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Traffic cops clash with talkRadio’s Cristo Foufas about…CyclingMikey?; BBC responds to ‘hit by car’ headline complaints; COP26 accessibility issues; Hill climb rain and pain; Have you signed for Ineos?; Cycling friends episode 2 + more on the live blog
SUMMARY

Traffic cops clash with talkRadio's Cristo Foufas about...CyclingMikey?
Maybe this is life in the metaverse? Three live blog favourites coming together for one royal rumble. In the red corner it’s the Surrey Roads Policing Unit’s Twitter admin — a defender of all things cycling. In the blue corner it’s talkRadio presenter Cristo Foufas — LTN critic and definitely not a defender of all things cycling. The battleground? CyclingMikey.
We begin with Cristo setting his sights on the catcher of law-breaking drivers…”Mikey is such a desperate and weird character. Imagine being so sad as to spend hours at a time at a junction hoping to film inside peoples’ cars. Odd and perhaps even sinister to say the least,” talkRadio’s finest begins.
The presenter took issue with CyclingMikey’s hands-on approach to catching drivers on their phones and breaking the rules of the road.
Wouldn’t it be great if we had enough cops to do the same. Unfortunately we don’t, so Mikey is providing a really effective element of Road safety.
The only people who would find this concerning are Road users committing offences.
— Roads Policing Unit (RPU) – Surrey Police – UK (@SurreyRoadCops) October 29, 2021
In our book that’s round one to the traffic cops…
Cristo went straight for the nuclear ‘I’m telling your boss’ approach, replying: “Interesting. Looking forward to passing this exchange onto senior officers at Surrey Police how you’re endorsing to over 100k followers, a civilian walking in front of a moving vehicle at a junction with no authority, based on the suspicion of an alleged offence. Thanks for clarifying.”
Interesting how we’re having a conversation but you seem to suddenly want to involve (or threaten involvement) of senior management.
That’s not very ‘engaging’.By all means, if you wish to complain, here is the link:https://t.co/3vx6Pyxfbi
Sgt 3564 Pascoe
— Roads Policing Unit (RPU) – Surrey Police – UK (@SurreyRoadCops) October 30, 2021
Nice way to change our language to suit your agenda.
Like we said earlier, wish you’d put as much energy into trying to make the roads safer by using your audience to influence change than targeting one individual.
— Roads Policing Unit (RPU) – Surrey Police – UK (@SurreyRoadCops) October 30, 2021
This is getting very tasty…time for closing remarks:
We’ve answered a lot of your questions but you still haven’t answered our question about your source from earlier.
It’s all about language, as a radio host you should know that better than most. Twisting our wording to suit your agenda.
— Roads Policing Unit (RPU) – Surrey Police – UK (@SurreyRoadCops) October 30, 2021
For the backstory on these two, a dip into our archives will let you know how we got to this point…
Surrey Road Cops’ live blog career is a glittering highlight reel of education and mic drop moments. We had them calling out a safe driving campaign spouting “dangerous advice” about riding two abreast. The time before that they were sliding into the DMs of one driver calling cyclists “dickheads”. And it’s not all entertainment…last year they explained to their followers why road safety enforcement focuses on drivers.
Cristo’s most recent road.cc mention came when he called a caesefire on one LTN debate to ask an anti-LTN account on Twitter to not use language comparing cyclists to rats or vermin. Last summer he ripped up the Highway Code during one of his talkRadio shows, saying: “I am so sick of drivers rightly being held to account for their behaviour on the roads… but cyclists ignore the law with impunity.”
Back in March he received many a joke online for complaining about struggling to drive around south London…because of road closures, bus lanes and a lack of parking.
More accessibility problems at COP26
Yesterday we brought you the story from Glasgow that security guards at COP26 were asking cyclists to use a footway and had refused to open a barrier on the road. The footway didn’t have a ramp over the kerb, however, making it unaccessible to everyone.
Now, the BBC reports an Israeli minister was unable to attend the conference yesterday because it was not wheelchair accessible. The Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s delegation said they had formally complained to organisers about the issue.
The UK’s Environment Secretary, George Eustice, said the incident was “deeply regrettable” and apologised to the Israeli politician.
Hill climb nationals vid...rain and pain in the Peak District
We’ve been sent in this recap of all the men’s action from Sunday’s national hill climb champs. In absence of any live broadcasting it does a pretty strong job of capturing the protagonists, pain and puddles. There’s a women’s recap coming soon too, so keep your eyes peeled for that…
Who hasn't signed for Ineos Grenadiers? Has your contract been lost in the post?
