Police launch road safety operation… by clamping down on cyclists using footbridge; Reaction to government’s Active Travel Strategy; Dauphiné sprint + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Police launch road safety operation... by clamping down on cyclists using footbridge
It’s a story as old as time, when we are obliged to wonder how well police are effectively utilising their resources.
West Mercia Police have confirmed they are supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) “Two Wheels” campaign which aims to improve road safety for motorcyclists and cyclists. Thankfully I don’t need to run through the whole shebang, when Ryan has done a whole write-up on the hypocrisy of double-standards-ing of the operation.
But there was one nugget of the story that caught our attention, in Hereford. The best way officers could be deployed to promote road safety that they could think of? Patrolling a Victorian footbridge.
“Officers will be carrying out targeted patrols and engagement to:
Encourage safe, responsible riding and driving Educate riders on skills, knowledge, and protective equipment Promote awareness of the Highway Code and road user hierarchy Remind everyone to share the road safely.
“This morning, officers were out on Victoria Bridge, speaking with members of the public about the No Cycling Zone. 
Over 30 people were stopped and spoken to 
Cyclists were reminded to dismount and walk their bikes across the bridge 
Advice was given around the reasons for the restriction and the consequences of not following it
“We’re here to keep everyone safe – whether you’re walking, cycling, riding, or driving.”
It’s clear cyclists aren’t permitted to cycle over the bridge – and shouldn’t. But does an officer being there make a substantive difference compared to the multiple signs? Does their presence significantly reduce the danger risk to all drivers, cyclists and motorcyclists? Thankfully many Facebook commenters think not:
“How about they stop the people in cars and vans from shouting abuse at people trying to get to and from work on a cycle on the roads it’s really upsetting and unnerving.”
“Have they nothing better to do, it’s not the best way of using limited resources”
“Well if this action doesn’t resolve all these deaths then I don’t know what will, obviously a well thought through operation by the geniuses at Hereford Police.”
The mind boggles sometimes…
"The scale requires complete transformation of streets": Reaction to new Active Travel Investment Strategy
It’s been a frantic morning for our Ryan, after details of the government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, which we reported yesterday was “imminent”, have been leaked. But he’s done a sterling job, of summarising everything that you can read in full here:
The short version is that the government is pledging lots of money to focus on changing “everyday” travel needs. Specific targets include constructing 5,000 new cycling and walking routes in England by 2030, and 10,000 safer crossings. The £4.5 billion pledged to do it is a marked increase on the £3.78 billion last pledged in 2022, although when adjusted for inflation, the increase is around £90 million. But that’s enough of the details, you know where you can find them above.
Already, reaction is trickling in, the headline proposal being getting 60 percent of children walking, scooting or cycling to school.
Motonormativity man Ian Walker was among the first to look at the government’s new targets and said, “I shall watch this with interest. There’s no way to get 60% of kids actively travelling to school without disrupting current patterns of car-based mobility. This includes making all urban streets safer, not just those right outside schools.”
Martin Price, former chair of Better Streets for Birmingham, wrote “I suspect the big numbers will rely on existing urban grant funding that has to fund all modes [of travel].”
Active Travel Planner Mark Strong also crunched the numbers and tried to apply the travel habits to children in both rural and urban areas. Having identified 16 percent of children live in rural areas, he wrote “even if *all* rural under-18s are driven to school, reaching the 60% of all children using active travel would only push the target up to 71% for urban children!”
“This goal is very much achievable,” wrote John Munro. “If they don’t achieve it, it will be because the relevant authorities prioritized the existing goal of maintaining maximum convenience for car owners above all else instead.”
On the other hand, Bluesky user Rich wrote “The scale of increase they want requires complete transformation of streets/infra & I’m not sure the signs yet show that level of commitment.”
Meanwhile Peter Walker, who broke the initial embargo, wrote, “it’s interesting that part of the reason for focusing on schools is – and this is unspoken – that it’s harder for the anti-bike zealots to object to routes for kids.”
