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news
Jeremy Vine's penny-farthing mishap; Close pass campaign met with barrage of anti-cyclist comments; Wiggo hails "next British star" Adam Yates; Good vs bad driving; Dangerous sprinting; Deceuninck-Sick-Step; LTN data; New rules + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Jeremy Vine penny farthing29 March 2021, 17:12
Velobici reveals Monti collection
Leicester-based Velobici has announced a new line of kit, with the Monti collection including a jersey, bibs and a base layer in men's and women's cuts.
Yea, we did a double-take too. The pockets are designed for easier access with the right hand and Velobici has made the left pocket taller to better accommodate later items like smartphones.
This pocket design isn’t a new feature for Velobici, but if you’ve never seen it before, it is certainly striking.
Away from the pockets, the jersey is said to feature a race fit and embroidered logos while the bibs are claimed to offer a degree of compression for muscle support. Look out for a review on the site in the coming months.
29 March 2021, 16:07
Jeremy Vine jumps off penny-farthing after new 360 camera almost gets tangled in his spokes
Oh — make sure the mount is really well attached at the base. Otherwise the camera falls backwards, and then you do! This was an undignified dismount from a penny farthing.
10/ pic.twitter.com/uEq1l8Gn0i— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) March 27, 2021
There was almost an unfortunate incident in a London bike lane featuring Jeremy Vine this weekend. He got some pretty cool footage using his 360-degree camera though, so all worth it in the end. In their 140-year history I doubt anyone's crashed a penny-farthing because a camera got stuck in their spokes...
It's not the first time the broadcaster's eccentric other bike has made the live blog. Last May, he claimed to be the first person to ever ride down Park Lane on a penny-farthing...
Here's how the 360 footage should look...
And this is the final result, by the river in west London. Hope you enjoy. Happy Saturday!
9/ pic.twitter.com/M5yJyKgBLH— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) March 27, 2021
29 March 2021, 15:36
More data to back up London Fire Brigade claims that low traffic neighbourhoods have not impacted response times
Last year, I spent a lonely nine months subjected to huge amounts of online abuse claiming the new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods I'd introduced in Hackney were 'costing lives' by delaying ambulances.
Glad to see my work to deliver a blue light priority network vindicated. pic.twitter.com/lsC2IbXfc2
— Jon Burke FRSA (@jonburkeUK) March 29, 2021
On Friday we reported the London Fire Brigade's Fire Facts - Incident Response Times which showed that LTNs haven't caused delays. That story has been contrasted by a couple of reports today suggesting otherwise...But here's some more data to tell you what you probably already know.
29 March 2021, 14:50
Ilkeston CC marks return of group rides with very early morning club run
We've missed club rides ❤️️@ilkestoncc 🔶 were so excited about the return of organised club activity that they set off in the early hours of this morning 🌌 to become, quite possibly, 2021's first ever club ride in England! 👏#ChooseCycling pic.twitter.com/Hg29M3t3it
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) March 29, 2021
As of today up to 15 people can take part in British Cycling-affiliated club rides and the rule of six is back in play for everyone else. Ilkeston CC marked it with this midnight club run, making the most of the news rules. How are you celebrating your freedom? A big Easter Weekend reunion with your old riding pals? And, out of interest, will any of you be taking part in a British Cycling-affiliated club ride with more than six people? We've heard concerns that some might not know that cyclists can meet in 15-person groups on these rides and mistake it for rule breaking...
What are your riding plans under the new rules?
29 March 2021, 13:32
Tandem profits up as orders stretch to 2022
The Tandem Group's profits rose by over £1.4 million year-on-year for the year ending 31 December 2020, Cyclingindustrynews reports. The brand's highlight was its Squish kid's bikes, while "significant" growth was achieved through e-bike and e-scooter sales. Despite the positivity in the figures, Tandem pointed to lead times, shipping delays, cost increases and the lack of international trade fairs as challenges.
"Lead times are becoming an increasingly prevalent issue, particularly with regard to bicycles due to global demand for components and we are therefore committing to purchases much further into the future," Tandem said in a statement. "We are still paying much higher shipping rates than we were paying last year but we believe that rates will settle further in forthcoming months."
