“This has got to stop”: Met Cycle Safety Team on “outrageous behaviour” towards cyclists; ‘Traffic warden’ accused of multiple assaults; Row continues over Bournemouth active travel plans; Reaction to Froome and Thomas missing TDF + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
No G and no Froome at the Tour?? Some of the reactions so far
wow … brutally decisive leadership from Brailsford here #tdf2020 https://t.co/038mtoxjwl
— Adam Partridge (@adamskip77) August 19, 2020
Sir Froome and Thomas Geraint both left out of the starting line-up for the Le Tour!!! You won’t hear this in the mainstream media but I gather it’s because they don’t want to have to ride the new two-week Tour de Quarantine straight afterwards.
— UK Cycling Expert (@ukcyclingexpert) August 19, 2020
No Froome AND Thomas in the 2020 Tour de France. 😳 What a morning. pic.twitter.com/LLeI2jQiYO
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) August 19, 2020
It’s certainly taken us by surprise, and poking around our social media feeds it appears a lot of you aren’t best pleased by the decision. To remind you, here are the eight riders the Ineos Grenadiers (we still can’t get used to that name) have selected for the Tour de France:
Andrey Amador
Egan Bernal
Richard Carapaz
Jonathan Castroviejo
Michal Kwiatkowski
Luke Rowe
Pavel Sivakov
Dylan van Baarle
Thomas and Froome speak after news of Tour de France omission
With three exciting targets in 2020 – let’s hear from @Eganbernal @GeraintThomas86 and @chrisfroome 📽️ pic.twitter.com/8KSMHlpXyi
— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) August 19, 2020
Thomas commented on his job to target the Giro d’Italia: “I enjoy the racing there. I’ve always loved Italy, the roads, the fans, the food obviously.
“It’s a race I’ve always enjoyed anyway… a country I love to race in. I’m certainly looking forward to going back.”
And Froome said: “It’s definitely a readjustment for me moving goalposts from the Tour de France to the Vuelta a España.
“…I think given where I’ve come from through the last year, I’ve had an incredible recovery from the big crash I had last year; but I’m not confident I can really fulfil the necessary job that would be needed of me at this year’s Tour de France. I think it’s a lot more realistic targeting the and get stuck into something that’s deliverable.
“It’s great for me now to have that clarity that that will be my big goal for the season. And I really do just wish the team all the very best of luck for the month ahead. The racing;s going to be brutal but I have every faith in Egan and the team around him that they can deliver the result.”
Police appeal to find cyclist who was hit by a van and walked off
Swindon Police say the male cyclist was struck by a passing van, then walked away pushing his bike. They’ve asked the cyclist or anyone who knows him to get in touch to “check on his welfare.”
"I think you'll find that heavy traffic is due to the number of people driving": B&H buses slammed for blaming Brighton congestion on new cycle lane
Due to the cycle lane?
For the last five years you’ve failed to announce “due to the road works along the sea front”, or “due to the congestion and busses unable to pass on North Street” or “due to idiots parking along Western Road” there’s very heavy traffic. Why “due to” now?— Chris Holden (@blinky465) August 18, 2020
@roadcc @Chris_Boardman Cycle lanes causing traffic? Do bus lanes cause traffic too? Or maybe it’s too many cars?
— Paul Windust (@TriathlonNewb) August 18, 2020
I think you’ll find that heavy traffic is due to the number of people driving
— Chris Todd #BuildBackBetter (@ecochris_todd) August 18, 2020
Brighton’s new cycle lane: installed last week.
Brighton’s traffic congestion: constant fixture for more than than the 20 years I’ve lived in/near the city.
Yet guess what’s getting the blame? 🤦♂️— Clive Andrews (@CliveAndrews) August 19, 2020
The announcement from B&H Buses hasn’t gone down very well on social media, with a number of people pointing out that congestion on the road existed long before a new cycle lane was installed on Brighton’s seafront.
Clive Andrews commented: “That’s guesswork and opinion. Stick to facts and information”; while Large Al says: “I think you mean ‘due to excessive traffic’. Pillocks.”
Police involved after self-appointed 'traffic warden' attempts to direct cyclists to use the cycle lane
Got punched in head and quite a few others were also physically assaulted. Was too shaken up at the time to do anything but he drove away in the white car in the video pic.twitter.com/N0S6PIsSLn
— Anthony Chau 🇭🇰 (@krebscycling) August 18, 2020
I was comfortably cruising at 20mph which was the speed limit of that road and was not holding up traffic by any stretch, unlike the person in the video. It’s disgraceful you are on the side of the individual who was physically assaulting cyclists.