Now it’s official. I am super happy to announce that I, The Flying Goat of Leafy Cheshire, will, like everyone else, be riding for @INEOSGrenadiers next year. pic.twitter.com/ycznahvzur
— Rob Whittle (@PolkaDotRob) November 2, 2021
Four signings from Ineos yesterday has left more than a few punters feeling left out. Surely we could do a job in a couple of early season races? You know, get all the free kit and the flash bike, ride on the front during the neutral zone, go back to the car, fail to rejoin the bunch, jump in the car…that sort of thing.
BREAKING: I can confirm I am the only person to have not signed for Ineos Grenadiers
— Robyn (@robynjournalist) November 1, 2021
I have to say, I am a little disappointed to announce that I have yet to receive my email from Dave Brailsford, inviting me to join InEoS Grenadethrowers on a gazillion pounds a year salary.
Why am I the on person who rides a bike who hasn’t been signed up?
— RiksRedGuard (@RiksRedGuard) November 2, 2021
They’ve boringly gone down the signing proven talent route…if you missed the news yesterday, Elia Viviani is rejoining the team for 2022, along with Spanish champ Omar Fraile, German U23 champ Kim Heiduk and promising British talent Ben Turner. What have they got that we don’t?
BBC responds to 'hit by car' headline complaints — insists wording was "fair and accurate"
BBC under fire for reporting of incident that saw woman and three children taken to hospital — article said they had been ‘hit by car’ in South Lanarkshire https://t.co/S1XBAAsM6L #cycling pic.twitter.com/FuvmKgDvTr
— road.cc (@roadcc) October 28, 2021
Remember this one? A reader got in touch to say they had complained to the BBC, citing the Cycling UK media reporting guidelines and “mentioning it would be better to reframe the focus of the headline away from a passive, uncontrollable vehicle”.
The BBC’s official line on the headline, which said ‘Woman and three children hit by car in South Lanarkshire’, is…
We believe it to be a fair and accurate summary – investigations into the incident still ongoing – and would not propose making any changes to the wording at this time.
The BBC has its own guidance which we follow, and the recommendations you highlight are not a part of that
Cycling friends with Jeremy Vine episode 2: Scott Mills
Sighted: @scott_mills on the BBC zebra crossing.
I’m pretty sure he had no clue it was me. pic.twitter.com/YY6f8VfAXW— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) November 1, 2021
I know Scott Mills isn’t on a bike like Peter Hitchens was last week, but I reckon this still counts for Jeremy Vine’s cycling friends series. BBC’s Scott Mills using a zebra crossing — tremendous entertainment. Top marks to fellow BBC DJ and Peter Crouch podcast host, Chris Stark, for this…
Scott taking his wage home
— Chris Stark (@Chris_Stark) November 1, 2021
I wonder if Scott will be back stronger with a reply?
Cycling friends with Jeremy Vine episode 1 was a humdinger…it started with Peter Hitchens on a Santander Cycle in Hyde Park, progressed to Hitchens describing Vine as “wheezing uphill towards me, dressed as an insect, with what looked like a periscope on his head”. Before, in a shock twist, ending with Vine defending his pal’s lack of helmet.
Dreaming of summer? Chase the Sun registrations open 15th November
The nights are dark and it’s suddenly got all very cold here in the UK…if you need any extra motivation to get out on the bike this winter, maybe booking a big ride for next summer will help. Pick a goal, have it in the back of your mind, get out on the bike more as a result, get fitter, smash 2022? That’s the plan…
> 16 winter cycling tips to get you motivated and battle the winter blues
Naturally, the people at Chase the Sun reckon you should pick one of their rides. Registration for their UK North, UK South and Italia events opens on 15 November. So, if you fancy it, put 18 June 2022 in the diary for a 205-mile summer adventure.
The North UK route starts on the beachfront in Whitley Bay, north of Newcastle upon Tyne, and takes in the wild hills, forests and rivers of Northumberland and the dramatic southern uplands of Scotland, crossing historic bridges and wilderness, riding over 200 miles to reach a view of mid-summer sunset over the Firth of Clyde from Ayr seafront.
Chase The Sun UK South starts at sunrise on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, crossing a diverse section of the country, encompassing the urban sprawl of London, country lanes, green vales and the mighty Cheddar Gorge, ending at sunset in Burnham On Sea on the Somerset coast some 205 miles later.
Chase The Sun Italia is a 270 kilometre route full of scenic climbing and thrilling descents, it traverses the country from Cesenatico, birthplace of Marco Pantani, over the Appenine mountains, scenic Tuscan hills and vineyards, and passing historic cultural landmarks in Florence and Pisa, to arrive at the Tirrenian sea, on the coast west of Pisa.
