Viral tweet sums up bizarre anti-cycling whataboutery; More “As a cyclist…” fun; Feel good Friday; Peloton share price plummets; Bike thief sentenced; Quick-Step build Remco’s Grand Tour dream team; EF partners with women’s team + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Tory peer blasts "nuisance" temporary cycle lanes...despite claiming to be a keen cyclist
Ladies and gents: “keen cyclist” The Lord Peter Cruddas. This guy even cringes at his own lie. Sad. pic.twitter.com/AOQ1BLGa2D
— The Department of Parks & Recreation 🦌 (@ldnparks) November 4, 2021
Yesterday it was a talkRadio caller justifying his subsequent anti-LTN rant with that familiar qualifying statement, “as a cyclist…”. Ediz, despite “cycling most places”, took issue with the “agenda” of LTNs pushing traffic away from one neighbourhood to another.
Sorry, Ediz, we’ve had a higher bid…a bid from the House of Lords in fact…
Lord Peter Cruddas is today’s “keen cyclist” suprisingly against cycling infra. He’s the founder of online trading company CMC Markets and was named the richest man in the City of London by the 2007 Sunday Times Rich List. The Lord was nominated for his peerage last year by a certain Boris Johnson (whatever happened to him?) and subsequently donated £500,000 to the Conservative Party.
That’s the background info, here’s the meat of what he said…
“To clarify, I am a keen cyclist myself and during the lockdown I even bought myself a new bicycle,” he told the House.
With that out the way, Lord Cruddas went on to make his main point…”To clarify my concerns, I am only referring to the temporary cycle lanes and if they become permanent they will be even more of a nuisance…in that context it seems to me that given the government has given emergency funding to TfL during the pandemic, there is an opportunity to contribute to any debate about their continued existence in a meaningful way.”
So…what do we make of that?
Viral tweet sums up bizarre anti-cycling whataboutery
It’s completely insane that cyclists can say something as simple as “I don’t want to die on my way to work” and drivers’ immediate instinct is to list every single time they ever saw a bike run a stop sign
— no i don’t actually live in new jersey (@urbaniconoclasm) November 3, 2021
This is one we’re all too familiar with…it’s the standard reply we see flooding in under anything to do with cycle safety. So much so it’s even got it’s own anti-cycling bingo tag…
This tweet struck a chord with many, @urbaniconclasm followed it up saying, “Drivers break laws constantly but somehow that’s not a justification for anything at all lmao. And holy shit don’t you DARE ever say you had to do a manoeuvre in response to a driver breaking a law…the correct response is for you to instead phase out of existence and rematerialize on the other side of the obstacle.”
I’m sure Jeremy Vine can relate to that particular point…yesterday the presenter was rolling along a London cycle lane when a bus driver overtook, immediately indicated and pulled in to the stop in front of him, cutting him up in the process. Jeremy, you should have “phased out of existence and rematerialized on the other side of the obstacle”, or, as many argumentative replies suggested, show more awareness of your surroundings and let the bus in?!
Here’s some of the reaction to the viral tweet…
“But I can’t take my elderly panda to their reiki appointments on a bike”
— Hannah 🚲 (@theeyecollector) November 3, 2021
If only drivers didn’t park in the bike lanes, cyclists wouldn’t need to go round them pic.twitter.com/sDDTBcRPwz
— Noon (@Noonkemp) November 4, 2021
Feel good Friday: Brazilian cyclist stops traffic to help elderly woman cross busy road at night
(Brazil) Cyclist stops traffic so elderly woman can cross busy road at night. Be kind. ❤😭 pic.twitter.com/D0wwDWy7e9
— GoodNewsMovement (@GoodNewsMoveme3) October 29, 2021
Right, let’s break up the negativity with something a touch more positive. GoodNewsMovement, a page dedicated to positive news stories only, shared this video from Brazil of a cyclist stopping traffic to help an elderly cyclist cross a busy road at night. It also gives you a peek at one of the country’s segregated cycle lanes…
Peloton plummets: Stock price plunges by 33 per cent in Friday pre-market trading
Peloton’s stock plunged by as much as 33 per cent in pre-market trading this morning after it posted bigger-than-expected losses and slashed its earnings outlook. Peloton stock closed at $86.03 per share last night, but was trading down 32.6 per cent at $57.98 this morning.
