BMW driver filmed assaulting cyclist digs hole on social media; Separate queues for auto + bikes at Halfords; Andy Murray takes up cycling; £13m cycling + walking boost for South West; Winning the Tour “like a drug”, says Bernal + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Cyclists are littering the countryside again
We all know that it’s cyclists leaving litter all over the place… Well this morning’s ride I see one has left a sofa on what is normally quite a busy country road. Impressive what you can carry in jersey pockets.
— Oli 🏴🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@dudeoli) June 23, 2020
But seriously, pick your gel wrappers up folks.
Swiss rider completes first ever wheelie'd everesting
Manuel Schiedegger has had his attempt verified by Hells 500, and claims to have done a wheelie for the whole effort that took him over 21 hours, with nearly 14 hours of ‘moving time’ according to his Strava upload. Schiedegger was raising money for the Wheels for Nepal charity, and has uploaded a minute and a half of his suffering to YouTube…
£13 million cycling and walking investment announced for South West England
The West of England Combined Authority have announced that £3 million will be spent on short-term measures to help with social distancing while cycling and walking, and the further £10 million will be used for ‘longer term solutions’ to encourage active travel in the region.
The West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “During the lockdown many people have taken advantage of quieter roads to walk or cycle more regularly. This new funding is helping to make sure we can safely move around our communities again, but also aims to create a long term, positive legacy of more cycling and walking in the region as restrictions ease. We have a real opportunity to capture the positive changes we have seen to improve the physical and mental health of residents and cut carbon emissions, improve air quality and ease congestion across the West of England.”
Changes are already been implemented by local councils in the South West, including a reallocation of road space in Bristol suburbs such as Clifton Village, Downend, Filton and Staple Hill. All temporary measures will be reviewed, with the possibility to form part of ‘longer-term solutions’ if successful.
BMW driver 'almost ran over' cyclists, then stopped to launch a vicious assault...and appears to have replied on Twitter to say there are 'two sides' to the story
Reckless aggressive driver almost ran us over, then decided to stop in the middle of the road to harass us. Untaxed @BMW 5 series estate VO11 LYK in Camden, London. Thanks to everyone who stopped to check we were ok. @metpoliceuk @MikeyCycling @London_Cycling @cyclegaz @SadiqKhan pic.twitter.com/Xo2Aez0Xpt
— JT (@Jhtse) June 22, 2020
Around 12 seconds into the clip filmed in the London Borough of Camden, a man on a bike says to the driver of the untaxed BMW: “You nearly ran her over, are you going to apologise?”, before the driver then attempts to kick the cyclist off his bike. The driver then goes back to the vehicle – which is left in the road with the hazard lights on – and takes off at speed. The MET Police and numerous others commented under the post on Twitter to urge the person who uploaded the clip to report the incident.
Hi, has this been reported to the Police? Please DM if not. https://t.co/dinxYKkXmT
— Met Contact Centre (@MetCC) June 22, 2020
Totally unacceptable violence. @jhtse have you reported this to Police? If not, please can you do so. Please email the crime / incident reference numbers to VisionZero@met.police.uk and my team will make sure the matter is promptly looked into & investigated. Thank you!
— Andy Cox (@SuptAndyCox) June 22, 2020
PLEASE report this
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) June 23, 2020
Bizarrely, someone claiming to be the driver has replied to the thread saying that there are “to (sic) sides to a story”, but apologises for the reaction.
I am the person in the video there’s always to sides to a story you shouldn’t shouted abuse at me I didn’t run you over so why lie funny how they recorded the ending you should tell them what happend in the beginning but I apologise for the way I reacted
— Lucus (@Lucus02461434) June 23, 2020
In another tweet, the owner of the account – with a profile picture showing a car that has the same registration plates as the car in the clip – posted: “Lol had to join yesterday after seeing all this”. We’ve a feeling the account won’t be live for very long…
Some Wiggle customers are still claiming they haven't received a response over account hacks
Hi @Wiggle_Sport. I have waited very patiently for a refund from you after my account was hacked nearly two weeks ago. I have heard nothing from you for over a week now after saying you were investigating. This is not acceptable, I am out of pocket, I’m not the only one! @roadcc
— Simon Whittam (@Quacksteel) June 23, 2020
When are you going to respond to my emails about being hacked??!!!
