“What hope do we have if the police don’t even know the laws?”: Ex-pro cyclist Phil Gaimon wins in court over two-abreast riding ‘offence’; Cycling group slams “unsafe, unacceptable and substandard” shared-use path plan + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
"Given a choice, many people would cycle if it was safer": Cyclist mythbusts common excuses of people claiming bike journeys aren't for them
Let’s kick off Thursday with a good old social media discussion, live blog regular Bob From Accounts urging new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to build more cycle lanes to increase safety and get more people on their bikes. The signs look good on that front, Haigh this week suggesting the Labour government would invest “unprecedented levels of funding” in cycling.
Bob From Accounts also addressed a commonly heard line… “cycling isn’t a practical daily travel choice for most people”, something you’ve probably read before online, or in certain newspapers. To which, he pointed out: “In 2022, 26 per cent of car trips in the UK were under one mile, and 71 per cent under five miles. Five miles by bike is approximately 30 minutes. Given a choice, many people would cycle if it was safer. More cycle lanes please.”
“And for the usual excuses and quips about ‘It’s too cold’, ‘It’s too wet’. We have a solution: coats.”
Well, it works for the Netherlands and they get their fair share of rain… let’s get some reaction because, as you probably guessed, this got quite a few people all riled up and tapping away furiously at their keyboards. To many of those people, no, nobody is saying that everyone in the world should be forced onto bikes… but hey, wouldn’t the roads be much nicer for those who actually do need to drive if a decent chunk of the motor traffic was now using cycle lanes, walking or using public transport?
One reply asked: “How do I get a week’s worth of shopping on a bike? What about two kids as well? One being a toddler?”
Bob From Accounts had an answer for that…
Another road.cc favourite, retired traffic cop Mark Hodson, who pioneered close pass operations during his career commented: “My shift once had 10 of its 12 officers cycling to work, the daily total commutes varied between 22 miles and 56 miles, with some extending rides to incorporate training routines, it’s a case of making it work and providing the correct facilities so those that [people] ‘could’ give it a go.”
Accepting that his experience was certainly at the extreme end of the spectrum and included several who would cycle for sport or leisure on top of commutes, Mark added: “Not everyone can or wants to, but if you enable those who can and want to you benefit all of society. Even if they just replace 25 per cent of their usual journeys by other means it’s a hugely impactive for them and their communities.
Other reaction to the discussion included:
“Cargo bikes are an increasingly viable alternative for a second car that’s mostly doing school runs etc.”
“We have fantastic cycling routes where I live… currently massively overgrown. We need proper investment to make it work in the future.”
“I used to leave my house 7am every day to catch the bus to work arrived 7.50 am. By bike 7.10am to arrive for 7.30 time for a cuppa and a chat before work. The ride home takes five to 10 mins longer… I lived on top of a hill.”
Valtteri Bottas says "refreshing" cycling "more fair" than Formula One as you don't need best bike to win
Devon and Cornwall Police add 39 e-bikes to fleet as officers impressed by "faster, quieter patrols" and the "wellbeing benefits of being active and outside"
Devon and Cornwall Police have launched an electric bike project following a “successful pilot”. The force said there are now 39 e-bikes in use across Camborne, Plymouth, Penzance, Exeter, Bodmin, Cullompton, Falmouth, Truro Launceston, Hayle and Helston, with officers reporting less pressure on the force’s vehicle fleet as a result, reduced car dependency, “faster, quieter patrols” and a host of “wellbeing benefits”.
Superintendent Ian Thompson said: “The electric bikes initiative is boosting the ability of our neighbourhood teams to engage with and be visible in their communities, whilst allowing them to be in places that do not always have a police presence. In turn, this is taking the pressure off our vehicle fleet and allowing us to be less reliant on cars and reduce our carbon footprint.
