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“Is one minute of your time worth someone’s life?” Zero cyclists injured since new bike lane installed – while driving times barely change; Cyclist blasted for “too bright” lights… and no hi-vis; Is a muddy Roubaix on the way? + more on the live blog

It’s Thursday and Ryan Mallon’s here with more cycling news and gossip on the last live blog before Paris-Roubaix (and Easter too, of course)
Thu, Apr 06, 2023 09:55
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“Is one minute of your time worth someone’s life?” Zero cyclists injured since new bike lane installed – while driving times barely change; Cyclist blasted for “too bright” lights… and no hi-vis; Is a muddy Roubaix on the way? + more on the live blogCyclists ride in new cycle lane in support of cycling infrastructure in Maryland (credit - gwhennigan, Twitter)
06 April 2023, 16:13
Happy Easter everyone! Now, time for a weekend in Hell

That’s it for the live blog this week. I hope you all have a wonderful – and mud-filled – Paris-Roubaix weekend...

06 April 2023, 16:10
The Women’s Tour, the future of British cycling, and a wet and windy on-bike interview all feature in the latest episode of the road.cc Podcast
06 April 2023, 08:08
Cyclists ride in new cycle lane in support of cycling infrastructure in Maryland (credit - gwhennigan, Twitter)
“Is one minute of your time worth someone’s life?” Report says zero cyclists have been involved in collisions since protected bike lane was added – while travel times for motorists have barely changed

We’re kicking things off on our pre-Easter live blog with a trip across the Atlantic, where a report on a new segregated bike lane in the Mid-Atlantic state of Maryland – which was, surprise, surprise, vehemently opposed by some local motorists – has shown that no cyclists or pedestrians were involved in collisions in the six months since the protected infrastructure was installed.

In comparison, in the nine months before the bike lane was put in place, six pedestrians and cyclists were injured in collisions involving vehicles, while one cyclist was killed after being struck by a driver.

According to MoCo360, last year over 8,000 people signed a petition opposing the installation of a protected bike lane and high visibility pedestrian crossings on the Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda.

The opposition to changes on the road, where 18-year-old cyclist Enzo Marcel Alvarenga was killed in a collision involving a motorist last June, were based on – as these things often are – concerns that the changes would extend the commuting time of drivers and confuse them.

So, what about the poor motorists? To what extent have they been affected by a new road layout which has so far succeeded in keeping the most vulnerable road users from being injured or killed?

Well, they’ve been delayed by a whole 30 seconds, even a minute, in one direction, at certain times of the day.

According to a report released by the Maryland State Highway Administration earlier this week, travel times for motorists heading northbound in the morning has increased by seven percent, or half a minute, since the bike lane was installed, while in the afternoon those travelling in the same direction face a stifling minute-long delay.

Heading southbound, travel times have barely been affected at all, and are currently sitting around pre-bike lane levels.

While local state delegate Marc Korman said that the whole thing was about “finding the right balance” (between road safety and motorists’ impatience, apparently), several cyclists on Twitter praised the report as evidence that “protected bike lanes are working”:

Of course, some angry motorists still aren’t impressed, kicking off a few debates:

Well, it’s nice to know that these arguments happen all over the world, eh?

06 April 2023, 16:07
Reader reaction: Time saving vs a cyclist’s life – what would you prioritise?

“Is one minute of your time worth someone’s life?” was the universal question posed by an American cyclist, after motorists in Maryland continued to oppose a new protected cycle lane because it added time to their commutes, despite a recently published state report noting that the cycle lane’s effect on drivers’ travel times was negligible.

So, is someone’s life worth the same as one minute of your time?

“I think the problem is that a lot of people might answer that with a loud ‘YES’,” road.cc reader brooksby noted in today’s comments section.

Benthic agreed, writing: “That's quite a different question to, ‘Is one minute of your time worth a cyclist’s life?’, in the mind of your average motorist.”