Business Insider reports the drop was partly influenced by the company announcing its disappointing first-quarter fiscal earnings, reporting a net loss of $376 million. The home exercise class brand also slashed its forecasts for sales and subscribers to between $4.4 billion and $4.8 billion, compared to an earlier prediction of $5.4 billion.
At the end of the summer, Peloton announced it would be slashing the price of its bikes after posting worsening losses for the fourth quarter of its 2020/21 financial year.
Suspended sentence for Cambridge bike thief who stole four bikes worth more than £3,000
A Cambridge bike thief who stole four bikes worth more than £3,000 has been sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for a year, after pleading guilty to four counts of bike theft at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court. James Peyton was caught on CCTV stealing bikes from Peas Hill, St Andrews Street and Trumpington Street between July 24 and September 23.
> “It makes you feel powerless” – victims in UK’s bike theft capital share their frustrations
The Ely Standard reports Peyton must also take part in an accredited thinking skills programme for 19 days and complete a rehabilitation activity requirement. PC Tim Everett insisted: “Cycle theft remains a priority for residents of and visitors to Cambridge city and we’re committed to catching those responsible and putting them before the courts.
“We’re also working alongside Camcycle to encourage those who love their bikes to ‘lock it and log it’ to keep their property safe.”
Patrick Lefevere: We have a long-term vision to fight for a Grand Tour overall victory
Deceuninck-Quick-Step are building their dream team to help Remco Evenepoel compete for Grand Tour victories, starting with the signing of Belgian climbing talent Louis Vervaeke from Alpecin-Fenix. Vervaeke finished 20th at the Giro this year and is expected to be one of the key pieces in the Evenepoel winning a Grand Tour jigsaw.
“We have a long-term vision to fight for a Grand Tour overall victory, and for that we also need strong helpers for the mountains,” Lefevere said. “Louis possesses a lot of qualities, can support our leaders on the climbs and can maybe go for his own chance whenever an opportunity arises. We hope to give Louis a nice environment in which he feels well and where he can further develop.”
Remco seems to be enjoying his off-season (and that Pizza Hut sponsorship)…
"It’s time for a new perspective"...EF Education First join as co-title partners of women's team
EF Education First is expanding its sponsorship for 2022, taking on co-title partnership of the TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank women’s team. All women racing for the team will be paid at least the men’s WorldTour minimum salary.
“We’re excited to be part of this team and to help these amazing riders reach their goals. The salary component is incredibly important to all of us, because it allows the riders to pursue the sport full-time,” said Maria Norrman, global chief of staff at EF Education First. “We can’t wait to help add the next chapter in this team’s great history.”
The team has lofty aspirations, led by former investment banker turned Canadian pro racer, Linda Jackson. Jackson says the team aims to be a top five WorldTour team within a few years and wants Olympians and world champions from the team too.
"Cyclists should stay off pavements"
“Cyclists should stay off pavements” pic.twitter.com/sDLaYPdWa7
— abperson 🇪🇺 (@abperson_cycle) November 4, 2021
I make that 18…
Do your worst...Billionaire Tory peer claims he's a "keen cyclist" before slagging off "nuisance" temporary cycle lanes
You lot didn’t disappoint with your reaction to Tory peer Lord Cruddas’ “keen cyclist” speech…
Bungle_52 said: “I will be quite happy to do without cycle lanes once 20mph is the default urban speed limit and motorists are punished sufficiently to protect me from inconsiderate, careless or dangerous driving. Until then…”
Chrisonatrike couldn’t help but notice “an excellent ‘back in your box’ from Baroness Vere” and that satire isn’t dead yet considering this line graced the chamber…”Did not the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea jump the lights by removing…”
Wycombewheeler decided to add some logic to the Lords debate (how dare you): “So he’s not talking about the existing permanant cycle lanes, those are OK, only the temporary ones, which are somehow not OK, but IF they do become permanant that would be even worse.”
You’ll have to sell a lot of shirts to tovertake Lord Cruddas…
Richard Freeman appeal hearing adjourned
Just when you thought you’d heard the last of it…the appeal against the decision to permanently strike Richard Freeman off the medical register has been adjourned, a new date has not yet been set. JMW Solicitors LLP is representing Freeman and made an application for an audio recording of the initial disciplinary hearing to be heard by the judge before the appeal took place. The General Medical Council objected to the request for the audio to be heard.
