Welcome to Thursday’s live blog, with Jack Sexty, Alex Bowden and the rest of the team.
Live blog: Terrifying BinkBank Tour near miss; No bike lane = “no biking” in NYC; Fiona Kolbinger to “recommence normal life”; London bike parking in the movies; Cape Wrath Fellowship+ more
All today’s news from the site and beyond…
Thu, Aug 15, 2019 21:05
SUMMARY
15 August 2019, 21:05
Not surprising...
NYPD Tickets Dead Cyclist For Obstructing Bike Lane https://t.co/ORy5YDurP4 pic.twitter.com/jCD8UQRfOr
— The Onion (@TheOnion) August 14, 2019
15 August 2019, 21:05
Bike parking: only in the movies...
i joked, but westminster. pic.twitter.com/KDrGErmuod
— Joe Dunckley (@steinsky) August 14, 2019
This (questionable-looking) upcoming festive film shows one of the main protagonists parking his bike on a Sheffield stand in London’s Cecil Court… although in real life they don’t actually exist.
15 August 2019, 21:05
Fion Kolbinger "to recommence her normal life as a doctor" after TCR victory
In an in-depth interview on the Transcontinental Race podcast with plenty of fascinating insights into her victory, the winner of the 2019 TCR Fiona Kolbinger has said she will continue in her profession as a doctor, and has no plans to take up cycling “as a commercial activity or as a professional rider.” She will now “ride Paris-Brest-Paris before returning to Germany to recommence her normal life as a doctor”, according to a press release from The Transcontinental Race.
Asked if she thinks a level playing field is brought about in ultra-distance events, Kolbinger said: “It doesn’t only come down to the physical ability to ride your bike fast and far, it comes down to good route planning, it comes down to being able to sleep little, only having very short rest stops, being organised about your food choices, being quick in supermarkets and gas stations. Just not losing time, and also being good at bike maintenance. There are so many aspects to it that have nothing to do with testosterone levels or physical circumstances that are bound to gender.
“This is actually less than a miracle than it might seem to people who have only watched the Tour de France and shorter races where it comes down to being able to ride fast for a short amount of time.”
15 August 2019, 21:05
NYPD tickets cyclist, tells him there is "no biking anywhere in the city unless there's a bike lane"
Patch reports on a cyclist who was ticketed for riding down New York’s Fifth Avenue outside the bike lane.
The main issue confronting Alex Goldmark was that this particular stretch of Fifth Avenue does not actually have a bike lane.
Today a cop told me bikes are not allowed on 5th Ave. She gave me a ticket not riding the bike lane. There is no bike lane. Said no biking anywhere in the city unless there’s a bike lane. I’m pretty sure this is false. Right, @TransAlt @StreetsblogNYC pic.twitter.com/PU3Hz8O3Ev
— Alex Goldmark (@alexgoldmark) August 13, 2019
When he put this to the police officer, she told him there was no cycling anywhere in the city unless there’s a bike lane.
Bicycles are not barred from roads without bike lanes confirmed a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Transportation.
An NYPD spokesperson said the bike lane summons will be voided.
“The Commanding Officer is aware that the bike lane summons was issued in error, that summons will be voided and the officer will be instructed on proper summons-able traffic offenses.”
And while I was waiting for my ticket. Two cabs hit each other five feet from me and the cop. The cabbies yelled at each other and then drove off. Cop didn't blink.
— Alex Goldmark (@alexgoldmark) August 13, 2019
15 August 2019, 21:05
Are you a member of the Cape Wrath Fellowship?
Cycling UK’s looking for you.
Cape Wrath is the most north-westerly point of the British mainland and one of its most remote roads.
In the late 1940s, Cycling’s touring correspondent, Rex Coley, established the Cape Wrath Fellowship for riders who had made it to the Cape with their bikes.
An estimated 2,000 cyclists are members, but many of the early records have been lost.
Cycling UK, who are custodians of the fellowship, want folk who’ve made the journey to Cape Wrath by bike to get in touch.
