“What is wrong with cycle lanes in England? Or don’t you care about their safety?”: Council leader fights back criticism of new cycle lanes; Matthew Brennan meets Spanish ‘tennis player’ down under+ more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Driverless taxi spotted in London
First sighting of a Waymo in the wild in London. Immediately noticed how many drivers are impatient and aggressive when sitting behind a vehicle that is programmed to abide by the speed limit. pic.twitter.com/eOImGMcA2l
— Bob From Accounts ? (@BobFromAccounts) February 2, 2026
They’re coming! This may only be a trial run, but believe me they’re coming. It’s a good thing we recently ran a story on driverless taxis in London…
E-cyclist ends up in race, causes minor breakaway annoyance
Let’s set the scene. It’s the opening race of the season, the famous Grand Prix La Marseillaise. There are barely 5km left and miraculously your breakaway escape is hanging on (just) ahead of the incoming sprint trains. Every millimetre, every racing line counts.
Cue the clip…
???♂️? El incidente del GP La Marsellesa de este domingo volvió a poner de manifiesto la inseguridad que viven algunas pruebas ciclistas modestas – https://t.co/uChWRbhtG3 pic.twitter.com/jstfyKMHz8
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) February 2, 2026
Thankfully, the e-bike rider eventually moved to the side of the road and out of the way, but it’s still an ominous sight. The break didn’t last in the end, and the sprint was won by wily French sprinter Bryan Coquard.
At least it’s far less dramatic than what happened at the Etoile de Besseges almost a year ago to the day. Or the Tour of Holland for that matter in October…
Matthew Brennan meets Spanish 'tennis player' in airport
One prodigious talent, fresh from another big win down under, bumps into a fan at the airport. It’s just nice to see Matty Brennan finding time for his fans…
The keen fan, a Carlos A. from Spain, was reportedly so starstruck by Brennan he managed to completely walk past the famous Filippo Fiorelli standing just next to him scoffing Tim Tams.
Ah well, Carlos is apparently a fan of all things Australia and plans to return to the country as soon as next year! Hopefully he’ll be able to make amends…
Google Maps rolls out AI for walkers and cyclists
Google’s Gemini AI has been steadily increasing its encroachment on our daily habits over the last 18 months and now it’s entering the cycling realm.
The Express Tribune of Pakistan report that Gemini AI is rolling out navigation tools that can be used to “make navigation more interactive and hands-free”
“Users can ask about the neighborhood they are exploring, nearby attractions, top-rated restaurants, or places with specific amenities, and the assistant will respond with relevant information drawn from Maps data.
“Cyclists, for their part, can query things like estimated time of arrival (ETA), upcoming calendar events, or even dictate messages to contacts without having to touch their device or take their hands off the handlebars.”
In a world of Siri, Alexa and presumably some other voice-based system (anyone remember Cortana?) it’s not clear what bits of this AI tech are actually new. Still, Google say “the goal is to make navigation safer and more convenient” and that it “is part of Google’s broader effort to embed Gemini across its products,” whether you like it or not.
Edinburgh hire bike scheme expands... again
One of the things I enjoy about regular live blog shifts is seeing certain stories get better over time. Take Edinburgh’s bike hire scheme for example.
I was a student when the city’s scheme folded due to a lack of demand. Now, not only is the scheme back, but growing! In October we covered the Voi e-bike’s expansion to the north and east of the city, covering Leith, Newhaven and Holyrood Park. Today, confirmation that it’s growing again!
The Voi shared e-bike scheme is expanding northwest; Stockbridge, down to Crewe Toll, and along the Hawthornvale Path towards Newhaven, along with an increase to 700 bikes and new parking locations. Voi have had over 500 suggested parking locations from the public across the city since launching.
— ? edi.bike | weekly news digest (@edi.bike) 3 February 2026 at 10:14
Expanding west to include Stockbridge, the hire scheme now sees around 1,000 journeys made a day on average, though reportedly 17,000 journeys were made last week.
Edinburgh Council’s Transport Convenor Stephen Jenkinson is understandably “delighted” by the expansion.
