Copenhagen’s gorgeous new cycling bridge; New bike insurance comparison service launches; Borat does a triathlon (sort of); Paris-Brest-Patisserie; NYC man who used bike as weapon jailed; Herne Hill stalwart dies + more on the live blog

Pass the mindbleach please.

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Cycling... running... diving...
It's just summertime.
⠀ pic.twitter.com/wrUdslXOA4

— ⓑιcιcletⓞ (@Bicicleto_ZGZ) August 21, 2019

Insurance price comparison provider Quotezone.co.uk has launched a new price comparison service for bike insurance.

The company says that the service aggregates quotes from a range of bicycle insurance specialists and displays them online, enabling users to quickly compare not just prices but also policy features.

The companies founder, Greg Wilson, said: "At Quotezone.co.uk we understand that a cyclist's bicycle is much more than a basic mode of transport… they are often very valuable vehicles in their own right, with many of them worth thousands of pounds and some even valued at £10,000 or more.

"In addition, cyclists do run the risk of suffering a third-party liability claim at some stage, which they would have to cover themselves if they were uninsured.

"Of course, just because insuring your bicycle is a wise decision doesn't mean you should pay over the odds for that insurance policy. That's why we're launching this new price comparison service, to help cyclists find the right policy at the right price by comparing quotes from a range of providers."

You can find the service here.

Copenhagen is a world-leader when it comes to cycling infrastructure, and the latest addition to its portfolio is stunning – the 160-metre Lille Langebro cycle and pedestrian bridge which spans the city’s Inner Harbour.

Designed by London-based architects WilkinsonEyre, its part of an ongoing regeneration of the Danish capital’s harbour and the central section swings through 90 degrees to let ships through.

The footway of the bridge is 3 metres in width, while the two-way cycle path is 4-metres across.

“We are delighted to have worked with Realdania to design a distinctive new bridge for the people of Copenhagen that will improve the urban spaces and promenades along the waterfront and strengthen the cycling culture in the city while also being safe and accessible to everyone,” commented Simon Roberts, associate director at WilkinsonEyre.

You can find more photos of it here.

We send our condolences to his wife Barbara, sons Paul & Mark, daughter Sue and all his family and friends.

If you would like to make a donation there will be a collection at the sign-on desk.

— Herne Hill Velodrome (@HerneHillVel) August 21, 2019

A New York City has been jailed for up to five years for using his bicycle as a weapon after he hit another man in the face with it in June last year, with the victim suffering swelling and pain.

Henry DeGroat, aged 21 and from New Brighton on Staten Island, pleaded guilty in court to third-degree criminal weapon possession in relation to the incident in June last year, reports SI Live.

DeGroat, who has a previous conviction after an Italian tourist was shot after apparently getting caught in crossfire, was sentenced to 30 months to five years in prison following the latest case.

We’ve seen a number of cases from both the UK and the US over the years in which a cyclist has been the target of a motorist using their vehicle as a weapon – including this case in which a bus driver in Bristol was jailed for 17 months for deliberately knocking a cyclist from his bike.

Given the greater potential for causing harm when using a motor vehicle, rather than a bicycle, as a weapon, DeGroat’s punishment does seem disproportionate compared to the sentences we see motorists receive in such cases.

Gravel Riding has been around since the 70’s
Great pic @mission753 https://t.co/4ZcBEhpYFq

— Dean Downing (@dean0downing) August 20, 2019

Turns out that gravel riding isn't such a new thing. Here's a typical Welsh club run from back in the day! No such thing as 650b back then...

If you don't get the joke, but you want to: https://t.co/ySGItx0zgI

— Ellen Noble (@ellenlikesbikes) August 21, 2019

Oh, the joys of social media and its 'influencers'...

A few weeks ago an Instagram influencer had a 'motorbike crash' and if that doesn't scream 'photoshoot opportunity' then we don't know what does.

American pro cyclocross rider, Ellen Noble, has done some truly excellent trolling here.