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Back to News

  • News
oxon travel cycle lane picture 2 – via twitter.PNG
oxon travel cycle lane picture 2 - via twitter (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Cyclists don’t pay ‘road tax’! (Except this one slapped with £1,500 bill); CyclingMikey interview; Maxine Peake talks Festive 500 on The One Show; Jan Ullrich rubbishes rehab rumours; Injured Van der Poel ends CX season; Cafe ride + more on the live blog

It’s Tuesday…no it’s not…it FEELS like a Tuesday…Dan Alexander is here for your Wednesday dose of live blog action
  • by Dan Alexander
Wed, Jan 05, 2022 08:52
70

SUMMARY

  • Injured Mathieu van der Poel ends cyclo-cross season early, hopes to recover in time for Classics
  • How it started vs how it's going...
  • Maxine Peake talks Festive 500 on The One Show
  • CyclingMikey interview
  • Jan Ullrich says hospitalisation was due to "severe blood poisoning", not alcohol relapse
  • Sigma Sports' 'The Cafe Ride' returns after two-year hiatus — Pippa York first guest back
  • Just saw two cyclists refuse to use this perfectly good cycle lane
  • American police officer faces lawsuit after tackling man for not having a light on his bike
  • Christina Birch talks life as a NASA astronaut
  • Wout keeps winning...but is Tom Pidcock now favourite for cyclo-cross rainbow jersey?
  • Useful things bikes...
  • Cyclists don't pay 'road tax'! (Except this one slapped with £1,500 bill)
  • Some interesting thoughts for your Wednesday afternoon...
  • "World of pain" caused by Belfast party bikes, according to Northern Irish police official
  • Riding the entire Festive 500...in one ride
oxon travel cycle lane picture 2 – via twitter.PNG
oxon travel cycle lane picture 2 - via twitter (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
5 January 2022, 08:52

Injured Mathieu van der Poel ends cyclo-cross season early, hopes to recover in time for Classics

Matthieu van der Poel Canyon Inflite Worlds 6-2
Matthieu van der Poel Canyon Inflite Worlds 6-2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Matthieu van der Poel Canyon Inflite Worlds 6-2
Matthieu van der Poel Canyon Inflite Worlds 6-2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

World champion Mathieu van der Poel will not defend his cyclo-cross world title later this month, Alpecin-Fenix have announced. Van der Poel’s winter has been blighted by injury, and following the latest flare up of his back injury, the 26-year-old has decided to prioritise recovery, hopefully in time for the spring Classics.

The news is not particularly unexpected. Yesterday, Van der Poel’s father, Adrie, told Sporza that his son would not be competing this week and hinted that the remainder of his cyclo-cross season was in jeopardy.

This morning, in a team press release, Mathieu confirmed the news, “I can’t say much about it, it is what it is. Because of that back pain I haven’t been able to reach my desired level since the Tour. I just want that to be in the past.

“The only remedy turns out to be a longer rest period. It would therefore be foolish to interrupt this period again and still try to make it to the World Championships. We all agree on that. Even though it is very bitter – I have participated in the World CX Championships 10 consecutive times – not being able to defend my title in the States is a real downer.

“I’m not worried about the future of my career, but of course it frustrates me now not knowing how long this rest period will last. We’ll only set a date and goals if we can do so in a substantiated manner. Until then, I’ll do what I can.”

5 January 2022, 08:52

How it started vs how it's going...

Elect people who bicycle.

— Mayor John J. Bauters (@JohnBauters) January 4, 2022

Wait for it…

Yes, yes … EXCEPT Boris Johnson. 🤦🏻‍♂️👎🏼

— Mayor John J. Bauters (@JohnBauters) January 4, 2022

5 January 2022, 08:52

Maxine Peake talks Festive 500 on The One Show

Maxine Peak Festive 500 (Strava)
Maxine Peak Festive 500 (Strava) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Maxine Peak Festive 500 (Strava)
Maxine Peak Festive 500 (Strava) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Maxine Peake was on The One Show last night talking about her new BBC drama Rules of the Game…AND more importantly the Rapha Festive 500.

Maxine completed the challenge with seven rides, mainly around the Manchester area and down into Cheshire, averaging 71.46km per activity.

And before she began talking to Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas about her new show, the actress addressed the important business — riding bikes.

“It can get in the way of your Christmas a little bit,” Peake admitted. “You’re taking your bike everywhere and constantly checking your Strava to make sure you’ve made the miles, but it’s good because it plateaus off the weight gain.”

Anyone else complete the 500?

5 January 2022, 08:52

CyclingMikey interview

We can all play a role in reporting dangerous driving to @metpoliceuk using dashcams & headcams. @MikeyCycling has been a pioneer in using headcam tech to help make our streets safer for all
You can submit camera footage to the Met Police here: https://t.co/BDZXPKgKjV https://t.co/pH0aD4BGrY

— Will Norman (@willnorman) January 5, 2022

The Guardian has done a feature with CyclingMikey (and kindly linked back to our story on his points victory over Chris Eubank)…

It’s well worth a read for a look at what makes Mikey tick, and the story of why he started filming law-breaking drivers.

“I just like to think that with the power of one I’m trying to change a little bit of road safety,” is a particular favourite from the interview. Have a read here…

5 January 2022, 08:52

Jan Ullrich says hospitalisation was due to "severe blood poisoning", not alcohol relapse

Jan Ullrich in 2004 Image by Moritz Petersen
Jan Ullrich in 2004 Image by Moritz Petersen (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Jan Ullrich in 2004 Image by Moritz Petersen
Jan Ullrich in 2004 Image by Moritz Petersen (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

A report which surfaced the week before Christmas in German newspaper Bild claimed 1997 Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich had been admitted to hospital after relapsing into alcoholism.

