Welcome to Wednesday’s live blog, with Jack Sexty, Simon MacMichael and the rest of the team…
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
All today’s news from the site and beyond…
Wed, Aug 07, 2019 20:08
SUMMARY
7 August 2019, 20:08
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.
7 August 2019, 20:08
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
7 August 2019, 20:08
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
7 August 2019, 20:08
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
7 August 2019, 20:08
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.
7 August 2019, 20:08
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!
7 August 2019, 20:08
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…
7 August 2019, 20:08
"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.”
7 August 2019, 20:08
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.
7 August 2019, 20:08
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.
7 August 2019, 20:08
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.
7 August 2019, 20:08
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.
7 August 2019, 20:08
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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Jack is group editor across road.cc, off.road.cc and ebiketips, overseeing all three sites in the F-At Digital group to make sure everything’s up to scratch. He’s been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of road.cc including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town, and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master’s degree in print journalism, and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it’s a long story).
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Latest Comments
chrisonabike 8 hours ago
"All that's required is an to roads policing" - that's a big all... Although no doubt the "idiots just keep coming" aspect does apply: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz9lel2wz93o "Man charged after car crashes through bowling alley" - luckily they only skittled over skittles.
chrisonabike 8 hours ago
Almost any change to roads and streets is accompanied by a period of heightened danger, and in the UK "look out for cyclists" will need to be learned... practically. And over the time it takes for cyclists to become a regular feature. OTOH once (if...) good designs are in and frequent enough such that drivers encounter them AND the cyclists on them regularly (another big if) I don't think they should be much more difficult than a footway to deal with. These things are all over NL - don't have the collision stats but they should. (NL isn't perfect but collecting info on the safety of designs to feed back into better designs as required is part of the "sustainable safety" philosophy - if they're really a killer I think they'd be altering these.)
wtjs 9 hours ago
I'm in the happy position of agreeing with everybody here! I've never considered a bike with a stand, yet I'm impressed by the ingenuity and adaptability of this axle. I tow a Yak Bob with a Robert Axle, employing my El Cheapo Vitus gravel bike and I just have to be very careful where I stop. Hedges are generally a dead loss, and I seek walls, telegraph poles and signposts and generally lean the widest part of the Bob against it. One very awkward task is removing the two steel pins which lock the trailer arms onto the special mounting slots on the Robert axle, and when you have one out, the sodding weight in the trailer can twist the whole caboodle and bend the Bob fitting before you can get the other out and unhitch. I doubt if a stand would help with that. You can imagine that this combo is a real pain when you have to get it over the bridge at railway stations, and it nearly resulted in Merseyrail nearly parting me and the trailer on the platform from the bike on the train. It's a long story for another time. Another axle example recently featured on here, with a 12mm front axle bearing the Herculean weight limit of a monster American front rack.
HoarseMann 11 hours ago
This has nothing to do with the type of bike - it's the type of behaviour that's the problem. Banning the sale of such bikes will not curtail the behaviour. They'll just find another type of vehicle and continue to drive dangerously as there's such a lack of enforcement. I'd sooner see them ban the bally. But really, all that's required is an improvement to roads policing.
AidanR 11 hours ago
The EAPC Bill is welcome, but full of holes. What's to stop an overpowered but temporarily limited e-bike being sold and subsequently delimited? This is often a trivial process.
Sredlums 12 hours ago
@KiwiMike Yeah, in my over four decades of riding all over Europe I've never 'been for a ride in the countryside'. That must be it. Or, and I know this is a wild concept, you just accept that I just voiced my personal experiences and never missed a kickstand, like I wrote. Anyway, what's the big horror of laying your bike on its side for the very few occasions where there is nothing to lean your bike against?
mdavidford 12 hours ago
They may have looked, but did they see?
jackcycles 13 hours ago
Ds2025: where they are going wrong is that they are crushing the motorbike rather than the person sat on top of it. If they did the latter this issue would be solved in less than 24 hours.
Rod Marton 13 hours ago
I came this way today with the car boot sale in operation. There was a marshal at the entrance, who stopped a car turning right across the cycleway as I was approaching. So that certainly works. I think it necessary for the marshal to be there, I couldn't say if the driver would have turned if he hadn't been there but you always have to suspect the worst. Unfortunately there is no marshal at the exit, and there was certainly a car stopped across the cycleway as I was approaching it. But he pulled onto the road before I reached it, and the following car stayed off the cycleway as I went through. Ideally there should have been a marshal there too. On the whole, though, it's a really high standard piece of infrastructure. Just a pity it doesn't extend a bit further.
eburtthebike 13 hours ago
“absolute carnage” So right! Just look at the bodies piled up, blood running in the gutters and injured people limping away. It's a bit of a problem with a road, delaying some people for minutes at a time: it isn't carnage, let alone 'absolute carnage'. Anyone who exaggerates so ridiculously really shouldn't be allowed to comment in public, unless they want to demonstrate their idiocy to all and sundry.
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.