“Hi-vis and lights make chuff-all difference if drivers don’t look”: Cyclist “glad I wore my most visible protection” after motorist pulls out – but rider accused of “steaming on”; Tom Pidcock’s mum behind Vuelta ceremony; Bike ban + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
“I have no idea whether they would or would not agree to that. That’s currently the only suggestion I would have for a relatively quick, partial, and undoubtedly imperfect, way of moving thing forward”
In case you missed it last night, former UCI head honcho Brian Cookson has weighed in on the Palestine protest debate currently engulfing pro cycling:
> Former UCI president Brian Cookson calls for ban on nation states in cycling team names – as Tour de France Barcelona start in doubt over Israel-Premier Tech protests
“My career has been ups-and-downs. I am looking for that consistent development”: Highly rated British rider Thomas Gloag joins Tom Pidcock’s Q36.5 revolution from Visma-Lease a Bike
Fresh off the back of their breakthrough grand tour podium place at the Vuelta, Q36.5 Pro Cycling’s Tom Pidcock revolution has continued this week, with the Swiss team announcing the signing of another young British rider, Thomas Gloag.
The 24-year-old climber from East Dulwich will make the switch to Q36.5 after three seasons with Visma-Lease a Bike, who he turned pro with in 2023 following an impressive spell at Trinity Racing, where he won a stage of the 2022 Tour de l’Avenir.
Gloag immediately proved his worth at the highest level during his first full season, taking sixth overall and second in a stage of the Volta a La Comunitat Valenciana, before taking another top ten on Jebel Jais, the key summit finish of the UAE Tour, finishing on the same time as Remco Evenepoel and Adam Yates.
After placing 11th overall at the Tour de Romandie, he was drafted in at the last minute to Visma’s Giro squad, becoming a key domestique in the mountains as team leader Primož Roglič secured a last-gasp victory over Geraint Thomas.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
However, his debut season – and much of his second one – was derailed by a fractured kneecap he sustained after being hit by a motorist while on a training ride.
After almost a full year out of action, Gloag took his first, and to date only, pro victory at his first race back, at the 2024 Czech Tour, beating Marc Hirschi on a summit finish. He’s struggled to replicate that form so far this season, but did finish eighth on GC at the Tour Down Under, before finishing second on The Tumble behind Remco Evenepoel at the Tour of Britain.
Bruce Rollinson/SWpix.com
Gloag is the latest rider from these islands to join Pidcock at Q36.5 this transfer window, after Eddie Dunbar and his old VC Londres mate Fred Wright confirmed their moves last month.
“Fred Wright grew up a mile from me in London so it’s nice to be on the same team again,” the 24-year-old said in a statement today.
“The last time was at VC Londres when we were kids. I also look forward to working with Kurt [Bogaerts] again. He has been a great influence in my first U23 year and we always stayed in touch. In that first U23 year with Trinity I also raced with Tom so it will be a reunion for all of us.
“It was so much fun being on a British team like Trinity. There was a lot of ambition. We raced the right way. I see that in Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team as well. It’s not only about the riders but also how you build that new team culture.
“I think many of the components are already there. It’s telling that so many young guys on the team have stepped up this year. It’s a good sign that people are getting better.”
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
He continued: “My career has been ups-and-downs. I was a year out after that accident, and I have struggled with consistency ever since I turned pro.
“There were highs every year so far but also lows with more crashes and an elbow fracture. At Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team I am looking for that consistent development and growth.”
‘But, but, but… They’ll all go back to the Tube when the strikes are over and the cycle lanes will be empty!’
Parliament square cycle lanes busy a week after the tube strikes
— Timothy (@westcountrytim.bsky.social) September 16, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Zwift Academy paused as online cycling platform scraps elite racing to focus on “community racing”
Zwift has confirmed that its Zwift Academy programme has been paused this year, as the online cycling platform revealed that it will be scrapping its elite e-sports events to focus on its “community racing”.
First reported by Escape, the news that there will be no Zwift-organised elite races for the foreseeable future follows a troubling few years for the platform’s racing programme, marred by smart trainer accuracy issues which led to several high-profile riders losing out.
Following the backlash to these issues, the 2024/25 Elite Zwift World Series was abruptly cancelled mid-season, in what could well prove the event’s last hurrah. The upcoming Zwift Games, meanwhile, will not have an elite category, while the UCI Cycling Esports championships will continue to be hosted by MyWhoosh.
That doesn’t mean the end of winter shed racing for most normal Zwift users, however, with the company pointing out that the Zwift Racing League, which was re-launched this week, will continue with improvements to its ranking system and new anti-botting technology.