However, Ullrich has addressed the reports, telling the German news outlet, “I had a thrombosis and very severe blood poisoning. I escaped death again.

“To dispel all speculation: At the start of the treatment, I had a drug test done – and of course it was negative.”

It turns out Ullrich spent time in hospital in Mexico and has continued his rehab on returning to Europe. The 48-year-old also thanked Lance Armstrong for his support.

“He was the first person who came to see me in the hospital. He helped me a lot. I want to thank him for that,” Ullrich continued, before explaining his ongoing back problems have caused him to shrink. 

“Three or four intervertebral discs have completely collapsed in the meantime. I’m only 1.81 meters now, I used to be 1.83 metres.”

5 January 2022, 08:52

Sigma Sports' 'The Cafe Ride' returns after two-year hiatus — Pippa York first guest back

Two famous faces from the cycling world having a chat over a spin around the south-west of Glasgow, featuring, of course, the obligatory cafe stop…it wouldn’t be a very good cafe ride without a refreshment stop, would it?

Pippa York is Matt Stephens’ first guest back. Expect stories from the peloton, discussion on the inclusion of transgender athletes in sport, and Pippa’s perspective on her new career in front of the camera and behind the mic.

5 January 2022, 08:52

Just saw two cyclists refuse to use this perfectly good cycle lane

Just saw two cyclists refuse to use this perfectly good cycle lake. pic.twitter.com/9KZagPaiFc

— Sam Clifford (@samclifford) January 5, 2022

5 January 2022, 08:52

American police officer faces lawsuit after tackling man for not having a light on his bike

Norfolk Virginia-Pilot newspaper recently got hold of this footage from December 2018, in which a Virginia cop is seen tackling a man riding a bicycle to the ground, apparently due to his lack of lights.

Derrick Rountree was killed earlier this year in an unrelated daytime shooting, and his family are pursuing a $1.5 million excessive force lawsuit against the officer on his behalf.

The body cam footage shows the officer chasing the man at around 2.40am on Christmas Day before tackling him to the ground.

“Why you do that to me, bro? For what? I ain’t do nothing,” the cyclist says. To which the cop responded: “You have no light. We tried to stop you. You tried to run.” Before another officer added, “You need a light.”

Rountree required surgery to reset his leg which was broken in multiple places during the incident. He was later charged with a headlight offence and obstruction of justice.

In court the officer’s attorneys asked Rountree why he had not stopped. According to the Virginia-Pilot, he replied, “Because I’m on a bicycle. What would he stop me for?”

5 January 2022, 08:52

Christina Birch talks life as a NASA astronaut

Christina Birch (Image credit: NASA)
Christina Birch (Image credit: NASA) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Christina Birch (Image credit: NASA)
Christina Birch (Image credit: NASA) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Bicycling sat down with retired pro cyclist turned NASA astronaut Christina Birch to talk about her transition from racing to spacing…

“It’s fulfilling in a way I wasn’t expecting, beyond, you know, just the pursuit of a tough performance like in a race,” she explained. 

“Also, there’s this other critical piece, which I found in teaching, that I felt like I was really making a difference. And I’m so excited to be returning to a career where I can inspire people to pursue math, the sciences, whatever it is they are passionate about.”

The full interview is here…

5 January 2022, 08:52

Wout keeps winning...but is Tom Pidcock now favourite for cyclo-cross rainbow jersey?

Back on 🔝! @WoutvanAert 🇧🇪 delivers another knockout 🥊 blow as he dominates the field to win the @X2OTrofee in Herentals!

🥇 @WoutvanAert 🇧🇪
🥈 @Tompid 🇬🇧
🥉 @ToAerts 🇧🇪

A preview of the podium at the World Championships 🌈 in Fayetteville? pic.twitter.com/ByfdwXsNxv

— GCN Racing (@GcnRacing) January 5, 2022

Wout van Aert did what Wout van Aert does…winning the cyclo-cross in Herentals this afternoon. BUT the big news, following on from Mathieu van der Poel’s announcement that his cross season is over, is that Van Aert has in the last few minutes confirmed he won’t be travelling to the US for the World Championships later this month…

No Van der Poel or Van Aert wearing the rainbow bands in 2022-23. Whisper it…but it’s looking like as good a chance as ever for Tom Pidcock. The Brit was second behind his Belgian rival this afternoon. 

Van Aert said he wants to prioritise being in top shape for the spring campaign on the road, something the world champs in Fayetteville, North Carolina, would hamper. He also had some kind words for his injured great rival…

🗨️ Wout van Aert: “It’s a shame that Mathieu isn’t in the races anymore and that he is struggling with an injury. I wish him the best from here. I hope that he will be back soon because cyclocross and the whole cycling world needs riders like Mathieu.” pic.twitter.com/DHWE72RhR3

— Cyclocross24.com (@cyclocross24) January 5, 2022

5 January 2022, 08:52

Useful things bikes...

Useful things bikes. On this one hour bike patrol covering some 14km the bike not only allowed me to cover a large amount of ground, but came in as a useful yardstick (if I can’t get a bike past your parked car, a pram or wheelchair can’t get past either). pic.twitter.com/Sgg8JnrW3e

— Sheffield North West NPT (@SheffNW_NPT) January 5, 2022

5 January 2022, 08:52

Cyclists don't pay 'road tax'! (Except this one slapped with £1,500 bill)

Hill climb graffiti Pay your road tax (Image Ali McLean)
Hill climb graffiti Pay your road tax (Image Ali McLean) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Hill climb graffiti Pay your road tax (Image Ali McLean)
Hill climb graffiti Pay your road tax (Image Ali McLean) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

One cyclist now has the perfect response to any online troll brandishing ‘cyclists don’t pay road tax’ in defence of (usually) very bad driving…because he does pay road tax…well, not really, because the summon from India’s Dibiyapur municipality has been scrapped and there is an investigation into why they were served the £1,500 bill…

Suresh Chandra from Sehud owns just a bicycle but was slapped with a notice to stump up Rs 1.5 lakh (roughly £1,500) as a motor vehicle tax between June 2014 and September 2021.

