“Basically don’t cycle in the cycle lanes”: Police tell cyclists to leave one metre when passing parked cars to not get doored — but forget to remind drivers of the Dutch Reach, as cyclists ask, “why place the onus on us?” + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Remco Evenepoel loses another Tour de France domestique after in bizarre crash at Criterium du Dauphiné, as Belgian himself suffers late crash scare but manages to escape without much damage
Remco Evenepoel’s Tour de France preparations have taken another hit at the Critérium du Dauphiné, with key domestique Louis Vervaeke crashing out of stage 5 with a broken collarbone — just hours before Evenepoel himself hit the deck in a late scare.
Race leader Remco Evenepoel went down inside the final kilometre of stage 5 in Mâcon after a tight U-turn, but escaped without serious injury. “I think it was an unlucky moment,” Evenepoel said post-stage. “Just some skin off… nothing bad, not in bad places. It looks worse than it is.” Thanks to the 5km rule, he lost no time.
But there was another blow which came earlier in the day, when Louis Vervaeke, one of Evenepoel’s Tour de France domestiques, was forced to abandon after a heavy crash, with a fan capturing the moment the Belgian seemed to be launched in the year while coming around a bend. The 31-year-old was taken to hospital where scans confirmed a broken collarbone.
“Louis will be transferred to Belgium tomorrow, where he will undergo further assessment at the hospital in Herentals,” the team said. “A recovery plan will be put in place.”
With Mikel Landa already recovering from a fractured back sustained at the Giro, it’s starting to look like Evenepoel’s mountain train for the Tour might not even make it to the station. Vervaeke’s absence will be felt immediately at the Dauphiné too — especially with the race heading to Combloux for its first summit finish today.
Evenepoel, however, seemed unfazed. “Tomorrow is going to be an important one to see who is in really good shape… for GC it’s going to be big already,” he said, ahead of his first showdown with Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard since last year’s Tour de France.
Postcards from Slovenia
Slovenia is a spectacular place to ride a bike pic.twitter.com/1TC68r3GoU
— TheCyclingBlog (@TheCyclingBlog_) June 12, 2025
Is this the end for TT-style helmets in road races? UCI announces new limits on handlebar width, rim height, and fork width, and promises helmet review in equipment safety overhaul
UCI rejects Saudi-backed One Cycling project from WorldTour calendar as Visma boss’ €250m vision hits a wall
Well, that’s a firm “no” from the UCI.
In a move that could put the brakes on cycling’s most “ambitious” restructuring project in years, the UCI Management Committee has rejected the inclusion of the Saudi-funded One Cycling scheme in the men’s and women’s WorldTour calendars through 2028.
The decision was unanimous, with the governing body citing governance issues and a lack of “sporting coherence”, amidst a sweeping overhaul of its technical regulations.
The project, spearheaded by Visma-Lease a Bike CEO Richard Plugge and backed by SURJ Sports — a Saudi fund reportedly offering €250 million in investment — aimed to shake up the sport’s business model by attracting external money and redistributing it more sustainably across teams.
Men’s teams were set to receive €1 million a year, with €250,000 earmarked for women’s squads.
But the UCI wasn’t having it. “While welcoming the fact that road cycling is attracting new investors,” it said, the current version of One Cycling “was deemed incompatible with the governance and regulatory framework of the UCI.”
The governing body did leave the door slightly ajar, saying it “wishes to continue discussions” with the project’s reps to support cycling’s internationalisation and economic growth.
For now though, Plugge’s big-money, part-Saudi cycling revolution has no route into the top tier. It’s a blow, too, for Flanders Classics — organisers of the Tour of Flanders and other major races — who had thrown their support behind the venture.
The rest of the WorldTour stays largely unchaged, although there a couple of tweaks: the Giro Donne will now follow directly after the men’s Giro d’Italia in late May, and Dwars door Vlaanderen will finally join the Women’s WorldTour calendar.
Oh, and Brugge-De Panne is now rebranded as The Great Sprint Classic, which sounds a bit like a Lidl summer sale event, but sure, we’ll go with it.