> Tweed is speed: Virtual Brompton World Championship hits Zwift
Meanwhile, a host of new features, such as a new virtual Brompton World Championships (How will that work? Do you need to unfold your turbo trainer before racing?) and new training tools, will be implemented soon.
“It was always our plan to assess the opportunity for Zwift Games, and the reasons we have decided not to run an Elite competition are the same as the Zwift World Series,” a Zwift spokesperson said.
“We are focusing our efforts on community racing. Zwift has helped bring millions of people into the sport, many of whom would never have tried racing before. However, the sport needs a bigger pool from which to grow viewership and from which new talent can emerge.”
Along with this “bottom up” approach to online cycling, the brand also confirmed this week that its Zwift Academy has been paused for 2025, but is expected to return next year.
The X-Factor-style talent-spotting programme sees thousands of cyclists compete for a pro contract, and has led to previous winners Jay Vine and Neve Bradbury taste success at WorldTour level.
“Zwift Academy has not been cancelled,” the spokesperson added. “The next edition of Zwift Academy will be the 10th anniversary.
“Taking a year out gives us the space we need to properly re-launch the program. We want to make the 10th year the biggest yet, with a clearer focus on talent ID and a better Zwift Academy Finals production as well.”
“Cyclists on pavements aren’t always wrong‘uns”
I’ve never wanted anything more in my life…
Check out this thing of beauty:
Designed to celebrate Bianchi’s 140th anniversary, the new Specialissima RC is partying like its 1998 with a celeste and yellow tribute to the Mega Pro XL that Marco Pantani piloted (or should that be rocketed?) to his epic Giro-Tour double.
A limited edition run of 215 numbered models have been produced by Bianchi to mark the occasion, all equipped with Campagnolo Super Record 13 and “exclusive details that honour the Pirate’s unmistakable style and racing spirit”.
According to the iconic Italian manufacturer, “the Specialissima RC Pantani brings modern performance to a timeless design, uniting heritage and innovation in one of the most exclusive builds ever created”.
Hello, is that Bianchi HQ? I promise I’ve been really good this year…
So, 20mph speed limits actually do make the roads safer for cyclists. Who knew? Everyone, everyone knew (apart from a certain type of motorist, anyway)
> Cyclist casualties down 28% and 900 fewer road injuries since 20mph limit introduced in Wales – but driving instructor still brands change a “total disaster”
Now, this is my kind of Transcontinental ride…
Victor Bossoni, the youngest ever winner of the Transcontinental self-supported ultra-endurance race, crossed the finish line in the Romanian coastal city of Constanța on 7 August.
Bossoni completed the epic 5,000km from Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain to the Black Sea in 10 days, 16 hours, and 38 minutes.
And now, 41 whole days later, there’s still someone out there on the course.
Helen Weatherall, from Ipswich, is the anti-Bossoni, taking the ‘never scratch’ approach to the TCR, enjoying the sights, sounds, and delicacies of Europe along the way and not thinking too much about checkpoints or average speeds.
In fact, Heather’s average for the entire event has been 4.2kph, while her average moving speed is a sprightlier 12.6kph.
She’s spent a total of 17 days on her bike and on the move since setting off last month, and 34 days stopped.
But, as she makes her way through Serbia and Bulgaria this week, she’s instead proved extremely skilled at testing the local wine and soaking in the stunning scenery.
“Feeling a little guilty (not really) for enjoying the TCR so much,” she posted on Instagram two days ago. “‘Cept I’ve suffered plenty – so no apologies.”
No apologies necessary Helen. If you can, why not?
Marginal elegance?
You don’t see too many fancy, aesthetics-first aerobars, like these elegant steel ones made by French artisan brand Terril, knocking about your local club 10:
Yep, I’m down a ‘nice tech’ rabbit hole this afternoon, I can’t help it.
Cycling transfer announcements are getting out of hand, #24
This morning, Visma-Lease a Bike announced the signing of 23-year-old Italian stage racing hopeful Davide Piganzoli, who is set to join the Dutch squad from Polti VisitMalta on a three-year deal.
And they did so by posting a bizarre nostalgia-laden tribute to the good ol’ days of 2002, when – as the team wrote – “iPods and GameBoy Advance were everywhere, people were pinging each other about GTA Vice City, everyone was swapping Panini World Cup stickers or Pokémon cards … and Davide Piganzoli was born.”
