“This could be a cycleway”: Cyclist leaves homemade sign on abandoned car; 5-year-old vs rush hour traffic; Amazon driver delivers textbook safe pass; New KOM jersey; Humanised hi-vis; Runaway Ostrich causes crash; Spring sunshine + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Amazon driver delivers textbook safe pass
Nice job by Amazon here. pic.twitter.com/DVnxU3SWib
— Jim’s Wheels (@JimsWheels) March 23, 2022
See, it’s not all Near Miss of the Day and close passes out there…there is some positivity to be found. Including this Amazon driver delivering (get it?) a textbook safe pass: moving as far over into the other lane as possible, with nothing coming up the road.
One reply pointed out we probably shouldn’t have to congratulate drivers for “something as simple as overtaking”, but perhaps it says a lot that we are.
At risk of prompting a deluge of replies submitting evidence to the contrary, a couple of people added to Amazon’s positive driving portfolio…
IMO drivers of the Amazon labelled vans seem to have had some training in reading the road. Noticed them holding back on overtakes many times.
— Cybergibbons (@cybergibbons) March 23, 2022
And by the driver of this van by keeping the footpath clear. pic.twitter.com/HKUECg7PJM
— Stephen J (@steve_a_j) March 24, 2022
Coming to a climber near you...the YPLAC KOM jersey
Genuinely don’t know what this means, but seriously* thinking of sponsoring next year’s mountain stages of the Tour De France. A friendly dig after yesterday’s pavement-cycling discussion. @roadcc #polkajersey #kingofthemountains https://t.co/ozafdgL4dk
*not seriously pic.twitter.com/bpEfK4ibva— You Park Like a C*nt (@YPLAC) March 24, 2022
"Cycling to school a 5-year-old can beat rush hour traffic"
Cycling into the city to school in #Leicester. A 5 year old can beat the traffic in rush hour. Such a beautiful day to ride in. It would be lovely to have a proper segregated lane then maybe more people would choose to cycle than drive @OweniteAdam @RideLeicester @SustransEMids pic.twitter.com/oBIW04irXF
— Paul Player (@paulmplayer) March 23, 2022
Plenty to unpack here…
Is that the world’s narrowest ‘segregated’ cycle lane was probably not the point the video, but definitely my first impression. And with a proper lane, Paul says: “Cycling into the city to school in Leicester. A 5-year-old can beat the traffic in rush hour. Such a beautiful day to ride in. It would be lovely to have a proper segregated lane then maybe more people would choose to cycle than drive.”
No wonder he sent his son on the pavement once the wands end. A cycle lane barely wider than the double yellow lines + an HGV + other congestion = a dangerous place to ride.
Paul did add that there is: “Hugely impressive work going on in Leicester regarding sustainable transport and cycling infrastructure just needs it linking all together. After this road my son can safely cycle into the city the whole way on dedicated cycle paths.”
Leicester’s Deputy Mayor even got involved, responding to one critical comment about the safety of this cycle lane…
We have plans to give it similar or even better treatment to the stretch of the same road just north of here – we just need the funding…
— Cllr Adam Clarke 🇺🇦💉💉 💉 (@OweniteAdam) March 23, 2022
And the Leicestershire Loves Cycling agreed the city is moving in the right direction…
We have to be patient. I look at what’s going on around the country and outside London Leicester is probably making more inroads into cycle infrastructure than most. Above all there are politicians behind this despite all the flack they get.
— Leicestershire Loves Cycling (@LeicsCountyBike) March 24, 2022
Runaway Ostrich causes crash
How’s your day going?
Probably better than this unfortunate cyclist taken out by a runaway ostrich…
The incident happened in Buenos Aires, on Monday and left the woman with a broken wrist and a large cut to her head which needed treated in hospital in the Argentine capital.
The Daily Mirror has the video, if you want to watch that, and local media reports the bird was a pet that had escaped from a nearby property.
Spring sunshine: Send us your pictures of where you're enjoying the toasty temperatures....
Glorious day for some gravel adventures! This bike has given me renewed excitement for riding and a hunger for exploring new trails and seeking our adventures. We have plenty of fun in the pipeline 😀#gravelbike #gravelride #gravelcycling #explore #adventure #getoutside pic.twitter.com/UPCrvWBBJe
— Love SwimRun (@Loveswimrun) March 23, 2022
Amazing what a bit of sunshine can do for your mood…
Let us know your riding plans: a lunchtime loop, post-work pootle, or perhaps you’re making the most of it with a big day out?
