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Live blog: Floyd Landis to open cycling-themed cannabis shops (+ great PSA from USADA), Neil Campbell sets new European cycling speed record + more
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Wed, Sep 19, 2018 09:17
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Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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chrisonabike 11 minutes ago
@Rendel Harris agree, although I note a similar usage in the case of "nonsense" is apparently accepted "(a bunch of nonsense") as well as the unqualified "it's nonsense". (FWIW I've heard "a piece of nonsense" also - so servings appear flexible).
wtjs 20 minutes ago
Excellent work by Councillor Kerr!
wtjs 22 minutes ago
@chrisonabike Agreed, I was about to write 'Nutter With Local Axe To Grind' alert in my capacity as Trollfinder General. 'Very expensive cycle lanes that rarely get used' is diagnostic.
Shades 42 minutes ago
Bath cyclist. There's definitely 2 sides to the story here; because the council missed the WalkRideBath objection, then the 'antis' have the moral high ground. The LibDem manifesto did say they'd establish Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and walking/cycling routes; someone had to take on the car problem in Bath. That opposition has been whipped-up online by cycle-haters and anti-LibDems (local 'worthys' who consider themselves the true representatives) who have mobilised the CAVEs (Continually Against Virtually Everything) who probably never go near the park. The duck pond ran out of water (lets not forget the hottest summer ever), so the 'heritage jewel' that is the park is being run-down by the destructive council (weep); obviously car parking is something the Victorians considered when they built it. Often it's just a 'load of guff' that translates to 'I don't like losing my parking or rat-run'. As the park was quiet, it didn't really need a cycle lane (just a 2-way access for bikes in the NW corner) so, considering the heated debate about LTNs/cycle lanes generally, it wasn't a battle the council needed to fight. Interestingly, Weston Lane, that runs across the top of the park, was always full of parked cars 24/7 (free), even though it's nowhere near any property (commuters/residents avoiding charges, people away and leaving there car there etc). It's been made pay and display (max 4 hrs) and when I went past late on a Sunday; zero cars. Guess that could be good for people wanting to use the park; that parking change was probably portrayed as the council's 'war on motorists'. Apparently, we just need to let cars go anywhere, get rid of all bike lanes and new pedestrian crossings, go back to 30mph on all roads and reverse the increased parking charges and traffic will flow freely around town; really? Anyway, there's a new road closure (utility work; 1 mth) near me that's going to cause traffic mayhem; I shall cycle past the queue later laughing my head off!
mdavidford 59 minutes ago
I'd be scared of Emily Kerr - she looks a right cyclepath. [Well, somebody had to...]
Rendel Harris 2 hours ago
@the little onion Yes, I have modified my opinion somewhat in the light of the evidence that came out in sentencing. One would still imagine that it wouldn't have been beyond her just to make an anonymous 999 call to the ambulance service and say there's someone in trouble at such such a location but then I've never been in such a situation and hopefully never will be and there's no accounting for what fear might make us do or not do, I suppose.
chrisonabike 2 hours ago
@flowboy "expensive cycle lanes rarely n used" ... "colossal expense of public money" ... cyclists without lights or bells ... Bingo? Or should they have eg. "stops them getting in the way of drivers at least" in addition? Painted lanes - ignored by "I'm alright Jack" current cyclists, no reassurance to "I might cycle/ might let my kids cycle but won't currently" types, ignored by drivers (until the paint wears off anyway). So cheap, and also a massive waste of money!
Rendel Harris 2 hours ago
@dave atkinson In any case, there is no reason a man shouldn't know best about safety for women any more than there is any reason that a woman shouldn't know best about safety for men, an expert is an expert. Whether or not that applies in this case I have no idea but attempting to insinuate that someone has less right to speak on safety issues due to their gender is a pretty weak argument.
Rendel Harris 2 hours ago
@mdavidford Although it should be noted that pedantry without any qualifier ("A bunch of pedantic points") can only come in greater or lesser quantities, it cannot be served in bunches.
the little onion 2 hours ago
@Rendel Harris fair. But worth noting that in sentencing a lot of detail came out about how he was intimidating her, making her write a false account on her phone shortly after the event. There is a lot of evidence that she was being threatened by him.
18 thoughts on “Live blog: Floyd Landis to open cycling-themed cannabis shops (+ great PSA from USADA), Neil Campbell sets new European cycling speed record + more”
When you go out in high wind
When you go out in high wind with the express intention of capturing kotms, you’re measuring the weather and wind, not your performance.
At least 80% of all KOM’s are
At least 80% of all KOM’s are done if favourable weather of course.