> Ex British Cycling and Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman to appeal being struck off Medical Register
In March, former British Cycling and Team Sky doctor Freeman was found guilty of ordering banned testosterone for an unmaned rider. He lodged an appeal a month later.
Peloton piss-taking...
You might think it’s impossible to crash a stationary bike but Peloton managed to do it pic.twitter.com/xACIhrO1mL
— Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) November 5, 2021
This is the best take on this morning’s Peloton share price plunge. End of.
RideLondon Classique to keep €100,000 prize pot for three-day format
The RideLondon Classique will keep its reputation for being one of the most lucrative races on the women’s racing calendar when it returns as a three-day format next year. VeloNews reports the race organiser plans to keep its €100,000 (£85,565) prize pot in 2022.
The Classique has been outgunned by the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift’s €250,000 (£213,956) total prize pot, however the three-day British race represents better euros per kilometre than any race on the women’s calendar.
“We absolutely intend to carry that through, it’s so important. It’s wrong to say we’re not having a men’s event and so we lower the prize money,” race director Hugh Brasher told VeloNews.
> “Thanks Essex, we love you, from Surrey x”: NIMBY locals love RideLondon relocation
The race hasn’t been held since 2019 due to Covid, but will return next year as part of RideLondon’s relocation to Essex.
Pop-up Croydon cycle lanes could be made permanent
Croydon Council wants to make its borough’s temporary cycle lanes permanent. Don’t tell Lord Cruddas…
The lanes were built during August 2020 with funding made available by TfL during the pandemic. The proposed lanes would be made permanent on the high street and Mint Walk where temporary versions have been in place since last summer.
A consultation on the changes is available on the council’s website and will run until November 18.
Top tier anti-cycling letter in local paper..."Listen to taxi drivers not car-hating cyclists on road closures"...(plus some refreshing replies)
This cracker of a reader letter in the York Press came to our attention today, and we’re so glad it did…John Zimnoch from Osbaldwick agreed with another letter (which argued active travel closures only shift traffic elsewhere) and said they cause extra pollution by increased time-delaying traffic jams.
His conclusion? “Better to listen to a taxi driver than a car-hating cyclist. It seems the only way to get things back to normal with sensible traffic plans is to vote the Lib Dem/Greens out at the first available opportunity. Common sense would then take over at Gillygate and Bootham – and some blue badge parking would be regained.”
John got some pushback by fellow readers, the aptly-named ‘Stop Complaining’ replied: “Other cars make it harder for taxis to navigate roads and traffic. What’s a good way of reducing the amount of cars on the road? Oh wait, more people cycling and walking.” I like Stop Complaining already…
HGV Driver added: “Looking around me, I see car after car, usually with one occupant, just going to work a mile or two up the road. The vast majority of which could cycle if it was more attractive. If more of those journeys were undertaken by other means, there would be more space for those who must use a car. Half term was a perfect example of how to reduce congestion!”
To infinity and beyond! said: “His letter doesn’t merit actual discussion of the subject, the use of the pathetic slur “car-hating cyclist” shows us where he’s coming from and it isn’t from a position of balance, consideration or validity. Dismissed.”
Thousands more Scots to benefit from return of free cycle repair scheme
Thousands of cyclists north of the border will be able to benefit from the return of a free cycle repair scheme. The Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme, coordinated by Cycling UK and funded by the Scottish Government, will enable free repairs of up to £50 per person to help people who would not otherwise be able to afford to get their bikes fixed.
Cycling UK is working with bike shops across Scotland to provide 20,000 free repairs and maintenance. Almost 200 bike shops, from Kirkcudbright in the south to Lerwick on Shetland are already signed up to the scheme, with many more expected to join.
Accessing the scheme is simple – just contact your nearest participating bike shop or mechanic and get your repair booked in.
All cycles are welcome in the scheme, including adults’ and children’s bikes, e-bikes and non-standard cycles such as trikes, tandems, cargo bikes and recumbents. People who use manual wheelchairs are also eligible to access free repairs.
The first phase of the scheme ran between August 2020 to May 2021, when 31,562 repairs were carried out by 332 cycle repair providers across Scotland. 77 per cent of participants used their repaired cycles for journeys previously done by car.
Suzanne Forup, Cycling UK’s head of development for Scotland, said: “This scheme will once more fix the nation’s flat tyres and loose brakes, to get people pedalling again. Finances are tight for many people at the moment, so the scheme is targeted at people who can’t easily afford to get their bikes fixed up.”
