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Rochelle Gilmore’s countertop pose recreated; Council say park cycling ban is because cyclists using it “as a race track”; Irish Deputy panned for demanding helmet law; Driver overtakes on wrong side of refuge island twice + more on the live blog
SUMMARY

Niki Terpstra in intensive care after training crash, with injuries not thought to be life-threatening


The 36-year-old Total Direct Energie rider fell during a training ride in the Netherlands yesterday, and his wife Ramona confirmed that he has been taken to hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries. The Dutch news website NOS reported that he is in intensive care and suffered a collapsed lung, a concussion and broken ribs. They also claim that he crashed swerving to avoid geese, and landed in a ditch after he fell.
She wrote on Instagram: “Unfortunately, the rumours are true. Niki fell hard during a bike training today. He’s in the hospital and will have to stay here for a few more days. He is not in mortal danger but will need time to recover from this. To be continued.”
Audi driver filmed overtaking on the wrong side of pedestrian island twice and shouts abuse at cyclist
Being tailgated and beeped on the #Quietway on #BarnsburyRoad, #Islington is really scary! This impatient moron then twice passed on the wrong side of the mandatory bollards to swear at me! LS68 LYD. @MPSIslington @CycleIslington @SuptAndyCox #Headcam @theJeremyVine @IslingtonBC pic.twitter.com/sIitLtG6TM
— Highbury Cyclist (@HighburyCyclist) June 16, 2020
The horrendous piece of driving was posted to Twitter last night, and reportedly took place on Barnsbury Road in Islington. Highbury Cyclist wrote: “This impatient moron then twice passed on the wrong side of the mandatory bollards to swear at me!”, followed by their number plate. Many replies have recommended the cyclist report the incident to the police, including Superintendent Andy Cox who said he will “ensure our teams promptly review and take action.”
At the end of the clip, the driver also failed to give way at a pedestrian crossing as they sped away. In fact, the list of offences is potentially quite large for when the police catch up with this particularly impatient individual…
• Using horn as rebuke – contrary to Highway Code.
• Failing to observe Keep Left – twice.
• Causing another road user to brake (brake test).
• Stopping in the middle of the road. Obstruction.
• Failing to give way at pedestrian crossing.That should add up.
— Michael – Aeolus, Middle Abbey Street (@baoigheallain) June 16, 2020
Another everesting record: 20-year-old Tom Stephenson breaks British record with a time of 9:02:25
It seems like everesting is becoming to cycling what the ironman is to triathlon and what the marathon is to running (although everesting on foot is rather popular too) as we’ve just been informed that yet another record fell over the weekend. Hells 500 have now officially recognised 20-year-old Tom Stephenson’s time of 9 hours, 2 minutes and 25 seconds to complete the 8,848m of elevation. This is a little over 6 minutes quicker than Hannah Rhodes’ time of 9:08:31 set less than two weeks ago, which made her not only the fastest female everester, but also the fastest Brit overall; the latter accolade now belongs to Stephenson, who completed his effort on Kirkstone Pass in Cumbria. The overall record was also broken again by EF First pro Lachlan Morton just days ago, who completed his everesting in 7:32:54 in Colorado.
Stephenson, who rides for Lakes Road Club, dedicated the record to his late grandfather, and has raised over £1,300 for St Mary’s Hospice; Tom’s brother Sam also completed an everesting on the same day. The fundraising page is here and you can see the gory details on Tom’s Strava here.
Social media backlash as Irish Deputy Alan Dillon calls for mandatory helmet law
I hope you do look at ‘evidence from other developed countries’ @Alan_Dillon in fact start with those that are most developed in this area and follow their policy.
Hint: You’ll find yourself back where you started. https://t.co/el4lq3zu7u
— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) June 17, 2020
Time to bust out that pic from our archives again as the Fine Gael politician, who is a former professional Gaelic footballer, is continuing to receive criticism over his calls for mandatory helmet laws in the Republic of Ireland.
