Vuelta: Sam Bennett relegated for appearing to barge rival in sprint; Top cop says cause of road fatalities “really very clear”; G admits he couldn’t watch the Giro; Dutch plan to reduce default speed limit to 30km/h + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Aftermath of La Vuelta stage 8
We will add no more words . Just LOOK at @DanMartin86 through @noaarnon lens. #LaVuelta20 pic.twitter.com/ZsEjHVLu9K
— Israel Start-Up Nation / Israel Cycling Academy (@YallaIsraelSUN) October 28, 2020
Nobody can accuse Dan Martin of not trying hard enough. The Irishman finished third on yesterday’s summit finish at La Vuelta behind race leader Richard Carapaz and stage winner Primoz Roglic.
”I was tired and the road looked comfortable. Certainly more comfortable than my bike at that moment 😂.” @DanMartin86 reacting to his rather interesting choice of a rest area. #LaVuelta20 pic.twitter.com/vHV0MJQZeq
— Israel Start-Up Nation / Israel Cycling Academy (@YallaIsraelSUN) October 28, 2020
🇪🇸 #LaVuelta20
The big battle⚔️#ifeelsLOVEnia💚 pic.twitter.com/wJlIrFhnK0
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) October 28, 2020
Perfect timing
It is all about timing @juliensimon85.. 😅 (📺@sporza) #LaVuelta #LaVuelta20 pic.twitter.com/McoUhfFfEU
— World Cycling Stats (@wcsbike) October 28, 2020
London's roads saw an increase in traffic between 2009 and 2019 of more than three billion miles
Between 2009 and 2019, the number of miles driven on London’s roads increased by 3,600,000,000.
Three billion, six hundred million.
Look at this Department for Transport graph and tell me motor vehicles aren’t the cause of congestion on our roads.
What would you do? pic.twitter.com/IwEQ5y0eNC
— Cllr Jon Burke (@jonburkeUK) October 28, 2020
The data was highlighted by Hackney councillor Jon Burke and showed a massive spike in the number of miles driven on London’s roads between 2009 and 2019.
In 2009 there were still just under 19 billion miles driven in London, but that number had rocketed to nearly 23 billion by 2019.
Councillor Burke is an outspoken supporter of LTNs (Low Traffic Neighbourhoods) and has campaigned for increased cycling infrastructure despite claims from some that it increases congestion.
Before the new LTNs:
* Hackney had 6th highest air pollution death rate of 418 local authorities.
* Children were growing up with stunted lungs
* Highest pedestrian/cyclist casualty rate in London
* Rat-running doubled in 10 yrsI’ve listened to the people “hurting” from this.
— Cllr Jon Burke (@jonburkeUK) October 28, 2020
Vuelta photography
The lengths photographers will go for the winning shot @lavuelta 📸😍@baixaulistudio recreating Nelson’s Column 2.0 on the Alto de Moncalvillo 😂
Behind the scenes and what the outcome was 👏🏼😍 #LaVuelta20 pic.twitter.com/qJ03gJW6dS
— Hannah Walker (@spannawalker) October 28, 2020
More of your views on towpath cycling
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After the news yesterday that a controversial ban on cycling on a towpath in Henley was overturned, we asked if our readers thought towpaths can work as a safe and practical environment for both cyclists and pedestrians?
Here are some of your views…
It works reasonably in and around Birmingham. But generally the towpaths are well surfaced and there is enough width to pass pedestrians and other bikes safely
— Daniel Smith (@dasy2k1) October 28, 2020
Not if said towpaths has been designated as a main commuter route rather than making the main arterial road routes between areas more cycle friendly for commuting riders.
— Dan Richardson (@DangleSpanners) October 28, 2020
Can they? Yes.
Do they? Sometimes.
Will they? Probably not.— IBikeHorsham is being be brave or thick skinned (@ibikehorsham) October 28, 2020
Netherlands plan to reduce default speed limit
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The Netherlands’ House of Representatives this week approved the plan to cut the default speed limit from 50km/h (31mph) to 30km/h (18mph) in built-up areas.
“This is a very strong signal sent in The Netherlands that road safety must be prioritised over speed in built-up areas, even more in areas with a dense concentration of pedestrians and cyclists,” said Morten Kabell, co-CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation.
