“Counter-productive war on cyclists”: Anger over police enforcing ‘no cycling’ signs; Good news: VAT on bikes cut…Bad news: in the EU; Alt Tour jersey on Ebay; World champ’s Specialized (+2022 route revealed); Cyclo-cross skills + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
"Counter-productive war on cyclists": Anger over police enforcing 'no cycling' signs
@wandbc waging its endless, counter-productive war on cyclists who want to keep themselves safe. @Jo_Earlsfield @willnorman pic.twitter.com/eVRihhEQvh
— Ben 🇪🇺 💙 (@benjyhere) December 9, 2021
Loads of reaction to round-up from this…mainly people not very happy to see the major crime of riding a bike where you shouldn’t being punished.
Some pointed out the irony of being able to drive a bulky diesel van into a park to stop people pedalling a push bike. Others shared pictures of cars and vans parked on pavements and asked why the authorities think this is more pressing.
Ben, who shared the photo from a park in Wandsworth, called the action an “endless, counter-productive war on cyclists who want to keep themselves safe.”
And while some pointed out the parks police have different powers to the regular coppers and can only deal with offences in areas under their control, it’s fair to say the majority of replies couldn’t understand the crackdown.
That’s of course assuming this incident was definitely a ‘no cycling’ enforcement. Rory Meakin asked Wandsworth Police if there were any aggravating factors in the case, but only got a reply saying the parks police isn’t part of the Met and is a service employed by the council.
Here’s some of the reaction…
“That 20kg, 15mph bike might be a hazard to someone. This two-tonne van? Just fine.”
Seriously, Wandsworth, this policy makes you look like dinosaurs.
— Angus Hewlett (@angus_f_h) December 9, 2021
Imagine punishing people who have to protect themselves because the police don’t keep the roads safe.
— Jon (@Jontafkasi) December 9, 2021
(Not) stuck in the mud cyclo-cross skills
Eso si es manejar la bici @felipeorts15 .
Enhorabuena 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/UHMrFRw0Pa— Rubén Pérez (@rubenperez1981) December 8, 2021
British Cycling announces dates and venues for 2022 youth and junior national road calendars
We can today announce the dates and venues for the 2022 youth and junior national road calendars, including five new races 🗓
Full story 📰 https://t.co/Qs92WjSrXx pic.twitter.com/wWOjD9pLR9
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) December 9, 2021
Five new races on the junior national road calendar is the headline here, plus the news that the junior national road and time trial championships will take place in North Yorkshire, with the circuit champs in Scarborough. All the details are over on British Cycling’s website…
LightUpTheNightCycleRide
Tonight we ride! For #16DaysOfActivism we #LightUpTheNight because women and girls should have safe protected on-road well-lit cycling infrastructure! #WomenCycleToo Join Us! pic.twitter.com/1H21AnLEbq
— LightUpTheNightCycleRide (@LightUpEdi) December 10, 2021
Return of 'Le Roi'
Ready to spin the legs around Calpe. pic.twitter.com/TjgjvzQUZi
— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) December 10, 2021
The route of the 2022 Road World Championships was announced earlier today, so it’s only fitting that we’ve been treated to an off-season rainbow sighting.
The current king of the Worlds Julian Alaphilippe is in Calpe for his Deceuninck–Quick-Step team’s annual winter training camp. Ahead of the trip to Spain, the French superstar posted photos of his partner and former pro Marion Rousse and their six-month-old son, with the caption ‘here we go again’.
It’s the fifth year in a row that the Belgian squad (which will be known as Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl in 2022) have visited the Costa Blanca town, so Alaphilippe will be hoping that the familiar roads and sunshine act as a good omen for the upcoming season.
And with a pesky one kilometre climb included in the Worlds circuit in Wollongong, we may be seeing that rainbow-clad S-Works for a while longer yet.
Fancy buying Lachlan Morton's Alt Tour jersey off eBay? It'll cost you...
