Tour de France stage winner beaten by 15-year-old “future Mathieu van der Poel”; Train user accused of “outrage signalling” after blasting cyclist with bike in priority area; Not Near Miss of the Day; Spain boss talks cyclocross + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
You know it’s cold when…
You know it’s cold in your garage when you need toe warmers on the turbo trainer.
— Owen Rogers (@OwenRogers) December 6, 2022
Not Near Miss of the Day
As our Near Miss of the Day series rumbles on, hopefully hitting its aim of holding the authorities to account when they fail to protect vulnerable road users, sometimes it’s important to highlight the kind of driving that we hope will someday make that particular collection of close passes and scares a thing of the past.
So, this morning on the live blog, we thought we’d mix things up a bit with the latest instalment of NMOTD’s more wholesome, friendlier younger brother: the very originally titled ‘Not Near Miss of the Day’!
Today’s NNMOTD (I’m sure it will catch on) features a safe, wide passing lorry driver and a nice friendly exchange between two road users. Ah, bliss:
A big holler to the @ToolesTransport driver for this patient and expert Most Excellent Overtake from last week. I gave them the big thumb, and I got a friendly toot back. If you can track down the driver and pass on my thanks it would be appreciated. @WMerciaRoads #MEO 🙂👍🚲❤️ pic.twitter.com/LmxbzDl5g3
— SHIFT (@goSHIFTscheme) December 5, 2022
Cracking stuff – a bit of harmony and love on the roads. It’s not all bad out there! (ignoring any marginal technicality)😉, I get some great passes and mutual appreciation, unfortunately it’s the rarer inconsiderate stuff that tends to stick in the head…for a bit
— Mark (@Markstevel78) December 5, 2022
However, just like the last time we featured a Not Near Miss of the Day on the live blog, some Twitter users were keen to split hairs over the driver’s decision to overtake just before the end of the solid white lines.
Good pass, but totally wrong side of a solid white line at 4 seconds into the video.
— Simon Rhodes ADI (@sr_drivinschool) December 5, 2022
According to the Highway Code, “you may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.”
Might have been a couple of seconds early but the dashed lines appeared so he was marginally out but he drove to the conditions of the road and used professional judgement. Passes of that quality and few and far between so credit where credit is due.
— Leigh Robinson (@NaturesEyeMusic) December 6, 2022
Lots of others have. They kept me safe, visibility was good and road was clear. They’d been waiting behind me for several hundred metres.
— SHIFT (@goSHIFTscheme) December 6, 2022
What do you think? Was our lorry driver committing an illegal overtake or exhibiting the kind of safe, considerate, and patient driving we always say we want to see more of?
The level of maturity we strive for on the live blog…
This one’s for the GCSE students about to head into double Maths:
Meh. 5.5kms, 10 mins 😉 pic.twitter.com/3K5oyTutaH
— Colin Turner (@Col_Turner) December 6, 2022
But seriously, that is fabulous. Chapeau!
— Colin Turner (@Col_Turner) December 6, 2022
Don’t say we didn’t warn you: More NFT weirdness from the Giro
Wout van Aert’s NFTs are still owned by the people who originally bought them.
These people paid roughly 18 000 USD in ETH each.
Current value? Fuck-all. 😅
— Benji Naesen (@BenjiNaesen) December 5, 2022
> Wout van Aert is selling his three biggest wins – as NFT digital assets
Alright, hands up – who owns Wout van Aert’s 2020 Strade Bianche win as an NFT?
Meanwhile, over at RCS Sport:
La Maglia Rosa del Giro d’Italia 2023 in NFT 👉 disponibile come pezzo unico all’asta, è arricchito da una serie di benefit straordinari, come la possibilità di seguire la tappa finale di Roma a bordo di un’auto ufficiale Giro Club 👉 https://t.co/AFdZlKzZDF@ItaliaNFT_art #Giro pic.twitter.com/ahe6szDQcs
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) December 5, 2022
Some people will never learn, eh?
its not 2020 anymore guys
— Arnim (@ArnimKraus) December 5, 2022
“But it’s electric...”
