Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

news

YouTube ranter rips into cyclists during bizarre cancel bike lanes video; Reaction to TfL road safety shocker; Dan Bigham "seven watts" off Hour Record; DnB by bike: Cop edition; BMX skills; Not Black Friday; But cyclists + more on the live blog

Happy Friday! Dan Alexander is here for your final live blog of the week before we all ride off into the weekend
26 November 2021, 16:31
YouTube ranter rips into cyclists during bizarre cancelling bike lanes speech

You may have seen our latest story about the Dorset bike lane causing a stir amongst motorists for being "too wide". Former BBC radio presenter turned YouTube ranter and Katie Hopkins support act, (tickets still available for the Blackpool shows if you really want to give your family a Christmas to forget) Alex Belfield, also saw the news and took a break from spouting about just about every other issue in Britain to give his self-proclaimed 'Voice of Reason'...

> Row over Dorset cycle lane that drivers claim is “too wide”

Strap yourselves in for this one...during his three-and-a-half minute video, Belfield says, "I have come to the conclusion as there are now roads that are basically for cyclists, with one little lane for cars in the middle, it is simply too dangerous now for cyclists and e-scooterists. We must ban them for their own safety.

In the rest of the rant which Laurence Fox might have been proud of, Belfield came to the questionable conclusion that, "To save the planet and them it is best that they go."

Apparently cyclists' "Supercilious nature is out of control, they're now demanding that we rip up roads and put in 10ft f****** cycle lanes...who signed this off? We've lost our minds. The cycle lanes are now bigger than the road lanes. You've got two wheels. We are this big with our diesels. We need more room or you're going to be in danger."

All a bit ridiculous until you realise Belfield's channel has 350,000 subscribers...

26 November 2021, 17:26
All Blacks trio take on 24-hour cycling distance challenge to raise money for bowel cancer prevention

All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock​, head trainer Nic Gill​ and assistant coach Brad Mooar​ are making the most of their enforced isolation on return from touring Europe during the autumn internationals. The trio are midway through a 24-hour cycling distance challenge to raise money for bowel cancer prevention in memory of former team logistics manager Kevin "Chalky" Carr who died from pancreatic cancer in 2018.

Gill told Stuff NZ they want to beat the current record of 755km cycled in 24 hours. At the halfway point they had ridden 425km, well on track to beat the world record. We'll see if they break the record later this evening...

26 November 2021, 17:12
"Road safety messaging that misses the target": Cycling UK reaction to TfL 'See their side' advert
TfL 'See their side' ad

Cycling UK has released an in-depth address in response to Transport for London's heavily criticised 'See their side' road safety advert. The full response is well worth a read and can be viewed here...

But for a taster, here's what Cycling UK's head of campaigns and advocacy, Duncan Dollimore had to say...

The Highway Code will soon introduce a hierarchy of responsibility, but this and other changes need to be communicated, and we’re still seeing road safety films with fudged 'share the road' messaging that doesn’t reflect the changes coming in.

I’m a huge supporter of TfL’s Vision Zero ambition to eradicate deaths and serious injuries from London’s roads, and I haven’t taken any pleasure in criticising this film, but if the new Code is going to lead to a cultural change on our roads, and improvement in road safety, the messaging in road safety awareness materials needs to be based on better research around who presents the greatest risk, and better targeted.

The lead responsibility for communicating the changes to The Code of course rests with the government, and the Department for Transport’s THINK team. I hope they’ve set aside sufficient budget, over a significant period of time, and are honest about the implications of the changes rather than fudge them in generic 'share the road' messaging.

After all, the changes to The Code have legal implications the day they come in, so the public are entitled to expect that the messaging is accurate, even of they don’t like it, rather than watered down to please everyone.

26 November 2021, 15:26
How TfL's ad could have looked?

One quick edit and Tom Flood made this alternative to 'See their side'...an improvement? Tom commented on the original ad saying it had missed the point completely, "Once again we are asking the prey to be empathetic towards their predator."

"I am 100% behind finding commonalities and working to reach across the aisle to move forward, but this constant framing of a shared responsibility is a key part of the problem and what we've already been doing for far too long. 