Wahoo Frontiers: Pete Kennaugh
Wahoo spent some time on the Isle of Man with former pro Pete Kennaugh to relive his journey as a pro rider, from the British Cycling development programme to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Tour de France-winning Sky team.
But the film is as much about Pete’s internal struggles as it is his success. He details his decision to walk away from the sport midway through the 2019 season, whilst living the “dream” for so many. The film fasts forward to 2021 with Kennaugh’s family on his home Isle and can be watched above and over on Wahoo’s YouTube.
5 November 2021, 09:04
Here's the full story on a particularly anti-cycle lane cyclist...
Billionaire Tory peer calls for removal of temporary cycle lanes in London
“Keen cyclist” Lord Cruddas, controversially appointed by Boris Johnson, appears not to share PM’s enthusiasm for bike lanes
5 November 2021, 09:04
5 November 2021, 09:04
5 November 2021, 09:04
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Latest Comments
Are you sure they weren't overshoes?
Winning GC is irrelevant, what a relief. The best thing about knowing Pogacar will most likely win GC, is that it frees us to focus on all the more interesting aspects the mountainous chess game that is the TDF. The real challenge for all (riders, teams and spectators) will be the hot weather. This might be the last TDF to be ridden in the heat of the afternoon. There will also likely be major climate protests against the rampant sports washing by fossil fuel corporate sponsors that defiantly continue as the core funding strategy of pro cycling, despite all evidence that their products are endangering the health of the greatest grandstand in all sport. Corporate surveillance and AI will not be far behind for protestors in coming years (if not this year), as a world on fire impacted by corporate greed and wilful ignorance towards the human rights of all earths citizens begins to bite; all whist cycling through some of the planets most glorious and endangered lands. The irony is palpable and the suspension of public disbelief seems about to crack. The onus is on the UCI to shift policy. Protests and epic TDF crowds could yet be the deciding factor in 2026.
I had very much enjoyed his rides around Birmingham previously.
A fine career from a great rider, backed by an exceptional team. I hope that we haven't lost him completely from the world of cycling. There were a few solo breakaways, when and where I cannot recall, but they were just great and for me unexpected.
The LBS had a few copies of this when I had to pop in a few weeks back, needed a new rim, grrr. It piqued my interest, I like exploring the Chilterns and beyond and I love cake. Almost purchased. But noticed that the ride description wasn't up to what I liked, and the maps are all navigation app based, not really suited to a luddite such as myself. So I'm going to have to stick to my 1p very tatty copy of Nick Cotton's 24 one-day routes in Berks, Bucks & Oxfordshire. Much less cake based mind, but suited to the way I ride, that and a few local OS explorers.
"Continental’s GP5000 S TR tyres are a stable in the pro peloton" Really? A stable? There's a thing...
It's trying to gazump everyone else in the claim to be 'the fastest bike ever' - what's faster than a bike that can only exist in a particle accelerator?
The writer's name is Ty (handy synchronicity for Ti ) Rutherford, hence Rf. I'd have to have a bike made of an alloy of silicon and tungsten, which does exist, but it's apparently used in computer chips rather than bike frames. Hey ho.
Very interesting, thank you for sharing! Hope you enjoy the bike! Have to ask though, I get the Ti as it’s a titanium frame. But why Rf, a notoriously unstable synthetic and highly radioactive element?
I’m surprised by some of the comments here. I’ve always found Le Col kit pretty decent, from Pro Aqua Zero jerseys to their bib shorts, especially the Pro range.
88 thoughts on “Viral tweet sums up bizarre anti-cycling whataboutery; More “As a cyclist…” fun; Feel good Friday; Peloton share price plummets; Bike thief sentenced; Quick-Step build Remco’s Grand Tour dream team; EF partners with women’s team + more on the live blog”
There is Tory scum and then
There is Tory scum and then there are I-rode-a-bike-once-Tory-scum…
And they apparently have no
And they apparently have no sense of shame and/or have memories like goldfish. Watching Rees-Mogg argue against the very point he was arguing for only the day before… <shakes head sadly>
brooksby wrote:
No, that’s just “professionalism”. He’s amply proved his worth to the government. Not only prepared to say that black is white on demand but happy to get up the next day and defend black being black since the other way “generated a certain amount of controversy”!
brooksby wrote:
Listening to a tory MP, Micheal Fabricant, being interviewed on R4 yesterday, and was interested to hear that they’re already rewriting history. According to him, it was labour’s fault for conflating the wish to revise the policing of MPs with the case of the individual crooked MP, Owen Paterson, not the government’s, even though it was the government that forced MPs to vote on a motion conflating the two.