— Hugo (@Hugo95000248) June 22, 2020
The online multisport retail giant issued a statement last week to promise that all customers who had bogus purchases made on their Wiggle accounts will be refunded; however some still claim they are yet to hear from them, and numerous negative comments are still being left on Wiggle’s social media pages. We’ll be asking them for an update soon.
£13 million South West cycling and walking improvements: any of that for outside of Bristol?
…asks Darren C in the comments, as most of the improvements mentioned in the press release are for central Bristol and its suburbs.
We asked the West of England Combined Authority to tell us how much of the cash is earmarked for places outside of Bristol, and they replied saying that there will be pavement widening on numerous streets in Bath City Centre, changes to road space in Thornbury and various upgrades in South Gloucestershire. This includes a £2.9million investment to improve cycling and walking in Stoke Gifford, and the clearing of overhanging branches and vegetation on some of the busiest cycle routes in the county, including on the Bristol to Bath Railway Path and the A4174 Ring Road.
More good news for the South West, as eight mile stretch of the popular Strawberry Line to be resurfaced
If you’ve ever cycled over to the Thatchers cider farm via the Strawberry Line, you’ll be well aware that wider tyres are recommended… but your chances of a puncture between Congresbury and Sandford could soon be considerably less, as work will start next week on resurfacing an eight mile stretch of the popular cycle route, which has seen usage increase by nearly 50% during the lockdown according to the Bristol Post.
Some sections will also be widened, and will be closed between 29th-30th June for improvements. It was Thatcher’s Cider who allowed the Council to extend the works due to their assistance and co-operation because they own part of the section that will be widened and improved… cheers to that.
Driver caught assaulting cyclist on camera is still digging
Lol why will I be scared of the police boohoo😂😂👮♂️ only a fine 🤣🤣🤣give it a rest you got a mouth like most of this people when it comes down to it u will be standing there like a little girl like I said ill happily give you a visit no problem 😂😂 address plz I did promise 😉
— Lucus (@Lucus02461434) June 23, 2020
The man claiming to be the driver in a video in which he assaults a cyclist following alleged dangerous driving is continuing to post on a newly created Twitter account. He claims he is not scared of the police, believing he will only be handed a fine for his offences. He is also challenging others who have denounced his actions, asking for their addresses and threatening to visit them.
U dm urs i promise to come by try it
— Lucus (@Lucus02461434) June 23, 2020
Cafe stops are back on
You’ll be able to stop for a caffeine hit mid-ride from the 4th July after the government’s latest lifting of restrictions.
Cars parked in Liverpool cycle lane: no change
No change this morning. Please do something about this @lpoolcouncil @mayor_anderson @siobridg @sharonconnor28 @CllrNickSmall @Merseysidersp https://t.co/al8VAMC1RB
— LiverpoolWanderer (@LiverpoolWande1) June 23, 2020
After our lead story on yesterday’s live blog reported that a pop-up cycle lane in Liverpool had become what the spotted described as a ‘temporary car park’, a new video has emerged today which shows that numerous cars are still parked on it, with Liverpool City Council yet to respond.
Bike fits are back at Condor
Having updated the way that they assess a rider and ensured that both the customer and rider will be safe, Condor are getting back to bike fitting. You don’t have to be buying a bike, or even own a Condor, though you could always get yourself fitted for a new Italia RC Disc…
Andy Murray reveals that he's discovered road cycling during the lockdown
He’s certainly not the first to join in with Britain’s lockdown cycling boom, but the two-time Wimbledon champ has revealed that after his wife bought him a bike for his birthday, he now grand slams on the pedals for up to an hour and a half on his regular rides around Surrey.
Murray wrote in his BBC column: “I’ve been out quite a bit on routes fairly close to where I live in Surrey ever since. I usually ride for 60-90 minutes and one of my favourite rides is Box Hill, a famous route in the Surrey Hills, where the Olympic cyclists rode during London 2012.