"If the goal is to save lives then there might be some uncomfortable moments for the driver (who takes the lives) but hopefully there can be alliances. But far too often the actual goal is to avoid making the driver uncomfortable which of course compromises the saving lives part."

And here we are...

26 November 2021, 14:59
Places we'd rather be...pro cyclist edition

The weather's going to be a bit too wintery for our liking this weekend. That s word has even been mentioned...

No such problems for two of the big name pros of the women's WorldTour: Annemiek van Vleuten and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, who are off making their first preparations for 2022. As I look out my window at the grey skies and rain being blown sideways, I know where I'd rather be...

Now if only a pro team were willing to jet us all off to Gran Canaria...

Ah well, I'm sure Sunday morning won't be too bad. Let me take a quick look at that weather forecast...ah, feels like -3 and 24mph gusts from the north west. Fantastic. 

26 November 2021, 14:11
Drum & Bass On The Bike ft. the Old Bill

Even the Blackpool police got involved (on bikes of course!) although they didn't seem too happy...

Skip to 11:50 if you want to see that particular interaction...but Dom Whiting gave us the lowdown of how it went...

Policeman: CONTROL YOUR CROWD

Dom Whiting: SORRY WHAT?!

A tactical right turn and a cheeky turn of pace left 'PC turn it down' back at the rear of the peloton...

26 November 2021, 12:43
"Like a teacher telling a bully and victim to stop fighting": Reaction to TfL's road safety shocker

As promised it's time for some of your thoughts on TfL's road safety disasterpiece...and there were more than a few to choose from. Let's start here...

Over on Facebook, Kevin Blackburn commented: "One (the driver) has a little fright, the other (cyclist) is nearly killed - how is this equivalent?"

George Charalambides said: "What the ad-maker fails to understand, is the difference between a cyclist’s natural fight or flight response caused by the huge amounts of adrenaline released when they’re about to be hit by a 1.5 tonne car, vs the nuisance anger of a protected car driver. We all know that most drivers are not concerned about the well being of cyclists as they perceive them as obstacles to their path, just like other vehicles, not as vulnerable fellow citizens, around which extra care is warranted." Agree?

joe9090 had a go at summarising..."Hey shouty cyclists, stop shouting at us drivers, don't you see we are sorry we didn't see you? There was sun and shit and I was trying to drink my Costa while quickly checking Whatsapp! Have a heart you bastards!"

> Transport for London slammed for “victim-blaming” road safety ad (+ video)

Quiff commented: "I agree that this video deliberately obfuscates the incident itself to focus on how the protagonists deal with the aftermath. That's all well and good, but in order to have a meaningful impact on road safety, we can't just be nicer to each other after near misses, we need to 'see their side' in order to avoid incidents arising in the first place. E.g. by thinking 'if I was that cyclist, how much space would I want to be given'. However, there is still the false equivalence point, and this looks uncomfortably out of step with the upcoming Highway Code changes to introduce a hierarchy of responsibility."   

Not all the replies were completely against the message however...

MattieKempy said: "Hmmm. A bit of both. Shouting at a driver who has just nearly killed you is an entirely understandable reaction, but I've had the most profitable conversations with almost-killers when I've been calm, polite and dispassionate. So I see both sides of the coin."

26 November 2021, 12:26
No Black Friday here...

If you do want all the Black Friday materialism head over to our special live blog dedicated to finding you the best deals...

26 November 2021, 11:02
Dan Bigham: I only need seven extra watts to beat the Hour Record
Dan Bigham breaks British Hour Record

British Hour Record holder Dan Bigham is committed to giving the world record another shot next year, and he told Cycling Weekly he is only seven watts off breaking it. Bigham's first attempt wouldn't have counted, even if he'd surpassed Victor Campenaerts' distance, as he rides for Continental team Ribble-Weldtite and is therefore not automatically in the the UCI testing pool.

> Dan Bigham breaks Sir Bradley Wiggins' British Hour Record

However, using the success in Switzerland, Bigham has attracted new sponsors and is keen to give the outright distance a crack in 2022. "I’m not naïve enough to think that I’m better than Filippo Ganna, so whenever he says he’s going for it, that’s my deadline for my own attempt," Bigham told Cycling Weekly.

