passed by a Ferrari, an Aston Martin and two Bentleys inside a minute. No doubt all essential journeys...

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brooksby replied to Zebulebu | 3 years ago
2 likes

There's been a definite uptick in open topped sports cars driving around in the nice weather, all definitely on essential journeys to buy toilet roll or something...

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Mungecrundle replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
0 likes

Also the number of essential journeys, at least on the main roads around Royston, that need to be undertaken on high powered motorcycles and apparently requiring extreme acceleration.

Not to mention the divot in the noisy white Merc constantly cruising around town. Presumably looking for somewhere to get the broken exhaust and on/off accelerator fixed?🤔

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ktache replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
0 likes

Those revving about on large sports motorbikes seem to be on very urgent essential journeys.  Strange that very few of them are not carrying backpacks, there is only so much vital supplies you can fit under the leathers.

 

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Hirsute replied to ktache | 3 years ago
0 likes

The local paper today has an article about a biker who recently died. They have invited bikers of all sorts from anywhere to come to the home to give him a loud send off. Apparently it is ok as they will 'social distance'.

I'd have thought the sensible thing would be to wait until the restrictions have eased.

 

Avatar
brooksby | 3 years ago
8 likes

Quote:

Equally, this isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France and ignore mini-roundabouts and stop signs.”

I wonder what its called when a motorist ignores a mini roundabout or a stop sign?

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ktache replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
4 likes

I very rarely see a motorist using indicators and even trying to drive around the mini roundabouts I use.

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brooksby replied to ktache | 3 years ago
1 like

True.  Same here.

How's about:

"Equally, this isn’t a time for cyclists motorists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France doing Le Mans and ignore mini-roundabouts and stop signs.”

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Captain Badger replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
2 likes

I PAY ROAD TAX, BLOODY LEFTY GUARDIAN READING CYCLISTS

Avatar
brooksby replied to Captain Badger | 3 years ago
2 likes

Captain Badger wrote:

I PAY ROAD TAX, BLOODY LEFTY GUARDIAN READING CYCLISTS

Avatar
billymansell | 3 years ago
6 likes

Johnson talking about this being the golden age of cycling.

Remember, last week he boasted our response to Covid-19 would be looked upon by other countries for its apparent success. How is that 'success' looking now?

We know Johnson is a populist who'll say whatever he thinks the audience want to hear. An actual plan for cycling should have been started weeks ago and any new govt proposal to cycling will likely be tokenistic at best and not a national commitment.

If anything, when we exit lockdown the roads are likely to be worse for cycling as many who previously commuted by public transport will drive to maintain social distancing.

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David9694 replied to billymansell | 3 years ago
2 likes

billymansell wrote:

If anything, when we exit lockdown the roads are likely to be worse for cycling as many who previously commuted by public transport will drive to maintain social distancing.

this is a really worrying new twist on "I'll be safe in my car".

oh look there's congestion - clearly someone should do something about this, and there's nowhere to park either - ditto. 

 

Avatar
brooksby replied to David9694 | 3 years ago
3 likes

David9694 wrote:

this is a really worrying new twist on "I'll be safe in my car".

Our of interest, are motorists being advised to only drive as far from home as they could walk their car if they had a mechanical?

Avatar
Hirsute replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
3 likes

Indeed, something I asked previously in one of the 'welsh' threads.

One of my friends advised me to get a spare wheel for my new (to me) car as often they don't come with one. His sister had hit a pothole and dented the rim and the wheel was useless and the sealant/inflator you get instead would not do anything for that. I think there may be a few potholes in the UK...

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Hirsute replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
1 like

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/52581213

there are 11% more vehicles on the road this week than in the second week of lockdown.

Meanwhile, the number of emergency callouts rose 18% over the same period.

Maybe motorists should be told to be self sufficient instead of this irrational targeting of cyclists

Avatar
Podc replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
3 likes

hirsute wrote:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/52581213 there are 11% more vehicles on the road this week than in the second week of lockdown. Meanwhile, the number of emergency callouts rose 18% over the same period. Maybe motorists should be told to be self sufficient instead of this irrational targeting of cyclists

You'd think with the apparent link between air pollution and worse outcomes for coronavirus victims, people would be very reluctant to drive anywhere unnecessarily, and those that do would be subjected to social pressures to stay at home and save lives.

Then again, maybe not.

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mdavidford replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

David9694 wrote:

this is a really worrying new twist on "I'll be safe in my car".

Our of interest, are motorists being advised to only drive as far from home as they could walk their car if they had a mechanical?

Motorists are being told (albeit not very vociferously and increasingly ignored) not to drive anywhere unless it's an essential journey.

The 'walking distance' guidance doesn't apply to essential journeys - only to cycling for exercise. I'm pretty sure driving is not considered an acceptable form of exercise.

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