Cut through the romantic hubris about it being inspired by highland camping trips and I think the real design inspiration was “how can we design a car that’s as dangerous as possible for any pedestrian who is unfortunate enough to be hit by it”. pic.twitter.com/88uvnmoYB6
— Andy Arthur – threadinburgh.scot (@cocteautriplets) December 6, 2022
But it’s electric…
— Real Gaz on a proper bike: gazza_d@toot.bike (@gazza_d) December 6, 2022
Spain manager Luis Enrique casually chats cyclocross, Tom Pidcock, and Mathieu van der Poel during World Cup
Seriously, are all the national team managers at the World Cup huddled together in a Doha hotel room watching the cyclocross?
Last week on the live blog, we found out that Saudi Arabia manager Hervé Renard, a big cycling fan, compared his side’s monumental victory over Argentina to a smash-and-grab breakaway win against Van der Poel, Pogačar and co. at the Tour of Flanders or Milan-San Remo.
Now, Spain boss Luis Enrique has said that he’s been keeping up to speed with the other big World Cup going on at the moment – the cyclocross one, that is – in between training and matches in Qatar.
Former Barcelona player and manager Enrique, who is currently preparing for his team’s last 16 clash with Morocco this afternoon, is well-known for his love of all things two wheels, and in September even announced his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures with a homage to the Vuelta.
To think that Luis Enrique is busy watching the CX on GCN+ IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD CUP!!! https://t.co/fbakD8wl8O
— Cillian Kelly (@irishpeloton) December 6, 2022
And now, in his nightly briefings from his gaming chair (yes, really), the 52-year-old revealed that, when he’s kicking back and relaxing between endless tactical analysis meetings, he sticks on the GCN app and keeps track of the progress of Tom Pidcock, Mathieu van der Poel, and Fem van Empel on the muddy fields of northern Europe.
What else have we learned from Enrique’s PS5 debriefs? Well, his favourite rider is, perhaps surprisingly, Movistar sprinter Iván García Cortina, while he also has a soft spot for the recently retired Alejandro Valverde and fellow Spaniards Marc Soler and Luis León Sánchez. Beyond that Spanish Armada, Van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and (former footballer) Remco Evenepoel round off Enrique’s dream team.
> Footballers who cycle XI — the World Cup stars who love life on two wheels
When he’s not watching the cyclocross (and managing one of the favourites for World Cup of course), the Spain boss has also been getting in the miles on his bike, and regularly posts videos of his spins on Instagram.
“There’s a cycle path that leaves from the university [where Spain are based],” he said a few days ago.
“It’s the longest in the world, 33 kilometres in one direction and 33 kilometres back. There’s a good temperature, 24 degrees. It’s a smooth ride.”
Anyone up for a post-World Cup Keirin between Enrique, Renard, Neil Warnock, and Roberto Mancini?
Despite Enrique’s obvious style, my money’s on Colin, bulldozing his way through…
An evening with Sean Yates
Tour de France stage winner and former British champion Sean Yates will be appearing live on YouTube this evening, where he will be discussing his career and decades-long association with frame builder Mark Reilly.
Expect plenty of chat from ‘Seen Yah-tes’ about life in the peloton and guiding Bradley Wiggins during his annus mirabilis of 2012 (though probably less about certain aspects of his spells at Motorola and Discovery Channel, if we’re honest).
And, if you can make it down to TrainSharp Cycling in Lewes by 7pm tonight, you can even catch the conversation live by contacting the team on WhatsApp.
Bath Bike Park plans shelved due to rising costs
Plans for a Bike Park in Bath have been abandoned due to concerns over rising costs after a funding bid failed.
The park, a proposed 30-acre facility situated on the grounds of the city’s former Entry Hill golf course, was set to feature five kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails, a pump track, skills and learn to ride areas, a bike shop and coaching services, as well as free-to-access walking, running and family cycling paths.