Dillon wrote on Twitter that “the amount of juveniles cycling without helmets nowadays” was “really concerning”, and said in the Oireachtas last week that there was a “need” for mandatory cycling helmets in Ireland. He continued in his speech:
“Due to the recent Covid restrictions, more people have taken to cycling. I have been contacted by local bicycle shop owners highlighting the need to promote the wearing of cycle helmets and making it a mandatory legal requirement to do so. We have spoken much in recent months of effective public health policy. We also need to expand the conversation to include cycle helmets to reduce acquired head injuries.
“While not for discussion today, a similar argument can be made for introducing a mandatory need for helmets when using electric scooters. Will the Minister give serious consideration to this topic and raise it with his Department, as I will be raising this important topic again as soon as the new Government is formed?”
Brendan Griffin, Ireland’s Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, responded:
“With regard to the compulsory wearing of helmets, any such decision would have to include widespread consultation with cycling clubs and people who regularly cycle throughout the country. That conversation would need to include the views of cyclists.”
A number of the replies to Mr Dillon also note that there could possibly be some ulterior motive in bike shops recommending the mandatory purchase of cycle helmets..
Now, why do you think that you have been lobbied by bicycle shops to introduce compulsory helmet wearing, Alan?
— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) June 17, 2020
Cycling sponsorship shenanigans: Bigla-Katusha announce fashion brand Paule Ka as new headline sponsor, while Rally rumoured to be stepping in at CCC
🚨 TEAM NEWS: Paule Ka to become the main sponsor of the team until December 2024.
We are extremely pleased to announce that the emblematic independent French fashion house will officially commence with us on 1 July 2020.
Read more: https://t.co/wa2vIUhXex pic.twitter.com/4wY7PHUoWy
— Bigla – KATUSHA (@BiglaKatusha) June 17, 2020
As many cycling teams have been plagued with financial problems and sponsors pulling out due to the pandemic, one that can breathe easier is Bigla-Katusha, as luxury French fashion house Paule KA have stepped in as their headline sponsor until 2024. The team’s CEO Priska Doppmann Campana said: “We are very excited to welcome Paule Ka as the new main partner of our team. This will be the first time that a fashion house will enter into women’s cycling, and as such, this is a ground-breaking event.”
“We are seeking a WorldTour license, and will be developing a masterclass project, in which we will be able to keep furthering the potential of the athletes that have gone through our development program.”
And as one fashion brand enters the sport, another is departing as it’s been rumoured that American insurance firm Rally could be stepping in to save CCC Team, which is currently named after the Polish shoe and bag retailer CCC. Belgian news site HLN reports that team manager Jim Ochowicz is looking for sponsors that can cover a 20 million euro budget annually, and has a few months remaining to strike the deals in time for the 2021c season.
World Bollard Association-approved modal filter goes live in Hackney
Triangle Road modal filter bollards are live… pic.twitter.com/joeGT9kF7e
— Cllr Jon Burke (@jonburkeUK) June 17, 2020
— World Bollard Association™ (@WorldBollard) June 17, 2020
This style of filter is designed to close the road to motor vehicles and allow cycles through to create low-traffic neighbourhoods, and it’s caught the attention of our new favourite Twitter account, the World Bollard Association.
An entire road of bollards. Is there anything more beautiful?#WorldBollardAssociation pic.twitter.com/r0cckd9W3J
— World Bollard Association™ (@WorldBollard) June 16, 2020
Appreciating everything bollard-related from classic concrete numbers to neat bollard-laden boulevards, the WBA claims to be giving away a bollard worth £174.23 in a competition, and its ‘Life President’ is none other than Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.
Paralympic champion Sophie Thornhill retires aged just 24 to focus on studies
The vision impaired track cyclist – who won gold in the tandem B kilo at the 2016 Olympic Games and 13 world titles – has announced her retirement to focus on a history degree she will start at Manchester Metropolitan University in September.
She said in a statement: “Cycling has been a huge part of my life for the last twelve years and has provided me with some of the biggest highlights in my life, including becoming Paralympic Champion in 2016 and setting world records at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
“I have met and worked with amazing people along the journey, the most important of which is Scottie (pilot, Helen Scott). I cannot thank her enough for the amazing memories we have made together.
