Cyclists told to “stick to cycle lanes” filled with parked cars; Premier Tech joins Alpecin as new co-title sponsor; Cycling coverage won’t change as Netflix set to take over Warner Bros Discovery + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Hull County Council will give 800 children a free set of bike lights and a hi-vis rucksack covers
Bike Lights for Dark Nights initiative (Credit: Hull County Council)
Supported by Safe Roads Humber, the Bike Lights for Dark Nights initiative will give 800 children a free set of bike lights and a hi-vis rucksack covers, in addition to bike training through Bikeability.
The council’s Bikeability programme for Year 6 students was recognised as being the best in England this summer.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council, said:
“Bike Lights for Dark Nights has proven to be an incredibly popular and positive initiative, and we are delighted that, this year, we can focus on encouraging and nurturing good road safety habits in our young people.
“Our Bikeability training programme has been recognised nationally as one of the best, so it seemed like a natural progression to align this with our bike lights message for those children taking part in schools between November 2025 and January 2026.
“We’d like to take the opportunity to thank our schools, our cycle training providers and our partners, Safer Roads Humber and the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside, for their ongoing support in trying to make our city’s roads a safe place for everyone.”
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Bikeability training (copyright Britishcycling.org.uk)
The initiative has previously involved ‘pop-up’ public events on key commuter routes and junctions, giving roadside advice and handing out free bike lights and hi-vis rucksacks.
Almost 1,200 sets of bike lights and around 900 hi-vis rucksack covers have been distributed.
This is also part-funded by the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside.
Jonathan Evison, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Following the success of the initiative last year, I am pleased to be supporting Bike Lights for Dark Nights in 2025 in our Hull schools.
“It is really encouraging to see the focus this year being on young people and educating them on the importance of road safety.”
Just bikes, chaos, and questionable helmets... back when cycling the Tour de France "wasn’t so serious"
Back when cycling the Tour de France wasn’t so serious pic.twitter.com/yCmdROBgWO
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) December 5, 2025
Teazelbtc said, “lol, those were the days!! ? Imagine riding with a pipe…wild. ?”
Princeolatun added: “Those old Tour de France clips? Absolute gold, riders in sketchy wool kits, crashing into crowds like it’s a bar brawl on bikes.
Considering buying some trail flat shoes?
Read this review by Rebecca Bland for the Crankbrothers Stamp Trail Lace Flat Shoes.
She said, ” Their overall comfort is great and if you like laces they’re a very good choice. However, I’m not sure the MC2 rubber sole is quite soft enough to deliver great grip and the price might also be off-putting.”
Read more here: Crankbrothers Stamp Trail Lace Flat Shoes
Premier Tech joins Alpecin as new co-title sponsor in 2026
2023 Alpecin-Deceuninck MerciPoupou jersey
The Canadian firm Premier Tech has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Alpecin–Deceuninck, becoming the team’s co-title sponsor.
From 2026, Mathieu van der Poel’s squad will rebrand as Alpecin–Premier Tech, while the WorldTour Women’s team will adopt the name Fenix–Premier Tech.
Although Deceuninck will step down as title sponsor from 2026 onwards, the Belgian window and door manufacturer will continue to support the organisation.
Alpecin has also extended its backing for a further two years, with an option for a third.
Eduard Dörrenberg, CEO and Managing Partner of the Dr. Wolff Group, said:
“Renewing our commitment for an additional two years, with an option for a third, reflects our strong belief in the team’s vision and in the values we have built over time. We look forward to shaping the next chapter of this journey side by side.”
Alpecin has been the team’s title sponsor since 2020, while Deceuninck joined in 2022 when the organisation stepped up to the WorldTour.
The announcement comes after Premier Tech ended its partnership with Israel–Premier Tech in the autumn, following widespread protests against the team’s participation in races such as the Vuelta a España.
The team has since rebranded as NSN Cycling Team and will race under a Swiss licence and be based in Spain.
This will be a “joint venture” between international sports and entertainment company Never Say Never (NSN) and global investment platform Stoneweg.
"No, it's not a vape"...
So I only bought one thing in this year’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday retail nonsense, and it’s pretty neat. No, it’s not a vape.
— Martin D (@unixmaisonette.com) 5 December 2025 at 11:03
Martin D on Bluesky posted a photo of a new electric bike pump, joking “no, it’s not a vape”, leading to commenters joking about it’s actual use.
Scot commented: “A vape with PSI ? For when you need every square inch of your lungs to feel it.”
