“Like a medieval torture device”: intimidating towpath barrier ridiculed on social media; Richmond Park bike ban relaxed; Free Amsterdam bike collections to unclutter streets; Driver swerves cyclist, but is the driver wrong? + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Peter Sagan's 'relaxation' technique after a long training session
After a long and hard day in the saddle, training in the mountains of @oetztalcom, it’s time to relax a bit…@BORAhansgrohe @BORAGmbH @Hansgrohe_PR @iamspecialized @sportful @ride100percent pic.twitter.com/f2snQyGfvm
— Peter Sagan (@petosagan) June 18, 2020
The multiple world champion has been known to pop the odd wheelie, sometimes in races, and here he is again wheelie-ing up a mountain somewhere in Austria. Never change Mr Sagan…
Bike sales could still be down in 2020 despite huge lockdown boom, according to new forecast
The new forecast from market research specialists Mintel predicts that while UK bike sales could tip over £1 billion a year by 2023, they expect 2020 to only reach £842 million compared to £940 million last year.
Mintel says: “The COVID-19 crisis and its economic impact have ushered in a period of unprecedented volatility in the cycling market. The crisis has provided a boost to demand in the immediate term, but bike sales are likely to fall later in 2020 as an anticipated deep recession bites.
“The likely repercussions of COVID-19 on cycling participation are complex. The UK lockdown is disrupting patterns of behaviour, which initially resulted in lower levels of weekday cycle commuting overall, but a boost to weekend leisure riding.
“As lockdown restrictions ease and Brits return to the workplace there is likely to be a shift from crowded public transport to crowded streets. The fact that at the beginning of the year a third of adults who didn’t currently cycle said they would consider doing so in the future suggests there is huge potential to increase cycle participation rates. Once spending recovers from the impact of the recession, the long-term market potential is strong.”
Despite this setback Mintel claim things look generally promising for the future of cycling, with 32% of non-cycling respondents to a survey saying they would consider cycling in the future. They also report that e-bike sales grew by 40% in 2019, although the 100,000 sold in 2019 represents around just 4% of all UK bike sales.
A quarter of UK commuters will 'default to using the car' if barriers to cycling aren't addressed, say British Cycling
New research by the HSBC UK and British Cycling partnership has found that although the UK is set for a huge rise in cycle commuters when the lockdown is lifted, 26% of those surveyed say they will default to commuting by car if ‘barriers’ to cycling aren’t addressed.
The research found that 1 in 5 UK commuters said they were more likely to cycle to work post-lockdown, but many expressed reservations about infrastructure and traffic levels. 44% of respondents said quieter cycle routes would encourage them to ride more, plus less vehicle traffic (42%) and more cycle lanes (39%). Some also expressed reservations about initiatives provided by their employer, with 37% saying better bike storage facilities would encourage them to cycle. 15% also revealed that they simply weren’t confident enough in their cycling ability to commute by bike.
To halt the number of people who are more likely to drive when public transport isn’t a safe option, British Cycling’s CEO Julie Harrington has called on the government and businesses to ensure as many of those journeys as possible are made by bike, saying:
“It is important that as a country we take advantage of the enthusiasm for cycling over recent weeks to ensure it is a long-term trend rather than merely a flash in the pan. Government, businesses, and all of us have a responsibility to make the most of this moment to create a greener and safer commute for all.
“We need to enable those who can travel by bike to choose cycling in order to ease the pressure on public transport and create space for those for whom cycling is not an option. That means cycling must be a viable alternative wherever possible.
“Helping more people to get around by bike will ensure they do not turn to driving to work, which would be a terrible backwards step for the environment and the fitness of the country. Cycling can help create a greener, fitter and healthier nation, and at this time of real change for the country, now more than ever we know that cycling can be a force for good.”
Driver uploads video of near miss with falling cyclist 'for insurance underwriting purposes'... but some think the driver is in the wrong
The video upload is accompanied by text explaining that the cyclist “only has injuries consistent with falling off a bicycle” and that the upload is for “insurance underwriting purposes only”; however the video was discovered and shared on social media, with many suggesting that the driver was in the wrong.