One ‘heavily used’ jersey for sale on Ebay is nothing uncommon, but this is no ordinary jersey. This is the EF Rapha kit Lachlan Morton wore for the entirety of his Alt Tour challenge. Morton successfully beat the peloton to Paris, and if you want a piece of history to remember the ride this could be the memorabilia for you…
Oh, did I forget to mention you’ll need a fat wallet? Bidding’s already at US $3,250.00 and there’s still four days left…
“I thought about holding onto it but it can do more good changing hands than under my bed. It’s going up on eBay today with all proceeds going to Pedalling Minds here in boulder,” Morton wrote on Instagram.
Friday funny ft. Boris Johnson and Alberto Contador
A good way to remember how many children Boris Johnson has is that it’s the same number of Grand Tours won by Alberto Contador
— Cillian Kelly (@irishpeloton) December 9, 2021
Deceuninck-Quick-Step duo Rémi Cavagna and Mauri Vansevenant injured in training camp crash
Both @remicav and @MVansevenant99 were involved in a training accident on Wednesday while at our camp in Spain.
Read more about it and join us in wishing them the best for their recovery: https://t.co/A4jyzxpSPc
Photo: @GettySport pic.twitter.com/JtzwVMvGAP— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) December 10, 2021
Rémi Cavagna has suffered an L1 vertebrae fracture, while Mauri Vansevenant incurred a broken thumb, during a crash at the Deceuninck-Quick-Step training camp in Spain.
Cavagna remains in hospital for further treatment where the team says he is being looked after by Dr. Ignacio Muñoz at Hospital IMSKE Valencia, with the plan being to operate on Monday. The French rider thankfully avoided any neurological damage.
More cycling infrastructure could prevent 15,000 deaths annually, new study finds
A new study, shared by Planetizen, found that improving cycling infrastructure could save thousands of lives each year. The Environmental Health Perspectives study modelled the “comprehensive global public health impacts of the mode shift to cycling”, finding that replacing car journeys with bike trips could prevent more than 15,000 deaths per year in the US alone.
The study took into account deaths from road traffic collisions and pollution-related diseases. The study reported: “Even if just 8 percent of those new bike trips replaced journeys in a car — an extraordinarily conservative estimate, considering that in this hypothetical world, every urban area in the world would be outfitted with Amsterdam-levels of bike lanes — researchers say that 18,589 lives could be saved across the globe, 1,227 of which would be in the U.S. alone.”
Alaphilippe's three-peat dream alive as 2022 Worlds course includes punchy climb close to finish
We were expecting a flat sprint for #Wollongong2022 so Ewan could win. Instead we’ve got a great attack point for a puncher with 8km to go.
The three-peat for Julian is possible! pic.twitter.com/nBjilZg8U4
— Mathew Mitchell (@MatMitchell30) December 10, 2021
We briefly mentioned the Worlds course had been announced while talking about Julian Alaphilippe’s sparkly Spesh…
Well, here’s a closer peek at the route, including an intriguing looking kicker placed at 8km to go. 1.1km @ 7.7 per cent with double digit gradients in the middle. Too hard for Caleb Ewan? Will Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Julian Alaphilippe go nuclear? Could Michael Matthews be the best hope of a home victory? So many questions we need answers to…
VAT's not too shabby...EU cuts VAT on bikes and e-bikes
I miss the days when Brexit dominated the news cycle, before Plan A, Plan B, party planning and the rest of it…Well, talking of the EU, consumers across the continent will benefit from a newly announced VAT cut on a range of goods, including bikes and e-bikes.
Cyclingindustrynews reports that on December 7th the Council of the EU announced a “modernised” VAT directive with some changes designed to stimulate EU agenda priorities. Member states’ will now cut VAT on supply, rental and repair of bikes and e-bikes. It also means e-bikes will no longer be named alongside fuel, oil and gas-powered transport, so will no longer need to be subject to a 15 per cent VAT rate.