“I have also worked with the most amazing support team, many of whom have gone above and beyond for me and they have been unbelievable in their support. I’d like to thank everyone in the Great Britain Cycling Team for everything they have done for me and my career, and I’d like to wish them the absolute best of luck for Tokyo next year.”
New consumer research suggests British public narrowly in favour of legalising e-scooters


The research, conducted by Findoutnow on behalf of the e-scooter and e-bike retailer Pure Electric, found that there is support for a law change on electric scooters, but only if they were continued to be banned on pavements.
Of 2,500 people polled, 53% supported making e-scooters legal; but when asked if they would support a rule change if there was also an additional pavement ban enforced, 63% said they would be in favour. By occupation, the demographics who were most supportive of legislation changes were commuters, students, homemakers and jobseekers, while retirees were the least supportive.
75% also said that they would prefer to buy their own e-scooter rather than use hire schemes; however government trial schemes, which are set to begin in August after a consultation on legalising e-scooters concluded earlier this month, will only allow for rentals to be used on public highways. To get around this, Pure Electric are developing a long lease model where customers would ‘rent’ the scooter for an up-front sum, and then be allowed to keep it at the end of the ‘lease’; they claim this would be legal under the Department for Transport’s trial regulations.
Pure Electric’s Tom McPhail commented: “Given current concerns about any form of shared transport and Covid-19 infection risks, combined with the freedom to use an e-scooter from your front door, it’s hardly surprising people prefer to own their own scooter rather than rent one off the street.”
Eddy Merckx is 75 today
Eddy Merckx is 75 years old today, this shot in 1977 gave me a first-ever sale and put me on the road as a cycling photographer – thanks Eddy..! pic.twitter.com/t4N4fuC46m
— Graham Watson (@grahamwatson10) June 17, 2020
Arguably the most successful cyclist of all time, and also successful at launching the careers of world-renowned cycling photographers. Here’s a slightly less good shot we took of him, surrounded by an entourage in a bar prior to the 2018 Tour de France depart…


Anger over City Council saying that park cycling ban is due to "some" cyclists using it "as a race track"
Hi Lisa, unfortunately due to some cyclists using Wallace Park as a race track only small children are now permitted to cycle in the park. We need to ensure the safety of our residents who are walking and running in our park.When this changes we will update our social media pages
— LCCC #StayHomeSaveLives (@lisburnccc) June 17, 2020
Responding to an enquiry as to when cyclists would be allowed back in Wallace Park in the city of Lisburn, Northern Ireland, the City Council said that the reason for a ban on cycling is that some were using the park as “a race track”, which they say was compromising the safety of pedestrians. Adding that they won’t reopen the park to cyclists until the situation changes is also a rather curious remark, as if cycling is banned, it would appear there is no opportunity for the situation to change.
“A race track”. I’ve heard it all. I’ve been chased the entire length of the park by dogs not on leads but you don’t ban them. It’s like saying we’re banning all cars from the road because some drivers break the rules. 😡
— Lisa (@magic8lisa) June 17, 2020
Please reassess this issue asap. I am an NHS key worker whose bike commute would often take me through the park. Cycling infrastructure is to be encouraged not diminished. Frankly our area is very behind in this regard, please dont perpetuate this situation.
— Timothy Warke (@timwarke) June 17, 2020
What roads will you be closing to all drivers as some use roads as a “race track”? Is that how it works or just to suit a prejudice?
Idiots on bikes are annoying, idiots in cars kill
— thebonnieloon 🏴🇪🇺 (@thebonnieloon) June 17, 2020
Plenty were unhappy with the stance, with some citing that there is rarely – if ever – similar cases of roads being closed to cars due to a minority of dangerous drivers. Lisburn City Council are yet to respond beyond their initial reply to the query.
A similar situation caused controversy in London, with The Royal Parks banning cycling in Richmond Park back in March due to “congestion” and claims that social distancing rules were being ignored. A phased re-opening to cyclists began earlier this month, with cycling currently allowed before 10am and after 4pm on Mondays to Fridays; commuting NHS staff and children under 12 are exempt.