Lizzie guessed correctly, “My first thought was definitely vape, but actually it looks like a genuinely useful bit of cycling kit (battery operated compressor?)”
If you also want to invest in an electric bike pump, Emily Tillett has written about the best electric bike pumps on the market.
“Who are you punishing? An 11-year-old out with his mum?” Cyclists say “anti-bike rhetoric” behind sabotage on popular New Zealand trails, putting hundreds of children at risk – but residents claim riders are “causing others harm”
Cyclists in New Zealand have claimed that “anti-bike rhetoric” is behind a recent surge in vandalism on a number of popular mountain biking trails, where ‘traps’ have been appearing in recent weeks amid a long-running conflict between riders and walkers.
Cycling coverage won’t change as Netflix set to take over Warner Bros Discovery
TNT Sports (credit: TNT Sports)
Netflix has agreed to buy the film and streaming businesses of Warner Bros Discovery, the parent company of TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland, and Eurosport in Europe for $72bn.
This will not include TNT Sports and Eurosport as the deal is for WBD’s streaming and studio business, not its networks.
In June the company was segregated into two separate businesses: streaming and studios and global networks.
Fans will continue to have to use TNT to watch cycling in the UK and Ireland, and Eurosport in Europe.
TNT became the home of live cycling this year, after Eurosport was closed down in the UK. The end of ITV’s free-to-air coverage was met with complaints from fans over the £30.99 a month fee.
8 expensive upgrades to make you faster and more comfortable (and some budget-friendly alternatives)
Upgrading your bike is a brilliant way to make it faster, more comfortable and sometimes even both.
Liam Cahill has written about the upgrades he has found that will transform your cycling experience.
Work on the new section of Newham Cycle track is underway
So smooth ? and what a massive improvement this will be for people walking and cycling. The #OlympicLegacy is finally paying off!
— Newham Cyclists (@newhamcyclists.uk) 5 December 2025 at 13:13
Surfacing is now underway at the newest section of the Westfield Ave cycle track. As Newham Cyclists highlight on BlueSky, this will be “a massive improvement” for “people walking and cycling”.
This is part of the £12m investment to support walking and cycling to and from Westfield Stratford City, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Hackney.
Once it is complete in 2026, it will have transport links to support walking and cycling, including wider pavements; a segregated cycle track; extra cycle stands; improvements to crossings; and the addition of 60 new trees, 31 rain gardens, and 15 planting beds.
About the first stages of the plan, Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said: “t’s a major milestone in our vision for Stratford as we future-proof Newham and transform it to become the fairest, greenest and most exciting borough in London.”
Shazia Hussain, Chief Executive of LLDC, also said: “More trees, fewer cars and dedicated space for cyclists and pedestrians make this a fitting and welcoming area for all.”
The project is an initiative between Newham Council, the LLDC, the GLA and Transport for London.
“What did we have to do with it? We were a cycling team”: Israel-Premier Tech “lost out for political reasons”, claims sports director, after Palestine protests which painted riders and staff as “indecent”
“Yes, we were named Israel, but from a sporting perspective, the owner has a great passion for cycling… We’d pass under the finish line and they’d give us the finger, they’d shout at us. It became clear that cycling is easier to target”
Award-winning Worcester bridge celebrates 330,000 active travel journeys as it turns one
Kepax Bridge first anniversary (Credit: Worcestershire County Council)
Opened a year ago today by Paralympic gold-medallist Rebecca Redfern MBE, Kepax Bridge in Worcester celebrates its first anniversary of being “one of the city’s most popular walking, wheeling and cycling routes.”
The bridge, which has provided a safe, scenic and accessible link between Gheluvelt Park and St John’s, has had more than 330,000 crossings recorded.
The £16m bridge connects the two parks across the River Severn, as part of a wider plan to enhance Worcester’s walking, wheeling and cycling network.
It allows users to enjoy a figure-of-eight route along the River Severn, from Diglis Bridge in the south to Sabrina Bridge near the city centre.
When it was first opened, local charity Worcester Snoezelen, who provide leisure and recreational opportunities for local people with disabilities, said the new bridge has been a game changer for those who rely on the charity for support.
The bridge has also won an award at the Structural Steel Design Awards, and was named Project of the Year 2025 at the CECA Midlands award.
A fully electric passenger ferry, with space for 100 bicycles, has launched on the Thames… at £5.90 for a single
⛴️ Orbit Clipper is here: a fully-electric, zero-emissions ferry across the Thames. Journeys are every 10 minutes from each side on weekdays, and every 15 minutes on weekends. Getting around South East London just got easier.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@london.gov.uk) 5 December 2025 at 13:24
A fully electric passenger ferry, with space for 150 passengers and 100 bicycles has been launched on the River Thames.