— Anthony Chau 🇭🇰 (@krebscycling) August 18, 2020
In the footage, a man appears to have left his vehicle (thus causing congestion, but that’s another story) and is shouting and pointing at cyclists to tell them to use the cycle lane rather than the road. The driver of the black car also appears to be encouraging him.
Totally unacceptable and sorry to see this. It needs a Police intervention. Has this been reported? If not please contact @MetCC or via 101. Thank you!
— Andy Cox (@SuptAndyCox) August 18, 2020
Some claim the man was assaulting cyclists, with the person who uploaded the footage claiming that he was punched in the head. Police Superintendent Andy Cox urged those assaulted to come forward so police could intervene.
The very best work from Wandsworth’s highway engineers. Top notch stuff. pic.twitter.com/7wW331y5h6
— Lord Bikebot (@LordBikebot) August 18, 2020
The section of road on Priory Lane, which is popular with cyclists heading to and from Richmond Park, features a cycle lane that is troublesome to use according to many cyclists, which is the reason many feel it’s necessary to (legally) use the road. A source who lives nearby told road.cc: “Unless you live on Priory Lane, the only reason you are using it in a motor vehicle is to rat-run Richmond Park.”
Priory Lane "not fit for purpose", claim cyclists
The road has long proved a source of conflict between drivers and cyclists, with a number of incidents happening over the years in which riders have been subjected to abuse by motorists who believe they should be using the cycle path on the adjacent footway (see above). We reported back in 2018 that Wandsworth Borough Council were consulting on proposals to improve the road for cyclists and pedestrians, but to our knowledge that hasn’t happened yet.
Often because the cycle lanes are rubbish. Shared with pedestrians, obstacles, end suddenly, make you give way at every side road etc. No good for fitter cyclists who could otherwise be getting a shift on down the road
— Rob Butterworth (@rob_butterworth) August 18, 2020
Priory Lane wasn’t narrowed and a cycle lane wasn’t built. They took half the pavement away from pedestrians, painted a line, and called it a cycle lane. It used to be a nice route to stroll to the park, and now you can’t even walk side by side!
— bobby ‘bob’ bannerman (@bobbybbannerman) August 18, 2020
Many cyclists object to using the lane, as it’s narrow with numerous points that could put them into conflict with pedestrians. If you’re a driver like the one in the footage below who thinks it’s mandatory to use cycle lanes, see our Monday Moaning feature on the subject.
Clothing brand's 'Ride Bikes F**k B*tches' t-shirt removed from sale
After reporting that hundreds of people had voiced their displeasure at the offensive t-shirt on our Monday live blog, it appears it is no longer for sale on the Where The Trail Begins e-commerce store.
An email sent to road.cc said: “He (Where The Trail Begins) got a few hours out of that before a well placed email to his shopping platform provider was opened, read, and the product quickly removed. It seems their terms of service were being violated by the sale of hateful, offensive and sexist merchandise. Rules are rules.”
Ineos team announcement in meme form
Ineos TDF Team Announcement @laflammerouge16 pic.twitter.com/hzbrofC1M2
— Belinda (@reallyspoketome) August 19, 2020
“Fancy going wild camping next week then?” pic.twitter.com/QdqD4OcBP5
— Rob Whittle (@PolkaDotRob) August 19, 2020
Plus a suggestion of what the dropped pair could get up to instead.
Haulage firm praised for nice wide passes
On yesterday’s ride I was passed 3 times by lorries from the same company (Farrell Transport) and each one was textbook and safe👌🏼
I dropped them an email to say it was noticed and appreciated as it doesn’t happen much these days 😊 pic.twitter.com/OwjHebRcXw— Mel Sykes (@nuddypants) August 18, 2020
More of this, please.
Cycling is the new golf...
But if you still enjoy a bit of the old golf, why not do it while reminding yourself where your priorities lie? Alternatively you could gently troll your golfing friends that haven’t yet discovered the joy of two wheels…
Gritfest postponed to 2021
The organisers of the popular two-day gravel event have finally come to the decision to postpone this year’s edition to 19th-20th June 2021.