"In power terms, I only need seven extra watts. I can put seven watts more in, or save seven watts with better drag, improved aerodynamics and efficiency. Or I could do three-and-a-half watts each. How I split those seven watts doesn’t matter. I have an idea where I can make those gains, but it’s not easy.

"I have a few things that I couldn’t access or couldn’t do in the last time frame. A bit more training, six to nine months of progression, a few little tweaks here and there, and I’ll get closer to it."

26 November 2021, 10:48
But cyclists...

Must be retaliation for that time a cyclist not wearing hi-vis or a helmet took out an entire car park while jumping a red light on the pavement.

26 November 2021, 10:39
Are world leaders "delusional" when it comes to active travel? Listen to the latest road.cc Podcast...
podcast episode12 image credit - Mike Malone, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The road.cc Podcast is back for another episode...

On the dozenth episode... why was cycling and walking not even on the main agenda at COP26? Carlton Reid talks to Simon about the recent UN climate summit.

You can listen here if you need a distraction to get you through Friday...

26 November 2021, 10:06
Red Bull BMX ridiculousness: Bas Keep doesn't stay rubber side down...

Some people are good at controlling a bike, aren't they? Bas Keep-s on delivering the goods and has released the follow up to his 2017 urban BMX adventure Walls...it's creatively named More Walls and will have you questioning what's possible on two wheels.

"You don’t need to travel far to discover amazing riding spots in this country - obviously travel has been restricted anyway, but MORE WALLS is about showcasing these spots around the UK," the super talented trickster explained.

> Video: Amazing skills as BMX ace Bas Keep rides down walls

In the edit, Bas visits locations around Birmingham, Northampton, and Brighton, including car parks, abandoned factories and busy roads, making doing silly things on your bike look all too easy...

26 November 2021, 09:26
Wales or Monaco? Geraint Thomas takes in the views...

Is G back home in Wales or still in Monaco? Hard to say from the clear blue skies and inviting seaside vistas. The hashtag suggests Wales, but with views like that you could quite easily be pootling along the French Riviera. On Wednesday he was still in Monaco, sharing pics of a pastry-filled cafe stop with Michael Valgren, Wout Poels and Luke Rowe. We're assuming that was Monaco...maybe he's taken the lads to the homeland for some winter miles?

> Geraint Thomas has bike stolen on coffee stop – but gets it back later the same day

Get your votes in...Wales or Monaco?

26 November 2021, 08:44
Reaction to TfL's "outrageously poor" road safety video

If you haven't already seen it Transport for London's 'See their side' road safety ad is well worth a watch...but be warned, you almost certainly won't like what you see...

It's been a day since the video dropped and the criticism, disbelief and outrage continues to roll in. Not least from Robert Wright, the Financial Times' social policy correspondent who slammed it "quite extraordinarily, outrageously poor".

He continued his dismantling of the clip..."Let's be perfectly clear. There's no moral obligation on me to calm myself and be nice if someone's come close to killing me. I have no responsibility to ask if a driver who's close-passed me and come that close is OK.

> Transport for London slammed for “victim-blaming” road safety ad (+ video)

"This nonsense has real-world consequences. Drivers nod and go, 'Yes, cyclists should be nicer'. They drive just as badly then also get cross we're upset about it. This advert will make London's roads more dangerous. It should never be shown again. TfL should never commission another advert from VCCP if they think this appropriate. Adverts should address squarely the people who cause the danger —invulnerable people in high-powered boxes.

"The 'Are you alright?' question reminds me of when a negligent driver knocked me off my bike in February 2009. I told him I was calling the police. He said, 'But I'll lose my job'. I said, 'You have to understand you've just knocked me off my bicycle into the street. My sympathy is limited'.

"TfL and VCCP presumably think I should have seen it from his point of view. He needn't have worried. He faced zero real consequences that I know of." That noise at the end was a mic hitting the floor...

Others shared screenshots of their complaints to the Advertising Standards Agency. Another reply added: "I won't be watching this with the sound on as I suspect my blood would boil and escape as steam through my ears."

We'll round-up some of your plentiful reaction too in a bit...