Now, I’m a fan of the early noughties as much as anyone else, and maybe I’m just not on the same wavelength as a pro cycling team’s social media specialists, but what’s the point of that?
It’s not like Piganzoli, at 23, is especially young to be a pro cyclist, or the fact he’s born in 2002 is something notable. For goodness’ sake, the Italian’s new Visma teammate Matt Brennan was born on 6 August 2005, 13 days after Lance Armstrong won his seventh and final Tour de France.
I just don’t get it. Also, I’ve been racking my brains all day trying to work out who Ben Venuto is. A new sprinter?
DIY pump track built by children in the 1990s set to be transformed into community cycling hub to encourage kids to ride bikes
Remember all those stories we’ve covered over the years of grumpy residents complaining about children working together to build their own DIY cycling facilities? Well, here’s the antidote to all that anti-cycling grouchiness.
A pump track first built by children in Summerseat, Greater Manchester, back in the 1990s is set to be transformed into a community cycling hub.
The upgrade comes courtesy of the Summerseat Village Collective, with financial backing from Bury Council and the ‘Proffitts: Investing in Communities’ group, with the aim of creating a track fit for all abilities “to boost rider confidence and skills” and making Summerseat Island a “haven for nature, recreation, and serious shredding”.
During the consultation process for the project, which will utilise the existing course, one of the track’s original builders even brought along the drawing they made of the DIY facilities back in 1997.
“We’re thrilled to be working with the community to improve the Summerseat pump track,” Dirt Factory, who specialise in building bike parks, tracks, and trails, said this week.
“Planned work involves reshaping the existing mounds and berms, resurfacing, and adding some signage too.
“We know that by having fun on a bike, everyone can improve their skills, health, well-being, and confidence.
“We can’t wait for people to be able to enjoy this space again, and if anyone is interested in giving biking a go, then this will be a great place to start.”
And while the original track is a product of the area’s 90s kids, the children of 2025 have also pitched in, with pupils from Summerseat Methodist Primary School contributing ideas to the new design.
Emma Speed from the Summerseat Village Collective added: “The renovation of the track is part of a much wider project taking place over several years to improve Summerseat Island and make it more accessible and interesting for visitors.
“We want the site to be a great place for fun and activities, but also a haven for nature and wildlife that everyone can enjoy.”
“There really wasn’t any attention being drawn to anything. It was really about destroying things”
The Vuelta protest fallout rumbles on…
> “I’ve never experienced so much hatred”: Visma boss claims “no noble cause” behind Vuelta protests, as Wout van Aert quietly deletes anti-Israel post
A day of long-range sprints: Arnaud De Lie blasts out of peloton to claim victory at Grand Prix de Wallonie, Romain Grégoire’s stunning effort seals Luxembourg win, Paul Maginer dominates in Slovakia, and Shari Bossuyt bags first win since doping ban
There were lots, and I mean lots, of pro bike racing on this afternoon. And almost all of it was decided by brutal, long-range sprints.
Arnaud de Lie may have endured a tough start to 2025, but the Belgian Bull has been on fire lately, and claimed his fourth victory in under a month today at the Grand Prix de Wallonie, launching early on the drag to the line at the Citadelle de Namur to overhaul attacker Victor Lafay and hold off Emilien Jeannière and Biniam Girmay.
Arrrrnaud De Lie wins #GPWallonie and takes his 5th win of the season! 🐂🚀🔥 pic.twitter.com/cN9dyrDTWB
— Eemeli (@LosBrolin) September 17, 2025
In the women’s edition of the GP Wallonie, Shari Bossuyt was somewhat more measured in her approach to the line, timing her sprint to perfection to beat Karlihn Swinkels and Elisa Balsamo and claim her first victory since her return from a two-year suspension following a positive test for Letrozole.
She’s done it! 👏 Shari Bossuyt picks up a huge win at the Grand Prix de Wallonie 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QZ6ZGr0RrS
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) September 17, 2025
Today also saw the opening stages of the national tours of both Slovakia and Luxembourg.
In Luxembourg, Tour of Britain winner Romain Grégoire, fresh from another uphill sprint victory at Burton Dassett, put in probably the most outrageously long finishing effort you’ll see all year to claim the stage and leader’s jersey.
Despite basically leading the entire bunch out, nobody had the legs to come around the Frenchman, with a ragged Marijn van den Berg forced to settle for second:
Romain Grégoire puts in a massive effort to win the opening stage of the Tour de Luxembourg 🇱🇺 pic.twitter.com/PKMqK49yG6
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) September 17, 2025
What. A. Sprint.