They said in a statement: “While restrictions are starting to be eased in Wales that are allowing us to host smaller events, we do not think it will be possible to host Gritfest in the style that riders will be happy with and to a standard we would be happy with. Difficult areas include the facilities and 2 day festival style of event, which simply would not be replicated. Plus of course the glorious weather that riders have been lucky enough to have enjoyed in previous years!”
Entries for 2020 will be deferred to the 2021 date by default, but Gritfest are also offering refunds to those who email requesting one by 30th September. They also added: “If you are unable to attend in 2021 but do not want a refund and would like to gift your entry, or a percentage of it to us then please also reply to let us know. Whilst we do not expect riders to do this, we will be extremely grateful to anyone who does so and it will help us to continue organising events in years to come.
“As a tiny company relying purely on a small number of events this is an incredibly difficult time for us and it is almost certain that entry fees for the rescheduled event will be significantly higher. Please keep this in mind should you request a refund now, but plan to re-enter nearer the 2021 date. For any rider who does gift their entry we will guarantee a 2021 race entry and also hold the 2020 event pricing.”
"Cycling infrastructure just doesn't exist in the UK": another example of a cycle lane unfit for purpose
The thing is, cycling infrastructure just doesn’t exist in the UK. This is Finsbury Park. It’s relatively long, but cars park in it, people walk in it and it stops abruptly. Therefore it’s safer to cycle in the road. Until lanes are normalised and extensive, this’ll happen. pic.twitter.com/PqvsedaVgA
— Michael SW (@msolwilliams) August 19, 2020
While the idiot in the video from Priory Lane should know better, it’s perhaps yet another example of how bad cycling infrastructure can cause conflict, creating the feeling amongst some drivers that cyclists are not using the space allocated to them for no real reason other than to ‘hold up the traffic’. It’s clear in the clip above that this cycle lane would be pretty much impossible to use efficiently while having to dodge cars, pedestrians and broken sections of path.
Row rumbles on over decision to stop motor vehicle through-traffic on popular coastal roads in Bournemouth
Over the weekend, BCP Council unveiled plans to introduce “experimental traffic measures” at Boscombe Overcliff Drive and Southbourne Overcliff Drive to provide more space for cycling and walking. Beginning on Monday 24th August, motor traffic will no longer be able to use the roads as a through-route, which BCP say “will create a safer environment for those travelling by bike and on foot”. The
The Bournemouth Echo reports that the scheme was brought forward using cash from the government’s emergency active travel fund; however a local councillor and a body representing hospitality businesses in the area strongly disagree with the plans. Boscombe East & Pokesdown ward member Andy Jones said: “I was inundated by residents over the weekend who are absolutely livid about this scheme.
“I’ve had people on the phone and numerous emails questioning where was the consultation. Why are we having something thrust upon us?
“The concerns have been raised about where traffic is going to be diverted up some of the residential roads north of the clifftop area and the resulting congestion along roads such as Beechwood Avenue, Wentworth Avenue and onto Southbourne Grove because clearly traffic has got to go somewhere.
“Bearing in mind how busy those roads are already and this is just going to make it worse.
“With most schemes you tend to find people for and against but I have not come across anybody that thinks this is a good idea.”
The BH Area Hospitality Association said in a statement: “BCP Council (with) another crazy ridiculous scheme which also needs scrapping.
“Tourism and hospitality brings much needed income into this town and these crazy thought-up schemes are causing headaches for a number of hotel business owners across the conurbation who are trying to focus on keeping their business afloat during these times. Are you aware by closing this road you will also put a negative impact on people arriving for your Bournemouth Beach Lodges.”
Boscombe East & Pokesdown ward councillor George Farquhar admitted there had been a “fair amount of opposition” but defended the trial, saying: “I am not opposed to the scheme itself because it is experimental and I think it will quite quickly show what is actually something we might want to invest in.
“We have these experimental orders. It is not just us in the country, it is all local authorities.
“Depending on the evidence that comes out of these experimental traffic control orders, such as the one on the overcliff at Southbourne and Boscombe, we can actually unlock £1.2million.
“I can understand the concerns by residents that it may be that traffic will start occupying local residential roads but I think that this is only a short-term pain because the nature of the scheme is to prevent through traffic and encourage active travel.”
