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  • News
Pennywell Road cycle lane
Pennywell Road cycle lane (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

MP accuses council of creating “Battle Royale” over cycle lanes after angry motorist drives over wands; Unicycle commuting; Prolific bike thief banned from station cycle parking; 38 million unused bikes; Active travel boost + more on the live blog

It’s Friday and Dan Alexander will be taking you through to the weekend on the live blog
  • by Dan Alexander
Fri, Mar 12, 2021 09:01
56

SUMMARY

  • Do you have an unused bike collecting dust? Estimated 38 million unused bikes would fill current shortage
  • Happy Friday!
  • £1.79 million boost for active travel in Scotland
  • MP accuses council of creating "Battle Royale" over cycle lanes after watching angry motorist drive over wands
  • Lunchtime laugh
  • Prolific bike thief banned from stations' cycle facilities
  • Was Giant right to refuse to sell a bike to someone over the maximum weight limit? Your thoughts...
  • Primož Roglič wins uphill sprint to extend lead at Paris-Nice
  • Unicycle commuting
  • More on the Oxford cycle lane
  • Don't mess with Mathieu van der Poel
  • It's that time of the week
Pennywell Road cycle lane
Pennywell Road cycle lane (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
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12 March 2021, 09:01

Do you have an unused bike collecting dust? Estimated 38 million unused bikes would fill current shortage

The Bike Club data
The Bike Club data (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
The Bike Club data
The Bike Club data (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

New data from The Bike Club shows there are an estimated 38 million unused bikes in the UK, enough to fill the current shortage. While 15% of the UK’s adults are estimated to have one unused kids’ bike, 34% have an unused adult bike at home. 9% have more than one unused kids’ bike, meaning it’s estimated there are over 12.5 million unused kids’ bikes and 38 million dormant bicycles in total. The most common reason for having an unused bike was ‘it’s too much hassle to sell’.

The Bike Club’s co-founder, James Symes, said this untapped potential could fill the demand for bikes which soared during the pandemic in 2020. “Interest in cycling during the pandemic, has been marred by a severe shortage of bikes as retailers across the UK have struggled to meet unprecedented levels of demand. We were amazed to see the level of untapped potential hanging around in people’s garages and sheds. With over an estimated 38 million unused bikes in the UK, we must look at other ways in which we can meet the current demand for cycling.”

James also suggested The Bike Club as a potential solution. The kids’ bike monthly subscription service has a reCycle scheme that allows people to sell their unused kids’ bike so it can be passed on to a another child. 

12 March 2021, 09:01

Happy Friday!

Loulou the Entertainer 😁 pic.twitter.com/H6PGIMs63y

— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) March 11, 2021

12 March 2021, 09:01

£1.79 million boost for active travel in Scotland

transport scotland.PNG
transport scotland (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
transport scotland.PNG
transport scotland (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

£1.79 million has been allocated to the active travel budget by the Scottish Government. More than 170 organisations will benefit from the money, including community groups, campuses and schools. £96,000 has also been given to the Cycling Friendly NHS Worker Fund to enable staff at eight health boards access to bikes during lockdown.

The funding is expected to be used for improved facilities such as new showers, cycle parking and it is estimated 343,000 people can benefit from the support. The news hasn’t been universally well received however, Grampian Online published a story titled ‘On your bike – but not in Aberdeenshire’ highlighting that just one of the cash awards will be made in Aberdeenshire. That was to a secondary school, who will get funding of £3,721.

On the £1.79 million funding, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson said  he was “pleased that public and private employers, schools, community groups and social housing providers all stand to benefit from Scottish Government funding – delivered through Cycling Scotland’s Cycling Friendly programme. The breadth of organisations getting involved demonstrates the clear appetite across Scotland to lock-in the positive changes we’ve seen in travel behaviour over the last 12 months.”

12 March 2021, 09:01

MP accuses council of creating "Battle Royale" over cycle lanes after watching angry motorist drive over wands

I read this as “drivers used to getting things their own way act like dangerous lunatics when they don’t get it”. Local MP reads this as ‘we should do something about the bike lanes”

Cool. pic.twitter.com/5wPzjukW8T

— noodles (@andykeetch) March 12, 2021

Hove and Portslade MP Peter Kyle isn’t happy with Brighton and Hove City Council’s implementation of cycle lanes in the city. Despite claiming to support and use cycleways, the Labour MP said the fact he’s seen an angry driver ramming wands with their car is evidence the council has “turned a common sense issue which is making our public space cycle friendly into a monumental Battle Royale.”  

“It has sucked in residents who have no interest in a public fight. They simply want to get to work, or the GP surgery, or pick kids up from school and now feel the need to enter battle riled, angry and feeling like victims. I was cycling along one of the temporary cycle lanes when someone got so angry in a souped-up Renault Five that they suddenly started knocking all the bollards down – there was smoke coming from the wheels,” Kyle told The Argus.

“That is the anger that has been generated and I don’t want to sit quietly when the community I represent is starting to seethe with this kind of upset and anger. That is why I’m speaking out now.” 

He went on to say his concern was that the data informing the implementation of cycle lanes was being “dragged out” through litigation and that residents have been ignored. There is currently a public consultation on road changes in Brighton, including the Old Shoreham Road cycle lane which was introduced last year by the Labour administration in charge at the time.

The Green city council responded to Kyle’s criticism saying it’s a shame that he has objected to his own councillors’ objectives. They also emphasised that they’ve listened to residents and adapted sections of cycle lane in response to feedback, but remain committed to recognising the need to reduce air pollution and provide more space for cycling and walking.