And finally (phew), over at the Tour of Slovakia, Paul Magnier kicked hard with over 200m to go to bag his second win in a row and his seventh of the season:
All the way to the line! 🏁
Paul Magnier wins the opening stage of the Tour of Slovakia 👏 pic.twitter.com/95kSLNwqQF
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) September 17, 2025
I told you there was a lot of racing today.
Council responds to reports of “accidents and near misses” with cyclists in churchyard by scrubbing graffiti from ‘No Cycling’ signs – but drivers are still confused
It’s been over a month since we last featured a local authority making a song and dance about ‘No Cycling’ signs (remember that bizarre bridge debate in Bromley?), so it’s about time another one cropped up.
And this time, it’s Witney Town Council getting involved, after the local authority responded to complaints about near misses and collisions between cyclists and pedestrians in St Mary’s Churchyard… by getting the soap and scrubbing brush out.
“Our team has cleaned the cycle prohibition signs at St Mary’s Churchyard to make it clearer that cycling is not permitted in this area,” the town council posted last week.
“Cyclists should either dismount and walk their bikes through the churchyard or use an alternative route.”
The local authority continued: “While this isn’t directly within the Town Council’s remit, we’ve received feedback from residents about accidents and near misses.
“So, we’ve stepped in to help improve safety and awareness and forwarded concerns to Oxfordshire County Council and the neighbourhood policing team.”
However, Witney’s cleaning operation hasn’t impressed everyone in the West Oxfordshire market town.
“Yes, that will definitely stop them,” one local wrote on social media.
Others, meanwhile, fell victim to the oldest road sign trick in the book.
“To make it properly clear, I’ve always thought there should be a line through the bike,” Eddie said on Facebook, garnering support from a few of his fellow residents on the social media platform.
Luckily, Lewis was on hand to helpfully point out: “That’s the sign for ‘No Cycling’ as specified by the Department for Transport. If anything, else was installed the restriction would be unenforceable.”
Of course, Eddie isn’t the first to get confused when it comes to ‘No Cycling’ signage. As I mentioned earlier, last month Bromley Council installed new ‘No Cycling’ signs on a bridge, ostensibly to ensure the safety of pedestrians using it during refurbishment works.
Except, as plenty of cyclists noted, they didn’t install the proper, DfT and Highway Code-approved ‘No Cycling’ signage – instead inadvertently advising locals that anyone not cycling on the bridge could be prosecuted.
Hold on… Maybe Eddie was actually calling for ‘No No Cycling’ signs in the first place?
“They all came to our hotel, like schoolboys!” Tom Pidcock’s mum behind improvised Vuelta podium ceremony, reveals Jonas Vingegaard
After a tense, controversial Vuelta, Sunday’s unofficial DIY podium ceremony – which saw the riders gather in a car park, in front of a makeshift sponsor backdrop, stand on drinks coolers, and pop sparkling wine likely bought from a corner shop – has captured the imagination of cycling fans, eschewing corporate fanfare for genuine camaraderie and acting as a heartwarming antidote to a tumultuous three weeks on the road.
And it was all Tom Pidcock’s mum’s idea, apparently.
“I think the idea came from Tom Pidcock’s mum,” Vuelta winner Jonas Vingegaard told Domestique, reflecting on the improvised ‘ceremony’.
“And then they grabbed it and said, ‘Okay, then we arrange it.’ They were in different hotels, and then they all came to our hotel, like schoolboys.
“We had to keep it a bit of a secret, otherwise the protestors would come. And also Matthew [Riccitello, who rides for Israel-Premier Tech] had to get the white jersey, of course, so I guess we had to keep it a bit of a secret.”
The three-time grand tour winner continued: “I was just very disappointed that we couldn’t go to Madrid and do the celebration there.
“But actually it was a super nice way of celebrating it. It was way smaller and way more intimate in some kind of ways. So it was really a nice celebration. Actually it was a lot nicer than I thought it would be.
“Because also it shows that in cycling we can actually stand together and get something like, ‘Okay, we want to do something together.’ And maybe not only there, but actually in the whole race with all these protests, for once as riders and teams we were standing more together, which we haven’t been able to do in recent years.”
“Hi-vis and lights make chuff-all difference if drivers don’t look”: Cyclist says he’s “really glad I wore my most visible protection items” after motorist pulls out and almost hits him – but drivers claim rider “steamed on” and put himself at risk
It’s that time of the year again, when hi-vis and lights debates become a regular feature on the live blog.
