Fabio Jakobsen heading home to Netherlands tomorrow after horror crash; Cyclists “not all Lycra louts” says Boris Johnson; Biden questioned over helmetless ride; Anger over traps laid for cyclists + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Police appeal after Aberdeenshire cyclist was fatally struck by a lorry driver
Police Scotland are appealing for witnesses after 30-year-old Rikki Gault was killed following a collision with a lorry on Low Street in Banff, Aberdeenshire on Fridya 7th August. Mr Gault died in hospital after suffering serious injuries.
Police Scotland said: “Rikki’s family have requested privacy at this time however wished it known that “Rikki lived life to the full and will be sorely missed”.
“A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
“Low Street was closed for around eight hours to allow for collision investigation work.
“Anyone who witnessed the crash or has seen either the lorry or the cyclist prior to the crash is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 2066 of 7 August, 2020.”
First cars... now it's bins blocking the cycle lane
Single family zoned housing giving a big FU to cyclists pic.twitter.com/zgmWqGCkBd
— Joey (she/her) (@JoeyReneeOkay) August 10, 2020
This one comes from the USA, where even slightly attempting to use the bike lane make for a rather interesting obstacle course…
"Build it and they will come": Transport Minister promises changes as survey reveals two thirds of adults in England think cycling is dangerous
Chris Heaton-Harris, the Minister of State for Transport, has promised to address the public’s safety fears about cycling after the survey in the government’s latest Walking and Cycling statistics document found that 66% of adults in England thought that cycling on the roads was too dangerous; this is up from 61% in the previous year, but Heaton-Harris says that Boris Johnson’s blueprint for “a new golden age for cycling” will be at the forefront of changing this.
In an interview with The Guardian, Heaton-Harris said: “I know from talking to people, and looking at my very active cycling social media response, that dedicated infrastructure is essential to make people feel safe.
“One of the big parts of this investment is to try and make the streets safer for people to cycle on. I tend to believe that in cycling, it’s very much Kevin Costner, Field of Dreams territory: if you build it, they will come.”
The survey results were compiled before lockdown, and Heaton-Harris said that increases in cycling numbers when roads were quieter shows that “when people feel safe, they cycle.”
He added: “I’d like to think with this investment over the next four or five years, we can actually demonstrate and have the data to prove that when we do the things we’re talking about, we will be able to demonstrate that that has led to way more people cycling.
“We can also show we are a healthier nation, that air quality has gone up and air pollution goes down, all of these big things lots of people have been campaigning for, are delivered by change in the modal shift towards cycling and walking, And then I think it’ll be a no-brainer for future governments.”
"That is attempted manslaughter": Anger over vicious traps allegedly left out for mountain bikers on private land
Originally, Kent Online reported that the traps had been laid in King’s Wood, Kent; however posting on Facebook, The Canterbury Bike Project confirmed that the incident took place on private land nearby the public trails, commenting: “This incident has been confirmed to have taken place on private land, and as much as this behaviour is completely wrong we also have to say that trespassing and building trails on private land is also wrong.”
Private land or not, it’s clear the traps are deliberately intended to cause harm rather than warn people to stay away, with the both barbed wire and nail traps taking “a lot of thought and preparation” according to Steve Cool, posting on the East Kent Mountain Bike Facebook group. He added: “Stating the obvious here but someone could be seriously maimed or worse on those nails. Unfortunately with the way this has been done, I think there will be more traps set in future. Be safe and keep a lookout.”
Another commented: “Public or private land doesn’t matter, that’s not designed to make people turn around and cycle away, it’s designed to take people by surprise and cause maximum harm.”
It’s understood that the incident has been reported to the police.
*We’re aware the alleged crime wouldn’t be classed as ‘attempted manslaughter’ if the culprit(s) was charged – this was quoted from a comment on the Canterbury Bike Project Facebook page.
You had one job, roundabout edition
Give way to your left, as the say on the continent. Not in the UK…
Tandem cyclists (including one who has recently recovered from coronavirus) break 32-year-old Edinburgh to London record
It’s now confirmed by the RRA that Doug Hart and Mark Bourgeois of Ilkley Cycling Club have broken the long-standing record, riding the 388 mile journey in a time of 17 hours and 52 minutes. If it’s confirmed, this will take 50 minutes off the previous mark set in 1988.
