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Kensington MP supports "more cycling” but not through Kensington… Shocker! Police say you CAN drive somewhere to exercise; Should speed limits be cut to ease NHS burden? You have your say; Tour of Flanders: Lockdown Edition; Arnie + ponies + bike +more

Today's live blog with Alex Bowden (daytime) and Simon MacMichael (evening)...
02 April 2020, 15:56
richmond park footage screenshot - via Simon MacMichael.PNG
Campaigners ask for Richmond Park to be reopened to cyclists

On Friday, Royal Parks announced that cycling would be banned in Richmond Park due to the numbers of cyclists who had been riding through.

A Royal Parks spokesperson explained: “It is necessary to suspend all cycling in Richmond Park to protect public safety and ultimately help keep this vital green space open for everyone. Cycling is still permitted in the other Royal Parks, where there is no current evidence of congestion.”

Campaigners including London Cycling Campaign have written asking for the decision to be reversed.

The letter sets out a series of measures that could be taken to ensure responsible cycling, including adding relevant signage, making trails one-way for cyclists or restricting and controlling the numbers riding in the park at peak times.

You can read the full letter here.

02 April 2020, 15:31
Speeding and the burden on the NHS – your views

Regarding the BMJ’s recommendation that the Government immediately lower speed limits to reduce the burden on the NHS, it’s fair to say that the most commonly-held opinion among you guys essentially boils down to, “Why bother changing the speed limits when you aren’t enforcing the ones you’ve got?”

Beyond that, quite a few of you do think that people’s driving has deteriorated.

In the comments, Eton Rifle suggests that, “Whilst the roads are indeed far less busy with motorised traffic, the remaining vehicles do seem to be driven by a disproportionately high number of dickheads.”

There have been similar comments on Twitter.

But the feeling on road.cc seems to be that enforcement would have a bigger impact than any temporary change in speed limits.

That said, Keith tweeted us to point out that the Isle of Man recently imposed an island-wide 40mph limit to reduce the burden on its health service.

Police there report that so far it is being observed well by motorists – perhaps because driving within the speed limit is being highlighted as an important measure.

There’s been a bit of overtaking above the speed limit, according to 3FM. Police point out that overtaking probably isn’t really necessary when everyone’s only travelling at 40mph anyway.

02 April 2020, 14:36
Conservative MP for Kensington against CS10

"I have received a vast amount of correspondence from constituents on the CS10 proposal," writes Felicity Buchan MP, "the overwhelming majority of which has been critical of this scheme."

The first reason she lists is that 'air quality would further deteriorate'.

Fair to say not everyone was convinced by her reasoning…

02 April 2020, 14:31
Laverock (via YouTube)
Slow TV is really catching on in Leamington

Regarding the story further down the page about Sky engineer Andrew Laverock, who’s been filming his morning rides for those in isolation…

peted76 writes in the comments: “Yay go Leamington! I saw that bloke pop up on facebook the other day on a local group and thought.. who would want to watch that.. then found myself strangely mesmerised by a video he posted... it's particuarly odd as there's nothing new to me about any of the places, it's literally my local patch..  I'm not the only one it seems, there's a ton of really postive comments from non-cycling people saying how his videos are really helping them. From Royal Leamington Spa Cycling Club, we tip our hats, chapeau!”

02 April 2020, 14:12
cargo_ebike1
Bike Punks youth project withdraws plan to offer deliveries on e-bikes

The Tweeddale Youth Action (TYA) group's Bike Punks project has abandoned a plan to offer deliveries on e-bikes during the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson told the Peeblesshire News the hope had been to make a contribution through the provision of the cargo e-bikes.

"However, as the trustees continued to reflect on the evolving situation, they came to the conclusion that people’s health and well-being was paramount and that they were not prepared to be responsible for putting anyone at risk.

"For this reason, the decision has been taken to withdraw the offer of the cargo e-bikes.

