Cyclist passes bike lane blocked by cars… in government ad urging people to cycle to avoid “traffic chaos” – as critics say “at least that part of the campaign was realistic”; Colnago’s £2,000 trench coat; Cavendish SPOTY reaction + more on the live blog

As we know all too well on the live blog, Belfast’s cycling network is… disjointed, to say the least.

For instance, campaign groups have long criticised the apparent inaction of Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure when it comes to active travel, arguing that the lack of a joined-up network of bike lanes and evidence that cycling is often an afterthought when it comes to big transport projects has left the country lagging behind the rest of the UK.

> New barriers on infamous ‘car park’ cycle lane vandalised, as councillor calls for “robust” protection “before someone gets seriously hurt”

Last year, Belfast City councillors pointed out that, despite the implementation of the Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan in 2021, only 2.8km of cycle lanes were installed in two years, a lack of delivery branded “incredibly frustrating” and “ridiculous”.

And when it comes to those that have been installed, the clear lack of enforcement against cycle lane car parking has left them often completely blocked by cars and lorries, rendering them – and their, at best, flimsy bollards – completely useless (this bike lane blocking pandemic is set to be featured on an upcoming episode of the podcast in the new year, so keep an eye out for that).

> “If they can’t build cycle lanes, devolve bloody powers to us and we’ll do it”: Belfast Council slams Northern Ireland government’s “joke” delivery of cycling infrastructure – as just 2.8km of bike lanes installed in two years

So, you’ll be shocked to learn that, over the past few months, Belfast has been experiencing what the local papers have referred to as “traffic chaos”, as a city in thrall to the car has become riddled with congestion due to ongoing construction works.

On Monday, infrastructure minister John O’Dowd told the Northern Ireland Assembly that anyone travelling into Belfast by car should “expect congestion”, while retail and hospitality groups are set to meet with O’Dowd today to call for solutions to the current “traffic problems” and argue that there “cannot be a repeat of what has happened these last few months”.

Faced with this backlash, the Department for Infrastructure has spent the past few weeks producing videos encouraging commuters and shoppers to ditch the car for public transport… and yes, even their bike.

“Travelling into work doesn’t always have to involve congestion,” the caption for one of the government body’s cycling-themed videos

“Cycling past the queues of traffic and through the park means Sinead can enjoy her Belfast commute on the way to the office.”

Unfortunately, the DfI failed to note that one of the main cycle lanes used by Sinead, on the Ravenhill Road, is lacking in any form of protection – apart from that all important lick of green paint of course.

Focusing more on the city centre, another video showed Peter – taking part in what one commenter dubbed the ‘transport triathlon’ of car, bus, and bike – riding in some actual protected cycle lanes (well, if you call staggered, flimsy bollards protection, that is).

“Did you get stuck in Belfast city centre traffic yesterday? Take the stress out of your commute on the way to work AND the way home,” the DfI said.

However, while it’s clear the government body’s videographers must have gone to considerable effort to make sure at least one cycle lane was fit for purpose for their film, they missed one important detail – a painted cycle lane packed, as usual, with parked cars, forcing our oblivious DfI employee onto the road.

This alarmingly ironic discrepancy was even picked up by the Sunday Times’ Atticus column at the weekend.

Oops.

“Valiant efforts were clearly made to ensure all the cycle lanes shown were unobstructed by cars — film crews must have had to wait all day for such rare moments,” the columnist said of the DfI’s truth-stretching cycling ad.

“But one lane off Great Victoria Street was so hidden beneath parked vehicles the producers appeared not to realise it was there. They showed a cyclist pedalling past it in the road, oblivious.

“At least that part of the campaign is realistic.”

Meanwhile, local cycling campaign group Cycul also pointed out a few problems with the DfI’s call for commuters to park, ride, and cycle.

“For clarity, Translink don’t allow standard bikes on trains before 9.30am and only on Goldliner buses if there is space available,” the group said on Facebook.

“The Brompton Bicycle featured is the most portable folder and goes on all buses and trains (price ~£1,200), and Peter could have cycled to his car if his Department had built the Belfast Bike Network.”

Ouch, that one’s going to sting.

It’s new kit reveal day at the Ineos Grenadiers, and you’d almost get the sense that the British squad – mired in poor results and controversy, following the recent departure of Tom Pidcock – want to convey a business-as-usual, nothing to see here approach, such is the lack of change on the design front:

 

 

 

 

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The ‘thin white line’ at the back is the one major change it seems (last year’s reddish orange stripe faded into the overall look more), and appears something of a throwback to the team’s glory years in the early 2010s.

Hopefully that doesn’t also mean a return to TUE sagas and jiggy bags too, of course.

In any case, fair play to Josh Tarling – who may well inherit Pidcock’s mantle as Ineos’ bright young British hope – for turning up to the kit launch photoshoot rocking a pair of hairy legs:

Proper winter training vibes.