From the car’s dashcam we see a cyclist come into view at 7 seconds into the clip, who then falls in front of the car a couple of seconds later. The driver swerves and ends up in a hedge, narrowly missing the cyclist; however some comment that the driver may have been going too fast considering the wet conditions and single-track country lane, and others are even suggesting that the cyclist could have slammed the brakes and fell because they feared a head-on collision. The speedometer on the bottom left appears to show that the car was travelling at 32mph before the driver took evasive action.
A comment under the original YouTube clip above says: “If it was another car, they would have crashed. Unfortunately this bad driving is accepted in most places.”
Another says: “Travelling a bit quick for the road conditions and with no thought to anyone else on the road.”
Muc-Off launches 'No Puncture Hassle' inner tube sealant
If you’re not a tubeless convert and don’t care much for patches or carrying loads of spare tubes, then Muc-Off’s new No Puncture Hassle could be the thing for you. It’s described as a “proprietary water-based non-hazardous formula”, designed specifically for use with inner tubes. Suitable for all bike types, they say it can seal off holes up to 4mm and the hose is compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves. It also has ‘anti-corrosion inhibitors’ to protect alloy rims and valves.
No Puncture Hassle is available now through Muc-Off dealers and via Muc-Off’s website for £9.99 a pot.
Amsterdammers can now have their unused bikes picked up for refurbishment to help unclutter the streets
If you’ve visited the Dutch capital, you’ll be familiar with the huge number of bikes left around the city’s many bike racks… and when they’re all taken up, sometimes railings can be four or five deep with rusty old choppers that don’t appear to be in use; in fact it’s often cited that the Netherlands has more bikes than people, and now the
Municipality of Amsterdam has a scheme to address the issue.
The initiative allows residents to make an appointment to have their unused bike collected free of charge, and then the bikes are refurbished by apprentice mechanics to be sold on. The bike must be unlocked or the key must be handed over before informing the collectors of the bike’s location, and they will take anything from wrecks to bikes that simply aren’t used any more.
Gemeente Amsterdam say: “Is your bicycle crumbling in the bicycle rack? Used bicycles can be transformed with additional usable parts. This will also create more space on the street. The whole city gets improved!”
Utrecht 1982 vs Utrecht 2020: is Britain still in '82?
Two girls stand in the same location in Utrecht between 1982 and 2020 (38 years). The difference is clear, not only in the street components which can be implemented and achieved by designers, but the real development is the urban mobility modes
Picture source:@edwinlucas_ pic.twitter.com/pCAzNZp9qj
— Fouad | Urban Planner (@FouadUrbanist) June 17, 2020
Continuing the Dutch theme, here’s the same street in the cycling mecca of Utrecht 38 years apart, with Jeremy Vine amongst others suggesting that the UK is still more like the photo on the left…
Please come to the richest borough in England, @RBKC, and see the horror for cyclists here.@willnorman @RBKC_cycling @bike_rogers @BikemindedRBKC @HounslowCycling @MikeyCycling pic.twitter.com/pu7tkhG3qf
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) June 19, 2020
Mitchelton-Scott/Manuela Fundacion debacle: representatives still insist a contract was signed, and are 'shocked' deal has been pulled
The weirdest pro cycling sponsorship story of 2020 is continuing to get weirder, as a former pro who represented the non-profit Manuela Fundacion in their negotiations with GreenEdge (the parent company behind the Australian team currently known as Mitchelton-Scott) has told an Italian news outlet that the collapse of the deal was “completely unjustified”.
2000 Giro d’Italia winner Stefano Garzelli told Cicloweb: “I want to clarify everything as soon as possible, my image has been tarnished as well as that of the Manuela Fundación.
“Gerry Ryan’s words yesterday were a cold shower, and totally unjustified; the agreement was concluded and signed. As far as we are concerned, we go on.”
It’s reported that Garzelli was involved enough to quit his job as a commentator for Italian TV channel Rai Sport, and fully expected to be managing the team under the new Manuela Fundacion name. GreenEdge have said nothing since releasing a statement yesterday clarifying that to them, the deal will no longer proceed.