The Orbit Clipper will plug in and charge overnight, and carry passengers between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe every 10 minutes from each side on weekdays, and every 15 minutes on weekends.
However, as still last points out on BlueSky, “According to the Thames Clipper’s ticket page, the single fare booked online is £5.90.
“Note that the Mayor below doesn’t mention the fare.”
According to Google Maps, the journey would cost £2 on the Tube.
This is working towards the target of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2035 and achieving net zero by 2050.
Sadiq Khan Santander cycles 10-year anniversary
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: “This is a fantastic new transport option for Londoners – not only cleaner and greener than its predecessor, but providing quicker and more accessible journeys across the river for far more people.
“Innovation and investment in travel infrastructure like this will help us navigate the challenges facing our environment and our economy as we continue building a fairer, greener, better London for everyone.”
Heidi Alexander cycling with Will Norman (Credit: @Heidi_Labour on Twitter)
On Bluesky, Will Norman, London’s Walking & Cycling Commissioner, said: “Delighted to join [The Mayor of London] to launch London’s first fully electric cycling & walking ferry.
“Crossing the Thames between Rotherhithe & Canary Wharf, it carries up to 100 bikes and helps connect up two of the UK’s busiest bike lanes.
It comes ahead of London hosting the World Triathlon Championship Series next July.
Ruth Daniels, CEO at British Triathlon, said, “With space for up to 100 bikes, the Orbit Clipper gives triathletes, commuters, tourists and anyone travelling across London a greener, more convenient way to get around.”
‘Ow much? Tadej Pogačar’s Tour de France-winning Colnago Y1Rs fetches staggering $190,500 at auction – over $170,000 above estimate
Some lucky (and extremely wealthy) young cycling fan could be in for a real treat on Christmas morning, after arguably the greatest stocking filler of them all – Tadej Pogačar’s Tour de France-winning Colnago – sold at auction on Friday afternoon… for $190,500.
Told to "stick to the cycle lanes"? What about when cars are parked in them?
In a video posted by Niall Taylor on Facebook, he complains: “Cyclists are told to stick to the cycle lanes ???
“We can’t when cars are parked in them ?♂️.”
Baa.Garden.Services commented on the risk of overtaking, “Are you supposed to pull out when a car is overtaking you? That car] swerved to avoid you.”
Martine Brierley replied, “This is why non fully segregated cycle lanes don’t work. It makes car drivers think they are in a separate lane when in fact, they are still sharing the lane with the cyclists, for reasons shown in the video.”
Photographsofahandsomewhippet also commented on the non-segregated cycle path, “It’s time to do away with those ridiculous paint marks. They do absolutely zero to protect cyclists; indeed, they do the opposite by allowing some vehicle drivers to indulge their own sense of entitlement to road space.
“The only cycle lane worth having is one that is entirely segregated from motorised traffic. Anything else increases danger.”
However, depressingly predictably, a couple of the comments decided the answer to all this is… ROAD TAX FOR CYCLISTS!
Christopher Lloyd-Baron said, “Considering the vast amounts of road tax these cyclists pay, perhaps we should ban all parking on every road for cars.”
Good ol’ Facebook…
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@chrisonabike Mercedes was acceptable, but the second one (old Toyota people carrier/ex-taxi) was a prosecutable offence.
I wasn't saying that nor talking about people who say that. I said it was silly to claim that wearing a helmet indicates acceptance of dangerous driving and poor infrastructure. I choose to wear a helmet; I also regularly report dangerous driving to the police and correspond with councils and road authorities about ways infrastructure could be improved for cyclists. I rather doubt I'm the only helmet wearer who does so.
@JamieT (a pedant writes) she's a London Assembly member, not an MP.
@Rendel Harris ".....but the claim that wearing one is somehow to be accepting dangerous driving and poor infrastructure is silly." Not that silly. Demanding that cyclists wear a helmet is seen by many people as 'the answer' to cycling safety, so there's no need to put in infrastructure. The difference between infrastructure and helmets is that infrastructure works. Helmets are a distraction from what really works, and the more time we spend talking about them, the less time we spend on things that do work. Helmets should be consigned to the dustbin of history as a failed experiment, and we should cease even mentioning them.