Taiwanese brand Gusto Bikes, sponsor of Tadej Pogačar-linked Slovenian Continental team, launches in UK
Taiwanese brand Gusto Bikes has announced its launch into the UK market this June, with plans to build a network of dealer partners as it rolls out its 2025 range.
Founded in 2011, Gusto is best known in Europe for sponsoring UCI Continental squad Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana — a Slovenian outfit with strong links to Tadej Pogačar, who previously raced on Gusto bikes early in his career. The brand says it will continue sponsoring the team in 2025, in collaboration with the three-time Tour de France champion.
Two models will be available to UK dealers this year: the Duro EVO and Cobra EVO. Both are manufactured at Gusto’s Slovenian factory and feature the brand’s patented carbon composite technology, combining INNEGRA/LATEX material from the US with Japan High-Performance Carbon Fibre.
The aim, says Gusto, is to deliver frames that are lightweight, rigid, and compliant — with enhanced shock absorption and structural stability.
“Gusto bicycles have received high praise and recognition from riders over the years,” said Tomaz Poljanec, general manager of Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana. “In recent years, the team’s riders have achieved impressive results in top-level competitions across Europe and around the world, and Gusto has been playing a very critical role.”
The company is currently inviting independent bike dealers in the UK to get in touch, noting that it is “keen to hear what UK IBDs need from a new supplier.” Bikes will be shipped directly to dealers from the brand’s European facility.
Michael Matthews puts racing career on hold after Aussie sprinter diagnosed with blood clot in lungs
Michael Matthews will take an indefinite break from racing after being diagnosed with signs of a pulmonary embolism during a recent altitude training camp, ruling him out of what would have been his ninth Tour de France appearance.
Jayco AlUla confirmed on Friday that the Australian rider is currently stable, but will refrain from all physical activity while further medical investigation is carried out.
“During a recent altitude training camp, GreenEdge Cycling’s medical team discovered signs of pulmonary embolism and have subsequently decided to pause all physical activity for the rider until further notice, as a precautionary measure,” the team said.
“Matthews’ health condition is stable. The medical team are now thoroughly investigating the extent of the issue and the possible cause, to define a safe and optimal recovery process.”
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the lungs. While it can vary in severity, the NHS warns that it can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Matthews has already begun treatment and monitoring, but his team has made clear there will be no racing until doctors are confident it is safe to return.
It’s a frustrating setback after what had been a resurgent spring for the 33-year-old. Matthews won Eschborn-Frankfurt in early May — his first WorldTour win since 2022 — and delivered top-five finishes at Milan–San Remo and Amstel Gold Race. The Tour was expected to be a key goal this summer, but his absence now leaves a significant hole in Jayco AlUla’s campaign, with no estimated timeline for his return too.
“Jonas is entering Pogačar’s own territory”: Pedersen backs Vingegaard for Tour win after Dauphiné fireworks
Mads Pedersen might be recovering from the Giro (wearing the maglia ciclamino, of course), but he’s still keeping a close eye on things, especially when it comes to fellow Dane Jonas Vingegaard, who made a statement in the opening stages of the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Speaking on the Lang Distance podcast, Pedersen said: “It was an insane stage. It was good to see. Great to see Jonas again,” he said, reacting to Vingegaard’s trademark long-range move. “He’s entering Pogačar’s own territory, so it could be that Tadej didn’t expect this.”
Pedersen was particularly struck by how even Pogačar struggled to respond to Vingegaard’s attack. “You can see that Tadej has the time to think: ‘What the hell is happening here, what is this?’ He also didn’t close that gap as easily as he might have thought. You really saw him grit his teeth to close that gap. Great Jonas. Great, great, great, great.”
While Vingegaard didn’t end up taking the stage, Pedersen wasn’t at all concerned. “He has everything to gain and nothing to lose,” he said. “Imagine if he had won the stage… You wouldn’t have believed it with that group. Crazy, brilliant. Even though they didn’t win a single second.”
And after that performance? Pedersen’s already placing his bet. “I’ll just throw it out there: Jonas wins the Tour.”