12 March 2021, 09:01

Lunchtime laugh

Blog comment
Blog comment (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Blog comment
Blog comment (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

See yourself out…I feel ashamed for laughing…

12 March 2021, 09:01

Prolific bike thief banned from stations' cycle facilities

Cambridge North cycle parking (via Google Street View)
Cambridge North cycle parking (via Google Street View) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Cambridge North cycle parking (via Google Street View)
Cambridge North cycle parking (via Google Street View) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

A prolific bike thief has been handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning him from Cycle Point at Cambridge Station and Cambridge North Station’s cycle park. The CBO banning him from the bike parking facilities follows a conviction for two counts of bike theft and one count of going equipped to steal in December last year. Kevin Champion, 45, was sentenced to 22 weeks in prison at the time and a two-year CBO has now been added by Cambridge Magistrates’ Court.

“The local neighbourhood team are working closely with partners including Cambridge Business Against Crime (CAMBAC) and businesses in the city to tackle bike theft by putting people like Champion before the courts,” PC Jamie Tumber of Cambridgeshire Police said. “We take all reports of bike theft seriously and would encourage people to report offences so we can build up a picture and deploy resources accordingly.”

12 March 2021, 09:01

Was Giant right to refuse to sell a bike to someone over the maximum weight limit? Your thoughts...

 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by road.cc (@road.cc)

Over on the road.cc Instagram we asked what you thought about the story on yesterday’s live blog about a man who was refused a bike from Giant’s Halifax store in Canada because he was too heavy…We’ve had plenty of sympathetic comments for both the man and the bike shop. Here are some we picked out…

Mathieu French said “I’m 21 stone (not even my heaviest) and have a Trek Emonda SL6 for six years. I’m over the recommended weight limit. It has zero issues. I don’t see what the problem is here.”

Laith Beveridge disagreed: “Well done to the shop for being responsible! Way too many shops sell bikes to larger riders knowing the weight limit on wheels and frames. Having spent 20 years in the industry I had no issues recommending stronger wheels to customers who were like myself solid riders.”

Giant Bicycles Canada released another statement in the comments too: “It is important to acknowledge and learn from our mistakes and to that end we have apologised to Mr Barsetti. While the intent of refusing the sale was well meaning with regards to his personal safety. It should not have happened. We are sorry. In light of that we are happy to be working with Mr Barsetti to get him a new bicycle and integrate it into his healthy lifestyle.”

12 March 2021, 09:01

Primož Roglič wins uphill sprint to extend lead at Paris-Nice

🇸🇮@rogla of 🇳🇱@JumboVismaRoad wins stage 6 of 🇫🇷@ParisNice #ParisNice (📺@sporza_koers) pic.twitter.com/cfy5uq94Jl

— World Cycling Stats (@wcsbike) March 12, 2021

Primož Roglič outkicked some of the fastest riders at Paris-Nice on stage six’s uphill sprint. Sam Bennett came to a near standstill in the final kilometre, but Roglič still had to beat Christophe Laporte, Michael Matthews and Bryan Coquard in the burst to the line. The Slovenian gets 10 bonus seconds for the win, extending his lead on heading into a shortened final two stages. Tomorrow should be the final obstacle for Roglič, as the peloton takes on the summit finish at La Colmiane. The Jumbo-Visma rider’s lead is now 41 seconds and on this form he’ll fancy a shot at a third stage win of the week…

#ParisNice – GC after Stage 6 pic.twitter.com/Dx18qR5d2j

— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) March 12, 2021

12 March 2021, 09:01

Unicycle commuting

It’s not just Jeremy Vine who likes to hit the cycle lanes by unicycle…Fair play to that man…

12 March 2021, 09:01

More on the Oxford cycle lane

Oxford cycle lane Parks Road - via Oxfordshire Cycling on Twitter.PNG
Oxford cycle lane Parks Road - via Oxfordshire Cycling on Twitter (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Oxford cycle lane Parks Road - via Oxfordshire Cycling on Twitter.PNG
Oxford cycle lane Parks Road – via Oxfordshire Cycling on Twitter (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

We’ve been contacted by a local cyclist giving us more information about the cycle lane in Oxford we covered earlier this week. While the University of Oxford’s website says there are signs directing bike riders onto the carriageway as the cycle lane is suspended while works are ongoing, our reader told us this isn’t the case.

“There were absolutely no signs anywhere telling cyclists to join the carriageway – the only sign with any information about what was going on was the one in the photo,” they told road.cc. “There were people standing around, scratching their heads about what on earth was going on and what they were supposed to do. I went along there yesterday afternoon and there were no additional signs there then either – though I have been assured by the University (who are responsible for the works) that there will be very soon.”

12 March 2021, 09:01

Don't mess with Mathieu van der Poel

🔱 So what?#TirrenoAdriatico pic.twitter.com/ohJ6Sh0Frq

— Tirreno Adriatico (@TirrenAdriatico) March 12, 2021

Julian Alaphilippe’s look after beating Van der Poel yesterday was a bit cheeky, here’s the Dutchman’s response…Van der Poel leapt off Wout van Aert’s wheel to get back in the winning column, overhauling a late attack by Zdeněk Štybar. Alaphilippe and Štybar’s teammate Davide Ballerini took third ahead of Sergio Higuita and Greg Van Avermaet. How many watts was that one, Mathieu? 

He surely can’t do it again tomorrow on the only proper mountain stage of the race…Or can he? Stage four climbs to 1,450m up the 15km climb to Prato di Tivo where Chris Froome won the last time the race used the peak. 

Cool as you like 😎

Have you ever seen a rider cross the line during a sprint finish as casually as Mathieu van der Poel here? #TirrenoAdriatico pic.twitter.com/n51UDGAiu7

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) March 12, 2021

12 March 2021, 09:01

It's that time of the week

Don’t worry @OutOfCycling, we got you 😉#ParisNice #MamaLauda @Mads__Pedersen 🕺 pic.twitter.com/qx848oc5Ji

— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) March 12, 2021

12 March 2021, 09:01

Have cyclists resorted to stealing cassettes and rear mechs due to component shortages?