According to the ECF’s research, a pedestrian or cyclist being hit by a car at 50 km/h will lead to a fatality in 20% of cases, this falls to just 3% at 30 km/h; a near seven-fold reduction.
In the UK, the default speed limit in built-up areas is 30mph (48kp/h).
Calls for UK to follow Netherlands' lead on speed limits
Such a plus @Hullccnews @Jonestheregen #cllrHale, should we here in #Hull just follow suit for the sake of our young people and #Children???#SafetyFirst#ChildrensLivesMatter
— RANDOMoriginals… (@RandomOriginals) October 28, 2020
The Netherlands takes it’s road safety seriously. Their default speed limit will now be ~18mph on urban streets. Can we do the same? #CitiesAreForKids #SesameStreets https://t.co/jCDc6Mtc3t
— The Yellowbrick Foundation (@YellowbrickFnd) October 28, 2020
La Vuelta stage nine
Stage nine of La Vuelta gets underway in the next few minutes and the profile suggests it should be one for the sprinters.
Sam Bennett starts as favourite but there are a couple of uncategorised climbs near the end of the day where we could see some late attacks.
Whoop raises $100 million in funding
The company behind heart rate monitoring wrist strap have raised a further $100 million in Series E funding.
Whoop explained the announcement “follows a period of tremendous growth for the WHOOP membership and overall business, and it will unlock new opportunities for the company.”
“WHOOP will primarily invest these new funds in product and software development, global expansion, and membership services.”
Marketed as a recovery tool, Whoop’s straps measure data such as heart rate and sleep quality to inform recovery.
Whoop are the official wearable of EF Pro Cycling and are valued at $1.2 billion.
EF Pro Cycling agree contract extensions with all existing riders
EF Pro Cycling have taken the step of offering contracts to all their existing riders whose current deal expires at the end of 2020.
The team were one of several WorldTour outfits who took the measure of asking riders and staff to take pay cuts earlier this year.
One rider who will continue with the team is Lachlan Morton, who has diversified the team’s race programme with participations in gravel and ultra-endurance events alongside the conventional road calendar.
Morton explained the decision to remain with the team in 2021: “There’s a long list of reasons I wanted to stay on this team. The big three are people, opportunities and partners. Having the opportunity to race World Tour events while chasing new and exciting adventures in one team is a dream for me, a dream I’ve only been able to realise with EF.”
Geraint Thomas struggled to watch Giro d'Italia
The Team Ineos rider admitted he found it difficult to watch the Giro d’Italia after abandoning following a crash on stage 3.
“Mentally I definitely need the break to just switch off,” said Thomas.
“I crashed out of the Giro which was my big goal of the year, so it also feels like I don’t deserve an off-season because I never really got into the racing.”
Despite the disappointment, Thomas was quick to praise teammate Tao Geoghegen Hart for winning the race in his absence.
“Tao is a great rider, full of potential, he was there to help me try to win initially,” Thomas told BBC Radio Wales.
“Obviously I had to go home after three days so he had the opportunity so to finish it off and deal with the pressure which was great for him and the team.”
Ton up for Quickstep as Sam Bennett wins again
History being written by an amazing @Sammmy_Be, who claims Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s 100th Grand Tour stage victory at #LaVuelta20 with a perfect sprint!
Photo: @GettySport pic.twitter.com/EDnq1gkp9T— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) October 29, 2020
Sam Bennett won satge nine of La Vuelta, overcoming Pascal Ackermann in the final 50 metres.
Lotto Soudal’s Gerben Thijssen was third.
Detective Chief Superintendent on road fatalities
The causes of road collision fatalities are really very clear. There is no need for the all too frequent debate.#RoadSafety #VictimBlaming pic.twitter.com/MQq1LTyvwJ
— Andy Cox (@AndyCoxDCS) October 29, 2020
Andy Cox, a Deputy Chief Superintendent, tweeted the pie chart above to address the issue of responsibility in road traffic fatalities.
The post received plenty of attention, with some motorists (and cyclists) suggesting that the chart was oversimplified.
Others praised Mr Cox for taking a firm stance on road safety and rejecting victim blaming.
Way too simplistic I'm afraid
— Paddythevet (@Paddythevet1) October 29, 2020
By definition if it kills someone the driving is not safe. May obey letter of law but that is another matter.
