Met Office slammed for “consider not cycling” graphic; Council claims salting cycle lanes is impractical; Trentin unimpressed by complaints; Your thoughts on MP asking cyclists to slow down; Cancer diagnosis inspires LEJOG + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Social media replies to MP who asked cyclists to slow down in Richmond Park...but does she have a point?
“It’s not a sports venue” – MP urges Richmond Park cyclists to slow down; Sarah Olney says some park users “need to think about the impact of their behaviour on others” https://t.co/xllJs8y88s #cycling pic.twitter.com/paeoNyAqpw
— road.cc (@roadcc) February 9, 2021
On Tuesday, Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney urged cyclists to take more care when riding in Richmond Park, stressing “it’s not a sports venue.” Olney is a cyclist and is often pictured on social media taking her children to school by bike, and rode to Westminster to take part in a Parliamentary vote last June. However, she pointed out in an interview with Radio Jackie that she believes people are put off riding their bikes in Richmond Park by the behaviour of some cyclists…
“I would just implore cyclists, especially if they’re in the park – which is a national nature reserve, it’s not a sports venue – to be thoughtful. They need to observe the Highway Code, speed limits and they need to think about the impact of their behaviour on others,” she said. Fair enough?
Since publishing our story on Tuesday we’ve seen plenty of comments saying cars are the real problem in Richmond Park because they cause congestion (seen in the story below) and that Olney hasn’t asked drivers to follow speed limits and the Highway Code.
“A noisy polluting shambles”: renewed anger over heavy congestion in Richmond Park. https://t.co/hUQvciOTR2 #cycling pic.twitter.com/N9kdi8aIe1
— road.cc (@roadcc) October 19, 2020
Jeremy Vine even had his say…
I’m confused — when I cycle in Richmond Park, I get overtaken by a line of cars breaking the speed limit. Now the local MP says the *bicycles* are going too fast?https://t.co/46azUwPDXc
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 10, 2021
On Twitter, Martynhopping said: “I’d rather moan about the dog off leads near the deer, walkers trying to get as close to the deer for selfies or the overpriced tasteless coffee from Colicci’s.” And, Ben Aston asked: “Why are motor vehicles permitted in Richmond Park nature reserve?”
That’s “Schrödinger’s cyclist theory”, only a person on a bike is capable of simultaneously travelling too slow (holding up cars) and too fast (coming out of nowhere and flying past pedestrians at 600mph)
— Stuart Baillie (@StuInNorway) February 10, 2021
However, for balance, there have also been plenty of comments to the contrary…
A lot of hypocrisy here. This is exactly the what-aboutery cyclists get from motorists. RP _is_ a park and not a velodrome. Just as cyclists expect (demand?) respect from motorists, so we should expect to give the same…
— Jeremy Maccelari (@jmaccelari) February 9, 2021
Please… let’s not pretend cyclists… I am often in the park…not all of you do it but most of you fly around like it’s a training track and you know it!!
— Carla McCall (@fofamccall) February 10, 2021
Not too cold for cycling
Same story in Southwark – just too cold ☹️ https://t.co/FFmnXsa25u pic.twitter.com/91oXpbRNmu
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) February 11, 2021
Good to see cyclists still getting out and about even during this cold snap. On Tuesday’s live blog, Lorenzo Barone gave tips on how to keep riding even in -50°C…Or for something closer to home check out our winter cycling survival guide…
Cancer diagnosis inspires cycling fundraising
Gaz Emmerson was first diagnosed with a rare form of bone and tissue cancer at the age of 21 and has beaten it three times. However, a fourth diagnosis that the cancer had now spread to his lungs, lymph nodes and brain has inspired Gaz to tick off some bucket list challenges including cycling Land’s End to John O’Groats. The Shropshire Star reports that incredibly, Gaz is training for the challenge while having chemotherapy and still plans to complete the ride in June. So far, his JustGiving page has raised over £17,000 to help Sarcoma UK research his illness.