DNA reports the security guard took the note to his neighbours as he and his son could not read the letter, and were surprised to find out it had been issued in the name of his 16-year-old son, Sudhir.

An ARTO official said the notice had been incorrectly issued and that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and action taken against the persons responsible.

And they didn’t even need a loophole-specialising lawyer to get them off the charge…

5 January 2022, 08:52

Some interesting thoughts for your Wednesday afternoon...

Live in London? There’s no good reason to own an SUV. https://t.co/kMrpFuNQmQ

— Ash Sarkar (@AyoCaesar) January 5, 2022

5 January 2022, 08:52

"World of pain" caused by Belfast party bikes, according to Northern Irish police official

Belfast Waterfront impression (copyright Belfast City Council)
Belfast Waterfront impression (copyright Belfast City Council) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Belfast Waterfront impression (copyright Belfast City Council)
Belfast Waterfront impression (copyright Belfast City Council) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

A Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) official has claimed that Belfast’s party bikes have no place on the city’s streets and are causing a “world of pain” for authorities. The bikes, described as “pubs on wheels”, can hold up to 18 people who pedal along while drinking and playing music.

However, a PSNI official expressed concern in an email seen by Belfast Live: “As regards the party bike – that’s a whole other world of pain that neither BCC (Belfast City Council) or police have managed to crack either through application of construction and use legislation or on-street drinking bye-laws.”

“I honestly don’t see any safe place for that contraption, but finding a legal remedy has so far failed.”

Belfast City Council has always insisted responsibility falls to the police to enforce by-laws against street drinking.

5 January 2022, 08:52

Riding the entire Festive 500...in one ride

5 January 2022, 08:52

Peter Sagan tests positive for COVID-19 for second time in less than a year

Peter Sagan tests positive for COVID-19 for second time in less than a year

Three-time world champion and his brother are now self-isolating

5 January 2022, 08:52

Bling bikes...

Specialized reveals 2022 Tarmac SL7 bikes for its men's and women's WorldTour teams

Specialized reveals 2022 Tarmac SL7 bikes for its men's and women's WorldTour teams

Take a look at the new team bikes of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, SD Worx, TotalEnergies, and BORA-hansgrohe

5 January 2022, 08:52

Coming soon: road.cc Recommends awards 2021/22

Coming soon: road.cc Recommends awards 2021/22

Starting next week, we'll reveal the best bikes, components, accessories, and clothing that we’ve reviewed over the past year

5 January 2022, 08:52

Tour de Zwift returns this January with shorter weekday rides and longer weekend ones

Tour de Zwift returns this January with shorter weekday rides and longer weekend ones

This eight stage tour is for Zwifters of all abilities, so riders will be able to choose from three distance-based categories for each stage

5 January 2022, 08:52

MailOnline and its readers have meltdown over video of cyclist riding perfectly legally on road

MailOnline and its readers have meltdown over video of cyclist riding perfectly legally on road

Website’s coverage of rider cycling next to unfinished cycleway also incorrectly suggested it cost £150 million – when in fact it was £1.12 million

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  • cycling live blog, live blog, road.cc live blog
Dan Alexander
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Dan is the road.cc news editor and joined in 2020 having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Dan has been at road.cc for four years and mainly writes news and tech articles as well as the occasional feature. He has hopefully kept you entertained on the live blog too. Never fast enough to take things on the bike too seriously, when he’s not working you’ll find him exploring the south of England by two wheels at a leisurely weekend pace, or enjoying his favourite Scottish roads when visiting family. Sometimes he’ll even load up the bags and ride up the whole way, he’s a bit strange like that.  

70 Comments

70 thoughts on “Cyclists don’t pay ‘road tax’! (Except this one slapped with £1,500 bill); CyclingMikey interview; Maxine Peake talks Festive 500 on The One Show; Jan Ullrich rubbishes rehab rumours; Injured Van der Poel ends CX season; Cafe ride + more on the live blog”

  1. andyp
    January 5, 2022 at 9:29 am
    0

    TAX (ROAD) YOUR PAY. Did Yoda

    TAX (ROAD) YOUR PAY. Did Yoda write this?

    Log In or Register to post comments
    • Captain Badger
      January 5, 2022 at 9:42 am
      0

      andyp wrote:

      TAX (ROAD) YOUR PAY. Did Yoda write this?

      — andyp

      I suspect swldxer

      Log In or Register to post comments
    • chineseJohn
      January 5, 2022 at 9:44 am
      0

      American roads have marking
      American roads have marking like this. Where the words are written in this order

      Log In or Register to post comments
    • jestriding
      January 5, 2022 at 10:01 am
      0

      The rest of the world writes

      The rest of the world writes their on road signs with the words as you come to them (considering you’re not in a helicopter looking down; you’re driving on a flat road).

      Log In or Register to post comments
      • mdavidford
        January 5, 2022 at 10:11 am
        0

        And for some reason they

        And for some reason they assume that you can only read one word at a time without a break.

        Or perhaps they’re trying to generate a bit of mystery and excitement to keep the driver’s attention on the road.

        Log In or Register to post comments
        • SimoninSpalding
          January 5, 2022 at 10:36 am
          0

          mdavidford wrote:

          And for some reason they assume that you can only read one word at a time without a break.

          Or perhaps they’re trying to generate a bit of mystery and excitement to keep the driver’s attention on the road.

