Is riding a Lime bike Traitor behaviour? Celebrity Traitors star accused of nearly running over pedestrian while cycling; “Give space to people, not cars,” says Stephen Fry; Bizarre crosswind crash; Liverpool’s hi-vis/lights advice + more on the live blog

The file we keep in the office of ‘weird anti-cycling stories in the Telegraph’ is practically bulging at this point, we might need to buy a new cabinet:

> Council supplied quote that inspired “cyclists cutting through funerals” Telegraph headline – but deny “pointing the blame at any particular group”

The Christie Cross in Toronto, the fifth round of the Ontario Cup, took place at the weekend. And it featured, for the first time ever, perhaps the greatest cycling innovation since the invention of the derailleur.

Wait for it – a cyclocross race… where everyone rides a city hire bike:

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lauren Hogg (@_littlemisstri)

Epic. You have to hand it to the Canadians, they know how to put on a ‘cross show.

Anyway, someone, get the UCI on the phone quick. I have an idea for this season’s World Cup.

Though, to be fair, I reckon MVDP would still dominate on a Boris bike. Unless we locked it mid-race, of course…

We’re presuming this cycle lane in Fitzrovia is closed for roadworks… and not because it’s encrusted with Lime bikes

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— Londonist (@londonist.com) October 28, 2025 at 2:26 PM

Those 66 miles must have been brutal…

> “They’re not kidding”: Ultra-endurance cyclist will keep chasing records (but not in Russia) after 50 days in jail for illegal border crossing

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nick Arend (@nickarend)

Secure cycle hangars are set to be installed in Leeds city centre, in a bid to counter the city’s bike theft epidemic which has seen over 1,300 bikes stolen in the past three years.

Leeds City Council said the hangars, which have been popping up around the UK in recent years (and angering entitled local motorists in the process), would be fitted at ten locations, including Kirkgate Market, the bus station, and art gallery as part of a £130,000 trial scheme.

The hangars would be available 24 hours a day, feature secure locking systems, and be able to store a total of 56 bikes at a time.

A council report found that over the past three years, 1,326 bikes had been stolen in centre of Leeds, “averaging more than one a day”.

> “Driving a car is just too easy”: Bikehangar inventor on theft, the need for safe cycle storage, and why “there are too many cars on our streets”

The report added that a University of Leeds study found that 63 per cent of e-bike owners in Leeds were also worried about bike theft, more than the English average of 59 per cent.

“Therefore, it is highly likely that the lack of secure cycle parking in the city centre is reducing the levels of cycling to the centre of Leeds,” the report said.

Should the trial prove a success, by deterring thefts and encouraging people to cycle into the city centre, the council says there will be scope to expand this new network of bike hangars.

Yep, it’s that time of the year again, when local authorities, or police forces, or road safety organisations issue some well-meaning but often misguided advice to cyclists and pedestrians on how to keep safe during the long, dark winter months… while largely ignoring the role of drivers in ensuring their safety.

And this week, it’s Liverpool City Council’s turn.

To mark the clocks changing, the local authority published a statement which included nine top tips and extra precautions for pedestrians and cyclists to make sure they’re seen on the roads. And a perfunctory sentence at the bottom reminding motorists of their responsibilities.

> “Hi-vis and lights make chuff-all difference if drivers don’t look”: Cyclist says he’s “really glad I wore my most visible protection items” after motorist pulls out and almost hits him – but drivers claim rider “steamed on” and put himself at risk

“As the clocks go back this autumn, Liverpool City Council is reminding cyclists and pedestrians to take extra precautions to stay safe,” the council said.

“The earlier evenings and shorter days can make it harder for drivers to see vulnerable road users, especially if they’re wearing dark clothing.

“The sudden shift in lighting conditions can catch road users off guard, especially during the first few days after the change.

“To help people to remain visible and seen while walking or cycling, the Council is asking everyone to follow key safety tips.”

Well, almost everyone.

When it came to Liverpool’s cyclists, the council issued the following advice:

Use front and rear lights on bikes when riding in the dark or in poor visibility.

Wear reflective and fluorescent clothing to increase visibility.

Ensure reflectors are fitted to bikes, especially on the pedals and wheels.

Ride predictably and signal clearly to other road users.

Meanwhile, pedestrians were instructed to:

Wear bright or fluorescent clothing during the day to increase visibility to drivers.

Use reflective materials at night (such as armbands, sashes, jackets, and footwear). These can be seen by drivers using headlights up to three times further than non-reflective materials.

Walk facing traffic if there’s no pavement to help spot oncoming vehicles.

