“Do you pay road tax?” GB News host admits he jumps red lights while cycling; Reckless driver avoids sentencing after taking injured cyclist to hospital; Belfast bike-rentals soar; Rwanda Worlds round-up + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Unsafe driver spared ban due to "family hardship"
A Chadwell Heath driver has avoided a driving ban after admitting to overtaking a cyclist without due care and attention.
Abdul Noim was driving a BMW X5 SUV on the single-carriageway A487 in Pembrokeshire when he overtook the cyclist at an unsafe speed, distance and without leaving his own lane, as reported by the Ilford Recorder.
But after the court heard Mr Noim needed to take his family to and from school as well as medical appointments, he was handed six points on his license rather than receiving an eight week driving ban. He was also ordered to pay £543 in fines and surcharges.
Belfast bike hire quintuples in price as e-bike rollout begins
Those of you living in Greater Manchester, Birmingham or Leeds might have become familiar with the Beryl hire bikes over the last couple of years. Well now they’ve taken over the bike hire scheme in Belfast, but not without a hitch.
Rolled out at the weekend, the cost of an annual subscription has skyrocketed from £25 to £120. A standard 20 minute Pay As You Go (PAYG) ride has also nearly doubled in price.
Beryl’s Chief Executive told the BBC the pricing was “pretty competitive” but added that “If we’ve got it wrong, we’ll have to do something about it.”
Part of the increase in time-period ‘bundle purchases’ is due to the rollout of electric bikes across the city. These rolling subscriptions apply the same price point to both standard and electric hire bikes, unlike the PAYG scheme which charges separate rates.
A 20 minute bike ride on a standard ‘pedal’ bike will cost £1.90 whereas an electric bike ride of the same length will cost £3.80, a similar price to bus tickets. That includes an ‘unlocking fee’ to start your ride, coupled with a rolling rate. E-bike users will have to pay an additional £1 unlocking fee as part of each e-bike ride taken in a monthly, quarterly or annual pass. Using the bikes also requires downloading and creating an account on the Beryl app.
Rwanda Worlds round-up: young Dutch courage triumphs
The World Championships in Rwanda are continuing and after yesterday’s under-23 TTs, today’s the turn of the next generation to show their worth.
On the women’s side, the steep cobbled climb of the Cote de Kimihurura two kilometres from the finish was perfect for former junior Tour of Flanders runner-up Megan Arens, the 18-year old able to extend her two second lead at the intermediate time check to 35 seconds at the finish line. Both British entrants, Erin Boothman and Abi Miller, finished in the top-10.
The men will get underway shortly, with the USA’s Ashlin Barry among the favourites. The 17-year old son of former US Postal, Team Columbia, and Sky domestique Michael Barry is already signed to Visma – Lease a Bike’s development team for next year and finished second in Junior Paris-Roubaix and E3 earlier in the year. Britain’s Dylan Sage and Max Hinds will be hoping to give Barry a run for his money, both have been rumoured to join Ineos’ new development team that is due to be up and running next year.
'Lached' in: Endurance cyclist Morton heads to Yorkshire.
Road cyclist turned ultra endurance extraordinaire Lachlan Morton is coming to Yorkshire this weekend to race cyclocross!
The Australian will be returning to tackle the Three Peaks Cyclocross race that is considered the hardest ‘cross course in the UK. Morton previously entered the race in 2019, finishing 4th. The event, more than 60 years old, is 61km long and will see riders summitting the mountains of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen Y-Ghent.
Morton, still contracted with his old road team of EF Education-EasyPost, has in recent years completed a series of alternative sporting challenges, including riding the entire Tour de France route (plus transfers) faster than the peloton, setting a new record for circumnavigating Australia, and winning the Unbound Gravel race. The Three Peaks is surely a natural sporting progression…
Driver's case struck off after taking injured cyclist to hospital
Some interesting news from Ireland now where a woman who reported herself for reckless driving after a cyclist ran into her car door has had her case struck off.
The Irish Independent describes Cherry Mae Vente as a “good Samaritan” after she took the cyclist to hospital and then took him home after he sustained two cracked ribs and a fractured collarbone.
The cyclist never reported the incident but police in County Kerry were obliged to press charges following Ms Vente’s admission of careless driving. The case was struck off the record however after her solicitor presented the case in court.
Hand-cycling to Paris
Something nice to bring you now and it’s an epic fundraising campaign that has already raised more than £200,000.
In 2012, Danny Turnbull handcycled to Paris. A lawyer by profession, he was also paraplegic. His effort defied event organisers who thought such a feat wouldn’t be possible. The event is now known as the ‘No Limits’ London to Paris ride in recognition of Danny’s achievements before he died of cancer in 2017.