The achievement is made all the more impressive given that Mr Bourgeois was in hospital with Covid-19 back in April according to the Ilkley Gazette. Writing on Facebook, he said he was “very happy and just a tad tired” the day after the ride.
Mr Hart was already an experienced endurance cyclist riding solo and by tandem, having already broken the Edinburgh to York tandem record with fellow Ilkley CC member Jake Unsworth last year.
The ride has raised plenty of cash for the Shelter From the Storm and LandAid charities so far, with the total at over £13,000 on their JustGiving page – click here to donate.
Helmet row, presidential election edition: Joe Biden spotted out for a ride... but attracts negative comments because he's not wearing a helmet
Bikers for Biden. pic.twitter.com/DvnimU9NAk
— The Lincoln Project 🏴☠️ (@ProjectLincoln) August 8, 2020
You’re most likely aware that Joe Biden is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee for the upcoming general election in the United States… you might be less aware that he’s partial to a bike ride, and he was collared by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy at the weekend while cycling with friends.
Doocy asked Biden who his running mate was going to be for the upcoming election, to which Biden replied: “You!”
This delighted most Trump-adverse corners of social media; but others were a little concerned by Biden’s head, or lack of something on it…
I’m being totally serious. Wear a helmet! In our house, this would lose you scooter/bike privileges for the whole day. Of all the noggins that need protecting at the moment, the 2020 nominee is high on the list.
— Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) August 8, 2020
You should always wear a helmet if you’re on a bike.
— TinyRobot (@TinyRobot6) August 8, 2020
Imagine that being your takeaway from this clip.
— Irwin M Fletcher stan account (@vgiglotti) August 9, 2020
Because he is almost certainly on a path where cars are not permitted to travel. Bicycles are not inherently dangerous. It’s the cars that are dangerous.
— Colin Parent (@ColinParent) August 8, 2020
As you can see from this selection of replies, others were less bothered by Biden’s bare head, and more encouraged that the 77-year-old is keeping fit and healthy on two wheels.
Trump often refers to Biden as “sleepy Joe” on Twitter in reference to his advancing years, and often questions his cognitive abilities too. It seems there’s only one way to settle this election then…
Trump vs Biden…bike riding contest pic.twitter.com/YZE2rgWwRD
— Sam Zee (@SamZComedy) August 10, 2020
Richmond Park partially reopens to traffic
Our parks are for people, not traffic. A park cannot be both a safe, accessible and enjoyable space for cycling and also a rat run. @theroyalparks must reconsider this reckless and drastic proposal, which is opposed by the vast majority of Londoners https://t.co/6PRbHfq868 https://t.co/hEDbuCrqGB
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) August 11, 2020
Back to this👇 #pollution #dangerous #aggression in area heavily populated. Kingston Gate open 7 days/week but other gates like Sheen & Roehampton are no through routes or weekdays only or just to car park @sarahjolney1 @CllrCarolineK @nkforum @NKingstonFocus @KingstonLibDems pic.twitter.com/4GjrepCkcQ
— @friendsofkingstongate (@friendsofkings1) August 11, 2020
The Royal Parks have released a document saying they are conducting “a trial reducing cut-through traffic within Richmond Park”; however this is based on pre-pandemic vehicle access, and many are dismayed that the park wil be reopening to traffic on a well-known ‘rat run’ route from Kingston to Richmond.
Full story to follow.
Brian Cookson calls for next British Cycling CEO to have "detailed knowledge" as Julie Harrington departs
Disappointing news, but not surprising. Julie has generally done a good job imho, and I wish her well for the future, but in my opinion it is vital for the next CEO of British Cycling to have detailed knowledge and experience of cycling as well as the right management background. https://t.co/7ccEzUOLBS
— Brian Cookson OBE (@BrianCooksonOBE) August 11, 2020
British Cycling say they are recruiting for “one of the best jobs in British sport”, as Julie Harrington – Chief Executive Officer since 2017 – has announced her departure to take on the CEO role at the British Horseracing Authority in the new year.