His interview starts at 14:50 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00114n9
And their complaints that Mr
And their complaints that Mr Paterson never got right of appeal (even though he already had right of appeal, had appealed, and the committee had rejected his appeal).
This whole thing took two years of the committee’s time, its not like they ran their report off overnight.
Standard estate agency
Standard estate agency tactics. Say the exact opposite of the truth with as much confidence as possible. “Tiny grim one bed without a window” = “Cozy spacious flat”. So “I fought tooth and nail, lobbied my pals, appealed, and still lost even before a toothless committee of my peers because the evidence was so obvious” = “Totally unjustified persecution which I couldn’t appeal, affront to natural justice. I have done nothing wrong”.
At least Rees-Mogg can
At least Rees-Mogg can remember how many children he has and who is responsible for looking after them. I believe the answers are 6, and Veronica Crook, the nanny that brought him up too. Apparently her role even stretched to acting as a bodyguard when campaigning in Labour constituencies in his Bentley! https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/brexit/looking-back-when-young-jacob-rees-mogg-campaigned-scotland-his-nanny-1408562
Sigh
Sigh
In the interests of political
In the interests of political balance, and to avoid this website getting a reputation of being frequented by a bunch of lefty lycrists (I will get that word in the dictionary) I would like to say something in support of our current government policies.
Nope, sorry, can’t think of anything.
Of course I’m a keen cyclist.
Of course I’m a keen cyclist… why, I even bought a bike once, during lockdown.
Sorted out the NHS, too – every Thursday evening I sent one of the footmen out to clap in the courtyard.
Not long ago a Wyre Council
Not long ago a Wyre Council vehicle performed a close pass at speed on the Garstang Blackpool road. All on indisputable video. The response actually included ‘the driver is a keen cyclist himself’! If they’re telling the truth, the response and plan of action was much better than anything from Lancashire Constabulary: almost invariably nothing at all
wtjs wrote:
If they’re telling the truth, so that the driver knows a close pass to be unacceptable intimidation at best, doesn’t that evidence a low standard of driving competence not consistent with holding a license?
Let’s be honest, it is simply
Let’s be honest, it is simply a fact that a lot of drivers view cyclists as a “nuisance”, regardless of any specific context, and believe that we shouldn’t be inconveniencing them by being on the roads and definitely not by having some road space taken away to provide us with dedicated infrastructure.
True. It hasn’t occurred to
True. It hasn’t occurred to all those motorists who complain about the cycle lanes that if the cycle lanes weren’t there then the cyclists would be in the main traffic lane instead.
Jetmans Dad wrote:
“Get bikes out of the road” is an idea with a fascinating – if somewhat confused history. If you don’t already know Carlton Reid has done a lot of digging (including literally) on this in the last four years. http://www.bikeboom.info/cycletracks1930s/
Those same people also
Those same people also complain about cyclists racing like they are in the TdF! They now complain we’re cycling too fast…
So he’s not talking about the
So he’s not talking about the existing permanant cycle lanes, those are OK, only the temporary ones, which are somehow not OK, but IF they do become permanant that would be even worse.
He might as well say, “the permanant cycle lane that hels me get to the palace oif westminster is OK, but the other cycle lanes in places where I want to drive are unacceptable.”
wycombewheeler wrote:
Are you saying that you believe he does cycle?
Steve K wrote:
I searched on Strava but “No athletes with name lord peter cruddas found”.
Steve K wrote:
Let’s just say I am entertaining the possibility. After all Westminster is on a pretty good cycle super highway, and I doubt parking is easy nearby.
To an extent, if you cut
To an extent, if you cut through the rhetoric & waffle, he might just have a point.
The temporary lanes were brought in well over a year ago, theyve been trialled for all that time in various traffic levels by now, so either trigger the make them permanent part, so that m’lord can contribute to the consultation or just get rid of them, what purpose is keeping them temporary serving ?
Yes the guy is raising his point because he’s clearly not a fan,but its valid to say to TfL or the government stop kicking this decision down the road so you dont have to deal with it & make that decision now, so that people can be formally consulted & choose.