— Paul Luton (@luton_paul) October 29, 2020
Sam Bennett relegated from first, Ackermann wins the stage
Sam Bennett has been relegated for irregular sprinting
Pascal Ackermann is the Stage 9 winner at #LaVuelta20 https://t.co/UYdc8OOtcF
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) October 29, 2020
Drama after the bell at La Vuelta as Sam Bennett is relegated from first for irregular sprinting.
The wait for Quickstep’s 100th Grand Tour win continues.
"What a bullsh*t": Quick-Step team manager on Sam Bennett decision
Here’s the incident that saw Sam Bennett relegated…
❗🧐 Así fue el empujón por el que Sam Bennet fue sancionado, dándole la victoria a Ackermann #VueltaRTVE29o #LaVuelta20
➡ https://t.co/Nl51bTpHZe pic.twitter.com/PtJ35K4SqT
— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) October 29, 2020
After a complaint from another team – whose rider tried to barge into @Sammmy_Be’s train, who defended his position – Sam has been relegated by the race commisaires. https://t.co/JAad3umqF0
— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) October 29, 2020
Deceuninck-Quickstep team manager Patrick Lefevere didn’t hold back on his analysis of the incident, saying that his rider was simply “defending his line”.
What a bullshit😡. He was in he’s lead out and the @trek rider want to pull him out of it. But we know already a longtime the incompetence of the @Uci var safety first
— Patrick Lefevere (@PatLefevere) October 29, 2020
A lead out has to be respected and @Sammmy_Be defended his line
— Patrick Lefevere (@PatLefevere) October 29, 2020
Others argued that Bennett’s actions were inexcusable; especially after the horrific injuries suffered by his teammate Fabio Jakobsen at the Tour of Poland in August. At the time, Lefevere said the team were considering legal action after a manoeuvre from Dylan Groenewegen sent Jakobsen crashing into the barriers during a fast downhill sprint.
I think Fabio Jakobsen will vouch for safety first
— Andres Betancourt (@ekeko1) October 29, 2020
What do you say @PatLefevere ?????@Sammmy_Be pushes the other runner this could have caused an accident, we must sanction this so that the @FabioJakobsen does not happen
shut up! and think better of it— BDNG (@BrianNarvarez) October 29, 2020
Does pro cycling have an anger problem?
29 October 2020, 09:09
29 October 2020, 09:09
29 October 2020, 09:09
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Latest Comments
If the police are overwhelmed with evidence showing dangerous driving, then that shows that the dangerous driving is endemic: the graveyards and hospitals are full of the victims. If it is endemic, then one of two things must be true, or both: the detection rate is not high enough, and/or the punishment is not sufficient to deter. So in this case, we have the victims providing the evidence, in most cases all the officers need to do is view that evidence. If the officers don't have time, then the process should be automated, possibly by AI. If the driver disputes it, then a real person could view it, but if they consider the driving to be dangerous, the driver should pay for the officer's time. Then we have the lack of punishment, or punishment which doesn't fit the crime, because it does not deter people from offending. The current system of points and fines is clearly not working, and something rather more effective has to be done, like confiscating the car for instance. ".......the Chief Inspector recommended that road users use a rear-facing camera and evidence their own speed at the time of the overtake." I fail to see what the speed of the vehicle being overtaken has to do with the overtaking vehicle passing too closely. Would it be ok if you were doing 5mph, or 25mph? Baffling.
In principal, driverless cars have the potential to be much safer than human drivers, by virtue of the fact that they should be intent on following the rules of the road, nor driving whilst drunk/drugged, never be tired, frustrated, irrational etc, etc. Another advantage is that mistakes can be corrected and rolled out across the entire fleet (try that with humans. Add to that the resulting reduction in car ownership, increased car sharing, and the sheer amount of street space given over to parked cars will plummet. The key factor, however, is how much of those principles the owning companies are prepared to commit to. (Altruism isn't their strong point)
I'm going to take a close look at some of the lights mentioned. For reference: I extensively used the following: - Nightrider lumina (don't recall the exact model): horrible temperature control and after 18 months it bricked up on me and they refused to honour the warranty, will never buy anything from them ever again; - Lezyne 1600 XXL, two issues, firstly the strap that attached it to the handlebar never kept in place really well over rough terrain. Secondly: a cop stopped me and although -to me riding the bike- it appeared well adjusted, he claimed I was blinding oncoming traffic. He actually held the bike so I could check for myself from inside his car and he was simply right: the light level on the ground was ok but indeed, I was blinding oncoming traffic. That's a hard no, it had to go even though he didn't fine me. I don't want to annoy/be a risk to other road users; - Then the Lupine: solid as a rock, mounted on a GoPro mount, USB-C charging, StVZO compliant...but alas not enough oomph considering terrain and desired speed; Thinking back, it somehow seems like a light I had on my bike back when I was riding long distance events (Audax, crazy distances but lower average speeds) might have been ideal, that was a Son Edelux and it ran on a Son hub dynamo. But I don't want to install a dynamo and again, lower speeds.