Have cyclists resorted to stealing cassettes and rear mechs due to component shortages?

Instead of wheels or bars, people are “getting cassettes, derailleurs, even chains taken off their bikes”... and a London bike shop owner thinks it isn't the work of career criminals

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  • cycling live blog, live blog, road.cc live blog
Dan Alexander
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Dan is the road.cc news editor and joined in 2020 having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Dan has been at road.cc for four years and mainly writes news and tech articles as well as the occasional feature. He has hopefully kept you entertained on the live blog too. Never fast enough to take things on the bike too seriously, when he’s not working you’ll find him exploring the south of England by two wheels at a leisurely weekend pace, or enjoying his favourite Scottish roads when visiting family. Sometimes he’ll even load up the bags and ride up the whole way, he’s a bit strange like that.  

56 Comments

56 thoughts on “MP accuses council of creating “Battle Royale” over cycle lanes after angry motorist drives over wands; Unicycle commuting; Prolific bike thief banned from station cycle parking; 38 million unused bikes; Active travel boost + more on the live blog”

  1. Hirsute
    March 12, 2021 at 9:42 am
    0

    Think of the road tax that

    Think of the road tax that could be generated on 38M bikes !

    Log In or Register to post comments
    • HoarseMann
      March 12, 2021 at 11:18 am
      0

      Eventually, VED is going to

      Eventually, VED is going to be replaced as more zero emission vehicles hit the road. So, as some motorists keep banging on about how they pay to use the road, maybe there should be a road tax that actually takes into account the amount of road you use?

      I’m thinking something based on vehicle footprint and weight (to consider the space consumed and damage caused to surface) which is then applied for every road journey (to make people think about the necessity of each journey).

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      • Sriracha
        March 12, 2021 at 11:38 am
        0

        I would think they will find
        I would think they will find a way to tax the lecky used by cars. Maybe multiplied by a fudge factor made up from unnecessariness quotient of the vehicle and its coefficient of obnoxiousness.

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        • StuInNorway
          March 12, 2021 at 12:32 pm
          0

          Add in a “Road tax”

          Add in a “Road tax” multiplier. The number of times they have moaned about cyclists not paying the non existant tax in the last 3 years is their multiplier.

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        • Captain Badger
          March 12, 2021 at 12:33 pm
          0

          Sriracha wrote:

          I….. unnecessariness quotient of the vehicle and its coefficient of obnoxiousness.

          — Sriracha

          Love it!

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      • andystow
        March 12, 2021 at 2:46 pm
        0

        I think a tyre tax would work

        I think a tyre tax would work well:

        – effectively charges for miles driven without intrusive tracking and reporting

        – can be made roughly proportional to the weight of the vehicle and thus the damage it causes to roads

        – if a tyre failed early, this could be documented at the shop that replaced it, and a credit issued against the tax on the replacement tyre

        – discourages doing burnouts and drifting around corners

        – downside: may encourage more people to drive on unsafe bald tyres

        – tyres used only on private racing events could be untaxed

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  2. brooksby
    March 12, 2021 at 9:54 am
    0

    Isn;’t this going to just

    Isn;’t this going to just encourage all the people who’ll happily break into your shed to ‘borrow’ a supposedly unused bike?

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  3. Secret_squirrel
    March 12, 2021 at 10:18 am
    0

    Define “unused” – you’ll take

    Define “unused” – you’ll take my N+1’s out of my cold dead hands smiley

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    • LastBoyScout
      March 12, 2021 at 5:26 pm
      0

      My garage looks like a bike

      My garage looks like a bike shop!

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  4. Secret_squirrel
    March 12, 2021 at 10:19 am
    0

    I’ll just leave this here :

    Freeman update.  I’ll just leave this here :

    https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/mar/12/dr-richard-freeman-found-guilty-of-ordering-banned-testosterone-for-unnamed-rider

     

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  5. Sriracha
    March 12, 2021 at 10:20 am
    0

    “Do you have an unused bike
    “Do you have an unused bike collecting dust?”
    No, but I’ve got an old hoover in the corner.

    (Yeah, the old ones are the best!)
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-28838287

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    • efail
      March 12, 2021 at 4:07 pm
      0

      Sriracha wrote:

      “Do you have an unused bike collecting dust?” No, but I’ve got an old hoover in the corner. (Yeah, the old ones are the best!) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-28838287

      — Sriracha

      That BBC site is brilliant for all of the one liners in the comments section.

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    • Steve K
      March 12, 2021 at 9:19 pm
      0

      So you did – somehow I missed
      So you did – somehow I missed that. ?

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  6. DrG82
    March 12, 2021 at 10:25 am
    0

    Do I have an old unused bike?
    Do I have an old unused bike? Yes
    Would anyone really want it? Probably not unless desperate.
    People don’t want something old knackered bone shaker, they want something new and shiny.

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    • OldRidgeback
      March 12, 2021 at 10:52 am
      0

      We have many bicycles in our

      We have many bicycles in our family. In the last few months I’ve given away two. One went to a friend who had mentioned he was thinking about taking up cycling again because of the pandemic. He was delighted and uses it a lot. The other went to my son’s school. I’d been given the latter, a brand new but low end MTB by a client. I didn’t need it so donated it to my son’s school, suggesting that perhaps a low income family with someone as a key worker would appreciate it. This was accepted gratefully and was also highly appreciated.

      I think I’ve one more bike at the moment that’s probably surplus to requirements. The partner of the bloke I gave one bike to is now showing interest in taking up cycling again also, so it might go there.

      I don’t mind giving bikes away. But if I do, I want them to be used. Some years ago I gave a perfectly good MTB I’d built to another friend, who later confessed he’d never used it and instead allowed it to rust in his garden. I wish I’d kept it now as it rode really well.