“I was struggling more than anyone realised”: Bradley Wiggins announces his autobiography’s available for pre-order, and hopes it “gives comfort” to those “struggling with their own battles”
Sir Bradley Wiggins has announced the release of his upcoming autobiography The Chain, calling it his “most honest and personal” work to date. The book, which is available for pre-order now, will be out in October.
“I’m really pleased to tell you that I’ve written a memoir,” Wiggins said in a post on social media. “It’s the most honest and personal book I’ve ever written — I’ve poured my heart and soul into it. The Chain is the story of me finally making peace with myself and I hope it will provide support for anyone facing their own life challenges. You can pre-order it now including signed copies @Waterstones. Thank you for your support.”
In an accompanying video, Wiggins added: “I’ve written a book, and it’s called The Chain. This isn’t just about cycling, it’s about what happens when the race is over, about facing the darkest parts of myself, and finally figuring out and learning to accept who I am and what I am. For years, I hid behind the medals, masks, and the identity of ‘Wiggo’. But inside, I was struggling more than anyone realised.
“The Chain is my story of hitting the highs and the lows, and finding the strength to piece my life back together. But it’s more than just my story, I hope it gives comfort to anyone out there who’s struggling with their own battles.
“The book is out in autumn, and I’d love you to read it. You can pre-order it now, thank you for your support.”
> Sir Bradley Wiggins’ medals and trophies set to be seized after being declared bankrupt
The memoir follows Wiggins’ candid interview last month, where he spoke about his post-retirement battle with cocaine addiction. He revealed he had become a “functioning addict” and admitted: “I was high most of the time for many years. I had a really bad problem… I was walking a tightrope. I realised I had a huge problem. I had to stop. I’m lucky to be here.”
Now in recovery, Wiggins has said he’s been clean for over a year. He credited conversations with Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich as part of an informal support group that helped him begin to turn his life around.
The Chain will be Wiggins’ first major autobiographical work since My Time, released shortly after his historic 2012 Tour de France win.
“It’s like that every morning, take the tinfoil hat off, the only thing wrong is the private vehicles in the bus lane”
It’s showtime at Dauphiné!
And just like that, Sepp Kuss has launched the first move of the day with 40km to go, and he was immediately followed by the white jersey of Florian Lipowitz, as well as Vingegaard, Pogačar, and Evenepoel.
With over 20km to go right now, Ineos Grenadiers’ Michael Leonard and EF Education-EasyPost’s Alex Baudin are the two riders currently holding strong in the breakaway. Although with the main chasers’ group, consisting of all the race protagonists just a minute and half away, expect to see them reeled back in sooner rather than later.
Six-figure settlement for cyclist hit by driver on roundabout and requiring future knee replacement
A 54-year-old cyclist from Reading has received a six-figure settlement after suffering serious leg injuries in a collision with a car on a roundabout while cycling home from work.
Ray Rawlings was hit by a Vauxhall Meriva in June 2022 and sustained multiple leg fractures. He required surgery and has been advised he will need a total knee replacement in the future. Rawlings spent several days in hospital and was unable to bear weight for six weeks after the crash.
His legal team at Irwin Mitchell say the settlement will help secure ongoing care and rehabilitation. Rawlings is now sharing his story as part of Bike Week to raise awareness about cycling safety.
“Cycling should be celebrated, but it’s also vital for all road users to stay safe on the roads,” he said.
“I had to hurry up to see Urška in the Tour de Suisse”: Pogačar blows the race apart to win stage six at the Dauphiné and seize yellow from Evenepoel
There were questions after the time trial. There are none now.
Tadej Pogačar has taken control of the Critérium du Dauphiné with a devastating solo victory on stage 6, launching a long-range attack that dropped both Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel, and ended with the world champion crossing the line alone in Combloux, just below Mont Blanc.
“We had our own plan but then Visma started to go full gas on the first-category climb [Côte de Mont-Saxonnex],” Pogačar said at the finish. “Before the start I didn’t know if I had done this climb before, but I had and it brought some memories of good times.”
Pogačar lit the race up with 7.5km to go, attacking on the steep ramps of Côte de Domancy after brutal turns by teammates Johnny Narváez and Pavel Sivakov had already put Vingegaard and Evenepoel under pressure. The Slovenian opened a gap, caught and passed the last remnants of the breakaway, and kept pulling away with apparent ease.