"Trustees were disappointed that the service would not now be provided but hoped that the public would understand that protecting the health and well-being of staff, volunteers and young people has to be the number one priority.”

TYA hopes to restart its e-bike delivery service later in the year.

02 April 2020, 13:56
Speed camera sign (CC licensed by DPP Law via Flickr)
Have you noticed more speeding motorists during the lockdown?

Earlier today, we reported how the BMJ is recommending that the Government immediately lower speed limits to reduce the burden on the NHS.

That would make sense even if everyone were behaving normally, but earlier this week North Yorkshire Police reported a rise in ‘opportunist drivers’ caught speeding.

“We're seeing a worrying trend here,” commented Gary Digva, a director of automotive tech specialists Road Angel.

“It isn't just the 'opportunist' drivers that the North Yorkshire Police Force flagged, there are actually far more 'accidental' speeders.

“The network is quieter, which one might think would lead to fewer accidents, but there is an issue with overconfidence that comes in and perhaps a more casual style of driving.

“Think about driving at night on a quiet motorway compared to the rush hour. Fewer cars around you alter your sense of speed and your concentration because it appears safer.”

Digva says that is a false sense of security both from the point of view of safe driving and the ease with which a driver can accidentally start to speed.

“Roads may well be quieter but as we like to remind our customers those speed limits are there for a reason. Yes, sometimes it is due to expected traffic flow and congestion which is less the case right now but it can also be due to road conditions, difficult terrain, blind bends or hidden dips.

“Right now the need to be aware of your driving and your speed is greater than ever. There may be fewer vehicles but there are more pedestrians getting exercise where they can and it is essential that drivers do not see these quieter roads as an opportunity to flout the law.

“Now more than ever we must all be speed aware as we do our bit to ensure an already overstretched frontline is not unnecessarily burdened.”

So, road.cc readers – have you noticed more speeding motorists?

02 April 2020, 13:21
Snake Pass (licensed CC BY-SA 2.0 by Paul Anderson)
Police say you CAN drive somewhere to exercise (but don't go far)

We don’t want to present this as a green light to drive up to the Lake District or anything, but new police guidance clarifies that people should NOT be punished for driving a “reasonable distance” to exercise.

In recent days social media posts from police forces across the country have often implied that people have been ignoring the rules about avoiding non-essential journeys.

Derbyshire Police used drones to highlight people exercising in the Peak District, while police in North Yorkshire even went so far as to set up checkpoints to stop people and enquire about their destinations.

The Guardian reports that new guidance issued by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) advises officers stopping vehicles that enforcement actions such as arrest or the issuing of a fine should only be used as a last resort.

“Use your judgment and common sense,” it says. “For example, people will want to exercise locally and may need to travel to do so, we don’t want the public sanctioned for travelling a reasonable distance to exercise. Road checks on every vehicle is equally disproportionate.

“We should reserve enforcement only for individuals who have not responded to engage, explain, and encourage, where public health is at risk.”

02 April 2020, 13:01
Thief took NHS worker’s bike from outside hospital

Depressingly, we’re reporting on this kind of stuff daily at the minute.

A woman who works in the surgical management team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle emerged from work on March 26 to discover that her bike had been taken.

Investigating Constable Graeme Newton told the Metro: “This is a disgusting crime. Given the current lockdown, the thief would have known there was a very high chance the bike belonged to a key worker.

“This was the victim’s chosen transport to and from work and she was crushed to discover, after her long shift, that someone would be so cruel as to steal her bike knowing it was likely how an NHS employee got to and from work.

“The theft of another person’s transport to work is always a selfish crime but to steal from an NHS worker in the midst of a pandemic is shameless.”

02 April 2020, 11:22
Throwback Thursday - De Ronde 2019

Seeing as we'll probably only get a virtual Tour of Flanders this year, we thought we'd have a look back at one of the biggest surprises of last year.

Despite showing glimpses of form the year before, not many would have picked Alberto Bettiol at the startline.