      When I gave the hybrid I’d reconditioned (a neighbour had chucked it out, so I asked if I could have it and fixed it up) to the guy who was restarting cycling I did so on the proviso that if he realised he wasn’t interested in cycling he’d either give it back to me or to another friend or neighbour who’d use it. I didn’t ask for money, I just wanted it used.

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    • Captain Badger
      March 12, 2021 at 12:53 pm
      0

      Be surprised. 2 knackered old

      Be surprised. 2 knackered old bikes in my MiLs garden (been outside for teh past couple of decades) have jut found new homes.

      I’m about to replace my MTB (nice Cotic on order, roll on May!). My ClaudeButler Cape Wrath Disc is 17 years old. I’m staggered that it’s retained enough value  I can expect to get half what I paid for it

      Mrs Badger’s old ridiculously heavy Carera Vulcan is also going for a similar amount. 

      People want bikes, and if they can’t afford new, or can’t wait, they’ll go for what they can get.

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      • efail
        March 12, 2021 at 3:18 pm
        0

        Carlisle has a place called

        Carlisle has a place called ‘Rebike’, where they take old bikes, do them up, then sell them on. It’s non profit making. They also help re skill people and help the unemployed. They have real bargains and quite a few different types of bikes. Most cities must have the same…

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  7. squired
    March 12, 2021 at 11:03 am
    0

    I stopped giving away bikes

    I stopped giving away bikes after giving two away for free and subsequently finding out both were sold within a few months.

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  8. EK Spinner
    March 12, 2021 at 11:46 am
    0

    MP Peter Kyle, seriously,

    MP Peter Kyle, seriously, when did you last see a Renault 5, never mind a “souped up” one, any still existing high perormance R5s are now very cherised classics and it would seem very unlikly that the owner would start using it a battering ram.

    Start your story with unbelievable rants and the rest is just mince

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    • EddyBerckx
      March 12, 2021 at 11:57 am
      0

      EK Spinner wrote:

      MP Peter Kyle, seriously, when did you last see a Renault 5, never mind a “souped up” one, any still existing high perormance R5s are now very cherised classics and it would seem very unlikly that the owner would start using it a battering ram.

      Start your story with unbelievable rants and the rest is just mince

      — EK Spinner

       

      just another mp who will say anything for votes basically, even though he should’ve worked out by now the majority of the voting population want this sort of thing at least in Brighton.

      He needs to remember the local paper and cab industry is made up of permanently angry gammons who would never, ever vote Labour.

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      • IanMK
        March 12, 2021 at 12:53 pm
        0

        Too many Labour MPs not

        Too many Labour MPs not supporting progressive policies. Absolutely no logic in his argument. It’s just covert victim blaming. A driver that is triggered by the site of a cycle lane should not be behind a wheel.  Translate this to another current topic; would he think it okay for a man to get angry with policies introduced to protect women from abuse from men? 

        Exactly why I won’t be voting Labour.

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        • Jenova20
          March 12, 2021 at 3:16 pm
          0

          IanMK wrote:

          Too many Labour MPs not supporting progressive policies. Absolutely no logic in his argument. It’s just covert victim blaming. A driver that is triggered by the site of a cycle lane should not be behind a wheel.  Translate this to another current topic; would he think it okay for a man to get angry with policies introduced to protect women from abuse from men? 

          Exactly why I won’t be voting Labour.

          — IanMK

          The Baroness in question doesn’t have an issue with discriminating against men to favour women. This is the usual anti-male knee jerk reaction, and it’s ridiculous since men are by far the majority of assault victims. We already have many biased laws targeting men and benefiting women, and this will only get worse while decision making by successive Governments is gyno-centric and anti-male.

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          • EddyBerckx
            March 12, 2021 at 6:17 pm
            0

            Jenova20 wrote:

            Too many Labour MPs not supporting progressive policies. Absolutely no logic in his argument. It’s just covert victim blaming. A driver that is triggered by the site of a cycle lane should not be behind a wheel.  Translate this to another current topic; would he think it okay for a man to get angry with policies introduced to protect women from abuse from men? 

            Exactly why I won’t be voting Labour.

            — Jenova20

            The Baroness in question doesn’t have an issue with discriminating against men to favour women. This is the usual anti-male knee jerk reaction, and it’s ridiculous since men are by far the majority of assault victims. We already have many biased laws targeting men and benefiting women, and this will only get worse while decision making by successive Governments is gyno-centric and anti-male.

            — IanMK

             

            you are either on drugs or have a tiny dick. 
             

            possibly both.

          • Compact Corned Beef
            March 12, 2021 at 7:54 pm
            0

            Please, please tell me you’re

            Please, please tell me you’re being sarcastic. 

          • Simon E
            March 12, 2021 at 8:43 pm
            0

            Jenova20 wrote:

            This is the usual anti-male knee jerk reaction, and it’s ridiculous since men are by far the majority of assault victims. We already have many biased laws targeting men and benefiting women, and this will only get worse while decision making by successive Governments is gyno-centric and anti-male.

            — Jenova20I’ve not seen recent figures but traditionally yes, young men are the group most likely to be victims of assault. The vast majority of those assaults are carried out by other men.

            But that doesn’t negate the fact that women are too often being assaulted, raped and murdered by men.

            And your comments suggest that you simply have no clue about what it’s like to be a lone woman on the street, public transport, anywhere. This twitter thread provides a very revealing perspective that you may be unaware of.

            As for biased laws, I can’t imagine you’re talking about any laws in the UK, a country dominated in so many ways by middle-aged and older white men. You should spend a bit more time outside that male-only cave you’ve been hiding in.