In his memory, a team of 60 will set off on Friday to recreate his journey and raise money for the spinal injury charity Back Up, of which Danny was a patron. The three-day mission will be headed by Danny’s widow Susie, and will be undertaken by Danny’s friends, family, solicitors from his law firm and five hand-cyclists following in his wheeltreads.
“Despite how difficult it was, completing the ride demonstrated exactly what Danny was trying to prove; that if you believe you can do it, you can find a way.” Susie says.
“That’s what this ride is now, it’s a platform for people to challenge and overcome their own limits and to demonstrate that life can go on after a spinal injury.”
The participants have set a goal of £500,000 with the money going towards expanding Back Up’s outreach services to help those who can’t rely on the NHS. It’s a worthy goal and one which we wish everyone involved the very best of luck with.
"Don't brake!": Van der Poel's advice to Philipsen as the Belgian dabbles off-road
As long as Paris-Roubaix is on the calendar it does no harm to brush up on bike handling, and in his teammate and three-time winner of the race, Jasper Philipsen has the best source of wisdom he could ask for. Just maybe don’t rely on him so much for MTB…
Incredibly horrifying crash by cycling legend Mathieu van der Poel in the #Olympics mountain bike race. Oh, and he got back up and is still riding. pic.twitter.com/yLPxdROweI
— Remko Rinkema (@RemkoRinkema) July 26, 2021
"Do you pay road tax?": GB News host admits he jumps red lights while cycling during debate on cyclist “crackdown”
When transport journalist Carlton Reid tweeted (Bluesky-d?) that GB News were hosting a debate on their breakfast show about cyclists this morning, we braced for the usual onslaught.
GB News will be ranting about cyclists tomorrow morning. I declined the producer’s invitation.
— Carlton Reid (@carltonreid.com) 22 September 2025 at 18:54
It followed a heated sparring yesterday between GB News presenters Tom Harwood and Nana Akua following reports that punishments for skipping red lights in London were going to be harshened.
In truth, that’s not quite the story. It’s only City of London Police that are considering tougher measures, and they only cover a square mile in the centre of the city (the rest of London is governed by the Metropolitan Police). The proposed change is to increase the maximum fine above £50.
Still, with Harwood revealing himself to be a cyclist, he suggested he could skip red lights when pedestrians weren’t around, kickstarting the following exchange:
Akua: The safest way is for everyone to follow the same rules. Because let’s say something happens that you haven’t spotted, you cause an accident and someone gets hurt. What insurance do you have? Do you pay road tax?
Harwood: I do for my car, but not for my bike.
Akua: Exactly. And that’s the problem.
In what went on to be a fairly serene discussion on the merits of Amsterdam-style bike lanes, the road tax quip stood out.
Road tax, as a tax that explicitly and exclusively funds the roads, has not existed since 1937. The Vehicle Excise Duty that has more-or-less existed since 1920 only applies to motor vehicles. Cyclists do not pay it because they are not able to pay it. Whilst there was a brief period under the previous government when a ‘National Roads Fund’ was created from the Vehicle Excise Duty fund, that was dissolved in spring last year and roads continue to be funded by general taxation that all of us pay.
The excise duty is also variable with zero and lower emission vehicles paying less than high-polluting and older motors. With no carbon footprint and significantly reduced impact on road deterioration, cyclists would not need to pay the excise duty.
Still, this morning the debate went on and presenters Eamonn Holmes and Penny Smith moderated a discussion between motoring journalist Amanda Stretton and Stop Killing Cyclists co-founder Donnachadh McCarthy. Thankfully the debate was civil and resulted in agreement between the two over the respective responsibilities of drivers and cyclists on the road. It was a slightly heartening exchange, and diminished the ‘rage-baiting’ spectacle that Carlton Reid feared the whole thing might become.
My reply: “I don’t do rage bait.” My reasoning: “Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter how good you are, the bird is going to shit on the board and strut around like it won anyway.” Quote by Shannon L. Alder
— Carlton Reid (@carltonreid.com) 22 September 2025 at 19:04
23 September 2025, 09:04
The bike industry has not been in a great place lately. On Saturday we reported on a York bike shop that's closing after 45 years. Then yesterday evening, Sigma Sports recorded further losses
Cycling retailer Sigma Sports halves losses to £925,000 and insists 2024 was "positive" despite cost-of-living crisis, inflation and inventory woes battering bike industry
Sigma Sports confident it is "leading premium retailer" in the bike industry but predicts "backdrop of UK's economy to remain challenging" this year
23 September 2025, 09:04
23 September 2025, 09:04
23 September 2025, 09:04
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Hey, but their wool blend cycling adjacent t-shirts are/were fantastic.