15 August 2019, 21:05
US cyclist crashed into a bear
News 12 Connecticut reports that a local cyclist escaped with just a broken finger after crashing his bike into a black bear.
Jim Triano came round a corner and the bear was eating berries at the side of the road. He couldn’t avoid it and went over his handlebars. The bear then ran off into the woods.
“People said, ‘Holy cow, at least the bear didn’t come at you,’” said Triano. “And God forbid it had, because I was not in any condition to fend off a several hundred-pound black bear.”
Triano’s Cervelo fared less well.
Jim Triano of Easton is one VERY lucky guy. He crashed into a black bear on his bicycle, went flying into the air — and walked away with a broken finger and some road rash. His bike wasn’t so lucky
Hear his story today on @News12CT pic.twitter.com/T9cQRww42U
— John Craven (@johncraven1) August 13, 2019
(No, it’s not *that* John Craven.)
15 August 2019, 21:05
Well this was close...
Ok… hij liep op ‘t zebrapad… Maar voir de rest was er nils veilig aan. #BinckBankTour pic.twitter.com/0JfHseOTzf
— Edward Theuns (@EdwardTheuns) August 15, 2019
15 August 2019, 21:05
Carol Boardman ghost bike removed by council after complaints it was distracting drivers
Council ‘sympathetic towards roadside memorials’ but says sites need to be appropriate for the tributes being left.
15 August 2019, 21:05
Canyon launch the new Roadlite:ON 'fitness bike' with Fazua Evation system
The Roadlite:ON comes in three spec levels priced from £2,499 and all with 1x drivetrains, with a Fazua Evation removable power unit that is now controlled via a remote located on the downtube. Full story on eBikeTips.
15 August 2019, 21:05
Terrifying BinkBank Tour near miss: riders disagree about organiser's responsibilities
Pls respectful with this because first was not his mistake and second what i saw he had a disability.
— Marcus Burghardt (@MBurghardt83) August 15, 2019
An unusual exchange has emerged on Twitter between Edward Theuns, wh uploaded the clip, and Marcus Burghardt of Bora-Hansgrohe. Burghardt, although writing in quite broken English, appears to be suggesting it was due to organisational failures that the person crossing the road was put in danger.
@OliverNaesen No. Because if some one, with disability or not, is passing there than its a lack of security of the organization, they are responsible for closing the roads, crosses, zebra path and so on.
— Marcus Burghardt (@MBurghardt83) August 15, 2019
Do you think Burghardt has a point, or is there only so much race organisers can do to protect the riders and the public?
15 August 2019, 21:05
Petition launched to cancel Velo Birmingham
Organisers counter concerns by pointing out all road closures are approved by the emergency services.
15 August 2019, 21:05
Montreal police issued 12,285 tickets to cyclists in 2018
Montreal Police issued cyclists with 12,285 tickets in 2018. That’s 42 times more cycling tickets than Toronto.
The most common infractions were for running red lights, riding with headphones and failing to stop at stop signs.
Samaki-Eric Soumpholphakdy, commander of road safety for Montreal Police, told the Montreal Gazette that enforcement was about keeping cyclists safe.
“We do believe that when a person gets a ticket, it can increase their awareness (of traffic rules),” he said.
He went on to highlight the fact that there hasn’t been a cycling death in Montreal this year as proof of this.
“In Montreal, what we’ve done in the last couple of years is really put the emphasis on road safety, and when you look at the annual reports year after year you can see that the results pay off,” he said.
“It’s mainly because of the fact that the SPVM (Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal) is carrying out operations that specifically target cyclists,” said Suzanne Lareau, the president and director of Vélo Québec.
Last year, campaigners protested amendments to the Highway Code that saw fines for some cycling violations quadruple.
“Right now, it costs you more if your bike is missing one of its reflectors than if one of the headlights on your car is burned out,” said Lareau. “It’s ridiculous.”
15 August 2019, 21:05
13 of the newest bikes launched this year you might have missed
There have been so many new bikes launched this year that you might have missed some of them, so helpfully we’ve pulled together 13 of the most interesting, from road racers to gravel munchers.