That may be true, but a government policy shaped around “anti-bike zealotry” might not be quite what the doctor ordered. Particularly when we know what doctors want is people exercising. Still, campaigns to get children cycling have worked in the past…
As always, your thoughts and comments are welcome! We should say as well that we have reached out to Cycling UK for comment.
Dauphiné: Van Aert wins!
Expert work from the Belgian who, with a lead-out from Edoardo Affini, made no mistake to take his first win since that famous victory at Paris-Roubaix!
Hugo Hofstetter was an impressive second for NSN ahead of Bahrain’s Phil Bauhaus.
Never doubt Wout! 🙌
The Belgian delivers a huge sprint to win the bunch sprint, for his first victory since Paris-Roubaix 💪 pic.twitter.com/L9eDP13UZo
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) June 11, 2026
Police chiefs accused of ignoring “massive imbalance” as new campaign brands road safety “a shared duty” as officers crack down on rule-breaking riders
“Car drivers kill around five people every day in Britain and seriously injure dozens of others. Cyclists, by contrast, hardly ever kill anybody else.”
This is the future our children want
It’s one thing focusing on getting children to school, but if adults can be convinced to travel actively, that’s surely more effective?
Bike parking at a small urban festival in Denmark
by
u/kaptajn-idiot in
bikecommuting
This Reddit poster said the festival organisers provided low fencing so cyclists could both lock their bikes to something and move through the space to find their bike in the middle of the parking.
Dauphiné: All to plan
Not too much to report from the Dauphiné, where live coverage got underway a little while ago. Six riders are up the road including former Tour de France stage winner Hugo Houle and Thibault Guernalec, who suffered a horrific injury in the off-season when he was hit by a driver.
The sextet have an advantage hovering around a minute and a half with just under 65km remaining. It’s all still going to plan for the unexpected race leader Alex Baudin…
👋 @Alexbaudin73 💛#TourAuvergneRhoneAlpes@MaillotjauneLCL pic.twitter.com/UZssScTfLg
— Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (@tourauverhalpes) June 11, 2026
21st century Obree
I’m actually quite fond of this comparison…
View this post on Instagram
And, just in case you need the context:
> Jan-Willem Van Schip’s manager blasts “inhumane” treatment over latest disqualification
Planner asks internet
Do you ever look at a piece of cycle infrastructure and wonder if the designer of such a thing has ever ridden a bike? Has a local authority, in a desperate plea for funding, mocked up a dreadful design without thinking what it might be like to use a cycle lane or a shared-use path? Reassuringly, it’s good to know that some planners are better than others…
“Hi all, I won’t be giving away too much information but I am an Active Transportation Planner with a London Borough,” writes one Reddit user.
“Looking for feedback from cyclists as I have a tricky section of a future shared use path that I am struggling to engineer around. Essentially we want to build a shared use path in a more ‘rural’ area, 90% of this path can be built to standards I.e. 3m minimum however there is one small (26m long section) that is 1.6m wide with no option to widen.
“Anyone have any examples of ‘pinch points’ on a shared use/ cycle path that they like/love or hate. Looking for good ideas or bad ideas to avoid, otherwise the options include a ‘cyclists dismount sign’ which I don’t want to do or abandon the path entirely. Thanks!”
Unsurprisingly, the top-ranked comment is short but sweet: “Just want to add that it’s great to be asked!”
So starts a rather nice conversation about the perils of current planning decisions, namely what the original poster describes as “the ‘anti- bike’ ‘it’s a war on cars’ ‘stop being woke’ brigade” who tend to hijack any public consultation. A cyclist themself, the planner is “just [a] fellow cyclist who wants safer and more efficient cycle infrastructure.
“The best designers are those that use this type of infrastructure daily.”
We couldn’t agree more, and today is a day where the internet delivers. Nearly 100 comments have been left for users expressing their concerns over “shared-use” paths, the difficulty in enforcing “cyclists dismount” signs. Among the two most popular positive solutions is one user who highlighted the benefit of additional lane markings, and another who recommended a small chicane to slow cyclists down through the narrow section.
