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Daily Mail and GB News journalist objects to 20mph speed limits because... cyclists don't pay tax (apparently); Sprinting Fabio Jakobsen smacked in face by fan's phone; Weekend round-up + more on the live blog

It's a new week on the live blog and Dan Alexander will be kicking things off with Monday's offering...
30 January 2023, 11:32
Daily Mail and GB News journalist objects to 20mph speed limits because... cyclists don't pay tax (apparently)

Hope your Monday's going well, or at least was going well until you read this from Daily Mail contributor and GB News presenter Andrew Pierce under his Twitter username @toryboypierce...

It's not Pierce's road.cc debut though. Last August, during the height of the Shapps-sparked licences, reg plates debacle, he appeared on Good Morning Britain to deliver an all-time anti-cycling bingo rant...

GMB 17/08/2022

"They are a nightmare. Cyclists are a nightmare. Riding through red lights all the time, riding on the pavement all the time, clattering into people all the time. They are not insured, you don't know who they are, they don't wear helmets."

Anyway, last night's tweet was news to all of us who apparently shouldn't be paying tax...

Of course when we talk about road tax, what we really mean is vehicle excise duty (VED), a tax collected by the DVLA depending on how environmentally-friendly a vehicle is, but hey, shouting road tax is fun apparently...

30 January 2023, 17:23
Riding out of Monday like...

Same time, same place tomorrow when Ryan will be back on blog duty...

30 January 2023, 17:17
Not near miss of the day
30 January 2023, 15:28
Giant Group invests $20 million in Stages
2022 Stages SB20 Smart Bike Indoor Trainer - front leg and detail.jpg

Giant Group has bought 32.5 per cent of Stages Cycling's common stock, according to a filing with the Taiwan stock exchange, first reported by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.

Giant's board has approved the purchase of $6.5 million common stock in Stages Cycling Inc. and convertible corporate bonds for $13.5 million.

Giant explained: "Through the integration of indoor and outdoor cycling products, Giant Group can offer consumers with a more comprehensive cycling experience, enabling consumers to enjoy the benefits and pleasures from outdoors to indoors and vice versa, and hence improving the overall quality of the cycling experience.

"Through this strategic alliance, Giant Group can further utilise its brand advantage within the professional cycling market and to consolidate both manufacturing and distribution resources to maximise synergies.

"This, on one hand, increases both product and service values and, on another hand, creates a seamless online and offline cycling ecosystem, thereby accomplishing the goal of future gradual long-term operation performance gains and enabling Giant Group to continue to grow."

30 January 2023, 14:59
"It is not realistic to lend helmets": Japanese bike hire providers face challenge of upcoming mandatory helmet law
Met Manta Mips Aero Road helmet

The incoming mandatory helmet law coming into effect in Japan in April is proving to be difficult for bike hire providers, with one representative of a Tokyo bike share scheme saying it is "not realistic to lend helmets because of the high hurdles involved in preventing theft and disinfecting them after use".

"Our customers may have to bring their own," the representative for Docomo Bike Share Inc. concluded.

Critics of the law worry it will prevent people using cycling as a spontaneous mode of transport. Meanwhile the municipal government had been planning a move to ensure Baybike becomes the main means of transport after buses and trains, something it worries the helmet law could threaten.

30 January 2023, 14:50
To wave or not to wave?
Cyclists waving at RAB - Tass Whitby.JPG

Jo's penned another opinion piece and something tells me this one might cause some discussion...

> No, I don't wave at other cyclists when I'm out for a ride... isn't a simple nod of acknowledgement enough?

30 January 2023, 14:34
Bike Wheels & Tyres Of The Year | 2023 Awards Show

30 January 2023, 12:48
Injuries caused by potholes cost Scottish councils £3m
Pothole (Simon Kroner/Facebook)

The Times has revealed people travelling in Scotland have been awarded more than £3 million in compensation by councils for pothole-induced injuries. More than 1,000 cyclists, motorists and pedestrians have had claims settled in the past five years.

> Cyclists injured on Edinburgh tram line paid £1.2m in compensation

"Far too many roads across Scotland are covered in potholes," Jim Densham from Cycling UK Scotland said. "Hit a pothole when driving and it could be an expensive trip to the garage but if you’re cycling you could end up in hospital or worse."

