“If there was ever a clear indication to turn around, go home & climb back into bed”: Barmy bike lane markings leave cyclists scratching their heads; Roglič sets sights to beat Vingegaard and Pogačar at Tour de France + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Here's the daily C9 cyclists video
There’s no shame to admit that I may be wrapped in a jumper AND a hoodie while hogging the heater right now, but these last few days of clear weather have been itching me to get out on the bike. And year after year, there’s just heaping piles of evidence that if there’s a good network of cycling infrastructure, cyclists will be there, come rain or snow. You know, how the saying goes…
This morning it was literally freezing as I headed to work along C9 🚴♀️
And yet it was full of fellow cyclists – taking kids to school, heading to work, pedalling to meet friends.
Build it and they will come 👏@HounslowCycling @willnorman pic.twitter.com/D0Goqqev6z
— Charlotte Baker (@charlie_baker23) January 10, 2024
EF Education strongly making a case for becoming my favourite team this year
After launching what I think is most likely to go down as my pick of the new kits bunch, EF’s social media account manager is making a meal out of the Golden Globes meme-able gifs.
“EF Pro Cycling has matching socks in their kit this year” @efsockcheck pic.twitter.com/80OaM6UaZj
— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) January 10, 2024
And in case you missed the most glorious, vibrant and just for some reason very-pleasing-to-look-at cycling kit of 2024, worry not, I’ve got you covered.
On this team, we embrace the exhilaration that racing brings – our 2024 @rapha kit embodies that spirit. pic.twitter.com/M7AjNtZUSq
— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) January 4, 2024
Speaking of great kits, here's a sci-fi inspired take by ProTeam Lifeplus - Wahoo
Dedication made this.
Challenges made this.
Podiums made this.Introducing our 2024 kit and our new partnership with apparel market leaders, MAAP.
Our ninth season on the road awaits🚀
🔗 https://t.co/LxjT3A6Yet pic.twitter.com/OeJXmZBH2f
— Lifeplus – Wahoo (@LifeplusWahoo) January 11, 2024
Update: Warning letter issued to taxi driver who made a “life-threatening” close pass on cyclist
An update to the weekend’s Near Miss of the Day 885, with North Yorkshire Council telling road.cc that a warning letter was issued to the taxi driver “to remind him of his obligations” and that, “in the event of any further concerns, we may consider the driver’s suitability to hold a licence”.
Bora-Hansgrohe sending top guns to Tour de France to support Primož Roglič, but can Vingegaard and Pogačar be stopped? (+ what about Evenepoel?)
Bora-Hansgrohe is a team with big ambitions, and is sending some truly big names to the Tour de France, including the team’s new star and former runner-up at Le Tour Primož Roglič. Other names include the 2022 Giro d’Italia winner Jai Hindley, and the effervescent climbers Dani Martínez and Aleksandr Vlasov, making it one heck of a strong team — possibly even the strongest Bora have ever sent to a GT?
Roglič has had the maillot jaune in his sights for so long, coming so close to winning it in 2020 only to falter at the decisive final time trial stage and lose the jersey to his countryman Tadej Pogačar. But since then, while Pogačar has only got better, getting closer to realising his otherworldly natural potential each year, the rise of the no-nonsense Dane Jonas Vingegaard, with a resolute of steel and almost ubermensch-like capabilities has made it feel like Roglič’s chance has come and gone.
But obviously being a top rider, this is exactly the mindset he’d be running from, believing in himself and his chances of another successful year in 2024. Especially now, in the new pastures of the German team Bora, where he’s all but sure to enjoy being the primary GC contender.
But what about the dark horse making his debut, the maverick rider from Soudal-QuickStep Remco Evenepoel? The Belgian has faced a turbulent last couple of months, with team boss Patrick Lefevre and his own father not helping his cause. His legs giving away out of nowhere at the Vuelta as he tried to defend his winner’s jersey from the year before also didn’t. But he’s still coming off the back of a season in which he won the men’s time trial world championship and successfully defended his Liège–Bastogne–Liège title.
He told Het Nieuwsblad: “The last couple of months have been very difficult. I was dragged into all the transfer stories. I didn’t ask for it. I listened too much to all those stories. That way I lost a lot of confidence.