More anger over pedestrianisation: businesses on Bristol's St Mark's Road "threaten to leave" if road is closed to through-traffic
St Mark’s Road – famous for its annual street party and ethnic food stores – has been earmarked for pedestrianisation by Bristol City Council, which has faced criticism from a business on the street and a group representing shops and restaurants in the city.
Pak Butchers founder Abdul Malik told the Bristol Post: “We are very passionate about walking and cycling. To launch this scheme without talking to us makes it seem like we are against those things.
“This petition is nothing to do with being anti-cycling. This is about sustaining business after Covid. We are so adamant this will close the doors of our shop on St Marks Road.
“It’s too early for this. There may be a time when a lot more people are on bikes and walking, but the educational process takes time.”
The Bristol Association of Restaurants, Bars and Independent Establishments (BARBIE) have started a petition against the plans, saying: “That would be the end of St Marks Road.
“The shops would become rented flats, and pedestrianised space would be useless.”
Would it really be “the end” of St Mark’s Road if it was closed to through-traffic from motor vehicles? There are stats that would suggest otherwise, and plenty of locals seem to disagree if this counter-petition is anything to go by. It says: “The Mayor and Bristol City Council have brought forward proposals for St Marks Road, Easton, Bristol, that would greatly benefit both businesses and the community as a whole by opening up St Marks Road for increased footfall, greater revenues and a more liveable neighbourhood less dominated by motorised traffic.”
An excellent analogy for reducing car use
Cars are like EasyJet Speedy Boarding: great until everyone has the same idea. So the sensible thing for car users to actually do is encourage other drivers to switch to bikes and use those cycle lanes. Fewer Speedy Boarders means faster boarding for Speedy Boarders.
— Rob Tweed (@rtweed) August 19, 2020
Do you agree with the easyJet theory?
Active travel advocates in Mexico don't mess around
Next level guerilla bike lane action here. https://t.co/sAbiWZOzhm
— Leonard Bonarek 🚎 (@LenniBug) August 19, 2020
Those responsible for the new guerilla bike lane believed there was previously no space to accommodate wider pedal-powered vehicles such as tricycles, so they took matter into their own hands. They say: “It is necessary that the design of the streets guarantee space and safety for all people, tricycles cannot be left out.”
Similar action was taken way back in 2011, when activists painted a 5km guerrilla cycle lane in the heart of Mexico City to highlight the lack of progress in building a promised cycle network. Meanwhile in Wandsworth…
This has just been sent to me of drivers on Beechcroft rd.
Hope there will be some suitable adjustments to stop them doing this. #DriverEntitlement
FYI @wandbc @WandsLS @Wandscyclist pic.twitter.com/RBnw38mZqW
— Jon Irwin 🔶️ (@JonIrwinLD) August 17, 2020
Met Cycle Safety Team describe growing reports of incidents involving cyclists as "quite depressing"
It’s quite depressing to look at our Twitter feed first thing to be made aware of more outrageous behaviour towards cyclists including assaults and a young girl being injured in a park. Hopefully everyone is ok and getting the support they need. This has got to stop.Stay safe all
— Cycle Safety Team (@MetCycleCops) August 19, 2020
We believe the Met’s Cycle Safety Team were referring to the incident we reported on this morning, and also another incident in which a mother claimed her daughter was knocked off her bike by a driver who left the scene – the latter happened in Richmond Park, which has been controversially reopened to rat-running drivers.
To the woman driver who an hour ago drove her car into my daughter on her bike in Richmond park – and who drove off without leaving your details – you need to contact the police.
— Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺#rightfromthestart (@helenjwc) August 18, 2020
Dr Helen Williams left further comments explaining that she was “very relieved” that her daughter hadn’t broken any bones after having X-rays in hospital. She also added: “The driver has been traced. But after 3 hrs of statement taking, the police won’t do anything as she doesn’t have the contact details of the (quite a few) witnesses.”
Others have recommended that Dr Williams should try to trace witnesses and launch an appeal. One replied: “I was there yesterday and saw how the cars have zero patience with cyclists and sit behind their wheels getting twitchy and impatient about trying to over take. Hope the parks come to their senses and ban cars ASAP! It was so peaceful without them during lockdown!”