          — mdavidford

          You

          Log In or Register to post comments
          • SimoninSpalding
            January 5, 2022 at 10:36 am
            0

            SimoninSpalding wrote:

            And for some reason they assume that you can only read one word at a time without a break.

            Or perhaps they’re trying to generate a bit of mystery and excitement to keep the driver’s attention on the road.

            — SimoninSpalding

            You

            — mdavidford

            Mean

          • SimoninSpalding
            January 5, 2022 at 10:36 am
            0

            SimoninSpalding wrote:

            And for some reason they assume that you can only read one word at a time without a break.

            Or perhaps they’re trying to generate a bit of mystery and excitement to keep the driver’s attention on the road.

            — SimoninSpalding

            You

            — SimoninSpalding

            Mean

            — mdavidford

            You

          • SimoninSpalding
            January 5, 2022 at 10:36 am
            0

            SimoninSpalding wrote:

            And for some reason they assume that you can only read one word at a time without a break.

            Or perhaps they’re trying to generate a bit of mystery and excitement to keep the driver’s attention on the road.

            — SimoninSpalding

            You

            — SimoninSpalding

            Mean

            — SimoninSpalding

            You

            — mdavidford

            Don’t

          • SimoninSpalding
            January 5, 2022 at 10:37 am
            0

            SimoninSpalding wrote:

            And for some reason they assume that you can only read one word at a time without a break.

            Or perhaps they’re trying to generate a bit of mystery and excitement to keep the driver’s attention on the road.

            — SimoninSpalding

            You

            — SimoninSpalding

            Mean

            — SimoninSpalding

            You

            — SimoninSpalding

            Don’t

            — mdavidford

            ?

        • chrisonabike
          January 5, 2022 at 10:40 am
          0

          Ever creative – sometimes at

          Ever creative – sometimes at the expense of good sense – The Netherlands can offer you a musical road in place of boring scrolling text (listen here).  Unfortunately the downfall of this good idea was residents who were insufficiently patriotic to appreciate the same bloody tune being played by cars at various pitches all day every day. Wouldn’t happen in China!

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          • AlsoSomniloquism
            January 5, 2022 at 11:39 am
            0

            America has some of them but

            America has some of them but out on some remote freeways and roads. 

          • SimoninSpalding
            January 5, 2022 at 3:57 pm
            0

            The combination of multiple

            The combination of multiple cars and the doppler effect did make it reminiscent of some of the concerts I enjoyed (endured?) after my middle one took up the trumpet

      • andyp
        January 5, 2022 at 11:01 am
        0

        I can see how this might make

        I can see how this might make sense for Chris Froome and other stem-gazers. I think the rest of us tend to look up the road somewhat.

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    • chrisonabike
      January 5, 2022 at 10:52 am
      0

      I agree, this effect works

      I agree, this effect works better when you’re reversing:

       

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  2. SimoninSpalding
    January 5, 2022 at 10:33 am
    0

    Re Boris – I never considered

    Re Boris – I never considered what I saw him doing as “cycling”. It always looked like a somewhat awkward union between the pinnacle of human invention and an old Etonian trying desperately to look like a man of the people.

     

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    • Awavey
      January 5, 2022 at 11:22 am
      0

      does it matter though ? he

      does it matter though ? he still rode more miles than people sitting in a car or on the sofa do, he did the Ride London 100 miles as well, thats something Ive never done,thanks to its cancellation. But so frankly I wouldnt care if half the population looked like clowns on bikes, theyd be riding bikes and thats for me the far more important thing.

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      • hawkinspeter
        January 5, 2022 at 11:43 am
        0

        Awavey wrote:

        does it matter though ? he still rode more miles than people sitting in a car or on the sofa do, he did the Ride London 100 miles as well, thats something Ive never done,thanks to its cancellation. But so frankly I wouldnt care if half the population looked like clowns on bikes, theyd be riding bikes and thats for me the far more important thing.

        — Awavey

        Exactly! We need to get as many clowns as possible out of cars and onto bikes (though I do worry about their oversized shoes clipping the front wheel).

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        • mdavidford
          January 5, 2022 at 11:54 am
          0

          hawkinspeter wrote:

          We need to get as many clowns as possible out of cars and onto bikes (though I do worry about their oversized shoes clipping the front wheel).

          — hawkinspeter

          At least there’s no need to worry about whether they have a bell fitted – a quick squeeze of the nose should do the job.

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          • chrisonabike
            January 5, 2022 at 12:13 pm
            0

            I think the fietsorkest

            I think the fietsorkest should open the show – they’ve got several horns and no doubt bells could be incorporated.

      • Daveyraveygravey
        January 5, 2022 at 1:15 pm
        0

        Awavey wrote:

        does it matter though ? he still rode more miles than people sitting in a car or on the sofa do, he did the Ride London 100 miles as well, thats something Ive never done,thanks to its cancellation. But so frankly I wouldnt care if half the population looked like clowns on bikes, theyd be riding bikes and thats for me the far more important thing.

        — Awavey

        I can confirm I passed Bozzo on Boxhill.  As to whether he did the whole thing?   I had an early start, and whilst I am not the fastest, I was a bit surprised that he was at least half way round before I caught him.

        I said something witty and derogatory as I passed, but can’t remember what it was now.  If I had been able to see the future…

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      • AlsoSomniloquism
        January 5, 2022 at 1:16 pm
        0

        Yep, I missed out on that in

        Yep, I missed out on that in 2020 as well even though I had got it through the flukey extra chance method. 

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    • Bill H
      January 5, 2022 at 12:46 pm
      0

      Cycling infrastructure

      Cycling infrastructure advocates, those generally in favour of active travel etc, are going to miss Boris when he is gone. Before his second term as mayor the only half decent infra on my commute was in Camden. As PM he has funded LTN’s and authorised the installation of pop up cycle lanes across the country.