15 August 2019, 21:05
Amazon delivery driver steals girl's bike from driveway
A clip from the US that will make you wonder if there’s any good left in the world, as an Amazon delivery driver steals a child’s bike from a driveway then rides away on it.
The homeowner Kristin Casey told WNDU: “I was furious and then after that, I was just, I was almost appalled that someone would do that.”
The bike belonged to Casey’s 11-year-old daughter, and she said that after reporting the incident the driver was identified by police. He claimed he thought the bike was unwanted because it was placed next to a recycling bin.
Amazon announced in a statement that the man is no longer working as a delivery driver for them.
15 August 2019, 21:05
Yes he Kante
Just hearing that N’Golo Kante will be cycling back to London from Istanbul as doesn’t think Liverpool have provided him with a strong enough test of his fitness.
— Mark Worrall (@gate17marco) August 14, 2019
If you watched the European Super cup tie between Chelsea and Liverpool last night, you’ll know the indefatigable Frenchman was everywhere and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side as the reds triumphed on penalties. He is partial to a bike ride if the pic below is anything to go by…
— Ballack (@BallIack) August 14, 2019
15 August 2019, 21:05
Alastair Campbell's taken a fall
If you’re wondering why I have a local Cave leaflet on my lap in ambulance- they rushed out to help, looked after me really well until ambulance arrived and then looked after my smashed up bike. Thigh, shoulder, knee, both hands and ankle now well strapped. French healthcare vg pic.twitter.com/i1ZiavHcTa
— Alastair PEOPLE’S VOTE Campbell (@campbellclaret) August 15, 2019
15 August 2019, 21:05
Near Miss of the Day 297: Bus driver cuts in on cyclist because he wasn’t on the (crap) bike path
The driver’s explanation when challenged about this one was that there was a cycle path – a line of reasoning which apparently made sense to him in some mysterious way.
Help us to bring you the best cycling content
If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.
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).
9 Comments
Read more...
Read more...
Read more...
Latest Comments
chrisonabike 2 minutes ago
I'm all for converting the unlawful scrotes into lawful ones, but a) that would appear to be an endless task which might simply absorb any (reasonable) resources thrown at it, and partly because b) where it's not manifestly clear that the illegal thing is really illegal AND people care about it, the continuum from the "outlaw and don't care" via the "yeah it's illegal but everyone's doing it" to the "but I hardly ever / I didn't know I was doing wrong" may be towards the latter end and thus we have far more offenders to deal with. I hope amending the law in this case pushes mean away from "but you can buy it in Currys/PC world how was I to know?" end and perhaps that makes this illegal behaviour a bit less prevalent. Eventually... (I don't know if the forthcoming law changes are necessarily the *best* ... and it isn't the greatest issue we face. OTOH this appears to be a lot more useful harm reduction than stopping cyclists and handing out cheap lights or creating the "death by dangerous cycling" legislation - though I'm not *against* that...)
hennahairgel 15 minutes ago
As for the crankset, [snip] is available in 265mm to 175mm lengths. Finally! Long cranks, although ground clearance maybe an issue
mdavidford 25 minutes ago
On the subject of rust - an ode to the shed bike: https://soundcloud.com/friko-music/dear-bicycle
mitsky 1 hour ago
I can't remember the figures, but I believe there is a significant return on investment when active travel is well funded and good infrastructure is put in place. Dare I say that, given Streeting's previous role in the nation's health, he is using taco-trumpian logic/numbers to justify his current "position"?
AidanR 1 hour ago
More political BS. It's not "there's not enough money for defence" it's "there's not enough money for an increase in spending of more than £6bn in one year on defence". And that follows similar increases in previous years. Compared to a total active travel budget of £0.9bn per year.