Your own thoughts are, of course, more than welcome. But how good/refreshing is it for a cycle planner to go out of their way to consult fellow cyclists?!
Evenepoel prep ramps up
View on Threads
Imagine cycling to Villa Park or Hampden Park through Cannon Hill Park or Kelvingrove…
Hilly, Pog-friendly course unveiled for LA28
Everyone has a Remco Evenepoel opinion, I even managed to squeeze him into my latest medium-length mild take.
And where I earlier mentioned his commercial assets as a Red Bull athlete – a big part of that stems from the fact he’s actually a YouTuber with a new video out! In his latest production, we see the Belgian at altitude camp in Tenerife, training for the Tour de France having decided not to race a warm-up event between now and July. We get a glimpse into life in cafes, on yoga mats and, as you might expect, on a saddle. We also get some nuggets of data!
In a four-and-a-half hour “controlled threshold” session, we see Evenepoel performing repeated interval efforts between 8 and 15 minutes in length. His threshold on the mountain? 425 watts.
I think I could just about best that on a short sprint, for that to not even register as one of his most “explosive” days is a pretty good reminder of how utterly good at cycling elite cyclists are. And how my chances of turning pro get slimmer with each passing biscotti.
Dauphiné preview: Sprinters respite
The organising committee of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles have announced that both the road race and time trial events will finish in Griffith Park, with the Olympics finishing up at the Griffith Observatory, nestled in the Hollywood hills.
The latest news confirms what has been rumoured for some time, that the race organisers are planning a rather brutal course with plenty of climbing. The Olympic Games are, after all, one of the few big races that Tadej Pogačar has yet to win. In 2021 he was denied by a perfectly timed Richard Carapaz attack on the lower slopes of Mount Fuji, and then forced to sprint for the lesser medals, finishing third.
Then, in 2024 he skipped the Games entirely, blaming both fatigue and the non-selection of his fiancee Urška Žigart, despite her being the reigning Slovenian champion. With Pogačar’s contract only running until 2030 (by which point he’ll be 32) and him having hinted at not exactly stretching his career out that long, it might be now (then) or never for the two-time World Champion.
One bike, two boats, Red Bull doing Red Bull things
Maybe it’s the first sign that we’re not in the Dauphiné era anymore, as much as we deep down want to be, that we’re halfway through the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and have yet to have a single sprint stage.
Finally though, we should have a day for the fast men, although you have to wonder how many fast men there actually are in the race, given most teams are smart enough to look at a stage profiles before rocking up on the startlist. Wout van Aert is here though, and after a couple of ropey days earlier in the week, including being the first Visma rider dropped on the Team Time Trial, he was the fastest sprinter in the peloton behind the breakaway yesterday. A good Tour de France needs a Van Aert in-form, so fingers crossed he can be in contention today.
Other fast men include Dorian Godon, who has won consistently since switching to Netcompany-Ineos, and surely two of the great nearly men of this sprint generation in Bryan Coquard and Phil Bauhaus. We’ll bring you the race updates a little bit later…
Standard 'exclusive' claims Transport for London "covering up" cycling crashes - weeks after government released figures
I quite like the normal Red Bull ads to be honest. The 2-D, seemingly hand-drawn stories illustrating how the disgusting drink can give you wings. Reminds me of Rhubarb & Custard.
Na na na NAHH! Na na na NAHH! NAH ner ner ner NAHH!