Dan joined road.cc in 2020, and spent most of his first year (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. At the start of 2022 he took on the role of news editor. Before joining road.cc, Dan wrote about various sports, including football and boxing for the Daily Express, and covered the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Part of the generation inspired by the 2012 Olympics, Dan has been 'enjoying' life on two wheels ever since and spends his weekends making bonk-induced trips to the petrol stations of the south of England.

Add new comment

49 comments

Avatar
eburtthebike | 2 years ago
5 likes

"All a bit ridiculous until you realise Belfield's channel has 350,000 subscribers..."

I'm hoping 349,000 of those are laughing at him, not with him.  Such unrelenting drivel is worthy of Farrage himself.

Avatar
IanGlasgow | 2 years ago
5 likes

I've heard of Alex Belfield but I've seen him or heard him speak before.

Is that REALLY him being serious?
Are you SURE it's not a parody?

Avatar
Awavey | 2 years ago
5 likes

Read the full Cycling UK response to the TfL video,if only just to realise the government announced this week they will be introducing all the proposed changes to the HC from the consultation...including new rules to tackle dangerous overtaking and ‘close passes' with a recommended minimum distance

did I miss that being mentioned on the live blogs this week ?

Avatar
quiff replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
1 like

Don't think it was covered, but it's what I was getting at in the comment quoted above: "[the TfL video] looks uncomfortably out of step with the upcoming Highway Code changes to introduce a hierarchy of responsibility"

Avatar
Awavey replied to quiff | 2 years ago
1 like

sorry, I just automatically assumed you were talking about it in that style we use with that oft delayed review of sentences for driving thing

I didnt think for an instant the government had actually gone and announced  something, certainly not this past week

Avatar
wtjs replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
1 like

including new rules to tackle dangerous overtaking and ‘close passes' with a recommended minimum distance

This appears to be a dangerously optimistic interpretation of what will change following the introduction of these 'new rules'. What will change is nothing- the police forces who already do prosecute for close passing, such as Sheffield NW NPT and the famous Inspector Kevin Smith and occasional ally Dame Sarah Storey, will continue to do so. The forces who couldn't care less about cyclists, among which everyone knows I am about to include, yet again, Lancashire- who have never prosecuted anyone for close-passing- will continue to refuse to prosecute no matter how bad the offence. The excuse is always the same: there is no such offence as close passing so we can't do anything. They will just continue to completely ignore perfect video evidence of passing like this below, relying on the fact that when the cyclist is killed or seriously injured any camera evidence will be destroyed, so they can simply rely on the statement of the driver that the cyclist suddenly shot out in front of him and he didn't stand a chance, tick the box for 'insufficient evidence' and get back to the station in time for tea.

Avatar
Awavey replied to wtjs | 2 years ago
0 likes

well we wait to see how any police force react to any such guidance published in an updated highway code, but its far harder for the examples youve posted to be ignored when you can demonstrate clear breaches of guidance issued & approved by parliament.

Avatar
wtjs replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
1 like

or this

 

Avatar
Rik Mayals unde... | 2 years ago
7 likes

Alex Belfield, what a complete knob. Has he spelt his name wrong? Surely there should be 'end' in his surname?

Avatar
chrisonabike | 2 years ago
5 likes

Quote:

A driver has already destroyed the cycle parking frame on Knight's Hill installed days ago right next to where hundreds of Julians primary children walk every day

Time to recycle (thanks AtWarWithTheMotorist)! "That cycle parking frame destroyed by a driver needed more empathy".

Avatar
IanMK | 2 years ago
33 likes

Over the past few weeks I’ve been wondering if Nige has been right all along, TfL certainly agree with him and even the Beatles taught us that “all you need is love”.

The other day whilst out cycling I accidently struck the mirror of a passing motorist with my elbow. I caught his eye, smiled and waved whilst mouthing my apology. He suddenly hit his breaks and pulled over. This is more like it I thought, we’re going to have some friendly banter about how we can all live in harmony just. To my surprise he leapt out of the car and started ranting about how I had deliberately hit his wing mirror and how I shouldn’t be cycling in the middle of the road.

Unperturbed, and addressing him in my most apologetic and humble voice, I said “I’m so sorry that you feel my presence on the road is a threat to the paintwork of your car, that was not my intention when I set out to get some exercise this morning. It’s obvious that you dearly love your overly large, fossil fuel consuming, planet destroying chosen mode of transport in the same way as I love my bicycle. Additionally, despite being a cyclist I do actually have people that love me and they would miss me if I wasn’t around.