“When I’ve been out, I’ve been trying to beat the times I’ve done the week before. It is a nice way to compete against yourself and give you something to aim for. With the tracking apps you can also keep an eye on what your friends are doing too; it’s often a good source of banter.”
Murray didn’t exactly endear himself to the cycling community back in 2012, when he claimed that “there’s very little skill involved in the Tour de France” when asked to draw comparisons between anti-doping efforts in tennis and cycling. He later backtracked, and now eight years on, perhaps he’s a few tricky descents away from totally changing his mind…
Former Team Sky rider Kanstantsin Siutsou given four year doping ban
The 37-year-old – who last rode for Bahrain-Merida before his retirement in 2018 – has been banned for four years for taking erythropoietin. An out of competition test in September 2018 found the adverse analytical finding of the drug from a sample collected on earlier in the year, and a UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal has now found him guilty of rule violations.
We haven’t received confirmation of the date the ban will start and when it will run to – relevant considering the Belarusian has been retired for almost two years – and will update when the UCI publish their full decision.
Cyclists using the (Halfords) cycle lane: retailer creates separate queues for car and bike customers... and guess which one is much longer than the other
Halfords is splitting its queues between “auto” on the left and “bike” on the right. I’m rather delighted at the difference in queue lengths. pic.twitter.com/SMNIK0FrQT
— James (@JamesBlurbs) June 23, 2020
With record numbers getting old bikes out the shed and buying new ones alike, the need for mechanical assistance and buying advice has surged… and Halfords have even taken to splitting their queue for ‘auto’ and ‘bike’ customers, with the auto queue empty and the line for bike services about eight-deep at this branch. Other retailers/LBS’s are available of course; but with Halfords catering to drivers and cyclists, this photo sums up the demand for everything two-wheeled as opposed to four in one place.
Winning the Tour de France is "like a drug", says Egan Bernal
He probably could have chosen a different simile to avoid any unwanted digs, but Egan Bernal used the description to tell France TV about his desire for more success at the highest level. The Colombian said:
“There is nothing like winning a Tour de France, and what follows is winning another Tour de France. It is like a drug. Once you have tried it, you get it, you want more, always more, you never have enough.
“When you win a Tour, you want to win a second, then a third … and establish a record.
“I will give the show that the public expects and I will be at the height of the race . I will give the best of myself, the best of Egan Bernal.”
Chief Superintendent says he will "advise magistrates" over assault driver's attitude
@Jhtse could you email me your preferred contact details so we can have this matter fully investigated. Thank you. Raj.Kohli@met.police.uk. I hope you aren’t too traumatised by what happened.
— Chief Supt Raj Kohli (@MPSRajKohli) June 23, 2020
Happily there is a screen shot of your challenge to the criminal justice system. I will, of course, advise the magistrates your view of them.
— Chief Supt Raj Kohli (@MPSRajKohli) June 23, 2020
He still hasn’t deleted the account, and now Chief Superintendent Raj Kholi has got involved and doesn’t have much time for the man’s threats or mocking of the justice system. We’ll be sure to update on how this one turns out…
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Latest Comments
@jackcycles I'm not sure my grandchildren got that memo. Cycling should not be just for hardened road warriors.
Chrisonabike There are a number of police forces in England and Wales that are using portable testing equipment already... How effective it is another matter, I haven't looked into the results of failing (I would hope they just seize and crush the motorbike without any faff but I am sure there are appeal processes, promises not to use them on public roads etc).
Woah there - a precision-engineered European-made product, with unparalleled adaptability, is somehow a ‘rip off’? Compared to what - Temu? As per the article, most quality through-axles go for £50-60+, but aren’t adaptable and don’t provide any stand or trailer capability. If you want to balance your £3-4-5k suspension or carbon bike, or bikepacking setup on a budget product subject to highly focused stresses, fair play. Cycling’s a broad church.
@eburtthebike I've found Spanish drivers to be almost entirely excellent around cyclists.