“We very much welcome the result of the Council negotiations on the revision of EU VAT rates, which will make bicycles and e-bikes even more affordable and accessible for consumers in the EU,” Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation said.
“The inclusion of both conventional and electric bicycles in the list of goods eligible for reduced VAT rates adds a powerful instrument to member states’ toolbox for promoting cycling. We now call upon all EU countries to make use of this new possibility and apply reduced VAT rates for the benefit of consumers all over Europe.”
Will these new brushes improve the post-ride chore?
Peaty’s has released a new set of brushes with unique features and materials that are aimed at being as user-friendly and environmentally-conscious as possible, without compromising on performance.
The brand says it found “natural fibres were either too soft, too stiff or not durable enough to last months of cleaning abuse on tough components like cassettes and spokes” and so it has attempted to source synthetic fibre bristles manufactured from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. Due to material shortages caused by Covid though, currently only the bristles in the detail brush are made from PCR plastic, but the brand says it’s continuing to work with their suppliers to source PCR bristles for the remaining brushes in the future.
Let’s take a look at the new range…
Peaty’s Bog Brush (£12.99) has 360 degree long bristles with flagged ends for “all over cleaning without clattering” and “thick foamy goodness”.
Then there’s the medium density bristled Detailer Brush (£8.99) which has a thin cylindrical shape for hard to reach areas and is for using on suspension linkages, pedals, seat rails, hubs and spokes. A soft cotton tip is designed to prevent scratching, as does the plastic coated wire core.
The Drivetrain Brush (£8.99) has a lower centre with stiffer bristles to provide a channel for the chain to sit into. A chisel cut handle end should also help with removing gunk from jockey wheels.
Lastly, the Tyre Brush (£8.99) has durable, stiff stepped height bristles that help wrap around the tyre and maximise surface contact. The bristles also run 90 degrees to the handle for ease of cleaning.
10 December 2021, 08:59
10 December 2021, 08:59
10 December 2021, 08:59
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46 Comments
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Latest Comments
I am entitled to express my opinion. I don't like the idea of the INEOS association with cycling or the way Ratcliffe and INEOS treat their staff and do all they can do avoid taxation in the UK. I think my comment is very relevant.
Burt actually said above (somewhat to my surprise, I admit) that helmets "probably do" protect against injury, but not death. Something with which I agree.
I actually like the INEOS kit this year. They stand out in the peloton and orange is just an awesome color overall. Light grey is a much better alternative to white, and makes for one of the best kits in the pro peloton this year to my eye. I think the worst kit I’ve seen recently is the one the author, Steve Thomas is wearing in his author profile picture. It basically removes all credibility for him making any fashion or design related statements. Also, maybe learn a little about the Grenadier before making uninformed, derogatory comments that aren’t really necessary or applicable to the subject at hand.
Looking at the casualty statistics it's far more likely that you will suffer death or serious injury riding to Tesco's than participating in racing, primarily because of the presence of cars. If you don't think helmets offer any protection then fine, don't wear one; if you believe they do offer some protection you're probably more likely to experience the benefit if you wear one for everyday commuting and leisure riding and leave it off for racing than vice versa. Certainly if I was offered a choice when riding to my local Herne Hill velodrome of wearing one to ride through traffic to get there but taking it off to ride round the track or vice versa I would choose the first option.
Here is where Burt has a very good point. The stats just don't support the claims of safety benefits, especially when combined with the effects of speeding motor vehicles.
"I think I nearly died doing extreme sport and my main takeaway is that the rest of you should all wear PPE to go to tesco". BBC loves helmet stories. I blame that Dan guy.
Ah yes. Because what a gravel bike needs is a shed ton more weight. None of the 32 tyre options are likely to be in Gravel friendly widths and weights.
