Popular cycle route torn apart by floods; Driver pushed cyclist off his bike after collision; First Dutch-style roundabout closed after driver ploughs into crossing; E-bikes ‘fastest-growing bike category’; Richmond Park cont’d + more on the live blog

Emergency services were called at around 10am yesterday where the cyclist was found seriously injured on the A635 Doncaster Road in Barnsley – he was taken to Northern General Hospital for treatment. 

Police say they believe the man was involved in a collision, and are looking for the driver of a silver/grey coloured estate car with tinted windows and dark coloured wheels to come forward, as it’s believe the vehicle was in the area at the time. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote incident number 319 of 11 of August 2020.

***Breaking News***

Students will be allowed to use the results of their cycling proficiency test for university entry should they need to.

— Andy Byers (@Framheadteacher) August 11, 2020

It’s a better metric than what’s suggested so far, to be fair. 

City of York Council said earlier this week they were applying to the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund to create more space for cycling and walking; however according to York Cycle Campaign, it’s likely the bid could be ignored because many of the plans don’t meet the criteria. 

The council say their action plan includes improvements to major A-roads, improved signage, a new crossing in the city centre and cycling and numerous walking links… but York Cycle Campaign said they were “dismayed”. 

A spokesperson told York Press: “Although this is a nice list of measures, the majority of them fail to meet the criteria set by the Government, and risk York losing out on much of the £850,000 on offer to the city.

“The measures are not connected, lack any strategic vision and fail to demonstrate the kind of ambition that our city needs to have.”

Deputy council leader Councillor Andy D’Agorne defended the plans, commenting: “A long list of measures was prioritised against the fund’s criteria, the potential for the scheme to be delivered by the end of the financial year and agreed on by the council’s executive. 

“We consider that we have proposed an ambitious list of measures which will be deliverable quickly together with further complementary measures to be delivered using a further £600,000 of council transport funding in 2021/22.

“We will continue to work with the Cycle Campaign and other stakeholders to ensure that the most effective schemes are delivered to encourage more people to cycle and walk in the city.”

In June, the government asked councils to be “more ambitious” with their proposals for the first tranche of funding, adding: “Where authorities have received less than their indicative allocations, this is due to their proposals being less aligned with the objectives of the fund than those of other authorities.”

Bids that include segregated routes that are linked correctly are more likely to receive larger portions of the money set aside for the Emergency Active Travel Fund; whereas the government are likely to restrict cash going to councils who propose poorly connected routes, or cycle lanes marked by paint with no extra protective measures. 

The report from Halfords focussed on Google search results, finding that in the UK there had been a 47% increase in the number of searches for terms such as ‘electric bike’ and ‘e-bike’ in 2020 so far. Across Europe, general searches for bikes increased by half a million, and e-bikes are considered the fastest growing bike category. 

Buoyed by a bike boom during the pandemic, demand for road bikes also appears to be on the up, with searches for road bikes increasing from 28,000 to 51,000 from 2019 to 2020 in the UK. Halfords added that this “might be due to the country’s lockdown and people’s desire to exercise by bike when allowed”.

The UK’s first Dutch-style roundabout which prioritises cyclists and pedestrians over motorists has opened in Fendon Road, Cambridge pic.twitter.com/cYi2Ikz2z5

— Joe Giddens (@jjgiddens) August 6, 2020

Featuring an inner ring for motor traffic, an outer ring for cyclists and priority for pedestrians at each exit, the roundabout was officially opened earlier this month on Fendon Road in Cambridge, and is considered the first of its kind in the UK. Unfortunately it wasn’t in use very long before a problem arose, in the form of a driver who hit a Belisha beacon and failed to stop.

The incident happened before the roundabout opened on 30th July and has been used without issue since, but it’s now being repaired by the council and expected to open again at some point today. A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire County Council commented: “This accident happened 12 days ago before the roundabout opened. A car collided with a Belisha beacon column, causing it to lean slightly. The driver failed to stop at the scene.