16-year-old riding 3,500 miles to raise money for his mother who is stranded in Sudan
Michael Wright came to the UK from Eritrea four years ago to live with his sister after his father – a UK passport holder – passed away. His mother Lindsay was unable to get a visa to go with Michael to the UK, and was forced to flee Eritrea and settle in Sudan due to civil unrest. Michael says he has visited his mother twice in four years and was also shocked at the living conditions she had to endure in Sudan, so wants to raise money to support her until he is 18.
The Abergavenny Road Club rider has now set himself the challenge of riding 3,500 miles in ten weeks, which is roughly the distance between the UK and Eritrea. He said: “I want to raise money for my mum so she can live safely.
“Cycling has always been part of my life and it has helped me through tough times. It is the national sport of Eritrea. I want to be a professional cyclist one day, it is my dream.
“I started the challenge on June 1st to see if it is realistic and doable. I’ve actually cycled over 500 miles since June 1st which means I can do it.”
You can add a donation to Michael’s GoFundMe page here.
Happy Friday
BREAKING: Katie Hopkins permanently banned from Twitter, social media firm confirms https://t.co/6eauTledOT
— HuffPost UK (@HuffPostUK) June 19, 2020
Richmond Park cycling ban lifted further, but weekend restrictions still stand
We’re pleased to announce a change to cycling restrictions in Richmond Park. From Monday 22 June all cyclists are welcome on weekdays at any time during park opening hours, on the designated routes.https://t.co/eGcFnQ9Bvj pic.twitter.com/J7XoMVhE7j
— The Royal Parks (@theroyalparks) June 19, 2020
A controversial ban on cycling in Richmond Park that was first introduced in late March has seen more restrictions lifted, with cyclists of all ages now allowed to ride in the park’s grounds at any time during weekdays.
The initial ban in the early stages of the UK lockdown was due to “congestion”, claimed Royal Parks, and this was partially lifted to allow cyclists back in before 10am and after 4pm on weekdays at the start of June. Although the latest easing will be welcomed news, it still means that only key works and under 12’s are permitted to cycle in Richmond Park on weekends. Some are suggesting that the easing should extend further to allow cyclists to use the park at weekends too; however in their update published today, Royal Parks still insist that the weekend measures are to “prevent serious congestion at park gates.”
The roads outside the park are no safer on weekends. Children and beginner cyclists shouldn’t be forced to use them. End this nonsense and just reopen to all cyclists at all times!
— Calum_R91 🚴🏼♀️ (@CalumR91) June 19, 2020
Now move to no restriction at all. Cyclists can mix on any road outside the Park including crowded town centres without issue. Pedestrians don’t need roads to play on, they have the other 95% of the Park. #reopenfully
— Mark Sharon (@MarkSharon_DP) June 19, 2020
"How do you even walk through that?" Towpath barrier that looks like a "medievil torture device" ridiculed
Ok cycle people, do your worst! I’ll point out it has been bypassed but, Jesus…who came up with this one? pic.twitter.com/AiRripNEw4
— Big Nick (@BigNick93904986) June 19, 2020
While cyclists will occasionally stumble across barriers on shared paths that were (presumably) originally intended to stop motorbikes and other vehicles that shouldn’t be using the route, sometimes things get a little too overzealous… the example above being one of them.
Stalingrad had flimsier defences than this.
— Just Some Fella (@EddyRhead) June 19, 2020
Perhaps better to just drop a pile of razorwire across the path and do the job properly.
— Iain Roberts (@slowbikeiain) June 19, 2020
How do you even walk through that?
— Amanda Phillipson (@amandajp17) June 19, 2020
Looks like something from 50 Shades!
— BikeyMcMikeFace🐝 (@Cyclingbeemike) June 19, 2020
Described as “a medievil torture device” and “the lovechild of a park gym and a cattle pen” amongst other things, it looks unclear how one would even walk through it; although Big Nick who posted the photos to Twitter say he did eventually manage to bypass the curious defence.