Did he also make you wear a helmet for taking a shower, changing a lightbulb or being a passenger in a car? Statistically, those are also very likely to result in possibly fatal head injuries and the exact same argument applies to protecting your head for those rare accidents. Also, what was his opinion on traffic safety and separate infrastructure? I suspect his views and observations were coloured by the media's constant focussing on bike helmets and not actual effective methods to reduce danger.
By far the worst of these is Footon Servetto - probably the cycling equivalent of football's Coventry City brown away kit. The INEOS kit is unpleasant because I associate it with Ratcliffe. I own a HTC Columbia jersey. It looks OK, but I admit I bought it for £10 on a bargain rail in my LCS. I also used to own an Astana jersey and my performances always improved by 5% whenever I wore it. I got rid of it when my heart nearly stalled in bed one night🙂 Personally, I don't mind the Bogota Humana kit. It seems ok as long as all of the riders were happy to wear it. I'd like to think they were given the opportunity to approve the design beforehand.
I agree, stop building useless cycle lanes - build proper ones.
46 thoughts on ““Counter-productive war on cyclists”: Anger over police enforcing ‘no cycling’ signs; Good news: VAT on bikes cut…Bad news: in the EU; Alt Tour jersey on Ebay; World champ’s Specialized (+2022 route revealed); Cyclo-cross skills + more on the live blog”
Playing devils advocate here
Playing devils advocate here – its really not clear from a single photo why the Park Rozzers stopped the guy on the bike – the OP states that it was soley for cycling in the the park without providing any supporting evidence and then the twitter dog pile begins.
(On balance I think their assumption is probably right – but its difficult to say just from a Photo and no clear narrative.)
Looks to me like they’re
Looks to me like they’re trying to sign them up for a regular donation to the Retired Police Officers Benefit Fund.
At a guess, and because the
At a guess, and because the only visible no cycling sign is leading into the alleyway, he had cycled down that towards them and was then stopped.
I wonder if the Police just let them off because someone was going to be inconvenienced?
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
In which case I tend to agree with the stop if it was just a friendly warning. Thats far too narrow to do it safely.
Same here, but expect it was
Same here, but expect it was not a warning but straight prosecution being as she has clipboard and cyclist is getting details from his wallet.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
Funny how motorists so often seem to get ‘warnings’ or ‘advisory letters’ and yet when its a cyclist they go straight in with a FPN…
Yes, I know that’s whataboutery, and I also know I’m making a h— of a generalisation 😉
Funny how motorists so often
Funny how motorists so often seem to get ‘warnings’ or ‘advisory letters’ and yet when it’s a cyclist they go straight in with a FPN…
You’re living in the past! Go Ahead forces like Lancashire with a ‘cutting red tape’ agenda have abolished warnings or advisory letters for pretty much any offence committed by a driver- the approved method is to ignore the offence completely if the offenders make ignoring worth the officers’ while. Darkened window Range Rover F2 YNY is shown here crashing through a red light at 50+ mph- no response from LC. The same family owns almost identical black Range Rover F1 YNY- I haven’t caught that one yet.
I’m sure some knobhead will
I’m sure some knobhead will comment to mention cycling registrations are needed. I’m sure said knobhead would also be first in the queue to register him and his daughter with the tattoos needed because ALL cyclists will need to register.
The reason why police are
The reason why police are more active issuing FPNs to cyclists who flout the rules is because otherwise there is zero means of detecting and tracing the culprits. Without registration there is no other solution than this active presence.
.
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I’ve already told you, better
I’ve already told you, better at me than at others and your partner. If it makes you feel better please continue.
.
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Garage at Large wrote:
No, it’s because it’s easy to stop a bicycle and much harder to stop a car. Despite protestations from the motor lobby that drivers are being persecuted.
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I’m pretty much sure it’s
I’m pretty much sure it’s that part of the Wandsworth common (a footpath comming from Baskerville Road)
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/51.44983/-0.17004&layers=C
Quote:
So not actually police.
So, passing themselves off as police.