The former UCI president Cookson clarified that his criteria was “a tough person specification to fill”, and that he was not being critical of Harrington.
British Cycling’s Chair Frank Slevin commented: “Julie will leave with the good wishes of the Board and everyone at British Cycling.
“With Julie as Chief Executive Officer, and thanks to a strong leadership team, British Cycling has made great strides towards our ambition of becoming a world-leading governing body.
…“Like any organisation we have our challenges but, with the Prime Minister predicting ‘a golden age for cycling’, this is the best time to be joining British Cycling.”
New 500 mile cycling network planned for the West Midlands
A vision for the Starley Network – named after the Starley family of Coventry who are considered founding fathers of the modern bicycle – was unveiled today at the Coventry Transport Museum.
Transport for West Midlands say that all 493 miles of the proposed network will be dedicated to active travel, on routes that are either segregated from traffic or away from roads entirely. It will pull together “existing routes and towpaths, proposed new cycling infrastructure, and new pop-up lanes funded through the Emergency Active Travel Fund” according to TfWM, and covers most major areas in the West Midlands connurbation including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry and Dudley.
Over £260 million will be spent to build the network in the coming years, with highlights including a new cycle route on the A45 Coventry Road in Birmingham, a new cycle hire scheme and a series of routes along the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro tram line. More info including a full map of the proposed routes can be found here.
Free 'socially distant' one-to-one cycle training offered in West Yorkshire
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority have announced that they will offer the free traininf from the front door to help people cycle to work or college in West Yorkshire. It’s being delivered as part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme, which aims to enable more people to travel by bike and on foot.
The sessions will cover journey planning, cycling in traffic, tackling busy junctions and roundabouts, and will be led by qualified instructors on routes chosen by the participant.
Councillor Kim Groves commented: “Two thirds of journeys in our region are less than five miles, which takes about 30-minutes by bike.
“To date, more than 1,860 people have benefitted from the Combined Authority’s free adult cycle training scheme, with nearly 60% of attendees cycling more often as a result.
“Enabling increasing numbers of us to travel by bike and on foot is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the health, transport and economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.”
The sessions are available to anyone aged 16 plus who lives in West Yorkshire – more details can be found here.
Boris Johnson says "not all cyclists are Lycra louts" as he announces £2 million cycling and walking boost in Hereford
While his government’s handling of many matters recently has proved divisive to say the least, one thing the Prime Minister often appears to make plenty of sense on is cycling… and during a visit to Hereford County Hospital today, Boris once again preached the benefits of getting more people travelling on two wheels.
Announcing that Herefordshire had been approved for £2 million towards active travel schemes in the county, the PM was asked if such schemes were appropiate for those who live in more rural areas.
According to the Hereford Times, the PM said: “When I was mayor of London I used to cycle 30 miles a day easily.
“I think cycling is a fantastic thing to do. We have just put another £2 million into Herefordshire to support cycling and walking schemes.
“There is much more that we want to do. Where I agree with you that there is a paradox that cycling in rural areas on often quite fast A and B road can be scarier particularly for less confident cyclists.
“We need to think as we take forward our cycling revolution how we encourage people to cycle in rural areas as well.
“Motorists have got to understand there will be cyclists on the road and they’re not all lycra louts and they need to be treated with respect and caution.
“It’s about educating motorists as well.”
Fabio Jakobsen allowed to return home after condition improves
Following his horror crash at the Tour of Poland, Jakobsen is now able to travel back to the Netherlands after spending nearly a week recovering in a Polish hospital; he was initially placed in an induced coma before undergoing surgery.
A statement from Deceuninck–Quick-Step said: “Fabio Jakobsen’s condition is evolving favourably, to the extent that he will be transferred Wednesday to the hospital in Leiden, the Netherlands (LUMC), where further follow-up treatment of his injuries will take place.”
Not everyone is sold on Boris Johnson's comments
. . . oh well done . . . thereby officially associating wearing of lycra with being a lout. FFS!
