Cyclist in Italy knocked off bike, gets fined in A&E for breaking lockdown; Riders celebrate rubbish home trainer set-ups; Backlash vs lockdown op piece; Hoy accused of making ‘unnecessary journey’… on Zwift; Van Avermaet’s Virtual NMOTD + more
SUMMARY
A frontline doctor on the benefits of Brighton's road closure for motor vehicles
Social distancing needs more space!🚶♀️🧹🚴♂️
🧑⚕️Greg, a Brighton frontline doctor talks to us while walking down the first UK road to get closed to traffic to make space for pedestrians and cyclists during lockdown. #walkingfromhome #StaySafe #StayActive pic.twitter.com/yHuVDD7OLU
— Living Streets (@livingstreets) April 23, 2020
More space for exercising and commuting = safer streets during the pandemic… should it stay that way when all this is over?
Cycling UK call on public to write to their local council to demand reallocation of street space during the pandemic... but is it out of their hands?
Do you want more #SpaceForDistancing in your local area?🚴♂️↔️🚶♀️
Cities around the world have been reallocating street space for safe cycling and walking. The UK must do the same.
Take action! Write to your council: https://t.co/yJ9GLpghHv
📸: Leo Suarez https://t.co/KX4mmZjF21 pic.twitter.com/Y12XDCqo0V
— Cycling UK (@WeAreCyclingUK) April 23, 2020
Cycling UK have a form to fill out on their website which allows you to send and edit draft letters to let councils know how much extra street space is needed. They say:
“Temporary cycling and walking space won’t only help people get their daily exercise safely, but will allow key workers to cycle to work, whether they are hospital staff, care workers, or others providing vital services. Please let your council know how much this is needed, why it’s important in your area, and how easy it is to do.”
Whereas local authorities in the U.K don’t even have the powers to temporarily close roads and introduce modal filters, because we’re led by a Government that can’t even provide nurses with enough face masks.
Jokers. https://t.co/uJ9TBTGxPY
— Cllr Jon Burke (@jonburkeUK) April 23, 2020
That said, we reported on Wednesday’s live blog how Hackney councillor Jon Burke claimed the government have failed to remove red tape that allows them to install temporary road closures… who’s telling the truth? We’ve asked Cycling UK for their view.
Greg van Avermaet's Rouvy avatar is nearly taken out by a car
Greg van Avermaet was almost heat by a car. Terrible organization of the race. Any comments by @UCI_cycling? #DigitalSwiss5 pic.twitter.com/8py9Qc1B5Z
— GosuSM (@GosuSM) April 23, 2020
You have to say that this virtual near miss from yesterday’s Digital Swiss 5 makes you wince even though it’s only Greg Van Avermaet’s avatar.
Van Avermaet is taking part in the five-stage digital version of the Tour de Suisse, hosted on virtual training app Rouvy (that appears to have a couple of dodgy in-game drivers if the footage above is anything to go by). Today’s race is 33km from Fiesch to Nufenenpass, featuring a fearsome ‘climb’ towards the end, and other star names taking part from the discomfort of their homes include Julian Alaphilippe, Primoz Roglic, Vincenzo Nibali and Edvald Boassen Hagen.
Van Avermaet told the BBC: “After my first taste of virtual racing a couple of weeks ago, I’m interested to see how I go.
“Virtual racing is definitely not easy. The races may be much shorter than normal races but the effort is much more intense and you have a much smaller window of opportunity to make the difference when it comes to tactics.”
The BBC are streaming the races on their website, more details here.
Addis Ababa goes full steam ahead on cycling infrastructure
More Cycle Lanes ➡️ More Cyclists ➡️ Safer Streets
The Mayor of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia rides into the future of his city’s streets, as the paint dries on the beginning of Addis Ababa’s’ 100km cycle network! 🚴♀️🚴🚴♂️ #RoadSafety Via @GlobalStreets @Ma3Route @KenyanTraffic pic.twitter.com/2OvcndnY00
— 🚶Nairobi Walks & Cycles 🚴 (@Sir_Labz) April 24, 2020
A 100km cycle network was recently completed in the Ethiopian capital.
