Watch kid zoom up climb past adult roadies; Watts up! Laverack’s awesome power output wins UK Hill Climb Champs; Malaysian court acquits driver over killing of 8 cyclists; Crackdown on Newcastle Deliveroo riders + cool bikes & lots more on the Live blog

Been preoccupied with another sport involving an oval-shaped ball this weekend? Tut tut, but if that’s the case here’s some of the cycling-related news you’ve missed from us in the last couple of days…

Rapha to scale back discounting as sales fall and losses mount up

More surgery for Chris Froome, who admits it’s too early to say if Tour de France “doable”

Peterborough ditches firm that was enforcing cycling ban and keeping all the fines

LNER to rethink “dangerous” bike storage on new trains

Back in my first race since my crash with @Eganbernal at the @saitamacrite Happy day #mondaymotivation #cycling #saitama #saitamacriterium @knob_twitt pic.twitter.com/EN5txhB7vV

— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) October 28, 2019

Although Froome wasn’t fit enough to race the individual Saitama Criterium event, he rode the team time trial accompanied by his Tour de France-winning teammate Egan Bernal. It will now be a battle for Froome to get back to full fitness for next year’s Tour, and he’a still walking with a limp after the heavy fractures sustained in his horror crash back in June. 

These are the world’s best cities to be a cyclist https://t.co/Ys82GnzAoB #health #environment pic.twitter.com/KyBOIwdOar

— World Economic Forum (@wef) October 27, 2019

Perhaps unsurprisingly no UK city makes the top 10 list, with Dutch and German cities dominating and Utrecht in the top spot. Hangzhou inn China is the only non-European city to make the list. 

The World Economic forum factored in the number of cyclists and the amount of dedicated cycling infrastructure when compiling the top 10, and also concluded that more cyclists leads to fewer fatalities on the roads. The exception to this is the US, where a rise of the number of cyclists coupled with a lack of dedicated infrastructure has led to a spike in cyclist’s deaths: “In the US, bike deaths have risen in line with an increase in bicycle commuters. The report concludes it takes time for both motorists and cyclists to adapt to an spike in bike use, which could result in a short-term rise in accidents before awareness increases.

“Cities that separate cyclists from road vehicles by investing in protected cycle paths are best placed to maximise the health and sustainability benefits of cycling, according to the OECD.”

 

 

 

 

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Track time of year again! And this is a special one as it marks 25 years since @chris_boardmanbikes took his UCI Track World Championship win for the individual pursuit. With that in mind, we’ve given our carbon TRK track bike a classic Boardman black and yellow paint scheme, a favourite of Chris’, and have a certain Olympic Gold and World Championship winners signature sitting pride of place on the seat tube. . The TRK comes as a complete build and frameset option for anyone wanting to test themselves on the track. . #boardmanbikes #keepexploring #TRK #carbontrack #bicycle #bike #cycling #cyclinglife #cyclingphotos #fixie #singlespeed #sram #explore #fixedgear #instacycling #trackbike #velodrome #worldchamps #chrisboardman

A post shared by Boardman Bikes (@boardmanbikes) on Oct 24, 2019 at 1:13pm PDT

In Chris Boardman’s favourite black and yellow paint scheme, this track bike mark 25 years since his UCI Track World Champs win in the individual pursuit. 

Just had my #bike #stolen. Unlocked, as I made a quick stop for a coffee at #Tollcross. 26+ years of very regular riding, gone. Part of my soul has also left. If you see a purple @RaleighBikes_UK Ravine, wonky headset, broken toestrap, let me know. Gutted. Pls RT. pic.twitter.com/2wMpWDUggr

— Martin Little (@martinlittle) October 25, 2019

Martin Little had his beloved Raleigh with a ‘wonky headset and broken toestrap’ stolen during a coffee stop in Edinburgh…

So … this just happened!! Thanks to the absolute legend @DrAndrewLatham who saw my post, and was running around the Meadows, and found it lying in the middle of a path. Happy beyond belief!! pic.twitter.com/EX55KGzbhE

— Martin Little (@martinlittle) October 25, 2019

…and then was reunited with his steed thanks to his friend Andrew Latham who saw his Twitter post and then happened across the bike dumped in the middle of a path while out running. Andrew replied: “For the avoidance of doubt – it wasn’t me that nicked it in the first place! Glad to be of service.”