Tandem has previously committed to building a new warehousing and distribution centre near its Birmingham HQ.
29 March 2021, 12:50
Good driving vs bad driving
One reader got in touch over the weekend with these clips...One impressively competent pass from an Excelsior Coaches driver and one not so impressively competent aborted pass...
29 March 2021, 12:22
It's not Suez-y to get hold of bike components these days
While there has been speculation that the Suez Canal blockage could have further affected the already sparse availability of popular bicycle components, it was neither confirmed or denied if there was in fact a bucketload of Sram or Shimano in amongst all that cargo. Until we know for certain, at least we have memes...
No more messing around, we have THE man for the job. @thejensie pic.twitter.com/GTQHeaecjt
— CORSO (@CORSOsports) March 29, 2021
29 March 2021, 11:00
Bradley Wiggins backs Adam Yates to be the "next British star" following dominant Volta a Catalunya win
All the #MondayMotivation we need right here 😃 pic.twitter.com/tKXQfaY8ka
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) March 29, 2021
Credit where it's due, this time last week Wiggo featured on the live blog when he told Eurosport he thought Ineos Grenadiers were "going to do something big" at the Volta a Catalunya. Indeed they did with a one-two-three on the podium yesterday. For this week's prediction, Wiggo suggested Yates could be the next British star of the sport.
"They made a statement with the team they selected," he told his Eurosport podcast. "Probably the icing on the cake [for Yates] was going to Ineos, really. It's the perfect team for him. Adam is the next British star and these are the early stages.
The objective was clear for this week and it was to go and win the race. It was an incredible performance, really."
Wiggo also said that he believed Geraint Thomas had secured his leadership for the Tour with his improved showing.
29 March 2021, 10:57
Deceuninck-Sick-Step
If there was any doubt about how hard the spring classics are, #SamBennett just threw up. #GWE21 #GWEmen pic.twitter.com/4pRdu8ihvd
— CyclingTips (@cyclingtips) March 28, 2021
Come back to this later if you're tucking into your lunch...
29 March 2021, 10:37
29 March 2021, 09:48
MAAP updates its Evade Pro Base Jersey for 2021
Australian brand MAAP has released the 2021 version of its Evade Pro Base jersey with men's and women's short and long sleeve versions available.
The summer-weight jersey has been designed using "lightweight, breathable, knitted Italian fabrics" that, according to MAAP, are pre-dyed to prevent colour fade.
Other features include honeycomb mesh sleeves, reflective logos, elastic hem with internal silicone logo print, YKK Vislon Snap Lock Zip, SPF50+ sun protection factor, "pro" fit and a low profile collar.
MAAP says that "all fabrics have been sustainably manufactured with the Bluesign® system and the elastic hem is OEKO-TEX® certified, with an internal silicone logo print for an added flair. Bold reflective graphics maximise 360-degree visibility, 365 days of the year, and SPF50+ sun protection ensures you’re always covered no matter what the elements send your way."
The men's and women's jerseys come in a long or short sleeve, with men's sizes from XS - XXL and women's sizes from XXS - XL. There is a wide range of colours and you'll need to fork out €155.
29 March 2021, 09:21
Close pass campaign met with barrage of anti-cyclist comments
Gloucestershire Constabulary asking motorists to give people on bikes space shouldn't be too controversial, should it? Gloucestershire Constabulary asking motorists to give kids cycling to school space should be even less so...
However, the force's social media campaign quickly descended into cyclist-bashing in the comments. Helmets, no lights, no hi-vis, red light jumping, pavement riding, two abreast, riding in large groups, not using cycle lanes, 'road tax' and, of course, bicycle registrations...were the main objections raised here. I make that a full house.
For context, let's take a quick look at what Gloucestershire Constabulary said to prompt these complaints. "It's [Operation Close Pass] an initiative being rolled out by forces across the UK, including ourselves, to reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers not giving enough space to people riding bikes.
"Operation Close Pass is designed to proactively detect and educate drivers who pass too close to cyclists. It is also timely as 21 local schools have so far signed-up to take part in the ‘Big Pedal 2021’, the UK’s largest inter-school cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting challenge which aims to encourage active travel to and from school.