Chris Hoy's 'unnecessary journey': the best comments
— Spokey (@Byclemore) April 23, 2020
” ‘ello, ‘ello, ‘ello. Is this an essential journey sir? Do you have any form of ID? ‘Sir’ Chris Hoy? A likely story! You’ll have to accompany me to the station sir.” pic.twitter.com/g1dwXgq1GD
— Bicycal_Life (@bicycal_life) April 24, 2020
Chris ain’t silly, he uses Norton anti virus, stops most germs from infecting him (his PC)
— Wayne Elvin (@elvis7a) April 24, 2020
But as a few people have mentioned, we’ll leave it there now as the poor fella in question was apologetic when he realised his mistake… doh!
What a wally!!!!. But a wally who’s took his mistake on the chin and has apologised and hasn’t hidden away. Silly comment Mr o’rourke but respect to you for being big enough to apologise.
— Fred Fernackerpan (@FredFernackerp2) April 23, 2020
Sainsburys planning to expand their relaunched ChopChop one hour bike delivery service
Earlier this month, the supermarket re-introduced ChopChop to deliver up to 20 essential goods to those in isolation inside one hour from the point of sale on their website; and after the scheme was successful in London zones 1 and 2, they’re now looking at ways to expand it across the country. In an email sent out to mailing list subscribers, Sainsbury’s say they will keep customers updated on their progress in a wider roll-out.
Muc-Off Launches range of versatile antibacterial sanitisers & cleaners
Muc-Off’s new collection of antibacterial sanitisers and cleaners are designed to offer maximum performance across a broad range of uses, so say Muc-Off; although we’re still waiting to find out if they have proper anti-viral properties. Full story on off.road.cc.
Backlash against article that claims cycling with earphones is a "pointless and selfish risk", while referring to one hour exercise rule
The article on Cycling News – titled “The pointless and selfish risk of riding with earphones during lockdown – argues that riding outdoors with earphones is a “selfish act” regardless of the pandemic, while going on to suggest that making “unnecessary risks” could put further strain on the health service.
While comments on social media denounced this opinion, others also took issue with the author’s interpretation of the lockdown rules in the United Kingdom* when he says: …”in the United Kingdom and other select global territories, cyclists are authorised to practice an hour of outdoor riding and it is something which serves incalculable anxiety mitigation during lockdown.”
The author also cites that headphones were found at the scene when cyclist Nicky Hayden died in Italy three years ago to argue his point that earphones are dangerous. The author then refers to “the one hour allocated daily road ride” in the final paragraph.
In the UK there is no specific time limit on how long citizens are allowed to exercise during the lockdown; although it’s claimed that some have some have attributed the ‘one hour rule’ misconception to comments made by Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove, who personally suggested that a walk should last an hour and a jog 30 minutes.
For our latest advice in line with current government guidance, check out our Dos and Don’ts guide to riding responsibly during the pandemic.
*Update at 3:46pm: Cyclingnews have updated the article removing reference to a one hour exercise rule.
Wales Online accused of misinterpretation of latest Welsh government advice
And yet no official @WelshGovernment documents (including the updated guidance today) gives a mention of 10, or 20 miles. Please don’t make up your own interpretations it’s incredibly counter productive. https://t.co/kPar9UI948
— Christopher Beale (@chrisjbeale) April 24, 2020
The article cites guidance released by the Welsh government today, with point 19 stating:
“Cycling should be local, as a rule of thumb limited to travelling no further than a reasonable walking distance from home. Exercising by cycling significant distances from home is not considered to be a reasonable excuse for leaving home.”
However after quoting the guidance, WalesOnline go on to state:
“We understand that “reasonable distance” is within 10 miles of your home.
“If you were found cycling 20 miles or more from your home and are stopped by police, this would not been seen as a “reasonable distance”.”
There are no laws in England, Wales or Scotland that put a specific time or distance limit on the daily exercise allowance. For our latest advice in line with current government guidance, check out our Dos and Don’ts guide to riding responsibly during the pandemic. We’ll have a full story on the latest Welsh government guidance later this afternoon.
Froome "never taking riding on the road for granted again"
I’m sure I’m not alone in that I will never take riding on the road for granted again 🙏 I can’t wait to get back out there 🚴🏻♂️💨 #flashbackfriday pic.twitter.com/EOmCpZpLoM
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) April 24, 2020
Lockdown isn’t the only thing that’s kept him away after that horrendous crash last year.
