Welcome to Wednesday’s live blog, with Jack Sexty, Simon MacMichael and the rest of the team…
- News

Total ban on bikes on trains in Yorkshire during World Champs? Netherlands win first ever mixed relay time trial at Euros; Cyclists in Canadian city face $400 fine for speeding on bike paths + much more in today’s live blog
SUMMARY

First male Transcon finisher finishes... second
Ben Davies finishes 2nd at TCRNo.7.
He reached the finish line in 10 days, 13 hours and 10 minutes.#TCRNo7 @apidura @KinesisBikes_UK @PEdALEDjapan @fizikofficial pic.twitter.com/oQ8JqmrqSq
— The Transcontinental (@transconrace) August 6, 2019
Ben Davies from Bristol arrived at the finish line yesterday evening to finish the Transcontinental in 10 days, 13 hours and 10 minutes – 11 hours behind first female finisher, and the overall winner, Fiona Kolbinger.
Job Hendrickx takes 3rd place at TCRNo.7.
He arrived in Brest in 10 days, 15 hours and 48 minutes.#TCRNo7 #TCRNo7riders #TCRNo7cap240
@fizikoffical @PEdALEDjapan @KinesisBikes_UK @apidura pic.twitter.com/uIAZs2zgdU— The Transcontinental (@transconrace) August 6, 2019
He’s now been joined by Job Hendrickx of Denmark in third and David Schuster of France in fourth, the latter finishing this morning in a time off 11 days, 3 hours and 55 minutes.
Bloody cyclists...
Didn’t expect this while out cycling today and to pull the guy from the car and administer first aid .while awaiting the three emergency services to arrive .good job I was when I was .#cycling pic.twitter.com/mMflhrjzaE
— blackcountryvelo (@nethertonboy1) August 6, 2019
Labour MP accused of supporting 'victim blaming' petition calling for compulsory bike lights
Please sign and RT this petition to keep young cyclists safe on the road. https://t.co/gkpltL9qM7
— Emma Dent Coad (@emmadentcoad) August 6, 2019
Emma Dent Coad shared a tweet from the Labour MP for East Leeds Richard Burgon, that urges followers to sign a petition that calls for all bikes to be sold with working lights.
The petition was started by the mother of 14-year-old Charlie Fox, who was killed by an overtaking van driver on a blind bend in October 2018 – the 28-year-old driver was charged in suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released under investigation.
This is the equivalent of Trumps thoughts & prayers, from an MP who helped ensure 14 year old boys in her constituency continue to share main rd with hgvs rather than be protected by #CW9 @StopKillingCycl National Cycle Protest Sept 7th London. pic.twitter.com/9ZjLxQH8Sa
— Donnachadh McCarthy (@DonnachadhMc) August 6, 2019
That’s terrible tragedy & sickening that this sort of thing happens on our roads on a daily basis.
I am not sure I understand how lights on a bicycle would stop a van overtaking cars on blind bends though, what am I missing?— ReCycledParent (@re_parent) August 6, 2019
The petition, which currently has over 4,000 signatures, has been called ‘victim-blaming’ by some on Twitter, with numerous people suggesting that is was very unlikely bike lights would have prevented the van driver from killing Charlie Fox.
Dent Coad was also opposed to plans for a cycle route in Kensington’s Holland Park recently, even though colleagues such as Tom Watson called it “a wretched decision” for the council to overturn the plans when the road is considered an accident blackspot for cyclists and pedestrians.
I cycle through your constituency lit up like a Christmas tree, and still I face two or three dangerous incidents every week
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) August 6, 2019
Lotto-Soudal gives Tour de Pologne riders chance to leave race after Bjorg Lambrecht's death - but all decide to continue
Lotto-Soudal says it gave its riders at the Tour de Pologne the chance to leave the race after Bjorg Lambrecht’s death on Monday – but all six decided to continue with the race, and were on the start line of today’s Stage 6.
After intense consultation and delibaration between our riders and staff, and with the external advice of a trauma specialist, who emphasized the importance of the collective mourning process, the riders got the free choice to take the start. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Kow2wmmRrR
— Lotto Soudal (@Lotto_Soudal) August 6, 2019
(2/2) Most of them want to start in stage 5, but they are free to decide tomorrow morning. #RIPBjorg
— Lotto Soudal (@Lotto_Soudal) August 6, 2019
It has been decided that all our Lotto Soudal riders will start in stage five of the @Tour_de_Pologne today and will ride for Bjorg. Start will be around 12h45. pic.twitter.com/1gxqhHi068
— Lotto Soudal (@Lotto_Soudal) August 7, 2019
Cyclists in Canada face $400 fine for speeding on bike paths
Cyclists in a Canadian city who speed on bike paths could be fined up to $400 (£250) under a bylaw introduced earlier this year in Calgary, Alberta.
