Cyclists try to stop dog attacking injured deer in Richmond Park; ‘Un-beale-ievable’: EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt calls out dodgy driver; Council should be ‘deeply embarrassed’ by Kensington High Street; Fabian Cancellara vs Mo Farah + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
From bike lane to 4x4 parking...Chris Boardman says council should be 'deeply embarrassed' by Kensington High Street situation
Tend not to get involved in things like this but this…
4 cars parking prioritised over 4000 people using the safe cycle lane every day.
And the decision to undo this can’t even be reviewed until mid March.
How can you not be deeply embarrassed by this @RBKC how? https://t.co/BiOb8d0NSk
— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) January 17, 2021
When the Kensington High Street cycle lane was ripped out Tory MPs Tony Devenish and Felicity Buchan, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council and even Nigel Havers claimed that the cycle lane was causing congestion. They argued that it should be taken away to allow cars into both lanes to improve traffic flow…
Six weeks on from then and this is the scene on the High Street. At least three 4x4s parked where the cycle lane used to be and one free lane for traffic to pass…
On Twitter, Chris Boardman replied to a photo of the scene: “Tend not to get involved in things like this but four cars parking prioritised over 4000 people using the safe cycle lane every day. And the decision to undo this can’t even be reviewed until mid-March. How can you not be deeply embarrassed by this Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea how?”
These are the back streets around Notting Hill on @RBKC @CityWestminster borders.
RBKC council leadership, our MP & GLA member all blocked a safe cycle lane on Notting Hill Gate/Holland Park Avenue but their alternatives are not safe.@betterstreetskc @WestminsterSts pic.twitter.com/ZlQBLYH6BC
— Jonathan Kelly (@JKBartsHeart) January 17, 2021
Something to look forward to tomorrow...
❗🔜Only one day left and we will find out everything about the Grande Partenza of the #Giro #104! Are you ready? | ❗🔜Manca solo un giorno e scopriremo tutto sulla Grande Partenza del #Giro #104! Siete pronti?#Giroditalia #Cycling #Cyclist #Cyclingroad #Ciclismo #Italy pic.twitter.com/AgaZTJx5Ly
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) January 18, 2021
Cyclists try to stop dog from attacking injured deer in Richmond Park
A dog walker has pleaded guilty to a park regulation offence after his dog attacked a red deer in #RichmondPark on 01/10/2020. He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates court on 15/01/21 and was fined a total of £602. Some viewers may find the footage distressing pic.twitter.com/r1SQGKnF1S
— Royal Parks Police (@MPSRoyal_Parks) January 18, 2021
A dog walker has been convicted after his Red Setter attacked a deer in Richmond Park back in October. Several cyclists stopped to try and chase the dog away and formed a human barrier to protect the injured animal. The attack was captured on a passing cyclists’ camera and Franck Hiribane, the dog’s owner, was fined £602 at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.
The Evening Standard reports that an eyewitness described the dog called Alfie as “relentless”. A gamekeeper found the deer collapsed in ferns and the animal had to be put down due to its injuries. The deer suffered a broken leg having been hit by a car while being chased and also had an open wound to its rear.
Thibaut Pinot to miss Tour de France in 2021, according to French media reports
Thibaut Pinot will skip the Tour de France this year to race the Giro d’Italia, according to reports coming out of France. The 2014 podium remains Pinot’s best result at La Grande Boucle with the 30-year-old suffering consistently bad luck at the race in recent years. BFM RMC Sport claims that the Giro is Pinot’s primary goal for the upcoming season and that he will skip the Tour because of its less mountainous route. In 2017, Pinot won a stage (pictured above) and finished fourth overall at the Italian Grand Tour.
The French website suggests that French sprinter Arnaud Démare could lead FDJ at the Tour de France instead. Démare won four stages and the points jersey at the Giro last autumn, while the Tour route also offers more opportunities the sprinters in 2021 more than in previous years.
Fabian Cancellara vs Mo Farah
On World Cancer Day, Feb 4, join @SolidarityChall for the biggest virtual cycling event on @GoZwift, with 60k riders & some of the top industry names as we join forces to help the global fight against cancer.
Will you be riding with us?