A few weeks after cycling campaigners accused Hackney Council of “giving up any leadership on being a leading cycling borough” by rejecting a plan that would lead to a safer cycling environment at Pembury Circus junction, the local authority is now working with Transport for London on new proposals to make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle in and around Shoreditch.

According to TfL, the plans would see the creation of new, high-quality crossings for both cyclists and pedestrians, alongside more footway space to help people travel sustainably and tackle road danger.

> “Dishonest and farcical”: Campaigners accuse council of rejecting “safer” cycling infrastructure plans as it will be “too difficult” for pedestrians to cross two-metre cycle path

TfL's latest data shows that in the three-year period up to 30 June 2024, there were 14 collisions at the junction of Great Eastern Street with Curtain Road, including one fatal collision involving a pedestrian in 2022. There were also six serious collisions at the junction, four involving a cyclist and two involving a pedestrian.

The planned changes would help to tackle this inherent danger by adding new cyclist and pedestrian crossings at the junction, and restricting two left turns for motorised vehicles, “reducing the collision risk for cyclists”, TfL says.

Advanced stop lines up to 7.5m deep, to allow people cycling to get ahead of vehicles at the traffic lights, are also included in the plans.

Announcing the proposals, and inviting locals to engage in a public consultation on the changes to the junction, which will run until 10 February 2025, Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: ”These junctions are among the most dangerous junctions in London, with 14 collisions taking place in a three-year period to June 2024 - one that killed a pedestrian.

“The Mayor and TfL are committed to investing in work to improve safety at some of London's most dangerous and intimidating junctions, and these proposals will make it safer and easier for Londoners to walk and cycle in the area. 

“We want to hear what Londoners think of these proposals, so please do have your say before February 10th.”

Meanwhile, Sarah Young, Hackney Council’s cabinet member for climate change, environment, and transport, added: “More people cycle in Hackney than any other part of London, so we’re pleased to be supporting TfL to make Shoreditch an easier place to cycle, as well as wheel and walk.

“As one of the busiest parts of the borough throughout the day and evening, these proposals are a big boost to our own ambitions to make Hackney’s streets greener and healthier.”

It was wall to wall legends – and top contenders for ‘Ryan’s Dream Dinner Party’ – on BBC Breakfast on Friday morning:

 

 

 

 

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If Sir Chris – who said he was thrilled to meet Mr Mortimer, his comedy hero, on the show – isn’t on the next series of Gone Fishing, or on a special cycling-themed episode of Geordie Heat, I’ll be fuming.

 

 

 

 

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To be honest, I’d be buzzing – after about five years of constant practice – to just make it to the bin…

> Driver dies after crashing into group of cyclists during Australian gravel race, with one cyclist killed and three injured

A week on from breaking his right hip after sliding out on a railway crossing while cycling in Hombeek, Eddy Merckx has revealed more rather sobering details about what he branded a “stupid” crash, which left him lying stricken and helpless on the tracks, unable to move and fearful that a train would soon arrive.

On Tuesday, doctors in Herentals performed a total hip replacement for what they described as a “common fracture”, with a statement from the hospital confirming that a “full recovery is expected” for the greatest male cyclist of all time.

And while he will be able to get back on his bike in a matter of weeks, the 79-year-old Belgian legend told VTM Nieuws that he will never cycle alone again in the wake of his frightening crash.

> “Next time I will ride with two training wheels”: Eddy Merckx feeling “much better” after undergoing successful hip replacement surgery following “stupid” fall off bike

“During my bike ride, it suddenly started to drizzle,” Merckx told the Belgian media outlet. “I slid [at a railway crossing – ed.] with my rear wheel. I fell right on my right thigh and knew immediately that it was a fracture.

“I was panicking, because I was lying on the train tracks. I did signs, but at first no one came to help. I couldn’t straighten up.

“In the end, I was helped by a motorcyclist and two other people also came to the rescue. Okay, the barriers were open at that time. But you never know if they suddenly close.”

(A.S.O./Pauline Ballet)

Last week’s crash and surgery came nine months after the five-time Tour de France winner was also forced to endure an emergency operation for a bowel obstruction, after waking up in serious pain.

So it’s no surprise to learn that Merckx will be glad to see the back of 2024.

“It was a bad year, indeed. If one and a half meters of intestine is removed… something like that leaves traces,” he said.

“I feel more tired because of that. As far as I am concerned, it may soon be 2025. So that I can put that bad year behind me.”

Nevertheless, Tuesday’s hip replacement proved a success, with Merckx able to walk with a crutch almost immediately, and told he can begin cycling again in “just a few weeks”.

“Gradually we will build up so that I can start cycling again,” the rider known as the Cannibal said. “Because I’m going to keep doing that. I’m determined about that.

“But not alone anymore, I have learned that lesson now. From now on always in company.”

In case you missed it yesterday…

> Cycling short distances instead of driving could save million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, transport charity says