I agree, the study was made after cycle paths that had been introduced in Berlin during the 70’s and 80’s caused a big increase in cycling deaths. It is an interesting study for cyclists to read in order to know what dangers exist at badly designed junctions. Here in Paris we have very few bi-directional paths. The ones I have cycled on have no building entrances or courtyards (so no cars crossing the path) and every junction is traffic lights to prevent accidents.
We have enough regulation. They're running a motorbike without insurance/registration and possibly without a licence, and the punishment for being caught with all that is pretty severe already. The problem is lack of enforcement.
In my experience with anything less than one of those serious mid-bike two-foot kickstands, a wall / tree / hedge is the better option, or the bike will sometimes show you the alternative and lie down by itself. Maybe I've got panniers that are just too large and the wrong balance of (too much) cargo though? And of course Edinburgh streets are great at funneling gusts of wind...
I agree there's a clear legal line * but I do see something here. Like much tech it's entirely opaque from the outside (without even invoking things like the VW emissions cheating).** I know in NL they have trialled semi-portable "test stations" to check max motor speeds. However with the latest "but there's no money" crisis I can't see that over here. Indeed it's hard to see the police being motivated to do any more roads policing, with this even further down the priority list. Hope I'm wrong... While I guess many of us *would* be fine with EAPCs as a means to attract "non-cyclists" ... perhaps there's an "attractive nuisance" element to this? We're ushering people into an apparently effortless, easy and minimal consequence mobility mode without the "learning experience" of managing a lighter, unpowered machine on roads. And it's still (busy) *roads* where the new power-assisted riders will often find themselves. Not like in more advanced countries where people usually cycle in much safer and more controlled environments. OTOH we should always balance such concerns against "but cars and full-power ICE motorbikes now" though! Number plates, licences and insurance aren't necessarily mitigating that well... * As soon as there are laws games will be played. How long can you be above the "continuous rate power" for? Can we have *multiple* legal motors on one machine? ** Is the power / speed actually regulated by software, and how long will that keep a child armed with the internet from unlocking it?
And maybe a planning obligation to have traffic Marshalls controlling access out of the site not obstructing the path and restricting it if cyclists are likely to be obstructed …one can hope
I'll stick to my low rider with Karrimor Kalahari dry bag panniers and Karrimor Kalahari barbag thanks.
36 thoughts on “BMW driver filmed assaulting cyclist digs hole on social media; Separate queues for auto + bikes at Halfords; Andy Murray takes up cycling; £13m cycling + walking boost for South West; Winning the Tour “like a drug”, says Bernal + more on the live blog”
Does it really surprise
Does it really surprise anyone that Bristol City Council put in ‘pavement widening’ in Clifton Village before everywhere else? Still waiting for that pavement widening on the Triangle, guys!
I didn’t know they’d
I didn’t know they’d actually done any pavement widening. The only difference I saw was that pop-up lane near Bradley Stoke that lasted 4 days.
Why the Triangle, though? Seems to have quite wide pavements as it is, but then here in St George we have tiny pavements with busy shops. However, the busy road is too narrow as it is with lorries unloading etc. and being the main route from East Bristol into the centre.
They’ve removed the on-street
They’ve removed the on-street parking along the main road through the village (Princess Victoria Street?) and put bollards out so that the pavements are all doubled in width along there (it was always just a single lane of one-way traffic).
The Triangle: problem there is the queue to get into Sainsburys, or into the banks, or into Wilko, or waiting for a bus… The pavement is quite wide but nowhere near wide enough for safe distancing past all those queues without walking on the road, and the bus stops and taxi rank kind of get in the way.
Bristol CC said they were going to remove a traffic lane to allow for safe distancing, but it hasn’t happened yet…
I haven’t been along Princess
I haven’t been along Princess Victoria St in a while though I’ve been cycling around the Downs and down along Clifton Hill a few times recently. I’ve seen the queues around the Triangle, but they don’t compare to Church Rd where the pavement isn’t even 2m wide and has queues.
The emergency addition of
The emergency addition of traffic lights creating alternating flow under the bridge next to Parkway station to provide extra space has caused… no chaos whatsoever. I look forward to it becoming permanent.