The plans had received widespread support from residents, though local golfers had previously led a campaign to save the two loss-making golf courses at Entry Hill after Bath and North East Somerset Council revealed that each round played cost taxpayers £8.
One golfer complained that the first public consultation on the future of the site was taken over by a ‘cycling lobby on steroids’ after 78 percent of respondents expressed support for turning it into a cycling centre.
Despite this (relatively benign) opposition, final draft designs – by Bristol-based cycling group Pedal Progression, who last year won the tender process to create the bike park – were completed at the end of June.
The Bike Park was originally due to open by the end of 2022, but due to various challenges this was pushed back to Spring/Summer 2023.
> Final designs for Bath Bike Park, which will replace a golf course, set to be completed this month
However, Bath and North East Somerset Council revealed last week that the plans have been abandoned altogether and that the site would remain as it is “for the short term”.
Councillor Mark Roper, the cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and growth, told Somerset Live: “The council’s intention for this project was to fund it through capital and a mix of external funding, as is common for these types of schemes. However, as costs have risen and external funding has proved difficult to attract, the council has made the decision not to progress the planning application.
“The site will remain as it is for the short term. Valuable work has been undertaken on ecology, ground condition and heritage value which will inform the council on its future sustainable use.
“Mindful of both the climate and ecological emergencies a range of outdoor leisure activities including walking, running and adventurous play, as well as a Forest School, remain possible.
“The council will pause work on any schemes for the site until later in 2023/4 when economic conditions and financing will hopefully become clearer. Any further proposals for the Entry Hill site will be developed in consultation with users and residents.”
“This project has been close to our hearts for nearly four years, and a dream for much longer,” added Pedal Progression’s founder Matt George.
“We are disappointed that it’s not been possible to deliver what would have been an incredible recreational asset for the people of Bath and North East Somerset but we understand the reasons behind the decision that has been taken.
“Thank you to those who showed such incredible support and enthusiasm for the project over the last few years and we look forward to working with the council on projects in the future.”
More football meets cycling content… kind of
Here’s Pelé riding a very small tricycle for some reason. pic.twitter.com/qHju96Qc7j
— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) December 6, 2022
I can almost hear Roy Keane now…
B&B exodus begins as Sinkeldam and Koretzky find new teams
The writing may have been on the wall for a few weeks concerning the future of the team hitherto known as B&B Hôtels-KTM, but the message was certainly underlined at the weekend, after team boss Jérôme Pineau informed riders and staff that they should looking for new employers for 2023.
> Mark Cavendish’s future uncertain after team boss tells riders to look elsewhere
With the French team – the victim, it seems, of Pineau’s overly ambitious plans to elevate the squad to the WorldTour via a significant funding boost, which have since collapsed like a house of cards – now seemingly destined to spend next year as a reduced, third-tier Continental outfit, two of their contracted riders have been on the ball and have already announced deals for 2023.
Yeah! Super happy to announce I will be part of @AlpecinDCK the next 2 years! #2023 #2024 pic.twitter.com/o5Elqz0VNa
— Ramon Sinkeldam (@RSinkeldam) December 5, 2022
33-year-old Dutchman Ramon Sinkeldam, who was only set to join Pineau’s project from Groupama-FDJ next year, was the first to announce yesterday that he had boarded a lifeboat courtesy of Alpecin-Deceuninck, while mountain biker Victor Koretzky, a relative latecomer to the road having only turned pro with B&B this year, has been snapped up by Bora-Hansgrohe.
📢 NEW RIDER SIGNING 📢
BORA – hansgrohe secures late transfer, as @KORETZKYVictor completes the squad for 2023.
Read more here 👉🏼 https://t.co/14C6Ydbfgd
📸: @sprintcycling pic.twitter.com/dJVAAY5HFk— BORA – hansgrohe (@BORAhansgrohe) December 6, 2022
Meanwhile, riders still struggling to fill the ever-diminishing spots on leading teams – or, to retain their place on B&B’s hastily reduced line-up – have criticised the lack of communication from Pineau, as well as the former pro’s last-minute announcement that the required funding was not forthcoming.
Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, Jens Debusschere and Eliot Lietaer also confirmed that Mark Cavendish was present at the October meeting where Pineau outlined his plans for the year ahead.
“Somehow I was glad that I heard the whole story for once, but at the same time you have to say: not telling everyone until December that 24 riders are suddenly free, that is actually not done,” former Belgian champion Debusschere said.
Lietaer, who noted that there was still hope within the squad that it can continue on, at least at Conti level, added: “In any case, the team will not continue in the form he had foreseen… I didn’t see it coming at all.
“Pineau has been a racer himself. I thought he must have a plan B somewhere, something he kept in reserve. Apparently not.”
“I also hope that Mark Cavendish, for example, finds a solution for next year. That he can at least go for that record victory in the Tour,” Debusschere, speaking for Cav fans everywhere, concluded.
Rapha’s Festive 500 beckons
It’s that time of the year, when the temperatures plummet by the day, the lights go up, capitalism runs rampant, and everyone looks forward to that one week where we can all get together and celebrate what really matters.
Yep, that’s right, it’s almost time for the Rapha Festive 500!
Now 12-years-old, the Festive 500 challenges riders to complete 500km between Christmas Eve and New Year, and it’s a great incentive to head outside into the wintery bittering to get in some solid base kilometres or completely fry your legs (delete as appropriate).
This year, you can join the fun on Strava (or else it didn’t happen, right?) for a chance to win a brand new Open U.P. bike while, as usual, lots more prizes are up for grabs in Rapha’s annual Spirit of the Festive 500 awards.
So, if you fancy taking on everyone’s favourite yuletide challenge for the first time this Christmas, check out our 15 tips to complete the Rapha Festive 500 and knock off the kilometres with ease, while also having a nosy at five cool things you may need (or at least tell yourself that you need) to see you through the long, cold miles…
Nothing like an early Christmas present to yourself, eh?
What was that earlier about capitalism…
Reader reaction: Trains, double white lines, and shrinking Strava artwork
Responding in today’s comments section to the saga of the “privileged” cyclist on the train, road.cc reader Oldfatgit, sharing his own experience of travelling with his bike on public transport, astutely noted the assumption at the heart of the photographer’s apparent ‘gotcha’ post:
One thing I really love about the commute is the look of confusion that obviously able-bodied people get on their faces when they point out that I’m in a disabled seat on the train, in cycle gear and that I should get up and let someone else have the seat. (By someone else, they mean them).
I used to argue with them… now I just point to the walking stick that’s strapped to my crossbar, point to the sign advising priority seating and say, ‘feel free to get the guard’.
Tends to shut them down quite quickly.
It’s not understood by many able-bodied people that it’s perfectly possible – and in many cases recommended – to be able to ride a bike while being unable to walk very far. It seems to be beyond comprehension to some that this is possible.
It is, and without my e-bike I’d be pretty much housebound and not able to get in to work.
Brooksby also described the photo as “equivalent to someone putting their bag on a seat so nobody can sit next to them. Does this woman post photos and snarky comments about them?
“And – my own opinion – wouldn’t the folded bike, rucksack and helmet take up far more room on the train if he blocked the aisle with it?”
A big holler to the @ToolesTransport driver for this patient and expert Most Excellent Overtake from last week. I gave them the big thumb, and I got a friendly toot back. If you can track down the driver and pass on my thanks it would be appreciated. @WMerciaRoads #MEO 🙂👍🚲❤️ pic.twitter.com/LmxbzDl5g3
— SHIFT (@goSHIFTscheme) December 5, 2022
Onto the wide passing lorry driver now, who seems to have divided opinion. A1white says that the cyclist “shouldn’t really have posted that video on social media (especially tagging the police and the company), as technically [the lorry driver] broke the law with the overtake.
“You said thanks to him, for giving you lots of room and he acknowledged it, that should be the end of it.”
Steve K, however, wrote: “I’m generally quite relaxed about motorists going over solid white lines to overtake me on my bike, provided they can see it’s clear.