This behind-the-scenes film from Rapha shows the emotion of winning one of the biggest bike races of the year.

02 April 2020, 11:15
Christian Prudhomme at 2014 TdF presentation in Leeds (picture credit Welcome to Yorkshire - letouryorkshire.com)
Tour de France won’t take place without fans, says Prudhomme

Last week ASO was reported to be considering staging the Tour de France without fans. Race director Christian Prudhomme has now said this won’t happen.

Speaking to Sports Auvergne, he said: "The Tour de France is fervour, it's enthusiasm, it's smiles above all. We have to find those smiles.”

Speaking about the prospect of the race not taking place, he said: “It’s the health situation in the country that matters.

“I only wish one thing – that the Tour de France will take place this summer. Not for the Tour de France, but if it does not take place, it would mean that the country is in a catastrophic situation.”

02 April 2020, 10:41
20mph sign (CC licensed by EdinburghGreens via Flickr)
Should the Government immediately lower speed limits to reduce the burden on the NHS?

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has recommended an emergency reduction of all national speed limits to 50mph, and to 20mph in urban areas.

The publication argues that while the public it working to “flatten the curve” of covid-19 and the NHS is exploring all options to increase its capacity, the nation is “missing a trick” by not also working to lower the baseline demands placed on the NHS.

“In England alone there are around 35,000 non-fatal admissions to hospital every year related to road traffic accidents; more than one in 10 of these are serious and likely to require intensive support, including anaesthesia and surgery.

“Evidence from around the world shows that lowering speed limits can lead to major reductions in injuries. In Canada, for example, lowering the speed limit from 40km/h to 30km/h was associated with a 28% decrease in pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions and a 67% decrease in major and fatal injuries.

“This measure would be particularly important in supporting those who follow government advice and avoid non-essential use of public transport in order to maintain social distancing. We therefore suggest that the government urgently explore an emergency reduction of all national speed limits to 50mph, and to 20mph in urban areas.

“These policies are already supported by the Road Safety Management Capacity review, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

“We expect that the public would support this proposal for a limited time period if it was communicated appropriately in relation to the current NHS emergency.”

02 April 2020, 09:47
Tour of Flanders: Lockdown Edition start list

Predictably Belgian - which is as it should be.

De Gendt's a bit of a surprise though. Unusually for a Belgian, he's never really shown much interest in the Classics.

02 April 2020, 09:23
De Ronde
Tour of Flanders: Lockdown Edition

Not an April fool. Unless they’re a day late.

The real Tour of Flanders has been postponed for the time being. However, they’re going to run a one-hour virtual edition this Sunday.

“In a closed tour reserved exclusively for professional cyclists, 13 pros will be competing during the last 32 km of the Tour of Flanders – on their home trainers.”

Further details will burble out via social media in the next few days. We’ll keep you posted.

02 April 2020, 08:47
Arnie chases his ponies on his bike

Speaking a couple of weeks ago, Arnold Schwarzenegger said that getting out on his bike was, “the only way I’m leaving the house.”

Here he is chasing his ponies, Whiskey and Lulu, because “they need exercise too.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Whiskey and Lulu need exercise too

A post shared by Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger) on

“We cannot control the virus but we can control our fitness,” he says.

A brief history of Schwarzenegger on a bike

02 April 2020, 08:37
Leamington cyclist filming his early morning rides for those stuck indoors

Sky engineer Andrew Laverock has been filming his leisurely morning exercise rides for the benefit of those in isolation.

"I thought that people who are stuck at home due to the virus would be able to enjoy some of the beautiful sights our lovely town has to offer,” he told the Warwick Courier.

"Spring is in the air, the flowers are blooming and I just wanted to bring the local outdoors to people’s screens.

"I’m trying to get around all the local parks and canal towpaths and I’ll keep posting new content so stay tuned."

02 April 2020, 08:11
Astana pro Davide Martinelli "the happiest man in the world" delivering food and medicine

Astana’s Davide Martinelli has volunteered to deliver food and medicine in his home town of Lodetto in Brescia.