That’s absolutely disgusting. @theroyalparks seriously need to reconsider their decision to allow motorised traffic in the park. Hope you daughter makes a swift recovery & the police find the woman responsible 😡
— Merv Charles (@mervcharles) August 18, 2020
A park . With a road . With car traffic . Only in UK would this even be a thing . Disgusting really . Hope she gets well soon
— leicestercyclist (@leicestercylist) August 18, 2020
Sorry to hear about what happened to your daughter. It’s a real shame that @theroyalparks created a safe place for adults and children to walk, run, cycle and scoot and then allowed motor traffic back through again. This was sadly bound to happen.
— Richard Edwards (@Rich_Rocks) August 19, 2020
Are the Royal Parks partially to blame for these shocking incidents by allowing motor traffic back into Richmond Park?
19 August 2020, 07:55
19 August 2020, 07:55
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19 August 2020, 07:55
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Latest Comments
Having experienced this in Anglesey and most of it is unnecessary, it does give the driver a big lesson in 'looking extra', as travelling slower does that !
It's true, you aren't feeling yourself any favours wearing black/dark colours, BUT you've got to look, soo many dont and the campaign should be for motorist - look, simple as, it's not hard and drop the speed to, maybe if the police where actually outside rather than on Facebook looking for the naughty words/viewpoints, drivers would be caught speeding, not looking, pulling out, not braking in time, going through red lights, overtaking at a bad time, cutting up cyclists and a lot more..
@Rome73 There are still too many motor vehicles in the central Oxford Street area. There should be zero, except for delivery vehicles at proscribed... prescribed times
@Hollis Jones The crucial difference is the fact that Richardson stopped, exited the vehicle, tried to pull Mr Mullins free and when he couldn't got back in and drove on. He knowingly, actively and voluntarily engaged in the harmful behaviour that caused Mr Mullins' death, which is what made it murder. The hit and run driver hasn't deliberately hit a cyclist and although driving away is of course utterly reprehensible it's only covered by the laws regarding failing to stop at the scene of an accident, which only attracts a six month prison sentence maximum. It's high time the law was changed so that firstly the penalties for failing to stop and render assistance are far higher and secondly so that if the medical evidence is that the victim would have survived with prompt assistance then the driver can be charged with manslaughter or murder. However as it stands murder requires evidence of malice aforethought with an intention to kill or to cause GBH resulting in death. Richardson clearly displayed this by resuming driving even though he knew Mr Mullins was stuck under his car; the hit and run driver in an "accident" didn't have that intention so can't be charged with murder however atrocious their behaviour after the event.
@robgru76 "I am gobsmacked by the number of cyclists I see" So you had no problem in seeing them, what's the issue?
@jaymack I know, sorry! I do accept they deserve some credit for not trying to pass it of as a DBDD but the evidence is so clear it would have been s scandal even by British justice vs cyclists standards if they'd gone for anything below manslaughter.
@Rendel Harris yeah but it could have been spent on widening a few metres of road...
I have worked and socialised around Oxford street for decades. There has been major change in that time - as you would expect in a major metropolis. When I was young you could drive down the whole of Oxford St. When that was stopped everyone screamed the world was going to come to an end. Then it was narrowed in parts to a single lane, the pavements widened and New Oxford Street and Charing Cross road were closed to cars. Everyone screamed the world was going to come to an end. Then Tottenham Court Road was made two way!! And yes, you guessed it, the world was going to come to an end. Then cycle lanes were built all along Gower Street down to Shaftesbury Avenue and the taxi drivers went mental with rage, and the world was going to come to an end. Soho, where I worked for over 10 years, was slowly purged of through vehicles and every time a road was closed or made one way - the world was going to come to an end. But the pedestrian and cyclists increased and so did retail and bars. Thinking back to it, it’s crazy to remember how soho was once clogged with cars, all stuck in self imposed traffic, belching fumes and poison into the narrow streets - until ULEZ and road closures reduced all that. There are still too many motor vehicles in the central Oxford Street area. There should be zero, except for delivery vehicles at proscribed times.
@slc Just read that comment to Mrs H, worryingly she looked thoughtful and said, "Mmm...how nice a bike are we talking here?"
@DrG82 The implementation costs were £32M and there has been an additional £3M spent on adjustments. It's estimated that the savings to the NHS and other bodies in terms of fewer casualties with which to deal come to around £44M. Odd economics where a £9M net saving is a waste of money.