      I cannot think of another politician who ‘gets’ cycling like Boris does. With him in power active travel gets a sympathetic hearing and routes have been pushed thru’ despite opposition from the highways authority and dinosaur local authorities.

      When Boris goes, cycling will be wholly ignored again. Sadly, cronyism and short-term thinking will not be going with him.

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      • SimoninSpalding
        January 5, 2022 at 2:55 pm
        0

        Boris is a vanity project

        Boris is a vanity project enthusiast and that is the driver for “infrastructure” not cycling. The fact that led to a few bits of road being painted blue in London (rather slippery when it rained if I recall) does not make him a supporter of cycling. He has done nothing to improve safety of cyclists outside of urban areas, and is completely in hock to oil funded car obsessed back bench tories, like my own “representative” John Hayes.

        Ultimately paint and bollards solves nothing until legislation is updated to recognise the seriousness of driving offences, and the fact that he has found no means to do this in 2 years with an 80 seat parliamentary majority says everything I need to know about his commitment to cycling. He has however managed to bring forward repressive legislation that if passed will make it an offence to be annoying.

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        • Bill H
          January 5, 2022 at 4:52 pm
          0

          I far prefer riding along the

          I far prefer riding along the Embankment on a fully segregated cycle lane to the promise that if I am struck by a vehicle that the driver will be held to account!

          YMMV but record numbers of trips on the Embankment and Royal College Street etc point to a demand for better infrastructure. 
           

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  3. hawkinspeter
    January 5, 2022 at 10:53 am
    0

    CyclingMikey has an interview

    CyclingMikey has an interview/article with the Gruandia this morning:https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jan/05/filming-cyclingmikey-dangerous-drivers-mike-van-erp-motorists-britain-roads-safer

    He began taking his on-the-road shots in 2006, using an early bike-mounted camera. “I started filming because I felt a little powerless,” he recalls. “I couldn’t do anything if a bad driver gave me a close pass, or risked my life in some way. On the various cycling forums we started talking about cameras, how they were miniaturising and getting better – even though they’re terrible compared with now.”

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    • stomec
      January 5, 2022 at 11:14 am
      0

      hawkinspeter wrote:

      CyclingMikey has an interview/article with the Gruandia this morning:https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jan/05/filming-cyclingmikey-dangerous-drivers-mike-van-erp-motorists-britain-roads-safer

      He began taking his on-the-road shots in 2006, using an early bike-mounted camera. “I started filming because I felt a little powerless,” he recalls. “I couldn’t do anything if a bad driver gave me a close pass, or risked my life in some way. On the various cycling forums we started talking about cameras, how they were miniaturising and getting better – even though they’re terrible compared with now.”

      — hawkinspeter

      Came here to post the same!  Although I was going to include a trigger warning as it is (a) Guardian and (b) Cycling Mikey and I suspect I can hear the distant rumble of troll footsteps approaching

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      • hawkinspeter
        January 5, 2022 at 11:41 am
        0

        stomec wrote:

        Came here to post the same!  Although I was going to include a trigger warning as it is (a) Guardian and (b) Cycling Mikey and I suspect I can hear the distant rumble of troll footsteps approaching

        — stomec

        Dan’s now included it into the Blog as well.

        I found it quite encouraging to read this bit:

        Statistics are limited on this new era of road crime enforcement. The Metropolitan police, the UK’s biggest police force, for example, says it does not keep any relevant figures. But freedom of information requests have revealed that several smaller forces now get hundreds of video complaints a year each, and as many as half lead to action. Van Erp says he has been told “sometimes half of driver awareness courses are filled with people caught by camera cyclists”.

        Apart from the Met being poor with cyclists (not even going to mention their racist tendencies), it shows that us camera users are having a sizeable impact. We just need better support from certain police forces (cue WTJS) and harsher sentences for motoring crime – especially the loopholes concerning leaving the scene and ‘exceptional hardship’ which really rankles as the judiciary rarely consider the exceptional hardship caused by injuries and deaths to cyclists and others.

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        • Awavey
          January 5, 2022 at 1:06 pm
          0

          the day Ill be convinced it

          the day Ill be convinced it has any impact is when a driver begins an overtake when its clearly unsafe to do so, but then pulls back and decides against it, simply by recognising Im likely to be carrying a camera, so theyd better make it a good pass.

          till then its just supposition backed with no data, Suffolk & Norfolk for a while were reporting stats, which showed roughly only 20% were prosecuted, and nearly 60% of submissions were being rejected out of hand as not even meeting their submission criteria.

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          • hawkinspeter
            January 5, 2022 at 2:42 pm
            0

            Awavey wrote:

            the day Ill be convinced it has any impact is when a driver begins an overtake when its clearly unsafe to do so, but then pulls back and decides against it, simply by recognising Im likely to be carrying a camera, so theyd better make it a good pass.

            till then its just supposition backed with no data, Suffolk & Norfolk for a while were reporting stats, which showed roughly only 20% were prosecuted, and nearly 60% of submissions were being rejected out of hand as not even meeting their submission criteria.

            — Awavey

            60% rejected? That sounds like they don’t have the requirements laid out clearly or they’re too strict.

            I like to think that anyone that does receive a letter or fine from camera evidence is likely to complain about it to others and hopefully several drivers will then be wary of cyclists that may or may not have cameras. But like you say, there’s scant data on the actual effect on whether road casualties are lessened because of it.

          • brooksby
            January 5, 2022 at 3:35 pm
            0

            Awavey wrote:

            the day Ill be convinced it has any impact is when a driver begins an overtake when its clearly unsafe to do so, but then pulls back and decides against it, simply by recognising Im likely to be carrying a camera, so theyd better make it a good pass.