Pick your fighter, and get training…
Cristo has been saying things about cycling again...this time it's Santander Cycles and TfL in the firing line
Of the 300m+ journeys by public transport monthly in London (2019 figures), 1m represents well under 0.5%.
Well done TFL! https://t.co/4N4vo83JKX
— Cristo (@cristo_radio) November 1, 2021
Another one for the collection…presumably he wants way more journeys made by bike?
Our new favourite Instagram page: Movethosehoods
Niche but very enjoyable. In their own words: “A page to share mechanic wins/blunders,dream hood/bad hood placement shaming & being generally obnoxious!” Anything to be more aero, right?
Victor Campenaerts: Dowsett has 50/50 chance to break Hour Record


One man who will be keeping a close eye on Alex Dowsett’s progress in Mexico tomorrow will be Victor Campenaerts. The Belgian, fresh from signing for Lotto-Soudal, has spoken about Dowsett’s chances of reclaiming the record he lost to Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2015.
Campenaerts holds the current record, having covered 55.089km in April 2019, coincidently (or not considering the performance marginal gains) at the same high altitude velodrome in Aguascalientes. “I think it’s a 50-50 per cent chance that he can break my record,” Campenaerts said in a video posted on his YouTube channel. “I think the biggest benefit Alex has over me is that he already had the Hour Record before. He already did an attempt and the full preparation.
> Alex Dowsett reveals his hour record bike for tomorrow’s attempt
“I prepared for the Hour Record very well but by doing it all I learned some things that I would do differently. That’s a big advantage Alex has – that he has the experience.”
We took a look at Alex Dowsett’s Hour Record machine, complete with £950 gold chainring, HED’s Volo wheels and Aerocoach Ascalon bars, and Campenaerts believes the improved tech two years on will help the Brit’s chances.
“Technology hasn’t been standing still. Everything goes forward,” he continued. “Tyres are getting faster, frames are getting more aero, suits are getting faster, you have faster chain rings, faster chain lubes. All marginal gains but those margins are all very important in the end if you want to break an Hour Record. There are also new rules. Alex can ride with aero shoe covers, which I wasn’t allowed, though that’s only a small advantage.
“If he breaks it, I’m happy for him. Records are there to be broken, and Alex is a nice guy. I also know what it would mean to him to break the record, so I would be happy for him.”
If Dowsett does set a new world-best distance, Campenaerts won’t be jumping back on the boards to reclaim his crown…”I don’t think I’d go back after him – not on short notice anyway – because of changes in my career. I think I lost a lot of my time trial abilities. It would be already hard to break my own record, so if Alex breaks it, I will just cheer hard for him, congratulate him, and not go back after him.”
There’ll be no shortage of eyeballs on Dowsett’s attempt which will be broadcast on the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and the UCI’s YouTube channel from 21:45GMT tomorrow evening.
Common sense or victim-blaming? Derbyshire Police's hi-vis message goes down like a lead balloon
Whether on a bike, horse, motorcycle or on foot, there’s a number of ways that you can make yourself be seen in the dark.
👀 Wear Hi Vis clothing.
👀 Have lights on your bike.
👀 Wear reflective snapbands.
👀 Place Hi Vis over rucksacks or on your horses/dogs.Be seen, be safe pic.twitter.com/PJ30XZJgL8
— Derbyshire Police (@DerbysPolice) November 2, 2021
You’d have thought police forces would have worked out posts like these are more hassle than they’re worth. Wear hi-vis and make sure you’ve got lights. Ask any cyclist who does both of those things and you’ll hear countless tales of how both did nothing to prevent dangerous driving, close passes, near misses etc.
Anyway, here’s some of the reaction rolling in…
Gheesh, nobody said that being in hi vis will prevent all accidents but it doesn’t prevent some. If you are cycling or riding a horse at night without proper reflectors and lights then you are putting yourself and others at risk.
— Tref (@climbtechy) November 2, 2021
Better than that, start prosecuting drivers who drive too fast, who pass cyclists and horses too closely, etc. That’s how you’ll get actual safety, not with this hiviz nonsense.
— CyclingMikey tired of road crime. 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇿🇼 (@MikeyCycling) November 2, 2021
Thoughts?
> Met Police denies operation issuing hi-vis to cyclists was ‘victim-blaming’
It must be that time of year…last Friday Philip Pullman had a rant about “damn fools” on bikes “speeding through Oxford” without lights or hi-vis.