Lodetto doesn’t have supermarkets or chemists, so Martinelli’s heading into nearby Rovato on his bike to pick stuff up for the elderly and vulnerable.

He says the efforts were started by a cousin of his and some friends.

“I have heard various stories that touched me about people who are unable to travel to our capital and who have solved their problems thanks to these volunteers.

“Over the years I have received so much from my community, but I have hardly had the opportunity to repay it because of a life that often leads me to be away from home.

"I am very attached to Lodetto, a community of just over 1,500 people, where unfortunately there is neither a chemist nor a grocery store. I thought it was a chance to make myself useful and repay the many people who have always supported me over the years, and to help those who need it right now.

“I have a bike, two legs – now not very trained – and a backpack and nothing more. Today I had the honour of being able to go to the chemist to collect medicine for an elderly couple.

In total 30 minutes and about 10km – nothing special for an athlete, but when I delivered them to their door – obviously with the necessary precautions (mask and gloves) – I felt a thank you, which still echoes in my head.

“I am the happiest man in the world, cycling is beautiful, everything is beautiful, but being useful to others is priceless.”

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

Add new comment

26 comments

Avatar
Spokesperson | 3 years ago
3 likes

The technology exists to fit and retrofit every vehicle with intelligent speed adaptation that will stop the vehicle from going over the speed limit in any part of the road system. Cycling and road safety bodies should be pressing government and opposition politicians to insist that every vehicle be fitted with these devices so that people just can't exceed the limit. It is ridiculous in this day and age to rely on our chimp brains and tendencies to look after each others' safety on the roads, when a technological solution is sitting there waiting to be used.

Avatar
ktache replied to Spokesperson | 3 years ago
1 like

New vehicles will soon be fitted with speed limiters, European thing, but unfortunately it will be overcome by the incredibly difficult process of pressing hard on the accelerator pedal.  I think there may be a small sound inside the vehicle, I'm sure to be easily silenced.

Avatar
Notbuilt2climb replied to ktache | 3 years ago
2 likes

F1 cars use pit lane limiters that prevent the car exceeding the speed limit but I think it's dependant on the driver pressing the button to make the car adjust down to the max speed allowed.  Could that be the first building block of a system that will trickle down to everyday vehicles.

Hypothetically, streets could be lined with devices emitting signals to vehicles that activate the limiters built in to the car.  They could attach the device to all the non working speed cameras & the speed limit signs that are being ignored.

I fear that 'smart' people will always find a way to bypass it though.

But I still don't understand why we need cars built to go over 100mph  when the limit is 70mph on UK motorways.

Avatar
ktache replied to Notbuilt2climb | 3 years ago
2 likes

The tech is very easy and already availble, the better half oldish sat nav already knows the speed limit on roads, I don't think it can quite do variable speed limits on Mways, might do, I haven't really looked.

As I said it is already about to be fitted, from 2022 all cars sold in the EU will have to have governers fitted, but also overcome by pressing the go faster pedal.  If it were "only for emergencies" you'd thing that alams and lights would have to tell everyone around that there was a "rare" emergency going on.

Breaking the speed limit is somehow different than any other form of illegality, why else would they have created the term "otherwise law abiding motorists" and think that attempting to have lower speed limits for the safety of all is somehow a "punishment"

I think most new cars will fairly easily get to 100mph, most to 150 and some to 200.  Sort of makes you wonder doesn't it.

Avatar
Shades | 3 years ago
1 like

Definitely less traffic but more people speeding and using mobiles.  When the police refer to unnecessary journeys being taken by the 'ignorant and defiant' it all makes perfect sense.

Richmond Park; why have the stress and hassle of trying to keep distance from other cyclists?  Go places where it's quiet; I've been sampling some of the local A roads that are normally way too busy for a relaxing pedal.

