Cyclist apologises after angry van passenger lambasts him for “not using pavement”, holding up traffic, and “ruining my day” – but rider’s “be kind” message divides opinion; No more Red Bulls for Onley; Tour de France sprint chaos + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
The Hog strikes again… And this time, it’s at the Tour
Armstrong’s podcast potentially sponsoring a pro team, now Bruyneel rocking up at the Tour for Flemish TV… These lifetime doping bans are working well, aren’t they?
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> Lance Armstrong’s old boss accuses UCI of “hypocrisy” after governing body hits out at Tour de France for granting access to controversial Belgian — despite lifetime doping ban
US rider Alexis Magner “amazingly OK” after being resuscitated following horror crash into lamppost during Ladies Baloise Tour, husband confirms
In other welcome recovery news, American pro Alexis Magner is “amazingly OK” following a horrible crash into a lamppost during the final stage of the Ladies Baloise Tour on Sunday, which saw medical staff rush to resuscitate her at the scene.
Cynisca Cycling pro Magner was riding for the US national team at the six-stage race in Belgium, which was dominated by Zoe Bäckstedt, who won three stages and the overall classification.
In the final corner of the last stage in Zwevegem, Magner crashed alongside Charlotte Kool and Fien Van Eynde, with Sporza reporting that the American had “collided with a lamppost and had to be resuscitated on the spot” by emergency services.
But on Tuesday, after undergoing surgery, her husband confirmed that the 30-year-old was recovering well, despite suffering injuries to her ribs and shoulder.
“Letting everyone know Alexis is amazingly OK after such a brutal get down in Belgium over the weekend. Luckily no head/leg injuries, but did a number on some ribs and scapula,” Ty Magner posted on Alexis’ Instagram account.
“Here in Belgium a couple more weeks before heading back to the states for some proper rest and recovery. Can’t thank everyone enough that was with Alexis immediately at the crash, here at the hospital, and helping her dad and I make it to Europe so quickly. Alexis appreciates everyone’s messages and plans to respond as soon as she feels up for it.”
Meanwhile, Van Eynde confirmed that she had broken three vertebrae in the crash, as well as her bike in four pieces, while Picnic PostNL’s big-name sprinter Kool announced that she hopes to recover in time for the Tour de France Femmes, which starts on Saturday.
Tobias Halland Johannessen cleared to continue Tour de France after dramatic collapse atop Mont Ventoux
Tobias Halland Johannessen, the Uno-X GC contender who required oxygen after collapsing at the top of Mont Ventoux yesterday, has been cleared to continue the Tour de France after scans and blood tests returned no abnormalities.
The Norwegian, who was at the centre of a social media storm after being blamed for Tadej Pogačar’s crash in Toulouse last Wednesday, finished 28th on the stage to Ventoux, alongside teammate Andreas Leknessund, five minutes behind winner Valentin Paret-Peintre and over four minutes down on Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard.
Shortly after the finish line, Johannessen – who had been complaining of stomach cramps during the final kilometres of the climb – collapsed. According to Norwegian TV2, he lost consciousness and was given oxygen, before being taken to the Tour’s medical truck.
Credit: Daniel Friebe
ITV’s Daniel Friebe later reported that Johannessen left the medical truck on a stretcher, but was smiling and giving the thumbs up to onlookers, with Uno-x boss Thor Hushovd confirming that the 25-year-old was “feeling much better” after receiving treatment in hospital.
And according to a statement issued by the team this morning, Johannessen, currently sitting eighth on GC, will start today’s largely flat stage from Bollène to Valence.
“Following thorough investigations, the medical team has concluded that Tobias suffered from severe stomach cramps during the final kilometres of Stage 16 to Mont Ventoux,” Uno-X said in a statement.
“Thanks to the swift and professional approach of the race doctors, he received immediate and excellent care at the finish. All necessary protocols were followed – which also made the situation seem more critical in the moment.
“As part of the emergency treatment, and following set procedures, Tobias received oxygen and 500 ml of intravenous saline. The treatment was administered by the race medical team as part of this emergency care and has been reviewed and approved by UCI medical staff. He has been cleared to continue racing.
