Live blog: W Mids commuter’s terrifying encounter with masked gang, cyclist tackled by police after trying to “diffuse” suspicious package + more

@Benthic "just go round - be reasonable it's only for a minute every once in a while" / "we have to trust people to be sensible and most are" / "how else are shops going to get deliveries?" / "we need taxis" / "what about the disabled?" And the honest answer, not heard: "look, we know everyone does at some point, and while most people at some point get annoyed with *others* doing that they'd see this as a massive imposition / loss if we stopped *them*. If I tried to get (the existing...) laws enforced the police would mostly ignore me, I'll get death threats then be booted out of office. And even if not we'd run through the budget in a month or two trying to enforce things"

@Paul J Van Thourenhout's bringing back the Eli Iserbyt vibe we've not been missing in CX.

“Ideally we would like to get to a point where a national approach is implemented, but we are still a long way from that becoming reality, so we are trying to provide some consistency through national guidance.” He added he believed Derbyshire Constabulary’s policy appeared in line with the guidance Yes, that's what they want, ALL forces to adopt the Derbyshire approach: essentially, abandon the concept of non-contact close-passing, reduce whatever you're doing (which is generally very little anyway) so that it's only a very occasional joke advice letter that drivers can safely ignore. Forces need little encouragement to follow this advice! It is no doubt tedious to read this yet again from me, but it's true: the police attitude is 'get yourself KSI'd and we'll see what we can do'. The police really are b******s.

@Paul J yeah the comment in X summed it up nicely "a frustrated bully". Vanthourenhout should be assured a warm welcome at the Glasgow CX World Cup round at least 😆

@jasperdog Thanks. It's probably still a Secan for me, although there's Cotic, which uses UK built frames. Fairlight uses, of course, Reynolds tubing (made from German steel, I think) welded in Taiwan.

It's only a broken leg sir, not really that "exceptional" is it now? Tell you what, wait and see if it gets gangrene and needs to be amputated then we might be able to take some action.

My guess is that many police forces have used this as a get out of jail free card to ignore subjective evidence when in the past they would have actioned the report. I also believe that police forces are becoming overwhelmed with reports due to the proliferation of cameras, both by cyclists and now on new cars so they are only actioning the most serious cases. This is just one example of mine that no such forensic specialist was required for the driver to be issued an NIP. He felt his driving was ok, so the police took it to court. He was shown the video evidence and still stated he did not see it as dangerous/too close. Result: 5 points and £944 fines. When it could have been just 3 points and £100, I assume. https://youtu.be/tDRgrK-didE

@jaymack you could see that as an extended form of "resource management" - I could keep doing what I said I'd do when I stood for election ... but that is effortful and *everyone* keeps kicking me. Or ... I could just relax, and do what everyone else does! I could go to these nice dinners with smart people who explain why (traffic in towns / choosing road freight over rail / one more lane / SUVs / Ubers / Teslas ...) are good for the economy and ultimately everybody. Plus it'll be popular with the party higher-ups. And there may be future "partnerships" available after I leave politics. And they even offer to do the legwork for me!

@wtjs although similar in ethos my 2 are slightly different being the Definition (aluminium) and Strael 3 (steel), and they serve as summer and winter bikes. I'm on my 2nd Definition after the first came off worst in an interaction with an Audi and this slightly updated model is *such* a great bike. Fast (enough) and comfortable, lively but not twitchy. I couldn't think of a better do it almost all bike. The Strael probably suffers a bit in my comparison as it has mudguards fitted + lower end groupset + more robust wheels however it is also a great bike for long distance rides. I think specced the same as the Mason there'd not be a lot in it for me.

In the longer clip of the incident - shown at end of that instagram - you can see Van Thourenhout is the one that moves in on Cam. You can see the Corendon rider ahead was on Van Thourenhout's original line and he had no problem making the corner. A problem completely of Michael's own making.