I dont believe it’s a tenable position to maintain “temporary” infrastructure permanently in this way.
Awavey wrote:
Oh, I don’t know; the temporary flyover in the centre of Bristol was there for something like thirty years.
eburtthebike wrote:
There’s no such thing as a temporary solution
Historically “final solutions
Historically “final solutions” have tended to be problematic…
hawkinspeter wrote:
I beg to differ – that absolutely applies to the approach, by many councils, to pothole repairs
https://www.seton.co.uk
https://www.seton.co.uk/instant-pothole-repair-kit.html
belugabob wrote:
There’s no such thing as a temporary solution
— hawkinspeter I beg to differ – that absolutely applies to the approach, by many councils, to pothole repairs— eburtthebike
That’s the point – a so-called temporary solution becomes the permanent solution.
belugabob wrote:
There’s no such thing as a temporary solution
— hawkinspeter I beg to differ – that absolutely applies to the approach, by many councils, to pothole repairs— eburtthebike
I think you’ll find that is an approach, but not actually a solution
hawkinspeter wrote:
Sea water in a drying pan?
eburtthebike wrote:
Don’t forget the Millennium Dome – only intended for a short time (one night?)
To play devil’s advocate,
To play devil’s advocate, maybe we’re better off with the temporary infrastructure than none at all, which would seem likely if rich, influential white men continue to push the motor agenda and the narrative that improved infrastructure is a ‘nuisance’.
hawkinspeter wrote:
But we keep hearing that the all powerful cycling lobby are all rich white men. Is everyone else caught in the crossfire between these two opposing groups of rich white men?
wycombewheeler wrote:
The rich white men who ride Colnagos vs. the richer white men who ride in the back of Bentleys.
wycombewheeler wrote:
Isn’t a lot of the world’s history a story of two opposing groups of rich white men?
Cycling is one of the rare
Cycling is one of the rare instances when rich white men can find themselves at the recieving end of discrimination. Very valuable.
I don’t know.
I don’t know.
Thinking about JV vs bus yesterday, the “cycle lane” was defined by an intermittent line of wands which just stopped whenever spearation became inconvenient (like at a bus stop). If those wands weren’t present would that give a cyclist more agency by allowing them to adopt primary position? Instead the cyclist is trapped in seocndary until the wands run out, but in a motorist’s mind the cyclists arenot in the road so they don’t need to consider them?
SimoninSpalding wrote:
I’d agree that sometimes it’s better to ignore a bike lane and take primary, but I think it’s better to at least have the option to use a bike lane. In heavy traffic you’re less likely to get that kind of overtake/left-hook so you’d prefer to use the clear bike lane.
Awavey wrote:
I think you are making a fair point, but I don’t think it was the point he was making (given that he said makign them permanent would be even worse).
He’s obviously not a fan I
He’s obviously not a fan I agree, but the kick to make it permanent then forces a formal consultation to take place,where he can then formally register his disapproving views,and encourage others to do the same against those temporary schemes.
As things stand whilst they remain in this temporary status, he cant.
Awavey wrote:
But he didn’t ask for any such thing. He asked for their abolition.
No he asked what discussions
No he asked what discussions the government have had with TfL regarding abolishing the temporary lanes. Baroness Vere just confirms cycle lanes are a matter for TfL & London boroughs though the government has regular meetings with TfL about them. To which Lord Cruddas follows up highlighting the government provided emergency funding to TfL to build these temporary lanes and is there opportunity to contribute to any debate about their continued existence and has that been discussed at these regular meetings.
Now you have to recall current government policy at this stage, states the emergency temporary schemes last only for 18months, and the transport secretary has repeatedly said over the past year the emergency schemes now needed to go through consultation with local residents, so at some point very soon all these temporary schemes will have to go through formal consultation, where the likes of Lord Cruddas will be able to contribute to the discussion about their continued existence.
So if you cut through the waffle and rhetoric politicians use to get answers or raise certain points with ministers & departments, Lord Cruddas is gently reminding the government,whilst not being seen to criticise it,of it’s own stated policy to get councils, or in this case TfL,to start a consultation process.
I’ve no doubt Lord Cruddas is very much on the rip them out side,but he already knows he isnt in a position to achieve that by asking these types of q’s,but he does know the government policy says he should be engaged in a consultation on whether to keep them,and if its government policy,maybe the government would like to follow it up for a change.