Mini LTN planters for sale
Mini Planters for sale £15, will post. Made in Manchester by Stephanie. 10% of money raised goes to Rescue Kitties. https://t.co/VmJ3X8d2RR pic.twitter.com/tAouI9Outy
— James Stafford (@Jamesdestafford) November 1, 2021
Don’t let your family know you read road.cc otherwise you can be sure to get one of these tenuous active travel gifts for Christmas… similar to those novelty cycling gifts every non-cycling family member has got you at some point.
I’d steer clear of these anyway, rumour has it they increase traffic in neighbouring rooms and stop you getting to the toilet when you need to go…children and pets tend to ignore them too.
Thanks to Tom_77 for pointing these out in the comments, you’re already having fun with them…


But cyclists...
Neighbours in #Islington please be aware the top end of Noel Road is closed due to a car having been driven into a house. @CycleIslington I hope nobody was hurt 🙏 pic.twitter.com/DUU2YPskcO
— 𝔅𝔞𝔡𝔤𝔢𝔯 RPR 🔱 🄹🄰🄼🄴🅂 (@badgercyclist) November 2, 2021
Cristo asks for the complaints form link...positive reviews and thanks flood in for Surrey Roads Policing Unit
Thank you Alex, very kind to take the time.
It’s not easy getting the tone right, we try our best.
Thanks again.
Sgt Pascoe.
— Roads Policing Unit (RPU) – Surrey Police – UK (@SurreyRoadCops) October 30, 2021
Cristo Foufas was quick to deploy the ‘I’m telling your boss card’ on Surrey Roads Policing Unit’s Twitter admin, getting the link for ‘thanks and complaints’ from Sgt Pascoe, who was only too happy to oblige his request.
Unfortunately for the talkRadio presenter, this too seemed to backfire as his replies were then full of people sharing the positive feedback they’d sent off about Sgt Pascoe’s conduct…
Cameron James shared a screenshot of his thanks: “Sgt Pascoe’s handling of a ‘radio presenter’ who seemed to constantly try and twist the wording of posts made through the official Twitter account for Surrey RPU was highly professional and calm. I want to thank them for their continued commitment to keeping the roads of my home county safe whilst professionaly calling out those who try to twist words and threaten to complain. A real credit to Surrey Police! Thank You!”
Cristo claimed these thanks were really helping his cause by proving “just how many people the tweets could potentially put in danger.” Anyway, let’s see some more of them…
My feedback. pic.twitter.com/PSN7qOtCLY
— Railton LTN (@RailtonLTN) November 1, 2021
Done! pic.twitter.com/LUM7SR591o
— Matt James 🚴🏼♂️🎸🥦🏴 (@jimbo2112) October 31, 2021
I’ve submitted a “thanks” note for the work you do in educating the general public about the law and how you enforce it.
— Pete Johnson 😷 💙 🦆👎 (@pedrojuk) November 2, 2021
The force also confirmed they’d blocked Cristo for “continually misquoting” their tweets…
2 November 2021, 09:10
2 November 2021, 09:10
It's back...but in a new part of town
RideLondon returns next May, but no Box Hill as sportive heads into Essex – find out how to enter here
Essex County Council replaces Surrey as partner for event, which will include three-day UCI Women’s WorldTour race
2 November 2021, 09:10
2 November 2021, 09:10
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Latest Comments
Hey, but their wool blend cycling adjacent t-shirts are/were fantastic.
@Surreyrider Still the boss. Ride one, you'll see why
@Smoggysteve "Most would happily ride on the roads and be treated with respect by drivers". But people aren't - and as far as I can see they won't be. Not until there is a lot less driving and it's slower around cyclists, and far more people driving have "skin in the game" eg. they sometimes cycle and their friends and family do also. That's what leads to the model - which is perhaps most advanced in NL - where cycling, walking and driving are all seen as separate normal transport modes. Their needs, vulnerabilities and any dangers to others are considered. And *that* leads to "mix / share when possible, separate when necessary". But "possible" is "where your 10-year old would be safe to cycle unsupervised" - so very few motor vehicles, going slow! And AFAICS everybody - even "existing cyclists" - is happy with the result. (I dunno about a few pro cyclists - but don't they tend to have training camps in different counties anyway?)