Avoid distractions like phones or headphones when walking near roads or crossing.

Hold children’s hands and keep them on the inside, away from traffic.

As for drivers? Well, in a single sentence located near the bottom of the statement, they were simply urged to “to slow down, use dipped headlights in urban areas, and be extra cautious near schools and crossings.”

The statement accredited to the council’s head of transport, Dan Barrington, was no better when it came to (failing to) acknowledging the responsibility of motorists to look out for vulnerable road users.

> “I wear bright colours, lights, and reflective bags – but drivers still close pass me every day”: Cyclists respond to “nonsense” hi-vis calls, claiming “none of it makes a difference” and drivers “choose not to see” them

“As the clocks go back and evenings get darker, we’re urging everyone to take extra care on our roads. Whether you’re walking, cycling, or driving, visibility is absolutely vital,” Barrington said.

“With Halloween celebrations adding to the mix, it’s more important than ever to wear bright or reflective clothing and stay alert.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility and small actions, like using bike lights or holding a child’s hand, can make a big difference. Together we can keep our streets safe for everyone.”

Road safety is a shared responsibility – so let’s make it almost entirely about cyclists and pedestrians. Plus ça change…

Come on Luke, get off the fence and tell us what you really think.

Though I imagine TUEs, jiffy bags, and Salbutamol positive tests don’t fall into the former Sky man’s definition of ‘black and white’ doping. This one will definitely get people talking…

> “You’ve cheated the sport. F*** you”: Luke Rowe reveals he “flicked” and “rode through” convicted dopers in the peloton

“No one will cycle when it’s wet” Safer infrastructure is so important to encourage a new generation to make healthier and greener choices #bikeisbest #bikelife #lovetorife @coventrycc.bsky.social

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— John Grant (@skyblueboy.bsky.social) October 29, 2025 at 3:20 PM

German track cyclist Roger Kluge has accused the UCI commissaires at last week’s world championships of “misconduct” after a delay in adding a rival team’s points to the scoreboard during the men’s Madison race saw Kluge and his teammate Moritz Augenstein belatedly miss out on a medal.

With 12 laps to go of an especially chaotic edition of track racing’s most chaotic event, Denmark’s duo attacked off the front, eventually racking up the maximum 10 points in the final sprint. At the time of Denmark’s move, the scoreboard – visible to the riders at the top of the banking – showed the Danes in fifth place, 32 points adrift of Germany.

According to the scoreboard, after that final sprint, the Germans remained in third on 64 points, as Belgium won with 81 points and GB finished second with 73.

Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com

However, following the race, amid delays in announcing the official results, Denmark were awarded an additional 20 points for a lap gained around the halfway mark of the race, meaning they leapfrogged Germany into the bronze medal position, finishing on 71.

And in a scathing Instagram post, Kluge – who turned up with his hand slinging compatriot Augenstein to the podium ceremony, only to be turned away after the results were finally confirmed – claimed that the Madison’s outcome was directly influenced by the officials’ failure to add Denmark’s earlier lap to the scoreboard.

According to the former Lotto-Soudal rider, the duo would have reacted differently to Denmark’s late attack had they known the scores were much tighter than the 30-point buffer they assumed they had at the time.

“There was no danger from our perspective,” the 39-year-old said. “If we, and certainly Team GB, had known that Team DEN also had about 60 points on their account, Team DEN wouldn’t have simply rolled away with 12 laps to go.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Roger Kluge OLY (@kluge_roger)

“We would have been on the wheel, and the final two sprints would have turned out completely differently.

“This misconduct on the part of the UCI commissaires clearly influenced and distorted the race, which is simply unacceptable and definitely shouldn’t be allowed to go unchallenged at a World Championship.

“If we athletes or personnel make mistakes, there are penalties or even disqualifications. We can’t just say, ‘We’re sorry, please accept my apologies.’

“But the UCI is allowed to do that, and it’s depriving us athletes, and certainly the federations of a result in an Olympic discipline, which would have led to future advancement for both the individual and the federation.”

> Campagnolo expands Super Record 13 lineup with gravel-specific Super Record X

Deep-section, super-aero, carbon wheels are great, aren’t they? If you care about riding your bike very fast – just to clarify, I do not and cannot – the speed, noise, and often eye-watering price of deep wheels are really hard to beat (as the YouTuber Who Must Not Be Named concluded a few years ago).

Until the crosswinds hit, that is.

> Are expensive carbon wheels worth it? Testing deep carbon rims vs classic aluminium

And, in a video that’s been doing the rounds lately, one unfortunate cyclist learnt the hard way the perils of riding fancy, deep rims when it’s a bit blowy out.