The bylaw applies to riders caught travelling at between 10 and 15 kilometres an hour over the posted speed limit – usually, 20 kilometres an hour – with the fine representing an eightfold increase on the previous maximum penalty of $50.
According to globalnews.ca, people caught cycling at up to 10 kilometres an hour over the limit could face fines of between $100 and $150.
City councillor Giancarlo Carra said that the fines were disproportionate and contrasted them with the ones motorists face.
“That seems a bit aggressive,” he said. “I am definitely of the opinion that we should probably weight the fines to reflect the actual damage that can be inflicted on property and life.
“If you mess up at 160 kilometres an hour on the highway, it’s way worse than 15 kilometres an hour, bumping into another human being.
“Any bicycle on human, human on human, car on human, car on bicycle – these are terrible things when they happen but there’s definitely a sliding scale of terrible and it has to do with the mass and velocity of what’s striking what and I think our fee system should probably reflect that,” he added.
Cycle to Work weekly challenges - the big one


It’s the main event this week, with Cycle to Work Day officially taking place tomorrow. To celebrate, Cyclescheme have two chances for you to win from their £5,000 prize pot. All you have to do if log you cycle or commute on the Cyclescheme Love to Ride community on Thursday, and you could win one of two Specialized Turbo bikes worth over £2,000 that are up for grabs – make sure your upload is tagged as ‘to/from work’ to qualify!
If you miss out on one of the bikes, you could also win one of two Endura accessory bundles worth £250 each. To enter this comp, snap a photo of you and your bike this Thursday and share along with #cycletoworkday on the Love to Ride community or the Cycle to Work Day social channels.
Best of luck, and be sure to register with the Love to Ride community if you haven’t already!
Velolife debacle: RBWM 'clarify' their position in letter sent to cycling clubs
We have issued a letter to cycling clubs to clarify the situation at the Velolife Cafe. Cyclists can use the facilities at the café but must not arrange organised meets that start, end or stop at the café. This is to ensure nearby residents are not impacted. Full letter in image. pic.twitter.com/aDvShXOctA
— RBWM (@RBWM) August 7, 2019
You can use the café, but you sort of can’t use the café. Of course this has left us with more questions than answers, and we’ll have a full story to follow…
"I didn't have him down as a 2019 winner of the Tour de France": Chris Froome talks about Egan Bernal's success
“What’s he’s achieved is phenomenal.”
As @EganBernal celebrates his #TDF2019 win in his home village today, hear from @ChrisFroome as he discusses Egan’s rise to Grand Tour winner pic.twitter.com/elLFfW7V5T
— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) August 7, 2019
Froome said his teammate’s achievements are “phenomenal”, and although he knew Bernal was special, was surprised that he got his maiden Tour de France win at such a young age: “Egan’s life is about to change forever.”
“I don’t think he quite knows what’s going to hit him when he gets home.”
Free Santander Cycles will be available for Cycle to Work day tomorrow
We’re offering FREE HIRES on @SantanderCycles on 8 August to mark Cycle to Work Day, using code CTWD2019 #CycletoWorkDay pic.twitter.com/McuGeXZEyE
— Will Norman (@willnorman) August 7, 2019
If you live in London and your bike is out of action for any reason, you can always hop on a free hire bike to make sure you get your Cycle to Work Day miles in.
While the US has more guns than people...
: More bikes than people
: More guns than people.
Telling graphic from Dutch paper @ADnl pic.twitter.com/8ZNpoWdWWI— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) August 6, 2019
The Netherlands apparently has 128 bikes for every 100 people.
Total ban on bikes on trains across Yorkshire during World Championships?
According to the official spectator guide for the UCI Road Cycling World Championships next month, there will be a total ban on carrying bikes on trains in Yorkshire during next month’s event.
During the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart in Yorkshire, train operators strongly advised passengers not to travel with bikes, but the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) stopped short of imposing a blanket ban.
We enquired with ATOC’s successor body, the Rail Delivery Group, as to whether there is indeed a total ban on taking a bike on a train anywhere in Yorkshire during the event, which takes place from 21-29 September, with their response being that we should check with individual operators.
A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group told us: “In general, there is limited space for bikes on trains and while we welcome people with bikes onto services where possible, though not necessarily during peak times when trains are already busy, for major cycling events it could cause disappointment if people expect more room than there is.”