— cycletothesea (@cycletothesea) August 11, 2020
that’s my thought entirely: although not the worst think that’s come out of our PM’s mouth it definitely does us regular civilised cyclists who happen to wear elastene/polyester weave no favours. oh well, guess it is to be expected from a gaffe prone PM
— Alex Bonzi (@alexbonzi255) August 11, 2020
Some aren’t happy that Boris chose to say ‘Lycra louts’ at all… do you think the PM’s language was a tad clumsy?
11 August 2020, 08:52
Canyon throw the UCI rules out the window with the new super light version of their popular Ultimate
Canyon unveils 6.2kg Ultimate CFR road bike
Two disc brake-equipped models are built around a 675g frame
11 August 2020, 08:52
11 August 2020, 08:52
How does the latest Kickr stack up?
First Ride: Wahoo KICKR V5 trainer
We've had a go on Wahoo's latest trainer - how does it stack up?
11 August 2020, 08:52
Full story on the Richmond Park rat-running uproar
Richmond Park reopens to rat-running drivers after almost five months of car-free roads
Campaigners slam "reckless and drastic" move by Royal Parks
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@Paul J More information has come out today which indicates that the riders did not believe that the conditions were fine, apparently a lot of the roads were extremely slippery (this seems to have been a problem throughout the race, presumably due to dust caused by the excessive heat) and so the many hairpins had become hazardous. Secondly the riders felt that the nature of the circuit made it impossible for any riders suffering a crash or mechanical to get back on as the peloton would be so strung out and it would take so long for assistance to reach anyone in need. Decathlon rider Sander de Pestel told journalists that in his opinion a GC rider wouldn't be able to get back on even if they had an incident at 40 km to go. Take that with a pinch of salt or not as you wish but those two sound like quite legitimate reasons for the riders to be concerned.
@Chris RideFar ..... and the first thing they do is crank that throttle all the way! WHOO HOO!!! Look at me go!!!
I wish I could commute to work but my house is 5000' above where I work :-( That's 1500 meters for you metric types. Good article.
I'm honestly amazed that horse riders dare take to our country roads. I have no idea what the actual statistics on collisions are but they are very slow moving, often 2 abreast and generally on the little twisty turny country lanes. With the way far too many people drive on these tiny roads, I wouldn't dare be on a horse on them. On my weekend ride this week a pickup driver (shocker eh) nearly crashed into a poor lady head on because he simply couldn't wait until it was safe to overtake. Poor womans ABS kicked in and she had to go into the side of the road to avoid him as he barrelled on through and she still only missed him by inches I reckon. All because too many people don't care. If he hits her he will have a crash on his insurance but he almost certainly wouldn't be banned despite it being a fucking braindead overtake that he clearly does as a matter of course. He is a danger on our roads but we will never treat him as one until he kills or seriously hurts someone and we can prove he was completely at fault. Even then it will have been a "one off" according to his lawyer. A lapse. About 2 minutes after this near miss a BMW flies past me giving me plenty of space and gently drifts back over to our side of the road. He was going about 45 and was on the wrong side of the road going around a blind corner while he drifted back in. If someone else doing the same speed was coming around that bend he would have binned it into the hedge or hit them. The mind just boggles. Absolutely zero reason he didn't pull back in faster. Just didn't occur to him I assume. This is why it scares me on our country roads. Far too many drivers who are just fundamentally dangerous, bad drivers.
There needs to be a change in the language used when reporting on things like this. If there is ever an incident involving a cyclist it is very much dehumanised. Cyclist = Inanimate object. Not a human being, with family and loved ones. its all so easy to make them look more like a statistic. The more people who understand that cyclists are real people just trying to live their lives and and not just an obstacle or inconvenience then we might have people treating them the way you would wish to be treated.
@OnYerBike Hmm, and when I click the links to "preferred partners" for a small sample of items, they are not found on the preferred partners sites. So... seems it is now defunct too, as you surmise.