Learn More: https://t.co/eApiheT2CQ pic.twitter.com/o6429gvqei— Wahoo Fitness (@wahoofitness) January 17, 2021
There’s another pursuit-style race on Zwift coming soon as part of the Solidarity Challenge for World Cancer Day on February 4. Mo Farah, Robert Pires, Lawrence Dallaglio and Paula Radcliffe are a few of the famous names from the world of sport taking on Fabian Cancellara on Zwift. The field will set off one-by-one at staggered time intervals before the seven-time Monument winner leaves the starting blocks last to try and chase down the field. All money raised will go to the Union for International Cancer Control.
There will also be community rides for the wider public to get involved including with Cancellara himself and the Bahrain Victorious team.
Glasgow hits air pollution target for first time
Largely thanks to lockdown, Glasgow hit its air pollution targets for the first time ever in 2020. The drop in traffic meant air quality improved, with Friends of the Earth saying nitrogen dioxide levels fell from 55.7 microgrammes per cubic metre in 2019 to 35.9 in 2020. As a result the city achieved its legal air quality standards for the first time since they came into force in 2010
However, Glasgow Live reports that despite initial success, the numbers returned to pre-pandemic levels after restrictions were eased. Friends of the Earth campaigner Gavin Thomson said: “It’s a huge pity that it took a deadly pandemic to bring our air quality within legal limits. Glasgow’s car dominated transport system was brought to a halt in spring, and this is why our annual averages of pollution are much lower than previous years. Any improvements in air quality in Glasgow have been short-lived with traffic quickly returning to pre-pandemic levels.”
Sunday bike rides in Brighton
Pop-up #cyclelanes on #Brighton & #Hove seafront have proved a lifeline recently, helping people to travel and exercise while socially distancing. Yesterday, there were more people on bikes than in cars at times. pic.twitter.com/8u1Kf7CDsO
— Bricycles (@Bricycles) January 18, 2021
Last week, we shared a story on the blog reporting that 67% of respondents to a survey by a local newspaper said they wanted Brighton city centre to go car-free. The survey followed a propsal by the city’s first Climate Assembly. These were the scenes on the seafront yesterday…
Yellow Jersey defence and Vuelta a España on the cards for Tadej Pogačar in 2021
Tadej Pogačar will ride two Grand Tours in one season for the first time in his short career in 2021. The defence of his Yellow Jersey in France in July is the number one goal but the 22-year-old also plans to ride the Vuelta a month later. UAE Team Emirates confirmed that Pogačar will be joined at the Tour by new signing Marc Hirschi and Alexander Kristoff.
“I’m going to defend the Tour and then the Vuelta. It gives me confirmation in the team that they trust me and I trust them. This year my program is really quite extensive. We’ll see how it all turns out,” Pogačar said.
Jumbo-Visma have also mapped out their initial Tour team with Primož Roglič, Tom Dumoulin, Steven Kruijswijk and Wout van Aert all to start in Brittany, according to Wielerflits. Sepp Kuss, Tony Martin, Robert Gesink and Mike Teunissen are expected to be the other four riders.
'Un-beale-ievable': EastEnders' Adam Woodyatt calls out dangerous driver
EastEnders actor Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, called out a motorist for dangerous driving over the weekend. Woodyatt posted a series of messages on his Instagram on Saturday, calling out the driver for overtaking him on a narrow lane. The soap actor says he called the driver a wanker after the incident and that the motorist then turned round and followed him.
Woodyatt wrote: “If the car driver I gestured at and called a wanker when he overtook on a narrow lane who then turned round and caught up with me further up the road so he could tell me how wrong I was to be out cycling in the road … in case you now coming looking for me on social media, please read rules 162, 163 and 167 of the Highway Code.
“162. Before overtaking you should make sure … The road is sufficiently clear ahead. There is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake.163. Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should … Signal … Give way to oncoming vehicles … Give cyclists at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car (rules 211 – 215). 167. DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users.”