“The feedback from officers is extremely positive, who realise the benefits of faster, quieter patrols and the wellbeing benefits of being active and outside. We are expanding the fleet of electric bikes to other areas of the force and hope soon that all Neighbourhood Teams in Devon and Cornwall will have access to them for use within their normal duties. Currently, there are 89 neighbourhood officers and PCSOs who have been trained so far, with opportunities to train more officers in the coming months.”
The force added: “In just a day, one officer covered 71 kilometres using an e-bike and received positive feedback from the community. Work is underway to purchase additional e-bikes and deploy them to more sites around Devon and Cornwall.”
Huge discounts spotted as bike and cycling clothing prices slashed in summer clearance sales at Wiggle, Trek, Rapha, Evans Cycles and more
Dutch Cyclists' Union expresses concerns over rise of shared-use paths in Amsterdam
It’s not just in Norfolk where cycling campaign groups are raising concerns over shared-use infrastructure…
According to Florrie de Pater of the Amsterdam Cyclists’ Union there has been an increase in spaces being made shared-use, such as the passage under the Rijksmuseum.
“Things are made more difficult for cyclists everywhere by those shared spaces. In the city centre, for example, the route from east to west is almost impossible. A few alleys that used to be very accessible for cyclists are almost closed off. The Damstraat is almost impossible to get through and more and more alleys — look at the nine streets, for example — are more or less closed off for cyclists,” she told AT5.
“Shared space is fine, but not on the main cycling network. I have to say that tourists seem to determine these days — especially in the centre of Amsterdam — where cyclists are allowed to ride. So the policy is tailored to where most tourists are.”
The local authority responded to the Rijksmuseum tunnel concerns by suggesting it would look to see how it could clarify the shared-use space. It’s nice to know even in Amsterdam things aren’t perfect…
"It will completely destroy everything": Pub owner claims controversial cycle lane construction is costing her business "£5,000 a week", month after bike lane also blamed for "awful" chippy's demise
The most bizarre start to a Grand Tour stage ever? Vuelta a España peloton rolls out of Carrefour supermarket
The much-anticipated Carrefour stage has finally arrived and boy did it deliver…
— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) August 22, 2024
It was all a celebration of the supermarket brand’s 12-year involvement with the race, the Jerez store seeing 170 pro cyclists roll through its checkout area and out onto a 185km route to Yunquera which looks set to be a day for the breakaway.
#LaVuelta24 pic.twitter.com/d549ibrVg3
— Várhegyi Beni (@MrVrhgyiB) August 22, 2024
Best road bike tyres 2024 — get more comfortable and faster with fewer punctures
UK cycling sector launches e-bike battery education campaign
The UK cycling sector, including industry trade bodies, leading e-bike brands, local bike shops and national charities, has announced a national campaign to boost electric bike safety knowledge and inform more people of the benefits of e-bikes.
Research by the Electric Bike Association found that concerns over battery fires are putting people off e-bikes, with 23 per cent of UK adults surveyed saying they are hesitant to buy an e-bike after reading about fire incidents, most of which are caused by defective and low-quality products such as aftermarket lithium-ion batteries, charges and conversion kits from non-reputable sources.
Launching today, the E-Bike Positive campaign hopes to share the positive effects of e-bikes and “equip the UK public to buy safe, charge safe and ride safe on e-bikes”. As well as advising the government on how to better protect UK consumers and businesses, the E-Bike Positive campaign also pledges to help people identify high-quality, legal e-bike products through free resources including:
- Expert support – 100+ expert local bike shops have already pledged to advertise, sell and repair only UK legal and safety-checked e-cycles.
- Educational resources – battery safety guides, resources and independent advice for shoppers, cyclists, e-bike sellers and media.
- Extra assurance – the e-bike industry is developing a new scheme to highlight reputable, high-quality brands who thoroughly safety-test their e-cycles and batteries.
Sarah McMonagle, Director of External Affairs, Cycling UK, said: “Like traditional pedal cycles, e-cycles boost physical and mental health, improve air quality, and reduce carbon emissions. They’re a great option for people who cycle in a hilly area, experience mobility challenges, carry children or shopping, or simply don’t want to get sweaty on their commute.