He stood there open mouthed going very red in the face (I thought it was probably embarrassment for his actions). I decided that this was the opportunity to press on “I would also like to bring some other minor points to your attention. Firstly, I wasn’t riding in the middle of the road I was cycling in the middle of the lane, secondly if you had given me the recommended 1.5m clearance I would have been nowhere near your car and finally, and I would have thought a man of your stature would know all about cars, I couldn’t possibly have hit your wing mirror because your car has door mirrors.

At that point he seemed to explode and started using language that I thoroughly disapprove of. As I happily cycled off, with him still ranting about entitlement, road tax and vermin I thought to myself – I think they may all be wrong.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to IanMK | 2 years ago
13 likes

IanMK wrote:

...I would have thought a man of your stature would know all about cars, I couldn’t possibly have hit your wing mirror because your car has door mirrors.

If I could upvote you more than once, I would

Avatar
anke replied to IanMK | 2 years ago
3 likes

It's a great story and I'd love to be so quick-witted and cool in such a situation. I'm impressed!  But I'm not sure if the guy's attitude towards cyclists will improve (or at least not get worse) as a result...

Avatar
IanMK replied to anke | 2 years ago
10 likes

anke wrote:

 But I'm not sure if the guy's attitude towards cyclists will improve (or at least not get worse) as a result...

Road Safety is not really anything to do with his attitude towards cyslists. It is everything to do with his ability to navigate 2t of metal competantly and safely around our road network.

I have an analogy for you that I think you might like (not).

It has been revealed over the past couple of weeks that out illustrious leader Boris Johnson is an incompetent liar that may well be suffering from mental health issues. Some of his own party have been very disrespectful, talking about him behind his back, saying nasty things to the press about him and even writing letters in private saying that they don’t think he’s competent.

The pressure being applied to him by these voices will almost certainly not improve his decision making & leadership ability. However, if those voices remained silent would he become a more competent leader with his mental health issues cured, well unfortunately not. So the best thing to do is not let him run the country anymore or at least until he proves that he can do the job competently.

Avatar
anke replied to IanMK | 2 years ago
2 likes

IanMK wrote:

So the best thing to do is not let him run the country anymore or at least until he proves that he can do the job competently.

I totally agree - but how can you transfer this insight to millions of poor drivers -- or which steps would you take about them?

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to IanMK | 2 years ago
10 likes

IanMK wrote:

Over the past few weeks I’ve been wondering if Nige has been right all along, TfL certainly agree with him and even the Beatles taught us that “all you need is love”.

The other day whilst out cycling I accidently struck the mirror of a passing motorist with my elbow. I caught his eye, smiled and waved whilst mouthing my apology. He suddenly hit his breaks and pulled over. This is more like it I thought, we’re going to have some friendly banter about how we can all live in harmony just. To my surprise he leapt out of the car and started ranting about how I had deliberately hit his wing mirror and how I shouldn’t be cycling in the middle of the road.

Unperturbed, and addressing him in my most apologetic and humble voice, I said “I’m so sorry that you feel my presence on the road is a threat to the paintwork of your car, that was not my intention when I set out to get some exercise this morning. It’s obvious that you dearly love your overly large, fossil fuel consuming, planet destroying chosen mode of transport in the same way as I love my bicycle. Additionally, despite being a cyclist I do actually have people that love me and they would miss me if I wasn’t around.

He stood there open mouthed going very red in the face (I thought it was probably embarrassment for his actions). I decided that this was the opportunity to press on “I would also like to bring some other minor points to your attention. Firstly, I wasn’t riding in the middle of the road I was cycling in the middle of the lane, secondly if you had given me the recommended 1.5m clearance I would have been nowhere near your car and finally, and I would have thought a man of your stature would know all about cars, I couldn’t possibly have hit your wing mirror because your car has door mirrors.

At that point he seemed to explode and started using language that I thoroughly disapprove of. As I happily cycled off, with him still ranting about entitlement, road tax and vermin I thought to myself – I think they may all be wrong.

