Video of "busiest cycle path in the Netherlands" goes viral, where "private cars are not allowed"... and there's "no congestion"; Police Scotland called out for "incorrect" cycling advice; Magistrate resigns over 20mph speed limits + more on the live blog

As the busiest cycle path in the Netherlands, Utrecht's Vredenburg must be seen to be believed!

Private cars are not allowed.

📹Harri Vaarala pic.twitter.com/hVUsq4Fk39

— Dutch Cycling Embassy (@Cycling_Embassy) October 21, 2023

Would be fascinated to see some stats on cycle clothing, helmets etc... just people getting around town by a convenient mode of transport, no dramas...

We're not too sure on the numbers behind if it is the Netherlands' busiest cycle path, some think rivals in Amsterdam or Groningen might have something to say about that, but what we do know is this video has been viewed more than 100,000 times this week thanks to two posts by the Dutch Cycling Embassy (a great Twitter follow for admiring a country that does cycling properly) and city planner Brent Toderian.

It even prompted a close-up angle...

Indeed! From March this year. pic.twitter.com/2RjHYVR1ay

— TallBikeGuy (@theTallBikeGuy) October 21, 2023

And the 21-hour timelapse (if you've got plenty of viewing time on your hands)...

I filmed a 21 hour long timelapse of this junction earlier this year https://t.co/EwoSXzqeU0

— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) October 21, 2023

And as Debbie MacColl commented in reply, "Just imagine if all those people were in a car rather than a bike. It would be just like a UK city or town."

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A magistrate in Wrexham has resigned, saying he feels "uneasy" about fining drivers and handing out penalty points for speeding offences in new 20mph zones.

The BBC reports former police officer and councillor Nick Colbourne quit after 18 years in the role, questioning the fairness of the speed limits, claiming that "if an idiot is going to drive through somewhere at 60mph, they're going to do it whether the speed limit is 20 or 30".

> "Far more pleasant for walkers and cyclists": 20mph speed limit analysis hailed "astonishing", with drivers' journeys just 45 seconds longer

Apparently missing the fact that not all road incidents are caused by 60mph "idiots", but also by people travelling at the speed limit who will abide with the new limits, Mr Colbourne said punishing motorists made him "uneasy".

"If you get 12 points, you're looking at a six-month ban under the totting up scheme," he said. "We all accept 20mph outside schools, but I don't think blanket coverage across Wales was the answer."

> Confusion as driver blames 20mph zone for preventing her overtaking cyclists... despite them riding at the speed limit

The magistrate admitted that he had been considering stepping down, but 20mph speed limits were the final straw and that courts were sometimes facing 60-70 motoring cases a day.

[CC BY 2.0 by DPP Law/ Flickr]

New analysis of mobile phone data, reported by Bicycle Network and undertaken by mobile phone and GPS monitoring company Zendrive, concluded that more than one quarter of crashes on US roads are linked to phone misuse. The website also reports that number has risen by nine per cent compared with the same period in the previous year.

"We examined the number of phone use occurrences per trip for both collision and non-collision trips. The data revealed that, on average, drivers engaged in phone use about six times during a collision trip," Zendrive explained.

"Almost half of the drivers (45.8 per cent) involved in collisions used their phones at least once during their trip. Similarly, over 40 per cent of collision trips per month had rapid acceleration events, while all events – speeding, rapid acceleration, and phone use – are trending upwards month over month. 

"These worsening behaviours are ultimately leading to more collisions, which further underscores the severity of the distracted driving epidemic."

Between January and May 2022, 19.2 per cent of collisions involved mobile phone use by the driver in the 15-second window before the crash. This year, that figure had risen to 28.4 per cent.

"Education and advocacy campaigns should continue to highlight the importance of safe driving practices, encouraging drivers to put their phones away while on the road," Zendrive said. "Additionally, tech companies and insurers can play a vital role in curbing distracted driving by implementing features that discourage phone usage while driving."

🇳🇱 Demi Vollering wins the Women's Vélo d'Or!👏

🇳🇱 @demivollering (@teamsdworx) remporte le Vélo d'Or Femmes ! 👏#velodor pic.twitter.com/IouRpQ2kjn

— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) October 24, 2023

I think this one's going to be a bit more straightforward...

Demi Vollering's 2023 was about as good as it gets (some of these aside: From Coppi to Van Vleuten: Cycling's greatest ever seasons). The SD Worx superstar won *deep breath* Strade Bianche, Dwars door Vlaanderen, Amstel, Flèche Wallonne, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, two Vuelta stages (and may well have 'deserved' to have won that overall), the Dutch national champs road race, Tour de France Femmes and Romandie. Solid...