Awavey wrote:
Sorry, he doesn’t mention a public consultation process once. He says when are you going to talk to them about getting rid of the lanes, and the follow up question is also about the government talking to TfL. His point about the funding is that whilst the lanes may be TfL’s responsibility, the government provided the funding, so TfL should listen to the government. You are reading things into the debate which simply aren’t there.
Awavey wrote:
As you say yourself your rationale and his couldn’t be more different. I lean more towards your position but it’s a little complicated because:
Awavey wrote:
Not having to spend any more money on them?
In seriousness, though, a year might seem like a long time, but in terms of people getting over the ‘change is bad’ knee-jerk it’s probably not.
Ideally, it would be good if councils were using a reasonable length of time to experiment with different layouts, so that consultation eventually becomes more of a conversation about which works best, rather than a yes/no referendum, but it doesn’t seem like the funding mechanism is set up to encourage this.
mdavidford wrote:
In Kent the council doesn’t care if the lanes work. They have spent the government grant so that is job done.
The odd Councilor will espouse a local project but there is no strategy for Active Travel and how to make that real.
Compliance with the Highways Design Guidance is the most you can expect, with the hopeless get outs for the junctions that need doing.Parking cars on pavements is rife with the maximum hazards of door-ing and unsafe passes.The motor car is king despite 5% moving time 95% stopped.
Here’s the full transcript of
Here’s the full transcript of the debate, if you want to see it all.
It’s fair to say a range of views were expressed. It’s disappointing that the Minister’s initial answer didn’t reference the Prime Minister’s own statements on cycle lanes etc. And the Park Lane cycle lane seemed a particular bone of contention – it’s not great to see a former chair of the APPG on cycling criticising it. But good to see RBKC get a bit of a kicking!
I wonder if any peers will take up Lord Austin on his offer to go for a ride. Maybe Rapha could start an Ermine range.
Quote:
Chuffed to discover that I’m keen baker because I bought a some bags of flour and a box of dried yeast during lockdown.
You found yeast? You were
You found yeast? You were lucky. When I were in lockdown, I ‘ad to mek do wi’ unleavened bread.
it could be worse, some woman
it could be worse, some woman posted about using some body produced yeast to use in Bread last year.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
That seems unnecessary when you can just harvest yeast from the air with something like a sourdough starter.
hawkinspeter wrote:
Pizza-pie-in-the-sky! Coming round here, proposing your spontaneous generation – we’ll have none of it! You’ll be plucking the solution to the fossil fuel issue out of the air next!
HarrogateSpa wrote:
Unleavened bread? Luxury! We had cardboard!
HarrogateSpa wrote:
I thought we were all making sourdough bread in lockdown?
Yeast wants to be free.
Earlier today I saw a bloke
Earlier today I saw a bloke walking a bike along the footway, with another bike slung over his shoulder. Part of me now wonders whether there could be a legitimate explanation or whether I ought to have phoned a police number.
N+1
C’mon brooksby !
N+1
C’mon brooksby !
(No subject)
What is an “accredited
What is an “accredited thinking skills programme”? Is the thought, “Don’t steal bikes“?
brooksby wrote:
When I were a lad the place for improving ‘thinking skills’ was known as ‘school’.
Brazilian rescues woman from
Brazilian rescues woman from close shave.
GMBasix wrote:
You’re really waxing lyrical there….
Interesting read in the
Interesting read in the Grauniad today –
The hidden climate costs of America’s free parking spaces
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/05/us-free-parking-spaces-climate-cost
Can confirm. We have a
Can confirm. We have a ridiculous amount of parking, but everyone seems to agree they can never find a spot downtown. Here’s an article on the city I live in.
https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2017/8/16/parking-peoria-problem
I live in a 1960s-1970s second ring suburb. I have two cars (a MINI and a Nissan Leaf) and seven(?) bicycles parked in my garage. I could easily fit two more cars on my driveway, and four just on the portion of the street fronting my house. That’s eight spots for a four-bedroom house.
Our street is wide enough that two way traffic can pass (slowly) even if people park on both sides. Most of my neighbors park cars on the driveway and/or the street because their garages are full of crap.
Too many people use their
Too many people use their garages as a shed, instead of thinking that it’s a place to store their cars.