Our first bike visibility discussion of the season, however, comes courtesy not of a well-intentioned but misguided police force issuing questionable, victim-blaming guidance, but of a cyclist who’s come to the conclusion that reflective stripes, bright lights, and fluorescent jackets won’t do much if drivers simply don’t look.
Posting a video of a motorist casually pulling out of a junction across his path, X/Twitter user ‘Must Get In Front’ wrote: “Really glad I wore my best, most visible protection items today, which consisted of a bright yellow top, reflective backpack, white helmet and a daytime light.
“They had absolutely no clue I was there. A glance to the left may have helped…”
Really glad I wore my best, most visible protection items today, which consisted of a bright yellow top, reflective backpack, white helmet and a daytime light.
They had absolutely no clue I was there. A glance to the left may have helped… pic.twitter.com/GiwGPqA5hS
— Must Get In Front (of the bike) (@MGIFOTB) September 16, 2025
The cyclist, who noted he uses a flashing front light during the day, and two front lights in winter, continued: “I’ll give this driver the benefit of the doubt that it was a concentration issue. The little brake tap came as I shouted at them, think I must have appeared out of nowhere to them.
“Others quite happily stare at me and pull out anyway, but think this was, at least, unintentional.”
MGIF’s video prompted other cyclists to share their ‘didn’t you see mate’ experiences – even when they were lit up like Christmas trees.
“You’re not alone,” said BeakyBiker, who posted their own similar clip of a driver pulling out of a junction as they approached.
“Wearing his-vis. Front light on. Riding as far to left of lane as possible so I could be seen (I was in the right-hand lane as I was soon turning right, so allowing cars to pass me on the left.
“Makes chuff-all difference if you don’t look when you pull out…”
Yep; you’re not alone.
Wearing Hi-Viz✅
Front light on✅
Riding as far to left of lane as possible so I could be seen✅(I was in the r-h lane as I was soon turning right, so allowing cars to pass me on the left)Makes chuff-all difference if you don’t look when you pull out… pic.twitter.com/DIvKPCHkdi
— beakybiker4 (@beakybiker4) September 17, 2025
“That’s why I ride with dual 900 lumen front lights on hyper-flash and dual 800 lumen red lights on the rear, also on hyper-flash,” said another cyclist.
“But they are useless if the motorist doesn’t even look for cyclists or other cars.”
“I always assume they did see me but didn’t care,” added Keith.
Of course, since the video was posted on X, there was a decent proportion of people in the comments who just couldn’t countenance that the cyclist wasn’t at fault. ‘Well, he said he was wearing hi-vis, so he must have done something wrong’…
“Maybe they just thought you would show a bit of courtesy, ease off your speed, and let them out. Instead you steamed on, putting yourself at risk,” wrote Baloo.
But MGIF was having none of it.
“Sorry, Baloo, but what the fuck are you on about?” the cyclist asked. “I slowed from 40kph to 10kph in the space of 1.8 seconds from when they started pulling out until we were level.
“You can even see my shadow stop pedalling. Not entirely sure how that you define that as ‘steaming on’.”
Meanwhile, James said: “They pulled out leaving you plenty of room by driving in the middle of the road. Acknowledged your presence/thanked you for letting him out by flashing their hazard lights. Once safely past you they moved in! Your drama is what exactly?”
“So why did you keep peddling [sic]? A driver would’ve come off the pedal, why didn’t you?” asked the not-so-appropriately named ‘Travel Safe’.
And Tim also tried to downplay the incident, writing: “Not unusual. You get this all the time on the motorbike.”
“I know it’s not unusual and it happens all the time. That’s entirely my point,” noted the cyclist.
“Shit, dangerous driving, happening all the time – yet the onus is on those affected by it to ‘be more seen’ and to ‘anticipate’ it. Check some of the driver replies here.”
And you just know those very drivers will be the ones up in arms if they spot a cyclist not wearing hi-vis this winter. Not that they actually would spot them, of course…
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Latest Comments
I'm glad I had my trousers on. If I hadn't I might have been arrested.
Who was responsible for organising the prizes on Bullseye? Tonight's star prize was a luxury fitted kitchen. How are you supposed to split that between two contestants? Absolutely ridiculous.
Oh sir! sir! Johnnys riding his bike without a helmet, he’s going to die when he falls off!, Yes what a silly boy he is ! Anyway jump in the car we’re going to be late for school and I hope no one gets in my way especially bleeding cyclists!! I wonder if AI will see what fools we are..
