Jeremy Vine shuts down councillor who blamed cycle paths for “destruction” of their town; Pedal Me appeal for help keeping staff warm between jobs; Ian Stannard retires due to rheumatoid arthritis; Doctors + nurses back LTNs + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Doctors and nurses express support for LTNs
More than 120 doctors and nurses have expressed their support for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and asked London Mayor Sadiq Khan to implement more traffic safety infrastructure. The letter backs plans for more LTNs across the capital and suggests the concern that many have raised of emergency service vehicles being unable to access incidents because roads are blocked off may not be valid.
The letter cites reduction in fatalities, tackling obesity and air pollution as three key reasons for further implementation of LTNs. It says: “We recognise the adverse impact that motor vehicles have on our patients and the broader community. We therefore strongly support the measures you have been putting in place.
“We are concerned that some of these valuable schemes have been removed, and consideration is being given to remove others. We would like to lend our support to TFLand council leaders across London to continue increasing the road changes to promote walking and cycling not removing them.”
LTNs have become more widespread across the capital since the first lockdown in the spring and often involve barriers, such as plant boxes, being placed in residential streets to prevent motorists from rat running to avoid main roads. The schemes have been widely praised for their efforts to reduce pollution and make streets safer for active travel. However, there has also been a vocal backlash from drivers whose journeys now take longer and some shop owners who claim it reduces custom to their businesses. Yesterday there was a debate in Parliament over the issue.
The full letter can be read here.
Ian Stannard retires due to rheumatoid arthritis
End of an era.
After a hugely successful career, British rider Ian Stannard has been forced to retire from professional racing due to rheumatoid arthritis.
Read the thoughts of Ian and Sir Dave Brailsford:
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) November 5, 2020
Team Ineos stalwart Ian Stannard has retired after a decade riding for the team. Stannard won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad two years consecutively in 2014 and 2015, and also finished on the podium at Paris-Roubaix in 2016.
Stannard said: “It’s disappointing to have to stop like this but it is clearly the right decision for my health and my family.
“We have explored all of the options this year to deal with my condition, and the team has been there with me every step of the way. I started to hope that I could manage the problem during lockdown, but as soon as I returned to racing I knew that my body wouldn’t be able to perform at any level anymore.”
Team doctor Richard Usher said: “Ian was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 12 months ago. It has caused him severe inflammation in the joints, and Ian has had pain in his wrists, knees and ankles. We have tried various treatments but ultimately Ian has taken the best decision for his long term health.”
Stannard is perhaps best known for the second of those Omloop victories where he somehow outfoxed Tom Boonen, Niki Terpstra and Stijn Vandenbergh to win from a four-man break. We never get bored of watching it…
Guidelines for media reporting of road collisions
How collisions are reported is obviously very important and can impact how cyclists and other more vulnerable forms of transport are treated by other road users. The draft Road Collision Reporting Guidelines has been produced by the Active Travel Academy in collaboration with representatives from national roads policing, legal, academic and media experts, the National Union of Journalists’ ethics council, RoadPeace, Cycling UK, and has the support of active travel and road safety organisations. The hope is that these new guidelines can prevent victim blaming and an acceptance of road danger – creating a safer environment for everyone who uses the roads.
As part of the consultation you can read the proposals and give suggestions and feedback here. The deadline for feedback is Sunday.
Free Lime rides for frontline workers in London
Frontline workers will be able to use e-bike and e-scooter hire from Lime for free, while lower income users can claim a 50%. The “Lime Aid” scheme hopes to help NHS and emergency services staff commute safely with unlimited 30 minute e-bike rides. Yesterday we reported that new data from Lime had shown a 253% increase in use of Lime’s bikes on London’s new cycle lanes between February and June. It also showed increases in use on existing cycle lanes and routes without cycle lanes.
Canyon announce limited edition Ultimate CF SLX
Designed by German artist and photographer Tino Pohlmann, the Canyon Ultimate Artist Edition 2020 features a 12-speed wireless SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset and CP10 cockpit. Only 50 Ultimate LTDs will be made and and it will cost €5,999 (£5,425). The artwork is designed by Pohlmann who has followed the Tour de France as a photographer for almost two decades.
Pedal Me ask for help keeping staff warm between jobs
Are there any London businesses based vaguely near Shoreditch, Kings Cross, Tottenham Court Road that would have space our staff could access to keep them warm while distributed, now that cafes have closed? https://t.co/TPSDiTEcjd
— Pedal Me (@pedalmeapp) November 5, 2020
Bike cargo and passenger company Pedal Me have appealed for help in keeping their staff warm between jobs, now that the UK is back in lockdown. With no cafes open and no base to shelter at, couriers will be forced to wait outside between jobs. Pedal Me staff transport passengers anywhere within a nine-mile radius of Greater London and also act as couriers for deliveries. However, with the onset of more wintery temperatures and nowhere to shelter indoors, they are now willing to pay a business near Shoreditch, Kings Cross, Tottenham Court Road can help keep their staff warm.
In June we highlighted the problem facing delivery cyclists who weren’t able to use resteraunt toilets during lockdown. How can bike couriers be better supported during this lockdown?
