“Wait until he hears about pavements”: RBKC councillor doesn’t believe in segregation; Slalom cycle lane; CCTV appeal for driver after high-speed cyclist crash; That’s not Sam Bennett; Trek-Segafredo equal pay + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
'RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year is...Sam Bennett's French teammate?': Eagle-eyed cycling fans quick to point out Irish Awards Ceremony have got the wrong man
Assume they put the mask on Sam Bennett only hoping most people wouldn’t notice it’s not actually him pic.twitter.com/IQ6uK3hIFG
— Ian O’Riordan (@ianoriordan) January 28, 2021
Congratulations to Rémi Cavagna on having such an impressive 2020 campaign that he even earned an inclusion on Irish broadcaster RTÉ’s Sportsperson of the Year awards. Irish cycling fans were bemused to see a photo of Cavagna in place of Sam Bennett at the event which is the Irish equivalent of Sports Personality of the Year. In fairness, behind a mask and cap they do look kind of similar…Some even thought it was Julian Alaphilippe. However, as Irish Independent journalist Ciarán Lennon pointed out below, there were a few hints…
The equivalent of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in Ireland. Sam Bennett nominated and RTE couldn’t even get the photo of him right.
What the fuck. How was that allowed to happen? They just do not give a shite about cycling. https://t.co/gZLFci04BO
— Cillian Kelly (@irishpeloton) January 28, 2021
The offending image (miscaptioned) v Sam Bennett
There’s a few hints pic.twitter.com/tLbnpmIhRd— ciarán lennon (@ciaranlennon) January 28, 2021
Greg Van Avermaet tackles the cobbles with his new team
Probably the best place to test some new material 😛
(📸 KBLB) #RideDifferently #RoulonsAutrement pic.twitter.com/izkzTIMVLT— Greg Van Avermaet (@GregVanAvermaet) January 28, 2021
Police CCTV appeal for driver involved in high-speed collision with cyclist
Yesterday, Avon and Somerset Police launched a CCTV appeal in the hope of catching the driver involved in this frightening incident. The driver speeds across the junction without stopping, slamming into the cyclist at high-speed before fleeing the scene. The collision happened just after 8.15pm on Wednesday 25 November on Kingsmead Road in the Speedwell area of Bristol. Due to her injuries the cyclist, a woman in her 50s, needed hospital treatment but has fortunately since been discharged.
The full video can be viewed on Avon and Somerset Police’s website. It is believed the car is a light coloured Peugeot 206 or 207 cc. After the crash the driver turned around, drove past the cyclist and left the scene in the direction of Meadow Vale Road.
Avon and Somerset Police has asked that anyone who recognises the car or has information calls 101 and cites the reference 5220266271.
Watch the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships on the BBC this weekend
With more and more races getting cancelled by the day at least we’ve got this weekend’s action to look forward to. And what’s more, the races will be available free to watch on the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer. Perfect for another likely wet and cold weekend outside. The women’s and U23 races are to be held tomorrow before the men’s race on Sunday.
Tom Pidcock will be flying the British flag at the event, hoping to challenge Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert for a shot at the rainbow bands. Speaking to the BBC ahead of the race, Pidcock said: “This winter gives me confidence I can race with these guys to the line. I’d love to be the world road champion or win the Tour de France. But maybe it doesn’t have to be that specific – just be one of the biggest guys in cycling.”
Here’s when and how you can catch all the action:
Saturday 30 January
14:10-15:25 – Women’s Elite Race – BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
17:10-18:25 & 22:00-23:15 – Women’s Elite Race – BBC Red Button (replay)
Sunday 31 January
14:10-15:40 – Men’s Elite Race – BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
14:30-15:40 – Men’s Elite Race – BBC Red Button
15:40-16:55 & 20:30-21:45 – Women’s Elite Race (replay)
16:55-18:25 & 21:45-23:15 – Men’s Elite Race – BBC Red Button (replay)
Science Vale Cycling Network routes open to the public following £5.8 million cycle and footpath project
The £5.8 million investment into the first phase of the Science Vale Cycling Network has been completed, opening up more than 10km of new and improved cycle and pedestrian paths between Abingdon, Wantage and Didcot in South Oxfordshire. Councillor Yvonne Constance of Oxfordshire County Council said: “The completion of these five cycling routes is great news for this part of the county, and complements the work being carried out in Oxford, Witney and Bicester as part of our active travel programme.