56 thoughts on ““This has got to stop”: Met Cycle Safety Team on “outrageous behaviour” towards cyclists; ‘Traffic warden’ accused of multiple assaults; Row continues over Bournemouth active travel plans; Reaction to Froome and Thomas missing TDF + more on the live blog”
Self appointed traffic warden
Self appointed traffic warden; would that be the boss of Pimlico Plumbers? Surely someone has some video of this guy to make identification easier, and the reg of his vehicle.
I’ve just done a quick search for this story, expecting it to feature in lots of msm; nothing. Just imagine the opposite with a cyclist blocking the road with his bike and directing cars away from the cycle lane; 24/7 coverage.
Do traffic wardens have the power to direct traffic? I thought it was only a police officer who could do that.
eburtthebike wrote:
cbrndc]
And Highways Agency.
— cbrndcThanks for that info. He isn’t either of those, so he is breaking the law.
I keep looking at that video,
I keep looking at that video, and at the photo embedded in the tweet, and it looks to me that the cycle lane he’s “directing” people onto is one direction – but not in the direction he’s telling people to ride… (?)
There looks to be a big arrow painted on the cycle lane pointing in the opposite direction to where he’s telling people to go.
Am I missing something…?
brooksby wrote:
So if there was a collision with two bicycles in opposite directions, I wonder if he’d fess up and admit liability?
I’ll give you two guesses.
I’ll give you two guesses.
(But you’ll only need one)
brooksby wrote:
I believe it is (in theory) a two-way cycle lane. If you look at some of the other pictures there are clues – for example at the junction with Bank Lane, and there are also cycle symbols both ways up.
I can understand your confusion however – the obvious explanation is that the cycle lane is not wide enough to be a two-way cycle lane and standard paint marks won’t fit if they tried to squeeze them into half the width. So they just stick the paint in the middle and then act suprised when cyclists don’t use it.
It’s two-lane cycle path,
It’s two-lane cycle path, useless and dangerous except for a family potter. The road, as said previously, has a 20mph limit and, heading away from the park, it’s slightly downhill and it’s easy to do 20mph on a bike. It doesn’t stop people trying to pass you in their mad race to the traffic lights at the end, where there is a large ASL that’s usually full of bikes in the morning.
The most surreal aspect of the whole thing is the way in which the ‘Clown in Chief’ stands in the cycle lane without recognising that it might be the most stupid place of all to stand, in context. Mind you, reasoning is clearly not a strong suit for him.
The text mentioned he got
The text mentioned he got into the white car (Van?). What was the black car doing? Looks like they were filming it and they were encouraging him. The stupidness is it looks like the cyclists just rejoined the road just past them anyway and they ended up just blocking other cars.
The behaviour of other road
The behaviour of other road users and the incredible amount of anger that appears to exist everywhere (even in road.cc comments sections) is really worrying. So many idiots out there and when I’m on my cycle commute, I find myself shouting at drivers & cyclists that are not driving/riding safely or within the laws. I realise that my shouting could be perceived as anger but I think it’s more about despair. Cycling used to be crucial to me to maintain good mental health but it’s starting to go the other way now.
Can’t we all just get along? I recognise that the problems & issues need to be highlighted and addressed but perhaps we can balance it out with more good news a little more often please. I think I may spend less time on road.cc for a while.
I’d recommend giving up the
I’d recommend giving up the shouting. You’re not responsible for what other people choose to do, so let them get on with it (unless they’re endangering you). The other thing is to get a camera and let the footage and the police deal with any incidents you encounter – just let it go and think “Got them on cam” if you get hassle.
100%. You’re never going to
100%. You’re never going to enlighten anyone at the roadside. The reason they nearly killed you is because they already [i]know[/i] they are right. You need a steely inner calm, always easier when you have it on video.
To counter this a little,
To counter this a little, when the cyclist went missing in the New Forest over the weekend there were people out from all “tribes” looking for him. Sadly not the outcome we wanted but there were hikers, horse riders, cyclists of all disciplines ranging over the whole forest. Of course, it was a nice morning for a ride which probably helped – “I’m off to help search for a missing person, I’ll be back in six hours” 🙂
I’m off the roads at the
I’m off the roads at the moment due to a road rage incident 6 weeks ago, I’ve found my solace and cycling fulfillment in the dusty, muddy world of MTB. Recommended if you can find the routes and have the time. Plus as a tinkerer I’m getting to learn a whole new world of bike tech (man, MTB is complex)
Sorry to read about the rr
Sorry to read about the rr incident.