“Tobias felt much better after only a few minutes, but out of an abundance of care, he was transported by ambulance to the Tour de France medical truck and then to the emergency department at Centre Hospitalier Carpentras. An ultrasound scan, x-rays, blood tests and ECGs were performed and showed no abnormalities.
“Tobias is feeling well and will start Stage 17 today – as we look ahead to some tough final days of the Tour de France.
“Tobias and Uno-X Mobility would like to thank everyone who ensured he was in good hands after the stage and to the medical staff at Centre Hospitalier Carpentras for their swift and thorough assessment during the evening.”
Dream Cardiff farewell for Geraint Thomas confirmed, as Tour of Britain announces Welsh finale for 2025 race
What’s occurring? A big Welsh finale to this year’s Tour of Britain Men, that’s what.
He may be spending his last ever Tour de France dreaming of beaches and beers, but at least Geraint Thomas now knows he has a big party in Cardiff to look forward to in September, after three weeks grovelling over the Pyrenees and Alps.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
This morning, British Cycling confirmed that the 2025 Tour of Britain Men will end with two tricky stages in south Wales, with the final stage finishing in the centre of Cardiff, Thomas’s home city, for what will be his last hurrah as a professional bike racer before retiring.
The six-stage race will take place between 2 and 7 September, beginning in Suffolk, before stage finishes around Stowmarket, Ampthill, and Burton Dassett Hills County.
The final two days, British Cycling announced, will move into south Wales, for a tough, hilly jaunt through Monmouthshire, featuring two ascents of the Tumble.
The 5km, 8.2 per cent climb previously played host to a Tour of Britain stage finish back in 2014, when Edoardo Zardini won, and will likely play a key role in deciding the fate of this year’s race.
Alex Broadway-ASO-SWpix.com
The final day, then, will serve as an ode to one of Britain’s greatest cyclists, starting at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome in Velodrome in Newport, before passing Maindy Velodrome, home to the Maindy Flyers Cycling Club where young Geraint (along with a host of other world-class talent) first took up racing bikes.
The stage will then finish in Cardiff city centre, where I imagine the beers will be steadily flowing well into the evening.
On his Watts Occurring podcast earlier this year, 2018 Tour de France winner Thomas admitted the long-mooted Tour of Britain finale in Cardiff would be the perfect way to cap off his 19-year career as a professional.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
“If you could pick anything then it would be finishing on home roads and the Tour of Britain is exactly that,” the 39-year-old said.
“I’ve asked [former British Cycling and Sky coach Rod Ellingworth, now race director at the Tour of Britain] to pull a few favours, possibly go into Wales for the final stage, possibly Cardiff city centre outside the castle, that would be awesome.”
As part of the Tour of Britain’s Welsh weekend, us amateurs will be able to ride the route of the final stage, starting and finishing in Newport, a day ahead of the pros. More details will be announced in the coming weeks, British Cycling says.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
“It’s incredibly special to see Wales hosting the final two stages of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men – a real showcase of world-class cycling set against the spectacular backdrop of our climbs, communities and cycling culture,” the CEO of Beicio Cymru, Caroline Spanton, said in a statement announcing the Welsh finale.
“This is more than a race finish; it’s a powerful celebration of Wales as a nation made for bikes. To see the peloton pass places like Maindy Velodrome and The Tumble, and to welcome the race into Cardiff, is especially poignant in what is expected to be Geraint Thomas’ final professional road race – a fitting tribute to one of Wales’ most iconic athletes.
“Our heartfelt thanks go to the Welsh Government and local authorities whose support and investment have made these stages possible. Their commitment is helping to inspire the next generation and reaffirm Wales’ place on the international cycling stage.”
The exact routes for the Welsh stages will be published at the end of July, with full details of all six stages, as well as announcements about participating teams, expected to be made in the coming weeks.
Horrible news from France…
> Irish cyclist visiting Mont Ventoux for Tour de France stage dies after electrocution incident in Paris Metro
Last chance for the sprinters at this year’s Tour de France?
After the Pyrenees and Mont Ventoux, the Tour peloton is set for one final transition day before it hits the Alps tomorrow, thanks to a mostly – mostly – flat 160km stage between Bollène and Valence.