Well that all blew up quickly! A pause to savour: "cyclists have a dislike for linguistic accuracy and authentic meaning." Apparently it's something to do with the cyclic muscle movements - ah, no, that would affect runners and rowers also. Circular motion of the limbs?
@mattw Yeah, and Oxford Street will be full of unicorns and rainbows by then as well. 🤣
@stulemanski Actually I think they do, as long as there is good behaviour. Complete cycle bans are vanishingly rare in the Netherlands, which is the best comparison. In 10-20 years time there will be a mobility track, and there will be no real problems.
@Rendel Harris That assumes training, expertise, and the time to do a proper job including full consultation. This does not happen, and then rapid assumptions are made based on "me". That also happens with cycling groups who campaign for something and completely ignore eg tricycles or other varieties of vehicle, in favour of standard cycles. Both lived experience and professional experience are essential. This week I have been looking at a brand new £50k 3m-wide path upgrade in my local Green Flag Park, where the Council have spent perhaps £3k installing a 3 ply chicane with 1.5m gaps and 1.5m spacing between barriers at one end of it. The path also includes a 1-in-9 30m long hill. I have since been talking to a lady who is a wheelchair user and has a fully-trained assistance dog which walks alongside, who is thereby prevented from entering the park she pays for with her Council Tax. Those dimensions are unusable for most small mobility scooters, never mind other mobility aid users, and are flat out unlawful, and not in accordance with several sets of Government Guidelines. Yet when I complain I expect to be stonewalled to the door of the Court in the hope that I will get exhausted and go away. At the door of the Court they usually capitulate, and will have spent 7-10k on legal letters and compensation and doing what they should have done at the start. That £3k could have been spent sorting out perhaps 10 other anti-disabled barriers around our Green Flag Parks. Every complaint so far I have made has been met with "Does Not Meet Threshold for Action".
@flowboy I'm not sure what your point is, FB. Unforfunately, in a world of insufficient resources and gutted Councils with no expertise (for example the near-vanishing of Accessibility Officers) due mainly to available resources being halved since 2010, the only things that will get a response are likely to be details supported by a credible threat of legal action. That's how it is. Even then they often rely on obfuscation via complaints procedures that can take 12 months and have no teeth.
@flowboy I'm not sure what your point is, FB. Unforfunately, in a world of insufficient resources and gutted Councils with no expertise (for example the near-vanishing of Accessibility Officers) due mainly to available resources being halved since 2010, the only things that will get a response are likely to be details supported by a credible threat of legal action. That's how it is. Even then they often rely on obfuscation via complaints procedures that can take 12 months and have no teeth.
@Rendel Harris I have recently come out. I have been called a lot worse. Sticks and stones. So are you saying I cannot call people like myself names? If a call myself and people like me, a ‘homophobic slur’ are you going to get the nasty words police on to me? If you are straight, then your opinions and fake anger mean nothing. Unless you are gay, you are clueless. So stop getting all worked up about a name. I can cope with it. If you can’t, it’s on you.
25 thoughts on “Vuelta: Sam Bennett relegated for appearing to barge rival in sprint; Top cop says cause of road fatalities “really very clear”; G admits he couldn’t watch the Giro; Dutch plan to reduce default speed limit to 30km/h + more on the live blog”
Councillor needs to learn how
Councillor needs to learn how to say numbers. He should say three thousand six hundred million!
Dingaling wrote:
Why? Either way is perfectly acceptable, just as it’s OK to say fifteen hundred or one thousand five hundred.