Gaz is hoping to complete the route in 13 days and will be joined by his dad Andy, wife-to-be Zoe and three best mates. “This is currently a hugely underfunded area,” Gaz explained. “The charity gets no government funding whatsoever and because of that treatments and survival rates are not moving forward quickly enough. The first line drugs used to treat Sarcomas were developed 40 years ago.
“I want to get my story out there and raise awareness, and for people to get checked. If I’d gone to a doctor a bit sooner I might be in a better situation.”
I shouldn't laugh...
— pictures of the end (@neighbours_wifi) February 10, 2021
Vuelta a España route announced
🔥 #LaVuelta21 🔥
🇪🇸 11 salidas y metas inéditas / 11 new start and finish cities
🛣 6 etapas llanas, 2 llanas con final en alto / 6 flat stages, 2 flat with high-altitude finales
⛰ 11 etapas de media y alta montaña / 11 hilly and mountain stages
⏱ 2 CRI / 2 ITT
🏁 3.336,1 KM pic.twitter.com/2ANp4jbFvG— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) February 11, 2021
The route for the Vuelta a España has been announced with the usual steep climbs, new mountains and…even some stages for the sprinters. The race starts in Burgos with a short ITT and ends away from Madrid for the first time in seven years, with another race against the clock in Santiago de Compostela. There looks to be a few opportunities for the sprinters early on before the peloton reaches the high mountains on stage nine with the summit finish to Alto de Velefique. Stage 17 takes the riders up the famous Lagos de Covadonga via a new climb at Collada Llomena. On the next day comes the stage with the most climbing as the pros slog their way over 5,000m of elevation. Stage 18 finishes up Altu d’El Gamoniteiru, the highest paved road in Asturias, averaging 9% for around 15km…
🔥 Etapa 18 | Stage 18 🔥
🚩 Salas > Altu d’El Gamoniteiru 🏁
🚴 159,2 km🇪🇦 Una etapa que tendrá un desnivel acumulado pocas veces visto antes en La Vuelta 😈
🇬🇧 A stage with an elevation gain rarely seen before in La Vuelta 😈#LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/aIXOkwyqJK— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) February 11, 2021
Richmond Cycling Campaign and Merton Cycling Campaign react to Sarah Olney's comments
To be fair to @sarahjolney1 it was a quite specific (if loaded) question. She’s been very supportive in #ActiveTravel discussions, so this is looking like a bit of radio click-baiting rather than a particularly incisive (or useful) interview.
— Richmond Cycling Campaign (@RichmondCycling) February 10, 2021
According to Royal Parks, Richmond Park is indeed a sports venue : “Try your hand at power kiting, horse riding or golf, or hire a bike for some off-road cycling along the Tamsin Trail.” Then there are the rugby pitches, the duathlon…
— Merton Cycling Campaign (@CyclingMerton) February 10, 2021
Zwift story follow up from one of the dads whose child had their Zwift account deleted
Quick follow up to the Zwift story. We’ve had another message from a father of a child whose account got deleted as the virtual cycling platform requires guardians to update consent details or children’s accounts would be deleted. Tom said: “Zwift has played a significant part in our children’s cycling progress – I couldn’t have let my 12-year-old ride 250 miles in a day, on the road, last summer! Especially given the paucity of safe places for them to ride in our community, especially on their own, Zwift gives kids an opportunity to ride in safety, in all weathers.
“The ‘gamification’ of riding appeals particularly to their sense of fun, and riding virtually has taught them a heck of a lot about the sport, and about their own abilities. As busy parents, we don’t get to ride as often as we’d like, resources are finite and most of the value we get from Zwift, is from their visionary (and no doubt commercially astute) support for a member’s children being able to access the platform as part of Mum or Dad’s subscription.
“We only wish that the administration of it could be a little easier (children losing their ‘drops’ is a traumatic event!) and that other platforms, known for deleting accounts set up for youngsters, would make a similar effort to find ways to support and encourage the next generation with provision of their own.
“One day, a cut-down incarnation of Zwift, with a low-cost, easily adjusted kids indoor bike, could transform the contribution of bike racing and other sports to younger kids’ PE curriculum. Imagine, a whole class of little people riding in the school hall, with their ride projected onto a screen!”