Netherlands cycling statistics
What does “Cycling For Everyone” look like?
The Dutch made 4.8 billion bicycle trips in 2019, covering 17.6 billion km, or 1,019 km per person.
Women cycle more than men, kids cycle more than adults, and older adults (65+) cycle more than young adults.https://t.co/ktOsBGpj6e pic.twitter.com/w2T9BbLBuG
— Modacity (@modacitylife) November 3, 2020
25km to go on Stage 15 of La Vuelta
🏁Etapa 15 – Stage 15 | #LaVuelta20
🎥🚴 @cattamat en solitario hacia el Alto de Padornelo / Cattaneo leads solo heading to the last climb of the day! ⛰️
👉https://t.co/zqaO4Bw62K pic.twitter.com/T3UX1CnL89
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) November 5, 2020
Deceuninck-Quick-Step’s Mattia Cattaneo has a 30 second lead ahead of the breakaway he left behind on the last climb of the day. That nine-man group contains Rui Costa, Luis Leon Sanchez and Guillaume Martin. The peloton with the GC favourites are 1:47 in arrears to Cattaneo. We have 4.5km of the climb left then a descent and a flat run to the line.
Some bad news on the road today was the abandon of AG2R Brit Harry Tanfield whose gruelling ascent of the Angliru as last man on the road on Sunday won him fans everywhere.
last man up the Angliru, British rider Harry Tanfield, 40 minutes behind British rider Hugh Carthy. beautiful views; brutal suffering. cycling in an image! pic.twitter.com/N512mVlWW2
— ricky (@veloricky) November 2, 2020
La Vuelta Stage 15 won by Jasper Philipsen
Philipsen in the fast lane 👀@jasperphilipsen #lavuelta20
— FloBikes (@flobikes) November 5, 2020
What a grim day to ride your bike in Spain. That looked tough, 230km and over 4,000m of elevation in miserable conditions. Jasper Philipsen was the man smiling at the end though. The UAE youngster beat Pascal Ackermann and Jannik Steimle on the uphill sprint to the line. Bahrain McLaren’s Fred Wright was fourth as all the GC favourites finished on the same time.
Insync Bikes welcomes decision to keep bike shops open
Manchester bike brand Insync has praised the government’s decision to class bike shops as “essential” and therefore allow them to continue trading during the lockdown. Insync have also announced that they plan to build 50,000 new bikes between now and Christmas.
Insync’s head of business Gopal Krishan said: “Allowing bike shops to remain open, as essential retailers, shows the significance of this form of exercise and should boost further the industry.”
Jeremy Vine responds to councillor who blamed cycle paths for "destruction of their home town"
By way of example, this post from a prominent Chiswick councillor talked today about cycle paths as a “triumph of evil” that have resulted in “the destruction” of her home town. pic.twitter.com/ii0XVF00Cz
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) November 5, 2020
Broadcaster and cyclist Jeremy Vine emphatically responded to Hounslow councillor Joanna Biddolph, who compared cycle paths to the “triumph of evil” and claimed they had caused the “destruction of their home town”. Vine’s reply also highlighted a west London church that had claimed a cycle superhighway would “do more damage than the Luftwaffe”. Vine explained that the exceptional levels of traffic near his home last night were not, as some anti-LTN groups have suggested, because of cycling infrastructure but instead because of unusually high levels of motor traffic.
“Disappointingly, a number of people have since used the exceptional traffic levels to argue that places like Chiswick, Kensington and Hammersmith should now rip out all their cycle lanes — which have only just been put in place after years of campaigning,” he said.
“Furthermore, the cycle lanes didn’t cause the traffic yesterday — they simply allowed some people to avoid it. If all the cyclists used 4x4s instead, the jams would have been even longer.
“Last night took things to a new level — drivers stuck in traffic, caused entirely by an excess of cars at a given moment, seeking to use their own behaviour to dismantle the tiny number of safe routes built for people who ride a bike.”
Addressing solely the issues arising yesterday, it is worth pointing out: shocking traffic and dangerous pollution have been a feature of London for decades. pic.twitter.com/ip3eLorcPf
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) November 5, 2020
It’s been pointed out to me that the local church also asked for people to pray that God would cancel the cycle lane pic.twitter.com/YOwFZpO6MO
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) November 5, 2020
5 November 2020, 09:33
5 November 2020, 09:33
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@Rendel Harris you've painted a rather alluring picture of social harmony there, but unfortunately you've got my name wrong. I'm Jack, not Nigel. However, to return the compliment, I must think of a story for you. I imagine you sat outside a pub, real ale and pipe propped on the adjacent table, in a similar fashion to Nigel Farage at his populist best. You turn to your wife. "You know what dear? I think I've been a bit harsh in my time. I've shunned the politeness and wisdom of others for too long and want to change my ways.* "There there Rendel", says Mrs Harris. "You're not a bad old stick, it's just living in London that's emptied your soul of kindness and compassion. I've found a lovely new place where we can settle down in our later years. It's on a leafy cul de sac, surrounded by friendly neighbours and smiling faces. There's a guy a couple of doors down, a remarkable man. As well as his towering intellect and rapier wit, he's also a keen cyclist, holding severa local KOMs. Don't be perturbed dear - he'll ride with anyone provided they show other road users the kindness and courtesy they deserve." Rendel turned emotionally, voice shaking. "Oh my dear, thank you for this second chance", and with that the rest of the pub goers turned and applauded the couple, throwing garlands of petals in their wake. The end.