“When purchased from reputable manufacturers e-cycles are very safe. That’s why we’re supporting this education campaign alongside Cycling UK’s ongoing calls for the UK government to make e-cycles more accessible.”
Our sister site ebiketips will have more on this…
"An error in judgement": Police apologise for "dangerous" high speed close pass on cyclist during emergency response, which "dropped below standards expected"
Ben O'Connor wins Vuelta stage six, takes lead of race by almost FIVE MINUTES
"What hope do we have if the police don't even know the laws?": Ex-pro cyclist Phil Gaimon wins in court over two-abreast riding 'offence'
Former pro cyclist-turned-YouTube KOM hunter Phil Gaimon has documented a bizarre experience that saw him pulled over by a police officer in California for riding two-abreast on an empty climb. Thankfully, the former Garmin Sharp rider went all the way to court to contest the ticket he received from the very confident officer who was keen to stress at the roadside that he would be in court… only to not show up on the day, two months later.
Just like here in the UK, there is no law against riding two-abreast in California, Gaimon taking issue with the police officer’s warning and questionable legal interpretation.
“What hope do we have if the police don’t even know the laws,” Gaimon said. “So he’s on his motorcycle next to me saying ‘it’s against the law to ride side by side’ and I say: ‘I’m sorry officer, that’s not the law’.
“I appreciate police in general, it’s a sacred thing to put yourself in harm’s way to protect others […] I don’t want to be the guy who pulls out a camera when the cop stops him, I don’t want to deal with this, I don’t want a ticket, I don’t want to go to court, I don’t want the rage clicks this video’s going to get, but he said a lot of weird stuff. At one point he offered to take his vest off, it was bizarre and super uncomfortable.”
Things continued when the officer told Gaimon and his ride partner he should ride single file because otherwise drivers will hit him and that will be his [Gaimon’s] fault.
“I don’t want to go to the internet and embarrass a public servant, but if you’re going to insist on it… fine,” Gaimon continued, explaining how in the whole seven-minute stop only two vehicles passed. “So this is a traffic stop for a not law to hypothetically remove a short inconvenience for two people. Finally he did find the code and I was like ‘oh good, this is over’ but then he chose a very bizarre interpretation that would make him still right.”
With guidance from Bike Legal, Gaimon went to court and built up plenty of potential evidence and questions to take for his hearing, ultimately all completely unnecessary when the very confident officer surprisingly decided not to show…
“Congratulations to me, I won,” Gaimon concluded. ” I don’t feel victorious whatsoever… what have I won? I don’t have to pay the ticket, I lost two days of my life going to court. Imagine if I was a person who had to take two days off work or couldn’t afford to pay the ticket? Either way it’s going to cost you, so I won the case but ultimately this was the punishment.”
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The general public could be left with the impression that being as thick as two short planks is no obstacle to becoming a police officer in the West Midlands. I wonder though whether the same is true of the senior officers who presumably dealt with the initial complaint and still allowed the destruction of the bike to go ahead and the fine to stand. It doesn't inspire me with any confidence in this police force.
"The Sport model (with teal paint where it appears in this article) has fully internal cable routing" except for the dropper post cable coming out of the bottom of the seat tube.
Institutionally anti-lycraist.
The article did mention that he was ignoring his duties and spending much of his time creating social media. You can only get away with that sort of thing in high public office by surrounding yourself with incompetent sycophants who cover up for you (Donald Trump).
Somewhat distasteful but pertinent to those interested in the race: much speculation online as to why Pogacar was wearing black shorts today (or a skinsuit done up to look like a yellow jersey/black shorts combo, opinion differs - Del Toro was also wearing black shorts instead of the all-white he's favoured as best young rider). Apparently it's the first time in four years that he's eschewed the all-yellow skinsuit, and with the rumours of a gastric virus sweeping through the UAE camp...no need to explain further... The race might not be over yet! Should imagine Remco will be watching what outfit Tadej appears in today with interest.