@quiff as an Edinburgh resident I can confidently say he's speaking without moving his lips in one sense: - while as I noted in a separate comment there *is* now some real separated cycle infra, all the examples i can think of have *at least as much space* for pedestrians. The rest of the "cycle infra" is essentially similar to the situation in the rest of the UK: eg. bus lanes*, cycle lanes and shared use paths (eg. "build" infra by sticking up a sign). Edinburgh is one of the places with a moderately extensive network of former railways which have been converted to "shared use" paths (completely motor traffic few). However though shared they are not narrow by UK standards. And this is all effectively a "free extra" for all non- motorised users, not like the "sign a cycle path" where pedestrians do lose space. I think this all comes from the "popular understanding" of cycling in which ultimately cyclists are the "other". They don't fit "motor vehicle" or "pedestrian" (including wheelchairs on the very rare occasions people think about that). Thus "cyclists are cheating" in multiple ways! They shouldn't get their own space as "there aren't enough" of them. And "they can just use the road / path". But being able to *choose* "on the road" or "on the footway" (shared use path) is clearly unfair - nobody else gets to do that! BUT of course even if they did pick just one of road OR pedestrian space it's still not fair anyway because they're "too slow" for the road (don't pay "road tax" etc...) and "far too fast" for pedestrians... * Though some existing cyclists may appreciate them when there are few buses, buses and bikes are a very poor mix for several reasons.
Whilst a shame for any employees, their bib shorts had the worst chamois pad I’d ever encountered, utter waste of my money. Even though they were Strava challenge discount purchases, still a waste of money.
Thanks, just going to have to suck it up. Got next week off and will take the easy, if expensive option...
@ktache Just go for the TNT Sports only package, £30.99 for a month. Alternatively have you considered experimenting with a VPN for a few pounds, allowing you to sign up for a free stream abroad, e.g. SBS Australia which streams the Tour live? If I didn't have a kind mate's login that's what I'd do!
So, it's now the month of July and I'm going to have to pay to watch the TdF, for one month only. On a tablet unfortunately, as I didn't manage to get a laptop to rig up to the TV, grrr. Just wondering, what package will I have to fork out for? Not wanting to pay for the wrong one...
Not that it sounds like a dealbreaker given the other faults you've identified, but that cable isn't really a "proprietary" cable, four pin magnetic cables like that are quite common on bone-conducting headphones and other devices (my inexpensive smartwatch uses one) and they can be had for £4.99 on UK Amazon.
79 thoughts on “Traffic cops clash with talkRadio’s Cristo Foufas about…CyclingMikey?; BBC responds to ‘hit by car’ headline complaints; COP26 accessibility issues; Hill climb rain and pain; Have you signed for Ineos?; Cycling friends episode 2 + more on the live blog”
There’s been much discussion
There’s been much discussion as to the propriety of using the term “Karen” (certainly my three friends named Karen don’t like it) for pompous entitled females who immediately and pointlessly demand to see management the second someone refuses to kowtow to their bullying; perhaps we could start calling that type a Christo instead, as in, “He knocked over his own drink then demanded to see the manager when we wouldn’t replace it free of charge. Total Christo.”
Have to agree with that. I’ve
Have to agree with that. I’ve always though Karen a beautiful name, but how about just not name calling or labelling…it’s bound to upset someone or other…
Too right.
Too right.
What grinds my gears is when people are grouped together due to some behaviour/characteristics (e.g. bullying shop staff) and then people complain about the group in general terms. Complaints should be more specific and targetted e.g. I don’t like people who shout at shop staff when the problem isn’t due to them.
A clearer example: “bloody cyclists always jumping red lights” vs “I can’t believe that cyclist in a squirrel suit just sailed through that pedestrian crossing”
I’ve been persecuting
I’ve been persecuting squirrels for years believing they are getting bigger and not obeying the rules of road, as well as them being immigrants. It now appears I may have made a mistake. Sorry.
SimoninSpalding wrote:
Well, it’s only the grey ones that are immigrants, or is that being racist?
As virtually all of them were
As virtually all of them were born here, and Britishness isn’t related to colour, I’d say so.
Duncann wrote:
Ah – but who do they owe allegience to? They might be claimed by the US treasury or something, like unmarked swans and the queen.
chrisonatrike wrote:
Sorry? I knew we’d flogged off all the gold, but I didn’t realise the Queen belonged to the US Treasury!
Sorry to bear bad news. We
Sorry to bear bad news. We had to pawn her to make payments for the lend-lease money (we didn’t finish paying off WW1 until a few years back).
Not only is the queen an
Not only is the queen an immigrant, she is an extra-terrestrial immigrant. You know, the really bad kind.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk-news/royal-family-are-bloodsucking-alien-lizards-david-icke-2478194
chrisonatrike wrote:
.
Duncann wrote:
You may well have a point
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/170448/dont-blame-grey-squirrels-their-british/
Rendel Harris wrote:
Couldn’t agree more, but adding the “h” might create some problems with religious types.