“We’re now reaching our original citywide target number for e-bikes, with the scheme covering large swathes of the Capital. It’s great to see people enjoying this convenient, economical, and environmentally friendly way to get around.” Indeed it is…
Bauke bids farewell
I bloody love Bauke Mollema. A crash away from second place in the Tour de France behind Chris Froome, three Grand Tour stage wins, a retroactive third place on GC at the Vuelta, it really feels as though he is one of the last hitters from the Wiggins/Froome era. A GC man who became a one-day racer and breakaway artist in recent years. But it’s all coming to an end.
The 39-year old had confirmed a while ago this would be his final season but has now put out this rather nice video. For record’s sake, I’m hoping he can make a Giro appearance in pursuit of a stage win, and then line up at Il Lombardia in the Autumn. Mollema, who won the race in 2019, currently shares the records for both most starts and finishes in the ‘Race of the Falling Leaves’, an appearance in October would give him both honours outright. Fingers crossed…
"Prioritising vehicle speed": Frustration over plans to remove cycle lane months after council claimed it was committed to "safer and easier" active travel
One councillor suggested the proposal to remove the cycle lanes would create the “worst of all worlds”…
Medals roll in for GB at European Track Championships
The medals have kept coming for GB at the European Track Championships in Turkey, with two World Records falling.
After Emma Finucane knocked a quarter of a second off the 200m flying time trial, then came the women’s team pursuit.
The team of Katie Archibald, Millie Couzens, Josie Knight, Anna Morris and Kate Richardson actually broke the 4km record in the first round against Italy before going another eight tenths faster in the final to set a time of 4:02.808, beating Germany by more than 2.5 seconds.
The women’s success came after Joe Truman took GB’s first gold of the championships in the 1km time trial, completing his effort in a whopping 57.996 seconds. It’s the first major championship title for the 28-year old after previously winning eight silvers and bronzes at World, European and Commonwealth Games.
Elsewhere Matthew Bostock, Henry Hobbs, Will Tidball, Ben Wiggins and Ollie Wood won bronze in the men’s team pursuit, with Tidball replacing Wiggins for the bronze medal match-up against Switzerland.
That enabled Wiggins to focus on the points race where he finished an agonising fourth, behind WorldTour pros Tim Torn Teutenberg (who took gold) and Jasper De Buyst, but ahead of former World Champion and reigning Olympic Omnium champion Benjamin Thomas.
Day three of the championships will resume shortly, with Emma Finucane aiming for gold in the discipline in which she is now the world record holder. There’s also action in the women’s omnium and the men’s scratch race.
Victorian bridge reopens to cyclists and pedestrians
Good news for those of you living near the Essex-Sussex border, the steel Boxted Bridge has reopened!
The bridge was closed a little over two years ago due to concerns the structure’s beams were “dangerously corroded”. But the BBC report that the bridge is now usable for pedestrians and cyclists whilst Essex County Council mull over what to do in the long-term. A public consultation has also been opened for residents to contribute their opinions. It’ll be open until the 12th February (next Friday).
"What is wrong with cycle lanes in England? Or don't you care about their safety?": Council leader fights back criticism of new cycle lanes over junction
I’ll be honest, any robust Facebook defence of cycle lanes will have a challenge compared to James from Wokingham Borough Council, a man who is surely on the hall of fame of road.cc internet good eggs by this point. But that’s no reason to knock the effort of Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton.
Announcing the public meeting with a contractor ahead of upgrades to the city’s London Road/Black Dog Way Junction, the Liberal Democrat steeled himself for the inevitable comments from the motonormative hivemind that is Facebook.
When accused of “council money wasting”, Hilton replied quickly “government grant aided project. Cyclist route all the way from Bishops Cleeve to Gloucester. What’s wrong with their safety?”
Accusations that “The council should just move to Amsterdam if they want to see bike lanes everywhere.” are refreshingly batted back with a similarly toned retort – “what is wrong with cycle lanes in England. Have you been to London recently. Or don’t you care about their safety?”