Matteo Trentin tells peloton to "spend less time on TikTok and be more proactive" if they don't like the UCI's new rule changes
Matteo Trentin on Cyclingnews about CPA decisions and riders criticism: “No one can say they weren’t informed so maybe spend less time on TikTok and be proactive when it comes to making cycling safer”
— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) February 11, 2021
UAE Team Emirates’ Matteo Trentin has launched an extraordinary rant at his fellow professionals, saying they should “spend less time on TikTok and be proactive when it comes to making cycling safer.” Trentin was one of the only pro riders, alongside Philippe Gilbert, who attended the UCI meetings this winter where new rule changes were discussed. The Italian said that over 800 professional riders were notified by email in November of the potential changes but less than 20 have opened the email and downloaded the documents.
“No one this time can say that they weren’t informed,” Trentin told Cyclingnews. “I’m sorry to say that they need to check their emails and download the new rules. To tweet that they were not informed is easy but emails were sent to over 800 riders and I can tell you that only 16 riders downloaded the information. If someone wanted to disagree when the proposals were made, they had many chances but there was very little response.
“I’m quite angry about what is now being said. I don’t know who they want to blame but it can’t be me, Phil (Gilbert) or the CPA. Not this time. Maybe riders should spend less time on TikTok and be more proactive when it comes to making their workplace a safer place.”
The UCI has formally banned the super-tuck position for descending on the top tube as well as the TT position in road races. There will be a period of education up until April 1 during which riders will receive warnings. However, beyond that date systematic punishments will come into effect with riders potentially being suspended from competition for breaches. The sport’s governing body also announced new regulations on the disposal of rubbish during races and a standardisation of race barriers.
Council claims salting cycle lanes and footways is impractical and roads should be prioritised
We’ve received a lot of requests to salt footways. It would be impractical & financially draining to salt them, as roads are our priority. Post salting of footways & cycleways will be carried out on a priority basis during severe weather, as resources permit.
— Medway Highways (@MedwayHighways) February 10, 2021
Medway Council has been criticised for saying that salting roads is their priority during the cold weather and to also salt bike lanes and footways would be “impractical and financially draining.” The council was responding to requests asking them to start salting footways. Medway Council tweeted: “We’ve received a lot of requests to salt footways. It would be impractical & financially draining to salt them, as roads are our priority. Post salting of footways & cycleways will be carried out on a priority basis during severe weather, as resources permit.”
On Monday, Transport for London shared pictures of their new bike lane gritter, named after Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty. Chris Gritty has been out salting the capital’s bike lanes this week.
Pedestrians and cyclists please use cars. https://t.co/204At1yMPN
— Makecyclingsafeagain (@Makecyclingsafe) February 10, 2021
A long-winded and polite way to say “Sod off, people who walk or cycle!” https://t.co/61zqbdfAZU
— 🚲 Will #BeMoreMike 🇬🇧🇿🇦 (@WilliamNB) February 10, 2021
Davide Ballerini wins opening stage of Tour de la Provence
¡Gracias a todos! Por conectarse con #ElMundoRuedaXSeñal🚴♂ para vivir el arranque del Tour de la Provence por @SenalColombia. Los esperamos mañana a las 8 a. m. con la segunda fracción. pic.twitter.com/bCdQ6FH6LK
— Señal Deportes (@SenalDeportes) February 11, 2021
Deceuninck-Quick-Step’s Davide Ballerini won the opening stage of Tour de la Provence with a last gasp effort to overhaul Arnaud Démare as the finish line loomed. Ballerini came around Démare in the final 50 metres to take victory after his teammate Julian Alaphilippe, who had been in the breakaway for most of the day, was reeled in with 2km to go. The World Champion managed to set up Ballerini’s sprint with one last effort. Nacer Bouhanni was third.
Wow, wow, wow!!!!!!!!