      • Muddy Ford
        March 12, 2021 at 5:26 pm
        0

        The comments in the argus are

        The comments in the argus are very similar to other rags regarding cycle lanes. A group of people so angry about anything cycling related. Having read quite a few of these I have come to the conclusion that they are all cabbies comments. Angry fat bastards who spend their entire day shouting at other road users might feel their business is being taken away from them as people choose to use bikes instead of cabs.

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    • Rick_Rude
      March 12, 2021 at 12:01 pm
      0

      Decent R5 turbos were hard

      Decent R5 turbos were hard enough to find in the 90s never mind now. Idiots would try and ram 2 bar boost through them and grenade them or they became bodykit victims and never recovered. I haven’t seen one for years now I come to think about it. You’re more likely to see a Sinclair C5. 

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      • Secret_squirrel
        March 12, 2021 at 12:17 pm
        0

        Funnily enough I saw my first

        Funnily enough I saw my first one of these in probably 2 decades, blatting past me up a local hill last week.   Looked minty too.

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      • AlsoSomniloquism
        March 12, 2021 at 8:57 pm
        0

        Quote:

         You’re more likely to see a Sinclair C5.

        I can see one of those quite easily on my rides.
         

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    • brogs
      March 12, 2021 at 12:11 pm
      0

      EK Spinner wrote:

      MP Peter Kyle, seriously, when did you last see a Renault 5, never mind a “souped up” one, any still existing high perormance R5s are now very cherised classics and it would seem very unlikly that the owner would start using it a battering ram.

      Start your story with unbelievable rants and the rest is just mince

      — EK Spinner

      In fairness there’s one just round the corner from me usually parked in the street. A rather cool gen 2 in silver. A few roads up there’s a Renault 4, used daily. Not really the point of the article but he may well be absolutely right about the car. 

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    • Dicklexic
      March 12, 2021 at 3:17 pm
      0

      Indeed! According to

      Indeed! According to howmanyleft.co.uk there are just under 800 Renault 5s left on the road, with the Turbo being the most ‘common’ at just 287 examples. Like you say, it’s very likely that they are all cherised and well looked after, not deliberately trashed on road furniture.

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    • giff77
      March 12, 2021 at 3:29 pm
      0

      My immediate thought. There’s

      My immediate thought. There’s no way somebody owning a classic (5’s ceased in 1995 I think) would ram wands. Causing damage to body work or spin their tyres. They tend to drive in a sedate manner showing off their vehicle. There’s a Mark1 Escort and an Austin Elevenhundred my way. Both in pristine condition and both driven with utmost care. The Escort has a roll cage and spec’d as a rally car

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      • Compact Corned Beef
        March 12, 2021 at 7:59 pm
        0

        Renault 5, Lancia Delta or

        Renault 5, Lancia Delta or Audi Quattro?

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  9. brooksby
    March 12, 2021 at 12:11 pm
    0

    I’m of the opinion that the

    I’m of the opinion that the bendy wands used by many councils (I’m looking at you, Bristol City Council!) need to be replaced by rigid concete or metal posts/bollards.

    Something that will do damage to a motor vehicle which hits it, and which cannot be simply unscrewed and lifted out of the way so that someone can park “where they always used to”.

    Paint it hi-viz orange, problem sorted!

     

    (The one lesson that I’ve learned from all the pop-up cycle lanes here is how badly many people drive – if I’m generous and assume it’s accidental, then a great many people find it absolutely impossible not to hit bright orange plastic wands)

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    • Sriracha
      March 12, 2021 at 2:01 pm
      0

      brooksby wrote:

      I’m of the opinion that the bendy wands used by many councils (I’m looking at you, Bristol City Council!) need to be replaced by rigid concete or metal posts/bollards.

      — brooksby

      Like these ones?
      “A cyclist needed surgery after breaking his elbow when he fell onto the concrete base of a bollard brought in as part of Edinburgh’s Spaces for People scheme.”
      https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/edinburgh-cyclist-needed-surgery-after-crash-dangerous-base-temporary-cycle-lane-bollard-3113781

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    • hawkinspeter
      March 12, 2021 at 2:27 pm
      0

      Bristol tried using concrete

      Bristol tried using concrete “tombstones” along Clarence Rd (by the river) but took them out due to the number of cars driving into them.

      More details here: http://bristol.mag-uk.org/Tombstones.htm

      That Labour MP is an utter cockwomble. If you’re cycling along in a cycle lane and a motorist starts acting aggressively, why on earth would you blame the cycling facilities for that? It’s like blaming ethnic groups for the violence carried out by the KKK.

      I’d like to see some monitoring cams put up to protect the flexy-bollards and anyone caught deliberately knocking them down gets a one year driving ban.

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      • brooksby
        March 12, 2021 at 3:38 pm
        0

        Yup: I remember those

        Yup: I remember those concrete things, hawkinspeter <face-palm>  There’s a wonderful photo on the internet somewhere of somebody’s car marooned on top of one, IIRC.

        I guess I’m trying to think my way around what to do to actually protect the cycle lanes short of laying proper kerbs (which (1) councils cannot afford to do, and (2) we know also don’t really work because scaffolders park in them).

        Clearly, the wobbly plastic ones don’t work.

        Clearly, concrete tombstones don’t work.

        (and Sriracha has brought up failings in having steel rebar down the middle of the plastic ones).

        So what do we do?

        Lines of tethered kittens? (because nobody would drive over a tethered kitten)

        Horses?(because motorists seem to give them more room than they do cyclists).

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        • grOg
          March 13, 2021 at 3:05 am
          0

          It’s difficult.. whatever

          It’s difficult.. whatever solution, it won’t suit everyone; like the steel cables used to separate high speed roadways, to prevent motor vehicles that lose control from running into oncoming traffic, which are very bad for motorcyclists that crash into the cables.

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      • mdavidford
        March 13, 2021 at 3:48 pm
        0

        hawkinspeter wrote:

        Bristol tried using concrete “tombstones” along Clarence Rd (by the river) but took them out due to the number of cars driving into them.

