"If you don’t like cyclists going through red lights, support cycling infrastructure": Cyclists jumping lights spark debate; Van der Poel's terrifying uphill sprint; Doughnut shop can't open due to World Champs; Creepiest bike + more on the live blog

Time to bring back this old adage from the road.cc way of news: "Getting on a bike does not make you a saint", so it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise or a shock that cyclists sometimes jump traffic lights, as evident by this viral video on Twitter from yesterday.

Fellow #cyclists, please respect pedestrian crossing esp. when someone is pushing a buggy. pic.twitter.com/dvwM6Odsoi

— SanjayLalwani 🌍🚴 (@i_SanjayLalwani) August 3, 2023

Just as a refresher of the Highway Code: Pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, motorcyclists, cars, vans, and HGVs, in that order.

At the next signal I caught up with all the three riders!

— SanjayLalwani 🌍🚴 (@i_SanjayLalwani) August 3, 2023

for every 1 cyclist there are 100+ drivers breaking the HWC.

— SanjayLalwani 🌍🚴 (@i_SanjayLalwani) August 3, 2023

But of course, as we know, Amsterdam — one of the best cities for cycling in the world, has in the past experimented with doing away with traffic signals altogether, and with some success.

Until 2016, one of the Dutch capital’s busiest intersections at Sarphatistraat-Alexanderplein was controlled by traffic lights, with cyclists, the predominant users in Amsterdam as in a lot of Dutch cities.

The test was part of a larger mobility strategy across the city to make more room for cyclists and pedestrians, meaning limiting access and space for private vehicles. The new setup forced people to engage with their surroundings: Instead of relying on traffic lights, they now relied on their own abilities and the cues of others.

Over the period of a year, it was seen that cyclists had become more aware of their surroundings and of other road users. In less than two weeks, the evolution was already observed on Alexanderplein.

Delay times were reduced and safety remained unaffected, showing that regulation can lead to responsible and alert road users. It was so successful that the pilot was extended and a few months later the lights were completely removed, and even led to the junction’s redesign.

And not just completely doing away with traffic signals, I'm sure the presence of a segregated cycle lane cannot be stressed enough for increasing the safety of both cyclists and pedestrians, as pointed out by road safety expert Adam Bronkhorst.

Traffic signals are for the management motor traffic. The best cycling in NL avoid having them anywhere near cyclists!

— The Ranty Highwayman (@RantyHighwayman) August 4, 2023

But the question is if Netherlands did it in 2016, in a country where the cycling revolution kicked off in the 1970s, how far behind is the UK where we'll get to see Dutch levels of not only riding, but also safety for all road users?

I do not jest, this is real!

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has asked over 50s to consider getting jobs as takeaway delivery riders, as the Conservative Government looks to get more older people who aren't working back into a career.

He also suggested businesses to opening up flexible jobs normally aimed at younger people to those closer to the retirement age, asking firms to try and attract older workers back into jobs and ensure they feel at home.

Speaking on a visit to the food delivery firm Deliveroo’s headquarters in London, he told The Times: "What we’re seeing here is the ability to log on and off anytime you like, no requirement to have to do a certain number of hours over a certain period of time, which is driving huge opportunities. 

"From an employer’s point of view in a tight labour market, it’s absolutely essential if you want to access all the available talent that you provide as flexible an offer as you can."

Stride added that he "found himself identifying" with 51-year-old Abdul Javaid, a Deliveroo rider and a grandfather based in Kingston upon Thames in southwest London, who had lost 10kg since taking up the job.

Suffice to say, people aren't happy.

Cheeky Bas***d - Worked 43 years non stop and was not given the salary and ridiculous “ uncapped expensive “ this idiot and the “ Westminster Club “ get. Thanks god this lot will be ousted at the next election.

Unfortunately the best of a bad bunch will take over. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ https://t.co/t9Gq20zYIH

— Robert Dixon (@gbdixor) August 4, 2023

"we've failed you as a government, why don't -you- work harder?"

— DCharlie (@DCharlieUK1) August 3, 2023

As always, the nature of the comments hasn't stopped the gifted comedians from having a laugh.

Maaaaaaate

— MadameCholet (@PurpleDon1973) August 2, 2023

The Tories' latest idea: over-50s to become delivery bike riders....#strideout #sunakout #toriesout #toriesunfittogovern #toriesbrokebritain pic.twitter.com/gsa1fjCdBO

— Mike D - London, Europe (@MikeDLondon) August 3, 2023

And thanks to AI, we have this fever-dream picture too.

Aspirational Britain… I can tell you as someone who is nearing 50, the last thing I want to do is drag my knackered arse around on a bike delivering pizzas all day. @MelJStride proving he is just another insulting, privileged prick in the cesspit of Tories. #ToriesOut #SunakOut https://t.co/FXasP1lgpU pic.twitter.com/XC1p935Hzq

— Excluded and Forgotten (@AndExcluded) August 3, 2023

Problems only cyclists will understand. You save up to buy your dream bike, which happens to be a Specialized (hey, I'm not judging you), you order it online but to save a few bucks on your expensive bike, you end up doing a 'click-and-collect' delivery. But after getting to the store, you realise you'd have to get it home, somehow.

Somehow, being, using a hire bike. To carry your brand new home. On your back.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jerry of the Day™ (@jerryoftheday)

UCI, pro cycling's governing body met for its 192nd Congress yesterday at Glasgow, currently hosting the first-ever multi-disciplinary Cycling World Championships in history.