First day of racing, first victory for #TheWolfpack!@ballero_94 gets a perfect lead-out from his teammates and wins the opening stage of #TDLP21!#WayToRide #No1in2021 pic.twitter.com/ojIQkUIaMB— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) February 11, 2021
Dress like a World Champion...or don't
It’s here, it’s here, it’s finally here 🤩🤩🤩
The much-anticipated official 🌈 World Champion Replica Jersey 🌈 is now available on the Deceuninck – Quick-Step webshop: https://t.co/61GRdaxpsG
Photo: @BeelWout pic.twitter.com/TNEYoY76fm— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) February 11, 2021
Fresh off the back of winning the opening stage of Tour de la Provence with the help of Julian Alaphilippe, Deceuninck-Quick-Step have announced you can pre-order a World Champion replica jersey from their webshop. The debate on whether you should earn it has been done to death, so i’m not saying anything. The collection includes a replica jersey, vintage T-shirt, hoodie and navy blue T-shirts…
Talking of iconic jerseys, here’s Quick-Step rider Davide Ballerini on the podium at Tour de la Provence in a colourful number…
Quite the leader’s jersey for @ballero_94 in #TDLP21 😁 pic.twitter.com/5sNqzZCkgp
— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) February 11, 2021
Icicles close tunnels on the Monsal Trail
🧊 Tunnel Closures, Monsal Trail ❄️
Due to large icicles and icy conditions on the ground, tunnels on the Monsal Trail will be closed from today for safety reasons.
Please do not enter the tunnels until they are safely re-opened.
Stay warm and safe everyone, brrrr! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/MCzitQwbgv
— Peak District National Park (@peakdistrict) February 11, 2021
Met Office graphic featuring crashing cyclist asks bike riders to consider not riding but just tells drivers to take care
⚠️ Weather warnings have been updated ⚠️
Get the latest here 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/PnVatWxYfT
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 11, 2021
The Met Office have been accused of singling out cycling as a particularly dangerous activity, using a graphic to depict a cyclist crashing due to icy roads. In the graphic, which was shared to their 832,000 Twitter followers, a car driver also momentarily slips but stays in control. The message says cyclists should consider not riding their bikes, but drivers should just take care.
Critics have said the post doesn’t address the dangers of driving, while jumping to the worst conclusion about cycling. One reply asked whether it would not be better to encourage people to not drive two ton vehicles during dangerous weather? Another shared a video of a Tesla rolling out of control down a steep hill and crashing into another vehicle, while another said: “Why single out cycling not to do? I would guess that far more injuries are occurring from people slipping while walking and far more damage and injury is caused by out of control cars in these conditions. So blinkered.”
Okay @metoffice. Now show how many people get hurt when a car hits the ice please https://t.co/0U4GUp5cDN
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 11, 2021
While ice can be a hazard for cyclists, the correct risk controls such as gritting cycleways can mean that cycling will be safer than driving. In fact, cycle couriers @pedalmeapp were able to do delivery work that drivers weren’t https://t.co/OsNVs0q0mx
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) February 11, 2021
Help us to bring you the best cycling content
If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £2.49. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.
50 Comments
Read more...
Read more...
Read more...
Latest Comments
@slc While I think we can all agree that the state of roads are crap in general, the A4 or A431 (through Kelston) between Bath and Bristol is much smoother. Or at least it’s possible to find smooth sections provided you’re not riding in the gutter at all times. I often ride my 28mm race bike on these roads, but no chance I’d take it on the cycle path. I’d argue that’s it’s more than a ‘few’ roots, and there are also a lot of sections with hidden pot holes. I almost destroyed my front wheel falling into one just this Thursday evening gone! There are certain sections that are definitely adequate, but the Bath end (beyond Bitton) is a bit of a disgrace.
@HoarseMann thanks for the feedback on how it works.
@Sniffer I have a nearly 10yr old Mason Definition that's done plenty of miles including LEJOG, and a Strael 3.0 that I haven't used nearly enough yet. Quite similar bikes, the few miles I've done on the Strael suggest a bit more compliance, but the Mason is still a comfy place to be. Still never had the carbon race bike to compare that end of the spectrum and TBH I'm probably past it now.