“There have been no accidents at the new roundabout since it opened on July 31.”

If your little one just loves professional cycling (or you want them to love professional cycling) then Quick-Step’s Wolfpack Back To School package includes a lunchbox, pencil case and notebook for them to go back to their socially distanced classes with. Priced at 30 euros, it’s available on the team’s website now. 

That’s it for today!

Business owners in the constituency, please drop me a line. I’d love to stop by on my tour, have a chat and promote you!

Let’s support local businesses during this tough time#CyclingConstituencyTour#BigSummerCycle#SupportLocalBusinesses #ShopLocalWeek pic.twitter.com/v8ItyPOiwO

— Huw Merriman MP (@HuwMerriman) August 11, 2020

Hugh Merriman MP is riding around his Bexhill and Battle constituency to talk to business owners on Shop Local Week, an event organised by the government to help local businesses rebuild from the pandemic by encouraging shoppers to visit their local high street.

I’ve been experimenting this week with “commuting” to work while working from home. I go for a bike ride at the start and end of each day, and it’s really helping overcome the lack of home-work boundaries that I was starting to struggle with

— Ian Walker (@ianwalker) August 12, 2020

It’s something that environmental psychologist and friend of road.cc Dr Ian Walker has adopted to ‘​overcome the lack of home-work boundaries’ – have you managed something similar while home working, or do you have a different strategy?

Appreciate your insight here. We’re excited to be taking this first step!

— The Royal Parks (@theroyalparks) August 12, 2020

Many are angry that the Royal Parks are allowing any traffic back in after a car-free summer… but then again, it’s progress on what things were like before the lockdown. Royal Parks say they are “excited to be taking the first step”; however yesterday London Cycling Campaign said they have made a “reckless and drastic” move by allowing motor vehicles back in, including the notorious ‘rat-running road between Kingston Gate and Richmond Gate that will be open to through traffic at all times. 

🚴 With cycling as the new best way to get around town, we have launched a free bike hub at 57 Carnaby Street. It’s a place where you can park your bike for free while heading to work, shopping or eating out in the area 🚴
Read more here: https://t.co/lQWcHzlsyM pic.twitter.com/T9EpNu5jdh

— Carnaby London (@CarnabyLondon) August 11, 2020

The Carnaby Bike Hub is “inspired answer to bike parking woes in town”, with an open-door policy and space for 50 bikes on double-decking racks. There’s 24/7 security and CCTV, but of course Carnaby London say you’ll still need to bring a lock when you drop your bike off. 

One of our engineers brought his daughters and their friends out for a cycle to test our new coastal cycle route. This safe space for pedestrians and cyclists has been completely transformed recently and we’re delighted our 4 young product testers approve of the works! pic.twitter.com/iCbUgrAuoB

— dlrcc (@dlrcc) August 12, 2020

This new route in Dublin got a big thumbs-up from the ‘product testers’… why can’t it all be like this? 

Awarded to TfGM from The London Marathon Charitable Trust, the grant will be used to support around 10,000 people in up to 60 communities across Greater Manchester to get more active and use sustainable transport.

There will be a particular emphasis on women, children and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, say TfGM, citing research that shows 69% of frequent cyclists are men, and 74% of people from ethnic minority groups across 12 UK cities and towns don’t cycle at all. 

Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, commented: “This money will enable us to reach out to thousands more people across Greater Manchester, enabling them to fit walking and cycling into their daily lives and to enjoy the many benefits that go alongside it.

“Alongside temporary infrastructure in response to the coronavirus pandemic, we are building the UK’s largest cycling and walking network. The Bee Network will deliver more than 1,800 miles of routes, linking every area of Greater Manchester. Inspiring people to walk or cycle for everyday journeys is a huge part of the puzzle and we are incredibly grateful to The London Marathon Charitable Trust for supporting us to make this a reality.”    