As a Councillor, Edward needs to be paying some attention to all that parking obstructing visibility and manoeuvres at the junction, and sorting out those radii.
Ed Hill was chucked out by Reform in 2025, though TBF to him it was about how to run it rather than ideology I think. He is now reportedly closer to Advance UK, which is distinctly more extreme than Reform. I'd call this Alan Amos style attention seeking.
Emily, thank you for such an insightful piece. I’m a man, but I enjoy watching the women’s races, possibly more than the men’s. The racing is so much closer, we rarely know who’s going to win. You painted a wonderful picture of how a true champion is able to ‘rise above’ setbacks and distractions, and focus their energy on the task in hand. ‘All’s fair in live and war -and sport, but always good to hear riders expressing their admiration for their competitors
@Nigel Garage ...and then everyone applauded my courtesy and I waved courteously to all the people who were courteously throwing flowers and cheering and courteously waving flags that said "Nigel is the best!"
The picture from street view clearly shows give way lines from the roads to the green painted cycle/pedestrian lane. The road user should give way (or must...) to the user of the green lane. This would of course apply to any cyclist on the roadway.
If I recall there is a cave or two along the route - perhaps they were sheltering from the heat in one of those having taken it for a Golf bunker?
“So if there’s a cyclist travelling down the cycle path at the moment, from this position I can’t see them because my blind spots are too big on the left hand side of the vehicle”, claims Hill. Well, there's your problem, right there...🙄
First impression from the headline that he's likely a twit. Then the detail he was expelled from Reform makes you suspect that failing even their low bar requirements he really is. Then he clearly explains his vehicle is unsafe for the highway because he can't see to give way when turning. Any collision he now has should have that video run out explaining he drove a vehicle he knew to be unsafe. Advice for motorists; instead of thinking that pedestrians and cyclists are low risk 100kg objects, imagine them as a 300 Tonne trains that will crush you and your vehicle if you cross into their paths. You'd give way to the train, so you equally can to the others.
I've had a brief look on Facebook, and Ed Hill (who now appears to be affiliated with Advance UK) seems to have taken some useful road safety improvements under his remit, including an initiative to help local pedestrians on unpaved roads, where the wider council won't help due to planning failures. Regarding the cycle path, I think this is linked to a wider misunderstanding about giving way at junctions and I'm afraid I cannot agree with Mr Hill's conclusion. Regardless of the suitability of the cycle path, vehicles should give way at the junction to both pedestrians crossing and cyclists. It seems to be a poorly understood rule among motorists where some believe they have priority at junctions like this, where they certainly do not. I once had a similar issue myself, while leisurely walking to Waitrose to buy some lunchtime fripperies. A driver beeped their horn as I crossed the junction, despite me having priority, and was shocked and apologetic when I explained I had priority. A polite conversation later, the driver departed, educated and updated on the rules of the road.
7 thoughts on “Jeremy Vine shuts down councillor who blamed cycle paths for “destruction” of their town; Pedal Me appeal for help keeping staff warm between jobs; Ian Stannard retires due to rheumatoid arthritis; Doctors + nurses back LTNs + more on the live blog”
Ian Stannard! *claps*
Ian Stannard! *claps* monster engine and one of if not the best classics wins in the modern era.
Big fan of Stanno, very sad
Big fan of Stanno, very sad to hear the reason for having to retire as that’s going to be a real challenge to adjust to.
This is the sad bit of the
This is the sad bit of the statement for me :
” perform at any level anymore”. Seems to suggest any competitive riding is curtailed.
Bit maudlin but it conjured up visions of his kids (if he as any) learning to ride with him on the sidelines.
In addition to his own
In addition to his own highlights Stannard was part of the Sky squad behind Froome winning the Tour in 2013, 2015 and 2016 and the Vuelta in 2011 and 2017, and Cavendish winning the Worlds in 2011 (seems so long ago). And for most of those he was doing large amounts of the hard domestique yards – managing the breaks and dragging the peloton along for hundreds of kilometres. I generally don’t much like it when athletes are described as having been “a great servant to” a team or country, but in his case I think it’s well deserved. Thanks Yogi!
Yup – there was a mega London
Yup – there was a mega London-Surrey Classic shift he put in one year I seem to recall. Huge number of times he utterly buried himself for the team, which is why he’s been in contract for so long. If Luke Rowe’s the brains as road captain Stannard was the attack dog.
what was it about the traffic
what was it about the traffic yesterday, it was like everyone was out on one last drive before lockdown or something ?
I only experienced the early
I only experienced the early morning stuff, the bit before most shops were even open. And it was busier than I had seen since the before times.
This morning seemed kind of new normal, but had gone very dead by this evening.