A trapping question (“Have the council had a survey to see the number of cyclists use this junction like they do with cars.”) is deftly managed with a neat paragraph explaining how it’s “being built to encourage cycling and make that activity much safer than today. There is no point in building it with missing sections at hazardous locations.”
“Focking stupid idea” is parried away with “says a motorist.”
It’s a surprisingly amusing read, with Cllr Hilton’s mood discernible in each and every response. The subtext is rich, the emotion tangible. Of all the Facebook slop to peruse this morning, it really wasn’t so bad.
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Latest Comments
When was the last time you had a groundsheet with a built in mattress? The point is predictable comfort.
Is it because cars and driving are about convenience (for a price), so there is mileage in selling more (quite expensive) related things that are about convenience?
@FionaJJ that's the crux of the issue i guess. Minority causes can have this where the mainstream has the power to steamroll you (figuratively and literally). There's always "fear of angering the giant" (or alienating the decision makers / majority, where any politician has the temptation to gain attention by criticising this. And business salespeople stand to gain by selling "convenience and status" instead). But ... it's also easy to keep getting "small wins" while losing the main argument. (That would be where rules and public space remain suited to or are further modified to reinforce motor dependency and thus reduce active travel - even if perhaps it's now autonomous vehicles and "they're more efficient / much safer than human drivers").
@Secret_squirrel If you put it on the ground, you don't need a "giant solid base". I still don't get the point of it.
@chrisonabike I'd personally prefer it if she were bolder, but on the spectrum of terrible to brilliant options for Transport Secretary, having someone who believes in cycling, but is a bit timid about it, is a net positive. Yes, those of us who can see opportunities missed or delayed will be frustrated, but it could easily have been much worse. That doesn't mean there's not a role for encouragement and constructive criticism. Agreed Chris Boardman has a good approach. He is ambitious, but communicates it in a way that is meaningful to the majority, and makes it hard for all but the most brazen anti-cycling activists to disagree with his ambitions.
There isn’t a ground based version. Because the whole point is the giant solid base that doesn’t fit in a car. The next nearest thing is a trailer tent which is dearer and requires a towbar.
I presume the main sticking point is the cost, and assuming budgets remain tight, perhaps the level of subsidies needs to be reviewed. At £42 subsidy per person per year, and assuming six per hanger, that's over £200k for the existing provision. I'd argue that's excellent value for money when you factor in the benefits to society of a healthier population that comes with more cycling, but being mindful it's not all about me, and that councils are struggling to fund their basic and pressing statutory requirements, it may be they need to reduce the per person subsidy, or restrict the subsidy to particular groups, freeing up budget for more units. But I'd also argue that maintenance costs to Bikehanger reduce as more units are installed in one area, so there may be an opportunity to negotiate a better deal for subsequent units.
@bensynnock given the facts of this case, does your argument work if she had stepped out in front of a car on this road? Would you have expected a motorist to beep whenever they saw some people standing beside a road? Or should cyclists always ring their bells to compensate for their lack of "motor car audio/visual signature"? And would pedestrians know what to do? What about deaf pedestrians? I think we generally have to assume people shouldn't step out into a road in front of a vehicle. That can be qualified though - but I think that is done by "better infra". We already sometimes take measures to block pedestrians crossing "busy roads", provide signalised or even "grade-separated" crossings. And keep them completely away from motorways etc. And I guess there may be expectations that when people see "park" they drop their guard a bit? I do think some kind of "what about cyclists using spaces for racing / training?" argument could be made though.
@FionaJJ "I’d say that being visible is still very useful in a lot of locations where effort has gone into safe systems (like railway tracks). " Indeed ... but while we *do* operate a "safe systems" approach in the railways (and indeed in shipping and air transport) we don't do this in the same way on the roads. So unfortunately what should be the final backstop - given we've also addressed hazards at higher levels - ends up getting promoted as a first line safety measure. And of course safety is mostly out of cyclists' hands * so it's something people *can* do themselves. * After deciding whether to cycle at all, route choice (can I avoid roads altogether / what are the quieter routes), basic road skills. Individuals can't change road layouts and rules, so we simply have to hope that drivers do their part...