Last week, Sutton Coldfield Police were criticised and accused of potential discrimination for saying that a barrier had been installed to stop “swarms” of cyclists using it to make a “quick getaway”; although unlike the example above that would look more at home in Guantanamo Bay than the British countryside, this one was actually criticised for being too flimsy to stop the two-wheeled cyclists it intended to halt, and would instead simply penalise wheelchair and recumbent users.
Following issues with Anti-Social cyclists on Orton Avenue & Plantsbrook Road, Sutton Coldfield the cut through the cyclists use to make a quick getaway has had a pedestrian barrier installed to make life a little more difficult for the swarms to get through #Teamwork #GoodNews pic.twitter.com/km8DRhhBQO
— Sutton Coldfield Police (@Sutton_WMP) June 10, 2020
19 June 2020, 08:20
19 June 2020, 08:20
A more positive slant on a possible slump in sales reported by the market research giants
Bike sales predicted to drop in 2020 despite lock down bike sales boom
Roller coaster ride for cycle trade as squeeze on consumer spending dents sales say report before dramatic growth in coming years
19 June 2020, 08:20
Cheap as chips...
Graphene is back…this time in a £230 jersey from Ale
The graphene fabric “allows an active interaction between the body and the fabric.”
19 June 2020, 08:20
19 June 2020, 08:20
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Latest Comments
@jackcycles I'm not sure my grandchildren got that memo. Cycling should not be just for hardened road warriors.
Chrisonabike There are a number of police forces in England and Wales that are using portable testing equipment already... How effective it is another matter, I haven't looked into the results of failing (I would hope they just seize and crush the motorbike without any faff but I am sure there are appeal processes, promises not to use them on public roads etc).
Woah there - a precision-engineered European-made product, with unparalleled adaptability, is somehow a ‘rip off’? Compared to what - Temu? As per the article, most quality through-axles go for £50-60+, but aren’t adaptable and don’t provide any stand or trailer capability. If you want to balance your £3-4-5k suspension or carbon bike, or bikepacking setup on a budget product subject to highly focused stresses, fair play. Cycling’s a broad church.
@eburtthebike I've found Spanish drivers to be almost entirely excellent around cyclists.
I agree, the study was made after cycle paths that had been introduced in Berlin during the 70’s and 80’s caused a big increase in cycling deaths. It is an interesting study for cyclists to read in order to know what dangers exist at badly designed junctions. Here in Paris we have very few bi-directional paths. The ones I have cycled on have no building entrances or courtyards (so no cars crossing the path) and every junction is traffic lights to prevent accidents.
We have enough regulation. They're running a motorbike without insurance/registration and possibly without a licence, and the punishment for being caught with all that is pretty severe already. The problem is lack of enforcement.
In my experience with anything less than one of those serious mid-bike two-foot kickstands, a wall / tree / hedge is the better option, or the bike will sometimes show you the alternative and lie down by itself. Maybe I've got panniers that are just too large and the wrong balance of (too much) cargo though? And of course Edinburgh streets are great at funneling gusts of wind...
I agree there's a clear legal line * but I do see something here. Like much tech it's entirely opaque from the outside (without even invoking things like the VW emissions cheating).** I know in NL they have trialled semi-portable "test stations" to check max motor speeds. However with the latest "but there's no money" crisis I can't see that over here. Indeed it's hard to see the police being motivated to do any more roads policing, with this even further down the priority list. Hope I'm wrong... While I guess many of us *would* be fine with EAPCs as a means to attract "non-cyclists" ... perhaps there's an "attractive nuisance" element to this? We're ushering people into an apparently effortless, easy and minimal consequence mobility mode without the "learning experience" of managing a lighter, unpowered machine on roads. And it's still (busy) *roads* where the new power-assisted riders will often find themselves. Not like in more advanced countries where people usually cycle in much safer and more controlled environments. OTOH we should always balance such concerns against "but cars and full-power ICE motorbikes now" though! Number plates, licences and insurance aren't necessarily mitigating that well... * As soon as there are laws games will be played. How long can you be above the "continuous rate power" for? Can we have *multiple* legal motors on one machine? ** Is the power / speed actually regulated by software, and how long will that keep a child armed with the internet from unlocking it?