But this is Red Bull, and eyeballs need captivating, just ask Tom Pidcock, Wout van Aert or any members of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe (although Remco Evenepoel is probably a better bet than… Ben Zwiehoff – that’s an example, sorry Ben)
So of course we have a video of a bike flip across two moving boats. Because why not…
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Latest Comments
@Rendel Harris you've painted a rather alluring picture of social harmony there, but unfortunately you've got my name wrong. I'm Jack, not Nigel. However, to return the compliment, I must think of a story for you. I imagine you sat outside a pub, real ale and pipe propped on the adjacent table, in a similar fashion to Nigel Farage at his populist best. You turn to your wife. "You know what dear? I think I've been a bit harsh in my time. I've shunned the politeness and wisdom of others for too long and want to change my ways.* "There there Rendel", says Mrs Harris. "You're not a bad old stick, it's just living in London that's emptied your soul of kindness and compassion. I've found a lovely new place where we can settle down in our later years. It's on a leafy cul de sac, surrounded by friendly neighbours and smiling faces. There's a guy a couple of doors down, a remarkable man. As well as his towering intellect and rapier wit, he's also a keen cyclist, holding severa local KOMs. Don't be perturbed dear - he'll ride with anyone provided they show other road users the kindness and courtesy they deserve." Rendel turned emotionally, voice shaking. "Oh my dear, thank you for this second chance", and with that the rest of the pub goers turned and applauded the couple, throwing garlands of petals in their wake. The end.
As a Councillor, Edward needs to be paying some attention to all that parking obstructing visibility and manoeuvres at the junction, and sorting out those radii.
Ed Hill was chucked out by Reform in 2025, though TBF to him it was about how to run it rather than ideology I think. He is now reportedly closer to Advance UK, which is distinctly more extreme than Reform. I'd call this Alan Amos style attention seeking.
Emily, thank you for such an insightful piece. I’m a man, but I enjoy watching the women’s races, possibly more than the men’s. The racing is so much closer, we rarely know who’s going to win. You painted a wonderful picture of how a true champion is able to ‘rise above’ setbacks and distractions, and focus their energy on the task in hand. ‘All’s fair in live and war -and sport, but always good to hear riders expressing their admiration for their competitors
@Nigel Garage ...and then everyone applauded my courtesy and I waved courteously to all the people who were courteously throwing flowers and cheering and courteously waving flags that said "Nigel is the best!"
The picture from street view clearly shows give way lines from the roads to the green painted cycle/pedestrian lane. The road user should give way (or must...) to the user of the green lane. This would of course apply to any cyclist on the roadway.
If I recall there is a cave or two along the route - perhaps they were sheltering from the heat in one of those having taken it for a Golf bunker?
“So if there’s a cyclist travelling down the cycle path at the moment, from this position I can’t see them because my blind spots are too big on the left hand side of the vehicle”, claims Hill. Well, there's your problem, right there...🙄
First impression from the headline that he's likely a twit. Then the detail he was expelled from Reform makes you suspect that failing even their low bar requirements he really is. Then he clearly explains his vehicle is unsafe for the highway because he can't see to give way when turning. Any collision he now has should have that video run out explaining he drove a vehicle he knew to be unsafe. Advice for motorists; instead of thinking that pedestrians and cyclists are low risk 100kg objects, imagine them as a 300 Tonne trains that will crush you and your vehicle if you cross into their paths. You'd give way to the train, so you equally can to the others.
I've had a brief look on Facebook, and Ed Hill (who now appears to be affiliated with Advance UK) seems to have taken some useful road safety improvements under his remit, including an initiative to help local pedestrians on unpaved roads, where the wider council won't help due to planning failures. Regarding the cycle path, I think this is linked to a wider misunderstanding about giving way at junctions and I'm afraid I cannot agree with Mr Hill's conclusion. Regardless of the suitability of the cycle path, vehicles should give way at the junction to both pedestrians crossing and cyclists. It seems to be a poorly understood rule among motorists where some believe they have priority at junctions like this, where they certainly do not. I once had a similar issue myself, while leisurely walking to Waitrose to buy some lunchtime fripperies. A driver beeped their horn as I crossed the junction, despite me having priority, and was shocked and apologetic when I explained I had priority. A polite conversation later, the driver departed, educated and updated on the rules of the road.