“I took two extra weeks of rest. I needed it to forget everything that happened in 2023. I can go full gas again on the bike. Knowing I’ll ride the Tour motivates me to follow my diet and training 100%.”
So is it all going to go down the wire? Pogačar vs Evenepoel vs Vingegaard vs Roglič? The Tour de France for ages, with fireworks the likes of which we’ve never seen before?
Council to replace over a 100 parking spaces to be replaced with e-bike and e-scooter bays
Southwark Council is set to replace 105 car parking spaces with 147 new e-bike and e-scooter bays. According to Southwark News, the council said it would “discourage bikes being abandoned on pavements” and contribute to lower carbon emissions.
There are currently 82 e-bike and e-scooter bays in Southwark. The new bays will cost £200,000 to install, which will be funded using parking fees and fines.
Councillor James McAsh, cabinet member for climate emergency, clean air and streets, said the increase in parking bays for e-bikes and e-scooters is, “good news for local people who are increasingly opting for sustainable transport options.
Read more: > Southwark Council replacing over 100 car parking spaces with e-bike and e-scooter bays
After yesterday's the "great shorts debate", road.cc brings to you the Best Cycle Clothing of the Year: All the best jerseys, jackets, tights, shorts, shoes and more
Gather round, the awards season (and no, I’m not talking about the archaic Oscars or the silly Grammys) is in full flow and today, we are announcing the best cycling clothing of the year — all the jerseys, jackets, shoes, tights, and of course, shorts, that impressed us over the year and truly offer something which others don’t. So if you’re looking to pick something up, be it to hastily get some Merino wool to ward off the chill or prepping early for the summer, you know where to look.
Our reader's interpretation of the peculiar bike lane markings
Yeah that makes sense I guess.
Why cyclists don't use the cycle lane, reason #72,139
After the many Amazon vans and bin lorries blocking cycle lanes over the years, it’s a much more discreet grey culprit this time around, perched nicely on a new, shiny bike path. It would be interesting if all the drivers could solve their parking problems by just letting councils build more of them then…
Shiny new segregated cycling lane ✔️
Van parked over it making it unsafe & almost unusable ❌ pic.twitter.com/eUgPjvZhrs
— Francesca Savage 🚲💕 (@francesca_kms) January 11, 2024
Van der Poel to skip Tour de France entirely for Olympics?
Now it’s just a rumour, but the swashbuckling Dutch in rainbow jersey who’s spent the last few weeks setting the bogs of the cyclocross season on fire could potentially not show up at all at Florence on 29 June when all riders line up for the Grand Départ.
With confirmation of his participation in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the final classic of the season before the Grand Tours and Olympics commence, it’s being hinted that instead of showing up for a week or so, he might head straight to Paris for the Olympics.
As it looks like now, Mathieu van der Poel will not be present at this year’s Tour de France also like Wout van Aert.
Mathieu van der Poel will probably focus on the whole classics season until Liege Bastogne Liege and then the Olympics, La Vuelta, and Worlds.
📷: fellusch pic.twitter.com/RDYRAMTYFX
— Lukáš Ronald Lukács (@lucasaganronald) January 10, 2024
“We warned that voting for these parties would lead to anti-car measures”: 20mph speed limit plan to “really encourage more cycle journeys” slammed as “nuts” and “extremely worrying”
A council’s recent announcement that it intends to reduce the speed limit in urban, residential areas from 30mph to 20mph – a move the local authority says will be “beneficial” for people cycling, walking, and wheeling – has been greeted with righteous indignation by opposition politicians, who have described the plans as “nuts”, “extremely worrying”, and guaranteed to “upset” constituents.
Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council’s deputy leader told a meeting this week that it was the local authority’s “intention” to introduce a “default” 20mph limit in built-up areas throughout the conurbation, similar to the widespread implementation of lowered speed limits in Wales last autumn.
The announcement comes three months after the council’s environment portfolio holder Andy Hadley pledged that a full consultation would take place before a decision was made on the matter.
Cargo bike owners, rejoice! The first-ever residential bike hangar dedicated for cargo bikes opened by Cyclehoop in Westminster
The first ever Cargo Bikehangar for residential use is here! Cargo bikes are a brilliant sustainable transport option; we’re thrilled to help make usage and ownership easier. Congratulations @CityWestminster, @westminster_LCC, @maxpsullivan for making it happen 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/EvzCYtN2Sr
— Cyclehoop (@cyclehoop) January 10, 2024
The man who sold the… burger van to go for a trip around the world on a bike after winning a lottery
You might have heard about the story of the man who sold his car and started working at Halfords (ie, St Chris of Boardman), now get ready for a story about the man who gave up his burger van for a world tour on his bike, all thanks to a lottery ticket.