And maybe a planning obligation to have traffic Marshalls controlling access out of the site not obstructing the path and restricting it if cyclists are likely to be obstructed …one can hope
I'll stick to my low rider with Karrimor Kalahari dry bag panniers and Karrimor Kalahari barbag thanks.
28 thoughts on ““Like a medieval torture device”: intimidating towpath barrier ridiculed on social media; Richmond Park bike ban relaxed; Free Amsterdam bike collections to unclutter streets; Driver swerves cyclist, but is the driver wrong? + more on the live blog”
Doesn’t feel like a cycling
Doesn’t feel like a cycling revolution; roads feel even more ‘toxic’ than pre-COVID. Lots of frustrated people returning to the roads; too fast, too close and too impatient.
Have to agree; we’re back to
Have to agree; we’re back to normal and the driving is probably even worse. All the talk of things changing was just that; talk.
It was great to see quieter
It was great to see quieter roads and a lot more people out cycling you don’t normally see but I’m finding exactly the same as you now even on quiet back roads marked for cycling I’ve had several dangerously close passes by impatient drivers. I don’t know if it’s any worse than normal or feels worse after the quieter roads but after clocking up a good few miles on the road I’ve not ridden my road bike in the last couple of weeks as aside from the genuine risk of injury or worse it’s just horrible enduring so many near misses and worrying about each one that passes.
I’d agree it’s hard to
I’d agree it’s hard to compare as I’m riding more miles at times I wouldn’t normally be on the road,yet it just feels busier & worse than it should be.Normally it was only my commute that was horrid due to the route I had to take, always seemed full of angsty pent up frustrated drivers and maybe once in a blue moon I might encounter the one bad driver at all other times. But now its practically every ride,any day,any road and I’m encountering that kind of stuff multiple times per ride, today’s was a truck that got close enough I could feel the heat from the engine/exhaust on my legs,and it was one of those you knew was coming so breath in and hold on. How a newbie would have reacted to that I dont know I suspect probably put them off cycling on the road for life.
I’d say the driver was going
I’d say the driver was going too fast along that country road. With high greenery like that plus a wet road surface, low speeds would be more suitable. It’s is ridiculous that some roads like that may actually have higher speed limits. On a wet day you shouldn’t really be doing more than 20mph if it’s that narrow and with such restricted visibility.
It’s a speed limit, not a
It’s a speed limit, not a target. It seems that not a lot of people know that.
Not a dig at you BTW – too fast and it would have been, at best, up close and personal with the wing mirror for the cyclist
32 mph on a single country
32 mph on a single country lane? Guy’s hazard peception must be like “If I crash, I crash”
In parts of California there
In parts of California there are big signs on popular routes used by cyclists, saying “Bike may use whole lane”. Seems a simple thing but reinforcing to everyone that bikes are just as entitled to the road has a big impact on confidence. Also stops stupid overtaking and moves bikes out of the door zone.
Cyclist clearly moves over as
Cyclist clearly moves over as they see the car and hits some slippery crap on the edge of the road. If the car had to drive into a hedge to avoid them it was clearly going way to fast. Highway code is clear you should drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely in the distance you can see.
I suspect that if the rider
I suspect that if the rider had not fallen, then the driver would have passed far too close and far too fast. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if the approach speed caused the rider to take evasive action and subsequently fall.
As was mentioned, if that had been another car travelling at the same speed in the opposite direction, then it could have been even worse.
The main barrier to me using
The main barrier to me using my bike to commute is that I have no shower at work, so its dry days only as I’ve tried washing with a flannel and basin after a 16 mile rainy cross-country commute; I was covered in grit and road grime and it didn’t work very well. Then getting back into wet gritty lycra for the return journey was lovely.
Even if I did, in these post-COVID days, I don’t know how feasible it is to have shared shower facilities any more. Not sure what can be done about that.
It’s a good point on the
It’s a good point on the showers in a Covid environment,our office had showers,not that I chose to use them as they were a bit gross and you couldn’t lock the door properly,and not that the office is open except for skeleton staff who have to be there,but the showers are out bounds now & their water has been disconnected as part of the buildings Covid19 security process. So I dont know how as you say that’s going to work, assuming one day we get allowed back.