So – committing an offence themselves!
brooksby wrote:
Sadly they have full police powers
I meant that I was under the
I meant that I was under the impression that you can’t call yourselves “Police” if you are not actually a police force (there must be some sort of legal procedure for establishing a police force?). Otherwise every local councils ‘environmental enforcement’ people would be calling themselves ‘the Green Police’ or some sh!t…
brooksby wrote:
I don’t know the details, but they report into the Dept of media culture and sport rather than the HO. I understand that there are other council run parks police, but they don’t have teh same powers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Parks_Constabulary
I particularly like the last sentence of the article:
This would have been the
This would have been the Wandsworth Parks & Events Police, though.
Captain Badger wrote:
Very similar but seperate org.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wandsworth_Parks_and_Events_Police
Who knew all these London Councils had actual Rozzers instead of “enforcement officers”, albeit they only have powers of arrest for certain things commited in their Parks. The Park boundary is like a county line to them. They’ve even got a Dog Unit – which probably makes sense for maintaining public order in case the Wandsworth fete gets out of hand.
They are a police force,
They are a police force, albeit with limited jurisdiction – local authorities are legally enabled to appoint constables to enforce regulations and bye-laws relating to open spaces (not just to enforce any old rules and regulations).
brooksby wrote:
I worked in a building that had a couple of security guys who referred to themselves as ‘site police’.
It kept us pen pushers amused.
So Peloton’s share price has
So Peloton’s share price has dropped about 10% today off the back of the Sex and the City reboot killing off Big (one of the main characters) with a spin session induced heart attack. I feel the live blog deserves to know so we can all congratulate Sarah Jessica Parker for accidentally doing what we’ve been trying to achieve for years now: bring down Peloton.
SPOILERS!!
SPOILERS!!
(Just joking – don’t think I’ve seen a single episode of that show…).
It was so funny because I had
It was so funny because I had Sky on as background noise, hadnt even realised it was the Sex & the City thing, not paying attention at all but glanced up just to see the Peloton scene and just thought wow Peloton bike ads have gone a bit dark for Christmas 🙂
Well it seemed to have gone
Well it seemed to have gone dark last XMas if you saw the tone of those as “controlling husband buys wife fitness machine to bodyshame her after giving birth and she then feels forced to use it”.
As James Hayden said on Lachy
As James Hayden said on Lachy’s Instagram post: it’s a shame he’s decided to auction it not raffle it. No guarantee that the auction will raise more money, but it will guarantee that it goes to the person with the most money rather than some lucky fan, which seems like a shame.
NSL – check
NSL – check
Chevons for tight bend – check
Blind Bend – check
Cyclist in strong secondary/primary check
Low sun obscuring view ahead – check
OVERTAKE !!!
I was stopped by the Parks
I was stopped by the Parks Police in Hampstead Heath. It was a cold, mid – week, wet winter afternoon, the place was deserted, I was cycling up hill at about 5mph when a Range Rover coming the other way blocked me. I was told to get off the bike. When I asked why, the Police told me it was because cycling was banned and a danger to Heath users. I pointed out the obvious: the place was deserted, i was barely moving going uphill and that they were driving a 4×4 so how was that any safer? If you don’t get off the bike we will fine you £350 was their answer. So i got off.
I was stopped last summer
I was stopped last summer riding through Hyde Park around 6AM on a Sunday on a permitted cycle path and warned not to ride on any of the internal paths that cross the park. When I pointed out that I wasn’t doing so and had no intention of doing so the officer agreed but explained that they were “just warning people not to.” I thanked him and went on my merry way, buoyed by the knowledge that my tax quids were being spent on such a sensible exercise rather than fripperies like catching criminals.
Rendel Harris wrote:
Which, of course, is particularly ironic given apparently we ‘don’t need’ the Park Lane cycle lane because we can ride through the park.