It's more about the nomex suit, car helmet and five point harnesses (with HANS), but "reply" ain't what it used to be...
'Gotten' ? The word is 'become', as in, I have become sick of seeing 'gotten'.
OK, all the stuff I said elsewhere on this thread in defence of helmets, I take it all back. I'd sooner be seen as an anti-lidder than be associated with that heap of steaming ordure.
Exactly my thoughts. A real shame, they're amazing bikes, same as Islabikes. Really sad to hear the news. Having said that, we probably didn't do enough to help them. My son had one Islabike and two Frogs, all second hand that we resold for about the same amount.
I couldn't agree more, and when we have all that everywhere I might think about leaving off the helmet, but until then if I have to share the road with huge fast-moving chunks of metal, many of them piloted by persons of limited intelligence and even less self control, I'm going to keep the lid, which even Burt agrees can "probably" offer some protection from injury.
And the irony is that helmet promotion and mandation kills lots of people and they don't reduce the death rate of cyclists. The benefits of cycling vastly outweigh the risks, and helmet promotion and mandation deter cycling (the only proven effect) so those deterred lose those benefits and die earlier.
I see Mont Pythons upper class twits have been replaced by male anti helmet twits who probably ride under 10000 km/year while wearing bike gloves, ladies bib capris, power meters to register the watts they dont produce ,gps because they are easily lost on a tiny island, a mobile phone to call the wifey in case the ride gets too hilly or wet or fast or windy, all while complaining their tushy hurts. They always ask for proof..you could crash a few times on purpose without and with a helmet and send us the pictures. Do pros complain about helmets?..if you rode in a country with sun you would know that styrofoam actually keeps your head cool.. Ps ice hockey players say they dont need mouthguards..ask them to smile
34 thoughts on ““Hi-vis and lights make chuff-all difference if drivers don’t look”: Cyclist “glad I wore my most visible protection” after motorist pulls out – but rider accused of “steaming on”; Tom Pidcock’s mum behind Vuelta ceremony; Bike ban + more on the live blog”
Great to see the cycle lanes
Great to see the cycle lanes in Parliament Square being well used, though actually that’s not really peak time; I see Big Ben is showing nearly 8.30, peak (in my experience) is about 8 am when they are even more popular than that.
Focussing efforts on
Focussing efforts on community racing, or focussing them on not spaffing quite so much money left, right, and centre?
“Wanted for recall to prison,
“Wanted for recall to prison, later admitted two counts of shop theft, failing to stop when required by a police officer, driving while disqualified, using a vehicle without insurance, failing to provide a specimen, criminal damage and assault of an officer.
The 42-year-old, of no fixed address, was jailed on 20 August at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court for a total of 41 weeks.”
41 weeks for all that…??
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c179we8ypn2o
Yes, seems mean. Even when
Yes, seems mean. Even when things were better (not sure they were ever good) the likelihood of any serious “rehabilitation” happening for sentences less than a year was not great.
That’s a far bigger concern than eg. road crime of course. I think the best we can hope for in the medium term is some more creative community / financial penalties. (despite what tech-billionaires / government / our wannabe autocratic Reformers promise I doubt there will be lots more money for anything anytime soon, rather the opposite. There’s a war on – well, several given the US is now hustling! Certainly not for those other than said tech-billionaires and the friends of the politicos…)
Rehab and training for life
Rehab and training for life and work has been slashed from utterly inadequate to existing in name only. On Thursday, was talking to someone who was senior in country for such work but left for different job recently as it was impossible to do the prison work
E6toSE3 wrote:
Yup. Another one of these things which (as some politicians love to point out) is expensive, hard work, certainly doesn’t solve all problems, can look like rewarding criminals etc … but the numbers suggest is a lot cheaper, easier and more effective than *not* doing it. (Never mind the costs to victims/ society, keeping folks in jail is *really* expensive. Unless said politician is proposing “just string ’em up”).
Pro cyclists literally going
Pro cyclists literally going underground to celebrate the podium reminds us that cycling is a sport. Not a matter of life or death.
Whilst it’s obviously fun to
Whilst it’s obviously fun to laugh at drivers that, despite being tested, don’t know what road signs mean they also seem to confuse local authorities. The standard DfT no cycling sign would surely need to be enforced with a TRO? I think both the issuing of the TRO and maintenance of the signs would be the remit of local highways department although not the town council, I think for most people this is splitting hairs. The bottom ‘no no cycling no cycling’ would typically be enforced with a PSPO which probably could be the remit of the town council. It’s really not clear which means of enforcement they have in place, if either.