Pedal Me explain how they've scaled up e-cargo deliveries and deliver vital goods to the vulnerable
We spoke to Chris one of the directors to find out how they’ve used their tech and delivery know-how to scale up deliveries to more than 400 a day🏋️♀️ pic.twitter.com/5eF1EEsimd
— Lambeth Council (@lambeth_council) April 22, 2020
The cycle courier and taxi service are delivering essentials to those in isolation during the lockdown, and in this video one of their directors explains how they’re managing to make up to 400 drops a day.
People are sharing their rubbish home trainer set-ups, and it's way better than pristine ones
Bored of seeing all these immaculate, dedicated indoor trainer setups. Starting a ‘real turbo’ movement. I want pics of bits of wood, ironing boards, duct tape, years of misc. cycling crap parted like Moses vs. the Red Sea. Social media is holding us to fake turbo standards.
— Richard Jones (@joohnesy) April 24, 2020
Tired of getting envious over massive tellys, superbikes mounted to trainers that cost a grand or more all in a dedicated home gym? This thread is for you…
Oh now we’re getting serious! Swimming float is good, emergency bucket of caramel wafers (?) is great and is that a laptop precariously placed on top of a shoebox on top of a stool? Excellent work.
— Richard Jones (@joohnesy) April 24, 2020
Nice. Feel like I can smell this photo. Good use of the piece of wood to angle the monitor that’s approx 2″ bigger than the laptop it’s connected to, proper engineering.
— Richard Jones (@joohnesy) April 24, 2020
How’s this? pic.twitter.com/0QdP7jXkmV
— Simon Ginger (@simonginger67) April 24, 2020
From ironing boards used to shelve monitors to swimming floats for propping up front wheels, the thread celebrates the more DIY side of home training. Richard Jones – who rides for Ribble-Weldtite Pro Cycling – is awarding extra points for unsuitable rooms, poor equipment and random clutter hindering the training experience.
Oh this one is proper. Barely enough width to turn the cranks. Looks like some very dark times have been experienced in this pain cave. Feels a bit like a crime scene photo. Excellent.
— Richard Jones (@joohnesy) April 24, 2020
I like this one. Proper eclectic mix of objects. Dedicated turbo snack hamper and the vanity mirror so you can slowly watch your soul wilt as the session wears on are personal highlights. Good work.
— Richard Jones (@joohnesy) April 24, 2020
While we can’t see the full shabang our winner is this wonderfully wretched set-up that is reportedly from the late legendary Scottish cycling champion Ivor Reid, conjuring up delightful images of sweaty dispair…
Tv’s & monitors, my arse. This great man had it right. 👇💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/eyv2i5hq6c
— Stephen moore (@Stephen28780796) April 24, 2020
Cyclist in Italy ends up in A&E after being knocked off bike - and gets fined for breaking lockdown
A cyclist in Italy who was taken to hospital after he was knocked off his bike ended up getting more attention in the A&E department than might have happened in more normal times, when police arrived and fined him for contravening the country’s strict lockdown laws.
The incident on Tuesday evening happened in the town of Schio, near Vicenza in Italy’s Veneto region, which is one of the hardest-hit by the pandemic.
The website VicenzaNews gave no update on the rider’s condition, but said that the man, someone already known to the police, was sanctioned for being away from his home without a justified reason.
24 April 2020, 08:41
Cyclist fatalities since the UK lockdown began on 23 March are running at more than double the average for the time of year, road.cc can reveal
Cyclist deaths double during lockdown – at twice the average for the time of year
Short -term anomaly or longer-term trend due to changes in our lives, travel habits and more speeding drivers on the roads? It's too soon to say, but worth reflecting upon
24 April 2020, 08:41
Our full story on the latest guidance from the Welsh Government
Welsh Government says you can only cycle within walking distance of home
Updated guidance on exercise during lockdown issued
24 April 2020, 08:41
NHS staff and other key workers appear to remain targets for thieves, road.cc has learned
Cycle thefts down by 25% during COVID-19 lockdown
Early figures show drop in cycle thefts, with 78% reduction across transport network alone - but new cyclists warned to protect bikes
24 April 2020, 08:41
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Except that it doesn't say anything about fire risk, and unassisted bikes can just as easily be ridden in a dangerous manner (in which case, punish the offenders, not everyone else). They don't seem to have given any particular reason* for it, apart from a vague reference to changes in the law. If they'd said "There's a fire risk from dodgy ones and we don't have the capacity to check which are which" then people might not be so annoyed. As it is, it just gives the impression that they've made an arbitrary decision without much thought or reasoning at all. Tim, on the other hand, is just trouble, and deserves to have special measures taken against him. [* Apparently there was a letter to parents that hasn't been posted, but whatever the contents of that, it doesn't seem to have made the reasoning any clearer to them, judging by the social media comments.]