Transition days between mountain ranges are often earmarked for the break, and today’s lumpy mid-stage section and Cat 4 climb with just over 40km to go will certainly provide plenty of opportunities for a daring escape.
But… Thanks to Saturday’s up-and-down stage in the Jura and the procession-scuppering addition of Montmartre to the final stage in Paris, this could well be the last chance for the pure sprinters to take some glory at this year’s Tour de France.
Expect Lidl-Trek to desperately attempt to keep things under control for Jonathan Milan, who has a certain Tadej Pogačar breathing down his neck in the green jersey standings.
As far as transition days go, this could be a lively one…
Lidl-Trek are so desperate for a sprint today, they’ve even recruited a ringer to help the chase…
It’s unorthodox, but it might be necessary, judging by today’s tetchy start at the front of the bunch:
Alright, guys, calm down – it’s a transition day, let’s take it easy: Wout van Aert has close call with lead race car during neutralised zone
Van Aert’s cyclocross skills coming in handy before the racing had even started today:
Tekkers.
The scariest cyclist of them all?
Cheers to cycling safety activist and to-notch poster designer Tom Flood for this beauty, which I’m sure will come in useful on the live blog from time to time, especially when some local councillor weighs in on a new bike lane project:
— Tom Flood (@tomflood.bsky.social) July 19, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Ineos Grenadiers miss the break… so rip apart the peloton – and their own team – on Cat 4 climb
Thymen Arensman’s brilliant stage win on Superbagnères aside, it’s been a weird Tour de France for the Ineos Grenadiers. And I’m just talking about the on-road stuff.
It wasn’t surprising then, as today’s four-man break went up the road at the start of today’s stage, that Ineos missed the boat. Poor Axel Laurance, sneaking out from the Lidl-Trek barricade, was then sent into no-man’s land, hovering painfully a minute behind the escape before eventually pulling the pin.
So, faced with a day of licking their wounds in the bunch, and with nothing to lose, Ineos hit the front of the Cat 4 Col du Peruis – hard.
After Connor Swift accelerated into the foot of the climb, Geraint Thomas (Cardiff homecoming on the horizon) took over, setting a searing pace that almost completely evaporated the break’s advantage and sent a host of top sprinters, including green jersey Jonathan Milan, out the back.
However, the 2018 Tour winner’s effort also blew apart his own team, Laurance making a brief foray off the front, while Tobias Foss – who was seemingly being teed up for an attack – losing position within the peloton.
So, the race is well and truly on right now, thanks to the efforts of Ineos. It’s just that they’re now nowhere to be seen at the front.
Is ‘one bike to rule them all’ dead?
Some more tech observations from the Tour:
> Is ‘one bike to rule them all’ dead? Why the latest wave of dedicated aero bikes could be leaving superlight all-round race bikes behind
“Won’t be buying Red Bulls anymore”: Oscar Onley says he’s “not funding those attacks” after Roglič and Lipowitz gang up on him on Mont Ventoux
Yesterday on Mont Ventoux, most of our attention was drawn to the tactical, frenetic battle for the stage win between Ben Healy and victor Valentin Paret-Peintre, as well as the scintillating, record-smashing head-to-head between Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard.
However, just down the winding road that leads to the Giant’s windy, bleached, and desolate summit, another absorbing battle was taking place, largely hidden from the TV cameras.
Up until the Ventoux stage, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s GC-hunting duo, Florian Lipowitz and Primož Roglič, sitting in third and sixth overall respectively, had seemed something of an odd couple, riding two separate races, with no clear tactical plan in place.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
That all changed on Ventoux, when the pair combined spectacularly to work over one of the riders crammed into the middle of the Red Bull GC sandwich: Oscar Onley.
22-year-old Onley – who’s taking the Tour day by day, as his Picnic PostNL Matt Winston is at constant pains to stress – is having the ride of his life, entering the final week of the race in fourth.
But on the Ventoux, as Vingegaard and Pogačar charged up the road, the young Scot was put on the ropes by Lipowitz and a suddenly resurgent Roglič, who took turns to attack, forcing Onley to chase each time, slowly working him over.