@Surreyrider Still the boss. Ride one, you'll see why
@Smoggysteve "Most would happily ride on the roads and be treated with respect by drivers". But people aren't - and as far as I can see they won't be. Not until there is a lot less driving and it's slower around cyclists, and far more people driving have "skin in the game" eg. they sometimes cycle and their friends and family do also. That's what leads to the model - which is perhaps most advanced in NL - where cycling, walking and driving are all seen as separate normal transport modes. Their needs, vulnerabilities and any dangers to others are considered. And *that* leads to "mix / share when possible, separate when necessary". But "possible" is "where your 10-year old would be safe to cycle unsupervised" - so very few motor vehicles, going slow! And AFAICS everybody - even "existing cyclists" - is happy with the result. (I dunno about a few pro cyclists - but don't they tend to have training camps in different counties anyway?)
@quiff as an Edinburgh resident I can confidently say he's speaking without moving his lips in one sense: - while as I noted in a separate comment there *is* now some real separated cycle infra, all the examples i can think of have *at least as much space* for pedestrians. The rest of the "cycle infra" is essentially similar to the situation in the rest of the UK: eg. bus lanes*, cycle lanes and shared use paths (eg. "build" infra by sticking up a sign). Edinburgh is one of the places with a moderately extensive network of former railways which have been converted to "shared use" paths (completely motor traffic few). However though shared they are not narrow by UK standards. And this is all effectively a "free extra" for all non- motorised users, not like the "sign a cycle path" where pedestrians do lose space. I think this all comes from the "popular understanding" of cycling in which ultimately cyclists are the "other". They don't fit "motor vehicle" or "pedestrian" (including wheelchairs on the very rare occasions people think about that). Thus "cyclists are cheating" in multiple ways! They shouldn't get their own space as "there aren't enough" of them. And "they can just use the road / path". But being able to *choose* "on the road" or "on the footway" (shared use path) is clearly unfair - nobody else gets to do that! BUT of course even if they did pick just one of road OR pedestrian space it's still not fair anyway because they're "too slow" for the road (don't pay "road tax" etc...) and "far too fast" for pedestrians... * Though some existing cyclists may appreciate them when there are few buses, buses and bikes are a very poor mix for several reasons.
Whilst a shame for any employees, their bib shorts had the worst chamois pad I’d ever encountered, utter waste of my money. Even though they were Strava challenge discount purchases, still a waste of money.
Thanks, just going to have to suck it up. Got next week off and will take the easy, if expensive option...
@ktache Just go for the TNT Sports only package, £30.99 for a month. Alternatively have you considered experimenting with a VPN for a few pounds, allowing you to sign up for a free stream abroad, e.g. SBS Australia which streams the Tour live? If I didn't have a kind mate's login that's what I'd do!
So, it's now the month of July and I'm going to have to pay to watch the TdF, for one month only. On a tablet unfortunately, as I didn't manage to get a laptop to rig up to the TV, grrr. Just wondering, what package will I have to fork out for? Not wanting to pay for the wrong one...
Not that it sounds like a dealbreaker given the other faults you've identified, but that cable isn't really a "proprietary" cable, four pin magnetic cables like that are quite common on bone-conducting headphones and other devices (my inexpensive smartwatch uses one) and they can be had for £4.99 on UK Amazon.
25 thoughts on ““Do you pay road tax?” GB News host admits he jumps red lights while cycling; Reckless driver avoids sentencing after taking injured cyclist to hospital; Belfast bike-rentals soar; Rwanda Worlds round-up + more on the live blog”
to save you the googling, a
to save you the googling, a new BMW x5 bought without financing will cost £68k to £115k. Second hand and financing are of course options, but if you can afford that car, you can afford taxis.
Though it begs the questions:
Though it begs the questions:
– how much more is the insurance for a driver with points, assuming an insurer will provide cover…
– will such an increase be too much for the driver
Asking the real questions.
Asking the real questions. Perhaps we should all contribute to a national fund to help these poor
bellendsvictimised motorists to afford their insurance.will such an increase be too
will such an increase be too much for the driver
– will such a driver care, and skip this step?
the little onion wrote:
They do lose their value quickly so can be picked up for the cost of a cheap banger these days.
Ilford Recorder. “Abdul Noim,
Ilford Recorder. “Abdul Noim, 51, of Saville Road in Chadwell Heath, admitted driving without due care and attention in a BMW X5. “
At least the law has been sensibly adjusted to make special offenses for BMW X5 drivers. Teslas and Discos next, I hope.
Cheapest x5 on eBay is ~£1
Cheapest x5 on eBay is ~£1,300. They’ve been around 20+years now…
He lives in Chadwell Heath so
He lives in Chadwell Heath so within striking distance of 5 Railway Stations, 4 Underground Stations and numerous major bus routes….. oh the hardship!
Harwood: I do for my car, but
Harwood: I do for my car, but not for my bike.
Akua: Exactly. And that’s the problem.
My current ved is £0
I am part of the problem.
I guess the idea that different types of road user pay different amounts is too nuanced for gbeebies.