Vollering's teammate Lotte Kopecky's season wasn't bad either... Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Flanders, two national championship titles, a Tour stage, six days in yellow, the green jersey, World Championships road race. Exceptional, but Vollering levels of exceptional?

It wouldn't be a cyclist of the year discussion without Annemiek van Vleuten of course, just La Vuelta and the Giro (plus two stage wins) in her final year in the peloton.

🇩🇰 Jonas Vingegaard wins the Men's Vélo d'Or!👏

🇩🇰 Jonas Vingegaard (@JumboVismaRoad) remporte le Vélo d'Or Hommes ! 👏#velodor pic.twitter.com/GGR2NwRfWm

— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) October 24, 2023

Jonas Vingegaard the best male cyclist of 2023? This one has caused a fair bit of discussion... the more fan-friendly achievements and riding style of Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel beaten by the dominant, crushing efficiency of the Tour de France winner.

I'd say Van der Poel's done more than enough in 2023 to earn the title: Milan–San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, World Championships, that's a titanic hat-trick, although admittedly facilitated by 'off' periods like at the Tour de France where we barely saw the watt-smashing Dutchman away from Jasper Philipsen's leadout.

[Alex Broadway/SWpix.com] 

The case for Tadej Pogačar, the sheer weight of victories, 17 in all. Flanders, Amstel, Flèche Wallonne, Lombardia, two stages of the Tour, Paris-Nice, but he was of course beaten comprehensively by Vingegaard at the big one.

[LaPresse/RCS Sport]

In comparison, Vingegaard's 2023 had more victories than I expected, 16, including the Tour de France, Dauphiné, Itzulia Basque, a Tour stage win, two Vuelta stages, and multiple more week-long stage race stage victories. 

[ASO/ Pauline Ballet]

A few thoughts from fans on L'Équipe's post...

"I like how everyone is saying Pogi because he won more one day races but when it came to racing Jonas straight up in by far the biggest season race over 21 straight stages he got destroyed by over seven minutes."

"MvdP and Pogacar had better season."

[Zac Williams/SWpix.com]

"The whole season should be taken into account, not just the Tour de France. But the fact that L'Équipe and the Tour are both French says it all." (TOUR DE FRANCE IS FRENCH SHOCKER... who knew?)

"Everyone knows that Jonas could have won two Grand Tours if he wanted to — so well deserved — but MvdP is a strong contender."

Get in the comments with your thoughts, I'm interested to see where you lot stand...

 I might have to dust off the poll machine for this one...

Anyone remember the days before social media? The days before weekly live blogs about police forces putting their foot in it. It's Police Scotland today. Or should I say last week, but this one has only just come to our attention, the fallout and reaction still rolling on to last night, so technically this week I guess. 

Much-criticised social media advice from public authority that should know better, reveal yourself...

(5) Cyclists: Must obey all traffic signs and lights (including stop lines)
At night must have white front and red rear lights
Advised to use cycle lanes to make their journey safer
Give extra space between larger vehicles to be seen
Never pass between the vehicle and kerb

— Road Policing Scotland (@PSOSRoads) October 18, 2023

It's the third and fifth points that are getting the most attention here (although it is also the prime time of year for telling vulnerable road users to 'be seen', rather than addressing the root cause of road danger, but that's a matter for another day)...

The last suggestion is not correct. Perhaps worth checking with legal?

— PhoneKills (@phonekills) October 24, 2023

So should a cyclist use this cycle lane or not, in your view? pic.twitter.com/YHLKdaAkwy

— closepassescardiff (@closepassescdf) October 24, 2023

So, what does the Highway Code actually say?

Rule 61:

Cycle Routes and Other Facilities. Cycle lanes are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway (see Rule 140). Use facilities such as cycle lanes and tracks, advanced stop lines and toucan crossings (see Rules 62 and 73) where they make your journey safer and easier. This will depend on your experience and skills and the situation at the time. While such facilities are provided for reasons of safety, cyclists may exercise their judgement and are not obliged to use them.  

Rule 67:

When cycling on the road, only pass to the left of large vehicles when they are stationary or slow moving and you should proceed with caution as the driver may not be able to see you. Be particularly careful on the approach to junctions or where a large vehicle could change lanes to the left. 

Hmmm if you were hoping for a testing game of spot the difference I think you might be a bit disappointed...

Cycle lane use is optional & there are lots of situations where you shouldn't or cannot use them. We get enough "why aren't you in the cycle lane" nonsense without @PSOSRoads adding to the problem.

— Merton Cycling Campaign (@CyclingMerton) October 24, 2023