@Mr Blackbird Hats off to George Hall My hat's not coming off- despite this touch of cycleway-washing, Hall still bears the Mark of Cain, until he repudiates his party altogether
Perhaps an article showing a) what is available in the uk as cargo bikes and) comments from real life scenarios from those already using bikes or cargo bikes as one gentleman has done in the comments. Perhaps road.cc could follow up with this. Even the London Assembly member said not every business should use cargo bikes but suggested a more nuanced approach suitable for certain trades or companies....
@mdavidford Clearly the end of the sentence got deleted by mistake and it's meant to finish "...devices in their pockets."
30 thoughts on “Cyclists told to “stick to cycle lanes” filled with parked cars; Premier Tech joins Alpecin as new co-title sponsor; Cycling coverage won’t change as Netflix set to take over Warner Bros Discovery + more on the live blog”
“The parked cars force Niall
“The parked cars force Niall to move out into the road, meaning other vehicles have to overtake him with even more distance.”
1) “… meaning DRIVERS have to overtake him…”
2) And it shouldn’t even be a case of “… overtake him with even more distance…”.
Just because a cyclist might be in a lane with a marking, that lane (like this one) may be very narrow, meaning any drivers overtaking could be too close for comfort.
None of us would like drivers of large/heavy vehicles passing us at speed with only inches to spare.
Never mind “…*have* to
Never mind “…*have* to overtake him…”! Because it’s a cyclist you see!
It is really encouraging to
It is really encouraging to see the focus this year being on young people and educating them on the importance of road safety
Perhaps the utterly useless and now obsolete Police and Crime Commissisioner will now turn his attention from the 10 year-olds to educating the drivers who will be close-passing, otherwise endangering and occasionally KSI’ing them, regardless of whether they’re wearing helmets and Hi-Viz, in the years to come- if they ever actually venture out onto the roads against the wishes of the police. His even more useless Lancashire counterpart could start with this morning’s United Utilities offender, or this twin-cab pickup (up there with Audi and BMW drivers around here, for selfish and thoughtless behaviour) driver- because the B*****d Police won’t!
https://upride.cc/incident/sr17lhv_hilux_closepass/
I often feel that lanes that
I often feel that lanes that are just divided by paint encourage closer overtaking. If you’re driving and can see a white line in your wing mirror you know you’re within your lane and you then feel that it’s okay to overtake, but doing so can mean that you are within 1.5m so in fact you are too close.
I often cycle over the Itchen bridge in Southampton and it isn’t possible for a vehicle to overtake a cyclist in the cycle lane, remain on the left side of the central white line, and give 1.5m space, but yet they all do it.
Evidence from academic
Evidence from academic research supports your point of view – painted cycle lanes are 34% more dangerous than nothing.
That does make sense. If you
That does make sense. If you cycle between the white line and the kerb you are not in the primary position. It’s better to cycle just to the right of the white line.
RE: Hull council and lights
RE: Hull council and lights giveaways. This kind of “feel good” stuff does happen in more enlightened (aha) places – even in NL. But there, they also give children safe places to cycle and indeed fix it so they can actually get around independently, *even if it means slightly less convenience for motorists*!
Baa.Garden.Services wrote:
It’s a valid comment: it is a change of lane, and the cyclist should do the approropiate rear view and give consideration to traffic in the lane they are joining. You can see he signals, and the driver does give a clear pass.
It is entirely predictable on the driver’s part. The driver has a much better view of the situation, understanmd the lane is blocked and the difficulty the cyclist then has, and accommodate the cyclist moving out and back. Barely a blip on their progress if they look beyond the end of their bonnet.
I’d have looked over my
I’d have looked over my shoulder before moving out, but otherwise I don’t think the comment is particularly valid. There’s zero evidence that the driver swerved, and it’s clear that the signal and manoeuvre were executed before the overtake.
But it does raise another point, which is that it’s best not to go in the cycle lane at all if parked cars are going to force you into the main lane. You’re safer holding your line. It depends on the distance between parked cars, of course.
it’s best not to go in the
it’s best not to go in the cycle lane at all if parked cars are going to force you into the main lane
My policy also. The joke (except it’s not that funny) cycle lane paint line can be used to distance yourself from the kerb, except where the parked vehicles come further out.
If a cycle lane is regarded
If a cycle lane is regarded as a seperate lane when you need to move out of it, that’s just another way in which they are more dangerous than just riding in the road.
Whilst I appreciate the bike
Whilst I appreciate the bike lights and hi-viz give away, I wonder how much that cost.
Not a huge amount given the limited numbers.