Oops my bad, he’s very
Oops my bad, he’s very definitely not the Messiah…
Subconsciously I must have been abbreviating Christonabikeitsthatarseagain…
Rendel Harris wrote:
…he’s just a very naughty boy!
As I think I’ve mentioned
As I think I’ve mentioned before, my ex-wife (who I am still – or perhaps have again become – good friends with) is named Karen, and I really wince on her behalf when Karen is used as an insult in this way. There’s a certain irony as well that, when we were first going out, ‘Sharon’ was the woman’s name that seemed to be the term of abuse (for different reasons) and she used to get annoyed when people would (deliberately or by accident) misname her as Sharon.
Plus, of course, it’s an Americanism anyway.
Way back in the day I had a
Way back in the day I had a very good friend called Sharon who fell in love with a chap named Kevin; they ended up happily married with children, but in the early stages she had to think seriously about whether she could face being part of a Sharon and Kevin couple.
I was a fan of CyclingMikey
I was a fan of CyclingMikey but after I took issue with a friend of his telling an inclusive cycling academic (@tricyclemayor) to “f#ck off”, he then proceeded to call me delicate, and then, irony of ironies, decided to block me as I’d apparently scolded him on twitter. All I said was that given we’re all aiming for the same goal (safer cycling) we shouldn’t be swearing at each other, no matter how much we may disagree. @TricycleMayor deserves more respect and her views as a rider with mobility issues should be taken seriously.
I still back what CyclingMikey does but he does seem a bit childish.
Boopop wrote:
Cool story bro.
Thanks pal.
Thanks pal.
By the way, 2008 called, it wants its very dated meme back.
Boopop wrote:
LOL, the irony…
Boopop wrote:
Good metahumour but was hoping for a bit more detail in the story. Well, I learned about TricycleMayor so there’s that.
That CyclingMikey gave my friend a dirty look in Topshop once…
I just wondered why he was
I just wondered why he was complaining to CyclingMikey about what a friend of his said to someone else. Surely complain directly to the person doing the swearing.
BBC news used to be my
BBC news used to be my trusted source for everything…Christ it’s gone downhill the last 5 years or so…must remember…BBC news is not the BBC…
I agree. Part of it seems
I agree. Part of it seems they are running scared of retaliation from the Govt and at the same time scoring a huge pile of own goals with their readership. Maybe its a reflection of the times we live in. I get that they have a tough job to do but they to be constantly seem to be tripping over their own feet.
Clearly they’ve also fallen
Clearly they’ve also fallen foul of that vicious cycling lobby group that Matthew Briggs was on about. Hang on, wait a minute…
And so another thread turns
And so another thread turns into an echo chamber as “man of the people” Nigel Garage once more blindly states his dogma as factually correct to create a narrative that undermines all the benefits of cycling.
It’s utterly boring to have to read, day in day out and kills what can be interesting and constructive discussions.
I bet you’re a real fun guy at parties…..
Owd Big ‘Ead wrote:
So, what did you think of the Hill climb video? If I can only manage to treble my speed up Winnats I could be in with a chance next year. Will an oversize jockey wheel and some shoes wedges be enough or do I need to get the oval chainring as well??
I ain’t seen the hill-ckimb
I ain’t seen the hill-ckimb video yet, but being a Derbyshire bloke I had the pleasure of watching the masochists turning themselves inside out for real in foul weather on Sunday.
Amazing to see the record broken after all these years, considering the massive leap in technology available to today’s riders.
I get your point that there is more to the comments section than “our Nige” but it gets bloody boring when it’s every single day.
Saw this on Twitter, thought
Saw this on Twitter, thought it looked cute:
Butbutbut… I wasn’t
Butbutbut… I wasn’t consulted on this – how will I get to the kitchen?!? And think of all the congestion it will cause on the landing!!
mdavidford wrote:
I’d pour some oil on it if I were you. Only the best extra virgin olive mind …..
Quote: “They’ve boringly gone
Quote: “They’ve boringly gone down the signing proven talent route…if you missed the news yesterday, Elia Viviani is rejoining the team for 2022, along with Spanish champ Omar Fraile, German U23 champ Kim Heiduk and promising British talent Ben Turner. What have they got that we don’t?” Unquote
Well, a contract with Ineos Grenadiers to start with 🙂
Completely agree with Cristo
Completely agree with Cristo on his valid observations about Mikey leering through people’s car windows, hoping to grab a few seconds of footage with someone famous glancing at their phone in stationary traffic for his YouTube channel.