From today’s experience, I’m
From today’s experience, I’m beginning to think almost nobody on bikes (pedal, e, scooter) even knows Highway Code exists. Yesterday, all but one of bikes on A205 South Circular Shooters Hill down to Woolwich, 4-5 pm was completely legit. Today, Shooters Hill to Creek Rd, all but 2 bikes utterly, furiously reckless
From daily experience I’m
From daily experience I’m beginning to think almost nobody driving a car remembers the highway code after passing their test! Actually I think 90% of people are genuine, only 9% dont care and only 1% are vindictive!
Popped down to Cycles UK,
Popped down to Cycles UK, Creek Rd, today on my urban bike. All but one car/bus/van/lorry behaved impeccably, including forward bike spaces at lights being left for bikes. All but two bikes (pedal, e, scooter) behaved recklessly, jumping on and off pavements from very adequate bike lane, dashing through junctions against red lights, across lanes. I actually commented to a young chap on road race bike who pulled up next to me in lane at red light that he was the first such I’d seen that day. A second, older chap did similar a few moments later. Frankly, I hate the bike lanes and felt far safer 20 to 50 years ago when they didn’t exist but appreciate they’re good for less confident newbies and have got far more people riding than in my younger days. But an awful lot of riders both abuse and ignore them like they’re totally unaware Highway Code even exists. These are often big blokes with huge momentum and kinetic energy, often at over 20 in 20 mph limit so using bike lanes and pavementsto overtake cars. I’ve written before how scary it is when pushing our 21- month granddaughter. I’m beginning to agree with friends and neighbours who see bikes as top threat, not cars.
E6toSE3 wrote:
Well … 20 to 50 years ago there was a lot less motor traffic. And you were younger and likely fitter and more confident. That might have something to do with it.
I haven’t been to London for many years, but videos show that things are as you might expect for a place in transition. There are normal people out riding (great). But people are also “working out things practically” (like humans everywhere).
Cold comfort but this (messy change) happened with the introduction of mass motoring (although that featured *massive* injury and loss of life…). It probably happened to some extent elsewhere that things have changed (NL?).
To guide behaviour the infra has a major role to play (that is the “manual” for most users, Highway Code or no. And when was the last time most people looked at the Highway Code? That … and the other people using it – just like the roads …)
Some “feedback” (policing, formal or via social norms) is required also of course. True there isn’t much for cyclists – except … they will get hurt or worse if they get it wrong. And indeed they may be assaulted by the odd pedestrian or driver.
But then … there isn’t much feedback for drivers either – and they won’t get hurt! Other drivers will sometimes let them know when they’re breaking the “rules of the road” of course, which have a passing resemblance to the actual laws…
chrisonabike wrote:
Possibly rather less prone to hallucinations as well.
Possibly… or not…
Possibly… or not…
E6toSE3 wrote:
Another post, another helping of drivel I’m afraid. I ride the same streets in the same half of London as you and yes, there are lots of ill-mannered cyclists about. Just riding around today I had a go three times at cyclists running red lights on pelicans when people were on the crossing (got called a cunt each time but oh well…). In the course of the same day I saw cars running reds at every single one I approached (speeding up when they see amber, then when they don’t make it before red going through anyway). I was passed (often dangerously closely) by literally hundreds of car drivers at points when I was riding at the 20mph speed limit. I was nearly hit by a driver doing about 50mph the wrong way down a 20mph one-way street. I was overtaken by a tipper truck that then turned left across me and was only saved from serious injury or death by making an emergency stop. I saw three serious traffic incidents involving cars being dealt with by police, two of them with ambulances attending. All this in the space of 52kms in south/central London. I saw maybe half a dozen cyclists on pavements, all of them kids/old folks and none posing the remotest threat to anyone. Yeah, bikes are the big threat.
Agreed! This bloke is rather
Agreed! This bloke is rather in the same vein as that other nutter who claimed he’d lost count of the number of Terror-Cyclists who had slammed into his wheelchair.
“I saw DRIVERS running reds..
“I saw DRIVERS running reds…”
“I was overtaken by a tipper truck DRIVER…”
“I saw three serious traffic incidents involving DRIVERS being dealt with by police…”
In the course of the same day
In the course of the same day I saw cars running reds at every single one I approached (speeding up when they see amber, then when they don’t make it before red going through anyway)
This is Travellers Choice driver of coach SA17 ELD about to go through today long after the lights turned red (but not 3 seconds after).
https://upride.cc/incident/sa17eld_travellerschoice_redlightpass/
Of course, this is not the first offending Travellers Choice driver I have filmed and reported
https://upride.cc/incident/4148vz_travellerschoicecoach_closepass/
E6toSE3 wrote:
In all my years of riding in London I have literally never seen any cyclist overtaking cars on the pavement at 20 mph. I call BS.