I hope you get the courage back to be on the road soon.
I think that’s fair. I have
I think that’s fair. I have decided that, whilst I can stress out and berate people that aren’t great, its normally not worth the hassle (unless they endanger me) – I find far better for my sanity is to “praise” with thanks, thumbs up and smiles the people that do a good job, hang back and wait for a safe spot to pass wide. I have had people give me the thumbs up back, roll down a window and have a brief pleasant conversation (normally about the weather coz you know, Britain) and it seems to generally make us both feel happier. I hope my smiles and thumbs up mean they give the same consideration to the next cyclist they pass. Appreciate, this is doing nothing to convert the d**ks but if we normalise good behaviour with normal people then the bad behaviour will become less socially accepted!
Good news. I’ve managed to
Good news. I’ve managed to cycle to the allottment and back (2km) twice without any close passes from motorists. Fist time for a long time.
Bungle_52 wrote:
Were you carrying a fork? And I’m hoping the typo wasn’t Freudian.
eburtthebike wrote:
Sorry for the resolution – I was hoping to use 4k
hawkinspeter wrote:
Fork off!
https://www.theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/19/berlin-highway-crashes-investigated-extremist-attack
Right – clearly we need to ban all cars. I mean – using a car as a weapon…
brooksby wrote:
There’s considerable recent history of cars being used as weapons by terrorists, but for some strange reason, the calls for them to be banned as a result are singularly absent. But if killing thousands of people a year in normal, legal use doesn’t result in banning calls, why should a few attacks?
Sometimes it’s hard to tell
Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a terrorist and just another motorist.
FluffyKittenofTindalos wrote:
Terrorists are the ones actively trying to kill you; the others are just normal, distracted, indifferent, callous drivers who don’t care if they kill you.
Ah, I see what you mean.
Headline on todays Derbyshire
Headline on todays Derbyshire Live website!
https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/burton/cyclists-dubbed-thugs-lycra-chase-4435971
Car drivers really haven’t got a clue, have they? Think this bloke must be suffering from the same delusions as the woman in Barnsley.
Cargobike wrote:
Love the photo of him leaning on his old volvo parked at an angle across two parking bays and blocking a fire assembly point whilst leaking oil – says a lot.
Bet the sign that’s been badly scrubbed out says ‘no parking!’
HoarseMann wrote:
Proper boy-racer kit stuck on his car too, wheel arch extensions, skirts, door mirror embellishments, and the bit I suspect really wets his knickers – headlamp eyebrows, whoosh.
Sriracha wrote:
well it needs all the help it can get, that model only put out 125BHP – when new.
Cargobike wrote:
Lot’s more comments, and quite few are not impressed with the driver.
Cargobike wrote:
Thanks for the link, and I couldn’t help putting in a response. See if you can spot which one is mine!
EDIT: I’ve made a few more contributions to that website, but it appears that their algorithim objects to the word “stupid” so most of them have been blocked. But apparently you can call people any other variety of names, but not stupid.
eburtthebike wrote:
kind of stands out amongst the calls for cyclists to be taxed and insured, bit ironic really…
I assumed it was the BtL one.
I assumed it was the BtL one. However that article does mention he overtook near the cooling towers which is 50mph according to Google Maps. However if it is was JPeal, I would like to know what the facebook story was.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
here you go – yep, I’m bored today…
“Innocent party for once”. I
“Innocent party for once”. I think that could be called a Freudian slip.
Richard D wrote:
Took the words out of my mouth. Along with the atrocious spelling and grammar, definitely not the sharpest spoon in the cutlery drawer.
It must have been removed –
It must have been removed – maybe they don’t allow photos in the comments.
I aways find it funny when
I aways find it funny when they say Bradley Wiggins – ‘oh, do you have aspirations to be a social worker then?’
Are you “Total moron haha” ?
Never under(over?)estimate the depths to which local rag comments can descend to.
I sort of supported Sky, but
I sort of supported Sky, but Ineos Landrover-clone? Forget it.
Well he looked exactly like I
Well he looked exactly like I’d imagine a dickhead to look like. Typical aggressive baldy, no doubt ready to resort to violence if you challenge his logic.
That Priory Lane path is
That Priory Lane path is utter rubbish. Unfair on pedestrians as well as cyclists. Drivers frequently use it as a parking place as well – somehow doubly-annoying when it was space stolen from pedestrians in the first place.