Mr Blackbird 2 hours ago
Re the mobility scooter / road race incident. What are the chances of the Daily Telegraph running with this one? : "Disabled Pensioner Mowed Down By 85mph Speeding Cyclists." "How many more pensioners must be killed or injured before number plates and insurance are made mandatory for cyclists, asked Nigel Farage, from his £5m crypto donation enquiry hideout?"
mctrials23 3 hours ago
I mean, they could probably just only sell them to people with legitimate licenses for the ebike they are selling them. ie. they have passed their motorbike test. Worrying about private land proof etc just sounds like a nightmare and a huge amount of work. People would be saying "oh yeah, this ebike is just to ride at my local dirt bike track". Link the purchase to the buyers license and if they want to sell it, they have to sell it to another licensed rider. I think the core issue is perhaps the delivery riders however. I see a tiny proportion of them with what I would think is a legal ebike. Most of them are going way over 15.5mph and many of them don't even have to pedal to work them.
hawkinspeter 3 hours ago
@Pub bike - stating "the scrotes will find a way around any rules regardless" is pretty much agreeing with me that introducing new rules around the sale/purchase is the wrong way to tackle the issue. With sufficient traffic policing, the scrotes will get nicked, whereas introducing additional rules is pointless without increasing the enforcement.
Pub bike 3 hours ago
@hawkinspeter The scrotes will find a way around any rules regardless. I frequently see riders speeding along with bicycles with enormous motors in the rear wheels where the chainsets have been removed altogether and foot rests have been installed into the bottom bracket. The bill being introduced under the 10 minute rule is about the marketing, sale and supply of them including conversion kits. I suspect it will be difficult to write a bill that simultaneously allows the sale of motorbikes whether electrically powered or not for private off-road use whilst restricting them for on-road use. Better surely to make it really hard to buy any kind of motorbike without it being registered with the DVLA and the keeper having the correct licence and insurance. But the police need play their part as well in stopping the riders and confiscating what they are riding. It is not like they are difficult to spot.
Skiprider 4 hours ago
What "tougher regulation"? The clue is in the name: these things are illegal (and, I agree, an absolute menace).
9 thoughts on “Live blog: Terrifying BinkBank Tour near miss; No bike lane = “no biking” in NYC; Fiona Kolbinger to “recommence normal life”; London bike parking in the movies; Cape Wrath Fellowship+ more”
Quote:
I imagine it is quite difficult to ‘come down’ from an activity like the Transcontinental and get back in gear for normal life. Or do you just go to sleep for six days or something…?
Quote:
I rather get the impression that the NYPD just makes things up as they go along…
In particular, I’ve lost count of the number of stories about people getting ticketed for not wearing a helmet (when that’s not actually a legal requirement for adults in NYC).
brooksby wrote:
I saw a video yesterday of 11 of them pulling over a motorcyclist and trying to ticket him for having a camera attached to his helmet. When one of them let another mototrcyclist go (they were clearly
targettingvictimising mtotrcyclists) a bunch of them got angry at him for not ticketing the biker for anything, like all people on two wheels must be punished!“NYPD tickets cyclist, tells
“NYPD tickets cyclist, tells him there is “no biking anywhere in the city unless there’s a bike lane”
Was he perhaps guilty of the heinous crime of cycling whilst black, similar to driving whilst black? Or maybe he wasn’t quite deferential enough to her uniform.
“Normal life as a doctor”
“Normal life as a doctor”
Now, there’s a contradiction in terms!
Or does it mean life as normally lived by a doctor, in which case getting used to prolonged physical effort and severe sleep deprivation is actually very good preparation.
Why was Newsround covering a
Why was Newsround covering a cyclist colliding with a bear?
(No subject)
I had wondered if the fact
I had wondered if the fact that Fiona Kolbinger, being a young medic, had given her an advantage when it came to ability to survive without sleep, but I couldn’t believe that the German state could possibly treat their trainee doctors quite as badly as the UK treats ours. Removing them for the European Working Time Directive doesn’t seem to be what I think of how Germany treats it’s workers. You know, life and death decisions when on no sleep. Our paramedics have 12 hour shifts too, I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m shattered after 8 or 9 hours of not trying to save lives.
They’ve found the bear…
They’ve found the bear…
via GIPHY