We’re relieved to see the close-pass problem being taken seriously by the PSNI and the courts in Northern Ireland https://t.co/JGms8VygAD

Now let’s see this happen across the rest of the UK! pic.twitter.com/NQ2hKYT236

— Cycling UK (@WeAreCyclingUK) October 28, 2019

Cycling UK have called for the rest of the UK to follow suit following the upholding of a dangerous driving conviction for a lorry driver who ‘punishment passed’ a group of cyclists earlier this month. Duncan Dollimore says: Cycling UK despairs at times when clearly dangerous driving is overlooked or minimised, with either no charge or merely the lesser charge of careless driving being brought.”

You couldn’t miss Elia Viviani on the track at 6 Day London these past few days – the Italian is riding a bright gold one, as befits his status as Olympic omnium champion.

The bike is a Pinarello Maat, and in the 6 Day London programme Viviani explained about the colour: “One guy wrote to me who’s a friend of a friend saying that if I wanted a special bike, he could do this special, chrome painting.  

“So I sent to him my frame – not the same frame I used in the Olympics, but the same geometry and the same type of frame.

“The bike looks really amazing – you can see it like a light at the VeloPark,” Viviani added. 

“That’s pretty special – as a rider I always really like having something special to ride, so winning that gold was a really big chance to have a really shiny and amazing bike.”

You may remember us reporting on an art installation demo in our native Bath a few weeks ago – the decorated bike wheels aim to show how the area around George Street is one of the most polluted in the city. 

The artwork was then mysteriously removed, with its creator Alison Harper fearing it had been stolen. The police eventually got involved, and it was then discovered that it had been quietly removed by Bath & North East Council because of safety concerns: “An artwork featuring 69 red bicycle wheels, thought to have been stolen, is in safekeeping after Bath & North East Council tracked it down.

“The art work, which had been displayed on a temporary basis in Bath’s George Street, was created by local textile artist Alison Harper with the help of Transition Larkhall members. The wheels were attached to railings on the street to highlight concerns about air quality.

“However due to concerns the fixings could become easily detached, the wheels were taken down by a contractor working for the council and placed in safekeeping until they could be safely reinstalled.”

Bloody ‘elf and safety!

The alleged issue of Deliveroo’s cycle couriers posing a danger to pedestrians has once again reared its head in Newcastle upon Tyne, with transport bosses at Newcastle City Council saying they were being forced to speak with Deliveroo about the “behaviour of their staff and their use of the roads” after concerns were raised by pedestrians.

Chronicle Live reports that there has been allegations of Deliveroo riders ignoring weekend road closures in the Blackett Street shopping area, which is fuly pedestrianised on Saturday and Sunday. A council spokesperson said: “Members of the public have complained to us of the behaviour of a small number of Deliveroo workers, primarily those on bicycles.

“We have spoken with Deliveroo who as an organisation have been very helpful in engaging with us on this issue to find solutions and have subsequently reminded its riders of what is expected of them.”

Responding to the accusations, Deliveroo delivered their pretty standard line that they have a zero tolerance approach to riders ignoring road safety: “Road safety is a priority for Deliveroo. Before riding with Deliveroo, every rider completes a programme of road safety guidance.

“This guidance includes information videos and content focused on vehicle road-worthiness and maintenance, road safety and what to do in the event of an accident on the road. This online safety guidance is available to all riders throughout their time riding with us and is accessible at any time.

…”If a rider is found to have broken the rules of the road, Deliveroo will not work with that rider.”

Can’t wait for this! Never write this man off x https://t.co/iGjoRhvNAe

— Brad Wiggins (@SirWiggo) October 28, 2019

Sir Wiggo knows a bit more than most about the racing prowess of his former Sky and GB teammate Mark Cavendish, and it will be interesting to see if he can get back to winning ways at Bahrain Merida. 

Kicking off cycling indicator season this year on the first Monday after the clocks went back is Indik8a, a pair of straps with 275 lumen LED’s that can be worn on bare hands or over gloves that vibrate while indicating so you know when they’re on. They’re USB rechargeable and you can get up to 330 indications out of one charge. 