Hopefully Woodyatt/Ian Beale’s current on-screen wife had nothing to do with the preparation of his post-ride meal…
Wout van Aert laying down some watts on his new Jumbo-Visma Cervélo S5
Wout van Aert enjoyed a new bike day at Jumbo-Visma’s training camp in Spain, finally getting his hands on his new Cervélo S5 with Shimano Dura-Ace C60 wheels…We’re very jealous Wout. The Belgian described the new rig as a “monster” and he wasted no time putting out some quite frankly ridiculous numbers, with a sprint session, as you can see from the power data he shared with his Strava followers…
The plot thickens...
Was it Phil?
— Porto Pablo (@Pablo_OBeefy) January 18, 2021
Europe's cycling revolution — BBC World Service report
More long lens photos of cyclists appearing in newspapers
please stop publishing long-lens pics which falsely make walkers/cyclists look like they’re two inches from each other, you’re insulting people’s intelligence pic.twitter.com/IeOstYItYk
— Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) January 18, 2021
This was a problem first raised back in the spring when photos of cyclists exercising were published in The Times. Taken with a long lens it looked like the cyclists were crowded together or riding as a group…
Excellent use of a telephoto lens by @thetimes, misleading image and reporting.
How about a photo of the 6 superbike riders at the top of the hill in conversation about how they don’t care about the rules because they can outrun police?Thx @_D415Y_ for the other perspective pic.twitter.com/ZgznnJrLNT
— Francis Cade (@Francis_Cade) April 6, 2020
Richmond Park dog attack on deer: owner says he is "genuinely shocked and sorry"
A dog walker has pleaded guilty to a park regulation offence after his dog attacked a red deer in #RichmondPark on 01/10/2020. He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates court on 15/01/21 and was fined a total of £602. Some viewers may find the footage distressing pic.twitter.com/r1SQGKnF1S
— Royal Parks Police (@MPSRoyal_Parks) January 18, 2021
After Royal Parks Police shared the footage this morning – in which cyclists attempted to stop the “relentless” attack – it has emerged that the dog’s owner reported the incident to the police himself at the time, and has released a statement.
44-year-old Franck Hiribarne said: “I was genuinely shocked and sorry for what had happened and since then I have refrained completely from letting Alfie off the leash in any park.
“I have also taken a special dog trainer specialised in gundogs to control more accurately any of his hunting instincts. He has made great progress.”
The deer was put down by a gamekeeper following the attack in October.
18 January 2021, 08:58
18 January 2021, 08:58
18 January 2021, 08:58
18 January 2021, 08:58
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Latest Comments
@mdavidford Absolutely, I am assuming that the OP means those lanes where it's so tight it's actually impossible for a cyclist to get through if there is a large vehicle, obviously if they can squeeze by each other nobody needs to go back.
You are quite correct about uniform signage. However this seems to be a fairly atypical set up. Having experience and knowledge of it would in theory make mistakes less likely. Part of my job involved writing operating and maintenance procedures for food manufacturing machinery. I quickly learnt that people need to be given direct, simple, non-conflicting, non-ambiguous instructions. If it is possible to make mistakes, then they will be made. The best of of avoiding a mistake is to design flaws out of the system.
I do not in anyway support the Daily Telegraph's continually mad anti-cycling journalism but, it must be said, that this particular section of cycle lane on King Street in Hammersmith has been an absolute disaster ever since it re-opened. It certainly wasn't perfect for cyclists before but ever since they remodelled the cycle lane to run as a two way lane on one side of the road it has become much much more dangerous and confusing for pedestrians, drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists alike. I'm not saying that all cycling infrastructure is badly designed but, on my 12 mile commute from home in South London to work at the West end of King Street, this cycleway is where I feel most unsafe. It's not an inditement on active travel but it should be a lesson in planning because it's been closed on 5 or 6 occasions since to be remodelled to correct issues that should've been obvious before it opened. I have been using this road to get to work since long before the re-modelling and it has definitely, in my opinion, worsened not just the safety of cyclists but also the relationship between drivers and cyclists in this area.
In principle, it shouldn't matter if you're familiar with a particular junction - that's precisely why we have (relatively) uniform signage across the country (I had this from a driver recently - Him: sorry, I don't know the area. Me: but a no entry sign is the same everywhere...). But in practice in a busy environment like this, simply adding another sign saying look out for cyclists is limited help. I don't love cycling on contraflows / a two way cyclelane on a one way street for that reason. In fact there's a crossing I don't love as a pedestrian which is look right (bikes) look left (bikes) look right (cars), island, catch breath, look left (cars), look left (bikes). (Yes, you could wait for a green man, but then it's still look everywhere (Deliveroo)).