Richmond pothole (road.cc reader)

> Is there a pothole crisis on Britain's roads?

Figures showed that there were 1,040 personal injury claims in relation to potholes and other defective road surfaces between 2017-18 and 2021-22, with the total bill at £3.3 million.

30 January 2023, 12:17
Challenge Mallorca bonus sprint

 

30 January 2023, 09:13
You've seen the bad... but here's the good stuff you might have missed at Vuelta a San Juan this weekend

Max Richeze, who recently said he was "disappointed" in Mark Cavendish after the sprinter "stopped answering his phone" when the whole B&B Hotels project was collapsing, took the acclaim of the peloton before last night's stage having decided to retire after his home race...

If it was one fan's phone which caused all the bad publicity, here's another group of fans who we'd rather think are representative of the race's support...

10/10 

30 January 2023, 08:56
Sprinting Fabio Jakobsen smacked in face by fan's phone

Road racing is definitely back if silly scenes such as these are on our screens...

In what other sport would you get over-zealous fans causing their heroes risk of serious injury, enabled by inadequate safety infrastructure at events? It has got to make you flinch thinking about speeding up the inside towards victory knowing any one of the hundreds of spectators could knock you to the ground with an outstretched arm. Even more so when you remember what Fabio Jakobsen has been through...

Jakobsen finished second, behind double stage winner Sam Welsford, and was pictured with red marks on his sunglassless face at the finish...

Elsewhere at the race this weekend, Miguel Ángel López had something of a point to prove at his first event out of the WorldTour and dominated Friday night's queen stage, putting 30 seconds into the field on the high-altitude summit finish, followed home by... Filippo Ganna!?

Ganna powered ahead of Egan Bernal and Remco Evenepoel on the mountaintop finish, but with two sprint stages to go, couldn't claw back any time on López, the now-Team Medellín–EPM rider winning his first race for his new team. Sergio Higuita was third.

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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65 comments

Avatar
Nick T | 1 year ago
1 like

Is that Giant buying into Stages the same Giant who aren't paying suppliers?

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mark1a replied to Nick T | 1 year ago
0 likes

Nick T wrote:

Is that Giant buying into Stages the same Giant who aren't paying suppliers?

It's OK, they've asked for a 45 day payment holiday.

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Carior | 1 year ago
2 likes

At what point do riders and team simply start suing race organisers and the UCI etc.  We are seeing it with football (where former players are suing for dementia because they headed the ball too much) and rugby (where former players are suing for dementia obtained through playing a sport where you spent 80 minutes actively trying to knock chunks out of each other) - it seems to me an open and shut case where the UCI and race organisers persistently and repeatedly fail to take any measures to protect riders going at 70kph or more from pedestrians, street furniture etc.

I would rather pro cycling wasn't sued into oblivion (it would no doubt cause a collapse in the global pharmaceutical industry as an unintended consequence) but really this has to stop and its pretty clear that until race organisers feel it in their bank statements, they won't take the necessary action to protect riders.

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OldRidgeback | 1 year ago
10 likes

I'm curious how often the Daily Mail or GB News complain about the tax avoidance measures commonly used by Tory cabinet ministers?

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brooksby replied to OldRidgeback | 1 year ago
7 likes

I read an article last week (cannot remember where) but basically commenting that when very wealthy people are careless with their tax returns they never seem to pay too much tax...  Odd, that 

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hawkinspeter replied to OldRidgeback | 1 year ago
4 likes

OldRidgeback wrote:

I'm curious how often the Daily Mail or GB News complain about the tax avoidance measures commonly used by Tory cabinet ministers?

That's totally different - they're using their smarts (or rather the smarts of the accountants they can afford to employ) to pay less as that's what Capitalism is all about. Cyclists, however, are just some kind of vermin that get in the way of their chauffeurs.

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The Larger Cyclist replied to OldRidgeback | 1 year ago
7 likes

OldRidgeback wrote:

I'm curious how often the Daily Mail or GB News complain about the tax avoidance measures commonly used by Tory cabinet ministers?

Jonathan Harold Esmond Vere Harmsworth, 4th Viscount Rothermere is the main shareholder of the company that owns the Daily Fail and "has non-dom tax status and owns his media businesses through a complex structure of offshore holdings and trusts".....