“In the end, I felt good. We said we’d go from the bottom of the climb on the steepest part. We committed. We had nothing to lose. And in the end it was just like this. It was a hot day, a hard day, and I had to hurry up to the finish to see [my girlfriend] Urška [Žigart] in the Tour de Suisse. I made it just in time.”
Pogačar rode seated the entire way up the final climbs, barely looking flustered even as the gradients kicked above 8%. Behind him, Evenepoel was dropped, then Vingegaard cracked too — unable to respond when the UAE Team Emirates leader surged ahead.
“I think I was feeling really good and when I attacked it was an all-out effort. I knew there was still 15 minutes to the top so I had to pace myself. But the feeling was there, the legs were there, and I was able to gain time. One minute is good and I’m super happy. It bothered me that I lost time in the time trial. But it’s a challenge for me and the team to improve. The legs are there, the shape is good, and we need to hold our horses for the Tour.”
Pogačar finished 1’01″ ahead of Vingegaard, who came home second. Florian Lipowitz took third at 1’22″, followed by Matteo Jorgenson and a battered Remco Evenepoel at 1’50″. The stage also saw Pogačar move into the yellow jersey, with Vingegaard now second overall and Lipowitz third. Evenepoel, who started the day in yellow, slips to fourth.
The manner of Pogačar’s win — controlled, explosive, and entirely solo — is a loud and clear message ahead of the Tour de France: he’s ready. There’s still Saturday’s queen stage to Valmeinier 1800 offers another huge GC test, with three beyond-category climbs packed into just 131.6km, but is there anyone with the legs to take him on?
Amber Kraak solos to stage two win at Tour de Suisse Women as Marlen Reusser retains overall lead
FDJ-SUEZ’s Amber Kraak claimed an impressive solo victory on stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse Women, attacking from a long-range breakaway and holding off the chase over the final 25km.
Kraak made her move on the Buechehübeli climb, dropping her breakaway companions and riding clear to take her second Women’s WorldTour win. SD Worx-Protime’s Marta Lach crossed the line 1:55 down in second after briefly veering off course in the final kilometre, while FDJ-SUEZ’s Élise Chabbey won the sprint for third, 2:43 behind.
“I had to be there to be a relay for Demi [Vollering], but in the end the gap was so big and then we decided to go for the win,” said Kraak.
Movistar’s Marlen Reusser finished sixth and retains the overall lead by four seconds ahead of FDJ-SUEZ’s Demi Vollering, with Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto’s Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney in third at 1:21.
Road rage van driver caught on bike camera allegedly shoving cyclist to ground – but police say footage “did not capture assault taking place”
“Basically don’t cycle in the cycle lanes”: Police tell cyclists to leave one metre when passing parked cars to not get doored — but forget to remind drivers of the Dutch Reach, as cyclists ask, “why place the onus on us?”
Kent Road Safety has come under fire after posting advice on Facebook that told cyclists to “leave one metre (or a door’s width) to avoid being hit if a car door is opened.”
The post has left many riders frustrated, not because the advice is completely wrong (it does appear in the Highway Code), but because it puts the responsibility for avoiding a dooring incident squarely on the cyclist’s shoulders.
No mention of the Dutch Reach, no reminder to drivers or passengers to look before opening their doors, and certainly no acknowledgment that most painted cycle lanes in the UK run right through the dooring zone.
“So, in Sandbanks and Lilliput, basically don’t cycle in the cycle lanes…” wrote BH Active Travel, while other commenters quickly pointed out the glaring omission: “What happened to the Dutch Reach?” asked Judy Windwood. “We need to do that according to the Highway Code.”
> How the ‘Dutch Reach’ can prevent cyclists being doored
Coming from the Kent Road Safety Team, this feels especially jarring, because it’s the same county where, in March 2024, 65-year-old Martin Walczak died after colliding with an open car door while cycling in Rolvenden.
His family issued a public plea for drivers to adopt the Dutch Reach in the wake of his death, saying, “We have to safeguard one another.” Kent Police confirmed that the driver involved hasn’t faced action so far, but the investigation remains open.