Sounds so far that the ‘South
Sounds so far that the ‘South West’ investment is wholly limited to Bristol, any news on anywhere else benefitting?
Darren C wrote:
For the purposes of this story, they’re talking about the West of England mayor (ie. South Glos, Bristol, BANES). Not North Somerset, and nowhere west or south of there.
Ah, I see, thanks for the
Ah, I see, thanks for the info brooksby.
I asked the West of England
I asked the West of England Combined Authority about this and have posted an update. Most of the improvements are for central Bristol, but there are quite a few pavement widenings planned for Bath City Centre and more works going on around the outskirts of Bristol (South Gloucestershire).
Jack Sexty wrote:
There could and should be massive improvements in SGlos, but the council is so stuck in the mud it’s going to take generations to drag it from the mire.
That bloke in the Beemer
That bloke in the Beemer really isn’t the sharpest tool in the box is he?
His tweets are so self
His tweets are so self-destructive that I wonder if “a friend” is writing them on his behalf
Zebulebu wrote:
Not even the sharpest spoon in the cutlery drawer.
The nugget in the BMW may
The nugget in the BMW may claim that there are two sides to a story but the fact is, assault is assault. And if the vehicle deson’t have a valid VED, then it shouldn’t be on the road and is also uninsured.
If only that were true OR.
If only that were true OR. But in fact failure to pay VED doesn’t normally affect one’s insurance. This charming young man will be fined and have to pay the back duty.
I thought car tax fines were
I thought car tax fines were just automatic thesedays, how is driving around for 4months in London,triggering APNR, CCTV,congenstion charge cameras left right and centre,thereby proving you arent keeping the thing off the road, not just result in automatic fines or a visit by the police ? do DVLA not care anymore ?
its just because Ive noticed it seems an increasing trend especially among those who drive like idiots around cyclists especially to not have car tax, makes me wonder what the level is at as a whole, but when Im seeing maybe one a week and Im only checking the really rubbish bits of driving around me, its got to be near like catching fish in a barrel for the police.
I don’t know how VED
I don’t know how VED enforcement works in practice, but if someone wilfully refuses to pay VED, then chances are they aren’t going to pay any resulting automated fines either. I guess effective enforcement for those drivers relies on being spotted by an ANPR car / for another driving offence and then physically pulled over. I can’t imagine police priorities allow them to do speculative dorstep visits for VED.
I look forward to the court
I look forward to the court reports of Lucus’ trial, conviction and incarceration at her majesty’s pleasure for at least six months. Oh, and the confiscation of the car.
If I may add: “the
If I may add: “the confiscation and crushing of the car.”
essexian wrote:
Waste of resources. Just confiscate it and sell, use the funds for driver education.
With all the social media
With all the social media bragging going on I’d hope it would be longer. After all, that’s part of what did for Charlie Allison…
Am I the only one that
Am I the only one that noticed the BMW driver going back to his car after the cyclist had got off his bike.
One of these days there’ll be
One of these days there’ll be a video of a cyclist that actually completes his/her journey. But then again there might be a video of a sober Irishman so lets not get our hopes up.
WTAF ?
WTAF ?
Wouldn’t you rather be
Wouldn’t you rather be watching your Jim Davidson video collection than posting here? If you can find the time click here https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/racism
Why does everyone stand
Why does everyone stand around doing nothing in these sort of videos? If was with 2 of my mates and this clown on his own had kicked me, he’d have had a right hook to the side of head from one of them by the time his kick had landed. He wasn’t a brick shithouse or anything.
I also think the police need to change or lobby to changed whatever law it is that stops you doing anything about an obvious crime without the victim coming forward. It’s on video. It happened. Do something about it. They are quick enough to jump on victimless crime like someone doing a wheelie on video.
Rick_Rude wrote:
Bystander apathy, plus also in certain parts of London especially there’s a small but significant chance of getting stabbed.
They’re gutless, slow
They’re gutless, slow thinking and lacking empathy.
I would’ve stepped in.
I’ve worked with youth offenders. If they’re about to fight if someone does step in (keeping themselves safe-ish) it usually ends before it starts. People often need a ‘big’ person to do the right thing.