Talking of lunchtime loops, it’s about time for mine…
Can’t beat a bit of downcountry in Dyfi…#mtb #mtblife #Wales #orangebikes #Mountainbike #cycling 🏴 pic.twitter.com/Lbnn8VIn52
— mtbwales (@mtbcymru) March 23, 2022
Morning 😎😜 #commuting #cycling #lovecycling pic.twitter.com/BTWiEO4ejD
— Sarah Andrews (@sarahandrews71) March 24, 2022
How do 100 Dutch professors travel to a school visit?
You know you have a mainstream cycling culture, when 100 professors (of @UniUtrecht) go and visit elementary schools like this! Annual event of @meettheprof_uu! pic.twitter.com/hAjI3DIyjt
— Cycling Professor 🚲 (@fietsprofessor) March 23, 2022
I mean, there was only going to be one answer, wasn’t there?
National Highways completes £2.89 million project upgrading Plymouth footbridge to join up with local cycle route
National Highways has completed a project upgrading the Mowhay footbridge over the A38 near Plymouth. The previous bridge was considerably narrower than it is now, meaning it is now suitable for wheelchair users, pushchairs and cargo bikes or trikes to cross. The old set-up was not wide enough to accomodate cyclists and walkers, and work started in June last year to modify both ramps, as well as the body of the bridge.
As well as the wider deck, the upgrade includes a more manageable gradient, new ramps, steps, fencing and guard rails, new lighting and a new surface water drainage system.
Ostrich or rhea?
Coming in at number six on the list of things I didn’t expect to be writing today…ostrich or rhea?
Some of you think the Daily Mail may have got their facts wrong…
Well I guess that’s my fault for not double checking the distribution of the respective flightless birds. I said ostrich, but some of you reckon it’s a rhea…
The rhea, or South American ostrich (well that makes things even more confusing), looks like its African counterpart but is smaller (seemingly like the bird in the pictures). Then again, the escapee was a pet, so perhaps doesn’t necessarily have to be native to Argentina.
Anyone an expert in Argentinian exotic pets law? I’m more confused than when I started…
Get in the comments if your surname’s Attenborough…
“How was your day?”
“Yeah, not bad, made a poll to let our readers decide if a runaway pet was an ostrich or a rhea…”
“I thought you worked for a cycling website?”
“So did I…”
The struggle...
Team presentation and 📸 ✅ pic.twitter.com/HO3lqo5tfD
— Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team (@AlpecinFenix) March 24, 2022
As someone who ungracefully negotiates the slippery concrete (someone’s going to tell me they’re not concrete) stairwell every time I go for a spin, I feel your pain, Mathieu. Those boots may well have been made for walking, but cleats were not…
"This could be a cycleway": Cyclist leaves homemade sign on abandoned car
It could, and yet….
There since 18/03
No registration plates
Advertising
No permit on display
Reported to @GalwayCityCo on 22/03
Still there on 24/03.
As for safe cycling? Too much to ask.
PLEASE CONTACT your councillors. This is what they are defending. pic.twitter.com/jg2ZEHfd1G— Gráinne Faller (@FHmediastuff) March 24, 2022
The Salthill Cycleway story has been rumbling on for a while. Plans for a major segregated cycleway in Salthill, Galway, were initially backed by councillors, but last month after four hours of debate, the same local politicians voted 13 to four against the €1m project.
Councillors have complained of toxic debate, while some local business owners opposed the plans vociferously.
There’s some context to the site of this snap: a cyclist leaving a homemade sign making a simple point about how road space is used. Abandoned cars for advertising purposes? Fine (apparently). The cycleway plan? Not…
But at least you can get 2.9% APR, 7 years warranty and award-winning car of the…(thankfully the sign blocks the end of that ad)…
Feel free to share pics. pic.twitter.com/JnCwX1Tfak
— Gráinne Faller (@FHmediastuff) March 24, 2022
It reminds us of another live blog favourite…the time a public-spirited cyclist made homemade parking tickets for cars parked in the bike lane…but got told to f*** off. Comes with the territory, I guess…
Rainbow stripes and another UAE Team Emirates stage win: Racing round-up
#ExteriooClassic
What can we say? @Elisa_balsamo is on fire!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3zeKI5KXn2— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) March 24, 2022
Elisa Balsamo earned a second win of the week, adding the WorldTour version of the women’s Brugge-De Panne to Sunday’s Trofeo Alfredo Binda. No better way to represent the world champ’s rainbow bands than from the top step of the podium. Talking of the podium, Lorena Wiebes and Marta Bastianelli rounded that out.
Over in Catalunya on the men’s side of things it was another win for UAE Team Emirates in 2022, this time a first of the season for new signing João Almeida who outkicked Nairo Quintana and Sergio Higuita at the end of a punishing summit finish at 2000m elevation.