£4.5 million richer than what he was before the lucky number rained on him, Gary Henry from Durham used to run a burger van with his former wife (her loss?), but is now looking forward to travelling around the world on his dream bike.
Last year, to mark 15 years since winning the lottery, he celebrated by getting his hands on the “Rolls Royce of bicycles” (his words) — a £8,500 Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo SL e-bike, The Mirror reports.
He said: “I’ve always loved cycling, discovering new routes and taking in the fresh air, and have had the S-Works on my radar for a while. I promised myself I would buy myself this bike as a little celebration. It has more than lived up to its reputation. It’s got everything, electric gears and you can do at least 80-plus miles on a full charge. It assists you on big hills. There’s no better feeling than waking up and heading out on the road.”
Since 2008, besides travelling, Henry has also spent £550,000 on a luxury property and given £23,000 for a football pitch dedicated to his late mum, Gladys, in his childhood home of South Church, Co Durham.
Shimano's latest patent reveals using AI to adjust suspension
Go back seven decades or so, can you picture Alan Turing sitting on a bench in Manchester and thinking, well my bike suspension needs self-adjusting. I wonder if AI could do that? Yep, that definitely seems likely to have happened…
A patent filed by Shimano in 2020 reveals that it’s working on an automatic suspension and dropper post system using a ‘learning model’ system. In plain words, artificial intelligence.
The patent’s abstract states that ‘the device controls a telescopic mechanism by output information related to actuating the telescopic mechanism that is output from a learning model in associate with input information relating to travelling of the human-powered vehicle’. This suggests that Shimano’s new feature uses information gathered by a telescoping component’s behaviour, be that a fork, shock or seat post.
“If there was ever a clear indication to turn around, go home and climb back into bed”: Barmy bike lane markings leave cyclists scratching their heads
Sorry what? I heard the phrase “climb back into bed”…
The miseries of getting out of bed on chilly mornings like these and the never-ending allure of the warm, cosy blanket aside, this bike lane which I can only describe as truly bizarre gets the top billing on today’s episode of the UK’s most wonderful cycling infrastructure.
You are cycling on a 2-way cycle lane, and are greeted by this.
What is the correct action? pic.twitter.com/Y0Sn5tjLdW
— Owen de Visser (@Owen_de_Visser) January 10, 2024
Next to the University of Birmingham on Bristol Road, someone had to paint this tapestry of road signage, only after someone devised this mishmash in their heads and sketched it out. So let me see if I can get this right. Double broken white lines mean give way, so I watch out for any oncoming cyclists, then take a mandatory right, but with the shared space pavement gate closed off, I’m supposed to turn back and go the way I came from?
The sad part is that it seems that the authorities are aware about this interesting cycling provision. Esther Barnes, a cyclist from Birmingham said that she has already reported this infrastructure and was told that action would be taken to improve the bike lane signage. However, Owen de Visser, another Brum cyclist and art gallery director who orginally shared the picture, said that the place had been like this since November.
He added: “Of course cyclists are supposed to go through the barrier, then dismount until reaching this ‘shared’ lane. I’d suggest pedestrians can be forgiven for not noticing the bike signs here.”
Nope. It’s been like this since *at least* November.
Of course cyclists are supposed to go through the barrier, then dismount until reaching this ‘shared’ lane. I’d suggest pedestrians can be forgiven for not noticing the bike signs here.
I just push it this stretch now tbh pic.twitter.com/I1DrimU56e
— Owen de Visser (@Owen_de_Visser) January 10, 2024
Cyclists on social media, as you’d expect, are losing their heads over this apparent piece of road. Tom Poole wrote: “Take a right, into Tesco, grab a bottle of wine, pay leave,” while @Dutchy280 suggested doing your best Tadej Pogačar impression: “Pull an wheelie followed by a bunny hop, end with a JC on the handbars into Tesco Express of course.”