Though Onley appeared equal to the first wave of Red Bull attacks through the woods, the plan finally worked. By the top, Roglič and Lipowitz had raced clear, putting almost 40 seconds into the 22-year-old.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
But while those tactics enabled Roglič to leapfrog French favourite Kévin Vauquelin into fifth, they weren’t enough to dislodge Onley from fourth, the Scot maintaining a 38-second lead on the four-time Vuelta winner heading into the Alps.
So, despite Red Bull’s tactical masterclass, Ventoux should certainly be classed as a job well done for Onley on his way to Paris.
“I felt pretty good today. It was good for the confidence when you hear people getting dropped and you’re still feeling good,” he told ITV after the stage.
“And when Vingegaard and Pogačar went, it was just a battle between me and the two Bora guys. And fair play to them, they were smart, and worked me over a bit. There wasn’t anything really I could do.”
However, on Strava – where he set the KOM for the full ascent of Ventoux from Bédoin (presumably Pog and Jonas’ computers were broken) – Onley wasn’t as gracious… and even claimed he’s now considering switching up his choice of energy drink next time he’s in Tesco.
“Won’t be buying Red Bulls anymore, not funding those attacks,” he joked.
Not even if they give you a tow rope and a motorbike rider, Oscar?
Wout attack!
Just like at the Giro, it looks like Wout van Aert is saving his best legs for the final week.
The Belgian is on the move, attacking on the final climb of the day, the Col de Tartaiguille, in an attempt to bridge across to the leading quartet with 40km to go.
That group has around a minute on the peloton led by Quinn Simmons, who has been on a mammoth policing job for his Lidl-Trek sprinter Jonathan Milan all day.
If Milan wins this one, he’ll owe Simmons a few Budweisers in Paris.
Just when you thought riding flat out all day in third week of the Tour de France… Now, it’s raining
🌧️🌧️🌧️#TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/U73rcd964T
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 23, 2025
It’s a mostly straightforward final few kilometres, a handful of roundabouts and one big, rather narrow turn with around 750m to go.
But with the roads now soaked and a bunch sprint all but certain (provided the peloton can reel back the break’s 30-second advantage), everyone will need to keep their wits about them.
Jonathan Milan survives the chaos to win second Tour de France stage and strengthen grip on green jersey – as late mass crash in sodden conditions takes down Biniam Girmay and Jake Stewart
At the start of today’s stage to Valence, Jonathan Milan knew what he had to do.
His green jersey lead seriously threatened by the all-terrain points-gathering of Tadej Pogačar, the Lidl-Trek sprinter was well aware that stage 17, the last nailed-on opportunity for the fast men, presented his final chance to put the points classification beyond the world champion’s seemingly never-ending reach.
But he had to do it the hard way.
MILAN DOUBLES HIS TALLY IN VALENCE 💚
Jonathan Milan double la mise à Valence ☔️#TDF2025 l @Continental_fr pic.twitter.com/GwZ11HuYly
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 23, 2025
After getting caught on the wrong side of the Ineos-induced split on the first climb of the day, Milan made sure on the second one that there would be no repeat, riding close to the front of a bunch almost entirely controlled by his man of the match teammate Quinn Simmons.
However, in the final 40km of racing, three threats emerged to Lidl-Trek and Simmons’ control: a marauding if ill-fated attack by Wout van Aert, the never-say-die head-down riding of breakaway rider Jonas Abrahamsen, and the rain.
The first two snuffed out, it was the last that proved the biggest danger to the sprinters, making for a nervous, tetchy final.
And, as the peloton passed under the flamme rouge, disaster struck: a touch of wheels brought several riders down, including Jake Stewart, Israel-Premier Tech’s designated sprinter for the stage, and Biniam Girmay, who was unable to hold the bars with his right hand as he gingerly made his way to the finish, the Eritrean’s Tour in serious doubt.
Only about a dozen riders survived the crash – and Milan was one of them.
🏁 Relive the last km of this stage marked by a crash that limited the number of candidates for victory…
🏁 Revivez le dernier km de cette étape marqué par une chute qui a limité le nombre de candidats à la victoire…#TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/aobXJNjsOK
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 23, 2025
Crucially, Tim Merlier – the only sprinter to win multiple stages to this point – was held up by the crash, and Milan made good use of the opportunity, the Italian navigating the chaos and treacherous conditions to blast clear with 200m to go.