If they can pass after 6, does that mean that they should be given a free pass, or permanently banned in case they try it again?
Erdogan hit "dislycra". Could the sackers be charged with insulting, irkishness?
And I bet the driving instructor posted that whilst feeling proud and confident that he handled that whole episode correctly. 🤦🏻
For the same speed, cyclists are either riding dangerously fast or holding up traffic because they are riding slowly
Nah - it's entirely irky, not just some of it.
59 thoughts on ““What hope do we have if the police don’t even know the laws?”: Ex-pro cyclist Phil Gaimon wins in court over two-abreast riding ‘offence’; Cycling group slams “unsafe, unacceptable and substandard” shared-use path plan + more on the live blog”
It’s all very confusing. Last
It’s all very confusing. Last week we were told that 6% of the population, given 4 years training, believe they could compete in the Olympics. A feat that this year would have meant cycling 170 miles at above 25mph average. Today we’re meant to believe that cycling is impractical for the majority of people in this country. Surely there’s a middle ground where the majority could cycle up to 5 miles at 10 -15mph?
We’ll have to get fitter!
We’ll have to get fitter! According to figures in 2018:
Now that’s about 8mph – but of course that’s factoring a lot of people who just don’t cycle in the UK e.g. the very young and old. OTOH they’ve understood that they need to facilitate people maintaining momentum on their bikes – so avoiding traffic lights completely or minimising wait times where they are needed.
chrisonabike wrote:
I presume it’s difficult to make a direct correlation but has there been a comparison between the cost of obesity, diabetes etc, to the Dutch health service vs the NHS?
Actually that – while not
Actually that – while not easy – is probably one of the easier calculations *.
NL do publish a whole bunch of reports. There is this US study from 2015 looking at that in NL. The UK government sponsored a review back in 2016 economic benefits of cycling which included NHS savings. I’ve seen something from Denmark like that (note that they set the baseline for health as current status quo I think).
Googling will actually find lots of these.
* But … a bit reductive. Arguments in the political sphere about transport seem to a) quick to discount at least some of the costs (externalities) of motoring (it’s almost “obviously if people are driving that is a benefit / all journeys are important”) b) for cycling to reduce to “health benefits” in terms of costs. That’s understandable.
BUT I think that’s missing out on some of the less easily quantifiable but ultimately more salient benefits. (For a nice overview see here for NL). We’re talking about choices about how our communities look, feel and ultimately are organised. For example it’s easy to see how mass motorig has paradoxically accelerated social and indeed physical isolation, as jobs and amenities move from local communities and people are able to reach these in places they couldn’t afford to live in. (Yes, this has been occurring since the industrial revolution / advent of trains etc.).
It might be summed up in “nicer, more liveable places” (recalling the title of Robert Weetman’s blog). Less vehicle noise (this at least is quantifiable in health terms), potentially less need for tarmac covered space (when we reduce motor vehicle use) [1] [2]. More focus on “local” community connection – less physical barriers in terms of busy roads, potentially more resilience. Essentially a more “human” transport system (as long as we recognise the imporance of social cycling). People cycling look like people and you can say “hello”. People inside a vehicle … you’re looking at a vehicle and you can’t say “hi”.
I always think in Strava
I always think in Strava speeds which has auto pause of course. That isn’t how most people are going to do a calculation. 8mph seems practical, especially for those on shared use paths which will bring the average down even further.
Agreed. But “speed” is a
Agreed. But “speed” is a massive rabbit hole with many (triggering) branches. Frankly – not even people driving agree and there are pretty clear legal limits there…
It’s common to see people not comparing like with like. Just one example – with driving average speeds in many urban areas are a lot lower than the speed limit, or the speeds cars can physically go. And that doesn’t even mean that people are going slower than the speed limit when they are moving…
Without falling down the hole proper quality cycling infra (which is NOT shared-use paths!) by its nature should facilitate efficient movement. That’s because cycling is most effective where people can maintain momentum, and certainly avoid coming to a complete stop *.