It also marked the first time that a meeting was joined by a record 151 UCI member National Federations, as the body also officially welcomed American Samoa to take the total number of National Federations to 203. 

But everyone knew what was going to be the biggest story from the event: the unveiling of the host nations for the upcoming World Championships. And the unveiling has a lot of people unhappy. Why, you ask?

A few weeks ago I was interviewed by @nygaardbn @weekendavisen about cycling, sport and politics. He asked how I viewed the future regarding autocratic regimes interest in cycling and how UCI would respond. Today @UCI_cycling gave some answers by awarding hosting rights to 🇸🇦🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/zHa9DRKDmC

— Stanis Elsborg (@StanisElsborg) August 3, 2023

To list it out, five out of the 14 events over the next five years will take place in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE), including the 2028 UCI Road World Championships in Abu Dhabi, the 2028 UCI Gravel World Championships in Alula, and the 2029 UCI Track World Championships in Abu Dhabi again.

UCI's President David Lappartient wrote: "Spanning from 2024 to 2030, cycling is coming to a country near you and we’re incredibly excited to bring the sport to new audiences."

Philippa York, Scottish cycling legend and Tour de France mountains jersey winner, was critical of the decision right off the bat: "How are UAE and the Saudis going to cope with all the rainbows as being lgbtq is criminalised in those countries??"

"Not just lgbtq , people of colour too . Another happy welcome for those pesky Eritreans in the making," she continued, after the Visagate debacle in which three Eritrean riders were reportedly refused a Visa by the UK Home Office for the Glasgow World Champsionships.

She highlighted the issues with racism, social prejudices, and women's rights as well.

Women’s rights also https://t.co/CGB6dGEWog

— Philippa York (@pippa_york) August 3, 2023

Another person commented: "So UCI are happy to turn a blind eye to the abysmal human rights record of middle East countries because they want lots of dirty money in their bank account Not a good look at all."

Qatar already had the World Championships in 2016, and it's not like cycling lacks the presence of petrochemical autocracies in the first place, so does the decision really come as a shock to anyone?

What's next? Team NEOM-Visma??

Pippa, brace yourself for a lot of monochrome filters! 😳🤷‍♂️🙈

— david brodie 🥃 (@davidjbrodie) August 3, 2023

UCI's President David Lappartient has revealed that he will be riding the Gran Fondo World Championship race along with hundreds of other cyclists, to take place later today.

Along with hundreds of fellow passionate cyclists, I’ll be participating in the Gran Fondo today as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

Best of luck to all of the competitors! #GlasgowScotland2023 | @CyclingWorlds pic.twitter.com/RdbpdQIg8D

— David Lappartient (@DLappartient) August 4, 2023

A Glaswegian doughnut shop, called 'Tantrum Doughnuts', has said that it is "unable to open" due to road closures courtesy of the UCI World Championships taking place right now, despite being "promised business access" by the Glasgow City Council.

"Unfortunately we won’t be able to open our Gordon Street shop today. We were promised business access to drop off the doughnuts in the early hours this morning, but after 3 hours of trying to get in we couldn’t even get remotely close to the shop!" wrote the doughnut shop account on Facebook.

"We’re trying to figure out what to over the next week as we are devastated - this was going to be a busy and exciting week for the City Centre," it continued, informing that the west end and south side shops will stay open for business as usual.

The post has drawn sympathy from its regulars customers on social media, and even enraged a few of the locals against the council even more, which ironically has become public enemy number one in the Scottish city.

"I hope the council will be held accountable for this, but somehow they'll blame contractors or someone else for their lack of forward planning. It reminds me of cop 26 when we were all promised access to walking routes and deliveries, etc, but come the day... Access denied. It's mind over matter. They don't mind and we don't matter. Good luck with access during these events," read one comment.

Another person wrote: "Glasgow City Council screwing over businesses again...really sorry to read this... I hope something can be sorted so you can provide excellent doughnuts for regulars and tourists alike."

This is the first time all disciplines of cycling championships are being hosted in one city at the same time, making Glasgow the first host of the major historic event. However, in the months prior, a bitter brawl has brewed between the council and the residents over traffic restrictions and car park closures.

> Furious locals blast “absolutely ridiculous” decision to close car parks for UCI Cycling World Championships time trials

While in some cases residents were able to secure compromises with the council, as evident in the case of the para-cycling championships in Dumfries where the council tweaked the timings of the event to enable those who live in Summerville Crescent to access the street through the supermarket’s carpark, the general consensus, to use a broadest of broad generalisation, hasn't been well.

Just earlier this week, locals slammed the council for road restrictions to be put in place for the Gran Fondo event taking place later today, with some residents plotting a "100-mile diversion" they would need to take just to cross town during the event.

While the loss of business would surely come as a setback for Tantrum Doughnuts, who find themselves in a peculiar jam and have all the right to throw... a tantrum (you know it was coming), there's always the chance that locals, regulars, and tourists pop into one of their two other outlets to have a bite (or more) of what seems to be genuinely good doughnuts from the reviews.

And some good news for potential customers is that they are offering 25 per cent off of purchases of six or more doughnuts, just today. I can report that if Bex Francis' comment under the Facebook post is to be trusted, they do "fancy a tantrum" and will be "buying them all" with the discount on offer. I could tell you I'd fancy one right about now.