 

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Mungecrundle | 1 year ago
16 likes

Andrew Pierce, obviously not the sharpest spoon in the fork drawer, has utterly missed the point about 20mph zones. They are not particularly for the benefit of cyclists, they are primarily to reduce the number and severity of road traffic collisions involving pedestrians. If you see this as a war on motorists and don't particularly get upset about people being run over, then you might want to consider getting your moral compass recalibrated.

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Karlt replied to Mungecrundle | 1 year ago
10 likes
Mungecrundle wrote:

Andrew Pierce, obviously not the sharpest spoon in the fork drawer, has utterly missed the point about 20mph zones. They are not particularly for the benefit of cyclists, they are primarily to reduce the number and severity of road traffic collisions involving pedestrians. If you see this as a war on motorists and don't particularly get upset about people being run over, then you might want to consider getting your moral compass recalibrated.

Man's a cretin.

I don't feel hated when I am driving and see a 20 limit sign.

I feel hated when twats like Pierce spew their anti-cycling bingo clichés and imply that my safety should be compromised because of one tax levied on my motor vehicles but not the one I happen to be using at that point.

How stupid do you have to be to think like this?

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IanMSpencer replied to Mungecrundle | 1 year ago
10 likes

I had a mini-twit with another 8n response to a 20 is plenty tweet :

"That's great coming from Mr slow. 30 is just fine thanks. Stop punishing the motorists in favour of cyclists."

My reply:

"Don't you mean "Stop punishing the motorists in favour of pedestrians?"

After all, it is motorists who seem unable to moderate their driving to stop colliding with thousands of pedestrians a year - killing hundreds."

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Owd Big 'Ead | 1 year ago
3 likes

The twat with his phone over the barriers isn't a fan, just another selfish prat trying to impress his few followers on social media, that's he's at the bike race.
A bit like the lassie who caused the pile up at the TdF the other year. Why are they even there if all they want is their 15 seconds of fame. How hard can it be to live in the moment rather than through the lense of your phone?

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ErnieC replied to Owd Big 'Ead | 1 year ago
0 likes

Be good if we could stop his type from breeding,  I doubt he will strengthen the gene pool much. 

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NotNigel | 1 year ago
1 like

Maybe the 'cyclists not paying tax' is aimed at us folk who use cycle to work schemes?   All this time they've been right..

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wtjs replied to NotNigel | 1 year ago
6 likes

Maybe the 'cyclists not paying tax' is aimed at us folk who use cycle to work schemes?

No, it's to distract attention from the fact that in some regions, like Lancashire, VED is now just an optional extra. I have been watching BF64 TGE evading VED, and initially MOT as well, for 8 months now as he crops up around Garstang to the complete disinterest of Lancashire Constabulary and DVLA

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Off the back replied to wtjs | 1 year ago
7 likes

If you see it parked up, remove its number plates. Be interested to see how they get replacement ones with no valid docs

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Carior replied to Off the back | 1 year ago
0 likes

I'm confused - you're on Road.cc so you presumably know what the internet is, but yet appear to be entirely unfamiliar with Amazon and Google...

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Off the back replied to Carior | 1 year ago
7 likes

From Amazon:

A Legal Pair Of GB BADGED Number Plates constructed front and rear plates. As seen in photos. Pair ( 2 Plates front and back) 100% UK road and MOT legal, number plates for front and rear placement on Cars, Vans, Trailer or Caravans. These high quality number plates use UK Charles Wright font. They are road legal and MOT Friendly. Comes with 10x Sticky pads. All number plate will state our LTD company name and the BS standards number Product Features: Durable acrylic construction Digital technology Conforms to 'BS AU 145e' compliance. Unless stated, you will receive the plate which is shown in the image and described within the item title. Please note the text in the image is used for illustration purposes only, this will be replaced by your registration text shown on the top of your V5 document you supply to us.

 

No V5 = No plates. 

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mark1a replied to Off the back | 1 year ago
4 likes

Correct, same rules apply for online retailers as buying in person. I bought some eurostyle metal plates for my van from Amazon, when the order was placed, i was contacted to send over scans of my V5 (for proof of VRM) and driving licence (for ID). They came correctly spaced, correct typeface, and name & postcode of retailer etched at the bottom.