"Although the close pass scenario is not defined as a specific offence, the correct minimum passing distance is usually defined as 1.5 metres. Drivers seen passing cyclists within that space are liable to be stopped by police and spoken to on the spot. Anyone unreceptive to education will be cautioned for careless or dangerous driving and receive a court summons."
Fair enough? Here's what some of the people in the comments had to say...
"In the same way that dangerous drivers need to be taught this i hope that dangerous cyclists are also going to be given a lesson. Such as using lights, wearing a helmet, stopping at red lights & not riding in a cluster of cyclists so they can all have a good chat across the road making it impossible for other road users to get past. #equalrightsforall!!" Beth Staite's contributed.
Tim Hopkins added: "Going through lights jumping of pavements without looking over taking on the inside forming up twenty plus at a time during lockdown riding over twenty miles during lockdown when I couldn't take my motorbike out need I say any more nope because they are above the law."
At least Russ Brookes added some balance: "Ah it's time for a game of all cyclist's are evil and at fault for everything. Maybe if we all remembered we are all road users (weirdly enough I drive and cycle) and stop stereotyping and just treat everyone the same it might mean we get somewhere. You have good and bad road users what vehicle they use does not change that so stop getting on your high horses with the cliches."
29 March 2021, 08:56
Jake Stewart calls out Nacer Bouhanni as cycling fans demand ban after dangerous sprint with shades of infamous Dylan Groenewegen incident
#NacerBouhanni was relegated after this little maneuver in the finish sprint at Cholet-Pays de la Loire. pic.twitter.com/xWBVcZCqeI
— CyclingTips (@cyclingtips) March 28, 2021
FDJ's British rider Jake Stewart was not best pleased with Nacer Bouhanni's sprint at Cholet-Pays de la Loire yesterday and had a few choice words for his Arkéa–Samsic rival...
Yo @BouhanniNacer I would ask you what you was thinking...but you clearly have no brain cells. The ironic thing is, you told me I had 'no respect' after the finish. Here's an educational video of what 'no respect' looks like... 😶 https://t.co/nk5Bp6lE0V
— Jake (@jakey_stewart) March 28, 2021
The Frenchman was disqualified for his actions but some have argued that punishment on its own doesn't go far enough. Dylan Groenewegen got a nine-month ban for his involvement in the Tour of Poland crash last August that left Fabio Jakobsen in a medically-induced coma. Should Bouhanni also be facing a lengthy ban?
This behaviour is unacceptable and the same sanction must be imposed regardless of riders coming down or not.
— Callum Macleod (@CallumMacleod14) March 28, 2021
That’s just as bad as Groenewegen v Jacobson. Different outcome. But intent and recklessness on a par.
— Pedro (@pedro118118) March 28, 2021
29 March 2021, 07:42
Cycling groups demand new camera footage reporting system
More than 30 cycling and motoring groups have come together to demand Police Scotland creates a camera footage reporting system to make it easier to report and prosecute road crimes. Of the 45 UK police forces, 40 already use a system which allows people to upload camera footage and report incidents. Cycling UK data found that having a proper system can cut an average of 8 to12 hours of police time per case.
The AA, road safety charity Brake, the RAC and Cycling UK were among the coalition lobbying for improvement. In a letter the group says: "A camera footage system would be good news for all responsible road users and the police. The only bad news would be for irresponsible and law-breaking road users who would be more effectively held to account."
They emphasised a reporting system would help the Scottish Government meet their Vision Zero target for eliminating road deaths and serious injuries by 2050. Cyclists may still have concerns about how police forces deal with their footage once it has been submitted but some figures from Wales and Northumbria suggests reporting systems can be effective.
Between December 2019 and January 2021, Operation Snap in Wales saw the police take action against poor driving in 58 per cent of cases where footage was submitted. Northumbria Police says 77 per cent of submissions resulted in action being taken against drivers.
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.
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32 comments
wtjs
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3 years ago
7 likes
riding over twenty miles during lockdown when I couldn't take my motorbike out need I say any more nope because they are above the law.