As regards the crazed Bath cycle lane protesting nutters: I'm at a fantastic Lancashire Wildlife Trust Supporters Day and there was a talk from a rewilding expert from Arkaty farm near Stirling. They were pioneers of reintroducing red kites and beavers and (rather like the Bath nutters) the tactics of the stupid, stupid objectors have to be heard to be believed. Fake farmers turning up at meetings lying about the made up havoc caused in their fake areas by imaginary reintroductions. Just like the fake concern for children, the disabled, trees etc. etc. fabricated by people who are really only concerned about convenient car parking, and to hell with everything and everybody else
@Global Nomad assuming it's pairing you have a profile (or multiple) within which you can add multiple light modes which you can then customise eg solid/flash 0 -100% brightness. You may not have added a mode to customise? I have 10%, 40%, 60% for long run times but you can have more or less depending how many you want to have to scroll through in use.
Gustav had a falling out with Intend? He used to put their forks on all his wild builds, but the one time the upside-down fork would make perfect aesthetic sense, reflecting the upside down tuning machine layout, its back to RockShox? Sponsor obligations perhaps?
@ChasP Price i have a magicshine but I find the app unusable to change the behaviour of the light - keep wondering if i'm missing a step
This was a horrendous incident. I hope the offender gets a suitably long prison term. A life ban on driving would be appropriate but those aren't used in the US with its driving laws, which are comparatively lax. North Carolina has a woeful record on road safety. There were about the same number of people killed in crashes on roads in NC (population about 10 million) in 2022 than there were in the whole of the UK (population about 70 million). I hope those injured recover fully and my condolences to the family of the person killed.
Regarding the park protesters, lol, placards and 'yack yackers' publicly waiving farewell to empathy for their fellow travellers across all demographics...requires a little more than whinging from us....the always whinging cyclists. For the previous two years or so I've been injecting fictional trickles into those among us who insist the deform party is the way to go currently. Nothing else punctures their drivel. Ironically and judiciously, no lie, last year I was riding 2 miles over town to collect a Decathlon track pump, £28, for £15, off the facebook and I slowly freewheel past this boomer dude, pumping red face, light blue shirt ironed by his wife, light brown brogues copied from his gang members, posting leafys through doors. Anyways, I got the pump, lovely chap, and found myself trundling past the leafleteer a few moments later, the pump rising from my backpack like the sword of truth from one of those myths. Pulling up I hailed the insane, "Hey matey, are you canvassing for reform?" "Yes." "Great, is it true the reform party are going to implement a policy where dog owners in england have to walk their dogs on the roads because dogs are dangerous, and are dogs really being banned from using paths in england?" "What..............no, no, thats not true, where did you hear that? "...because if that's true I wont be voting reform again." I said, with an affected weakness signal slowly moving across my brow like a bright red rear light. Five minutes go by, exchanges were made made in a meaninglessness I find hard to appreciate. "Where did you hear that?" "On the radio." I said. Stood on the right pedal and slowly rolled off, half a turn. "Do you want a leaflet...?" "No thanks bud."
@Hollis Jones As I trundle over the big roots near the brick fish, I wonder if a road for cars would be allowed to remain in such a state. But then I turn on to one and find the answer is very much 'yes'. For the region's raddest thrills I recommend the descent of conham hill. I would say that, a few rooty bits and the warmley chasm (which is almost a scheduled ancient monument) aside, the BBRP is in good physical repair. Because its users don't destroy it.
50 thoughts on “Met Office slammed for “consider not cycling” graphic; Council claims salting cycle lanes is impractical; Trentin unimpressed by complaints; Your thoughts on MP asking cyclists to slow down; Cancer diagnosis inspires LEJOG + more on the live blog”
RP _is_ a park and not a
RP _is_ a park and not a velodrome
It’s also a park and not a running track, but I’ve seen people running there! It’s not a football pitch but I’ve seen people playing football! It’s not a beach but I’ve seen people sunbathing!
In forty years of riding and walking around Richmond Park I’ve not once seen a cyclist put anyone else in danger (as opposed to, and I don’t care if it’s whataboutery, the motorists that I see putting both cyclists and pedestrians in danger virtually every time I’m there). Has anyone got any actual evidence of cyclists in Richmond Park causing accidents or putting others in danger, or is this just a bunch of car drivers seeing lots of cyclists, getting pissed off at the fact that part of the park is now closed to motors, and saying cyclists are dangerous?