That often allows substantially higher speeds by the few who care to go faster.
* Don”t have source to hand but IIRC there’s a calculation saying that every time “casual cyclists” have to stop it’s equivalent to adding 100m or so to the journey.
Clinkers…kilometres of
Clinkers…kilometres of clinkers. That’s what slows me down over here.
That would be on more
That would be on more recreational routes?
In the city – junctions and traffic lights, that’s what (drastically) slows me down. Unless I’m on one of the motor-traffic-free shared paths (I’m very lucky UK-wise), then it’s dependant on whether there are many people walking.
Outside the city – me, that’s what slows me down (my lack of fitness / hill climbing / absense of fairing on the recumbent).
I don’t see it as especially
I don’t see it as especially contradictory. It simply highlights that “fitness” is far from the only or even biggest (perceived) barrier to cycling.
Yes, they could compete in
Yes, they could compete in the olympics – if cycling was not too impractical, too cold, to dangerous, too lycra, too costly, too warm, too wet… It’s not their fault then that they’re no gold-medalists, is it?
More clear thinking from
More clear thinking from Louise Haigh. I’m looking forward to seeing the results.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9v8d4lvjryo
You can listen to Laura Laker
You can listen to Laura Laker’s whole interview with her on this podcast (free, but some ads at the start).
it really is a shame that
it really is a shame that cycling is frowned upon here in the uk , it’s a great way to help the environment without a lot of effort . I commute myself on bike as only live a mile from work and cycle for pleasure as well .
Thefts and motorists intolerance often life endangering actions are the main reason most won’t take it up .
Even though it would help with the environment, reducing carbon emissions, help reduce heath issues , ease up congestion in towns and cities.
I’ve used trailers to take the kids to school and nursery, do a weeks shopping etc .
We now have e-bikes and trikes for those who need extra help to get around on a cycle.
“Thefts and motorists
“Thefts and motorists intolerance often life endangering actions are the main reason most won’t take it up .”
And having the worst road surfaces in Europe, if not the world, probably doesn’t help.
Some of them are not great,
Some of them are not great, but I’m pretty sure British roads are a
verypretty long way from “the worst road surfaces in Europe, if not the world “.What’s remarkable about our
What’s remarkable about our roads is the coarseness of the chippings used and the fact that they often feel as though the weren’t compacted with a roller but by people trampling on them. I haven’t come across anything comparable anywhere else.
john_smith wrote:
Has anyone here fallen off on a freshly chipped road? It looks like they would cut you to ribbons.
My personal hate is “surface
My personal hate is “surface dressing” where they rely upon passing motor traffic to press it all down, and you end up with drifts of gravel up against the kerb.
It seems to be down to the
It seems to be down to the quality of the work, one of our local roads was surface dressed just before our club road race, I was dreading the race but the surface was great and still is 3 years later and there was no excess gravel lying around. Other roads done at a similar time were as you describe and are now breaking up again.
Yes and yes, it does. I
Yes and yes, it does. I stacked it because of the drifts of gravel brooksby highlights, and a really nice, wingmirror into right elbow close pass. I also hate surface dressing because often they don’t even pretend to fill the holes underneath, so it makes them even harder to see.
Chipseal (with large
Chipseal (with large chippings)! Argh!
We’re not unique, but it’s pretty unpleasant!
It’s many reasons (including
It’s many reasons (including “but we already have a car right there”).
Social pressures certainly play a factor.
A network of sufficiently safe, efficient and attractive routes for social cycling (and secure places to park / store bikes) would seem to be necessary, if not sufficient.
Road surfaces? Cycle and indeed injury-threatening surfaces aren’t good (or the pavee of e.g. Edinburgh…) but I suspect that’s not the initial barrier to cycling for most.