44 thoughts on ““What is wrong with cycle lanes in England? Or don’t you care about their safety?”: Council leader fights back criticism of new cycle lanes; Matthew Brennan meets Spanish ‘tennis player’ down under+ more on the live blog”
Driverless taxis as rolling
Driverless taxis as rolling speed limit enforcers? Now that IS funny.
For now … but if they
For now … but if they become the dominant motorised mode (or just because of the vast money behind these and the US and possibly Chinese governments) you may see strong lobbying for that speed to go up, or them to get access where previous motor vehicles weren’t supposed to * because of how safe they are of course.
* OTOH motor vehicles are somehow found where they’re not legally permitted every day in probably every village, town and city in the country…
Latest ‘ebike’ (but not an
Latest ‘ebike’ (but not an ebike) story:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl8we54pp4o
“A 13-year-old boy from Poole has been arrested on suspicion of a driving offence“
Just came here to post that
Just came here to post that myself, yes the driving offence is a giveaway and also the “pillion passenger” reference certainly implies illegal electric motorcycle.
I was puzzled so checked the
I was puzzled so checked the Dorset Police press release, which the BBC has simply copied.
But of course they could have checked…
Oh wait, it’s the BBC.
Comments are all about
Comments are all about cyclists !
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/comments/25819798/
Actually they largely seem
Actually they largely seem more obsessed with scooters. ?♂️
Almost as if they just post the same old comments, regardless of what the story is…
E-cyclist ends up in race
E-cyclist ends up in race
That’s definitely (maybe) Laim Gallagher
I hadn’t considered that
I hadn’t considered that aspect of driverless taxis, I was feeling quite negative about them but that adds a big tick on the plus side, it will be excellent to see a stately procession of cars all going at the speed limit with a taxi in front, they will also presumably slow down in good time when approaching an amber light as well. Unfortunately it does add another concern, how many times as a cyclist am I going to be faced with oncoming drivers using my lane to try to overtake them? Perhaps the police could team up with the taxi companies and use their videos and speed data to prosecute?
This is my fear. Drivers will
This is my fear. Drivers will have absolutely zero respect for driverless cars and just overtake more rashly and dangerously as a result.
Here’s a wild idea:
Here’s a wild idea: driverless cars (eventually) lead to shorter journey times- less late braking (rubber band effect), no blocking junctions, stopping in unsafe places, less minor bumps that stop traffic. Reduced idiot factor. Improved flow is the key.
Discuss!!
In theory both flow
In theory both flow management and road safety should improve in parallel with the removal of the FHF, aka effing-human-factor. As a lifelong cyclist who was hit and injured by a taxi driver, I truly hope the theory will work and deliver practical improvements.
I think you’ve misunderstood
I think you’ve misunderstood the amber light rule – it’s there to tell drivers to accelerate (in my experience).
Avatar
I think you’ve misunderstood the amber light rule – it’s there to tell drivers to accelerate (in my experience)
No, no, no! That’s the function of the red light – at least in Lancashire, where the police are highly sympathetic to RLJs at speed, and simply ignore the reports
Lancashire Police. What a shower.
I was outside my house last week, three young yobs in black, with the usual balaclavas on, riding down the centre of the main road, 40 mph at least in a 30mph zone. Police car approaching from the opposite direction. One yob pulls a wheelie on his illegal bike down the centre line in front of the oncoming police car. I waved my arms at the officer and pointed to the yobs. He just stared at me and carried on driving down the road. Absolute clown.
Well, Lancs police have a reputation to maintain for not seeing (motor)cyclists. Or apparently most things…
Round the parts it seems to be a different meaning for drivers.
Green: Go like hell.
Amber: Go even faster.
Red: Proceed with caution.
Isn’t the average speed of
Isn’t the average speed of traffic in London around 12 mph? So how are the driverless taxis able to go as fast as the speed limit?