Also, the kinetic energy of a 100kg cyclist + bike is (unsurprisingly) 1/20 that of a 2,000kg car + driver.
AidanR wrote:
The other thing is of course that the cyclist is unlikely to accidentally be doing 30. Or more… kinetic energy increasing by the square of the velocity.
OTOH people walking have the presumption that they’re “safe” on the footways. While we know statistically more people are killed on footways by drivers of motor vehicles than cyclists, normally the experience is that motor vehicles are only seen moving very slowly or parked there(!) In contrast to hundreds passing (next to your elbow) on the road.
There are likely an increasing number of interactions with cyclists “in our space” (often shared use, not always though) and there can be little audible warning before looking round / up to see a cyclist “appearing from nowhere” which is understandably startling.
I don’t think a car/bus/van
I don’t think a car/bus/van/lorry can behave impeccably. And cycles can’t behave recklessly.
E6toSE3 wrote:
Your head is going to explode when you see the road safety KSI stats. I also hope you don’t do DIY, go near cows, cross roads, or use a ladder. I’d suggest just staying at home, but you know…
All but one car/bus/van/lorry
All but one car/bus/van/lorry DRIVER behaved impeccably…
Charming atitude in the photo
Charming atitude in the photo at 16:10. The police give him a free high viz and bag and he gives them 2 fingers!
The Times newspaper is now
The Times newspaper is now giving good coverage of cycle sport, often with a report/article and large photographs – in recent weeks it gave a two-page article about Tom Pidcock and a whole page to Geraint Thomas. Also, it had a two-page article on suggested easy cycle rides and gave good reports of the Vuelta Espana, often with photographs.
That car saw the ride and
That car saw the rider and pulled out anyway.
The car has eyes?
The car has eyes?
Lol, I take it he means the
Lol, I take it he means the driver. That is common a driver sees you gets agitated about the possibility of getting held up behind a ‘slow’ cyclist (every one knows that bikes can’t go faster than 5mph unless they are near pedestrians, then its 50mph) and pulls out.
Or, what happened when I last
Or, what happened when I last got knocked off my bike. Driver “looks” (glance might be more accurate). But is looking for a car shaped object & so not seeing one immediately, goes for it – because. Then the brain catches up, processes that anomalous bit of visual information (ie “oh that’s a cyclist”) but it’s too late / just double down & hope for the best.
No risk to them…
No risk to them…
That car [driver] saw the
That car [driver] saw the rider and pulled out anyway
That’s correct! All this ‘hierarchy’ stuff in the Highway Code means nothing at all when the police and drivers think that’s a joke to be ignored as ‘well, the cyclist should have seen it and slowed down’ or (as above, one of the standard morons crawling out of the woodwork) Maybe they just thought you would show a bit of courtesy, ease off your speed, and let them out. Instead you steamed on, putting yourself at risk
https://upride.cc/incident/mf67vep_audi_hierarchydenial/
In this case that means: you should have seen it was an Audi driver, realised it was an ‘ubermensch’ self-centred nutter who thinks the world, especially cyclists, should defer to him and slowed down.
Probably one of my best
Probably one of my best examples of a case where a driver didn’t look properly and simply moved into the bike lane as if it was the give way line.
The reflection shows what I’m wearing, in broad daylight.
https://youtu.be/vEeljHmz6KA
It won’t fix much driver
It won’t fix much driver behaviour until there is a genuine societal attitude shift (eg. people expect more than just other motor vehicles out there and know it’s “the done thing” to make space for them) …
… BUT I hope that if we could also bring in “re-education” eg. retesting throughout life this might prod a few away from the current standard of “everything that isn’t a house or a field is effectively motor infra – ignore all the details and just drive on as long as you can see road ahead” and “only looking out for other motor vehicles”.
EDIT and likely we have to really “spell it out” to everyone, with really clear *standard* infra designs (like “cycle paths are RED – if you’re on some red ‘road’, you’re in the cycle path!”)
“Hi-vis and lights make chuff
“Hi-vis and lights make chuff-all difference if drivers don’t look”
While I can only agree that the driver was completely useless and should be banned until they’ve been retrained, I can’t have much sympathy for anyone that still uses the cess pit that is twitx.