As much as I enjoyed cycling
As much as I enjoyed cycling in Copenhagen and the Netherlands, in a way these are bad examples because people always reference the lack of hills, and compare this (inaccurately) to many UK cities.
It is much better to point out that places like Oslo and Zurich have much higher cycling modal shares than the average UK city, yet are pretty hilly and have much harsher winters. Because they have proper cycling infrastructures.
Yes! “But the UK has hills”
Yes! “But the UK has hills” (but… not like Switzerland). “But it’s cold and rainy and even still sometimes snowy in the UK” (and it was and perhaps still is in NL, and it’s certainly cold and snowy in Oulu, Finland…)
Even within the UK (for those who will always say “yeah but that’s irrelevant, it’s not here) – while very few places have substantial cycling modal share and most places have “essentially none” – there are wide variations. The biggest (still Cambridge I believe, almost 5 times national average – per stats at Cycling UK) is mostly to do with demographics / history (the university). But we can probably note some differences have more to do with infra and local (authority) attitudes.
The Netherlands has hills.
The Netherlands has hills. The south of the Netherlands is hilly. As are parts of Belgium. I mean… just watch the Amstel Gold race. Is the Cauberg not a hill? The Keutenberg? The Bemelerberg? Etc.
Cycling is still popular there.
I’ve cycled in the Appenines in Italy, and cycled past old women carrying shopping on bicycles. Uphill.
road.cc wrote:
No, it’s not.
Yup. Ignorance trumps
Yup. Ignorance trumps knowledge. Always.
Probably it’s already
Probably it’s already unhelpful if the conversation is “defend that!” – as Chris Boardman has noted. (Here’s his much more positive video on the benefits, now from quite a few years back).
If you do need mythbusting, a good first stop would be:
https://cyclingfallacies.com/en/
Another take would be David Hembrow’s “list of myths and excuses” (he’s a former UK cycle campaigner who became Dutch).
http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2011/02/all-those-myths-and-excuses-in-one-post.html
Cycling in NL can be pretty
Cycling in NL can be pretty hellish in general. Walking is even worse.
Wait ’till you find out how
Wait ’till you find out how awful it is for drivers!
If you want real fun, try
I think driving there is generally pretty relaxed. If you want real fun, try walking from Amsterdam ZO to the city centre.
Haven’t tried that. Last
Haven’t tried that. Last time I was there (almost a decade) I was in Zuidoost, so just used the metro. Did try doing a bit of a stroll from there, no issues at all. Apart from it was at night and I realised I was quite likely to stroll into some dubious areas, or just get lost.
The centre was a bit stressful the first time I was there but a) so are many city centres with a mass of tourists (New York anyone?) and b) I wasn’t used to cars, buses, people walking AND trams and bikes. It’s just something you have to learn *. Once I’d figured it out, it was fine – for a busy city.
I think the “predicability” principle of “sustainable safety” is what facilitates that. And having “single function roads” e.g. not the UK’s “it’s a busy B-road, and also a residential street.”
* If you’re not used to it things like this probably seem like madness / chaos. (I remember being baffled by the “everyone for themselves” anarchy of Thai city centres many years back, with buses, cars, many motorbikes and even the odd elephant all weaving paths through each other). But (with some exceptions) the Dutch have a great road safety record given the number of “vulnerable road users” they’ve made it convenient for (and the fact that those cycling are of all ages).
Walking in Zuidoost itself is
Walking in Zuidoost itself is fairly unproblematic (assuming you don’t get shot), but as soon as you get out of it the footpaths tend simply to stop, which can be frustrating.
john_smith wrote:
Cycling in the Netherlands has an incredible 28% modal share, are they all masochists? I haven’t ridden there as much as I’d like but when I have I’ve found it far from “hellish” and many orders of magnitude better than the UK.