        — hawkinspeter

        That doesn’t seem like a reason to remove them. It seems like an excellent way to take people who probably shouldn’t be driving in the first place off the roads, at least temporarily.

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        • hawkinspeter
          March 13, 2021 at 4:09 pm
          0

          mdavidford wrote:

          Bristol tried using concrete “tombstones” along Clarence Rd (by the river) but took them out due to the number of cars driving into them.

          — mdavidford

          That doesn’t seem like a reason to remove them. It seems like an excellent way to take people who probably shouldn’t be driving in the first place off the roads, at least temporarily.

          — hawkinspeter

          I agree, but there’s other issues with the “tombstones”. The MAG link (which happened to be the best link that I found) cites issues with the height being dangerous for motorcycle’s foot pegs and it could easily cause problems for cyclists clipping them with pedals too. The colour isn’t a great contrast either and although they have reflective bits on them, they get obscured with road dirt etc.

          We don’t want road furniture to be dangerous to anyone even if it’s drivers being careless though obviously some fixtures have to be a bit more robust (e.g. traffic lights, lamp posts). If there’s a problem with deliberate sabotage, then I think that law enforcement is the correct way to deal with it.

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  10. brooksby
    March 12, 2021 at 12:17 pm
    0

    Quote:

    “It has sucked in residents who have no interest in a public fight. They … now feel the need to enter battle riled, angry and feeling like victims. 

    I feel that some of his contituents are maybe taking their driving (or their parking) a bit too seriously…

     

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    • eburtthebike
      March 12, 2021 at 1:03 pm
      0

      brooksby wrote:

      “It has sucked in residents who have no interest in a public fight. They … now feel the need to enter battle riled, angry and feeling like victims. 

      — brooksby

      I feel that some of his contituents are maybe taking their driving (or their parking) a bit too seriously…

      Well, one of them anyway.  I wonder if this people’s representative makes all his decisions based on the single idiot he sees physically destroying what the rest want?  I had to check that he wasn’t a tory, but is there much difference now?

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  11. Steve K
    March 12, 2021 at 12:22 pm
    0

    Pretty sure that hoover joke

    Pretty sure that hoover joke is one of Tim Vine’s.  Which makes a change from his brother featuring on the live blog.

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    • Sriracha
      March 12, 2021 at 1:55 pm
      0

      Yes, it was Tim Vine with the
      Yes, it was Tim Vine with the funniest joke of the Edinburgh Fringe 2014. I did include a link.

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  12. Secret_squirrel
    March 12, 2021 at 12:24 pm
    0

    I’m unconvinced the MP was

    I’m unconvinced the MP was ever in that position.  If so taking the position that it was somehow the Councils fault that some numpty made a concious choice to drive in a dangerous and illegal manner beggars belief. 

    By his logic it would be the councils fault if I keyed a car that stopped me filtering to the front at the traffic lights.   Or the DVLA’s for registering so many cars on the road in the first place.   

    Total cockwomble.

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  13. NPlus1Bikelights
    March 12, 2021 at 1:26 pm
    0

    Concrete or metal wands will

    Concrete or metal wands will stop that battle.

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    • Awavey
      March 12, 2021 at 2:24 pm
      0

      You’ve read the car crashes
      You’ve read the car crashes into building thread in the forum ?

      It’s bad enough riding these often narrow constrained bollard lanes thinking theres a steel pole hidden in the plastic cover (other bollards may vary in design,but ours definitely do) ready to impale me if I fall into them, I really dont want my knees to be near things made of concrete or metal

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  14. Mungecrundle
    March 12, 2021 at 3:32 pm
    0

    Is the MP suggesting that we
    Is the MP suggesting that we base policy decisions on which side of the argument can gather the most persuasive angry mob?

    I’m not sure that is going to work out too well when the angry yobbo realises that he can make a greater contribution to the debate by physically attacking his local politicians than directing his ire at a safety bollard.

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    • brooksby
      March 12, 2021 at 4:06 pm
      0

      Mungecrundle wrote:

      Is the MP suggesting that we base policy decisions on which side of the argument can gather the most persuasive angry mob?

      — Mungecrundle

      Well, it worked for Bre***, didn’t it?

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      • Rich_cb
        March 12, 2021 at 5:50 pm
        0

        Hasn’t worked since though…
        Hasn’t worked since though…

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  15. RoubaixCube
    March 12, 2021 at 4:00 pm
    0

    “Prolific bike thief banned

    “Prolific bike thief banned from stations’ cycle facilities”

    Yeah, If they were willing to steal peoples kit, I dont think being banned from any premises or private properties will stop them coming back.

    Only thing you can do is hire more security to patrol the area but even then its not a 100% rock solid deterent and many thieves will come back even if they have been arrested and spent a night in the cells. I say this having worked in retail for a long time and witnessed the same people come back again and again to steal even if they had been caught and picked up by the police.

    If theyve already been inside for theft, what makes you think they are going to care about being inside for tresspassing? 

    —-

    You could stick a GPS tag on his leg and make him follow a strict curfew but it wont stop him. 

    Want to stop theft? get tough on crime. Going to jail isnt a deterent and it hasnt been a deterent for a long long time.

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    • AlsoSomniloquism
      March 12, 2021 at 9:03 pm
      0

      Whilst I suspect you are

      Whilst I suspect you are right, the banning order at least allows the Police or security to arrest the man if they do see him around as without the order, they couldn’t do anything unless he actually stole another bike. 

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  16. GMBasix
    March 12, 2021 at 4:16 pm
    0

    Sometimes, Peter Kyle, your

    Sometimes, Peter Kyle, your job is not to represent people. Sometimes your job is to represent and explain sensible policy to people too dangerous to be allowed out without a carer.