Or how about this suggestion from Tom Lawton: “Track stand at the end to rapturous applause from the onlookers, before celebrating with a bottle of Diamond White from Tesco.”
If there was ever a clear indication to turn around, go home & climb back into bed…
— davidshawcurran@aol.com (@davidshawcurra1) January 11, 2024
And finally, ding ding, we have the right answer!
Pedestrianise the street; add new continuous cycle lane here. pic.twitter.com/aJKh80HF8O
— brixton hatter (@BrixtonHatter) January 10, 2024
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@FionaJJ "I’d say that being visible is still very useful in a lot of locations where effort has gone into safe systems (like railway tracks). " Indeed ... but while we *do* operate a "safe systems" approach in the railways (and indeed in shipping and air transport) we don't do this in the same way on the roads. So unfortunately what should be the final backstop - given we've also addressed hazards at higher levels - ends up getting promoted as a first line safety measure. And of course safety is mostly out of cyclists' hands * so it's something people *can* do themselves. * After deciding whether to cycle at all, route choice (can I avoid roads altogether / what are the quieter routes), basic road skills. Individuals can't change road layouts and rules, so we simply have to hope that drivers do their part...
Some places are just getting on with it though. I visited Bristol again after about a year and while it's a slightly unlikely cycling venue (very lumpy, the motor traffic is terrible) they really seem to be making an effort. Roads and streets are being redesigned to accommodate cycling and pedestrians. A bit rough and ready? Missing links (especially outside the centre)? Certainly, but I saw loads more parents cycling their children places than Edinburgh and even kids cycling places on their own.
@FionaJJ perhaps. Perhaps the last transport secretary (that didn't get going) would have been "too bold" and brought down bikelash? And with the fact that motoring is built into the culture and (literally) to planning and infra, the overwhelming power of the motoring-related industry lobby etc. And that cycling - at a very low level - has existed despite all that, in the gaps as it were. On the other hand, as the likes of David Hembrow point out the "wrong kind of compromise" has been the norm here. Asking for too little ("it's the best we can hope for") and getting less. Leading to stuff which might even set things back overall ("nobody uses it... waste of money and space"). Plenty of impossible "take it or leave it" choices... So far I think Chris Boardman has found a good way: heavy on local engagement, lots about children's journeys / people doing basic tasks / nicer places. This does seem to end up being mostly "crossings" and quieter streets - pedestrian and public transport measures with cycling a quiet addition. Is that enough? Not sure.
I've often said in debate with drivers that a pedestrian should be able to complete their journey safely even if they are a complete idiot and entirely ignorant of the rules of the road. I can't then say that this doesn't count if the result of their error is that they are hit by a bike. There's a responsibility here for everybody to take the duty of care that they have over vulnerable road users seriously. As cyclists we want drivers to be alert to our presence and to take precautions that, even if we do something they don't expect us to do, they will not hit us. We must apply that same responsibility to ourselves and pedestrians. I have one question. Did any one of the cyclists in that group observe the lady approaching the road and ring their bell?
@mdavidford Yes. There's plenty of evidence, well known to the advertising and sales industries, that once people have decided they want to buy something, they will dismiss new negative information on the item while embracing positives. It's why so many organisations persist with, and get away with having additional 'hidden' costs that appear once you've already decided you want to buy those tickets. I'm sure most of those who still wanted to buy an SUV despite the added dangers to the rest of the population were convincing themselves those stats only applied to the bad drivers, but not them because they are good drivers etc. But also a little voice telling them that the bad drivers out there causing havoc confirms they need one too. Education about the dangers of SUVs needs to come before people are thinking of buying them, or possibly more realistically, needs to focus on the issues with the worst offending SUVs. Rather than 'SUV drivers are out there killing people', it should talk about the consequences of different bonnet height and shape, as well as the weight and power. Lots of people just want an SUV so they can get into and out of the car without it hurting their knees. Explain they can get that without buying a tank and they are less likely to go on the defensive. I'd also tax the worst offenders, and introduce speed limiters for the most powerful ones. See how many people who need one to tow a caravan once a year are put off if they can't speed on the motorway. I'd also suggest that in the case you are involved in a serious collision, that your choice of vehicle is considered an aggravating factor in allocation of blame and any sentencing. If you don't have a good reason for driving around in something big, heavy, and powerful with terrible close-range visibility, and go on to kill or seriously injure an eight year old, when they probably would have survived with just minor injuries if you were in a Fiesta - that's a consequence of a choice you made just as much as deciding to get behind the wheel while drunk, or to look at your phone. The only difference is time scales. Most people would at least try to come up with a justification for needing their personal tank, but it might at least make a few more people think about the potential negative consequences for them.