Desperate stuff. Still it gives his followers something to talk about… “Cracking set of legs”, says one commenter on the linked YouTube clip.
And on to Surrey Police. “We don’t have enough police”… says the policeman sat behind a desk eating doughnuts and posting Twitter comments.
——————————–
EDIT: It’s hardly surprising to see the “institutionally misogynistic” and “sexist” police in lockstep with some of the regular posters here, but if you cannot see the problem with allowing vigilante males to video lone females in their private vehicles then there’s something wrong with you.
That’s all I have to say on this matter.
Perhaps if your own father
Perhaps if your own father had been killed by a dangerous / drunk driver you might have more understanding of his motivation to confront dangerous drivers.
Nigel Garage wrote:
Do you not think educating people of road safety and the laws of the road is a suitable thing for traffic police to do?
No, their job is to catch
No, their job is to catch people breaking the law. If they wanted someone to sit on Twitter all day posting snide, uneducated comments, they could ask one of literally millions of people to do it for free.
No, their job is to “keep the
No, their job is to “keep the Queen’s peace” which, in certain circumstances, may well be done with the use of a keyboard.
Nigel Garage wrote:
It’s the job of all of us to help catch people breaking the law. Policing would look very different without intelligence and assistance from the general public.
Nigel Garage wrote:
… in a public space to capture evidence of people committing the offence for which he is videoing them. If he doesn’t do that, the video of a person’s head looking down doesn’t carry any weightin court. But don’t worry about legal technicalities, when scoffing at things is so much easier.
I take it ad hominem comments are OK just as long as they’re not at you?
What a very simple world you seem to occupy with one-dimensional professional characteristics. In your world, do all postmen have black and white cats? Is bread made by a bloke wearing a smock in a windmill?
They didn’t need to ask you, did they?! Seat already occupied.
Nigel Garage wrote:
First, you are wrong. The role of the police is not just to catch people breaking the law. It is also to prevent crime in the first place; and that includes education.
Second, as I understand it, that twitter account is run by police officers on their own time (so, literally, for free). But if you think they are wasting time as you suggest, why don’t you complain about them – they kindly included the information you need to do so.
Nigel Garage wrote:
I can think of at least one
Nigel Garage wrote:
Your use of the word “leering” = Snide
Your use of “uneducated comments” = snide
In fact, most of what you post on here = snide.
If that was the case they
If that was the case they wouldn’t be policing football matches, protests, etc. They would simply arrive after someone committed an offence.
Policing is also very much about prevention, public order and guidance.
Nigel Garage wrote:
Did they turn down your offer, as your snide uneducated commetsn didn’t fit their agenda of making roads safer for
cyclistseveryone?Their comments certainly
Their comments certainly appear more educated than Cristo’s, or yours.
Like on Road.cc, yeh?
Like on Road.cc, yeh?
I realise you want to support
I realise you want to support Nige like always, but unfortunately I can’t tell which of the two posts in this thread you are supporting with that statement. The one agreeing with Cristo that people seen to be breaking the law should not be filmed by members of the public? Or the one about posting snide comments on the internet. I suspect the latter but as 95% of your comments are snide digs at other posters or the site in general, and you post on here……….
I suppose that is why you liked your own comment along with racist, violence promoting boo.
Much better to allow a crash
Much better to allow a crash and KSI to occur and sort it out then rather than spend 1% of the cost of that educating folk.
Nice twisting of the facts.
Nice twisting of the facts.
Mikey takes close ups through the window because of R vs Barretto debacle which means that unless you capture footage of someone engaging in “interactive communication” then they cannot be penalised.
Change the law to keep up with the times, so that all you need is to capture the phone in their hand and the close ups won’t be necessary any more.
Onus should be on the driver to prove they had valid reason to have their phone in hand while driving, given there’s virtually no situation in which that is would be the case.
Well that’s a kind invitation
Well that’s a kind invitation for us to replay some classics. Some people don’t feel the need for windows! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSWzvNr_s14
chrisonatrike wrote:
“Former boxer Chris Eubank ran a red traffic light as he fled from a bizarre run-in” – Standard’s words not mine.
I’ve already made my thoughts clear on what I’d have preferred Chris Eubank to have justifiably done in the circumstance
Nigel Garage wrote:
“That’s all I have to say on this matter.” If only. Please feel free not to comment on anything else either.
Nigel Garage wrote:
I found this image online… can’t remember where or who posted it
I guess it places Nigel as the lowest of the low
I think you have that one
I think you have that one layer too high – there’s no evidence that the SRPU twitter poster does eat doughnuts.
mdavidford wrote:
This is why I was calling him the lowest.