If the riders want a parade lap, then let the organisers set an officially neutralised parade lap. If some of the riders just don't want to race, then that's between them. They don't get to badger the organisers to neutralise the end of the race. And anyway, if they take final GC times at X km to go, that just sets the race to end at X km to go. If a GC rider really wanted to, they could try attack before then (course, it would lack the course feature advantageous for getting away that the riders wanted excluded.. but still). The riders trying to bring in safety, when conditions were fine and the circuit was also fine, is just going to undermine their voice in the future when they try bring up safety the next time. Stupid.
@james-o Yes. The mountain bikers are still breaking the law. I saw two more yesterday.
@james-o Yes. The mountain bikers are still breaking the law. I saw two more yesterday.
@panda I don't think there would be a problem with maintaining a GC truce, because it only has to be maintained until the times are taken. In the case of Paris, everyone could ride in fairly easy, couple of parade laps up and down the Champs, times taken, and then if after that Pogacar wants to tow Del Toro round three laps of Montmartre, or indeed go for the stage himself, no worries. I too am of the generation when the organisers held that sort of sway, nothing like as important now when 90% plus of the top riders' salaries come from the team rather than prize money, indeed I believe it's customary for the winner nowadays to give their prize money away to the rest of the team. This is, I believe, a good thing; although rider power can sometimes appear a bit excessive in its demands (the main reason for asking for neutralisation yesterday, as explained by the rider representative, seemed to be "we're all knackered", which was pretty ridiculous) at least organisers can no longer dictate that they must go on in dangerous circumstances. As they were saying on commentary yesterday, what they need to do is for the rider representatives and the organisers to get together as soon as, or even before, the route is announced and iron out any problems then instead of waiting until the eve of the stage or even, as in stage of the Giro this year, to complain about the parcours while it is in progress.
31 thoughts on “Fabio Jakobsen heading home to Netherlands tomorrow after horror crash; Cyclists “not all Lycra louts” says Boris Johnson; Biden questioned over helmetless ride; Anger over traps laid for cyclists + more on the live blog”
Isn’t it the difference
Isn’t it the difference between “think is dangerous” and “is (actually) dangerous”?
Cycling isn’t dangerous, but many people think that it is.
Yes, that’s true. But humans
Yes, that’s true. But humans are guided by perceived risk, not cold, hard statistics. It’s why people buy SUVs because they are seen as ‘safer’ as they are higher up, but they are more dangerous not just to other people but to their own occupants because they are heavy with a higher centre of gravity, so crashes are worse.
Then again, it may be
Then again, it may be dangerous for them. Until you develop some skill at avoiding potholes and storm drains, an awareness of driver behaviour and a sixth sense for driver ignorance and rage, a “wet behind the ears” cyclists probably is in some peril.
A cycle lane I use (the new
A cycle lane I use (the new coned off one on the Triangle in Bristol) was blocked bya bin lorry yesterday morning. They’d actually moved cones so they could squeeze their truck out of the way of the (real) traffic.
That area is a nightmare for
That area is a nightmare for cyclists without the ‘new’ lane. I use the main traffic lane as I need to cycle around the Triangle to go down Hotwells Road. If I used the cycle lane, I’d be increasing the risk/danger. The 20mph limit is rarely adhered to.
And just last week, I had to avoid a large delivery truck parked (driver was on his phone) across the inbound cycle lane (but facing up Whiteladies Rd) on a solid white lined cycle lane outside the church and RWA.
Yeah, if you’re coming down
Yeah, if you’re coming down from Clifton or Whiteladies Road and then want to go around and down Jacobs Wells Road then there’s no point using the new lane.
Of course, that doesn’t appear to be obvious to the motorists who now really take exception to you not using the new lane (“We put those cones there for you! The least you can do is use that weirdly narrow space!”).
Have you been further along Park Row yet? For reasons I cannot determine, there are two rows of seven (count them! – seven) cones in the road opposite what used to be Shark Bite…
Not been down that far
Not been down that far recently and try to avoid the centre of Bristol when on my bike. But I saw a couple of pics of ‘lanes’ near Perry Road, Lower Park Row that seemed a little bit of a token effort. Sure there must be reasoning behind the decisions.
I just have to remember that despite some apparantley not so bright people making these decisions, we have put several men on the moon. It’s all about balance!!