I’m sure I’m preaching to the
I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir here, but the other important point is that VED is not “road tax” – the funds received go to the Treasury as general taxation and are not ringfenced for any specific purpose. This has been the case since the Road Fund was abolished in 1936, so it’s not exactly a recent change.
Similarly pedestrians don’t
Similarly pedestrians don’t pay pedestrian tax and so shouldn’t be allowed to use the footway.
It is a poor argument because some things are included in general taxation because it is simpler, fairer, and more cost effective that way. Collecting predicated taxes or distributing means tested benefits costs money. This used to be the argument for not means-testing the winter fuel payment. Times change though. Maybe we will get the pedestrian tax after all.
The poll tax ?
The poll tax ?
Does it really matter that
Does it really matter that proponents of the ‘cyclists dont pay road tax’ get the name wrong? Motorists are taxed for their vehicles and resent that cyclists are not. They are wrong but getting pedantic over the name wont help
Why not just respond by asking what amount they think cyclists should pay, would it also apply to children, would it apply to zero emission vehicles, tractors, horses, what would it cost to collect and would its collection get them to shut the fk up?
Equally, “motorists” (ie the
Equally, “motorists” (ie the frothing non cyclist type) also enjoy the same freedom/rights that everyone else does to operate a bicycle, horse or pair of shoes on a public highway without being subjected to VED. Not my fault they choose not to do so.
I agree.
I agree.
Clem Fandango wrote:
… and while those who drive pay specific taxes those don’t cover the full costs of the activity (see “externalities of motoring”…
Whoever uses the term “road
Whoever uses the term “road tax” needs to be corrected each time.
This time on GB News was a lost opportunity.
The correct response should have been:
“You don’t pay road tax. No one does. It does not exist.”
With a brief explanation of what VED is, which would have hopefully ended the conversation.
If the idiot says they did, then they can be asked to show a reciept stating “Road Tax” which they won’t be able to do.
Not forgetting this incident:
https://youtu.be/S7enDsD5bpc
I would love to see people
I would love to see people sue the police or whoever is responsible for leaving these people on our roads when they go and hurt of kill someone because they were spared a ban due to the “hardship” it would cause them.
At what point does this excuse not fly? Going to prison will cause families hardship. Perhaps we shouldn’t do that any more. If you care about your family then you shouldn’t be driving in a way that will get yourself banned and if you aren’t a generally uncaring cunt then perhaps you shouldn’t be directly putting peoples lives at risk for 0 reason.
Perhaps the fact that you got caught when the chances of getting caught are so slim suggests that this is a pattern of behaviour and you are doing it so frequently that somehow you beat the odds and did get caught.
100%
100%
The interesting/annoying thing is there are many actions that would fail a learner driver on their practical test and thus mean they are not allowed to drive (without an instructor or other adult).
But as soon as a person passes, those same dangerous driving faults are deemed to not be worthy of disqualification.
Oh its completely ridiculous.
Oh its completely ridiculous. “Sorry madam, you have failed your test for a single major error. Oh no, you could do that a dozen times every journey and you wouldn’t likely be caught or have your license revoked even if you were once you have passed. We just need to make sure that you can drive safely one time for an hour or so.”
Breaking: Cyclist killed in
Breaking: Cyclist killed in Manchester
Cyclist dies in north Manchester crash
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/cyclist-dies-north-manchester-crash-32533884?utm_source=app
“…after the court heard Mr
“…after the court heard Mr Noim needed to take his family to and from school as well as medical appointments, …” Motorists are de jure allowed to drive recklessly and endanger other road users provided they drive their family to medical appointments. This is an open invitation to more irresponsible behaviours behind the wheel.
It’s utterly ridiculous. If
It’s utterly ridiculous. If he can afford to run a wankpanzer, he can afford a few bus tickets.
Eton Rifle wrote:
Without defending the twat in any way, the “exceptional hardship” defence is almost never about being unable to afford alternative transport (I think I’ve only seen it raised for people living way out in the country with no public transport saying how much constant cabs will cost them) but about logistics, I won’t be able to get little Tommy to school five miles away on the bus and get back in time to take granny to her regular physiotherapy appointment and after that put in my usual twelve hours volunteering at the soup kitchen. Exemption is usually asked for (and given far too often) on practical, rather than economic, grounds.
It’s the white van man’s
It’s the white van man’s burden. Care-cars.
Turns out everyone only ever drives for others – as a company manager for their employees, as a carer for elderly and/or disabled relatives or friends. For their children, their children’s ponies, their sick cats, dogs, ferrets…
Why should these innocents suffer? Surely *having to drive* is effectively “community service” by itself, so not only should they not lose their licence but doing all that involuntary driving should be the whole of the punishment *. They can pay their debt to society *and* do some rehabilitation for their bad driving by … driving!
* That and having to live with the knowledge of what they’ve done…