There were late challenges by a fast-finishing Jordi Meeus, Tobias Lund, and Arnaud De Lie (who nearly slammed into the Italian’s back wheel), but Milan always looked the strongest, securing his second stage win of the race.
And with his gap over Pogačar extended to 72 points, maybe, just maybe, the green jersey in Paris.
“Ruins my day every day, seeing one of you lot. Thanks for the apology though”: Cyclist apologises after van passenger lambasts him for having “no respect, not using pavement”, and holding up traffic – but rider’s “be kind” message divides opinion
Moving away from the Tour for a quick second (I know, I know), and back to the fractious relationship between cyclists and drivers on the UK’s roads (I know, I know).
And we’re turning our attention to a clip – and a conciliatory approach to road rage – that has sparked quite a lot of debate on social media this week.
Hamadel Ndiaye, a Senegalese triathlon champion who works as a camera operator in London, posted a video from a recent training ride, which featured the passenger of a van shouting at him as he passed.
After Hamadel caught up with the van at a set of traffic lights, the passenger continued to criticise him for riding on the road, and not the pavement, “at this time of the morning”, holding up traffic, and generally having “no respect”. For angry van passengers, I assume?
And Hamadel’s response? To apologise to the van driver and passenger – a decision that has divided opinion within the cycling community, it’s fair to say.
“This was 2 hours into a 300km+ bike ride,” the triathlete posted on Instagram. “I was just riding along, with full rights to be on the road like everyone else, letting cars through when it’s safe to do so, checking I wasn’t holding up traffic (even though legally it’s not necessary). All going well until…”
In the video, Hamadel continues: “I was just riding along, minding my own business, and then this happened. I didn’t hear what he said, but the traffic light turned red, so I caught up with him.”
The van passenger then immediately and loudly brand the cyclist “rude”, sparking the following conversation:
“Rude, why?” Hamadel asks.
“No respect, no respect… You’re riding like that on the road, at this time of the morning, no respect,” comes the reply.
“I’m sorry.”
“Big queues behind you, not using the pavement.”
“The pavement is a bit unsafe for me, man.”
“I accept your apology.”
“I hope I didn’t ruin your day.”
“Yep, you have done. Ruins my day every day, seeing one of you lot. Thanks for the apology though.”
Commenting on the rather unusual interaction, Hamadel said: “I’m not sharing this to start a fight between drivers and cyclists, but to make a point that we all share the same road. As cyclists, we’re exposed, no mental frame, no airbag, just a think later of fabric and a helmet.
“And I hope people see you, not as an obstacle, but as a human. Now don’t get me wrong, cyclists are not perfect and we make mistakes. I’ve taken risks sometimes that were just not worth it.
“But we’re not the enemy. And drivers are not the enemy either. Most of them are just trying to get somewhere, some of them are in a bit of a hurry, tired, stressed, rushing home to someone they love.
“So, as cyclists, we should be riding predictably and with care, respect the Highway Code, and let cars pass through when it’s safe to do so. Just small things that make sharing the road easier. We’re all navigating the same road and we’re all just trying to be safe.
“And under all these layers of Lyrca or steel, we’re all humans, and this world is hard enough already. So let’s not make it harder on each other. And when in doubt, be kind. It’s always the best solution.”
It’s fair to say, however, that the triathlete’s ‘be kind’ message – especially when it comes to shouty van passengers – has divided opinion.
Some, for instance, praised his restraint in the face of abuse on the roads.
“I admire how you were able to keep calm and not rise to the smooth brained passenger being deliberately antagonistic,” Mike said.
“He wanted an argument, and you didn’t give him one,” added Adam.
“I wish I could react as calmly as you did,” wrote Chris. “But your comment got me thinking – just be nice to each other, it’s always the best solution.”
“You handled that incredibly well and it sounds like you defused the driver at the end of the silence. Great message,” said one Threads user, while another argued that “it’s better to be safe than right”.
But not everyone was on board with the ‘peace and love’ message being spread by Hamadel.
“This would be going to the police with the number plate for harassment if I were on that bicycle,” said Lewis. “The gentleman doesn’t know the Highway Code, is irrationally enraged by bicycles, and is in control of a two-tonne weapon. Needs some education.”