@chrisonabike I get the impression that Heidi is a true believer when it comes to the benefits of cycling and active travel, but she's also a moderate and team player when it comes to temperament, and will co-operate with the PM of the day, and will compromise according to what is assumed to be electorally popular. That's not necessarily a bad approach, especially if you hope to stay in power for long enough to get sustained change, or if you are happy to get on with making useful changes when the attention isn't on you.
@chrisonabike I agree that PPE is always the last line of defence, and having safe systems is always more important. But I'd say that being visible is still very useful in a lot of locations where effort has gone into safe systems (like railway tracks). Proper H&S 'hi-viz' will include reflective bits appropriate to the work and setting. What's right for improving visibility while cycling will depend on when you are cycling, where you are, what conditions are likely. What Heidi is wearing looks adequate to me, assuming her full route is in good light. I don't know much about the Reading end, although I'm sure I spotted a segregated cycle path, but London has a lot of good routes, and crucially, most drivers there know to expect cyclists. Her block of bold red will stop her from blending into the background, and as that's the bit of her that's moving, that's a great way to help the subconscious brain notice there's a human up ahead. Her hair, feet and sandals are all light, so help to catch the eye against dark backgrounds. I suspect the light coloured rim of her helmet is reflective, and I've got spoke reflectors and stickers on my bike, which is an easy way to add reflectivity regardless of what you are wearing. Particularly useful in Winter when there are a lot of competing lights. I favour using running lights all year to keep me a bit more visible when going through areas of shade and in the hope drivers will register that there is a bike ahead. But I also live in an area where most drivers are not expecting to see someone cycling, so it's more important to announce yourself here than in London. Anyway - good for Heidi. The complaints about not wearing hi-viz will only help to get the video seen by more people, and a great reminder that cycling isn't just for men in lycra.
Could we get some updates, the glove world hath changethed.
Google is broken. Even if they are forced to roll back on the made up summary (a German court said it was original content so they're liable), it will still be a front page of SEO slop. Images full of geometry nightmares. Another vote for switching search to DuckDuckGo. You can turn all the crap off in Settings. Ah, bliss.
39 thoughts on ““If there was ever a clear indication to turn around, go home & climb back into bed”: Barmy bike lane markings leave cyclists scratching their heads; Roglič sets sights to beat Vingegaard and Pogačar at Tour de France + more on the live blog”
It’s nit-picking at this
It’s nit-picking at this point given the dire state of everything else, but shouldn’t the bollard be on the white line, not 6-8″ into the cycle lane wasting even more space?
I asked a similar question
I asked a similar question about Orca installation where they were placed inside the white line, obstructing the cycle lane. I think the answer from Highways was that vehicles were allowed to stray onto the white line, the offence is crossing it. (But it’s alright obstructing cyclists cycling exactly where they are allowed to be) Ho, hum.
I’ve spoken before about the
I’ve spoken before about the outrageous sensibility of applying the hierarchy of protections, but that would suggest putting the bollards the other side of the paint, and people might scratch their vehicles before running down vulnerable road users
One of my thoughts where I
One of my thoughts where I saw that done in my local area was whether it was so that should they wish to re-do the paint on the white line it is far easier than if the line is broken up by bollards. You could see people in local councils using that logic even though the line might only be re-painted every few years.
Bringing this forward based
Bringing this forward based on a late comment on yesterday’s blog.
For the cycling world, what is the definition of Hi-Viz? It gets bandied about as The Final Solution but what is the clothing solution that makes a cyclist most visibile, and how does it change by conditions?
For example, black is pretty much Hi-Viz for snowy conditions. Green-based Hi-Viz fails in the spring countryside. Black is a good contrast against the typical light grey of a road, but poor in the wet. Reflective is good at night but pretty much irrelevant in day time.
I’m a believer in being seen, so I like my club colours (blue white and red) and also quite like my DHB orange as a good contrast for the rides I do (which is orange orange, not some dayglo Hi-Viz orange material).