Why people keep feeding
Why people keep feeding trolls like the ‘big boy’ from BMW?
Clearly seen, as soon as cyclist get off the bike, the boy is getting back to the car. Guess it’s easier to kick someone while they have a vehicle between their legs.
Stop making stupid people famous. I know it’s tempting to answer, but what’s the point? In his head he’s the one who did ‘nothing wrong’ because there are ‘to sides of the story’.
Police already queried this, so I hope the guy will get done by them. Until then, let’s not fuel his stupidity further otherwise next time he’ll really run someone over.
What a dick that BMW driver
What a dick that BMW driver is! So much anger. But this sort of thing is happening everywhere. Everyone is in such a rush when there is no need to be. What’s going on? Cycling home from work the other day, I saw a car being driven ridiculously close the back wheel of another cyclist whilst approaching red traffic lights. He had no where to go and nothing to gain. Another cyclist tried to make a point of it to the driver but it fell on deaf ears.
Was on the Triangle in Clifton, Bristol lunchtime yesterday and there was a group of about 6 or 7 lads on the MTB outside Sainsburys blocking 75% of the pavement. And a lot of pedestrians seem to ignore the 2m rule as it is (including inside shops etc).
Great to see the Strawberry line being used so much and the planned works.
Notbuilt2climb wrote:
I rode it on Sunday on 700 24 tires. It was a bit rough. I saw the closure notices.
It would be great to get a good surface on a lot of the old railway lines. Perhaps they can also get the missing link done in Frome or the Somerset and Dorset route opened all the way through. Those would form the base of a great long distant traffic free cycling network in the South West.
My route on Sunday started with the Frome to Radstock cycle path, then on to the Radstock to Bath cycle path which has a terrible hilly gap at Mells. I took the Two Tunnels then the linear parkway through Bath and got on the Bath to Bristol railway path. That took me to Temple Meads in Bristol where I followed the city cycle lanes down the river and to Ashton Court. From there it was quiet roads and a few cycle paths to Nailsea then Yatton to pick up the Strawberry line. I followed that to Cheddar then had to hit the roads again for the rest of the trip back home.
Continuing the Strawberry line on from Cheddar and putting in the proposed links with Wells, Shepton Mallet and Frome would form a fantastic network.
To be fair, whoever parked
To be fair, whoever parked that second car in the cycle lane had put the mirror in to make room to get past.
“Two sides to every story”,
“Two sides to every story”, you say?
“You shouted abuse at me for (honestly!) no reason at all” = “I stopped my car in the middle of the road, came over, and kicked you”.
Not sure the two are equivalent, really…
I have to admit that it is
I have to admit that it is amazing the amount of stuff that bicycle riders have littered my countryside bike commute with these past few months. Childrens bicycles – good ones and if I had only thought about it I should have called back and picked them up and made a profit. Three Piece suites – several – one even in a nice leather. Chest Freezer. Multiple Refrigerators. Gas Oven/Hobs. Multiple Microwaves. Kids Toys. Double Glazing Units. Bedding and Beds. Multiple Chidrens Buggies/Pushchairs. Almost 24 whole Bin Liner sacks full of topsoil, Shrubberies. A massive collection of used baby nappies……… and the list goes on and on and on and I haven’t any doubt my local councils are browned off with the amount of reporting I have been making to get it all removed.
Bicycle riders are some of the most agrecious flytippers you could possibly imagine and it amazing how they manage to carry so much on just 2 wheels
I wish people would stop
I wish people would stop referring to Bristol and Gloucester as the Southwest. It is the West (of England). Southwest is Devon and Cornwall (Penzance is 222 miles from Gloucester) and we are not getting anything like the investment that Bristol/Bath is getting!
well from Penznanc Brstol is
well from Penznanc Brstol is probably NorthEast so I do feel your pain, but I would prefer that compass directions were not used as if they fixed places.
My pet peeve in this paticular field is road signs that rfer to “the NORTH” when driving up the M6 these stop about half way up the UK, Aberdeen and Inverness are sill 300+ mile in a northerly direction (and still plenty country north of that)