“Van man has the world’s biggest chip on his shoulder. He’d have got a mouthful from me,” added Andrew.
“Problem is because you apologised to him, he now thinks he was in the right and will carry on being a dick to cyclists,” said Martyn.
Even EF Eduation-EasyPost’s British pro James Shaw got involved, writing on Instagram: “How did you keep such a cool head? I’d have lost my sh!t.”
James Shaw, 2023 Tour de France (Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)
“Hahaha didn’t cost me anything, he felt good about himself and that was one less driver angry at a cyclist (at least that morning) so win-win,” replied Hamadel. “But they don’t make it easy to stay cool!”
“You’re a better man than I,” Shaw said. “I’d have had to put a fair few quid in the swear jar after meeting him.”
Responding to Shaw’s comment, another user said: “I’d say the same as you (I have no respect for a driver who doesn’t care about the rules and is a bully) but maybe Hamadel has a different perspective.”
“Yeah, agreed,” added Shaw. “I won’t be bullied into some other’s low life mentality. Even if that means lowering my own morals.”
What do you reckon? Does Hamadel have the “patience of a saint” and is being kind the best way to approach confrontation on the roads? Or is apologising for just being on the road pandering to anti-cycling attitudes and reinforcing them?
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It's like they want to get rid of the comments/commenters beneath the articles.
Yes. And what was even funnier was his attempts to lobby for taxpayer funding from central government to pay directly for a new Manchester United stadium. Describing the proposed structure as a "National Stadium Of The North", was an attempt to divert attention from the main beneficiaries being the Glaziers and himself.
Really sad to see. All three of my kids used 2 Frog bikes to learn and develop. Well sized and spaced. I passed them to another family who are still riding them
Of course they are 5 and 10 grand.. because Simon Mot has invested and because Rapha has lost 200$ dollars and his shares are now worth a packet of Cheese and Onion crisps, he needs the cash for more 'exclusive' things. 'exclusive' stuff is killing our sport. PS the welds are god awful.
Maybe because the ultra-rich don't want the common people to realise just how abusive the ultra-rich are and instead blame some out-group who will not have the resources/safety to defend themselves. The important thing to keep in mind is that the ultra-rich got that wealthy by exploiting others. We should be spurning their opinions rather than amplifying them.
I don't think you necessarily have to try something to object to it - I've never eaten dog poo, but I feel justified in not wanting it included in various foods. The main problem with ChatGPT/LLMs is the further concentration of power into the hands of the rich and the exorbitant resources that it uses. Sorry, the two main problems with ChatGPT are the concentration of power, the resource usage and the lack of control of the outputs. The three main problems are the concentration of power, resource usage, lack of output control and the exfiltration of personal information. Amongst the problems with LLMs are the concentration of power, resource usage, lack of output control, exfiltration of personal information and the swamping of our culture with AI slop.
Black skin is not the problem. White bibs are.
Isn't it great how ultra-rich people who complain about immigration not even live in there… or even funnier, are immigrants by themself? Ratcliffe lives in Monaco (maybe only on Paper to save taxes)
But it can, er, find you a waterfall. I know when I'm planning a route, including a random waterfall is often a pre-requisite.
I've generally found komoot's built in routing engine to be pretty decent, especially if you choose the "road bike" type (as opposed to "bike"). The underlying maps are Open Street Maps, which have pretty detailed information on surface type etc., so easy enough to bring that in to a routing algorithm. I'm unclear to what extent user-ridden routes get incorporated (cf. Strava Heatmaps) - I know my rides get uploaded to komoot so they must have a lot of that kind of data. Which I guess underlines what I see as the main flaw in this plan. The built in routing is pretty good. How exactly is bringing ChatGPT in going to make it better? The absolute best case would be it correctly interprets your prompt to plot basically the same route you would have got very easily by yourself. It's not going to do any better - it doesn't magically know which sections of road are buttery smooth on 23mm tyres versus which are best ridden using 32mm tyres.