“Given the multiple daily examples many of us can cite where a driver has put either our own or other road users lives in danger, often just to save mere seconds, it feels a rhetorical question to pose,” says Awavey.

“Or indeed to save no seconds at all,” agrees Rendel, “given the substantial number of London drivers I experience every day making dubious overtakes and close passes in order to get to the red light that's clearly visible up ahead a bit more quickly.”

“But it's a minute EVERY DAY!...” pondered ktache. Sarcastically, of course…

06 April 2023, 15:48
The “Poundland Jeremy Vine” strikes again!

A classic (and thoroughly terrifying) case of phone driving here – did she even look up once? – which ensured the distracted, and obviously very popular, motorist picked up six points and a £200 fine…

… While also spawning a new nickname for Twitter user ThatGuyOnTheBike: the ‘Poundland Jeremy Vine’.

Turns out the OG Jezza Vine approves:

06 April 2023, 15:39
‘Pog did what at Flanders? Hold my beer’: Jonas Vingegaard grabs second stage win in a row with long-range Basque Country attack

He may be following the more traditional approach to the Tour de France compared to his cannibalistic rival Tadej Pogačar, but reigning Tour champ Jonas Vingegaard is proving that his form is just as on point, securing his second stage win in a row at the Tour of the Basque Country this afternoon.

Vingegaard even took a leaf out of the Pog playbook, attacking alongside Mikel Landa with 20km to go, before practically dragging the Spaniard to the line and then beating him in the sprint, all while holding off a small group of chasers behind.

Roll on July…  

06 April 2023, 15:00
UCI wants to ban Scottish mountain biker… because he’s sponsored by OnlyFans

Slow riding on cobbled climbs, sock height, sponsorships by adult subscription services… Is there anything the UCI won’t clamp down upon?

Hein and Pat, quiet at the back…

In the governing body’s latest quest to protect its glistening reputation (Hi, it’s Travis Tygart on the line), the UCI have sent a letter to Scottish pro mountain biker Lewis Buchanan, warning him that he won’t be able to take part in any of their races unless he drops his new sponsor, OnlyFans.

According to Innerleithen-born enduro rider Buchanan, the UCI told him that his deal with the subscription service (don’t pretend you’ve never heard of it) violates article 1.1.089 of their regulations, which states that:

Without prejudice of the applicable law, no brand of tobacco, spirits, pornographic products, or any other products that might damage the image of the UCI or the sport of cycling in general shall be associated directly or indirectly with a licence–holder, a UCI team or a national or international cycling competition.

Hmmm… the UCI were awful quiet about image-damaging sponsors when they let Ineos (petro-chemical fracking enthusiasts), Amgen (EPO manufacturers), and a host of oil states with dodgy human rights records walk brazenly through the front door of their HQ in Aigle.

> Cycling's most controversial sponsors

And speaking of the kind of thing OnlyFans subscribers enjoy, the UCI also seemed nonplussed about erotic website EasyToys sponsoring what was previously known as the Healthy Ageing Tour, complete with, ahem, interesting prizes for the winners of each state…

> “Prizes in women’s cycling are improving”: Ellen van Dijk awarded X-rated giftset – including sex toy and blindfold – after winning time trial

“As much as I’ve had criticism for my deal with OnlyFans for whatever reason, the positivity and understanding my supporters and fans have had has outweighed all that and it’s really allowing me to live a mint life, create more connections that can lead to life after riding and travel more and do more of what I love, which is riding and racing bikes,” Buchanan wrote on Instagram this week.

“The UCI are not really interested in learning more or being educated on it… so shame there. I wonder if OnlyFans came along and dumped a ton of cash and wanted to help the sport in a way, if that opinion/rule would be slid away a tad.”

Nail. Head.

06 April 2023, 14:28
MailOnline takes aim at cyclists for not using “rollercoaster” bike lane... that is “littered with stones” and “stops and starts all the way along”

As promised earlier today... 