We’re not exactly sure where this clip, which has attracted thousands of views and comments this week, originated. But it shows a cyclist taking part in what seems to be a race, or at least a sportive on a long, flat, straight road, riding a X-Lab AD9 aero bike and Vision wheels, in full Astana colours and complete with, oddly, flat pedals and trainers.

That WorldTour tech and trainer combo didn’t help much, however, when out of nowhere the rider was sent sideways and onto the deck, video-game style.

Ouch.

Fortunately, the internet was full of sympathy for the apparently crosswind-afflicted crash victim. Oh, wait…

“Ah, but at least those deep-dish wheels saved you 0.05 watts while you were upright,” said William on Facebook.

“He’s in a race wearing running shoes? OK,” added Jeff, while Craig asked: “Is he riding with joggers, how in the fark did he do that?!”

“That’s how people look when they take a U-turn on Zwift!” laughed Shady.

They’re not wrong – maybe the cyclist was just getting ready for a winter in the shed and forgot he was still racing outside?

Meanwhile, Elmar helpfully pointed out that “low profile wheelsets are good in crosswinds”. I don’t think that’s much use to him now, Elmar…

However, others reckon the crash was less to do with the wind and more a result of simple rider error.

Many commenters noted the crash was actually caused by an overlapped wheel, while one YouTube viewer concluded: “More terrible bike handling than anything to do with crosswinds.”

“You know, there are learnable skills that prevent this from happening,” added bike-handler supremo (I assume) Jamie.

Meanwhile, another cyclist simply asked: “Cat 5 race?”

Harsh… But fair.

Speaking of Celebrity Traitors stars… Stephen Fry has voiced his support for London’s Soho district to become fully pedestrianised, after architects unveiled designs for a car-free Soho this week.

With plans to create a fully pedestrianised Oxford Street underway, two architects, John Lacey of Doodle Architecture and Russell Potter of SODA Studio, have earmarked a portion of Soho to also go traffic-free, including Old Compton Street, Kingly Street, and Greek Street.

Soho was temporarily pedestrianised in 2020 and 2021, when motorists were banned from 17 streets for the ‘Soho Summer Street Festival’, designed to encourage people back out of their houses after Covid-era lockdowns.

And now, Lacey and Potter claim that pedestrianisation will help to reduce vehicle emissions, improve air quality, create more space for greenery in the area, and like during the festival benefit local businesses with increased footfall.

Doodle Architecture

The architects have submitted their proposal to Westminster City Council’s Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy team, and hope to produce a formal application in January, with the hope that work could begin later in 2026.

“Soho means so many things to so many people,” Potter said in a statement this week. “This project is about reinforcing a sense of pride in the place where people live, work and enjoy themselves.

“We felt it was time to take a more cohesive approach to make the area better and more inclusive for everyone. It’s fantastic to see support pouring in from local businesses and those that use ‘The Village’ on a daily basis.”

> “Deeply depressing and frustrating”: London Tory councillors say extending £1.5 million cycle route to bypass pedestrianised Oxford Street would be “irresponsible”

The proposal has also won support from Blackadder star and former QI host Fry, who said: “London is at its best when it gives space to people, not cars. Soho is one of our most precious cultural quarters. It represents a haven for creativity, conviviality and community within central London.

“Pedestrianising its streets is not an indulgence but an investment in cleaner air, safer roads and a richer civic life. To walk freely through Soho is to experience the city as it was meant to be.”

However, despite Fry’s persuasive argument (which didn’t help him at the Traitors roundtable, to be fair), a spokesperson for Westminster City Council has said that there “have been no consultations or discussions on these proposals, and there are categorically no plans from the council to pedestrianise Soho.”

Well, that’s exactly what a Traitor would say… Alright, I’ll stop that now.

The most highly-anticipated televisual event of the year – no, I’m not talking about the Singapore Criterium – returns to our screens tonight, as Jonathan Ross’s stint as chief conspirator looks increasingly precarious ahead of episode seven of the Celebrity Traitors.

Actor Nick Mohammed, of Ted Lasso and Taskmaster fame is one of the Faithful™ (or ‘hundies’, as Joe Marler calls them) aiming to take down the treacherous trio in the turret (though calling Alan Carr treacherous is a bit of a stretch, I’ll admit).

But poor Nick might soon be called out for some suss conduct… after he apparently nearly ran over a pedestrian while riding a Lime bike in Richmond at the weekend:

Classic Traitor behaviour – at least according to the Daily Mail, anyway.

I can imagine the roundtable now: ‘I promise, I’m one hundred per cent a cyclist!’