“Given a choice, many people
“Given a choice, many people would cycle if it was safer”
One of the easiest ways of making it safer is to introduce an LTN, which was being discussed on LBC this morning, with a fact-equipped, calm, sensible advocate (John Burke) and an anecdote-equipped, excited, irrational denigrator (Ysenda Maxtone Graham) who incidentally happens to write for the Spectator, DM and Torygraph. The interesting bit starts at 2:05:00, and the denigrator at 2:11:00, I thought she was going to explode.
She speaks so fast it’s difficult to understand, but highlights include “eerie enclaves of silence that are apparently quite dangerous for people to walk down” “taxis refusing to drop people off at their houses because they are terrified” “absolutely strangled” “appalling ridiculously slow pace” “it’s a money-making scheme they’re raking in our fines” and there’s lots more.
https://www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/uk/episodes/BUpuBNW3ejA5RjdQcu1HnrT27/
EDIT: I’ve just looked at the stuff she’s written for the Spectator, and calling it drivel would be a compliment.
Given the road and the
Given the road and the setting, don’t see anything wrong with what Norfolk council have proposed there. Shared use paths are allowed in LTN1/20, and it looks to provide a decent joined up route.
Considering their neighbours in the South will spend 4 times as much on some paint, signs and delivering a fraction of usable cycle routes, I’d rather have the Norfolk scheme.
I’m still not quite sure the
I’m still not quite sure the exact extent / intent of the scheme. The comments from the local cycle campaign are here:
UK pragmatism – “we’ll never get anything decent, so no point requesting it. It’s rare to get anything at all – and often what we get is delayed by years, ends up being reduced for cost reasons, is usually unhelpful to both experienced cyclists and those less ‘fit and brave’ and sometimes actively dangerous.”
LTN1/20 isn’t ideal because unfortunately any “minimum” will likely be the maximum and “where this is appropriate” means “pick the cheapest / least effort”!
In general shared use paths only “work” because of the very low levels of active travel in the UK. Installing these is building in a very low level of ambition for active travel, and ensuring that if the numbers go up there will be increasing conflict between cyclists and pedestrians. It’s basically just saying “cycle on the footway” – e.g. “non-motorised modes, fight over the scraps“.
Just ask “what is this for”? If we don’t have many journeys cycled, how is building “not very appealing / convenient” stuff going to create more? If people are a bit grumpy about cyclists, how is putting cyclists “in their space” going to help advance the plot? Do they do this in NL? (Yes – but only in the countryside / where there are few cyclists and very few pedestrians).
The crossing of the P&R car
The crossing of the P&R car park worries me but on the whole in this location to provide a joined up route I don’t see much wrong either, if its built to a good standard and not the adhoc converted footway that has happened too often in the past.
Edit: Looking at the link I’d be pushing for at least 3.5m and not 3.0m too.
stonojnr wrote:
Shared Use only works if there are very few pedestrians. I don’t know the area, but there are bus stops so it seems likely there will be some conflict between cyclists and pedestrians.
Possibly this is the best they can do with the space / money available. It’s better than nothing – I think you’d have to be very brave to cycle or walk on the existing infrastructure.
I think a cycle-thru
I think a cycle-thru supermarket is a fantastic idea. Mid ride lacking water or a bit of food, cycle into Sainsburys, scan and pack, ride out from the self serve till.
Saves getting off the bike, locking it up, sliding down the aisles in cleats and strava can keep on logging. New segment? bakery to till.
Bakfiets or front rack, you
Bakfiets or front rack, you don’t even need a trolley!
Phil Gaimon’s experience
Phil Gaimon’s experience least shows that the UK isn’t alone in poorly-worded rules of the road, and even more poorly-educated officers badly interpretating them. ? He handled it all well by the looks of things and realised he was in a position of privilege compared to many others who might be similarly targeted. That particular officer should be ashamed that he’s continuing to do the same thing after being educated by basically an ordinary member of the public. But maybe that’s his problem… ?