Dorset cycle lane (credit - BCP Matters, Facebook)

> MailOnline takes aim at cyclists for not using “rollercoaster” bike lane... that is “littered with stones” and “stops and starts all the way along”

06 April 2023, 13:47
“Is this a picture of the old badly-designed, dangerous roads?” Department for Transport road safety graphic blasted for “representing bad practice”

The poor graphic designers at the Department for Transport will have a sleepless Easter break, after a graphic published alongside the DfT’s latest road safety announcement, has been widely panned on social media.

This morning, the DfT announced that it is committing £47.5 million to target 27 of England’s “most dangerous roads”. The scheme aims to enhance road safety measures on these high-risk roads by improving signage and road markings, and re-designing junctions.

However, the graphic accompanying the announcement – which features cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists navigating a road seemingly under construction – could have done with its own redesign, after several Twitter users noted that the road layout is not quite up to the DfT’s own standards:

Or maybe the DfT is just being clever, and showing us how desperate the situation on our roads has become? Maybe…

Meanwhile, road safety supremo Mark Hodson was on hand to note the biggest threat on our roads:

06 April 2023, 13:00
Audrey Cordon-Ragot (A.S.O/Thomas Maheux)
Audrey Cordon-Ragot bags new team – just in time for Paris-Roubaix

It’s been a rough few months for French champion Audrey Cordon-Ragot.

The former Trek-Segafredo rider was, along with Mark Cavendish, the highest profile star to be burned by the hubristic rise and dramatic fall of the B&B Hotels venture last autumn, and then, after ending up on the Zaaf team, has spent most of 2023 not being paid.

So, after finally losing patience with Zaaf and quitting the team last week, the 33-year-old – who was spotted, rather tellingly, by VeloNews training on the cobbles of northern France yesterday – appears to have found a new home, just in time for Paris-Roubaix.

At least that’s what the ever leaky UCI website appears to be suggesting:

Talk about leaving it late…

06 April 2023, 12:02
Give me all your funky colour schemes

 I like the homage to cycling history of this one…

2023 Trek ALR 6 - 2.jpeg

But I also like the airy wistfulness of this…

2023 Trek ALR 5 - 1.jpeg

Decisions, decisions…

> Is Trek’s new road bike really aluminium? Updated Émonda ALR features new frame with Kammtail aero tubing and fully integrated cables 

06 April 2023, 11:32
“I guess Roubaix is really not my race”: FDJ-Suez’s Vittoria Guazzini fractures pelvis during Paris-Roubaix recon ride

Devastating news for the in-form Italian, who was nervous about her return to the Hell of the North following her heavy crash at the 2021 edition.

The 22-year-old had been, until her fall during the closing stages of FDJ’s recon ride yesterday, looking impressive all spring, securing two podium places at Le Samyn and the Trofeo Binda, as well as a fourth at Dwars door Vlaanderen last week.

Grace Brown and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig will be expected to lead the French team in Guazzini’s absence over the treacherous cobbles of northern France on Saturday.

06 April 2023, 11:02
“Absolute mystery why no-one is using this cycle lane”

It looks like the bike lane every anti-cycling enthusiast loves to hate is back in the news this week, with even a stone-filled, rollercoaster-like surface not enough to convince the Daily Mail that cyclists can, actually, if they want, ride on the road – even when a (rubbish) cycle lane is nearby…

We’ll have more on the Mail’s bike lane fetish soon, but here’s a taster of some of the baffled reaction from the cycling world:

Over in yesterday’s live blog comments, road.cc reader Shake wrote: “I rode down that road recently, and as can be seen in that photo, it's so littered with stones you're almost guaranteed a puncture. Plus as you would expect, the lane stops and starts all the way along the road.”

But go on, tell us why it should be “illegal” for cyclists to ignore the cycle lane…

06 April 2023, 10:39
Idiotic arguments for cyclists paying ‘road tax’, #372

Just when you thought you’d seen every possible anti-cycling argument on the internet, some eejit comes up with this whopper on why “cyclists should pay for cycle lanes if they want to use them”:

06 April 2023, 10:22
Sing, Michael, sing…
06 April 2023, 09:57
Scottish cycling fans, get excited…

‘They (in this case, Mathieu van der Poel and Lotte Kopecky, probably) may take our rainbow jerseys, but they’ll never take our freedom!’ 