Seems some motorists take
Seems some motorists take exception to anything. I saw a Range Rover being driven at (in my estimation) in excess of 40mph and probably closer to 50mph coming off the top of Park Street opp the Uni building. When I gestured to him to slow down (flat hand up & down), he just stuck his middle finger up at me.
Went down there yesterday.
Went down there yesterday. The coned-off lane on Perry Road and Park Row stops and starts with no obvious reasoning. It’s kind of better than without it, I think… at any rate it means you don’t get held up by the traffic queuing outside BRI and at Maudin Street / Jamaica Street junction. And the same at the junction with St Michael’s Hill. But it does create some worrying left-hook opportunities (or maybe just makes you more aware of them?).
I do wonder if it’s main purpose is not so much to aid cycling as to reduce the main traffic width. Possibly the latest wheeze (pun intended) to avoid introducing a functional clean-air zone…
The coned-off lane on Perry
The coned-off lane on Perry Road and Park Row also forces you into the narrow area nearer the kerb that has the worst road surface (drain covers, suken trenches, badly repaired holes, that sort of thing).
But if you choose to move out into the lane to avoid the bad road surface (as I would have done more often, prior to these ‘cones’ being put in) you now get tailgated more then before by motorists angry that you’re not using the coned-off bit.
‘Box ticked’, I suspect…
Yep, the bit on the Triangle
Yep, the bit on the Triangle sends you right over the sunken covers and so on too. So far I’ve only used these lanes on the tourer with 40mm tyres, don’t think I’m keen to repeat the experience on 28s.
Also, the cycle parking that
Also, the cycle parking that used to be on the Triangle outside Barclays has been taken away. This is to allow the bus stop to be moved there, since the extended pavement and cycle lane are now where the bus stop used to be outside Wilko’s. There are still a couple of taxi spots outside NatWest. But the cycle parking has gone and doesn’t seem to have been put anywhere else either. This is going to be a problem once the students come back.
Excellent. Transport Minister
Excellent. Transport Minister saying roads are too dangerous for people to cycle and we need to build separate infrastructure. No mention of tackling why the roads are unsafe.
It occured to me yesterday that roads are just shared use paths and should be treated the same. If I’m sharing a footpath with pedestrians I should slow down, beware and give way. If I’m on a dedicated cycle path or velodrome I don’t have the expectations of having to share the space.
So a car on A4 is on a shared path, a car on the M4 doesn’t have the same expectations of having to share the space.
That is an excellent way of
That is an excellent way of thinking about it, I’m going to steal this, though I will change the last line slightly, we have the expectations of the drivers not the inanimate objects they are driving.
Just as cyclists get
Just as cyclists get frustrated with pedestrians on shared use paths, so motorists with cyclists.
The proposed Highway Code changes bring it into focus. They rightly embody a minimum overtaking clearance of 1.5m – 2m. And yet this is physically impossible on almost all roads, unless the car takes the other lane. However there is no expectation that drivers do this, instead cyclists are told to single out where “this would make it safe for cars to overtake” (despite this being dimensionally impossible – road lanes are not wide enough ever to accommodate the stipulated safety margin).
The logic is that the infrastructure does need to change. Cars and bikes do not make the best bedfellows. In a world of plentiful cyclists, expecting drivers to show patience over and over as they meet each cyclist and wait for a clear road to overtake – it just won’t happen.
“And yet this is physically
“And yet this is physically impossible on almost all roads, unless the car takes the other lane.”
There is. It is not written in the rules, but drivers should move in to the other lane where it exists
“instead cyclists are told to single out where “this would make it safe for cars to overtake” (despite this being dimensionally impossible – road lanes are not wide enough ever to accommodate the stipulated safety margin).”
I think you missunderstand what this is aimed at. It is aimed at cyclists on narrow county roads where passing a pair of cyclists may be impossible whilst giving space. This should be treated the same as the guidence for drivers of slow vehicals to pull over and let other road users past. The two should be used in the same situations, with the recognition that where a car or lorry has to stop to facilitate a safe pass a pair of cyclists may mearly need to move in to single file.