“I’d much rather they did that than try and squeeze past me, or, even, be stuck behind me for some way. My assumption is that solid white lines are put in when, say, it would take too long to overtake safely with a 10mph differential in speed. But chances are overtaking me the speed differential is going to be much higher, so the overtake time and distance will be much less.
“The proviso, though, is that the motorist can clearly see it is safe.”
Meanwhile, JustTryingToGetFromAtoB shared his own pleasant driver story:
I had a nice one yesterday. Short road with cars parked both sides. I’m usually prepped to hug in before I get flattened by a motorist pulling what I now refer to as ‘the slam it at a school kid’ dick move.
People carrier turned in as I was heading up. It paused at the top before the parked cars. I had ear-marked my pull in space, but the driver motioned for me to continue before they moved.
Good man! Not my usual experience of people carriers and not my usual experience of that road.
And finally, Grahamd had a few questions about Colin Turner’s, ahem, interesting Strava art:
The live blog kiss of death: Probably should have spent more time practising penalties and less time watching cycling, eh Luis?
Yet more penalty drama at the World Cup 🤯
🇲🇦 ✅✅❌✅
🇪🇸 ❌❌❌Madness for Morocco 🙌
Sadness for Spain 💔#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/6mCApeNVOP
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 6, 2022
Just hours after featuring on the live blog, Luis Enrique’s cycling holiday/World Cup campaign came to an abrupt end, as his Spain side crashed out on penalties to Morocco in their last 16 tie this afternoon.
Well, at least he’ll be able to watch the rest of the cyclocross World Cup uninterrupted this winter. Silver linings, and all that.
“This is what privilege looks like”: Train user accused of “outrage signalling” after criticising cyclist with bike in priority area
The lack of space for bikes on trains in the UK is a subject we’ve covered frequently here at road.cc, from Cycling UK’s dismissal of London North Eastern Railway’s storage provision in October 2019 as “downright dangerous” to editor Jack Sexty’s rather blunt critique of GWR’s offering on a special edition of the live blog later that month.
Even LNER’s upgraded bike racks, unveiled earlier this year, aren’t to everyone’s tastes, with words like “problematic” and “rubbish” still being thrown about.
But, instead of banging on about the limited storage space for bikes, today we’re going to be exploring the other side of the debate…
Last week, one cyclist on board a train out of Liverpool Street station was accused of exercising his “privilege” – by keeping the priority seat beside him reserved for his folding bike:
This is what privilege looks like on a crowded train from Liverpool St to Chingford late tonight. This man was aware that quite a few of us were standing but actually felt that his bike deserved the priority seat instead of any of us (including a woman heading for her 70s). pic.twitter.com/XXbzSnRWEY
— Clair (@indieHackney) December 1, 2022
After being inundated with replies, the Twitter user who posted the image on Thursday night (and who describes herself as a cyclist) wrote: “It’s amazing how this one tweet has managed to grab the attention of so many.
“Is it because London has become so increasingly divided? Interesting range of responses. He definitely registered me standing. Unbeknownst to him, I was only going two stops. What it signifies upset me.”
As noted by the original poster, the photo proved the catalyst for a wide-ranging debate, featuring a host of ‘Why didn’t you tell him to move his bike?’ tweets to, naturally, sweeping generalisations about cyclists (it is the internet after all):
I know it’s not the done thing but I would have said something, if there’s something Brits hate is being embarrassed in public!
— FIDΞL (@FidelUK) December 2, 2022
Not sure this is fair. It might have been empty when he got on. Ideally people shouldn’t have to ask him to move it, but it’s only an issue if he was politely asked and refused to move it.
— Ryan Hockley 🇪🇺🇰🇷 (@rphockley) December 2, 2022
I don’t understand why you would even have to ask. Any decent person would recognise the issue and make the seat available, even if it means standing yourself. Fit enough if you’re a regular cyclist.