06 April 2023, 09:29
Schrödinger’s Cyclist: Driver says cyclist’s light is “too bright”… then blasts him for not wearing “hi-vis”

Some have suggested that this particular exchange may well belong in the internet’s notorious ‘Didn’t Happen’ hall of fame… But judging by the replies, the van driver’s impressive display of motoring doublethink isn’t an isolated phenomenon:

 Can’t believe you left the house without your reflectors, Wayne…

Graeme even claimed that he was once pulled over by the police for being, wait for it, “too visible”:

Maybe, as some pointed out, the van driver wasn’t actually that concerned about the cyclist’s attire and kit, and was more interested in his ongoing game of anti-cycling bingo (inspired by a certain Mail article from yesterday)…

And finally, Robert came along on the thread to ask the pertinent questions:

06 April 2023, 08:55
The news we all want to hear on the Thursday before Paris-Roubaix weekend

Unfortunately, the current weather forecast is showing far too much sunshine in Roubaix come Friday evening for my liking. But we can all live in hope…

Ryan Mallon

Ryan joined road.cc in December 2021 and since then has kept the site’s readers and listeners informed and enthralled (well at least occasionally) on news, the live blog, and the road.cc Podcast. After boarding a wrong bus at the world championships and ruining a good pair of jeans at the cyclocross, he now serves as road.cc’s senior news writer. Before his foray into cycling journalism, he wallowed in the equally pitiless world of academia, where he wrote a book about Victorian politics and droned on about cycling and bikes to classes of bored students (while taking every chance he could get to talk about cycling in print or on the radio). He can be found riding his bike very slowly around the narrow, scenic country lanes of Co. Down.

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76 comments

Avatar
Car Delenda Est | 1 year ago
1 like

Just upgraded my front light from a cheap ~5l box ticker to 100l for those unlit cycle paths and feeling some serious lumin envy for the 800-200l dude 🤏😥

Avatar
lesterama | 1 year ago
2 likes

People's comments about hi-vis being too bright are ridiculous.

Comments about lights being too bright may be fair. The trouble is, UK government sets no standards about dipped beams. Many lights throw light all over the place. I use a Ravemen 1200, which is nice and bright, but doesn't dazzle everyone I approach.

We could learn a lot from Germany when it comes to standards for bike lights. In the meantime, buy a Ravemen or similar.

Avatar
Awavey replied to lesterama | 1 year ago
6 likes

Bike lights can dazzle and it's one of my pet peeves that some cyclists don't get you shouldnt point thousands of lumens of light at the person's eyes who is driving the big heavy metal object towards you, because they can't see you properly anymore.

But it comes from that circular reasoning of near misses, they didn't see me, therefore I need brighter lights to be seen and round it goes.

Avatar
bloodylazylayabout replied to Awavey | 1 year ago
0 likes

Awavey wrote:

Bike lights can dazzle and it's one of my pet peeves that some cyclists don't get you shouldnt point thousands of lumens of light at the person's eyes who is driving the big heavy metal object towards you, because they can't see you properly anymore. But it comes from that circular reasoning of near misses, they didn't see me, therefore I need brighter lights to be seen and round it goes.

I point the my lights at the road in front of me, where I am riding, not towards the opposite lane parallel to the ground which would not help much

Avatar
Hirsute replied to bloodylazylayabout | 1 year ago
2 likes

You may well do but the spread of the beam can still affect others - see lesterama comment on German standard lights.

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to Awavey | 1 year ago
4 likes

Awavey wrote:

Bike lights can dazzle and it's one of my pet peeves that some cyclists don't get you shouldnt point thousands of lumens of light at the person's eyes who is driving the big heavy metal object towards you, because they can't see you properly anymore. But it comes from that circular reasoning of near misses, they didn't see me, therefore I need brighter lights to be seen and round it goes.

fairs fair, they don't dip their lights for cyclists

UNTIL I put mine on to full beam for a few seconds.