21 thoughts on “Police launch road safety operation… by clamping down on cyclists using footbridge; Reaction to government’s Active Travel Strategy; Dauphiné sprint + more on the live blog”
Wow – some warm words and enthusiastic goals from the government about active travel
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/11/ministers-pupils-england-active-travel-school-cycing-walking-heidi-alexander
Now, let’s see some ACTION!
Yes let’s see action.
The draft CWIS3 was unambitious, and I don’t expect the final version to be much better.
The funding for active travel is disappointing, and there is little or no political will for meaningful change.
I’m in favour of making cycling to school safe by building proper cycle facilities in towns and cities for everyone – not by putting in a few metres of cycle track to a school entrance then giving up.
Well, accommodating the motor vehicle required “transformation of streets”, so we’ve proved that it’s possible…🙄
@belugabob true, but doing that and persuading most parents to drive their children to school entailed a hefty sacrifice of children – and not a few parents.
(Luckily that was “back then” and we probably wouldn’t tolerate it now… OTOH while “fixing things” should have much smaller casualty numbers, “during the transition” it could well increase…)
@chrisonabike – I agree, but my point was more about the reluctance/pushback involved, rather than the effectiveness/safety of any schemes that are/might be rolled out
Indeed – but alas I think this is an effective argument for very few folks indeed. As for push-back, what else could we expect *?
I think there are ways of selling this but we’re far more likely to see headlines about the problems, while the successes are relegated to footnotes, because at that point it just works and there’s nothing to see…
* Given that this time there aren’t politicians being persuaded to overlook thousands of deaths and the demolition of property by the billions from the motoring trades (and the excitement of being able to drive out with the bright things for a party at a roadhouse). Nor are we as tolerant of “accidents”. (And noting that publicity about the cases of a handful of people killed by cyclists continues to reach the media; deaths related to motor vehicles not so much).
@belugabob Arguably it’s easier this way – we don’t actually need to do anything to the streets except stop drivers driving down every scrap of tarmac. Where I live, a few well-placed bollards would make walking/cycling/scooting the quicker option and safer, while maintaining 100% vehicular access – just not allowing through routes in every direction.
yes, but people will still object – which was my point.
That rather ignores that the children of today are the adults of tomorrow.
Yes, but they’re copying the adults of today…
Obree had some actual talent in his legs though, in addition to his bike/aero engineering talent.
@Paul J Van Schip certainly seems a bit of a dick, but he’s a European and multiple World Champion on the track, pretty sure you don’t get there without having some talent in your legs.
@Rendel Harris Hmm…. I stand corrected.
I still think Obree had a /lot/ more talent. And Jan-Willem today clearly has dropped in levels, relative to those he’s racing against.
RE: Police launch road safety operation… by clamping down on cyclists using footbridge
Meanwhile in Glasgow, Police Scotland are riding their motorbikes over the pedestrian and cyclists only bridge.
https://x.com/FietserGlasgow/status/2065106152917012523?s=20
Harm minimization – at least they’re not driving…
@chrisonabike ‘Minimisation’ please!
‘Leasting’? That’s a whole 4 letters less.
@kinderje Are you aware that -ise endings are actually the newer form, having supplanted -ize (as used by Shakespeare, the King James Bible and Jane Austen, amongst many others) in the mid 19th century? Etymologically there is a far better argument for -ize endings for words with Greek and Latin roots than the -ise ending which arose from Victorian publishers imitating French verb endings. Both endings are now regarded as acceptable in British English, although the Oxford style guide recommends -ize. It is most certainly not incorrect.
@Rendel Harris Thanks for that – every day’s a school day.
I had actually put ‘Pedant mode off’ under my comment but it didn’t post and then as we all know, and are frustrated with, we can’t edit posts any more.
I will not correct anyone again – however, -ize still looks too American English for me. Cheers
This is like something from a kids’ activity book. “The editor has a bit of a hangover this morning. Can you help him match the headline to the correct story?”
Happens on a regular basis – seems to be one of the many exciting new ‘features’ of the new platform.