            — Awavey

            I don’t carry a camera, but someone did actually pull back from a stupid move this morning.

            It was dark, and there’s a pedestrian refuge pinch point ahead of me, visible for a long way.  I could hear a car revving up behind me, clearly thinking they’d overtake.  As we approach the pinch point I was getting ready for ‘having to do something’ when suddenly they noticed the island, braked, and went through behind me before overtaking once we were both through.

            My flabber was well and truly gasted! 😉

        • IanMK
          January 5, 2022 at 1:11 pm
          0

          Northamptonshire Police do

          Northamptonshire Police do publish statistics monthly.

          https://www.northantspas.com/PAWeb/Public/Content/23 

          Doesn’t tell you what action has been taken but it does tell you why action wasn’t taken.  They seem to be getting over 100/month. The majority are still from drivers and around 50% are rejected/not processed. 

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          • AlsoSomniloquism
            January 5, 2022 at 1:27 pm
            0

            I surprisingly had an email

            I surprisingly had an email from WMP from a submission I made last night. The email was asking for me to resubmit as the Statement page hadn’t loaded properly. The ref number I was told to append already showed over 30 submissions to them from the start of the year that they had accepted. At least I know my submissions are being looked at which is something I never had sight of before, I’m more inclined to add to the number. 

          • IanMK
            January 5, 2022 at 1:42 pm
            0

            Bedfordshire have a new
            Bedfordshire have a new system and seem very keen. The response is very generic but it was sent back literally within hours of the submission. As you say it’s encouraging.

          • Captain Badger
            January 5, 2022 at 2:23 pm
            0

            IanMK wrote:

            Bedfordshire have a new system and seem very keen. The response is very generic but it was sent back literally within hours of the submission. As you say it’s encouraging.

            — IanMK

            This looks similar to Herts (I think actually they might both use the same portal along with Cambs)

          • DoomeFrog
            January 5, 2022 at 2:30 pm
            0

            Beds, Herts and Cambs have a

            Beds, Herts and Cambs have a combined Road Policing Unit.

          • wtjs
            January 5, 2022 at 2:44 pm
            0

            Yes, that’s the dodge letter,
            Yes, that’s the dodge letter with ‘these options include the following…’, which then allows them to comply with it but do nothing at all, or give ‘words of advice’. The Lancashire version is even more suspect as it cunningly slides in the phrase ‘may include’.

          • IanMK
            January 5, 2022 at 2:56 pm
            0

            I wasn’t trying to make it

            I wasn’t trying to make it sound like it was a great response, it’s just “encouraging” to get a fast response to tell you that they’ve reviewed the footage and they are taking positive action. TVP by comparison feels more like a black hole for footage.

          • SimoninSpalding
            January 5, 2022 at 3:03 pm
            0

            I got a “Positive outcome

            I got a “Positive outcome letter” from Lincs police within 2 days, and the wording was stronger with the phrase

            “we are satisfied that one of the following actions is necessary to proceed with this matter:

            Warning
            Conditional offer of a diversionary course
            Conditional offer of fixed penalty

            Proceed to court”

            As you say, not perfect but at least someone is reviewing the footage and recognises a close pass when they see one.

          • mdavidford
            January 5, 2022 at 3:07 pm
            0

            SimoninSpalding wrote:

            Conditional offer of a diversionary course

            — SimoninSpalding

            Does that mean they’re made to take the long way home?

          • SimoninSpalding
            January 5, 2022 at 3:50 pm
            0

            I think so. Hopefully the

            I think so. Hopefully the conditions are that it is on a unicycle wearing a pink sock on their head.

          • wtjs
            January 5, 2022 at 5:23 pm
            0

            “we are satisfied that one of

            “we are satisfied that one of the following actions is necessary to proceed with this matter:

            Warning
            Conditional offer of a diversionary course
            Conditional offer of fixed penalty

            Proceed to court”

            Good for Lincolnshire. It is possible to produce a simple non-evasive letter, so the forces which persist with the evasive ones are presumed to be going for ‘nothing’ or ‘words of advice’.

          • AlsoSomniloquism
            January 5, 2022 at 3:57 pm
            0

            Yep, WMP always felt like a

            Yep, WMP always felt like a Black Hole so to at least know they deifinitely have seen it is an uplift.

            Yes, with the wtjs hat on, it shows nothing and you never find out if they followed through but at least it states they think it is bad enough. And if it is a warning letter or even the words of advice is given, it might make the driver more aware in future. 

          • Captain Badger
            January 5, 2022 at 4:11 pm
            0

            wtjs wrote:

            Yes, that’s the dodge letter with ‘these options include the following…’, which then allows them to comply with it but do nothing at all, or give ‘words of advice’. The Lancashire version is even more suspect as it cunningly slides in the phrase ‘may include’.

            — wtjs

            perhaps, although speaking directly with Herts it means that they will take action. They told me that they are specific in their communication if they decide NFA.

    • Hirsute
      January 5, 2022 at 11:42 am
      0

      Interesting rear camera set

      Interesting rear camera set up.

      Anyone know how it is done?

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      • hawkinspeter
        January 5, 2022 at 11:56 am
        0

        hirsute wrote:

        Interesting rear camera set up.

        Anyone know how it is done?

        — hirsute

        Probably some kind of Nut-R

        https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/04/gopro-bike-wheel-mount.html

        I hope their engineering is better than their website as their certificate expired back in May (for the love of Chris, automate your certificate renewals!)

        https://www.nut-r.co.uk/

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    • OldRidgeback
      January 5, 2022 at 6:01 pm
      0

      It’s an excellent piece and

      It’s an excellent piece and explains his motives really well.