Avatar
BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP | 3 years ago
1 like

I have been cycling regularly in London (for work reasons) and I have noticed that obviously there is a lot less motor traffic. The tension and aggression is much less as drivers are not stuck in endless queues. Therefore drivers tend to be more considerate perhaps because they don't see cyclists as 'blocking their way'. On the negative side - the speed. It has increased considerably. So the London close pass is now at 30 - 40 mph whereas pre lockdown it was 10 - 20 mph. I still don't understand the manoeuvre that requires a motorist to hurtle past and then slam on the brakes to turn right or left - or to park. Just wait 1 second for me to pass the junction / turning / parking spot.

Avatar
dodpeters | 3 years ago
5 likes

I’m a keen motorist myself, but there needs to be a lot more careful and considerate driving than the lawlessness that has become normal on our roads. We need lower speed limits because if it just saves one life it will be worth it.

Avatar
StephenN | 3 years ago
1 like

Been out for a couple of hours 4 times since lockdown and I've not had any problems with speeding drivers,. However, maybe it's because there's a lot less traffic about and it's making them easier to notice but the amount I see who are openly fiddling with their phones while driving is really worrying. 

Avatar
ktache replied to StephenN | 3 years ago
1 like

I think it's partly because they are so not stuck in queues of traffic, which for them is a "perfect" time to check their phone, without that they "just have to" do it while motoring at speed.

Avatar
eburtthebike | 3 years ago
3 likes

Well, I for one am shocked that a fine, upstanding, honest, truthful and unimpeachable tory MP would do something so underhand and NIMBY as supporting cycling, but not in her area.*  I'm sure she and her sycophantic hypocritical pals will sink without trace the recent government announcement about reducing car use and increasing active travel.

 

*May contain huge great dollops of irony.

Avatar
eburtthebike | 3 years ago
4 likes

I'm sure the BMJ's suggestion will be fully investigated in the government's review of road laws, which is bound to happen any day soon.  Well, any year soon.  Any decade soon?  Ever?

Avatar
Notbuilt2climb | 3 years ago
3 likes

Current speed limits are not enforced anyway, local councils don't do anything about them and the police don't have the resources.  It makes no difference what the 'limits' are. I regularly see people far exceed the speed limits (incl police cars), park on double yellow lines, go through red lights and turn right or left against signs that say no right/left turn.  Some drivers just do what they want because they know there is a 99% chance they'll get away with it.

Unless there is a serious deterrent (fines, loss of license etc etc), driving behaviour is not going to change.

Whilst the current crisis is making the roads a lot less congested, there are still some idiots on the road.

 

 

Avatar
Simon E replied to Notbuilt2climb | 3 years ago
2 likes

Notbuilt2climb wrote:

Current speed limits are not enforced anyway, local councils don't do anything about them and the police don't have the resources.  It makes no difference what the 'limits' are.

That's not strictly true, since many people will drive at or near the legal limit most of the time. There are a couple of sections near me that used to be 40 mph and are now 30 mph and, while some people still drive too fast, overall they are better than before the limit was reduced.

And the solution to current lack of enforcement is not to shrug, say "oh well" and do nothing. If we pester councils and police forces they will feel obliged to do more. The topic must be getting some traction because the Met's Supt. Andy Cox has just posted a poll on twitter:

Quote:

With less congestion on roads & cases of extreme speeding increasing risk of a crash leading to fatal & life changing injury requiring #NHS #Police #Fire resource & abstracting them from #coronaviruspatients. Do you think reducing the speed limit during the #lockdownuk is needed?

https://twitter.com/SuptAndyCox/status/1245744383506419712

Avatar
Notbuilt2climb replied to Simon E | 3 years ago
1 like

I agree that it's the minority who don't comply to road rules (cyclists and drivers). That's great that the reduction close to you is being adhered to you for the most part.   Unfortunately, here in Bristol, it's not always the case but I also acknowledge that we only really notice the 'bad' ones. Fair play to Andy Cox for putting it out there.