I have been in our work a
I have been in our work a couple of times for quick checks on physical kit. The four individual shower / WC rooms are currently still open but with 2m signs everywhere. However the large drying cabinet has been taped shut. So yes, you can shower and get clean, however you can’t dry your towel or wet clothes if you have any.
PRSboy wrote:
Why would there be an issue with showers, of all places? Covid is spread through droplets of saliva when infectious people talk, or cough, sneeze … or spit. You can then either breathe in the droplets directly, or transmit them indirectly through touching your mucuous membranes after touching a droplet bespattered surface.
However, soap and water are enough to degrade the virus, and wash away surface contamination. Overall at work, I’d have thought the shower was the safest place to be!
Government guidance for
Government guidance for offices is just that shower / changing areas need enhanced cleaning, and to be kept clear of personal items. The bigger issue (assuming 2m distancing stays) is more likely to be the reduced capacity of changing areas and increased numbers of people wanting to use them.
When I used to race I always
When I used to race I always rode to work, minimum 12 miles, more usually 40 and up to 100 on Wednesdays. Never had a shower at any of my workplaces; soap and a flannel in the basin had to suffice.
But if you’re commuting you must use a mudguard bike on wet road days. It’s not actually often you’ll get wet from falling rain in the mornings.
32 mph in the wet, on a
32 mph in the wet, on a narrow single track…OK
Lost count of the number of collisions I have avoided when driving simply by going slowly at and near hazard points (sometimes I have been stationary as a result).
And you forgot, round a blind
And you forgot, round a blind bend…
Good job it’s a different
Good job it’s a different crew that installs the road traffic signs else they’d all be down the middle of the lane. They’ve even had pause to reflect and moved one of the bollards by a few cm. I’d seriously love to know the workflow and competencies employed to yield such a result!
Sriracha, you’re being
Sriracha, you’re being unreasonable – if they moved the bollards further over to the kerb then drivers would not be able to park their cars half on the pavement.
If they moved them to the left then the cycle “lane” might actually be usable and some cyclists may actually use them. Like this, the council can say “we spent the money, nobody used them and so we won’t spend any more”
Must be the same council who
Must be the same council who decided to repaint zigzag lines on a local ped crossing during lockdown despite there being many large potholes where they wanted to paint. They duly painted the lines into the numerous holes to make it look a dogs dinner. 2 weeks later the potholes then got filled in……..
On the ‘driver uploads video’
On the ‘driver uploads video’ story, I would like to draw the court’s attention to a previous story relating to cyclists falling off:
https://road.cc/content/forum/248629-i-cant-help-it-if-cyclist-falls-over-says-helen-measures
(cough – cough – killer driver Dr Helen Measures)
On the “How do you even walk
On the “How do you even walk through that?” story – did someone just tick every single box on the requisition form?
They didn’t tick the disabled
They didn’t tick the disabled access box I hope.
Maybe the ‘disabled access’
Maybe the ‘disabled access’ box wasn’t accessible enough…?
brooksby wrote:
It was left over from the war; it’s to stop tanks.
“The world is made up of “ifs
“The world is made up of “ifs, buts and maybes”; the problem as I see it social media in general now allows everyone to have an opinion. Those opinions are often polarised. Here’s my take having followed a link from the road.cc website: 1. Was anyone in the car hurt? Doesn’t appear so. 2.Was the cyclist injured? Doesn’t appear so. Good. I imagine the cyclist feels glad he wasn’t injured and driver is glad he didn’t injure the cyclist or those in the car. 3. An insurance matter. 4. A Police matter (maybe). I’m happy for both the driver and cyclist.”
So much for defensive driving and cycling !
The interest in cycling will
The interest in cycling will wane with the weather. If we’d not had such an amazingly sunny lockdown I doubt the boom would have ever happened. Once autumn chills begin and work in actual workplaces resumes, thr bike will go back in the shed or on gumtree. Could be some bargains on the way!