Fair enough - sometimes it's more obvious to them as is writing than them as is reading.
I'm intrigued what the data says for Scotland. Last year in Stirling, I had my bike (plus tailfin setup and camping kit) removed from the station cycle park and left against a rail to see if I noticed it. Thankfully I did and quickly made my way to get my train. I reported it online to PS when I got home, it was left for less than a hour and I mentioned that as a solo female traveller the most unnerving bit, was someone clearly watching me. Despite it being logged and a PS email to arrange a call back, the call back never came. They then had the nerve to text me a response questionnaire on how they'd done.
@mdavidford This is the instagram post. All seems very reasonable to me in view of the fire risk the batteries pose and the possibility of scooters and e-bikes being ridden in a dangerous manner when it's crowded at the start and end of the day. Children are still being encouraged to cycle to school but I'm a bit concerned that they are singling out tim for the lunch ban.
@mdavidford I thought you may have detected a hint of sarcasm there! Seriously though the standard of driving is much higher in London than Marrakesh.
That's terrifying!! I'm pretty sure I'd have ridden (or perhaps fallen or jumped) into the concrete ditch on the right; I wouldn't have even tried to stay on the carriageway. ********** Years ago in Laos I was riding into Vang Vieng at about 15mph when a lorry came straight towards me at full pelt (I was on the correct - right - side of the road). I made the instant decision to ride into the water-filled ditch on my right that ran immediately parallel to the road, having no idea of its depth. The water was only about 10 inches deep and I slowed down covered in muck but still upright. I then went back to see why the driver had chosen my side of the road, as he wasn't overtaking. Turns out there wasn't his side of the road - just a massive hole where it had been...
Whenever I see a near miss like this I can't stop myself thinking of all the excuses, sorry, reasons the police might give for not taking action if it happened in this country. List so far : We are not allowed to judge distances so we don't know how close the lorry was. At this point the lorry driver is going to have to inconvenience somebody. Lorry didn't cross the white line so it was the cyclists fault for not being in the cycle lane. Lorry was established. A close pass is not an offence. Am I getting cynical in my old age? Well done to the cyclist for staying alive.
This short sample of bargains tells the cycling community that retail prices are way too expensive. As fot Giant, they seem unable to get rid of their ageing inventory.
"...the delivery lorry in his lane, attempting to overtake another lorry..." "...the lorry does not decelerate or seek to move back to its own lane..." but "... as the driver narrowly avoids him." Come on @Callum Devereux Do better.
Bath cyclist view. Whilst being a very lovely city to live in, it is at times (and places) a car infested hell-scape which is easy just to accept when you live here. I pretty much walk and cycle within the city, and only get the car out if I have to (miserable at times). With narrow roads, lots of on-street parking, no outer ring road (geography; through traffic), a river splitting the city N/S, plenty of good private/state schools and some pretty steep hills, it's a toxic mix of inconsiderate entitled drivers and rat-runs; for years the traffic problem has been in the council's 'too difficult' box. They may not get it 100% right, but the current Lib Dem council are pushing ahead with new pedestrian crossings, shutting rat-runs, implementing 20mph speed limits, scooter/bike hire scheme and installing cycle lanes; it drives the car-lobby wild and their human right to drive wherever, whenever and however is violated (I include people who live around me in this group; "how will we get around?"). The local Greens seem to just side with the noisy NIMBYs, regardless of whether it's 'green', as it probably helps their election prospects. As a cyclist, you need your wits about you and where to go to avoid toxic traffic; I've felt safer cycling in London. I think this new park route links the cycle route(s) from the centre of town up towards Weston and the hospital reasonably well; bit of uphill in the park (noting that a N route is recommended). The 'antis' point out that there are already 2 parallel cycle routes, the river path and the section of the U Bristol Rd that has dedicated cycle lanes (they're still screaming about that one). The river path feeds cyclists towards the 2-tunnels route S and the Bristol Bath cycle path; tbh, it has a lot of pedestrian traffic and is pretty narrow and bumpy (tree roots) between Windsor Bridge and Locksbrook (apparently will be upgraded). The U Bristol Rd lanes incl floating bus stops etc (wouldn't be cheap to remove), but at the W end they just stop and turf you out onto a pretty busy road. Cyclists travelling from Newbridge may just stick to the U Bristol Rd, and enjoy the respite offered by the cycle lane stretch, or could head down to the river path. I dislike the car zealots so much (one resident group has taken their self-funded LTN complaint to the High Court) that anything that sticks one up their proverbial is fine by me. If I can make an effort to get about the city by means other than a car (I even invested in a ebike to use a bike more; kills off the hill problem), then perhaps they could to.