John Smith wrote:
No, I do not misunderstand that at all. I am saying that is how it will be (mis)understood by motorists. Two examples very recently here on road.cc where motorists have been enraged by cyclists two abreast, despite being on a two-lane road where they should be using the other lane to overtake anyway.
https://road.cc/content/news/near-miss-day-453-two-abreast-punishment-pass-276327
https://road.cc/content/news/club-chairman-complains-being-held-cyclists-276119
Sriracha wrote:
I agree with this but you take the logic in a strange direction. The fact is that cars do not make good bed fellows for anything else. Noise, pollution, parking, bullying cyclists, bullying pedestrians and causing injury. We should not accept all these things as inevitable and just cede the roads to drivers. We should rein in the drivers and make our towns liveable again.
Many towns and villages are
Many towns and villages are linked by roads without even a footpath. In this case it seems obvious that the road is shared use with all forms of transport. In some cases before they were roads they were probably tracks that were obviously shared use. Just because they are now covered in tarmac should not give the car primacy on these spaces. The way to make them safer is to explain this concept to drivers.
What frustrates me most is
What frustrates me most is the single carriageway A-roads linking towns and villages that do have the ubiquitous pavement alongside, falling into disrepair and being reclaimed by overgrowth, and which see zero pedestrians, none. Pedestrians don’t tend to walk from town to town, but these are heavily used commuter corridors.
These would be an easy fix for a segregated cycle route, and very necessary given the traffic thundering along the A road with no propensity to give any margin. They could designate them as shared use if there is a requirement to tick a box for pedestrians, but seriously there are more unicorns ?.
Speaking of ‘you had one job
Speaking of ‘you had one job roundabouts’ I see the Cambridge Dutch style one has had to close for repairs already after a car driver hit & damaged one of the zebra crossing beacons & then drove off…if only drivers had some kind of unique identification number on their vehicle this kind of thing wouldnt be possible would it… https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-53736468
Or if the belisha beacon was
Or if the belisha beacon was wearing some hi-viz and displaying a light… oh.
Assignment in comparative
Assignment in comparative journalism, two slants on the same story:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-53736468
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/08/10/britains-first-dutch-style-roundabout-closes-repair-works-car/
Apparently Nick Ferrari cited
Apparently Nick Ferrari cited the closure on his radio show as an example of how governments locally/nationally were spending too much money on cycling,no doubt the poor guy will be apoplectic when he hears how much they want to spend on a lower Thames crossing…
Quote:
Fixed that for you, PM.
Boris wrote:
Scary because they are lethal (yes, the drivers). These are the roads I avoid at all costs, and I speak as one who cycled extensively through Central London in my youth.
I do think that Boris gets cycling more than most politicians. It’s one thing to be lectured on the cost to the NHS of the nations’ collective girth, but nothing beats the personal experience of a close call. So he knows the overall saving to the treasury of spending more money to get people cycling.
I agree though cycle quite
I agree though cycle quite abit on rural roads just because of where I’m based,though I like to think I can judge the really bad roads and avoid them,but it’s not always possible.
However whilst Boris may get cycling more than most,his traditionally loose turn of phrase, will mean most of the media will lead on the ‘lycra louts’ part,not the we must do more for cycling bit which is annoying enough by itself but it also backs up in the anti’s minds that cyclists in lycra (and I’ve no idea why so many get hung up on styles of clothing, it cant surely just be because it’s short & snappy term) are louts because Boris said some of them were
“Not all Conservative members
“Not all members of the Government are lying, cheating, greasy-pole-climbing, so-and-so’s who are just out to make as much money for themselves and their friends-and-relations as possible”, says Man on the Clapham Omnibus.
Is the cycle training being
Is the cycle training being delivered through that headset? That’s an innovative solution to the challenges of physical distancing.
Those MTB traps…
Those MTB traps…
I’m fairly sure that, by tort(?), if the landowner has not put up appropriate barriers that physically stops anyone getting in, they are liable for any injuries sustained on their property.
This is why building sites have to be properly secured, due to the potential danger within.
The more so if they have set
The more so if they have set the traps.