Cyclist stops for red light... nearly gets taken out by light-jumping driver behind; 'Keen cyclist' Anthony Browne the government's new cycling and walking czar; Cock Lane to Dick Place epic ride; Win the Tour on Heinz sachets? + more on the live blog

Let's finish the day with this video from Righttobikeit, the Irish rider documenting typical life as a cycle commuter. Today's clip is about red lights, a hot discussion topic on the old interwebs... although this one might be a bit of a twist on the classic ranty person complaining about cyclists riding through red lights because of 'safety issues', while also being very quiet about other dangers...

Question: Should cyclists stop for orange light?
Answer: it doesn’t matter. The driver behind will try take you out either way pic.twitter.com/YbWhUeNkbL

— Righttobikeit 🇺🇦 (@righttobikeit) November 14, 2023

In fact, Righttobikeit says he "gets them daily at this stage" and "just rarely posts them". Case in point, number two...

I get them daily at this stage. I just rarely post them pic.twitter.com/gEghsA2hbM

— Righttobikeit 🇺🇦 (@righttobikeit) November 14, 2023

Surprise surprise though, some of the reaction to the video has centred around his riding, one person claiming he shouldn't have stopped as it was "unsafe to do so". "That's asking to get hit from behind. You should have proceeded through without delay. It's also unlikely the car could have stopped safely". I'm sensing a Schrödinger's cyclist: red light edition.

Thankfully that appears to be a minority view, plenty pointing out the driver being unable to stop is more to do with their own excessive speed and lack of stopping distance behind a vulnerable road user.

a) That's nonsense. That was a perfectly normal bike stop.
b) If the lad behind him couldn't stop in time, it was because he wasn't maintaining the requisite safe distance.

— Jaïme Hyland 🚴‍♂️... 💙+💛= 💚 (@aggressie) November 14, 2023

Before any driverists get involved, amber means stop and it was "STOP" all the way back here. ✋ pic.twitter.com/SU4s7072wo

— Bob (@Cycling_Bob) November 14, 2023 

We are pleased to welcome Anthony Browne MP @AnthonyBrowneMP who has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Transport.⁰⁰#Reshuffle pic.twitter.com/Gz4Ib1iQu3

— Department for Transport (@transportgovuk) November 14, 2023

It's fair to say the self-professed 'keen cyclist' title is often met with suspicion, especially when the person doing the self-professing has a sudden and particularly strong view on a cycling-related debate or, in this case, has been appointed as the Minister for Decarbonisation of Transport & the Future of Transport at the Department for Transport, a role under which active travel is well within their remit.

Are you actually a cyclist or are the words a hollow attempt to gain trust? Perhaps I'm overly cynical, but all remains to be seen as Anthony Browne — you guessed it, a keen cyclist according to his website — takes over the role from Jesse Norman.

In an out-of-date post on his website, Browne says "cycling has a significant role to play in tackling some of the biggest health and environmental challenges that we face" before going on to cite the now-cut active travel budget as proof of the government's support...

> High Court grants legal challenge to government's cycling funding cuts – as ministers forced to concede they were aware of "devastating" impact of decision to slash active travel budget

The reaction to the appointment has been mixed, Cycling UK saying it "looks forward to working" together and expressing a "hope that he'll support the policies and funding" that will enable people to choose to walk and cycle short local journeys.

"We hope the new minister will be able to re-establish the positive rhetoric on our transport options, and ensure we're maximising the economic, health and environmental benefits there are in having a sustainable transport network that facilitates choice in how we move around," Cycling UK's chief executive Sarah Mitchell said.

CamCycle, the campaign group for cycling in Cambridge, added that it hopes to see the South Cambridgeshire MP using his background in the city to "refocus government policies and funding on its ambitious cycling goals".

So what does the man himself have to say? Commenting on his appointment to the role that will require him to oversee electric cars, autonomous vehicles, active travel, e-scooters, sustainable aviation, and maritime and rail decarbonisation, Browne said he is "thrilled".