14 thoughts on “Cyclist in Italy knocked off bike, gets fined in A&E for breaking lockdown; Riders celebrate rubbish home trainer set-ups; Backlash vs lockdown op piece; Hoy accused of making ‘unnecessary journey’… on Zwift; Van Avermaet’s Virtual NMOTD + more”
While they’re at it, the UCI
While they’re at it, the UCI should check GVA’s virtual bike for hidden motors, judging by those suspicious looking accelerations.
Ok if the government havent
Ok if the government havent removed the red tape to allow temp road closures, how have Brighton council (in the previous story in the blog) achieved it then ?
Maybe they’ve taken a leaf
Maybe they’ve taken a leaf out of the government’s playbook and ‘got road closure done’.
It’s not as tho’ there should be many motorists about to complain!
The cycle news article
The cycle news article appears to be clickbait written by a vulture who is using the current COVID-19 crisis and Nicky Haden’s death for his own commercial gain. Block and mute is the only solution for individuals and organisations who produce this crap.
As I made “must have had my
As I made “must have had my music blaring” a bit of a personal motto for quite a time, I find myself duty bound to agree with the view that road cycling with headphones/music is a bad idea. Along with using your phone and filming your ride holding your phone/camera. We need “them” not to do these things – “we” have to set the example.
Just watched the video on the closed road – taken from a moving bike! Someone will know the Highway Code provision about holding the handkebars…
How very Brighton, but other towns please copy. Pick a spot where a wide range of people can benefit and try not to move the car problem simply from place A to place B. That way it has a chance of staying in place as a permanent feature.
I train with in ear earbuds
I train with in ear earbuds for almost all my rides. I listen to books (much of my riding would be pretty boring and lonely without it). I train during the middle of the day in the middle of the week or early AMs during the weekend so there is little traffic (where I ride). I can still hear traffic behind me. I also have a mirror on my helmet so I can see what is behind me (much safer than just hearing) and have never had an issue that has been caused by whatever I’m listening to while riding.
It’s very hard to see how riding with earbuds or skull conduction (or similar) would be inherently unsafe if one can still hear traffic from behind and to the sides.
Looks like cycling News have
Looks like cycling News have edited the sill headphone article – no mention of time limits now.
kevvjj wrote:
Yes and removed the comments that referred to time limits as well.
So the muppet who mistook
So the muppet who mistook Zwift for real life always puts his hands up when he makes a mistake. Will be apologising to Trump after saying “he wants to inject bleach in to sick people” because he didn’t say that at all. But orange man bad, so guess it’s ok….
https://www.youtube.com/watch
though this long zoom is priceless.
https://twitter.com/JimMFelton/status/1253625215403331584
Orange man very bad.
He should wash his mouth out.
He should wash his mouth out…
id483727 wrote:
I’m guessing you’re a Trumpist or a tory. It was your complete lack of awareness and facts that gave you away.
id483727 wrote:
He said, exactly: “I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute! And is there a way we can do something, by an injection inside or almost a cleaning?”
So that’s pretty much what the other guy said.
Which orange man are you
Which orange man are you thinking of? I believe the quip in the story refers to the one that posited, on live TV, the bright idea of injecting people with disinfectant the even brighter idea of irradiating patients with UV and who is currently Moron-in-Chief of the USA.