An illuminated directional arrow is activated by a switch on each hand, with two adjustable adult sizes available and a version for kids coming soon. Indik8a say the product was made to make cyclists ‘unmissable’ when indicating: “As winter approaches, being safe and seen in the mornings and evenings is a top priority for those who rely on their bikes to get them to and from school or work every day.

“From children to adults, being seen by vehicles behind will give cyclists peace of mind on busy, car-congested roads, and may even save lives.”

They’re available to buy on Indik8a’s website now for £35 a pair.  

The boy done good yesterday.
Huge power personal best to win the British Hill Climb Championships with 7.2w/kg for 11min. Consistent and smart recovery and training

Sharon Dyson pic.twitter.com/VfB4ybhWLF

— Peloton Coaching (@PelotonCoach) October 28, 2019

Records were downed at the British Hill Climb champs over the weekend, with both the new male and female national champions setting course records in Haytor, Devon. 

Ed Laverack took a huge 47 seconds off his own course record to record a time of  11mins 37 secs, and it was needed because second-placed Paul Double was just nine seconds behind. On his Strava profile, Laverack said: “Executed the plan. Had good legs. Great support from the crowd and online. Glad I could finish the job.” You’ll also see above that his coaching team Peloton Coaching noted Laverack’s crazy power average, which was recorded at 7.2 watts per kilo for 11 and a half minutes he was racing. 

National hill climb champion 2019!
Really happy to have ended my season on such a high – this was an event I really wanted to win on a spectacular climb that I love riding. Thanks to everyone who has helped and supported me this year and thanks to Mid-Devon CC for a fab event! https://t.co/W45qx6pXym

— Hayley Simmonds (@hayleyrsimmonds) October 28, 2019

Hayley Simmonds also took 45 seconds from her own course record, winning in a time of 14 mins 17 secs. Joscelin Lowden and Rebecca Richardson came second and third respectively. 

Court clears motorist of killing eight teen cyclists on dark JB road two years ago #Malaysia@_rodahidup @1EinXnitta @billtay25 @kuabt @lowelsielow @malaysianalways @mary_soh @nonvitaltooth @raajkanthan @rtked @skumar176 @yvonneapy @zulnine09 https://t.co/X1r03oL7L2

— The Long Tweet (@tanjooilong) October 28, 2019

A controversial case in Malaysia has seen a 24-year-old woman released without charge after her car ploughed into a group of cyclists, killing eight of them. 

The tragic incident happened way back February 2017, when at 3.30am on a Saturday morning in the Middle Ring Road in the city of Johor Bahru, Sam Ke Ting’s car hit a large group of male cyclists aged between 13 and 16. Six died at the scene, a further two died on the way to the hospital and several more were injured. Initial investigations revealed Ke Ting wasn’t drunk and wasn’t speeding, but failed to brake in time. Groups of youths were known to ride modified bikes on Johor Bahru’s highways at night, because there were few cars around. 

Two and a half years on, and The Star report that Magistrate Siti Hajar Ali has ruled the prosecution failed to prove a case against Sam Ke Ting, with the police investigation incomplete and not comprehensive after reviewing statements from 46 witnesses. She also ordered that Ke Ting’s suspended driving license and RM10,000 bail be returned immediately. 

Siti Hajar said in her judgment: “The accused could not be prosecuted based on the failure of the investigation officer to investigate the case properly.

“The accused had the rights to drive her car and had driven her vehicle within the speed limit, was not driving while using her phone, was not drunk and was using a car seat belt.

“It is impossible for the accused to have predicted the whereabouts of the group of teenagers behind the road hill at 3am in the morning.

“The victims had also failed to equip themselves with proper safety equipment such as a light reflection jacket and a bicycle helmet.”

If Ke Ting had have been convicted of ramming the group, she could have faced up to ten years’ imprisonment. 

Fantastic stuff.

The new Egan Bernal? https://t.co/SekjlWu8DH

— MyCols app (@mycolsapp) October 28, 2019

Companies whose approach to the ULEZ was to update their vans may have missed a trick… https://t.co/zf0FN0riU8

— Alex Ingram (@nuttyxander) October 28, 2019