Rendel Harris wrote:
this.
can we ban all utility cyclists and noobs from riding there as a minority refuse to look/indicate/obey the Highway Code? Or is it just a certain type of cyclist we want to attack here?
there are dickheads in all ‘groups’, and they have never listened to reason before and they won’t because of this. But a lot of people will take to social media to pile on the usual lies and exaggerations which affects the decent majority.
EddyBerckx wrote:
He’s ‘aving a go at the utility cyclists, now!
Sadly people on bikes do
Sadly people on bikes do things that are dangerous. Close passing at speed is the main issue. That is close passing cars, but more importantly close passing pedestrians, dogs, other cyclists, and in particular children. I’ve ridden there with my 8 year old and I’m totally disappointed how some think it’s ok to pass less than a metre away from a child whilst doing 20mph or more.
Then there are those who overtake into oncoming traffic (again cars, people, bicycles) causing them to break, swerve, stop.
Then at night the dazzlers with too high bright lights.
Honestly, it’s grim. I’ve stopped riding in the park because of it. It is selfish behaviour.
alan sherman wrote:
I can only say that completely does not accord with my experience. How are cyclists close passing pedestrians and dogs, all the footpaths are well away from the road – are you talking about cyclists on the Tamsin Trail etc? As there are no streetlights and no cars in the park after sunset I’m not sure how the cyclists’ lights are too bright and whom they are dazzling?
Pedestrians are moving onto
Pedestrians are moving onto the roads. In lockdown 1 when there were no cars at all the roads were as busy as Regents Park paths, plus now it is so wet runners dn kids on scooters are on the roads, as well as the car free bits like Sheen Gate to Ham Cross past Pen Ponds and the Tamsin trail.
The dazzlers are dazzling oncoming cyclists and pedestrians, but they can see and be seen, so they think they are safe….
Forgive me for wondering how
Forgive me for wondering how the cyclists are at fault if the pedestrians are walking on the road?
Isn’t that like asking why
Isn’t that like asking why cars are at fault when cyclists are on the road?
alan sherman wrote:
No, because in the case of Richmond Park, as noted below, there are very sound footpaths right next to the road. I really don’t get your argument, if pedestrians started stepping off the pavement and walking into motor traffic for no reason you’d presumably say that was a bit daft, but if it’s cycle traffic it’s the cyclists’ responsibility to avoid them, even though there’s no reason for them to be there?
alex_velo wrote:
Pedestrians are allowed to walk on roads (unlike in the U.S.) and you should treat them as any other vulnerable road user. It’s not difficult to slow down if necessary and give them the same room as if you’d be overtaking a car (i.e. move over towards the middle of the road).
However, that’s for peds that are established on the road and not just stepping off the kerb into your path as that’s just rude.
alan sherman wrote:
Yep, I saw plenty of scooterist kids there at the weekend. And I saw all cyclists, without exception (sample size: two laps, maybe 300 cyclists) move out to pass them wide and/or slow as necessary.
I can’t really see a need for pedestrians to be on the roads (and they weren’t): the paths around RP are, without exception, well gravelled and well drained and, in the case of Sawyer’s Hill, paved. Any pedestrian walking on the road up Sawyer’s Hill now it’s closed to motors would surely just be trying to make a point, given there’s a wide paved path about three metres to the north.
You sound just like a
You sound just like a motorist punishment passing cyclists for not using a cycle lane. If pedestrians are using the road, it wont be to annoy cyclists, it will probably be because the ground is less wet and muddy. In any case, they have a perfect right to walk on the road, and they’re soft and human like cyclists so treat them with a bit of respect. What a hypocrite!
jaysa wrote:
Utter balls. If you read what I said instead of rushing to talk rubbish and be stupidly judgmental, you would see that three metres to the side of Sawyer’s Hill, which is the part of RP closed to motor traffic, there is a wide fully paved footpath. Why would anyone choose to walk on the road in that instance?