Don’t know why I decided to use this image.
You can see from his “edit” that he has managed one whole step up now….
Absolutely, and then they
Absolutely, and then they come back and say it was “just a joke” or “can’t you take a joke”. For somebody that continuously suggests that cyclists should be more respectful to reckless drivers that put our lives at risk, this is massively disrespectful statement.
Nigel Garage wrote:
Well colour me shocked. Shocked, I tell you.
Do you get off on being an
Do you get off on being an irredeemable c0ck? Just shut up and crawl back under your rock.
Nigel Garage wrote:
Excellent news. Could you widen that scope of your silence please?
Nigel Garage wrote:
“That’s all I have to say on
“That’s all I have to say on this matter.”
This is your best post so far.
“if you cannot see the
“if you cannot see the problem with allowing vigilante males to video lone females in their private vehicles”
and how do you square that position with the widespread use of in vehicle cameras constantly filming other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians – typically installed at the front and rear?
open_roads wrote:
Vehicle cameras (assuming you mean dashcams) aren’t positioned in a way as to deliberately invade others’ privacy. For example, I have a front dashcam in my car. It films the rear of other vehicles and the road as I’m driving, for the purpose of footage in the case of a collision. It doesn’t film inside other vehicles.
Additionally, there are a number of GDPR directives regarding dashcams in fleet vehicles, taxis and the like to precisely stop invasion of privacy in an unreasonable manner.
So this is a completely different issue compared to the one Surrey police have endorsed, which involves camera-carrying male vigilantes pre-emptively filming inside any car they see fit, superficially for the purposes of “road safety”.
“That’s all I have to say on
“That’s all I have to say on the matter.”
Silence was golden….. but
Silence was golden….. but short lived.
Nigel Garage wrote:
Additionally, there are a number of GDPR directives regarding dashcams in fleet vehicles, taxis and the like to precisely stop invasion of privacy in an unreasonable manner.
Bloody Cycling Mikey – filming poor downtrodden drivists who are *checks notes* driving on the wrong side of the road (I mean if that’s not reasonable what is?) – totally unreasonable I tell you. The swine.
I have plenty more to say on this matter.
Nigel Garage wrote:
BZZZTT Wrong. Capturing someone in the midst of committing a crime is absolutely permitted under GDPR. Even if they merely suspect them of commiting a crime if its reasonable and proportionate its 99% ok too.
Nigel Garage wrote:
What exactly is the expectation of privacy if you are driving around breaking the law while in a motor vehicle with windows (made of see-through glass!) on the front, the back, and along both sides? Why, anyone could look in!
brooksby wrote:
Surely all the proles would be averting their eyes and doffing their caps whenever their betters are driving past.
Nigel Garage wrote:
FTFY
On that “wear hi-viz, m’kay?”
On that “wear hi-viz, m’kay?” tweet: my village FB group had one from Devon & Somerset (IIRC) fire service.
Aimed at pedestrians, saying make sure to not wear dark clothing, wear hi-viz, try to stay in well lit areas, and always carry a torch.
I know they’re trying to help, but…
Unfortunately, they aren’t
Unfortunately, they aren’t kidding!
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-46110621.amp
Just a thought, perhaps Talk
Just a thought, perhaps Talk Radio could replace Cristo with Sgt Pascoe as a host. He certainly has more reach than Cristo on Twitter >100K vs < 20k.
Just started following them.
Just started following them. Thoroughly educational with a side order of entertainment. “Good Twitter”
They are indeed a fantastic
They are indeed a fantastic blend of educational, with a hint of humour thrown in, and absolutely not afraid to tell people how it is….
… This is still my fave from them… “Sgt Smartass Pascoe” rules
Is Sgt Pascoe a anti-mask,
Is Sgt Pascoe a anti-mask, anti-vaxx, lycra hating Brexiteer hypocrite? I doubt it, so he wouldn’t fit in with their world view.
I’d send some support to
I’d send some support to Surrey Police on twitter, but my appeal (we action them as soon as possible) for calling Cristo a cretin, still hasn’t been resolved; 10 months and counting.
And for all those offended by my use of cretin on behalf of all people suffering from the medical condition, I’m referring to the much more widely used and recognised form of calling someone an idiot; because he is. Sorry if you don’t like that, but suck it up and stop being offended on behalf of others; life’s too short.
eburtthebike wrote:
Oh come on Eburt. How long is it since you were banned by twatter for using an ableist pejorative?
Suck it up, take it on the chin. Life’s too short.