So, we are told, wrote one of the morons commenting on the 'close passing operation'. Another moron came up with the usual tripe about cyclists passing red lights, when the boot is truly on the other foot. Lancashire Constabulary is so intent on forgiving motorists for passing red lights that I have been forced to initiate a big complaint about the lack of action. It is now 4 months since I reported this online, and there has been no response whatsoever from LC. Both learners went through on red- they begin teaching them to ignore the law very early up here.
Sriracha
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3 years ago
7 likes
It's great that some police are mounting cyclist awareness campaigns, but no real surprise that they result in a counter productive us/them response.
I think what is needed is something more emotive which portrays the cyclist as somebody's son, mum, daughter, etc and tells the story from the perspective of the bereaved, contrasting their emotion with some typical anti-cyclist bingo calls down the pub. As long as it remains about "cyclists", that alien species in lycra, then the bingo callers will have their day.
It's been a distressing week - with the trial of Ridgeback's grandson (paltry sentence, etc), a couple of serious injuries incidents in my local news, the death of a club cyclist up north on my Twitter. I don't know Ridgeback, but the fact that it was someone on here made it more real.
Grief is often private, but isn't part of the solution something that would draw on the collective grief of all these families and makes it a bit more real for those that haven't the insight or experience to work it out?
Experience - my friend's cat was hit by a car must be nearly 15 years ago. I sobbed, I shook with it, couldn't hold it together when some very nice neighbours came round the next day. I'm not usually given to this sort of thing - I don't sit watching Lassie with a box of Kleenex on my knee. It was such a lovely cat and such a shock. The death of a peer in in a single-car accident aged 19. Death is final.
Insight - there's probably a range of different things going on here, with a simple "it won't happen to me" and the people whose lives seem to play like an old Eastenders episode - lurching from one "what now??" angry encounter to the next and repeat. Insight, learning, compassion nowhere in sight - just whatever (or whoever) is in front of me now. Some of these people drive cars too.
AlsoSomniloquism
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3 years ago
9 likes
Re: Gary's pinch point video: That 3rd one where the council has painted a cycle lane in it. WTF? Drivers don't need an excuse at the best of times but they are being led to believe there is enough space for their car and a cycle as long as they are in their respective lanes.
At one point in time, somebody in Aberdeen council actully understood this and the cycle lanes on North Deeside road got wider on the approach to the crossing points (to encourage riders out into primary ?) .
No doubt they are long gone by now and someone else will "fix" it soon
one of the only times the police actually took action was that clip. The car hit my right leg, i thought it was my trousers being caught on something for a split second then realised it was the car. The officer dealing with it was very good, took my dvd round to the drivers house, sat down with her and made her watch it from my view. She said, before seeing the footage:
''I saw the cyclist in the cycle lane, so I went past, I'm not sure why you're hassling me at my home.''
Once he showed her the video and told her he could use it for evidence in court as it was technically leaving the scene of a collision[due to my leg being made contact with] , she changed her tune and said she was very sorry. He asked me if that was ok and did I want to take it further, to which I declined.
In some regard, how does it affect the person making the complaint to know what the outcome is for a particular incident? Knowing the result doesn't change the result.
However, surely some enthusiastic young journalist could possibly make a good story using FOI requests to the country's various Police forces to establish what percentage of reported incidents end up with what kind of response? I think that would be far more helpful and avoids the accusation that cyclists submitting footage are after some kind of personal revenge rather than pursuing a more noble goal of road safety for all.
In some regard, how does it affect the person making the complaint to know what the outcome is for a particular incident? Knowing the result doesn't change the result.
In some regard. However in other respects it's about respecting the right of the 'witness' to identify as the victim of an offence, and not have a particular group of offences arbitrarily made 'victimless' on some spurious basis that happens to make life easier for the police.
Without doubt, being required to regard people as victims would increase the policing burden. But that would simply be a recognition of the size of the issue, and the need to do something proactive about it.