"I am thrilled to be appointed to this dynamic and challenging brief. Having worked closely with the government and others advocating for local transport projects like the A428 rebuild, I am excited to take on this packed portfolio," he said.

"Electric and autonomous vehicles, active travel, and sustainable practices in aviation and maritime are not just about technology; they’re about improving people’s lives and preserving our environment for future generations."

A brief scan of social media suggests the jury is still out on this one, one commenter saying they "could weep" and comparing putting Browne in charge of decarbonisation to "like putting Genghis Khan in charge of peace negotiations". Another less optimistic review below...

With his stanch support of private motor vehicle trips I can see no issue with @AnthonyBrowneMP appointment to Minister for Decarbonisation of Transport. Grim.https://t.co/V2yEiVukGx

— Cycling Dad (@CyclingDadUK) November 15, 2023

Let the fun begin... 

> Global Cycling Network set to close GCN+ and GCN app in December due to "changing media industry landscape"

> Gifts for cyclists under £50 2023 — the best affordable Christmas presents for the cyclist in your life

We've been in touch with the Metropolitan Police regarding yesterday's story...

> 'Police' scold cyclist riding with pet cat in basket for not wearing a helmet after moped rider knocks them off bike

The force confirmed the car that stopped at the scene, and woman who offered helmet advice were police. Interestingly, the comment includes the claim the footage is "heavily edited" and calls for all road users to be "mindful and abide by the Highway Code".

You can read the full update and comment here...

Feel free to skip to avoid all Elon Musk mentions...

Why would someone stick their bicycle in a refrigerator? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/nHGSawuf98

— Christopher David (@Tazerface16) November 15, 2023

This post about the Tesla 'Cybertruck' is getting plenty of attention. What is a Cybertruck I hear you ask? Well, according to Tesla it's got "better utility than a truck with more performance than a sports car". (Apparently, punctuation doesn't exist in Elon's world)...

Anyway, this photo of the Spesh mountain bike unable to fit in the back, (and questionably stored for avoiding damaging your frame, might I add) got people chuckling, a few comments to the effect of 'you might as well save yourself the trouble of having to own and be seen using one of these by just riding the bike'. Just an idea... and you'll get no arguments from us...

The bike is really practical, driver can use it to finish their ride to work when the truck gets stuck on a speed bump.

— Support Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@neoblaque) November 15, 2023

The bike's the spare so he can get home when the Tesla breaks down.

— T-Rex Arms (@KathyMcQ1) November 15, 2023

pic.twitter.com/hP0htUzDSN

— The Voice of Reason (@stophurtingusa) November 15, 2023

Kudos at the ready... 

 Wallets too if you fancy applauding this monster day (and a bit) in the saddle with a donation to the University of Edinburgh group's Movember fundraiser, which has already racked up more than £5,000 for the charity through this amusing (but more than a bit barmy) ride.

In total, 667km from Cock Lane in London to Dick Place in Edinburgh, setting off on Saturday morning before eventually rolling back into the Scottish capital's phallic finish line on Sunday afternoon. Just the 28 hours moving time, 4,800m of climbing, 36 hours elapsed time, and 24km/h average. A truly girthy day out.

Speaking to MyLondon about the erectile epic, Alex Mutter said the idea came via a meme that was doing the rounds, showing the "ultimate road trip across the UK through all sexual innuendo-named places"... "we thought it was perfect for a Movember route so decided on Cock Lane to Dick Place to help raise awareness".

"When I've told people what we're doing, the main response I get it is people asking where are you staying along the week, that will be fun doing a week of cycling. We've had to say no we're going in one go, people don't get that we're going all in one go.

"Seeing two sunrises and two sunsets in one ride was pretty surreal. We were all very emotional, this group have done a couple of challenges together but this one seemed like something special.

"It was very emotional at the finishing line - we all knew it was the hardest challenge we'd done mentally and physically so seeing each other having finished it was really something special."

Chapeau... (cue the penis-related puns in the comments)...