In perhaps a change of pace, the majority of people did their bit to hold the force to account. Jacquelyn Turner wrote: “Motorists: read the Highway Code and use the Dutch Reach,” while Terry Beaver added, “If drivers used the Dutch Reach technique when opening a door, they would see if something was about to pass them and wait a few seconds.”
Mark Shipsides added: “Car drivers, it’s your responsibility as being in charge of the vehicle to make sure that no door is opened into passing traffic.”
Oh, and there was plenty of sarcasm too.“Pedestrians, when passing the crazy person swinging a cricket bat, leave 1 metre (or a cricket bat’s width) to avoid being hit,” joked Richard Gracie.
Sean Evans followed up: “When encountering a psychotic maniac with a machete, be sure to wear a helmet and a high viz and get into a single file so other psychotic maniacs can also have a go at killing you.”
Meanwhile, some riders pointed out how unworkable the advice is in practice. “What if there is something coming the other way?” asked Sue Polshaw, while Jean-Yves Lovens wrote: “It’s the world upside down! Cyclists are vulnerable road users. It’s SUV drivers who need to be reminded to be careful, not their victims.”
The Dutch Reach was added to the Highway Code in 2022. It’s not complicated — you open your car door with the hand furthest from it, forcing your body to twist and making it easier to spot a passing cyclist. But despite the simplicity, drivers have failed to take up on it.
And it’s not just cyclists like us who are affected. Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel suffered a dooring while training in Belgium last year and ended up with broken bones and lung contusions.
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, too, was doored in Monaco in 2022, just 50 metres from home. “Use the Dutch Reach,” he said afterwards. “It’s a very simple thing to do.”
And yet, here we are — with a local road safety team telling cyclists to dodge danger, rather than asking drivers not to create it in the first place.
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Latest Comments
Couldn't agree more ,had my account 6 years and my last order arrived on Monday, 2 dats before the announcement .The whole set up was a mess and their b2b website is a shambles. It's not surprising to me at all they are where they are
@60somethingcyclist Satmar, and they mainly didn't vote for him it seems: estimates are that in the Williamsburg areas dominated by the Satmar group Mamdani got around 30% of the vote with rival Cuomo getting around 65%. Mamdani was endorsed by one faction of the Satmar but three other leaders of the same faction came out against him.
Use it Kasia.
@GravelIsNothingNew What a load of bullshit.
Will he act against the Samar group in Williamsburg which uses it's political clout to get cycle lanes removed - even though they voted for him?
I did have an internal clog on one of my Fillmore valves (with oil slick upgrade) a little while back, a quick search and watch of a YouTube video and I was set for taking them apart. Apart from the effort required to overcome corrosive seizing between the thumb nut and the thread of the shaft, hopefully mildly future proofed with the addition of a dab of grease, the valve service was very easy. Well designed for this I did think. Needed a small spanner and hex key. Only issue would seem to be with a little pin that could easily go missing. The peaty's apparently have a circlip, if there is anything designed to ping off around the work area it's a circlip. Or the shockingly expensive security magnet of a hexlox. I had a go on the display stand of the scwlabe click valve at the LBS last week. A simple joy to use. I forget how much I have to adapt to the quibbles that my bike pumps have, I'm used to them, I have lent my lezyne HV mini floor to people at work and they have had great difficulties. I will miss the rustic plank with 3 valve types screwed in on the LBS counter though. I will of course resist upgrading to the new standard for far too long, before eventually doing it to all wheels and pumps and wondering why I hadn't done it years ago...
@hawkinspeter the laws are there - and have been for some time - it's the enforcement that is tardy.
Excellent structured argument. Well done. Are you Kemi Badenoch's speech writer by any chance?
@Mr Blackbird What a load of absolute twatwaffle...
To be fair the principle is sound, the problem is in the execution. This specific attempt is especially ludicrous, but a century of efforts ranging from Oscar Egg's Velofusée to modern streamlined recumbents has not managed to produce a setup matching the practicality of the standard bicycle. If only the R.A.F. designers had waited until this year's Womens' TdF they would know to fill in the front rather than the back. Limited gains, but more attainable.