Quintana takes the race lead from Ben O’Connor who could only manage 12th on the stage, but remains in contention with three stages left…
In Italy, Ben Tulett followed up his third on stage two with a maiden Ineos Grenadiers win. Teammate Eddie Dunbar retains the race lead, and finished second on the stage.
24 March 2022, 09:19
24 March 2022, 09:19
24 March 2022, 09:19
24 March 2022, 09:19
24 March 2022, 09:19
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Latest Comments
@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.
There was never really anything to say about le col kit. Most of it was alright. Some of it was poorly designed/made. Trying to position yourself as a Rapha competitor whilst always offering 40% or more off doesn't scream premium though.
24 thoughts on ““This could be a cycleway”: Cyclist leaves homemade sign on abandoned car; 5-year-old vs rush hour traffic; Amazon driver delivers textbook safe pass; New KOM jersey; Humanised hi-vis; Runaway Ostrich causes crash; Spring sunshine + more on the live blog”
There are not many things
There are not many things that Amazon deserve praise for, but the comments above suggest that this might just be one!
MattieKempy wrote:
Depends on whether Amazon do actually provide the training or whether that just happens to be a good driver. Hope it’s both.
MattieKempy wrote:
But parking on a bend at the exit / entry to a built-up area in the “keeping the footpath clear” one though (or was that tongue in cheek?)
The best way to encourage
The best way to encourage good behaviour is to compliment it when it occurs. If we cyclists have the courage to call out poor driving we shouldn’t shy away from applauding that which is good, even if ‘good’ should be the norm.
In schools we call this
In schools we call this ‘narrating the positive’ and it works SO much better (for the vast majority of students) than just sanctions. Treat everyone like a school-going child, I say – most of us have at least the same want for appreciation and attention 🙂
jaymack wrote:
In some respects, it’s sad that it feels necessary to praise what should just be the bare minimum we should expect from drivers. But that’s where we are, so I agree with you.
Fair enough calling out good
Fair enough calling out good behaviour, but this video really must be the lowest of the low hanging fruit for good overtaking – a wide, clear, straight road.
If I am aware of a motorist
If I am aware of a motorist who has patiently waited, I will always give a cheery thank you, had several in return today. Gotta be a good thing.
100% agree. I always try to
100% agree. I always try to thank courtesy on the road when on my bike or driving. It stops the spiral to the lowest common denominator.
I’ve never understood why
I’ve never understood why they don’t make the suggestion to overtake on the other side of the road when there are road markings. Easier to offering than 1.5 metres and keys everyone safe. It’s what people do of they overtake another car.
I find it so frustrating when drivers seem reluctant to cross the line rather and close pass a cyclist.
It solves the problem of
It solves the problem of where cyclists are riding two abreast with oncoming traffic, so they are clearly happy with the space, and then as long as the speed of the passing car is appropriate, the group, by staying two abreast on suitable roads, are expecting to be passed, even if there is not a full 1.5 metres. It is a nuance that the guidance doesn’t really cover, though it can’t be a rule as there will be times when the white line does not deliver a safe passing distance.
I find it so frustrating when
I find it so frustrating when drivers seem reluctant to cross the line and close pass a cyclist instead
I find it routine, and the cause is negligible enforcement by police officers without a clue about cycles or cycling
Looks more a Rhea than an
Looks more a Rhea than an ostrich. Rheas are native to Argentina, Ostriches aren’t.
the little onion wrote:
Isn’t an alternative name for a Rhea “South American ostrich”?
The alternative name for an
The alternative name for an ostrich is an African Rhea (there’s also 3 species of rhea)
How about we focus on what we
How about we focus on what we can agree on: given that the reporting came from the Daily Mirror, the chances of any factual accuracies are slim to none.
(I would say it looks more like a rhea but wouldn’t like to put a finger on exactly which species from that video, and given it is (supposedly) an escaped pet it wouldn’t necessarily be a species native to the region).
Personally, I wouldn’t much
Personally, I wouldn’t much fancy putting a finger on any species of rhea, ostrich, or other ratite – too much chance of a nasty bite.
I think it’s name is Chris.
I think it’s name is Chris.
Was it running home for
Was it running home for christmas?
I prefer emo music.
I prefer emo music.
A2B Taxis in Solihull have
A2B Taxis in Solihull have worked out that bike lanes are nice places to have a nap while waiting for their next fair – or they would be if they didn’t have a bolshy cyclist shouting at them for blocking it.
“Dai” the Rhea.
“Dai” the Rhea.
I do hope that one of the
I do hope that one of the Utrecht professors was Dr Strabismus (whom God protect).
Kapelmuur wrote:
All I know is in the UK many of those responsible for our transport infra seem more of the Narkover school. And many a Captain Foulenough on the road.