Steve K wrote:
Given the RP’s well-documented negativity towards cyclists I’m quite surprised the Hyde Park Corner – Marble Arch path hasn’t been closed to cyclists yet…
On the way to one of the Stop
On the way to one of the Stop Killing Cyclists die-ins (on Blackfriars I think) I was stopped with another cyclist in the advanced stop zone and given advice about having lights on our bikes. Both of us had lights on our bikes, both sets switched on. It was good-natured chat, seemingly part of a charm offensive by the police; but, just like you being stopped for using a permitted route, we were advised about an issue that didn’t apply to us. During the course of the conversation a lorry pulled over the advanced stop line behind us, completely blocking it for it’s intended users and a red-light jumping offence. I politely mentioned this to the officer and he said they were only speaking with cyclists this particular evening.
markieteeee wrote:
That sounds like an excellent opportunity to confront the lorry driver and demand that they reverse back out of the ASL. I can just imagine the confusion of the police if they’re talking to you about one thing and then you prevent the lorry moving off because it’s blocking the ASL. Maybe couple it with a bit of “This is your job – you should be doing this” to the police.
Yes, I wish I’d done that – I
Yes, I wish I’d done that – I wasn’t quick enough off the mark in the moment, partly as it wasn’t in our lane. I did mention to the rozzer that he had just witnessed a breach the law by a class of vehicle responsible for many deaths on the road, while unnecessarily advising people riding safely with lights about the use of lights.
A few years ago a cyclist was
A few years ago a cyclist was killed by a left-turning HGV driver at Elephant & Castle, coming from the Walworth Road. The next day I happened to be riding through on a bus and saw there were a number of officers present, and I thought good, they’ll be watching for dangerous driving…then saw four of them converge on a cyclist who had stopped with his front wheel maybe a foot over the stop line at the lights…
The lorry I mentioned was
The lorry I mentioned was also left-turning at the top of Walworth Road. And also was soon after a death, hence why I was attending a SKC happening. It’s possible it was the same time, although there have been occasional charm offensives between Elephant and Camberwell with the police out in force having friendly chats with cyclists. These wouldn’t be so bad, if they were giving sensible advice and showing cyclists that they take their safety seriously, but it’s baffling that they can ignore illegal and/or dangerous road offences on a given day because they are only focussing on chatting to cyclists.
I was fined £60 by two
I was fined £60 by two pointless plods cross Hyde Park on a cold winter’s day a couple of years ago. It really endears you towards them. I was hopinh they’d found my stolen Ducati. They hadn’t.
All kicking off in Bristol
All kicking off in Bristol over a collision with cyclist and ped.
Plenty of fact free comments.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/woman-critical-condition-after-being-6337050#comments-wrapper
Some snarky buggers from here
Fact free as you say. Not all one way though – there’s “whataboutthecars” too and some snarky buggers from here appear to have got there now to take the piss:
Another Boo nom-de-plume? Got
Another Boo nom-de-plume? Got some of his style to it.
Be interesting what the full
Be interesting what the full details are. There is an on pavement cycle path as well as lots of pedestrian crossings so could have been on the pavement or on the road when collision occured. Nothing about cyclist being injured or doing a runner or staying on scene. I’m guessing the latter as not reported otherwise.
Someone on there this morning
Someone on there this morning has posted
Its a busy junction in the middle of a busy area. At 10.30 at night it’s just as likely that the pedestrian made an assumption that there’d be no traffic and didn’t look (relied on their hearing) as that the cyclist jumped a light or was Somehow at fault. But that won’t stop the good folks BTL on the Bristol Post…
brooksby wrote:
Indeed – but equally it might be a certified wrongun on a bike (gang member, drugs etc.). I get the point and that the outrage is not there for cars. Being better and looking at the bigger picture (once facts are in) this might be a) poor behaviour by cyclist b) avoidable with e.g. better street design.
I sometimes go through that
I sometimes go through that junction late at night and there’s usually a few tipsy pedestrians around. It’s worse near to the Arches as they sometimes spill into the street around there and the road is narrower, but it’s easy enough to avoid them if you pay attention.