Cyclisme: les Mondiaux d’Aigle-Martigny annulés https://t.co/ZuezP4pUTJ

— RTS Sport (@RTSsport) August 12, 2020

As no gatherings of more than 1,000 people are allowed in Switzerland until 30th September, the organisers of Aigle-Martigny 2020 say it will simply be impossible to hold the event as planned between 20th-27th September – full story updated with news as we get it here. 

🏆 🇧🇪 @WoutvanAert s’impose !

🏆 🇧🇪 @WoutvanAert claims the win!#Dauphiné pic.twitter.com/XgRM2E0OaT

— Critérium du Dauphiné (@dauphine) August 12, 2020

The unstoppable Belgian won in a sprint finish, with Daryl Impey finishing in second and Egan Bernal picking up third. 

We have GREAT news:

World-class climber MICHAEL WOODS is coming to Israel Start-Up Nation

Welcome Woodsy!

Full story: https://t.co/hpApv52WTP#YallaIsrael @PowerWatts pic.twitter.com/anyLuBHFGY

— Israel Start-Up Nation / Israel Cycling Academy (@YallaIsraelSUN) August 12, 2020

In another transfer that signals an ambition to build a team around Froome for next year’s Grand Tours, Woods will moe over from EF Pro Cycling to become “Chris Froome’s right-hand man”. The team also say Woods will lead the team in some classics and monument races.

ISN have also announced the signings of Daryl Impey, Carl Fredrik Hagen and Patrick Bevin in the last few days. 

Woods commented: “With Chris Froome and several other great signings, I believe that ISN has the potential not just to win the Tour next year, but also be present and winning throughout the entire WorldTour calendar. For me, the prospect of riding for the best GC rider of this generation at the TdF, is very exciting.  Also, with Dan Martin already on board, I really see us being able to have a winning combination in the Ardennes and Italian classics.”

Canal towpath between Falkirk and Linlithgow near Whitecross. ⁦@scottishcanals⁩ @BBCScotlandNews⁩ pic.twitter.com/XOrE5HchPl

— Mike Harvey (@MacallaMike) August 12, 2020

Filmed by Ross Harvey, this section of canal towpath – on the traffic-free Linlithgow to Falkirk Wheel route in Scotland – has been completely split apart by water from the Union Canal, with fears that the whole canal will be drained if it continues to flow this rapidly. It happened as the result of heavy showers over the last two days, with the Met Office warning that thunderstorms forecast to develop today could lead to some communities being cut off by flooded roads.   

Scottish Canals replied to the tweet above saying: “We’re aware of the situation and the Union Canal is now closed until further notice. Our teams are onsite and taking the necessary steps.”

How they’re going to fix this is anyone’s guess…

The 2020 UCI Road World Championships won’t be in @aiglemartigny20. Thank you to all those who were involved, in what would have been a spectacular event.

We will now focus on securing a new venue, in Europe at the same time with a similar course profile. https://t.co/I6Yi47I9uJ pic.twitter.com/NSfWzshGu1

— David Lappartient (@DLappartient) August 12, 2020

David Lappartient says the UCI will now turn their attention to securing a new venue in Europe with a similar course profile, and is promising that a final decision will be made by 1st September at the latest. I think we can rule out Harrogate after last year’s shenanigans… 

Full story here. 

Avon and Somerset Police say the collision occurred between a cyclist and the driver of a Land Rover on Sunday 2nd August at around midday, on a narrow country lane between Charterhouse and Mendip Raceway. The cyclist – a man in his 50s – was pushed off his bike after the collision, sustaining minor injuries that didn’t require hospital treatment. The driver of the Land Rover was described as a man in his 60s, with white or grey hair and wearing a short-sleeved checked shirt at the time of the incident. 

Police believe there were other vehicles in the area at the time, and motorists could have seen what happened. Any witnesses or those with dashcam footage have been asked to call 101 quoting the reference number 5220173426.