I so want this to be true....

Avatar
GMBasix replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
5 likes

Captain Badger wrote:

IanMK wrote:

Over the past few weeks I’ve been wondering ... I think they may all be wrong.

I so want this to be true....

You know it to be true, even if it is fictional.

Avatar
OldRidgeback replied to GMBasix | 2 years ago
1 like

 

 

Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story  1

Avatar
anke | 2 years ago
0 likes

"Reaction to TfL's "outrageously poor" road safety video"

...is not a very balanced or objective title, is it?!

Avatar
Steve K replied to anke | 2 years ago
13 likes

anke wrote:

"Reaction to TfL's "outrageously poor" road safety video"

...is not a very balanced or objective title, is it?!

But it's reporting the reaction, which has been generally (as far as I can see) critical and the phrase is in inverted comments because it is a quote.

Avatar
Hirsute replied to anke | 2 years ago
7 likes

You should develop some empathy then you may understand why people reacted that way.

Avatar
Velo-drone replied to anke | 2 years ago
4 likes

Not a very balanced or objective ad.

"Balanced and objective" does not necessarily mean giving every perspective equal weight and merit. In fact, it often means the opposite.

Avatar
nniff replied to anke | 2 years ago
6 likes

anke wrote:

"Reaction to TfL's "outrageously poor" road safety video"

...is not a very balanced or objective title, is it?!

 Outrageously poor - two words.  Road safety - two words.  

Perfectly balanced.

Unlike the frothing lunatic who tried to kill me yesterday morning with a 6 inch close pass on a single track road; then stood on the brakes to turn into a drive, then decided to drive at me instead, and then stop and get out, frothing and ranting, all before 8am.  Seemingly my 25mph wasn't enough for her 20 yards before her turn-off, and I had the temerity to tell her that 'That was really poor driving'. Mouth on her as foul as a southern water sewage outflow., and a general demeanour to match

Avatar
peted76 | 2 years ago
1 like

As Denbeigh isn't costal and G has built up a series of comedy social media posts by tagging Welsh place names onto glamerous cycling pictures I think it safe to assume this follws that trend and it isn't Denbeigh. To anyone who might have been to these places in wales, the posts are funnier as lets say they are rarely as glamerous... 

 

Avatar
quiff replied to peted76 | 2 years ago
2 likes

Although very occasionally to keep you on your toes, there are some actual Welsh ones:

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to quiff | 2 years ago
3 likes

Wales

Avatar
Owd Big 'Ead replied to peted76 | 2 years ago
1 like

Hold your horses, there is a bit of coastal Denbighshire, roughly between Prestatyn and Rhyl. However, it's as flat as a pancake, so Geriant is definitely taking poetic license.

Avatar
Simon E replied to Owd Big 'Ead | 2 years ago
2 likes

Owd Big 'Ead wrote:

Hold your horses, there is a bit of coastal Denbighshire, roughly between Prestatyn and Rhyl. However, it's as flat as a pancake, so Geriant is definitely taking poetic license.

True but the screenshot of Geraint Thomas's post shows he mentioned Penarth, which is near Cardiff and nowhere near Denbighshire.

Not only is Denbigh some distance from the Liverpool Bay and there are far too many leaves on the trees in his tweet for it to be anywhere near Wales at the moment.

Avatar
quiff replied to Simon E | 2 years ago
1 like

Simon E wrote:

Owd Big 'Ead wrote:

Hold your horses, there is a bit of coastal Denbighshire, roughly between Prestatyn and Rhyl. However, it's as flat as a pancake, so Geriant is definitely taking poetic license.

True but the screenshot of Geraint Thomas's post shows he mentioned Penarth, which is near Cardiff and nowhere near Denbighshire.

Two different posts. Owd Big 'Ead is talking about the one mentioned in the live blog itself, in which G tags 'denbigh', not the one in Pete's comment, which mentions Penarth.  

Avatar
BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP replied to peted76 | 2 years ago
0 likes

It's definitely Monaco _ I know the area. Just look at the vegetation and hills. Also if you zoom in you can see a hotel / residence with an outdoor pool. Something you wouldn't bother with in Wales as it would only be usable 1 week a year (in a good year) 

Pages

Latest Comments