If I target a KOM, obviously
If I target a KOM, obviously I’m going to give myself the best chance of success. For a particularaly difficult segment this may include one or more of the following:
Removing unneccessary gear from my bike and person; checking Google street view for exact start and finish markers; making my attempt when there is less trafic about; waiting for favourable wind conditions!
Who goes out to get a KOM with a headwind?!
I wholeheartedly agree with
I wholeheartedly agree with the family of the cyclist killed and I wish them success. The British justice system is a disgrace!
If you’re targeting a KoM on
If you’re targeting a KoM on anything but the most obscure segment, yes you do have to give yourself the best chance of success. Around here there are some very strong riders so to avoid them hoovering up all the KoMs you have to be ruthless and sneaky.
I wish that family success in their legal action.
Is there any point in
Is there any point in pursuing a civil action if a jury has already acquitted someone? Rightly or wrongly, they have been found not guilty and unless there is any new evidence then surely that is the end of it from a legal perspective?
On a lighter note, all sorts goes on with KOMs… drafting, etc. Lets be honest you are unlikely to take a KOM in a headwind. Fair game I say.
PRSboy wrote:
Yes there is, the standard for criminal prosecution is “beyond reasonable doubt”, i.e. there is no other logical explanation can be derived from the facts except that the defendant committed the crime.
However, civil cases only require “balance of probablities”, which basically means there is >50% chance that the defendent is responsible for the death, even though other logical explanations may be possible. This is obviously substantially lower a burden to prove.
In effect, he could be forced to financially compensate them for any negligance in causing the death, even if the bar for a criminal conviction cannot be met.
FlyingPenguin wrote:
Yes there is, the standard for criminal prosecution is “beyond reasonable doubt”, i.e. there is no other logical explanation can be derived from the facts except that the defendant committed the crime.
However, civil cases only require “balance of probablities”, which basically means there is >50% chance that the defendent is responsible for the death, even though other logical explanations may be possible. This is obviously substantially lower a burden to prove.
In effect, he could be forced to financially compensate them for any negligance in causing the death, even if the bar for a criminal conviction cannot be met.— PRSboy
A good explanation of the difference between criminal and civil cases, to which I would add one further distinction; in a civil case, the decision is made by aa judge, not a jury.
Gail Purcell killed Mick
Gail Purcell killed Mick Mason, killer driver Helen Measures killed Denisa Perinova and Vincent Doyle killed Janina Gehlau. The vehicle of which they were operating killed the cyclist. The courts may not have convicted them of causing death by dangerous/careless driving, but the cyclist was killed by the vehicle they were operating. For me if anything you are doing results in someones death then that must be dangerous, but that’s the law.
To add to the comments above
To add to the comments above – in addition to the standard of proof required it is worth bearing in mind that, for a civil case it will be a judge making a decision – as this is in London and one would assume a high value claim then this will likely to be a High Court Judge or one with similar standing and legal experience – therefore the person tasked with determining if the 50+1% standard has been met will not be a bunch of self righteous motorist incapable of thinking beynd “well it was a dumb cyclist and could have happened to anyone so not negligent/dangerous etc” but instead a highly qualified specialist – now admittedly the “dumb cyclist” view may still be ingrained in that individuals psyche but these are individuals who’s job is to separate a personal opinion from a legal fact – and such finding of fact can be appealed to the Court of Appeal (i.e. even more specialist and experienced).
As can be seen from the OJ case in the use, it is very possible to be guilty “on the balance of probabilities” but not “beyond reasonable doubt” its a 50% vs 95% type of equation.
(No subject)
Anyone else getting some weird adverts appearing on this site lately, or is it just me?..
a1white wrote:
Isn’t that Celine Dion?
best ad ever
best ad ever
But how are horses supposed
But how are horses supposed to dial the 0800 number? Their hooves are too big for the teeny buttons
.
I wonder why you keep posting
I wonder why you keep posting those speed records. It has nothing to do with cycling nor sport.
Maybe if more drivers saw
Maybe if more drivers saw civil action it would make them act more responsibly, especially if the chances of the decision going against you are a lot higher. I hope it sets a precedent, there’s little argument against him driving the vehicle, and being involved in the accident, there were certainly more steps he could have taken to prevent the collision, whether he was guilty of the crime, he was certainly guilty of not doing enough to avoid a collision.
I wonder if Floyd’s Fine
I wonder if Floyd’s Fine Cannabis delivers by hand, internationally, in a sealed jiffy bag?
Looks like someone has had a
Looks like someone has had a bad case of the munchies