“Having the infrastructure in place is a huge factor when it comes to persuading people to swap the car for the bike, and the Science Vale Cycle Network is just the sort of project that will make it easier to take the healthier option.”
Trek-Segafredo will pay the same base salary to their male and female riders in 2021
Trek-Segafredo has raised their female riders’ salaries to equal, and in some cases exceed, the minimum salary requirement for male riders as set by the UCI. Currently, WorldTour men’s teams are obliged to pay their riders a base salary of €40,045, while the figure is €20,000 for women’s teams. Trek-Segafredo told Cyclingnews that they have increased their female riders base salary to that of their male counterparts.
“Salary really depends on the individual but we can confirm that all of our professional road cycling athletes—regardless of gender—make at or above the minimum for the men’s program,” said Eric Bjorling, Director of Brand Marketing at Trek Bicycles.
“There has been some talk that pro cycling might require raising the Women’s WorldTour minimum to the same as the men’s and this is something we strongly support. That said, we didn’t want to wait for a mandate, so we made the decision to do this on our own in the fall of 2020. It went into effect January 1, 2021.”
Strange cargo bike
Oh my… aren’t cargo bikes getting a little on the big side now?
It’s okay, special flashing lights mean they can stick finger up at everyone else! pic.twitter.com/tXhBComfcf
— Thomas O. Cornwallis (@UrbanistTOC) January 28, 2021
Peter Sagan takes a birthday tumble
I’m sure Peter Sagan’s had better birthday presents than a bit of road rash. The three-time world champion shared these photos of his war wounds on Instagram having hit the deck during a six-hour training ride. Sagan wrote: “My brother Juarj Sagan is taking care of the new scratches that I got for my birthday. I’m alive and fine, so all is well!”
"Accident waiting to happen": Cyclists raise concerns about dangerous cycle lane bollards
Slaloming down the A56(M) 🚴♀️⛷️@TraffordCouncil @Chris_Boardman @A56Safety @OneTrafford @WalkRideM32 @juststepsways pic.twitter.com/rxgu77kc6b
— Rob Fowler (@iamrobfowler) January 29, 2021
@AndrewHWestern can you arrange for the inside bollards to be removed? They aren’t required and pose a hazard.
— South MCR Cycle (@SMCRcycle) January 29, 2021
The bollards are endangering, not protecting, anyone cycling.
Misjudge any of those gaps and you’ll be off, and because the lane is so narrow the traffic in the next lane will just be inches away.
— Adam Aitkenhead (@AdamAitkenhead) January 29, 2021
Lego cycle lanes
This Lego product proposal has the noble aim of making Lego City bicycle friendly…
Rapha Prestige 2021: Could this be your first post-covid cycling adventure?
Rapha has launched its Prestige campaign for 2021, a reminder that we may all one day be able to get back to riding our bikes with whoever we want wherever we want. Now in its 14th year the challenge involves small amateur teams riding an unsupported and unmarshalled adventure. The rules are simple: start and finish as a team and pass through all the checkpoints. The UK Prestige event has been tentatively pencilled in the calendar for August and will involve conquering a route in the Yorkshire Dales.
Rapha says the events “take riders on and off-road for the ultimate riding experience, delivering unforgettable memories, long-lasting friendships and that all important fun along the way”. That’s what it’s all about…
"Wait until he hears about pavements": RBKC councillor doesn't believe in segregation
Head councillor for transport at @RBKC on separated/segregated cycle lanes: “Personally I don’t believe in segregation as a policy that’s prudent in any aspect of our society.”
Words fail me. Bad news also for people who use pavements locally. https://t.co/UXNT4RHnpv
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) January 28, 2021
One of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s councillors stated in no uncertain terms that he doesn’t want to see segregated cycle lanes in his borough, at a council meeting this week. Councillor Cem Kemahli was explaining the council’s latest plans for transport in the borough and said: “It’s important to note that not all of our residents are able to cycle so we have to strike the right balance when making improvements to our streets. Personally I don’t believe in segregation as a policy that’s prudent in any aspect of our society.”
Many commenters expressed concern that the council has claimed to revist their decision to rip out the Kensington High Street cycle lane without prejudice and yet one of their councillors clearly opposes the scheme. Peter Walker, the Guardian political journalist, pointed out the problems Kemahli’s stance may have for pavements…”Words fail me. Bad news also for people who use pavements locally,” Walker wrote on Twitter.