There is a loophole for this. It's possible to buy "show plates", these are illegal for use on the road and only for off road exhibition or show purposes. The details of the buyer are not recorded and you can have anything you like, typeface, spacing, etc. You don't even need to "own" the VRM. Hence why you see such shite on the roads.

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wycombewheeler replied to mark1a | 1 year ago
1 like

mark1a wrote:

, i was contacted to send over scans of my V5 (for proof of VRM) and driving licence (for ID).

I don't even know where my V5 is. I hope nothing happens to my plates.

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Eton Rifle replied to wycombewheeler | 1 year ago
0 likes
wycombewheeler wrote:

mark1a wrote:

, i was contacted to send over scans of my V5 (for proof of VRM) and driving licence (for ID).

I don't even know where my V5 is. I hope nothing happens to my plates.

Same here. I bought a bike carrier that needed a numberplate and I simply couldn't get one without the V5. Ended up paying for another V5.

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Sriracha replied to Off the back | 1 year ago
5 likes

There's all shades of grey between a legit legal number plate and no number plate at all, and they're all out there. Police ain't bothered. Illegibly dark plate, illegible font, fictitious registration mark, no plate at all - I see them all every day. Plod must see them too.

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Off the back replied to Carior | 1 year ago
1 like

Can you order UK number plates on amazon? Im sure the ability to source plates outside of the of authorized places like halfords or dealerships has been restricted. I know you could order plates from the ROI but thats not possible as easily as it used to be. You need to prove owenership, V5 and other docs which they can check it against to ensure its road legal and to prevent ringers etc. 

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to Off the back | 1 year ago
0 likes

Amazon Marketplace probably so some authorised seller just using it for market reach. 

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PRSboy replied to Off the back | 1 year ago
0 likes

You can order compliant (or indeed non-compliant 'show') plates online, no ID docs necessary.  I generally do when needed, as they are much cheaper than dealers etc.

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Flintshire Boy replied to Carior | 1 year ago
1 like

.

Oh dear. Clever sarcasm backfired.

Oh well.

.

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Off the back replied to Flintshire Boy | 1 year ago
3 likes

Well one thing totally ignored with clever sarcasm is, yes maybe you could buy plates from a dodgy site via Google. But that wouldn't happen in a day. You can get new plates made in Halfords on the same day with proof of ownership etc but is a dodgy online dealer getting you instant plates? What does the driver of an untaxed, uninsured van do if their plates are removed? If anything the removal keeps this vehicle off the road potentially saving lives if there is an issue with it stopping it being taxed etc. 

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zero_trooper replied to Off the back | 1 year ago
0 likes

You only need a V5 'log book' to get UK legal plates made up. The number plate maker (who's licensed by DVLA) doesn't need to ask for anything else. 
The process online may be different, egoroof of i.d. or address.

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IanMSpencer replied to NotNigel | 1 year ago
6 likes

I have yet to see a car with a green number plate yelled at and barged off the road for "NOT PAYING ROAD TAX!!!!"

(I did see one nearly crash sprinting away from the lights when I used the empty second lane rather than being 4th in a queue and the lights changed conveniently letting me glide through. This so incensed the Jaguar i-thing driver that he floored it and then had to brake on the sharp bend about 20 metres further on, nearly losing control. He was then so pissed off that I sat at the lights next to him to turn off a couple of miles later, he set off on red and amber, again showing the same amazing acceleration and complete lack of control).

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Off the back | 1 year ago
14 likes

I would happily support a 20mph speed limit in built up areas and its not just about protecting cyclists. 

I am convinced the higher amount of potholes are partially down to the current trend of heavier vehicles on the roads. Reducing the speed limit would do a lot to reduce the wear caused. The average SUV with electric or hybid power weigh over 2 tonnes. The roads were not designed for these. Trucks and large vans may weigh more but they distribute that weight over a larger area and on wider tyres. An SUV travelling at 30mph+ weighing more than double that of the average family car a decade ago is acclelerating the damage to the roads. That effects everyone especially the more vulnerable road users who are more likely to be injured by gaping chasms ready to swallow your front wheel. 

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VIPcyclist replied to Off the back | 1 year ago
1 like

Good points. Also the hybrids weighing so much more have more inertial mass and are therefore, at any given speed, more likely to kill you should be hit.
20 mph certainly isn't for me as a cyclist, I can't keep it up very long.

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