— Andy Firman (@AndyfFirman) December 2, 2022
Cyclists in a nutshell there
— Tony (@cabsfortheboys1) December 2, 2022
However, others claimed the train photographer was simply trying to stir up hatred against people on bikes, with one cyclist accusing her of “outrage signalling”:
Such a crowded train that there’s nobody standing in the aisle, judging by the window reflection. Funny that you have taken a close-cropped shot rather than illustrating the overcrowding. How do you know the man was “aware”, did you speak to him and he refused to move the bike?
— Rendel Harris (@Rendel_Harris) December 2, 2022
… and if you spoke with him, did you ascertain that he himself did not have a reason to need a priority seat?
not all disabilities are visible, not all disabilities preclude the use of a bicycle, and not all priorities are disability related.— GMBasix (@BasixGM) December 2, 2022
Hi, I’ve recently had to use the metro a lot with my bike due to being too injured to do my regular cycling but too poor for taxis. The stares and comments I got for sitting in the priority area were awful and increased my anxiety.
Disabled people bike too
Bikes are mobility aids— Mr.Rogers Gayborhood (@LostMyInhaler) December 3, 2022
Keyboard activist Clair would rather post on social media in an attempt to cause hatred towards cyclists.
Ps. From the reflections in the
windows, the train looks empty.— Vélo Maurice (@VeloMaurice) December 2, 2022
And right back to our original point about bikes on trains:
Try this – why don’t train companies provide enough space for people…?
— CyclingInASkirt (@CyclingInASkirt) December 3, 2022
Because Claire isn’t about that, she just wants a go at cyclists. That’s why she didn’t ask him to move it so she could sit, and why she doesn’t share pictures of people with luggage on seats.
— TSk (@TheSenkari) December 3, 2022
Five-time Tour de France stage winner Dylan Groenewegen beaten by 15-year-old “future Mathieu van der Poel” in cyclocross race
Ah, cyclocross, the great leveller.
While freaks of nature like Mathieu van der Poel can simply breeze in after a month on the sun lounger and blow away the off-road specialists, it seems that other WorldTour stars – even those who have tasted glory on the Champs-Élysées – can be humbled by the sight of a knobbly tyre and a muddy field.
On Sunday, as MVDP romped to his second cyclocross World Cup of the season (from two attempts, mind you) in Antwerp, over 100 miles north near Amsterdam, five-time Tour de France stage winner Dylan Groenewegen was forced to settle for second at the Amsterdam Cross Competition, held in Het Twiske, just north of the city.
The BikeExchange sprinter, who secured a redemptive win at this year’s Tour in Sønderborg, two years on from being blamed for causing that horrific Tour of Poland crash with Fabio Jakobsen, was even put to the sword by a 15-year-old (15!) kid already dubbed the ‘next Mathieu van der Poel’.
Michiel Mouris, the current U16 Dutch cyclocross champion, managed to stay with the WorldTour star in the early stages, before surging clear on the course’s technical sections (you need more practice, Dylan!).
Mouris, whose 19-year-old brother Wessel rounded off the podium (there’s a photo for the mantelpiece), managed to hold off a late Groenewegen surge for a memorable win.
“It’s very special to beat Dylan here,” the 15-year-old, who has recovered from heart problems earlier this year, coolly told NH Nieuws after his big win.
“In the beginning I was in his wheel for a while, because Dylan rides very fast, of course. On the technical parts I always went in front and I was able to make a gap.
“It went really well. I started all the way at the back, but luckily I was able to move forward quickly. I didn’t expect to win this morning, because Dylan is of course riding very fast. He got close to me in the last part of the race but it’s special that I beat him”.
As for Groenewegen himself?
“At least I got a bunch of flowers. And I trained well,” he said after the race.
“Of course you always do your best. But if someone else is better, then so be it. It went well, although I said in advance that the technical parts with all those corners are a bit less for me. The straights and slopes went well, but in those technical parts I always lose ten metres to those young guys.”
When asked about his teenage conqueror, the former Tour of Britain stage winner said: “He rides very fast and could hold it for an hour. He did that very well, I couldn’t get him back.