You’ll probably find that
You’ll probably find that officer also thinks there’s something in the US Constitution which allows nutters in buffalo hats to storm their Capitol…
I’m not convinced. He didn’t
I’m not convinced. He didn’t shoot Mr Gaimon or even pull a gun on him. Indeed he remained quite civil throughout the episode, which doesn’t excuse his ignorance but does suggest he might not be a true maga.
john_smith wrote:
<slaps forehead> You’re so right: mea culpa
TBF sounds like the last
TBF sounds like the last incident of shooting wasn’t by a true MAGA either ?.
I’m still rolling my eyes
I’m still rolling my eyes about the Carrefour stage start. Typical Vuelta craziness – was the car park not a suitable place to begin? Supermarket floors aren’t exactly renowned for being the grippiest of surfaces. Thank goodness there was no need for a “cleanup in aisle nine” as a GC contender or two slipped at 5kmh!
Devon and Cornwall Police
Devon and Cornwall Police obviously fans of Beyond Paradise then! ???
This “micro asphalt” as I’ve
This “micro asphalt” as I’ve seen Edinburgh Council call it, isn’t fit for purpose. When it was first proposed by tthe Council a few years ago, I contacted them and warned them that it had failed elsewhere and wouldn’t last “several years” as they were claiming. They still went ahead and it needed remedial work within a week. Not only that, but the contractors had covered a couple of drain grills in the process!
Within a few weeks, the surface was breaking up through to the previous surface (as it is merely an additional layer, not a true resurfacing process) and often more dangerous to cye on than before the work was carried out, with the added ‘bonus’ of loose chips hurtling onto your legs, arms and eyewear (if you’re wise enough to wear it).
Everywhere I have seen it since then around the city, the results have been the same – instead of ‘several years’ of good surface, it’s a week of loose gravel followed by holes everywhere.
And now a similar process seems to be popular on the pavements. What looks like a rough surface to be covered with a layer of traditional asphalt and red chips is apparently the finished surface, with similar results of the surface breaking up within days.
Cheap now, but surely expensive in the long run.
No doubt this will be popping
No doubt this will be popping up today (maybe missed it previously): Wales 20s plenty ruins cycle race – because apparently it’s not safe because vehicles have to slow down (the support vehicles can’t keep up / would get in the way presumably).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4glzl7e157o
*Failed* … (road racing – it’s not about the *bike* …)
Great video by Phil Gaimon.
Great video by Phil Gaimon. “If you’re riding two abreast and someone drives into the back of you, then it’s your fault”, that’s all you need to know about the motorbike cop.
Also interesting to see that the California passing distance is only 3 feet compared to the UK’s much more sensible 1.5m. I suppose the real difference though is in which place actually enforces it.
bikes wrote:
Also that the “vehicle code” says you have to cycle as far to the right as practicable.
Surely a poorly worded rule.
Surely a poorly worded rule. As if you’re doing it wrong unless you’re riding in the gutter. A rule written by the motoring lobby?
As I made the post so late
As I made the post so late last night I forgot add how sad, and disturbing, it is to see that the most common vehicle on American roads is the Ford F150, a blooming great big pickup truck! I know there are obviously swathes of the country which are entirely rural farmland etc, but even then… Of course, having seen many commercials for it, and similar vehicles, on US TV, it’s at least 50% marketed towards those who never set foot on a farm – the USA’s Range Rover.
I like a couple of
I like a couple of Notjustbike’s phrases from his excellent extended rant: they are designed for “transporting fragile egos” – “people have been upsold on these vehicles by auto makers looking to skirt regulations to make higher profits” and the shiny new flatbeds are mostly “status symbols for suburbanites with a cargo fetish”.
Adapting my slogan for Range
Adapting my slogan for Range Rovers:
“Only got four inches? Get an F150.”
?
?
(edit) Ah, right, I get it now…
brooksby wrote:
Bet you feel a right **** for not getting it straight away! ?
Cayo wrote:
?
(edit) Ah, right, I get it now…
— Cayo Bet you feel a right **** for not getting it straight away! ?— brooksby
Little bit, yeah…