3.6 billion miles in 10 years
3.6 billion miles in 10 years. New Horizons did this by crossing the solar system. Back here, some motorists achieved the same increase in mileage by popping to Tescos.
…the corner shop, the
…the corner shop, the school run
Counciller Jon Burke is doing
Counciller Jon Burke is doing it right.
I wonder if we can help get his voice heard more?
3.6bn more miles? That’s
3.6bn more miles? That’s astonishing. What I don’t understand is why. The population of London increased in that time but not by much. Does anyone know the reasons behind the surge in driving over the past decade?
One hypothesis is that there
One hypothesis is that there is increased use of uber and other mini cabs. So you have lots of cars cruising around looking for business.
More delivery vehicles?
More delivery vehicles?
Obviously it is bad that
Obviously it is bad that traffic has increased. But some context makes it a bit more understandable. This isn’t Brexit bus level misues of statistics, but it is that combination of an accurate number that gives a misleading impression.
Population of London increased by about 1 million (so about 15%) during that time period and if you take out the outlier that is 2009 (where we were in the middle of a huge recession) and use an average of the 2008 and 2010 figures then the increase is pretty close to proportional with the population gain.
a4th wrote:
That would be a fair point if 1M driving age adults had been added to the population, however with the London birth rate being approximately 100,000 per year over the last decade the vast majority of the population rise are still infants, so you can’t really draw a direct correlation.
80k uber, massive increase of
80k uber, massive increase of delivery vehicles (the post office should never have been privatised – they had a bloody underground railway just for post ffs!!), and the decrease in driving costs making it cheaper while public transport costs increase (there is a war on public transport users, not motorists)
Cost of motoring compared to
Cost of motoring compared to public transport and average wages – source
Tom_77 wrote:
War on the motorist, innit?
Thanks for that, I’ve been
Thanks for that, I’ve been looking for a good reference for that!
Replying to my own post, I’ve
Replying to my own post, I’ve found the source of Jon Burke’s stats: https://roadtraffic.dft.gov.uk/regions/6
This gives breakdown by transport type, showing the growth has been in cars/taxis and vans. HGVs, buses/coaches and motorbikes have stayed flat or gone down.
Miles driven doesn’t correlate well with population growth, which has been steadily increasing since 1990. Maybe I asked the wrong question – why did miles driven go down between 1999 and 2009 (which was due to a drop in use of cars/taxis).
Interestingly, London appears to be an outlier – in the UK as a whole the number of miles driven increased between 1999 and 2009.
Interesting posts on here
Interesting posts on here today.
Re – the Dutch reducing the speed limit in built up areas. This could also lead to more people cycling or walking. As cyclists, we all know that riding a bike is often as quick if not quicker than driving at rush hour in busy towns and cities; if the motorised traffic speed was reduced (although how many drivers actually obey the 30 mph limit is a very debateable point) those in their cars and vans would see this more clearly.
DCS Cox is a bloody legend.
DCS Cox is a bloody legend. It’s almost as if he’s realised that driving is inherently dangerous, and that UK road culture (the toxic combination of road design, the Road Traffic Act, and in particular driver entitlement) makes it much much worse.
Y’all should interview him.
“The company behind heart
“The company behind heart rate monitoring wrist strap have raised a further $100 million in Series E funding.”
What the hell does a company that makes an HRM wrist strap need $100M for?
Miller wrote:
Lamborghinis. Private jets. Coke and hookers.
Health wearables is the original internet boom all over again — stupendous amounts of silly venture capital money being spaffed up the wall by SIlicon Valley techbros.
Black Jacks?
Black Jacks?
mdavidford wrote:
and Fruit Salads
Being flash, those sherbert
Being flash, those sherbert filled Refreshers.
Organon wrote:
Heresy!
Here in Wales, there are
Here in Wales, there are plans already underway to reduce the default urban speed limit 20mph by 2023. Road safety is mostly devolved across the UK.
There are still some
There are still some dissenting views, disagreements, and some insults, which is a good thing I think, but at the moment I am much happier visiting this wonderful website again.
It is reassuring to get back from a hard day at work, riding through thick mud again, enduring some awful and dangerous driving and hear what my fellow cyclists have to say.
Like riding home in the dark, cold and wet and getting back to a warm home.