“He is Dutch champion with the youngsters and they are already racing so fast these days. That shows that he’s a very great talent. Now comes the time when he has to be serious about his sport.”
And, most importantly, does he think young Michiel can become the ‘next Mathieu van der Poel’?
“Let’s hope so. Although that is still very early to say, of course.”
Michiel Mouris, remember the name…
6 December 2022, 09:38
Another ‘Not Near Miss’, but for entirely different reasons, unfortunately…
Speeding motorcyclist smashes into cyclist in shocking footage
The video from Colombia shows a motorcyclist race up the inside of an HGV, colliding with a cyclist riding on the hard shoulder
6 December 2022, 09:38
6 December 2022, 09:38
Helmets talking helmets...
Government shuts down mandatory cycling helmets question from Conservative MP
The Department for Transport insisted the government has "no intention" to make wearing a helmet while cycling a legal requirement
6 December 2022, 09:38
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The defence may well have argued that, and the magistrate may have accepted it, but that's not what the law says. It says that you have only driven without reasonable consideration for others if someone is inconvenienced. But the offence is committed if you drive without due care and attention, OR without reasonable consideration for other person. You have done the first if the driving falls below what would be expected of a careful and competent driver, regardless of whether anyone was inconvenienced. And CPS guidance specifically cites driving too close to another vehicle as an example.
Some years ago (before there was a cycle lane) I used to commute on Sidmouth St. But only because I worked on the London Road campus, from anywhere else there are better alternatives. As a cycle route it runs from between two busy roads, neither of which are exactly cycle friendly. So it's hardly surprising that no cyclists use it.
The officer's comments unfortunately reflect the reality of UK law. While the Highway Code guidance indeed refers to 1.5m, that is not anywhere in the law. And the criteria in law for proving a charge of careless driving does in fact rest on whether the rider is being "inconvenienced", as the discovered several years ago when the Met prosecuted a taxi driver who nearly hit me when cutting into my lane from the left near Marylebone. The prosecution lawyer was a barely competent newbie who fumbled over his words. The court computer was barely capable of playing the video footage, which kept freezing and crashing. The cabbie had an highly assertive defence lawyer who immediately seized on this point, and argued to the magistraite that I clearly hadn't been "inconvenienced" because I had not stopped or swerved, and had carried on my journey. Never mind that didn't have time to do either of those things, or that I was centimetres from being hit - the magistraite acquitted him on those grounds. That is unfortunately the outrageous reality of actually prosecuting a close pass incident. I know it's popular to blame the police and the CPS for not prosecuting enough close passes ... but the fact is the law is inadequate, and if the driver has a good lawyer then they can likely get off most close pass prosecutions.
Let's not forget the protruding "side" mirror...
HTML rules are clearly only partially implemented
please can we have the ability to use bold and italics for emphasis back as well?
As a Reading resident and cyclist, I can say I cannot think of a single occasion when I have seen a cyclist using the Sidmouth St cycle lane, nor can I think of any reason I'd use it myself. It doesn't connect to any other useful cycle routes. I don't rejoice that some of it is going back to motor traffic but I can see why the council is proposing to do that. Reading could really do with a cycleway to cross the town centre west to east and east to west but I'm not holding my breath on that.
Giant are one of the most trustworthy brands out there when it comes to manufacturing components given that they actually own their own production facilities. None of that matters though when it comes to road hookless, I and most other people won't touch it with a barge pole. We're surely at a stage now where it's toxic amongst consumers and it's only a matter of time before the UCI ban it for racing.
Filling the road with one person per car is using the road space more efficiently, amazing, I never realised that.
I bought a Giant Defy recently and immediately sold off the hookless wheels at a pretty big loss and won't ever do that again. I'm not buying hookless for road ever. Giant in particular has very short list of what tires they test with their rims so it's way too restrictive even if I was going to ride hookless wheels. Which I won't. Very short sighted by Giant.
36 thoughts on “Tour de France stage winner beaten by 15-year-old “future Mathieu van der Poel”; Train user accused of “outrage signalling” after blasting cyclist with bike in priority area; Not Near Miss of the Day; Spain boss talks cyclocross + more on the live blog”
I had a nice one yesterday.