    What an absolute waste of a Commons seat.  Evidence of the fact that you don’t need any qualifications to be an MP.

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  17. Bmblbzzz
    March 12, 2021 at 5:21 pm
    0

    That Oxford bike lane with

    That Oxford bike lane with those barriers. I don’t know quite what the story is here, but a slalom like that is a sure-fire way to create conflict between pavement users, while also disadvantaging everyone with a cycle that’s longer or wider than “standard”, as well as anyone in a wheel chair or pushing pram. Well done Oxford!

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    • AlsoSomniloquism
      March 12, 2021 at 9:02 pm
      0

      It has been covered in

      It has been covered in previous articles that the barriers were to stop cyclists from going down the normal route as they have to divert the pavement and make it peds only due to the size. However it seems the Uni only decided to do the barriers and the no cyclists sign and not the more helpful “Cyclists join carriageway” sign they promised is there, honest guv.

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  18. ktache
    March 12, 2021 at 9:09 pm
    0

    FGF on Singletrack had these

    FGF on Singletrack had these Handske Joe Burt Limited Edition Lightweight Gloves

    Sold out now…

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review
1

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Obed’s TTR is a drop bar MTB built for ‘gravel riders living on the edge’
Obed’s TTR is a drop bar MTB built for ‘gravel riders living on the edge’
tech news
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Drop bar MTBs hit the mainstream as Canyon unveils revamped Exceed cross-country bike
Drop bar MTBs hit the mainstream as Canyon unveils revamped Exceed cross-country bike
tech news
1
Argon 18 says the all new Anti Matter is the ultimate carbon aero race bike… for gravel!
Argon 18 says the all new Anti Matter is the ultimate carbon aero race bike… for gravel!
We catch up with Argon 18’s Product Director, Alex Côté, who explains why the brand’s new Anti Matter is a uniquely no-compromise, aero-informed, carbon gravel race bike.
feature
2
POC’s new Barocon helmet “defies conventional thinking” to appease modern downhill riders… but it’s the most expensive full facer we’ve ever seen
POC’s new Barocon helmet “defies conventional thinking” to appease modern downhill riders… but it’s the most expensive full facer we’ve ever seen
New helmet claims to bring 'new ideas' for safety, weight, ventilation and materials, but is it worth its £730 price tag?
tech news
0
SDG Open Core Thrice Grips
SDG Open Core Thrice Grips
The best grips at this price point, though it would be nice to see more sizes
review
0
The Reserve 48/53 GR gravel wheelset is built to blend Tour de France aerodynamics with World Cup XC capability
The Reserve 48/53 GR gravel wheelset is built to blend Tour de France aerodynamics with World Cup XC capability
New aero hoops from Reserve get super wide widths, deep profiles and interesting Hollow Hook design
tech news
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Do gravel bikes really benefit from suspension and dropper posts?
Do gravel bikes really benefit from suspension and dropper posts?
We dive into the details of the controversial topic of suspension components on gravel bikes. Are they actually any good?
feature
10
Abus Targon Mips
Abus Targon Mips
Super easy chinguard fettling, if heavy in open-face mode and narrow for its size
review
0

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“A false understanding of the law”: Labour MP demands BBC amends ‘e-bike injury payouts’ article that failed to mention £110m in claims all involved illegal bikes
“A false understanding of the law”: Labour MP demands BBC amends ‘e-bike injury payouts’ article that failed to mention £110m in claims all involved illegal bikes
news
9
Are e-bikes about to get safer and cheaper thanks to sodium-ion batteries? A Cambridge-based startup has come up with a salty new solution
Are e-bikes about to get safer and cheaper thanks to sodium-ion batteries? A Cambridge-based startup has come up with a salty new solution
tech news
7
Moustache Xroad FS 6
Moustache Xroad FS 6
Comfortable, powerful, high quality e-bike to ride wherever and whenever you want
review
1
Wimbledon parking chaos, Ant McPartlin’s Lime bike rage, free Santander Sunday rides + more
Wimbledon parking chaos, Ant McPartlin’s Lime bike rage, free Santander Sunday rides + more
This week we're covering parking panic at Wimbledon, the return of TFL's free Cycle Sundays, and an unusually sensible e-biking decision on the other side of the Atlantic
feature
0
Is this the electric cargo bike of the future, now? A first ride on the Tarran L1s that may just revolutionise carrying stuff by bike
Is this the electric cargo bike of the future, now? A first ride on the Tarran L1s that may just revolutionise carrying stuff by bike
It's fair to say Richard has been rather impressed with the pre-production Tarran L1s that he managed to get his hands on. Read on for all the details and an early verdict
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1
Avinox-powered Nukeproof Kilowatt launches in time for Eurobike… and prices start at just £3,999
Avinox-powered Nukeproof Kilowatt launches in time for Eurobike… and prices start at just £3,999
Just in time for the entrance at Eurobike to open and, hopefully, accept 1000’s of eager cycling industry people and press, Nukeproof has uncovered its latest model, and yes, it's an e-bike, and YES it has THAT motor!
tech news
0
Avinox’s MG Concept brings CVT-style gears to an e-MTB motor
Avinox’s MG Concept brings CVT-style gears to an e-MTB motor
Avinox is at it again, but its concept motor looks like quite the leap compared to current models
tech news
0
A new do-it-all e-bike from Amflow, Halfords profits soar, New Jersey latest to attempt bike licensing and registration system + more
A new do-it-all e-bike from Amflow, Halfords profits soar, New Jersey latest to attempt bike licensing and registration system + more
This week we're looking at three intriguing new e-bikes, poring over Halfords' healthy profit margins, and heading stateside for some disappointing yet typical bike licensing news (will they ever learn?)
feature
1

Latest Comments

Sriracha 7 hours ago

Just call them electric motorbikes, or e-motorbikes. Stick a battery in a car and your still a motorist, but stick a battery in a motorbike and suddenly you're a cyclist - why?