Rochelle Gilmore strikes a pose... and the challenge is accepted
Think I’ve sat on a fork. pic.twitter.com/3YYSyyydPc
— Rob Whittle (@PolkaDotRob) June 17, 2020
In a definitely-not-in-any-way-contrived snap, we see the former pro cyclist and former Wiggle High5 team owner Rochelle Gilmore spread across her kitchen worktop with 12 grands’ worth of Pinarello in the foreground, plus a handy link to her clothing brand of choice Santini in the accompanying text.
Not to be outdone, our new favourite fashion icon who goes by the name Polka Dot Rob steps up (or lays down) to recreate the pose. We think you’ve nailed it Rob, although best move that fork out of the way…
17 June 2020, 08:41
17 June 2020, 08:41
Not necessarily conducive to an absolute black bank balance at £114.99 a pot...

AbsoluteBlack launches GrapheneLube, claiming “sub five watts of frictional loss over 900kms” …it's not cheap though
The “world’s first hydrocarbon-based chain lubricant containing graphene” costs £114.99 for 140ml
17 June 2020, 08:41
17 June 2020, 08:41
Because we know how much you all love stuff with indicators...

Lumos adds another indicator helmet range with new Ultra that features a lighter design and lower price
The Kickstarter is still running and has raised over £1m so far.
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Latest Comments
"we are convinced that normal hookless when everything is well controlled, is better than any hooked type with uncontrolled tolerances" - Yes, I'm sure it works fine in the right circumstances. Now give it to Joe Bloggs consumer who has no idea about tyre compatibility and recommended pressures and you no longer have that "well controlled" situation and serious problems can arise. Even if the initial purchaser does the research to know what is allowable, the person they sell the wheels or bike to in a few years time will probably have no idea. People who work for bike brands need to spend time in real bike shops and observe what setups people bring in and what level of knowledge the typical consumer has.
Speak for yourself. I say it all the time - like every time I bring the other half a cup of tea or something.
Perhaps the poster is not in the UK? The one thing that seems fairly clear is they're not in NL, and probably not in Copenhagen, Malmö, Seville...
@wtjs I'd love to be wrong but this current one doesn't seem to have fibre or indeed any ability to stick to decisions, never mind ones which might be immediately and noisily unpopular. (The only exception that immediately comes to mind is something they were forced into - taking some belated action on ex-prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson).
The TX200 had a five speed freewheel in 1976, not a cassette. Big blokes and heavy touring loads were just asking for bent rear axles.
I hope the government displays the correct 'moral fibre' attitude and also piles on the Fuel Price Escalator
I can't leave this 'ER' stuff unchallenged! We do not say ER!!
I was around in 1973 and remember the impact that the oil crisis and the subsequent oil price hikes had. That was a missed opportunity; this may be the second chance we've been waiting 52 years for. Hasn't come to that yet, but we need to be ready if it does.
[placeholder for obligatory picture meme of Inigo Montoya]
I think you're going to need to be more specific, because no-one can tell who or what you're responding to.
























24 thoughts on “Rochelle Gilmore’s countertop pose recreated; Council say park cycling ban is because cyclists using it “as a race track”; Irish Deputy panned for demanding helmet law; Driver overtakes on wrong side of refuge island twice + more on the live blog”
Not sure the driver had to
Not sure the driver had to stop at the crossing as no one had precedence (rule 20).
But I’m sure the driver was VERY IMPORTANT and on the way to a VERY IMPORTANT meeting.
of course Rule 20 refers back
of course Rule 20 refers back to Rule 19 which has the lovely clear instructions that basically tells pedestrians not to cross until the traffic stops, and the traffic doesn’ have to stop until the pedestrian starts to cross.
How we ever got to the moon I don’t know
Might depend if its treated
Might depend if its treated as two separate crossings,rather than just one as a whole,but youd fail a driving test if you didnt stop like that and we know the Audi will have chosen not to stop as it would no doubt further embarrass/irate the driver after all those shenanigans to have ended up forced to stop with the cyclist directly behind them still
The Highway Code is quite
The Highway Code is quite clear that they are treated as 2 distinctly seperate crossings.
