Live blog: Jeremy Clarkson takes aim at cyclists (again); Sustrans adapt tech to design more inclusive cycle routes; Dumoulin places 6th in beach MTB race, while Bardet tries CX; Should rear lights be compulsory?; Rees-Mogg off to Centre Parcs +more

How can we design cycle paths that make #cycling convenient & #accessible to more people? - we've adapted the AutoTURN® software to help engineers do just that @Wheels4Well @BeyondBicycle https://t.co/qMTuQ4ai2z pic.twitter.com/qLb7KJbMFA

— Sustrans (@sustrans) December 2, 2019

Sustrans have developed an adapted version of the AutoTURN software - originally used to analyse and accommodate movement of motor vehicles - to simulate accurate real-life movements of people who cycle. This, Sustrans say, will "help identify potential barriers on paths and ensure smooth flow and turn for different types of cycles, including tricycles, tandems and cargo bikes."

Engineers should be able to get real-time feedback at the design stage on whether a path or a cycle track is accessible and practical for different types of cycles, and Sustrans have carried out a series of field tests to determine a cycle’s manoeuvrability. These include how quickly someone can steer from a straight-line path into a curve, how fast someone can travel around a tight bend, and how far they need to lean to do so.

"Towns and cities across the UK have prioritised planning for the car for decades. This needs to change", says Sustrans. "We need to ensure cycling infrastructure is designed to consistently high standards and help make cycling inclusive for everyone." 

They also claim that only 7% of disabled people in the UK cycle even though 33% would like to start, and this tool could play a big part in making more routes accessible. The bike simulation tools will be commercially available next year.

Beautiful day at Scheveningen beach at the Jeep MTB Beachrace
Gerben 16th, Bram 17th and Martin 29th behind winner Rick van Breda. Good to see Tom Dumoulin back in action again! pic.twitter.com/B8MPSJ5AEy

— KMC mountainbiketeam (@MTBteam_com) December 1, 2019

In his first competitive outing since June's Critérium du Dauphiné, Dumoulin placed sixth at the Jeep MTB Beachrace in Scheveningen in the Netherlands, with Rick van Breda taking the win. 

The Dutchman left Sunweb in August and will ride for Jumbo Visma alongside Wout van Aert and Primož Roglič  in 2020 - a knee injury kept Dumoulin out of the Tour de France and the World Championships, but on this evidence he looks to be well on the way back to full fitness. 

Round-the-world record holder Beaumont has completed the NC500 twice already, and in 2020 there will be rides departing on May 4th and August 31st for a five-day journey across the route acommpanied by Beaumont. Bookings are through Wilderness Scotland, with trips including all accommodation, meals and energy snacks and drinks, logistical support throughout and an expert guide from Wilderness Scotland. Beaumont told the John O Groat Journal: “The creation of North Coast 500 in the past five years has taken the north of Scotland from an unknown wilderness for cyclists to an absolute bucket-list challenge.

"It truly is the most breathtaking route in the UK, with wildlife, local food and scenery making it so unique and memorable. But it is also tough, with over 10,000 feet of ascent as well as the 500 miles, so not for the faint-hearted if you are up for the added challenge of completing it in four days.

"I’m excited to be heading back in 2020 to explore this wonderful route.”

I raced myself through the @BristolCouncil Temple Gate area - from Bath Bridge to Temple Way using the road vs. using the brand new cycle route. I did not win... pic.twitter.com/slWDDVMtzE

— Toby Wells (@Toby_Wells) December 1, 2019

For anyone who has experienced the new road layout around Bristol Temple Meads train station... well arguably it leaves a fair bit to be desired, no matter if you're a cyclist, pedestrian or driver. A full article will follow based off this here tweet later today. 

The Kazakh team have just announced a new partnership with the Italian bike brand shortly after ending their association with Argon 18. What do you reckon? Read all about it here. 

Bike Park Wales announced last week that they had started work on one of the UK first uplifted green trails as well as a brand new visitors centre and lots more parking. With better accessibility for families and younger riders, plus more toilets - it all sounds grand! Find out more here on off-road.cc

Looks like Jacob Rees Mogg is off on his center parcs holiday... pic.twitter.com/dLyUBA4flo

— Davood Ghadami (@DavoodGhadami) November 30, 2019

The Conservative parliamentary candidate for North East Somerset and leader of the House of Commons appears to have been quiet during the current election campaign; some suggest this is because his views are not well received by members of the public who are in any way conscientious, but Eastenders actor Davood Ghadami has put forward this more innocent reason for his elusiveness. Not sure if Rees-Mogg's wife Helena Anne Beatrix Wentworth Fitzwilliam de Chair or their six children would be satisfied with a Centre Parcs holiday either...