This week a local primary school that benefited from the cycle lane asked for help in encouraging the council to overturn their decision. In a statement on their website Fox Primary School said: “The introduction of the Kensington High Street cycle lane transformed the commute for many of the Fox staff. Over 20 Fox staff were able to cycle to work because of the improved safety for cyclists, through the introduction of the cycle lane.
“We feel strongly that this is a short sighted decision by RBKC. It is hard to believe that such a backward step could take place middle of a pandemic when the government is encouraging people to work from home and not use public transport. As key workers, Fox staff are unable to work from home and if they do not have a safe route to work will have to use public transport. I would like you to support us in campaigning to reinstate the cycle lane and expand it further across the local authority.”
29 January 2021, 08:59
29 January 2021, 08:59
29 January 2021, 08:59
29 January 2021, 08:59
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Latest Comments
New Northwave winter boots, in Snow White? Don't they realise how filthy our roads are in winter?? Silca Omata, lovely retro computer, but about £400 too expensive.
@Eton Rifle you're walking around blind without a stick. Violent crime is up massively under Khan, and recently people don't even bother reporting it any more.... What's the point? It's been deprioritised in favour of policing twitter. Just this evening it was reported that legendary comedian Paul Whitehouse was the victim of an attempted mugging in Islington while using a cash machine, it's completely out of control. I'm sure that Khan does get threats from nutters, but my point was that so does Farage, and he doesn't get the same level of publicly funded protection despite having a higher profile. So it's completely below the belt to allege some kind of wrongdoing in funding his own. Per telegraph: "Crime has soared in London in recent years. There were nearly 100,000 thefts or attempted thefts in the capital in 2025, compared with about 45,000 in 2019, Home Office data show. During Sir Sadiq Khan’s tenure as Mayor, knife crime has increased by nearly 72 per cent, sexual offences are 63.2 per cent higher and “theft from the person” – which covers theft and attempts to take items directly from a victim – has more than tripled to nearly 100,000 incidents."
"haven’t got out there yet! " Well worth a visit, but plan your route carefully, there are a few diabolically steep hills on the back roads or if you want to ride to the Lowther golf ball.
@jackcycles So you haven't noticed that knife crime (and violent crime generally) has declined in London whilst Khan had been mayor? Oh and to respond to your whine about Khan having to have personal security? It's because of racist cunts making credible death threats against him. Are you sure you aren't amongst them?
@chrisonabike This is out in the countryside and without Drumlanrig castle being in the neighbourhood it would be empty of both cyclists and pedestrians most of the time.
You've missed out "of".
@Backladder if we had any sense we'd realise that "shared use" is "buying too cheap" in many places. Single small space for both - get not many of either (and everyone is disgruntled). Although ... out in the countryside I believe the Dutch often *only* build "shared use". But they make nice wide cycle paths that people can *also* walk on. But where there will be lots of walkers? A footway *and* a cycle path.
@Rendel Harris oh it's not that I would expect anything other than cheery waves, especially from the friendly and hospitable fine people of Scotland, but honestly it wouldn't seem right to slow down hard working motorists if I wasn't engaging in an activity that added value to the economy. As the adage goes, "don't bite the hand that feeds you". Cycling infrastructure has been provided over generations through the blood, sweat and tears of hard working people, and it seems such a shame to (hypothetically of course) stick two fingers up at the productive in society. Additionally I wouldn't want to slow right down on the shared use track. I have a motto of "full gas always"... No time to lounge around I'm afraid, I'm a busy man!
@Backladder haven't got out there yet! In my experience "it depends" with both roads and cycle infra. The former can be regularly fine - until you have a couple of horror shows in a row. The latter - despite "shared use" - might be in practice be almost empty. I've had the odd tricky interaction on shared use (but Edinburgh...) However I've not yet felt in danger of death on one. (Canal paths are almost always "no" though).
You could not be an entitled prick and slow down to a safe speed for the situation, showing your much-self-vaunted-though-probably-imaginary courtesy, as you have so frequently told others they must do in such situations? Or you could ride on the road because, as you've also so frequently told us, Britain's roads are the envy of the world for their safety record and you ride with such courtesy that you never have any interactions with drivers apart from "cheery waves"?