Not only is the Priory Lane
Not only is the Priory Lane cycle lane useless, the road should be filtered as it gets used as a rat-run when it’s completely unsuitable. Motor traffic should be using Roephampton Lane which runs parallel and is a main road. Priory Lane should be left as a quiet residential street that would be good for family cycling in.
Met Cycle Safety Team
Met Cycle Safety Team describe growing reports of incidents involving cyclists as “quite depressing”
Indeed. Now maybe it’s just coincidence, but there has been quite a lot of anti-cycling rhetoric in the msm recently, and it isn’t too far fetched to see a connection. It has been demonstrated many times that such bile does have an effect on the views and behaviour of many people. Time such biased, untrue, cycle-hating speech was banned.
BTW, further down the twitter
BTW, further down the twitter thread related to the a-hole trying to force cyclists onto the cycle lane I came across this one
https://twitter.com/helenjwc/status/1295793518921895938
Seems a motorist hit the cyclist whilst they were in the cycle lane anyway. Not sure if it is the same one or another there.
guys- ALWAYS make sure you’re
guys- ALWAYS make sure you’re wearing a good camera. Im pissed off now. I was going along at 15 mph, from the road tried to join the shared path, front wheel slipped out from under me and i skidded along the ground. Bloody camera cut out. Would have been good footage to show up yet another piss poor piece of ”cycle lane infastructure” Upton shared path, will now be avoided!!! i dont care what bournemouth council do at the cliff top- im staying away from the town now, the forest is way way better for cycling.
Hope you’re okay. Being able
Hope you’re okay. Being able to be angry, and posting about it, is a good sign in that regard.
“So the sensible thing for
“So the sensible thing for car users to actually do is encourage other drivers to switch to bikes and use those cycle lanes”
Nah, unfortunately millions of motorists have proved themselves too stupid: They continue to sit in stinking traffic jams EVERY SINGLE DAY while being overtaken by cyclist but the penny just doesn’t drop. Encouragement hasn’t worked, we need RULES!
In central Bristol there are
Correct – if you are complaining because the bicycles are travelling faster than your car, why not simply try riding a bike? Not every single one of those motorists is a plumber or a builder who simply must carry a tonne of equipment and materials; not every single one of those motorists has come from fifty miles away and has three children and their granny in the back of the car. The vast, vast majority of those vehicles – statistically likely, anyway – contains one person, on their own in the car, with a wallet and a phone, and has travelled less than five miles.
In central Bristol there are complaints from local motorists that the new ‘protected’ cycle lanes are taking up road space and causing congestion. The council has put wands up to protect painted cycle lanes that were always there. By now claiming that road space is being taken, these motorists are admitting that they always used to drive in the cycle lanes. Which justifies the council putting the wands up!
Quote:
Yes. Next?
The current reintroduction of
The current reintroduction of cars is technically a trial to ‘significantly reduce the through movement of motor traffic’. Yes, you read that correctly and no, I didn’t make it up.
(No subject)
markieteeee wrote:
Obviously avid Orwell fans.
Meant to ask – is that photo
Meant to ask – is that photo at the head what Richmond Park looks like? Gosh – you can really tell it’s parkland intended for recreation, can’t you?
More cars than cyclists or pedestrians…
Didn’t some resident complain
Didn’t some resident complain at the start of lockdown that they counted 16 cyclist in a minute in the park. Wonder if they are counting cars…
Re Police appeal to find
Re Police appeal to find cyclist who was hit by a van and walked off
Keep your head down mate. There’s no way the fuzz are concerned about your welfare.
Bournemouth Overcliff car ban
Bournemouth Overcliff car ban. – the news last night was that it is “on hold”. The car lobby shouting and stamping its feet, per the the past 50 years. Every yard of tarmac ruthlessly defended, because “there’s already traffic chaos around there, isn’t there.” Yes – caused by you. A shame there aren’t any iron gates…
The boss of the local Business Improvement District [was got at by some of her members and] wrote in about it. I guess this has been a terrible year for the hospitality, but for the same reason the loss of “passing trade” has a hollow ring to it.
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18665675.second-bournemouth-clifftop-traffic-scheme-put-hold/
“I read the news today, oh
“I read the news today, oh boy…”
This is what the car lobby chooses to go on ignoring.