I refer you to the very first rule in the Highway Code, Rule One:
Pavements (including any path along the side of a road) should be used if provided.
Whatever the immediate rights
Whatever the immediate rights and wrongs of the “velodrome” cyclists in Richmond Park, two things stand out for me.
Firstly there is clearly a demand for somewhere for cyclists to do their stuff, and I think it rather misses the point if the focus is only about how to suppress it rather than how to safely accommodate and encourage it. The bigger cycling gets the better for the overall health of the country.
Secondly, as Ben Aston observes, if it is a National Nature Reserve, why is it clogged with cars?
Well said, fellow hot sauce,
Well said, fellow hot sauce, it’s too much drama with little to no problem-solving and impulsive, reactive bans.
Sriracha, this post deserves
Sriracha, this post deserves multiple likes from me but I can only give it one.
Sorry, but Sarah Olney has to
Sorry, but Sarah Olney has to leave now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-DHqFikHoA
Aside from any legal
Aside from any legal arguments about whether or not speed limits apply, what is the purpose of a park if not leisure and exercise? Yes there’s the nature aspect, but I seriously doubt the cyclists are having negative effects on the wildlife in comparison to the cars, let alone the dogs/walkers who seem far more likely to disturb wildife than cyclists sticking to the roads.
And if parks are for leisure and exercise, then where does one draw the line? Is it only “leisurely” if you don’t go above Z2? Is a brisk walk all the exercise one could possibly need?
Please… let’s not pretend
Please… let’s not pretend cyclists… I am often in the park…not all of you do it but most of you fly around like it’s a training track and you know it!!
A comment that sums up the issue here: yes, lots of cyclists train in the park. What the commenter (and many others) don’t explain is what harm this does anyone else. Richmond Park is massive, the footpaths are well away from the roads, and cycling is not permitted except on the roads and designated trails (and that is very well respected in my experience). If the anticyclists want to criticise it would be best if they could come up with a reason for their criticism, at present it just seems to be “Look, there are some people riding their bikes.”
I love her comments are
I love her comments are justified because she once rode to work and once took her kids to school avec bike
alansmurphy wrote:
I once played Widow Twanky in my school pantomime. That makes me a go-to authority for women’s issues I guess.
Captain Badger wrote:
I’d be interested in your opinion on this blatant example of manspreading: https://imgur.com/QmFnhwL
hawkinspeter wrote:
I am too scared to open that on a work computer….
Quite safe although I am
Quite safe although I am suspicious that the peanut butter is a form of population control.
hirsute wrote:
That depends how you use it
Very funny vid!
I should have said hazelnut
I should have said hazelnut butter
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55817385
alansmurphy wrote:
That makes her a cyclist in my book, though hardly a spokesperson for cycling. And there’s plenty of cyclists that I don’t agree with.
*cough* Boris *cough*
hawkinspeter wrote:
Devil’s advocate. If riding a bike once (and i have to clarify that it’s an assumption some have made that she’s only done this once) makes someone forever a cyclist then everyone is a cyclist if they owned a bike as a child…
Jenova20 wrote:
I think ‘being a cyclist’ has some kind of number/level associated with it that tails off over time.
e.g. Riding a bike once makes you a level 1 cyclist for the next week or so
Riding a bike once a week makes you a level 2 cyclist which drops to level 1 if you skip a week, or to level 0 if you skip 2 weeks
I’m not quite sure how the levels scale with increased riding speed/time/distance, but I’m sure that bike fettling puts a permanent increase to your level that lasts for at least a year.
hawkinspeter wrote:
Is consideration given to whether the individual:
Those are achievements and
Those are achievements and grant you a badge, but don’t affect your level.
Quote:
…years ago.
Anyone see this story?
Anyone see this story?
A man has been charged with dangerous driving after being stopped in Dundee with snow covering almost his entire front and rear windscreens.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-55950942
brooksby wrote:
Well, I have now.