27 thoughts on ““Basically don’t cycle in the cycle lanes”: Police tell cyclists to leave one metre when passing parked cars to not get doored — but forget to remind drivers of the Dutch Reach, as cyclists ask, “why place the onus on us?” + more on the live blog”
Of course it would have been
Of course it would have been more useful to also suggest that maybe car occupants shouldn’t door people in the first place, but I kind of think this does have some use beyond putting the onus on cyclists, in that it also might put in some drivers’ minds that we’re not riding out there just to annoy them.
I sort of agree, but also
I sort of agree, but also think that this would be another Schrödinger’s cyclist outcome. ‘Cyclists:in the middle of the road holding me up and also too close to my parked car’
That’s my thinking too. I
That’s my thinking too. I think drivers getting worked up at our imagined bad manners for taking a safe cycling position poses a threat to our safety, so any campaign that also reminds them of why we are ‘in the middle of the road’ is helpful. And if it has the added bonus of reminding people in decision making positions as to why such cycle lanes are less than ideal, that’s good too.
It would have been much better to add in a reminder for drivers and passengers to check for cyclists and to use the Dutch read method, but no matter how good any such public education campaign is, I’ll still be keeping my distance if at all possible.
FionaJJ wrote:
I have been using the Dutch read method for years, for example here and here and here … I can certainly see many more cyclists, but I think it’s just made me more depressed when I go out on UK roads, streets and “cycle facilities”.
Nothing that “bizarre” about
Nothing that “bizarre” about Vervaeke’s crash, he misjudged the turning point at the end of the traffic island, turned in too early and the sloping kerb acted as a jump ramp. Glad it’s “only” a broken collarbone, could’ve been far worse.
Rendel Harris wrote:
You say that, but…
Apparently he came down two months from now. UCI will be holding an enquiry as to why there wasn’t a marshall in front of the wormhole.
Even that isn’t that bizarre,
Even that isn’t that bizarre, time travel by bicycle is quite common: just recently I went out for a century ride aged 56 and came back the same day but judging by the state of my back and legs and gaunt haunted face aged about 97.
Rendel Harris wrote:
That’s incredible, you rode for 100 years and ended up only 41 years older! No wonder they say cycling is good for your health 😉
Ah but Rendel is speedy so
Just relativity – while we aged 100 years at the speed he went he aged much less…
From the Standard’s Facebook
From the Standard’s Facebook page, apparently London has introduced self-driving buses without telling anyone. The comments underneath are a swamp of unbelievable filth, “Good, another one off the road, hope the injuries aren’t trivial” is about the mildest.
And another ‘hit by…(insert
And another ‘hit by…(insert vehicle type here)’ 🙄
UCI rulling against tech
UCI rulling against tech trends in road racing. The fork on that new Factor will probably be illegal, as will most handlebars pros are using nowadays. UCI press release:
The UCI Management Committee also approved several propositions from the Equipment and New Technologies Commission for modification to the UCI Regulations linked to equipment design. Some of these propositions follow recommendations made by SafeR, the organisation dedicated to safety in professional road cycling. The increasing speed of races and the safety implications of developments in equipment are one of SafeR’s main areas of focus. This has been the subject of detailed consultations with teams, organisers and riders, including the distribution of questionnaires to all professional riders and teams.
It has therefore been decided to set the maximum height of bicycle rims for mass start road events at 65mm as of 1 January 2026.
As of the same date, the minimum overall width of handlebars (outside to outside) for mass start road and cyclo-cross events will be set at 400mm, with an inner width of 320mm between brake levers. Meanwhile, the minimum overall width of handlebars (outside to outside) for mass start track events will be set at 350mm as of 1 January 2027.
For bicycles used in the road (as of 1 January 2026) and track (as of 1 January 2027) disciplines, only a maximum internal fork width of 115 mm at the front and 145 mm at the rear (measured along the entire length of the front fork and rear triangle) will be permitted.