All events at the championships will finish in Harrogate, and restrictions on carriage of bikes between there and the railway hubs of Leeds and York, say, is understandable.
The starting locations of a number of events are spread around the region, with the East Riding, for example, hosting the beginning of just one event – a Para-cycling race on 21 Semtember – and it seems to us strange that there may be a ban for the entire week and a half of the event on trains from, say, Beverley to Hull, well away from the action.
We are checking the situation with individual train operating companies, so look out for the full story on road.cc soon.
Netherlands win first ever mixed relay time trial at European Championships
The Netherlands have won the first ever mixed time trial relay at a major cycling championships, winning the event today on home soil at the UEC European Road Cycling Championships in Alkmaar.
#EuroRoad19 – The first Relay of Mixed Relay pic.twitter.com/K2vBCFVVBH
— UEC Cycling (@UEC_cycling) August 7, 2019
The format, which will make its UCI Road Cycling World Championships debut in Yorkshire next month, sees each competing country field a team of three men and three women.
The men set off first, with the women taking over once the second of those three riders has finished the course. The final time for each country is taken when its second woman crosses the finish line.
Today, the Dutch were ahead by 14 seconds from Italy when the handover took place. That remained the winning margin, although it was Germany who had moved into second place once the woman had finished, with the Italians a further 1 minute 10 seconds back.
Eight countries took part in today’s event, Great Britain not being among them, and you can find the full results here.
Delivery driver convicted of trying to steal £1,200 bike he was carrying
A delivery driver working for DPD Local has been convicted of fraud at Hull Magistrates’ Court after attempting to steal a £1,200 Clockwork Orange bike he was carrying in his van.
The Hull Daily Mail reports that Samuel Palmer, aged 27 and from Hull, received a 12-month conditional discharge and was also told to pay costs of £85 and a £20 victim surcharge.
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Latest Comments
@Gd29 I was waiting for the classic "why don't we just ban driving completely by reducing the speed limit to 5mph or 0!" argument and here it is. The statistics are very clear on the benefits of reducing the speed limit from 30-20mph. It doesn't remove bad driving but it mitigates the damage. It also makes fuck all difference to journey times. Everything with driving is risk vs reward. Sure, dropping it to 10mph would save a lot more people but it would make travel by car ridiculous and have minimal benefit vs 20mph. The reward wouldn't be worth the cost.
@Gd29 "Speed limits are an ineffective tool when the problem is drivers not driving in an appropriate manner for the conditions and environment. Those drivers weren’t following the speed limit and/or paying sufficient attention anyway!" That is a question, not an assertion. What are the relative numbers of drivers who are eg. "don't care" criminals who may never have taken a test or are happy to take life, how many are "criminally negligent" eg. may have a licence and not intend to break the law regardless, but just aren't fussed about basic safe driving (maybe regularly drive while tired, never slow down when conditions require), how many are just normal humans (who occasionally make unfathomable mistakes)? What are the relative rates of collisions? What are the casualty outcomes? What effect does simply changing a number on a sign have? If any, why? (There's the psychological "anchoring effect", if 70% of people *are* below the limit does that slow down others, do the "don't cares" maybe just overtake dangerously (but would they anyway? ) ) etc. Reduced speed is a mitigation in that it leads to better outcomes in collisions, that's a known I believe. IIRC there's also agreement that it can mean that fewer collisions happen as there's more time to react. "If that is the problem and you don’t deal with it, but you want to keep reducing injuries/fatalities, you have to keep dropping speed limits until you prohibit road use entirely" "If" (plus as noted other safety measures are available)
@Rendel Harris - I think that driver must live near me.
@Gd29 it's good to "point out potential abuse of stats - and for "keeping it concise for the public" no doubt some measure of "lies, damn lies and statistics" applies. But unless you have your own analysis / evidence, this may sound like a "just asking questions!" rhetorical tactic.
@Gd29 exactly what variables / controlled experiments would suffice to convince you, and then how would you believe that would still hold in "real world" situations? We all know there are excellent ways to stop motoring-related KSIs - one being stop humans operating vehicles) but that isn't normally seen as realistic. Then there's another "remove the hazard" approach eg. completely isolate motorists from vulnerable road users (and "footways" alone might not be sufficient, as more people are killed there most years by drivers than eg. by cyclists in total, although that fact doesn't say much ). Though that by itself doesn't address motorists killing themselves / other motorists. Currently the UK - like many countries - is mostly doing a "remove the vulnerable road users" approach, partly by design but mostly indirectly by prioritising convenience for motoring (including journey time, which is seen to involve higher speeds).