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  4. Awavey
    January 5, 2022 at 11:25 am
    0

    Did anyone complete the

    Did anyone complete the Festive 500 ? what after telling us it was all pointless, selfish of us to devote any time to it over the holiday period,  and no one cares how far we ride anyway crying

    no, but I rode as much of it as Id targetted, so I completed my goals for it.

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    • AlsoSomniloquism
      January 5, 2022 at 1:15 pm
      0

      95km for me. I was planning

      95km for me. I was planning on more as i wanted to complete my 4k miles for the year but was just too wet so missed out on the latter by 140 miles. Shame the NYE/NYD weather didn’t come earlier in the week. 

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      • Awavey
        January 5, 2022 at 9:58 pm
        0

        I did 3/5ths, which was over

        I did 3/5ths, which was over halfway, which was my goal, so I was happy with that, if the weather gods had been more favourable Id like to think Id have completed it.

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        • AlsoSomniloquism
          January 5, 2022 at 10:22 pm
          0

          It is about what I would have

          It is about what I would have gotten to if I got my 4k target. Unfortunately my Shimano winter boots were letting the water in via my ankles  and because they don’t have the ventilation holes, it was staying in the shoes and had to be tipped out at the end. They then wouldn’t dry in time for the next days ride. 

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          • Rendel Harris
            January 6, 2022 at 9:16 am
            0

            Neoprene gaiters – best rainy

            Neoprene gaiters – best rainy day investment I’ve made in ages.

          • AlsoSomniloquism
            January 6, 2022 at 9:34 am
            0

            I’ve bought some of those

            I’ve bought some of those Altura WP socks as used by the R.cc team when they did the longest night ride. Not rained since for me to try them out. But yes, that will be the next look at as the shoe itself is fine, but doesn’t seal well around the ankle. 

          • Rendel Harris
            January 6, 2022 at 9:47 am
            0

            Same with my SIDI winter

            Same with my SIDI winter boots, lovely except no watertight ankle seal – £10 gaiters from Decathlon and not had a wet sock all winter!

  5. Hirsute
    January 5, 2022 at 11:45 am
    0

    “his actions are rooted in

    “his actions are rooted in painful personal experience of the consequences of such driving: when Van Erp was at school, he witnessed a friend being struck by a taxi driving the wrong way round a traffic island. His friend survived, but was badly injured.”

    Sound familiar…

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  6. mdavidford
    January 5, 2022 at 1:11 pm
    0

    I think the letters ‘SUB’ are

    I think the letters ‘SUB’ are missing from that sign.

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  7. Hirsute
    January 5, 2022 at 1:36 pm
    0

    https://twitter.com/pcarlin70

    https://twitter.com/pcarlin70/status/1478464279770710021

    Scenes today in North Queen Street, the buggy being pushed was a double one

    Chris was once a Racer: “Babies riding 2 abreast? Shouldn’t be allowed.”

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  8. AlsoSomniloquism
    January 5, 2022 at 1:37 pm
    0

    Regarding the “perfectly good

    Regarding the “perfectly good cycle lane”. I actually though the council had done well to mark it as flooded and warn traffic of filtering cyclists then realised those signs are for some roadworks further up.

    Log In or Register to post comments
    • Awavey
      January 5, 2022 at 10:00 pm
      0

      Id have ridden through that

      Id have ridden through that 🙂

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      • marmotte27
        January 6, 2022 at 6:16 am
        0

        You don’t know what’s under
        You don’t know what’s under the water. Might be a big hole…
        Besides getting splashed if you have no mudguards (and even if you do but they’re too short and/or narrow).

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        • Captain Badger
          January 6, 2022 at 9:20 am
          0

          marmotte27 wrote:

          You don’t know what’s under the water. Might be a big hole….

          — marmotte27

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        • wycombewheeler
          January 6, 2022 at 10:01 am
          0

          marmotte27 wrote:

          You don’t know what’s under the water. Might be a big hole… Besides getting splashed if you have no mudguards (and even if you do but they’re too short and/or narrow).

          — marmotte27

          In most cases I’d agree, but the surrounding tarmac looks new enough for me to believe the condition below the water is good too.

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          • AlsoSomniloquism
            January 6, 2022 at 11:02 am
            0

            Although there is still

            Although there is still potential bottles, bricks and other heavy detritus, especially as there is a ramp for the ped crossing area so could catch at the deepest section. 

        • Awavey
          January 6, 2022 at 1:14 pm
          0

          its fairly common round here

          its fairly common round here at this time of year, even if it hasnt rained for a while to find roads like this, and yes I did ride through that,as it wasnt as deep as it looked, deep enough for sure,but the alternative was go back the way Id came and maybe waste an hour or more and likely just ending up in a similar position on another back road, or ride through it cautiously aim for the middle of the road, sometimes you can trek around these types of floods via the fields, so your feet just get muddy instead of slightly damp, but I just treat it as one of those things you just have to put up with sometimes.

          so a big puddle on a fairly clean looking bit of tarmac in an urban setting, shouldnt really hide any real problems for you. Id not have been overly concerned about riding through it, put it that way, whilst treating it cautiously still, Im not saying ride with abandon through them.

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      • chrisonabike
        January 6, 2022 at 9:10 am
        0

        Luckily we have footage of a

        Luckily we have footage of a similar flooded lane and the consequences:

        https://youtu.be/K_7k3fnxPq0?t=169

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  9. bikeman01
    January 5, 2022 at 3:06 pm
    0

    Re American police officer

    Re American police officer faces lawsuit after tackling man for not having a light on his bike

    Overzealous american cop targets black man for minor misdemeanour in the hope that he’s got drugs on him. 

    I’m just surprised he didnt shoot him.

    And how the cop managed to run after him – must have had an energy drink with his donuts.