I don't fundamentally disagree with either your good self or GMBasix. But in a world of limited resources I'd far rather less time was spent on fluffing the victim of a close pass than actually taking some kind of action and following up repeat offenders. I'll admit no actual knowledge of the process but I wouldn't be at all surprised that the seemingly simple act of informing the person who made a report about the outcome is not fraught with GDPR and other civil liberties complications.
I have a submission for NMOTD which is waiting out the 3 week Police action window before I send it in and for which I got the standard (though speedy) "We won't tell you what action we will be taking" response from Herts Police. I'm not particularly fussed as to whether the driver got a stiff letter or the electric chair as a result but I would like to know that in the grand scheme of things some action was taken and the kind of bulk data about number of reports and percentage dealt with by means of; letter, NIP, prosecution or no action etc would be more valuable in holding different forces accountable for their responses than individual anecdotes.
In the spirit of not fundamentally disagreeing...
If we know that actions was being taken, we might not need a full debriefing, depending on the circumstances. But if I was attacked on the street, or members of my family (or even I ) were sexually harassed, I would expect to know what was happening.
Whatever the intent of a motoring offence, I don't really see the philosophical difference. The confection of a victimless road traffic offence only aids the inference that collisions are "accidents" and that, somehow, motorists are not responsible for the actions of their vehicles. If they get behind the wheel, everything that follows is intentional, just as we are responsible for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol even if we weren't aware of the influence at the time. If it has consequences for other people - who then feel sufficiently impacted to report it - they are victims. It is reasonable for a victim to know what is going on.
I think if we knew that reports were taken seriously and that they were generally followed up reliably; and if we knew that people who kill cyclists on the road got more than a few weeks in prison suspended with a driving ban and some community service, then perhaps we would view individual feedback as less significant*. Until that time, when there's no action and no feedback, it's not good enough. And if resources are tight, then that is what we address, not shortcutting the right thing to do.
* I'm not suggesting that a death victim's family isn't treated more seriously. I'm saying that there may be no difference in the quality of driving, and the different outcomes is due to chance.
In some regard, how does it affect the person making the complaint to know what the outcome is for a particular incident? Knowing the result doesn't change the result.
It takes a fair bit of time (say 10 mins to edit the reqisite video clip plus 20 minutes to fill in the form and upload, in my experience), people need to know it's actually worth the trouble.
I think Gloucestershire must be a shining example in this respect. They have informed me what action has been taken for all the submissions I have made. I even got a detailed explanation for one which was very helpful to me. I would argue that in one way feedback is in their own interest as it gives an idea about what to submit and what not to, which saves their time in the long run.
I would argue that in one way feedback is in their own interest as it gives an idea about what to submit and what not to, which saves their time in the long run.
That was partially my argument with WMP. Still wouldn't release anything just stating that don't have the staff to do that but I should still submit any I record.
The AA??? Come on Road.cc you've shot your bolt early. This should have gone out on Thursday.....
Whilst a long way from perfect the AA and Edmund King appear to be more enlighted than most other motoring groups out there. Whether it is just good PR I will let time and actions decide.
....
Whilst a long way from perfect the AA and Edmund King appear to be more enlighted than most other motoring groups out there. Whether it is just good PR I will let time and actions decide.
That of course is a low bar....
Maybe so, but King does cycle regularly and has been vocal about it. He's also quite vocal in his support for measures to make cycling safer and encourage more people to take to two wheels.
...
Maybe so, but King does cycle regularly and has been vocal about it. He's also quite vocal in his support for measures to make cycling safer and encourage more people to take to two wheels.
Perhaps my twitter spat with him a couple of years ago caused the fish scales to fall
I shall defer to your good self and rct and retract, and await some action before making any more judgement
...
Maybe so, but King does cycle regularly and has been vocal about it. He's also quite vocal in his support for measures to make cycling safer and encourage more people to take to two wheels.
Perhaps my twitter spat with him a couple of years ago caused the fish scales to fall
I shall defer to your good self and rct and retract, and await some action before making any more judgement
I don't know about any twitter spat you had with him, so I can't comment on that. But he did start this:
https://www.theaa.com/about-us/public-affairs/aa-presidents-blog/archive...
And he wrote this:
https://www.theaa.com/about-us/public-affairs/aa-presidents-blog/archive...
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