Thankfully the normal treatment of these crossings is much better than the rules suggest with ‘most’ folk stopping when a Ped makes it clear that they ntend to cross. I have noticed in France and Spain that it seems to be a proper committment required to step onto the road and then driver will stamp on the brakes pretty firmly, defo a bit acarier than how it works in the UK
I’m sure I was told as a
I’m sure I was told as a child/teenager that the correct approach is to put one foot in the road (taking priority), then ensure cars have stopped before proceeding.(ensuring safety). Cars are not going to hit you within a foot of the kerb, and you can always pull your foot back quickly if required.
Although I have found some drives will stop even if I deliberately wait back from the crossing (2m from road) to signal for them go first. (no point making a single car stop when there is a clear gap behind them. It just wastes energy and increases poluution)
EK Spinner wrote:
Doesn’t there also have to be two pairs of Belisha Beacons for it to be two crossings? This one is a bit of a hybrid as the zebra stripes aren’t continuous across the full carriageway but there are only two beacons. Any ideas anyone?
Just needs a central island.
Just needs a central island.
It seems the highway code has
It seems the highway code has changed in that a central island now makes it two seperate crossings, im sure this only used to be the case when the crossings were staggered. Rule 28 implies that being a staggered crossing makes a difference, while rule 20 states that the existence of an island is sufficent. I think rule 28 has become obsolete, I can’t imagine a staggered crossing without an island, so all crossings covered by 28 are also covered by 20, which suggests 20 has a revision.
I also note that the gap from the cyclist to the silver car in front did not change throughout the clip, so the cyclist was keeping up with traffic and not delaying the oh so important driver at all.
Around here the Audi would
Around here the Audi would have stayed on the left side of the road,but still overtaken…
Alan Dillon “I have been
Alan Dillon “I have been contacted by local bicycle shop owners highlighting the need to promote the wearing of cycle helmets and making it a mandatory legal requirement to do so.”
Hmmm, the very same people who sell those helmets, probably the most profitable line in their shops. I wonder if Mr Dillon is clever enough to work out that there might be a conflict of interest there.
So introduce a law because
So introduce a law because ‘young people’ don’t wear helmets……young people continue to not wear helmets and can’t be fined because they aren’t adults. What was the point of this?
I bet he didn’t wear a helmet
I bet he didn’t wear a helmet during his professional Peil Ghaelach career! Maybe, he ought to sort that out first, because if it even saves one life . . .
Pedestrians on crossings are
Pedestrians on crossings are great. Just had a mother so focused on her phone she left a 4 year old trailing 3m behind her, then 1m before the end of the crossing, she had to stop to concentrate on her phone…
Didn’t a police farce comment
Didn’t a police farce comment a week or two ago that they wouldn’t pursue a similar incident as it was OK to ignore the instructional keep left sign on an island due to no oncoming traffic?
Never mind the bollards, here
Never mind the bollards, here’s the Sex Pistols
Chain lube that saves 5 watts
deleted
Please keep us posted on Audi
Please keep us posted on Audi twat, very much want to hear he’s had the book thrown at him and it’s caught him squarely in the nethers.
Quote:
Those things are de facto legal anyway – I mean, how many of them do we see zipping around in urban areas on pavements or even on roads, every day…?
I maybe missed an article on how the police are stopping these illegal vehicles (I mean really illegal, not just an interpretation).
brooksby wrote:
They were stopping riders and confiscating their e-scooters in the City of London several months ago. There was a pretty large team of (traffic?) cops at the south end of Pitfield Street.
It always amazes me how resources can be found for policing e-scooters, or patrolling junctions for bike riders jumping red lights, but not for behaviours on the road that actually kill people.
I don’t think I’ve seen any e
I don’t think I’ve seen any e scooters round here. The potholes would probably swallow them though so that might explain it.
fenix wrote:
Really? Bristol is full of them.
brooksby wrote:
I’m assuming you’re referring to potholes.
I don’t think I’ve seen any e
I don’t think I’ve seen any e scooters round here. The potholes would probably swallow them though so that might explain it.
Regarding the Lisburn park
Regarding the Lisburn park closure because some cyclists used it as a race track, please be advised that all pavements and footpaths in the area have been closed because some pedestrians ran along them.