I'm not familiar with Jeremy Vine's favourite cycle lane. However I do have sympathy with drivers if they have to deal with "Look both ways for cyclists" as well as "One Way" and "No Entry" signs. Especially if the driver is not familiar with the junction.
@mitsky Alas for a second there I was awarding the motorist in the window there points for wearing hi-vis in their car, then I realised they were also wearing a motoring helmet...
While I understand it in context, I quite liked this to conclude a bike light review: "it’s a reliable set for the price, so long as you aren’t looking to ride in the dark"
@Bungle_52 My note on the description states "CD20 Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users" I've chased the police to explain which specific action this relates to, close passing and cutting me up or driving onto the pavement near pedestrians.
@mitsky Do happen to know what offence the points and fine were for?
32 thoughts on “Cyclists try to stop dog attacking injured deer in Richmond Park; ‘Un-beale-ievable’: EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt calls out dodgy driver; Council should be ‘deeply embarrassed’ by Kensington High Street; Fabian Cancellara vs Mo Farah + more on the live blog”
Shocking video. The cyclists
Shocking video. The cyclists were brave, fending off a vicious animal with blood on its mind. The dog owner should have been fined thousands, not hundreds, and had the dog removed from his ownership.
alchemilla wrote:
Well, on the scale apparently in common use for deciding the size of a fine, £602 puts them well into the category of seriously injuring or killing a cyclist.
However, the broken leg (and
However, the broken leg (and the wound(?)) that meant it needed to be put down was caused by the car that hit it as it was escaping the dog. No cars about neans the deer would have run off without any harm to it.
But clearly both cars and
But clearly both cars and free roaming dogs should be banned from the park.
If it saves one life….
“Four deer have died from dog
“Four deer have died from dog attacks in the royal parks since March 2020, while there have been 58 incidents of dogs chasing the herds – a big increase on previous years – according to the manager of Richmond Park.
Part of the increase is thought to be down to new dog owners who are unfamiliar with the best conduct around wildlife.”
Imagine if the words “dog attacks” was replaced by “cyclists”…
hirsute wrote:
Very likely but I’ve seen lots of owners not even bothering to control their dogs, everything from a yappy pocket furball up to a couple of unruly Labs running straight at my daughter, barking (who was about 4 at the time and petrified). My wife won’t go for walks alone in the fields near our estate for that reason.
What they need is notices posted at each gate saying that any loose dogs seen chasing deer or posing a genuine risk to the safety of people using the park will be shot on sight by a park gamekeeper / deer warden.
Yep, my point wasn’t in
Yep, my point wasn’t in defence of the dog, just that the worse injuries were caused as it was hit when trying to escape. The other story of scared deer hitting a child shows that Dogs are a main concern.
I’m amazed (not) that the car
I’m amazed (not) that the car in this episode is mentioned only in passing, as if they are just part of the natural environment, like the deer had run into a tree and broken its leg.
Understandably the deer would have been bolting, but the sight lines from the roadway are clear and unobstructed. Yet zero culpability seems to be attached to the motorist, who would doubtless have the defence that the deer came “out of nowhere”, in a deer park.
Speed limit 20, stopping
Speed limit 20, stopping distance <= 12m
Probably all those speediing cyclists that intimidated the driver causing them to lose concentration.
Not defending anyone here as
Not defending anyone here as I obviously dont know any of the details around how the deer was injured or the reason for it to be put down. Having said that deer can come out of nowhere really easily, although usually over a hedge like the one that landed on the bonnet of my car a few years ago. Luckily for the deer, it, it got up, gave me a surly look and bounded off over the next hedge. Unluckily for me, a trip to the garage and several hundred quid for new parts. More annoyingly it meant I couldn’t afford any new bike stuff for some time.
Except this is Richmond Park
Except this is Richmond Park not a small lane with a wood right next to it.