I’ve seen new housing estates
I’ve seen new housing estates with garages that wouldn’t take any modern car. Clearly not designed for cars. I don’t mind if they have a drive to park on.
fenix wrote:
When my wife and I bought a house, maybe twenty years ago, with a small drive (barely a car’s length) leading to a garage, we measured the garage (the door width and the internal length) to check whether our car (we only had the one) would fit.
The estate agent said that she’d never seen anyone do that before.
fenix wrote:
Not just new estates. We bought our first house in 1981 with attached garage. I could get my company car, a Ford Cortina, in the garage but I couldn’t get out of the car. That and subsequent cars lived on the drive.
Where else am I supposed to
Where else am I supposed to keep my bikes, Wheels, Turbo set-up etc?
I’m not sure which is more
I’m not sure which is more disturbing. The fact that you have 2 cars or the fact that you are unsure how many bikes you have !
hirsute wrote:
I did manage to keep it to two cars even when I had two teenage boys in the house, in bike-unfriendly suburbia. Two cars still now because my wife uses her electric Leaf to get to work, but sometimes we need to drive more than the eighty odd miles it will do at best. I put about 5000 miles on the car last year, 6000 on my bikes. I could just hire a car when I need one for long trips, but I do occasionally use it to get to work when I’m running late (15 minutes instead of 35 minutes) and it’s a really fun convertible.
Number of bikes…
So, seven-ish.
I remember you posting a pic
I remember you posting a pic with your bike in the back and the wheel hanging over the back end of the car !
4 and a half
4 and a half
2 and a half belong to other people
“It’s time for a new
“It’s time for a new perspective”…EF Education First join as co-title partners of women’s team”
How do they expect the team to ever win? There’s no room on the existing jersey’s for any more co-sponsors names – so they are gonna to have to add EF-First as a giant flappy piece of material on the back slowing them all down.
Secret_squirrel wrote:
No capes!
I wonder if it means theyll
I wonder if it means theyll team up with Rapha as kit supplier as well,since the deal with CanyonSRAM has now ended. (Hint read the press release…)
“Peyton must also take part
“Peyton must also take part in an accredited thinking skills programme for 19 days “
Do we want thieves to improve their thinking skills, so they become better thieves and don’t get caught in future?
I kind of think that if an
I kind of think that if an indoor trainer business can’t be a success during a global pandemic when everyone has to stay at home, then it’s probably not got a good business model.
Peleton sales during the
Peleton sales during the pamdemic is a bit like gyms in January. Initially there is mad rush but come post-lockdown or in gyms case February, everyone gives up and goes back to their normal life.
Except you didn’t have to
Except you didn’t have to stay at home whilst cycling, at least not in England. If anything, I’d have thought the covid restrictions would work to the detriment of Peloton – for who in their right mind, by riding a Peloton, would squander the one excuse to get outside?
That’s a fair point.
That’s a fair point.
If Peleton can’t make a
If Peleton can’t make a profit from 4.4 billion dollars of sales….wow, just how much are they spending on….what????
Maybe the trainers are being sold cheap after all…
Quote:
1. How did you know she was a cyclist?
and
2. She doesn’t look elderly to this 72 year old. She doesn’t look a day over 65. 🙂
“COME ON PELOTON – DON’T LET
“COME ON PELOTON – DON’T LET IT DROP OFF NOW – KEEP THAT SHARE PRICE UP – YOU CAN DO IT!”
Police Driver cleared of
Police Driver cleared of dangerous driving
https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/19698387.essex-eugene-acheampong-cleared-dangerous-driving/
Trial continues, so hopefully road.cc will pick it up when concluded
Oh! So that’s what pop-up
Oh! So that’s what pop-up cycle lanes look like when all the wands are in place…
The only research I have seen
The only research I have seen to see if cycle lanes increase the amount of pollution produced by motor vehicles was done in New Zealand – according to their research cycle lanes reduce pollution by 1%, in other words, they make no difference.
So they improve rider safety,
So they improve rider safety, or at least the perception of safety enough to encourage more people to cycle, are welcomed by most cyclists (if properly implemented) and according to your own in depth research do not increase pollution which is one of the commonly used arguments made by those who actually cause the pollution.
I’m not sure if you are posting something pro cycling related. Are you getting your alter egos mixed up this evening?
You need to supply a link to
You need to supply a link to this research.
Mauldeth Road represent! It
Mauldeth Road represent! It is a surprise there is nothing parked on the road for once.