Do you really need an AI tool to tell you that 80% of a cyclist's drag is the rider or that getting in a more streamlined position you'll reduce drag etc.? Fabulous for the professional riders who use this site but for the rest of us our money would be better spent on yoga or pilates classes to help you hold a more streamlined position in the first place.
Of course drivers need to be responsible and take care but we are in danger of getting a bit high and mighty when police raise issues like this. Since the clocks went back last weekend, I have been commuting home this week in the dark for the first time this year. I am gobsmacked by the number of cyclists I see who have no lights and no reflective gear, often with no helmets either. It's common sense to take precautions and we've got our head in the sand if we pretend all cyclists are taking appropriate steps to protect themselves and others.
@mdavidford was about to ask them if they thought the law should also been changed to ban the LAs from doing that, so as to save money...
@Rendel Harris sentencing is Monday. 15 yrs minimum (not premeditated) but multiple aggravating factors. 20+ feels appropriate
@kinderje Murder attracts a mandatory life sentence, so that can't be changed, although it will be interesting to see what the judge sets as the mandatory minimum term before parole can be considered.
19 thoughts on “Total ban on bikes on trains in Yorkshire during World Champs? Netherlands win first ever mixed relay time trial at Euros; Cyclists in Canadian city face $400 fine for speeding on bike paths + much more in today’s live blog”
Quote:
Says it all, really…
brooksby wrote:
Advanced diffraction ?
It does seem to be a strange
It does seem to be a strange thing from the mother. I’m assuming she didn’t buy lights for her sons bike as they were “an additional cost” and is trying to do this as some kind of penance even though the likelihood of these lights stopping it from happening is slim.
Edit: As no mention of a helmet, I’m guessing he was wearing one so this is the new thing now.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
Yup, if they were wearing a helmet and were killed by a dangerous driver, it must be their fault because they didn’t have lights, and if they had lights, it was their fault because they weren’t wearing hi-viz etc, etc. But it’s always the cyclist’s fault, no matter how bad the driving by the person in the killing machine.
Don’t the Transcon leading
Don’t the Transcon leading riders all look very young…
And just how long would these
And just how long would these lights remain working for, until mother needed to buy new batteries?
alansmurphy wrote:
Well, we obviously need a law to make it illegal for the lights to stop working. Especially the battery powered ones.
How about a law making it
How about a law making it illegal to overtake on a blind bend? Oh, we’ve got one. Well that worked, didn’t it.
Bmblbzzz wrote:
Better yet make it illegal to drive on anything except a MOTOR-way between the hours of 7am and 11pm.
No doubt CPS will fold make it a careless driving case and they’ll get 18 month suspended and judge stating “momentary lapse” bullshit!
Lol at that bylaw. Sounds
Lol at that bylaw. Sounds like something Clarkson would dream up.
Sorry to be a bit of a stat
Sorry to be a bit of a stat pedant, the dutch don’t quite have 128 bikes per person, it’s more like 1.28. Storage would be a little easier with the lower number.
ktache wrote:
128 bikes per person is serious (n+1)!
Hopefully someone will understand that joke.
The Netherlands apparently
The Netherlands apparently has 128 bikes for every Dutch person.
Ktache, you’re not being a pedant. Mr Sexty has totally failed to read the texty of the Tweet, or at least interpret the picture correctly. It does make quite a difference.
Velolife debacle: RBWM
Velolife debacle: RBWM ‘clarify’ their position in letter sent to cycling clubs
Still seems very odd – does it matter if you’re a large group but not an organised cycle club? Would a group of school kids who’ve just passed their Bikeability be allowed to stop there or is that an organised club meet? As a Twitterer says, what about if five people turn up, then another two who happen to know the first group but aren’t in the same club?
Total ban on bikes on trains
Total ban on bikes on trains across Yorkshire during World Championships?
I wonder what would happen if Silverstone banned access by car for the duration of the F1 championships?
brooksby wrote:
They would probably ban people putting their cars on trains to get to Silverstone! Passenger trains have never been built to cope with more than a few bikes so a ban on hoards of cyclists seems reasonable to me.
Dingaling wrote:
May I refer you to my previous answer.
Sorry to be a bit of a stat
[quote]Sorry to be a bit of a stat pedant, the dutch don’t quite have 128 bikes per person, it’s more like 1.28. Storage would be a little easier with the lower number.[quote]
Damn. I just told my wife its perfectly normal to have 12 bikes as they have 128 each in Holland!
“Total ban on bikes on trains
“Total ban on bikes on trains across Yorkshire during World Championships?”
And the answer is, of course, simplicity itself. Just tack a few guard’s vans onto the trains.