As a dog owner myself I can’t
As a dog owner myself I can’t imagine why the person thought it was safe to let his dog off the lead around deer. Don’t blame his dog. My whippet is very gentle with people but around wild animals it’s a different story and there’s simply no way I’d let him off the lead if there were deer anywhere nearby. Just because a dog will follow its breeding and attack a wild animal, don’t assume it’ll bite a human as well. Hunting dogs that pursue prey are very different from dogs bred for guarding people.
The BMW X5 EK04UTG that is
The BMW X5 EK04UTG that is parked on KHS has a long list of advisory notices on its last MOT concerning suspension and tyres, perhaps that is why they don’t want to risk going nearer the kerb….
Fenton!
Fenton!
Quote:
Because RBKC have no sense of shame. I thought everybody knew that by now.
brooksby wrote:
Not sure about shame, but their member for roads appears to have been sidelined.
“Tory MPs Tony Devenish and
“Tory MPs Tony Devenish and Felicity Buchan, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council and even Nigel Havers……”
I wonder if any of these publicity seeking bike haters have been contacted by the media that was so keen to promote their anti-cycling drivel? Anything less than an abject apology puts them in the Trump league of hypocrisy. Surely there must be some road.cc readers who live in those MPs’ and councillor’s constituencies who could ask the question?
Told the wife I couldnt watch
Told the wife I couldnt watch the new Nigel Havers drama on ITV last night as I had cancelled him. She was sensible enough not to ask why and just accepted it
is that “even unrepentant
is that “even unrepentant convicted drink driver Nigel Havers“? Just want to make sure we don’t confuse him with a more upstanding member of the public.
I had a quick scan through
I had a quick scan through the DM comments on the dog article and nobody has said what a good job it was there were so many cyclists in Richmond Park – weird!
HoarseMann wrote:
The cyclists clearly enraged the dog. If they hadn’t been taking up the whole road, jumping red lights, going to fast, going to slow, the dog would have behaved itself. Obvs…
Captain Badger wrote:
Its because they make too much noise while spooking the wildlife with the silent approach.
And don’t forget all the
And don’t forget all the naked selfies and whatnot.
Well as the car drivers
Well as the car drivers decided they were safe in their bubble I’m guessing it was upto the cyclists to help.
Edit: Not sure on the DM but in the ES story, they were not cyclists but “passers-by”.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
Car drivers aren’t quite as good at ‘coming out of nowhere’ and ‘getting in the way’ apparently.
I saw that story and video
I saw that story and video elsewhere. Don’t blame the dog. It was just doing what it was bred to do. Blame the owner for not having his dog on a lead.
I’ve never taken my dog to Richmond Park because he’s a whippet, which is a hunting dog, and I know he has a high prey drive. If I did take him there I’d certainly keep him on the lead. He’s very gentle with people but when he sees squirrels, rabbits, cats or foxes, he goes nuts and wants to catch them. He did see a deer once in Scotland and I’m very glad he was on the lead given the way he reacted then.
Good on the cyclists for trying to stop the dog.
It’s funny, that video posted
It’s funny, that video posted by Jonathan Kelly is Moscow Road, parallel to Bayswater Road, and part of my (cycling) commute to work. During the week it is quiet and no problem. This video being taken on a Sunday the parking restrictions don’t apply hence the gridlock. I’m guessing these cars are people visiting nearby Kensington Gardens?
Jem PT wrote:
You mean people staying local for exercising, yet clearly so far away they need to drive?
Both of the two wheel drive
Both of the two wheel drive cars must be from outside the borough anyway.
.
.
The BBC World Service report
The BBC World Service report is a good start, and notable for a few things, such as it’s the notoriously anti-cycling BBC, and there was no mention of the UK. It’s not clear whether this has been shown on any BBC mainstream channel, but it should be. Anyway, a grudging congratulations is in order.
Maybe they should consider doing the same, but on a main channel, and a series, not just a one off about the change caused by covid. Who am I kidding; I’ve been suggesting that for twenty years at least, but all we get are Top Gear and programmes about electric cars.
Put the dog down and then put
Put the dog down and then put the owner down, or vice versa. Dog owners genuinely don’t seem to think their animals are a problem.