I'm not really shrugging and saying 'oh well'; I'd like it to change.  But I am frustrated about it, especially when I see police cars (in non emergency situation) exceeding speed limits.  Not sure how to report that and be able to prove it though.  When I drive my car in a 20mph zone at the limit, so many cars are right up my rear trying to pressure me to go faster. 

Yes, we can pester the councils and police forces (pull an Andy dufresne a la 'Shawshank') & hopefully some changes will result especially when daily life gets back to something resembling normality.

 

 

Avatar
ktache replied to Notbuilt2climb | 3 years ago
0 likes

Now you say minority, but there are government stats out there that say that if given the oppertunity, car drivers will exceed the posted speed limit in a 20mph zone 85% of the time, which increases to 90% at the weekends.

I found this

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

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bikeman01 | 3 years ago
2 likes

“Use your judgment and common sense"

Haven't Derbyshire and North Yorkshire Police already demonstrated that they are unable to?

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mdavidford | 3 years ago
1 like

I've not seen any speeding motorists in my garage...

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Kapelmuur | 3 years ago
0 likes

Re the virtual Ronde, I use Bkool and the 3D simulations are basic to say the least and bear no relation to the terrain you're riding through other than the road goes up and down.

Have they developed something new for the Ronde?   If so will it be available to all users?
 

Or are the graphics I see basic because I use an elderly second hand laptop?   I usually ride along to videos which are fine.

Avatar
Oldfatgit | 3 years ago
0 likes

I have a Fly 12 on the front and I record all my rides.

Maybe I'm missing a trick by not uploading all rides for people to watch, although I suppose there would be almost no interest in 2 hour tours of central Scotland  1

 

Avatar
Municipal Waste | 3 years ago
4 likes

I don't remember the last time I saw anyone sticking to a speed limit anyway!

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to Municipal Waste | 3 years ago
3 likes

Municipal Waste wrote:

I don't remember the last time I saw anyone sticking to a speed limit anyway!

Me, I do.  Of course I end up with a queue of traffic behind me, all impatient to overtake to get to the next traffic lights first, but that's where I catch them up.

Avatar
grumpyoldcyclist replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
3 likes

Me too, as a cyclist I detest speeding drivers, so when I drive I don't speed otherwise I'd be like a tory MP that supports cycling, but not on their patch.

Avatar
Eton Rifle | 3 years ago
8 likes

Whilst the roads are indeed far less busy with motorised traffic, the remaining vehicles do seem to be driven by a disproportionately high number of dickheads. In particular, twats on motorbikes in the suburbs noisily accelerating to high speeds for a few seconds before slamming on the brakes as they reach the next roundabout.
Nice to see more cyclists out and about, though.

Avatar
ktache | 3 years ago
9 likes

Whilst I think that lowering the speed limits might be a good thing, why not properly enforce the ones we've already got, and AT the limits we have, so 21 in a 20, 31 in a 30.  Perhaps with instant (though more temporary for speeders) bans and confiscation of motor vehicles, especially for drink and drunk drivers and for "distracted" drivers, seeing how stretched the court system was in the Before Times.

Avatar
Awavey | 3 years ago
5 likes

Given existing speed limits are being fairly openly flouted in the current environment, and it's not like people arent aware theres a bit of a crisis going in at the moment, what does the BMJ base their thinking on that a newer lower speed limit has a chance of making any impact ? Should the government divert more police resource to enforcing a new speed limit as a result ?

Avatar
peted76 | 3 years ago
2 likes

Yay go Leamington! I saw that bloke pop up on facebook the other day on a local group and thought.. who would want to watch that.. then found myself strangely mesmerised by a video he posted... it's particuarly odd as there's nothing new to me about any of the places, it's literally my local patch..  I'm not the only one it seems, there's a ton of really postive comments from non-cycling people saying how his videos are really helping them. From Royal Leamington Spa Cycling Club, we tip our hats, chapeau!

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