Avatar
ktache replied to wycombewheeler | 1 year ago
2 likes

Decades of being ignored and blinded by drivers failing to dip whilst using my fully legal Wonders, Ever Readys and Spesh's 2.5s, then I got my Night Sun TriLight, with overdriven 20W spot and remote control...

Avatar
Bigfoz replied to lesterama | 1 year ago
4 likes

lesterama wrote:

People's comments about hi-vis being too bright are ridiculous.

Comments about lights being too bright may be fair. The trouble is, UK government sets no standards about dipped beams. Many lights throw light all over the place. I use a Ravemen 1200, which is nice and bright, but doesn't dazzle everyone I approach.

We could learn a lot from Germany when it comes to standards for bike lights. In the meantime, buy a Ravemen or similar.

I run a B&M 100Lux (not lumens) light which has a great German cut off on the light, doesn't dazzle. This works for me for a 20mile commute of 10 miles dark B-roads and 10miles city. I also use a 200lumen to fill in closer to me for the "imperfections" in our roqds I need to avoid..

Avatar
Andrewbanshee replied to lesterama | 1 year ago
5 likes

It is a stupid argument though. How many cars headlights are too bright? Driving, cycling, running, walking, I am constantly blinded by beefy car headlights.

Avatar
lesterama replied to Andrewbanshee | 1 year ago
0 likes

Drivists already think they have reason enough to hate us. Let's not carry on their displays of poor etiquette and give them another.

Avatar
Hirsute replied to lesterama | 1 year ago
2 likes

I find most light problems are with cars with one mis-aligned beam. The cyclist equivalent being a poorly positioned front light (before we even get to light spill).

Avatar
jh2727 replied to Andrewbanshee | 1 year ago
0 likes

Andrewbanshee wrote:

It is a stupid argument though. How many cars headlights are too bright? Driving, cycling, running, walking, I am constantly blinded by beefy car headlights.

It's true, but motorists don't really get much choice about the headlights their vehicle comes with - with LED lights, it isn't even possible* to change them for something less bright or less white - all you can do is adjust the beam angle or turn them off**

Another issue with car lights being LED is that they lose about 30% of their brighness as they age, so in order for them to be bright enough when they age, they need to be extra bright to begin with.

But yes, whilst I think it is good not to blind people, if I'm riding on a road at night and it is a choice of potentially not being seen or potentially blinding them, I'm going to go with the choice of blinding them.  If I'm on a dark cycle path and don't need to worry about competing with vehicles with blinding lights, I'll dip my light down so as not to blind oncoming pedestrians and cyclists (not much I can do to help small children and dogs, sorry).

* most of my lights at home are Philips Hue White Ambiance, which allows me to dim the lights and change the colour temperature. Why can't I have the same on my car (I used to always try and buy replacement headlight bulbs with a yellow tinge)?

** only sidelights are required on a road with street lighting and a speed limit of 30mph or less - I would happily drive on sidelights/daylight running lights where legally allowed, if it didn't result in me being flashed*** by other drivers.

*** why does everyone use their full beams to flash, blinding oncoming people - why not flash by flicking your lights off and on again?

Avatar
brooksby | 1 year ago
8 likes

Quote:

“Is one minute of your time worth someone’s life?”

I think the problem is that a lot of people might answer that with a loud "YES".

Avatar
pockstone replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
4 likes

Sadly, local news suggests a few seconds rather than a minute.

https://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/23434971.police-appeal-witnesses-cy...

Very sad. Condolences to the victim's family.

Avatar
ktache replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
6 likes

But it's a minute EVERY DAY!...

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
1 like

brooksby wrote:

Quote:

“Is one minute of your time worth someone’s life?”

I think the problem is that a lot of people might answer that with a loud "YES".

As long as it isn't their own.

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