The UCI Management Committee approved the introduction of a distinction between road and track time trials on the one hand, and road races on the other, with regard to the helmets that may be used. The specifications for helmets that may be used in the various events will therefore be clarified with effect from 1 January 2026. The UCI Equipment Unit, in consultation with the Equipment and New Technologies Commission, will continue to work in detail on the subject of helmets, both in terms of approval procedures and specifications for the coming seasons. Members also granted the UCI Sports Department a mandate to introduce a helmet approval protocol which will be effective from 1 January 2027 at the earliest.
Kent Road Safety did post
Kent Road Safety did post about the ‘Dutch Reach’ 3 days ago
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1160808632739192&set=a.328721192614611
Kudos to the white van man
Kudos to the white van man who saw me and closed his door the other day.
I pretty much ride central
I pretty much ride central anyway. Question is, will the police defend people on cycling from aggression from drivists? Rhetorical question. I know the answer.
Kent Road Safety Team: I’m
Kent Road Safety Team: I’m beginning to wonder about the qualifications of the people running this organisation. Do they read research? Do they understand that it’s always better to treat the cause not the symptoms?
Symptom: cyclists hitting car doors being opened in front of them.
Cause: drivers and passengers failing to observe before opening the door.
It seems pretty clear to me that people should be made to observe rather than cyclists be forced to take compensatory actions to cope with the incompetence of car occupants.
Isn’t this the same ‘safety organisation’ that just a couple of days ago told cyclists to wear helmets and hi-viz?
Perhaps the road safety bit
Perhaps the road safety bit in their name actually only refers to drivers and everyone else doesn’t count?
I’ve only been riding the
I’ve only been riding the bike for 63 years, so I’m still learning new things. One of the things I learned early was. “Don’t ride in the door line”, in fact when I ride with less expereinced riders, I spend most of the ride behind them shouting, “move out”….., “move out”….. “FFS MOVE OUT!”.
It is 100% my responsibility to make sure that if a bell end swings their door open, it isn’t in to me. It is 100% their responsibility not to do it!
We have very little bike
We have very little bike infrastructure on roads where I live, and a lot of it is door zone bike lanes. It’s not terrible as most are residential streets with low traffic and most of the cars are parked off-street. I still have to “suggest” to people when we’re riding an a group that we move away from the cars a bit.
There’s one 1.2 mile stretch where I ride on the parallel road with no bike infrastructure, because it’s just a lot more pleasant.
Which of these would you ride on? Neither is super busy, but the one on the right has a quarter the traffic count, 300-850 vs. 1700-3100 per day, depending on which block, and a lower speed limit of 25 vs. 30 MPH.
Both appear equally appealing
Both appear equally appealing to me as a cyclist and walker. Dead quiet and lots of space. Footpaths separated from the road so no cars parked in them either. If that was a UK suburb, there would be no parking space both sides of the road at all and on the quieter ones cars would be parked in the lanes instead like in this one in my place https://maps.app.goo.gl/mAGEZBzP2Gyy39SS7
Note the Audi parked fully on the footpath, so pedestrians are forced onto the road to walk past it. The street appears quiet, but is actually pretty busy most of the time with cars going in both directions.
Drives >may< look in their
Drives >may< look in their mirror and see no >car< coming and will throw open their door. If you don’t ride in the door zone, you will be close passed and cursed at for “taking the whole road”. I’ve had too many close calls to even think of riding in the dooor zone!
When my wife was learning to
When my wife was learning to drive I had to tell her she was driving too close to parked cars in case someone swung open a door without looking and yes, I’ve had that happen whilst driving so some people don’t even see cars approaching 🙄
Republican or Loyalist?
Republican or Loyalist?
Hirsute wrote:
Neither – looks to be by street artist ROA who is from Belgium (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROA_(artist)). He did a fox mural on Nelson St, Bristol back in 2012.
Come on Adwitiya, not again.
Come on Adwitiya, not again.
Correct language in your headline:
“Six-figure settlement for cyclist hit by driver on roundabout…”
but then incorrect language further down:
“A 54-year-old cyclist from Reading has received a six-figure settlement after suffering serious leg injuries in a collision with a car…”
and
“Ray Rawlings was hit by a Vauxhall Meriva in June 2022…”
Well said.
Well said.
Having been doored once, I
Having been doored once, I always give cars 1.0m and fuck the traffic!