So, pretty much impossible to legislate for, I would say. How do you resolve it to your own satisfaction?
Lights at night, whatever in
Lights at night, whatever in the day.
If someone can’t see you in normal clothes in daytime, they aren’t going to see you in high vis clothes because they aren’t looking. Lights are orders of magnitude more visible than any clothing choice at night.
I tend to run with lights
I tend to run with lights during the day also. I find when I am driving I often see a cyclist’s lights (especially flashing types) before picking up the cyclist.
Have taken to doing the same
Have taken to doing the same myself since getting T-Boned when negotiating a roundabout. Driver was looking in my direction the whole time but first words afterwards was the classic “didn’t see you”. To be fair she seemed pretty genuine & was very shaken. Totally her fault (I had a nice bright jersey on & conditions were perfect, great visibility etc) but I did end up asking myself if there was anything else I could do to mean next time I don’t end up in a heap of broken bones & written off bike.
So I run a flashing (well, pulsing) front light during the day now. Still get drivers pulling out in front of me – when they aren’t looking you’ve got no chance whatever you are wearing or whatever lights you run – but at least I’ve got half a chance when the driver’s brain is only actively looking for car shaped objects – they might at least clock that “something” unexpected is there.
This morning, about a quarter
This morning, about a quarter past eight so it was dull but light, I was approaching a junction on my left. I have one of those ‘pulsing’ front lights. A car was driven up to the junction where it waited… until I was practically in front of it and the driver decided to pull out, forcing me to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting his car. Lights only work if the driver is paying attention.
That’s kind of what I said…
That’s kind of what I said…..
Clem Fandango wrote:
I know
I was providing further anecdotal support.
No they were probably
No they were probably perfectly aware of your presence, but knew you posed absolutely no risk to them and that if you hadn’t slammed on your brakes it’s you who will be injured.
Same with pedestrians, they will quite happily step in front of me, knowing that I will have to avoid them, but would consider stepping in front of a car, van, lorry or bus would be absolute madness.
I agree. Although I do have
I agree. Although I do have reflective points on my clothing I tend to run flashing lights in daytime, solid plus flashing at night. Front and back. The issue I have is being blinded by car headlights, particularly when there isn’t street lighting
Patrick9-32 wrote:
Some (doesn’t need to be loads) of reflectives at night is a good idea too (either on you or on the bike).
Patrick9-32 wrote:
— Patrick9-32It’s not that simple – not everyone is simply “not looking”. Eyesight acuity, knowledge, experience, perception and reaction times all vary. There are degrees of distraction and inattention and the conditions vary hugely.
Navigating the highway and environment that surrounds it is complex, it would be foolish to use one simple label for not being seen. Most drivers will see you but you surely want everyone to see you. Standing out from your surroundings is an attempt at self-preservation.
In the dark I find that the more vehicles there are the harder it is to see past the LED headlights and super-bright brake lights so riding on busy roads with junctions etc warrants even greater vigilance. Road positioning is important. Reflectives, especially moving ones, catch the eye.
Black is no use against a gritted road or dark surface, under a bridge or tree cover or in dim/dull conditions like we get in early morning and late afternoon in winter. There’s likely far more black in a snowy scene than you might think.
Green doesn’t stand out from anything (except if it’s a hi-viz-like ‘lime’ green) and can act like camouflage on country roads when beside hedges, even without much foliage. Been there, done that, won’t do it again!
IanMSpencer wrote:
HSE Factsheet on Hi Vis
You can get Hi Vis clothing in 2 colours, it would be very unlikely for both colours to blend in to the background at the same time.
Unless you were riding here.
Unless you were riding here.
IanMSpencer wrote:
Broughton?
I like to wear anything bright and contrasting so I typically go with bright red or blue too.
Solihull
Solihull
In terms of legislation, if
In terms of legislation, if it was deemed desirable it would be easy. There are various Standards for hiviz clothing (e.g. EN ISO 20471) and so it would be a simple matter of requiring clothing to be certified to an appropriate standard. I believe France already requires cyclists to wear (certified) hiviz at night, and requires all cars to be equipped with a (certified) hiviz jacket.