17 thoughts on ““Wait until he hears about pavements”: RBKC councillor doesn’t believe in segregation; Slalom cycle lane; CCTV appeal for driver after high-speed cyclist crash; That’s not Sam Bennett; Trek-Segafredo equal pay + more on the live blog”
On the RTE photo mix up, tbf
On the RTE photo mix up, tbf the Beeb did the exact same thing on their Sports Personality show for Nicole Cooke, swapping in a photo of her teammate Jeannie Longo at the time.
Bloody hell that was lucky.
Bloody hell that was lucky. Milliseconds away from tboned severe injury.
Well lucky would have not
Well lucky would have not been hit. The Police report stated the driver came back around so surprised that they didn’t show that CCTV as well as might have beem as useful,
Police CCTV appeal – I saw
Police CCTV appeal – I saw that on the Bristol Post website yesterday and thought “OMFG!”
Who would care to wager that the driver will have other offences pending, and that if they are ever actually caught then they’ll be prosecuted for those rather than for the dangerous driving…?
I’m puzzled as to why they’ve
I’m puzzled as to why they’ve taken a couple of months to start investigating.
hawkinspeter wrote:
I’m puzzled as to why they’ve started! The cyclist is merely a witness to property damage. I thought the police had more pressing matters to attend to.
It’s a dead end so no other
It’s a dead end so no other way out. Took me a few seconds to look at google maps and it shows a 206CC parked up outside one of the houses in July 2019. Decent place to start I think….
Don’t think we have a Close
Don’t think we have a Close Pass of the Day today, but here is a tweet from my local plod (hopefully linked below!). Photos not video, but hopefully a clear message alongside it. I know we, rightly, deplore the lack of action from some forces and we should continue to out that sort of behaviour, but we should probably highlight where they’re trying to do the right thing too.
Those Trafford bollards are
Those Trafford bollards are horrendous, and I would very much like to see the paper trail justifying putting them in and who approved them.
Even the ones on the outside of the lane are dangerous, being black with a few token reflective strips, which can peel off. Take a look at the vid at 13s, where there is a reflective cone in front of the bollard; it’s highly visible but the bollard isn’t.
If the council are reluctant to change these bollards, I’d be doing an FoI for the safety audit and threatening the council with legal action in the event of a cyclist hitting one.
Why did they build the speed
Why did they build the speed bump over the Science Vale Cycling Network Cycle lane?
And I thought the white
And I thought the white arrows are normally only painted on one side (in the direction of travel)? I’m guessing that’s not meant to be a two-way cycle lane…
Re: “Wait until he hears
Re: “Wait until he hears about pavements”
There is the argument that mixing pedestrians/cyclists/scooters/cars in the same space makes drivers more cautious, but I’m not convinced. In Bristol they put in a “shared space” behind Temple Meads station and to be fair I haven’t seen any collisions there, but I believe blind people find it terrifying as they don’t have a kerb to orientate themselves with.
hawkinspeter wrote:
Exhibition Road in Kensington works a treat, as do many shared space neighbourhoods in the Netherlands, but I’m not sure they’d work too well on major London through routes like Kensington High Street. Not without major restrictions on traffic numbers through congestion charging and other tolls, anyway (which would be wonderful).
I don’t agree that
I don’t agree that “Exhibition Road in Kensington works a treat”, whilst it does work to some degree, it relies on the car drivers being considerate, and as we all know, not all drivers are. So pedestrians must always be vigilant – not a great experience when taking your children to visit the Science and Natural History museums.
Councillor Cem Kemahli might
Councillor Cem Kemahli might not believe in segregation but as he represents the RBKC he’s pretty much a poster boy for economic segregation…
RBKC does have some rough
RBKC does have some rough bits as well. Like all London boroughs there is plenty of segregation – mostly perpetuated through the schools. I wonder if this Cllrs’ children go to the local state school, private school or moved house to get close to the ‘outstanding’ state school?
Cem Kemahli was given the
Cem Kemahli was given the responsibility in 2019 for cleaning up the air in West London (pressreader.com/uk/hayes-harlington-gazette/20190529/281547997370653) but states here that he does not believe in providing safe cycling / walking infrastructure, which would benefit a pollution reduction initiative. He is a property developer and his declaration of hospitality gifts is interesting, being mostly small gifts from Cadogan Estates who are a property development and management company.