24 thoughts on “Cyclist apologises after angry van passenger lambasts him for “not using pavement”, holding up traffic, and “ruining my day” – but rider’s “be kind” message divides opinion; No more Red Bulls for Onley; Tour de France sprint chaos + more on the live blog”
I think Bristol may have
I think Bristol may have wasted the money they spent on resurfacing and repainting the cycle lane in the Centre… Saw this at lunchtime (the trio of pedestrians had been wandering along the cycle lane and taking up almost the whole width, when – shock! – a cyclist wanted to pass them)
I’ve said it before but there
I’ve said it before but there needs to be coloured variations that are standard across the county for different surfaces.
Roads can be standard tarmac black, pavements can vary but are clearly different.
Maybe have cycle lanes as green to indicate they are the greenest form of wheel based transport?
This and nudge theory would help push people to cycle more, we can hope.
I think “how this ends up
I think “how this ends up working” may be push/pull – but quite a lot of push. Bit like how everyone “learned” that “the roads are for motor vehicles” (but hopefully and in all probability with far less death and injury…):
– pull: pedestrians have to have good-quality walking spaces – people quickly adapt to “our space”.
– push: once above some point (and with continuing and indeed additional motivation from above) there begin to be enough people cycling that it feels uncomfortable on the cycle path. And the cyclists there start to be more like the general population – so a mix of “reasonable but impatient” and “likely to get angry at those they feel are unreasonably impeding them”, rather than “I better not give cyclists a bad name”. They may now not just announce they’re there but will ask pedestrians to move.
– … and perhaps pedestrians will find that more reasonable – because the people cycling will be less of an out-group.
So I think it’s more “bump” theory than nudge theory. And like many transitions it may be chaotic / people may be arguing with each other etc.
People in places with mass cycling deal pleasantly enough with pedestrians, little stress or friction is evident e.g. even here, here. BUT this is because social conventions have emerged from the “rules” (and from our UK roads we know that those are more important than the written rules). People cycling are usually in a substantial majority on the cyclepaths. Plus people walking are also normally people who sometimes cycle.
I bet if I – as some foreigner who doesn’t understand the rules – were to stand idly in the fietspad or use it as extra footway I would quickly have locals telling me my error – and possibly would have an argument if I persisted.
Sadly people will roam where
Sadly people will roam where they want to, sure someone made a song about that.
I regularly ride along a segregated cycle path, with an ankle high fence separating it from the pedestrian side, the cycle path is often covered by the debris, twigs, leaf mulch, from trees that line the path, its not very nice to walk on some days, whilst the pedestrian side is completely clear and still many many feet away from the road.
Still always find pedestrians on the cycling side somehow.
‘Oi, you’re in the road’ or a
‘Oi, you’re in the road’ or a ring of the bell usually works.
bensynnock wrote:
What we really need is heavy, motorised vehicles to sweep up and down the cycle infra at high speed ,scaring off the peds.
slc wrote:
Slight addition there, but you’re right, it’s a proven solution!
(In fact it will still end up happening for some time anyway, just not often enough to dissuade the pedestrians from walking there. Which I should add they’re rightly legally entitled to do, which is why some other drivers (ha) are needed to ensure they do only when necessary eg. crossing, footway totally impassable, countryside where eg. there won’t be many walking and few cyclists also…)
Red Bull empty cans are the
Red Bull empty cans are the biggest litter item on Cumbrian roads. I counted just short of 50 one day, and that’s on one side of the road. Regularly count over 20.
Interesting interactions with
Interesting interactions with drivers:
Him: Why did you call me a wanker?
Me: If you drive like a wanker, I’ll call you a wanker.
Him: *thinks for a minute and replies ‘fair enough’ and drives off.
The end.
I’ve been pondering back pack
I’ve been pondering back pack cover designs for my commute with similar phrasing – ‘if you can’t take being called a w*anker, don’t drive like one’. With a little wink emblem incase the cops take offence.
Last night:
Last night:
Driver (passing me & slowing down to give me the benefit of his opinion):
“it’d be way easier for me if you weren’t in the middle of the road you jeffing cnut”
Me (pointing at pothole & largely gravel strewn road “surface” I’d just manouevered around having shoulder checked & signalled my intentions well in advance):
“There’s a pot-hole you bellend”
Driver: “…..” (drives away)
A good news story at last!