It started snowing the other day in Bristol and Mrs Hawkinspeter was just staring at the window for hours. Maybe I should let her in…
hawkinspeter wrote:
When did you see snow in Bristol?? I admit, I did see a couple of individual snowflakes earlier in the week, but nothing like – you know – SNOW, and nothing settling…
And actual case outcome ? Oh,
And actual case outcome ? Oh, maybe a strongly worded letter
brooksby wrote:
Leave the hard pressed motorist alone…
I don’t understand why the
Yes, but I don’t understand why the motorist is being prosecuted in this particular case. Hundreds of NMOTD videos proving motorists could not see out of their windscreens and most of them don’t even get a telling off. That’s assuming there’s even the urgency to turn the paperwork around inside 14 days.
How lazy do you have to be to
How lazy do you have to be to try and drive like that? Just get an old bit of carboard, and it’ll take about 30 seconds to sweep the snow off your car.
What I have found scarier
What I have found scarier than this is trucks with a tarpaulin covered trailer that accumulates snow and ice on top that comes flying off in huge chunks when the truck gets up to speed. There are far too many thoughtless people about. On the the hand, maybe they do have thoughts like ” I don’t give a shit “.
Can’t get worked up about don
Can’t get worked up about don’t cycle. Cars that crash tend to be damage to other cars whereas we had a recent thread about breaking your hip after coming off.
I’d love a winter bike complete with metal studded tyres but I think I’ll just wait until Monday to go out.
we had a recent thread about
we had a recent thread about breaking your hip after coming off
Fortunately, when the wind is from the east it seems to dry the roads, unlike after Christmas/ New Year when the westerlies brought the hideous icy sheen every night. Therefore I have resorted to interval training on the flat roads of the Fylde when the hills are risky because of frozen streams across the roads
hirsute wrote:
I’m not sure whether this is meant to be ironic or not. If so, I apologise for missing the point.
Cars that crash tend to do damage to other cars and the people in them, or anyone else that happens to be around. At least with a bike you’re mostly only taking a risk with your own wellbeing.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-38063612
It would have made a lot more sense if they’d simply said “consider not travelling”.
I was thinking that in poor
I was thinking that in poor conditions drivers go much slower so a collision will be low speed and with a safety cage and air bags. Hence I see this specific issue as property damage v personal injury comparison.
The linked thread has a few unpleasant injuries in it that I really hope to avoid. Too old for that !
(Ok this thread https://road.cc/content/forum/broken-hip-makes-me-question-winter-tyre-choice-280737. )
hirsute wrote:
I think you’ve just guaranteed rain for Monday
Forecast to rain where I live
Forecast to rain where I live!
I have a mountain bike with
I have a mountain bike with Ice Spiker Pro tyres and a hybrid with Top Contact Winter 2 tyres. The message from the Met Office should be: don’t travel without appropriate tyres. I am confident in my cycle tyres for wintry conditions, but am most fearful of the high number of drivers with completely inappropriate summer tyres who seem to assume the roads will always be gritted and that ABS, traction control, etc is all they need.
Drivers who crash in snowy
Absolutely – winter tyres. Drivers who drive in snowy conditions whilst on summer tyres are every bit as guilty as the chap who drove with his windscreen obscured by snow. Both cases are foregone conclusions. I can’t fathom why both are not deemed equally culpable stupidity, and yet the one attracts public sympathy whilst the other is prosecuted on the spot and pilloried on social media by the police.
hirsute wrote:
I agree on a personal level – I won’t go out if there’s frost on the ground.
This is about advice fro the authorities though. As we all know car drivers kill 5 people a day on average, and this figure is higher during the winter months. Why are riders being told to stay home, but drivers not? From a safety outcome perspective, this is utterly the wrong way round.
The damaging assumptions perpetuated include:
“One day, a cut-down
“One day, a cut-down incarnation of Zwift, with a low-cost, easily adjusted kids indoor bike, could transform the contribution of bike racing and other sports to younger kids’ PE curriculum. Imagine, a whole class of little people riding in the school hall, with their ride projected onto a screen!”
If we’re dreaming then how about making it safe enough for those children to ride outside in the fresh air. A hall full of stationary bikes and a wall projection all sounds a bit dystopian, not to mention a right faff for teachers.