Jeremy Vine on penny-farthing sparks pointless helmet row; Cargo biker turned away from recycling centre; "Deathtrap" Belfast cycle lane causes outrage; Mandatory high-vis because drivers have "less than perfect eyesight" + more on the live blog

The Constabulary noted that a number of anti-cycling comments had appeared on their feed whenever bikes were mentioned; but say that during the lockdown as more families have started cycling, feedback was becoming more positive: "If you do something you understand it and support it", says the post above. 

They also add: "Let’s not forget cycling saved the day for a lot of people during lockdown. Families connected on their bikes. People started riding to work. The joy of just doing something because it was fun was rediscovered by many. These people are the majority of cyclists, like car drivers or motorbike riders only a few let the side down sometimes. Don't judge all just because of the actions of a few!"

I've just been turned away from the recycling centre because I'm not in a car!?! I don't own a car @DevonCC.

What greater risk do I pose than a driver? What I do help alleviate is the queue of polluting cars waiting to get into the recycling centre. pic.twitter.com/jswnrKDRpo

— Caspar Hughes (@countcaspargh) May 27, 2020

Caspar Hughes says he was turned away from an ECC recycling centre in Marsh Barton, Exeter because he arrived by cargo bike rather than a car. He also added: "I asked to speak to the boss and he came straight up to me, without respecting any social distancing. I had to take a step back."

I just clarified this through my councillor with @DundeeCouncil and they are fine with me showing up at the recycling centre with my freight bike, so clearly at least one local authority doesn't see a problem.

— Peter Clinch (@pj_clinch) May 27, 2020

Had the same happen in Dewsbury @KirkleesCouncil - privately run site, turned away due to h &S, despite being in hi-viz and helmet. probably more visible than on site workers.

— Ian_b (@Ian_in_Spen) May 27, 2020

Numerous people replied to say they have been allowed into their recycling centre when arriving by bike, while the reasoning for turning away bikes are reportedly because of visibility, or the current pandemic - neither of which it seems would pose more of a risk than driving onto the site. 

So far it doesn't appear anyone from Exeter City Council has responded. Have you had a similar experience at your local tip? 

Resurfacing was successfully completed on the Sydenham Bypass and adjacent cycle lane over the weekend between Dee Street and George Best Belfast City Airport pic.twitter.com/MpfgXrCi6G

— Dept Infrastructure (@deptinfra) May 27, 2020

When more cycling infrastructure was promised during and after the pandemic in many parts of the UK, this is probably not what Belfast residents had in mind - the cycle lane is separated only by paint and is placed next to a two-lane dual carriageway. The tweet from the Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland has provoked a furious response.

Imagine tweeting this like you're proud of it.

What an embarrassment.

— Gordon Struth 🐑 (@gordon_struth) May 27, 2020

If your paint works, ask yourself why architects don’t paint guardrails into buildings, why do we insist they provide physical balustrades?

Once you’ve answered that, have another look at what you’ve just done.

— Michael - Test, Trace, Isolate (@baoigheallain) May 27, 2020

That looks like it's specifically designed to get people killed. Have a word with yourselves. Deathtrap.

— Henry Sugar (@glintingframe) May 27, 2020

That cycle lane! 😬😬😬 thats terrifying. I want to cycle round Belfast more but I won’t be using that death trap 🙃

— erin audrey (@ferris_erin) May 27, 2020

Would you ride on it?  

*When we first published this post we described the cycle lanes pictured as 'two-way' , but we've since learned it is one-way. Apologies for the confusion. 

Worst thing about lockdown is a whole generation of new cyclists now cycling with no lights and no clue.

— Ricky Ross (@rickyaross) May 26, 2020

Following on from the popular topic of drivers' eyesight, now the lead singer of the once-popular pop rock band Deacon Blue says that "a whole generation of new cyclists" are now riding without lights and have "no clue." Not everyone agrees, or believes this is feasible... 

It's not really, though, is it, Ricky? It's not in the top 100. But it's pretty close in many people's to being literally the ONLY good thing.

— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) May 27, 2020

Who are all these people that are cycling FOR THE FIRST TIME without lights between the hours of 9.44pm and 4.45am that are getting Ricky so riled up?

"Fancy a 2am ride Johnny?"
"Well I've not ridden in years and I've not got any lights but, fuck it, why not?"

— Michael Crebbin (@swissmikey) May 27, 2020

If you're concerned about safety, there are about 500 other issues that you could have highlighted as the worst thing about lockdown. It's a total fail on safety evidence & sense of proportion of what's happening here & globally. Hence the replies to you.

— Simon Munk (@psimonk) May 27, 2020

In a later exchange with presenter Ned Boulting, Mr Ross said he "totally gets" the positives of cycling and meant no harm with his comments, but others have pointed to the reported spike in anti-cyclist behaviour as the potential consequences of expressing such views on a public forum.  

Then you should know better than to tweet anti-cycling dogwhistles to a big audience. You make it sound like there are thousands of people swarming the roads after dark - really how many new cyclists are going out after 10pm?

— Hannah 🚲 (rage ➡️ watts) (@theeyecollector) May 27, 2020

New Specialized Tarmac SL7? pic.twitter.com/xXb8vH0s6z

— david arthur (@davearthur) May 27, 2020

Here's what looks to be a Spesh Tarmac with a completely clean front end and blingy new paint job - has their revamped flagship all-round race bike been leaked? In any case, wise to make use of that Sheffield stand rather than leaning it against a tree for too long before it attracts the wrong kind of attention...

“So many cyclists are thoughtless with their clothing choice regarding visibility by motorists. What they don’t understand is many motorists have less than perfect eyesight.” https://t.co/jpfUflZC8O

— Michael O'Reilly (@MichaelOReilly_) May 27, 2020

The letter in Adelaide Now says: "So many cyclists are thoughtless with their clothing choice regarding visibility by motorists. What they don’t understand is many motorists have less than perfect eyesight and light conditions affect visibility.

"I would like to see mandatory hi-vis vests compulsory for motorcycles and bicycles, just as helmets are. Motorists are victims, too, because having to live with causing an accident because you didn’t see is traumatic."

Wow. "I can't operate this machine safely so you'd better protect yourself from me". We know this is how people think, but it's rare to see it said

— Ian Walker (@ianwalker) May 27, 2020

It's not my job to worry about your eyesight. There is a licensing department for that. Also a motor vehicle is a responsibility that you should take seriously so if you aren't fit to drive fix it or stop driving.

— Nathaniel Offer (@nathanieloffer) May 27, 2020

It's difficult to decipher which sentence is more absurd, with many pointing out that a driver who cannot see a cyclist in less-than-perfect conditions should probably consider if their fitness to drive may be more of a problem than the clothing worn by those around them. 

Perhaps a trip to the UK (more specifically Barnard Castle) to check the eyesight before driving would be a sensible idea*...

So, not irony? Or written by Dominic Cummins?

— AlburyBibleChurch (@AlburyBC) May 27, 2020

*Definitely not a sensible idea. 

.@thesundaytimes Hello. I wrote your editor a letter. It's the first time I've ever done that in my life. But you won't publish it, so I will. (And it's not even about Cummings). pic.twitter.com/jqyB8wypeV

— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) May 26, 2020

The broadcaster's words sum up the frustration and disappointment felt by many of those who were unfortunate enough to stumble across Liddle's Sunday Times article over the past few days. He also said: "Even as I post this, I am aware that it's probably echoing in a chamber. The most important thing we can do it spread this simple message to other folk who may not cycle or even care about it, but need to get from A to B on our roads."