in: “A false understanding of the law”: Labour MP demands BBC amends ‘e-bike injury payouts’ article that failed to mention £110m in claims all involved illegal bikes
Chris RideFar 8 hours ago

Note: These saddles might not work for you if you don't meet all of these requirements: A. Ride at least 30 hours per week. B. Have a minimal amount of your weight on the saddle because 1) your bars are super-low for maximum aerodynamics, 2) you're pushing 300+ watts into the pedals most of the day, 3) you weigh at most 65 kg. If these things aren't true for you, then you should ignore what saddles pro' riders are using and find something that's more appropriate for your type of riding style, frequency and physique.

in: What saddles are the pros using at the 2026 Tour de France? It’s 3D-printing and cutouts galore as we look at what the fastest riders are sitting on
Simon Withers 8 hours ago

The last competitive cycling event I entered also happened to be a warm-up for the Paris Paralympics for Sarah Storey. She had the quickest time in a 10-mile time trial. It's fair to say I didn't trouble the leaders' board (something of an understatement...). A legendary athlete. I'd have Pogačar, though, obvs!

in: “Legend”: Tributes paid to Dame Sarah Storey after 60-time major champion announces retirement; Big Pyrenees mountain stage in the Tour de France + more on the live blog
Rendel Harris 9 hours ago

@ktache Sickening, ain't it? Someone should take him aside and say look mate, you're already pretty much guaranteed GOAT status, do you have to be the coolest and seemingly one of the nicest as well? Didn't go to my predictions today, anyway, I thought he and Jonas would summit Tourmalet together and then Pogacar would take maybe 25-30 seconds on the final climb. He's unpredictable in his predictability, shall we say!

in: Is Tadej Pogačar being unfairly criticised for simply trying to win the Tour de France?
ktache 9 hours ago

It may be a little predictable, but he is magnificent. He even looks good in white shorts...

in: Is Tadej Pogačar being unfairly criticised for simply trying to win the Tour de France?
wtjs 9 hours ago

This is an expensive vacuum flask, and as a water purification system, it's a non-starter compared to: https://www.pureclearfilters.co.uk/filters/ This also deals with viruses

in: Sans Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
Rendel Harris 10 hours ago

@GravelIsNothingNew Just finished watching the whole stage today flag to flag, really enjoyed seeing Pogacar showing us how he thinks winning is irrelevant. Definitely couldn't have cared less about winning, no sir.

in: Is Tadej Pogačar being unfairly criticised for simply trying to win the Tour de France?
chrisonabike 10 hours ago

Unfortunately while we (probably) know what he means, technically if " BBC amends the language in the article so that it refers to ‘illegal e-bikes’ throughout, rather than just ‘e-bikes’ "... ... then they'll still be inaccurate. As (last I checked) it's the use of the machines for riding anywhere other than on private land that is illegal *. ... although that might be good propaganda? Certainly I wouldn't mind at all if there was also more done to steer sellers away from flogging them to the public with nothing but possibly a warning buried on page 94 of the manual. * That is, without them being type-approved. And then assuming that's done and they fall under the motorbike rules getting a suitable licence (driver would need to be old enough), insurance, paying any tax, then riding them *only* in accordance with those rules eg. only on (some) roads always wearing a suitable helmet and having the machine pass MOTs as required ... is this right? Obviously you could still legally use them as eg. a paperweight most places...

in: “A false understanding of the law”: Labour MP demands BBC amends ‘e-bike injury payouts’ article that failed to mention £110m in claims all involved illegal bikes
mdavidford 10 hours ago

Presumably that just reflects what they normally get sent in for review, and this just got reviewed because the maker decided to send it. One of the first few reviews on their site is from someone who uses it for cycling, but they're using it as storage, and then filling bidons from it when they want to use it.

in: Sans Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
Xenophon2 10 hours ago

The technology works, has been in use for decades (e.g. google 'steripen'). That one got me safely through India over a 3-month period. Trust me, it works. The water has to be potable because if flocculent material is present, all bets are off (should be pre filtered first). Also, the liquid has to be clear (transparent to visible light). It works not by outright killing micro-organisms but by damaging their DNA/RNA so they can't replicate anymore. The idea is good but obviously, this has never been developed for on-bike use.

in: Sans Self-Cleaning Water Bottle

Most Popular News

1. “A false understanding of the law”: Labour MP demands BBC amends ‘e-bike injury payouts’ article that failed to mention £110m in claims all involved illegal bikes

2. “Legend”: Tributes paid to Dame Sarah Storey after 60-time major champion announces retirement; Big Pyrenees mountain stage in the Tour de France + more on the live blog

3. No mention of electric motorbikes? Police seize “illegal e-bikes” which can reach 72mph; Le Col write off £8 million in debt; First Minister wants Wales to be “world-leading destination” for cyclo-tourists; Tour de France sprint + more on the live blog

4. “I had a full headache and thought this is going to be a long day”: Cool, calm Tadej Pogačar looking forward to less stress and less media after losing Tour de France lead to breakaway

5. “I don’t really understand cycling anymore”: Geraint Thomas confused by UAE’s Tour de France tactics, but claims Tadej Pogačar “couldn’t care less” about dominance criticism

6. “You scream and shout, but they just chuckle”: Cyclist feels helpless about bike theft in London; E-bikes seized by council to tackle bad parking; Transitional stage set to bring new race leader at Tour de France + more on the live blog

7. “It was a war zone”: Tom Pidcock shocked by ‘hardest ever’ Tour de France heat – but rival sports director says “that’s cycling, you can’t complain about that s***”

8. “Was one of them bad driving?” Newspaper criticised for publishing “8 dangerous cycling mistakes that put people in hospital”; Punchy finale without fans at wildfire-affected Tour de France + more on the live blog

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