I’m wondering if something akin to this could be done for drivers.
ie, issue a copy of the updated highway code to every driver (/household) and require them to re-do their theory and hazard perception tests if it has been more than 5 years since they passed.
Given the number of drivers in the country I realise this is vastly more costly than the light/hi-viz give away, but iit would massively improve road safety and the returns (money saved with fewer KSIs) would be astronomical.
mitsky wrote:
It would also be a good opportunity to distribute their driving helmets.
mitsky wrote:
The main cost by far will be the time for the people doing this. (Unless it’s entirely voluntarily run).
What I’d love to see is actual police giving away freebies to hundreds of drivers in the area. Even “words of advice” (free!). Anything to remind people that there are consequences to *choosing* to drive. (Well… there would be, if we enforced the rules as stated – so perhaps this is “fooling people that there are consequences”…).
But of course *that* would be extremely costly. Probably even more so than building enough suitable cycle infra so there’s less risk from drivers who “just didn’t see”.
Which every year quite a number of people manage to do even if cyclists are covered in lights and reflectives. Or indeed in broad daylight.
Never use a murder strip.
Never use a murder strip. Parked cars , debris , drains , junctions. Never use a murder strip.
That’s not a murder strip,
That’s not a murder strip, though, is it? I thought a murder strip was a cycle lane running alongside parked cars, encouraging cyclists to cycle in range of dooring?
As I understand it a murder
As I understand it a murder strip is any painted cycle lane less than 1.5m wide (the recommended MINIMUM width for a cyle lane). I will only use them as filter lanes.
The “Door Zone” has been,
The “Door Zone” has been, variously, defined as anywhere from 3 ft to 1.5 m. (or more!), which, if you adhered to, would make cycle lanes anywhere from a couple of inches wide to just an illusion!
To be fair, many of them are
To be fair, many of them are just an illusion.
Much nicer ones out here,
Much nicer ones out here, usually at least 2m wide and installed on many roads that don’t really need one as there is virtually no traffic.
Though you do have to move out frequently at this time of year as the farmers are drying their rice crop ??
If motorists stopped killing
If motorists stopped killing and injuring thousands of people every year, the cyclists might take their orders seriously.
Really good to see the Hull
Really good to see the Hull council initiative. Ive seen far too many kids out on bikes with inadequate lighting. To the point that over the years I have stopped kids twice and given them lights to ride with. Once when I was cycling and I had a second light rear light I kept in my saddle bag and another when I was in my car. If it saves 1 child from being hurt its more than helped.
I keep looking out for good
I keep looking out for good deals, but not Ali Express crap. Our city gave away lights, but they took two AA cells. I doubt any of them ever got a new set after the originals died.
I have a few sets now at under $10, USB rechargeable, that I keep for giving away.
Is it Groundhog Day? Two live
Is it Groundhog Day? Two live blogs in a row with -4-december in the URL.
Why I notice things like that, I have no idea.
Ah,a 4×4? Or would they need
Ah,a 4×4? Or would they need to continue for another 2 days.?
Photographs of a handsome
That took me a while. Maybe usernames / handles should have some formatting?
Zero emissions at the back of
Zero emissions at the back of a vehicle doesn’t mean zero pollution. From a 2-quid Tube ride to a ferry passage at £5.90. What a bargain! Go green, go broke, thank you Mr Mayor.
Maybe councils should
Maybe councils should mandated to maintain these ‘cycle lanes’ before nature reclaims them.
Meanwhile in the US … https
Meanwhile in the US … https://www.facebook.com/reel/1253829569909486/
Photographsofahandsomewhippet
Agree they offer no protection, but on the other hand when there is one motorists will tend to leave enough room to filter down the nearside even if as a cyclist you have to be extra- or even hyper-vigilant when for example motor vehicles veer into it to go around other motor vehicles waiting in the road to turn right, or where there is for example a bus stopped on the other side of the road and motor vehicles are overtaking the bus, and where the advisory markings briefly (or not so briefly) run out where the road is deemed too narrow by the misguided local authority for the markings to continue. But it doesn’t stop close passes. On the contrary.
If the Met consistently enforced all close passes it would help a lot I suspect. It feels completely random whether they do or not. The last close pass I reported was where the advisory lines ran out, and the car had the company name on it and I got a good profile of the driver, and the company only had 2 directors and it was pretty obvious who it was. No action The next report I submitted was not a close pass but simply a van driver with no MOT on a road where no commercial vehicles are allowed who came up behind me and hooted me twice. Met taking action. Mystery.