Funny things, averages…
Funny things, averages…
Don’t be mean
Don’t be mean
Daveyraveygravey wrote:
That would certainly make a novel defence to speeding charges, the average speed in London is 12 mph so I could not have been doing 40…
Now that the technology
Now that the technology exists courts should be able to insist drivers who pick up a few speeding offences should be limited to driving a speed limit limited car. After getting their license back after the ban.
Should be immediately enforced for all the many drivers who are over the points limit for a ban but whose smarmy lawyers pled hardship in face of a ban.
Don’t remember the season
Don’t remember the season when Trek replaced their bikes with sheep. Was that the year Mollema failed to complete Il Lombardia?
I’m a little surprised it was EweCI approved.
Driver claimed “I was nowhere
Driver claimed “I was nowhere near you”.
Essex police going with course or offer (supposedly).
“The quartet of Katie
“The quartet of Katie Archibald, Millie Couzens, Josie Knight, Anna Morris and Kate Richardson actually broke the 4km record in the first round against Italy before going another eight tenths faster in the final to set a time of 4:02.808, beating Germany by more than 2.5 seconds.”
I thought a quartet was four not five?
Squads have a spare rider so
Squads have a spare rider so the best four can be selected for each round.
A sub four minute ride is tantalisingly close now for women’s team pursuiting.
True, but if you’re referring
True, but if you’re referring to the whole team (as opposed to the four who rode a particular round), they’re a quintet, not a quartet.
Quartet sounds a lot better
Quartet sounds a lot better than foursome, doesn’t it?
[i]Essex-Sussex border[/i] ?
Comments borked since site move to WordPress. No image upload, broken unicode/emoji support, broken rich text/quoting/markup functionality, images from historic posts gone…
Oh and I’m seeing link to the WP Dashboard in the top left and can access it (in a limited way), probably shouldn’t be able to.
Also no edit feature for posts, and like count from historic posts gone too… appreciate that there’s probably more to worry about at the road.cc mothership after a WP migration, good luck, you’ll need it.
Sort functionality doesn’t work properly either – it threads them whatever you select.
And the carousel shows all the comments – not just the latest from each thread (so most of them are currently the latest few in this thread).
No page numbers for me
‘Home’ or road cc gives me a keyboard pop up instead
This is awful.
On a positive note, you can actually like your own posts though, every one counts.
Huge apologies, we’re working through all the issues and hoping for normal service to be resumed very soon. Bear with us!
That’s no fun, I enjoy it when new trolls appear and leave 50+ posts on the same issue and don’t get a single like, if they can break their duck by giving themselves a like that spoils the feeling of solidarity!
The last 2 posts from jack and rendel have no reply option for me. Other posts do.
Anchor links are jumping to random places on the page – like click on a comment link in the carousel and it will dump you halfway down the article.
And when you post a comment it will jump to somewhere in the middle of the previous comments.
Comments carousel is still prone to showing you versions of itself from hours ago, though, so nice that some things haven’t changed. 😄
RE: comments carousel – I’d give this a like … but it doesn’t like it.
(The “quote” feature seems to have gone also; indeed it’s generally still pretty glitchy and clunky for me on Android / Samsung browser. Was this done by a UK cycle infra designer on a month or year off [due to “consultation process”] ?)
What’s wrong with cycle lanes?
This is relative to my local area of Lancashire.
Badly designed. Famously, the cycle lane designer at LCC was a non cyclist.
Badly installed. Merely painting a white line down the centre of a pavement is not good enough.
Badly maintained. never swept, absolutely full of glass and debris, when reported to LCC via the Love Clean Streets app, they tell porkies and put on the app that the glass has been cleaned up, when they haven’t even been down to clean it up.
I will always without fail use a cycle lane if it is well designed, well made and well maintained and crucially, takes me in the direction I want to go. Apart from the failings above, many cycle lanes around Lancashire take cyclists in the opposite direction, then simply stop. Put the infrastructure in, done to a high standard. And the cyclists will use it. Even though we do not pay road tax so do not pay anything towards the roads. 😂
All true, but completely misinterprets the original question.