In terms of whether it would help, I’m inclined to say not. My (anecdotal) observation is that day or night, a good pair of lights is the best thing you can do for visibility, and if you’ve done that, anything else is largely redundant. And of course, nothing you can do will protect you if the driver simply isn’t looking or paying attention.
OnYerBike wrote:
I had an incident driving at night about a year ago, I nearly hit a cyclist. They were dressed head to toe in orange hi vis, but they had no lights so I didn’t see them until the last moment.
Think I’ve still got the dashcam footage, not sure if it’s really NMOTD material though.
The Highway Code of course
The Highway Code of course gives the same guidelines for ALL roadusers including drivers: “If your vehicle breaks down, think first of all other road users and help other road users see you by wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility”. Of course, the general opinion is that this should only be made to apply to cyclists!
I feel a bit of Twitter
I feel a bit of Twitter trolling to be done. Good call!
That sort of crap and
That sort of crap and confusing bike lane marking/layout would never be accepted if applied to “normal” road lanes (ie those used by motorists).
So why is it acceptable for cyclists?
Because too many people in
Because too many people in local government think that cyclists are just p1$$ing around on toys instead of being “proper” road users.
Thinking laterally, perhaps
Thinking laterally, perhaps planners and designers were thinking “we’re tired of ‘driver T-bones bike’ stories – let’s have some ‘cyclists take each other out’…
https://www.theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/11/britains-pavement-hell-how-messy-broken-streets-ruin-peoples-lives
“Ride on the Pavement now,
“Ride on the Pavement now, you’re less liable to be hit by someone yapping on their phone in an Audi but give way to oncoming cyclists as you cross”. Easy.
I think Southwark council
I think Southwark council would be best off charging the bike and scooter hire companies to install the spaces for people to dump their short-term rental vehicles. I’m all for boosting active travel but those companies seem a parasitic way to go about things.
ROOTminus1 wrote:
Couldn’t agree more, they’ve created a massive problem across the borough (in which I live) by introducing their business to the streets without making the necessary commitment to stop the pavements being littered with their machines and now council funds are being spent clearing up the mess they’ve made? That money should be going on bike hangars and cycle training, not on helping private companies get out of the hole that they’ve dug for themselves.
As smarter people have said
As smarter people have said use of this kind of bike / scooter hire by authorities (opinions vary about what some of the companies are doing…) is usually an attempt to compensate for inadequate surface public transport provision.
It’s notable you see this in “developing world” cycling countries* but some years back places in NL started banning dockless (apparently a few are coming back now). NL does have “last mile” cycle rental but the biggest scheme is national and organised by the railways e.g. intimately linked with public transport. (Of course they have all kinds of stuff there including widespread “cycling as a service” e.g. Swapfiets, VanMoof before it went bust etc.)
* The UK, and … actually, pretty much everywhere except for NL and some spots in Scandinavia and northern Belgium.
Unless there has been some
Unless there has been some last minute team switching, Tao Geoghegan Hart rides for Trek-Lidl not Bora-Hansgrohe as written in the blog.
And in other news…
And in other news…
“Road accidents still linked to deprivation, TfL tool shows”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67936442
mitsky wrote:
That’s really sad. The quote from the councillor at the end is good to read though
Rezina Chowdhury from Lambeth Council said: “Road danger is a social justice issue, and we are past the point where it’s enough to just ask motorists to slow down or pedestrians to look both ways when crossing a road.
“It is about making sure in the future streets are designed with road safety built in, making them more equal and less dominated by motor traffic.”
Latest sensible comment on
Latest sensible comment on cycling from Twitter: apparently before cycle lanes existed bicyclists couldn’t get anywhere near the kerb…
(and just as a point of interest, Oxford Street doesn’t have cycle lanes)
Talk TV and Daily Mail sums
Talk TV and Daily Mail sums it up really ?
Drivers when another driver
Drivers when another driver blocks a cycle lane: “God, just go around, its not that hard?!?!!”
Drivers when another road user is going slightly slower than their desired speed: “I am going to get to the back of the next traffic queue 8 seconds later, therefore it is reasonable for me to endanger your life. You deserve to die.”
Came across this earlier
Came across this earlier today
Ticks a box somewhere and adds 5m to the total.
Nice to see that Shimano are
Nice to see that Shimano are introducing AI controlled adjustable suspension on proper, rim braked, bikes!!
Pulls pin, lobs grenade and then runs for cover