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    • AlsoSomniloquism
      January 5, 2022 at 3:46 pm
      0

      Have to agree with some of

      Have to agree with some of the sentiment you stated above. The video certainly didn’t show either “”We tried to stop you.” or “You tried to run” sentiments. I never heard a stop request or saw the cyclist out sprinting the coppers but he certainly seemed to be riding at a normal relaxed pace of 8-9mph or so. 

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  10. STiG911
    January 5, 2022 at 4:34 pm
    0

    Watched the Matt / Pippa Cafe

    Watched the Matt / Pippa Cafe Ride video yesterday. Great stuff. 

    Log In or Register to post comments
  11. AlsoSomniloquism
    January 5, 2022 at 4:46 pm
    0

    Whilst confirming the NYorks

    Whilst confirming the NYorks Police twitter was Inspector Kev (it was), I scrolled down some of his tweets and noticed Andy Cox, formerly of the Met is doing this challenge this year for Roadpeace charity AND to get stories out from road-death victims families. 

    Just goes to show that not all cycling-supporting Police Twitter people are, checks notes,  donut eating wasters. 

    The Andy Cox Challenge 2022 – JustGiving

     

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  12. mdavidford
    January 5, 2022 at 5:38 pm
    0

    I would have thought that

    I would have thought that ‘public nuisance’ would be the appropriate avenue to do away with those irritating ‘party bikes’ (bah, humbug, etc.).

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Latest Comments

nortonp 11 seconds ago

Try Specsavers

in: The dastardly dozen: The 12 ugliest pro cycling kits of all time… Where does the Ineos Grenadiers’ orange and grey monstrosity rank?
mdavidford 2 minutes ago

Personally, I think the belkin one was a vast improvement over pretty much all the rabobank offerings - blue and orange - bleuch! Although the blanco kit was much better than either of them (or the subsequent visma ones).

in: The dastardly dozen: The 12 ugliest pro cycling kits of all time… Where does the Ineos Grenadiers’ orange and grey monstrosity rank?
bikes 33 minutes ago

Why do these medical professionals never mention shit driving or infrastructure? And why do they never say anything about all the other activities that helmets might also help with e.g. Driving or being a pedestrian.

in: “If I hadn’t had it on, maybe I wouldn’t be here today”: Zoe Bäckstedt recalls horror crash which smashed helmet “into so many pieces”
VIPcyclist 1 hour ago

I have the current generation of 4iiii heart-rate monitor. It's very good . Will I , when the current one eventually fails , buy this new 4iiii , no. Why you may ask . Well it looks like a proprietary fastener . We all know about proprietary standards and the absolute hassle of sourcing replacements and the associated costs.

in: Could the new SKS Smartgrab be the affordable phone mounting solution we’re all looking for? Plus new Knog Blinder lights, a new 4iiii HRM with huge battery life, self-cleaning water bottles are here (just not for cycling yet) + more
bikes 1 hour ago

I like castorama and Astana kits pictured here.

in: The dastardly dozen: The 12 ugliest pro cycling kits of all time… Where does the Ineos Grenadiers’ orange and grey monstrosity rank?
Rendel Harris 2 hours ago

Much as I agree with your comment and opinion, I don't think he's actually having a go at you, rather the article author, given that you didn't say anything about the Grenadier and the author did. If we could have back the previous reply facility, where it was obvious if somebody was making a standalone comment or replying to someone else, it would eliminate these misunderstandings.

in: The dastardly dozen: The 12 ugliest pro cycling kits of all time… Where does the Ineos Grenadiers’ orange and grey monstrosity rank?
Rendel Harris 2 hours ago

Do you work for INEOS by any chance? Each to their own but the INEOS kit has been widely derided, on cycling forums opinion is 90% against at least. No idea why you think Steve's kit in the profile picture is so bad, it's a perfectly neutral black and grey top with a yellow band, you could say it was boring but that's about it. The Grenadier is a foul machine that shouldn't be allowed on sale for numerous reasons, including its disgraceful fuel consumption (15-20 mpg for the petrol version) and its extreme size and weight that puts other road users, particularly cyclists, in danger. Oh and it is totally a Land Rover wannabe, when Jaguar Land Rover announced that they were ceasing production of Land Rovers at their Solihull plant Jim Ratcliffe asked if he could buy the tooling and carry on producing them, when he was told to get lost he started planning to build his own, so that comment is perfectly justifiable.

in: The dastardly dozen: The 12 ugliest pro cycling kits of all time… Where does the Ineos Grenadiers’ orange and grey monstrosity rank?
Mr Blackbird 2 hours ago

I am entitled to express my opinion. I don't like the idea of the INEOS association with cycling or the way Ratcliffe and INEOS treat their staff and do all they can do avoid taxation in the UK. I think my comment is very relevant.

in: The dastardly dozen: The 12 ugliest pro cycling kits of all time… Where does the Ineos Grenadiers’ orange and grey monstrosity rank?
Rendel Harris 2 hours ago

Burt actually said above (somewhat to my surprise, I admit) that helmets "probably do" protect against injury, but not death. Something with which I agree.

in: “If I hadn’t had it on, maybe I wouldn’t be here today”: Zoe Bäckstedt recalls horror crash which smashed helmet “into so many pieces”
JOHN5880 2 hours ago

I actually like the INEOS kit this year. They stand out in the peloton and orange is just an awesome color overall. Light grey is a much better alternative to white, and makes for one of the best kits in the pro peloton this year to my eye. I think the worst kit I’ve seen recently is the one the author, Steve Thomas is wearing in his author profile picture. It basically removes all credibility for him making any fashion or design related statements. Also, maybe learn a little about the Grenadier before making uninformed, derogatory comments that aren’t really necessary or applicable to the subject at hand.

in: The dastardly dozen: The 12 ugliest pro cycling kits of all time… Where does the Ineos Grenadiers’ orange and grey monstrosity rank?

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