A good news story at last! Shows the rest of road.cc up for a hive of frothing moaners just ready to take offense over nothing burgers and spin a “motorists bad” tale at every opportunity!
Now that’s what I call good-mannered discussion. Why, he didn’t even stop to punch your lights out, never mind running into you with his vehicle!
Yeah but it’s my gravelly
Yeah but it’s my gravelly voice and macho (lycra clad) physique that scared him off I’m sure.
In other news, I stopped to let a pedestrian cross the road this evening. Got a wave & “thanks mate”.
Obviously I called him a w*nker (assuming he’s also a drivist in his spare time) then jumped the next red light I came across by way of celebration.
Clem Fandango wrote:
I had a beauty at a pinch point, the council have put in a useless pedestrian island on a road where there is a painted cycle lane. I can hear a vehicle behind me as we get to the pinch point, when he gets the opportunity to pass a whinging voice sings out “you’re going to get yourself killed one day, mate!”
Was my reply?
a) Sorry, mate, I’ll get out of your way next time.
b) Sorry, mate, but where am I supposed to go?
c) Only by a cunt that drives as badly as you!
Being kind ≠ kowtowing to
Being kind ≠ kowtowing to bullies. I’m sure Mr.Ndiaye acted from the best of motives but he’s not being particularly kind to the next cyclist this knuckedragger decides to attack, motivated and encouraged by what he clearly sees as a “win” from this one.
I haven’t watched, but this
I haven’t watched, but this encounter smacks of racism to me.
David9694 wrote:
“Ruins my day every day seeing one of you lot” is certainly open to more than one interpretation, as is “no respect” – it’s definitely the tone of someone who thinks themselves superior trying to impose themselves on someone they believe is inferior so certainly can’t rule out race as a factor.
David9694 wrote:
Really? How did you make that decision without watching? Is it simply because one chap was “white” and the other “black” or is it because the ranter is “white” and the chap on the receiving end is “black”?
ErnieC wrote:
The whole interaction is transcribed verbatim so perfectly possible to draw conclusions from that. Why do you put white and black in quotations?
Rendel Harris wrote:
for emphasis because racism was mentioned and i was trying to find out why the OP went straight to racism.
I’d have no hesitation in
I’d have no hesitation in calling him a smooth-brained cunt.
I was knocked off my bike a
I was knocked off my bike a few weeks ago by a gentleman in his 80s. Because I approached the situation with a ‘be kind’ attitude immediately afterwards and in the several conversations we’ve had since, I was able to persuade the driver to stop driving. He’s told me that he hasn’t driven since. I’m not sure I’ve would have had the same result if I’d be angry and confrontational.
Just yesterday I was cycling
Just yesterday I was cycling along a quiet road in Kentish Town, London when a BMW pulled along side me and the driver shouts out the window ‘why don’t you move over’ ‘Sorry’, I replied ‘buy why?’ ‘Because you are in the way and I can’t overtake’, ‘but you are overtaking me’ I replied.
he then did the classic accelerate away aggressively I’m a person driving a BMW move before slamming on the brakes after about 20 metres because there was a slow moving car in the road and a timed no entry restriction. Within 5 seconds I rolled passed and said to him through his open window ‘why don’t you move over, so I can get passed?’ I wasn’t rude or angry – I just pointed out the obvious.
My presumption is that any
My presumption is that any delay caused by the cyclist Hamadel Ndiaye was minimal.
As can be seen in the clip, the driver had no difficulty in overtaking so one might wonder what the actual level of delay was…
And what does the time of day matter?
If it is during rush hour then the major delay to motorists is OTHER motorists.
If it was outside of rush hour then there would eventually be a safe place to overtake meaning minimal delay to the driver.
Given Hamadel’s speed it is worth considering if the driver was going over the limit for that road during the overtake.
It is a shame that we cannot see if the driver was stuck at the lights behind a queue of traffic which would totally negate the passenger’s point.
Though I assume not as Hamadel stopped next to them.
It would have been good to see a longer clip that might show the level of motor traffic at the time.
I wonder if the passenger (and driver) get annoyed by being delayed infinitely more by other motorists…
I doubt it.
And always worth remembering this instance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7enDsD5bpc