I had a nice one yesterday. Short road with cars parked both sides. I’m usually prepped to hug in before I get flattened by a motorist pulling what I now refer to as ‘the slam it at a school kid’ dick move.
People carrier turned in as I was heading up. It paused at the top before the parked cars. I had ear-marked my pull in space but the driver motioned for me to continue before they moved.
Good man! Not my usual experience of people carriers and not my usual experience of that road.
This is happening more and
This is happening more and more since the highway code changes in my experience. You still get the bullies though so you still need to be careful.
I’ve recently had about a
I’ve recently had about a half dozen HWC passes where it shows that blindly keeping 1.5m away does not solve the piss poor driver problem.
Today I only had one serious close pass – one of those “I can see the cyclist, I can see the lorry bearing down on me? What should I do? Well waiting isn’t an option is it?” passes. But I’ve now had several where the driver gives masses of room but has not accounted for the junction with car emerging, blind bend etc.
Today’s was nearly horrific. Driver passes group with bags of room, nearly on the verge, totally ignoring a walker walking against the flow of traffic, back to overtaking car. I called a warning and the walker half stepped onto the high verge but lost balance so stepped back. The car briefly braked, didn’t alter course to split the difference, instead skimmed within a couple of inches of the walker. Scary stuff.
1.5 metres seems to be on the checklist now. Looking for potential or even actual hazards is asking too much – target fixation MGIF.
Also, Colin Turner is EXACTLY
Also, Colin Turner is EXACTLY the content I am here for!
Kudos to the Pedalling Picasso but Colin is where its at.
JustTryingToGetFromAtoB wrote
To combine the stories, does his artwork get smaller when it gets colder?
I’m generally quite relaxed
I’m generally quite relaxed about motorists going over solid white lines to overtake me on my bike, provided they can see it’s clear. I’d much rather they did that than try and squeeze past me – or, even, be stuck behind me for some way. My assumption is that solid white lines are put in when, say, it would take too long to overtake safely with a 10mph differential in speed – but chances are overtaking me the speed differential is going to be much higher, so the overtake time and distance will be much less.
The proviso, though, is that the motorist can clearly see it is safe.
Re overtaking truck on white
Re overtaking truck on white lines – also need ot bear in mind height. While a car driver would not have been able to see over the “brow” of that slope, a truck driver, much higher up, can see and see it’s clear. I’m more concerned about the pillocks that overtake even though they CAN’T see.
Bigfoz wrote:
Me too – and regardless of the type of line in the centre of the road
He shouldn’t really have
He shouldn’t really have posted that video on socal media (especially tagging the police and the company), as technically he broke the law with the overtake. You said thanks to him, for giving you lots of room and he acknowledged it, that should be the end of it.
A written Parliamentary
A written Parliamentary Question about mandatory helment wearing – and a clear no from the government.
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2022-11-29.98745.h&s=%22road+safety%22#g98745.q0
Steve K wrote:
The advice to wear a cycle helmet needs removing from the Highway Code while there is no such guidance for pedestrians or motor vehicle occupants to wear crash hats.
ChrisB200SX wrote:
Indeed, the risk of a serious head injury is higher for walking 5km than cycling 5km. If I walk to work without a helmet it’s perfectly normal, if I cycle to work without a helmet people react as if I had just taken up white water shark wrestling.
The advice to wear a cycle
The advice to wear a cycle helmet needs removing from the Highway Code while there is no such guidance for pedestrians or motor vehicle occupants to wear crash hats
I always wear a helmet when cycling, but I agree with this. It’s only there to be used as a weapon against cyclists
From the website:
From the website:
“Mark Pritchard Conservative, The Wrekin
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will hold discussions with road safety and cycle representative groups on making it a legal requirement for cyclists to wear helmets on public roads.”
But what prompted him to ask the question? Is this yet another deluded MP with visions of saving thousands of lives a year (Eric Martles et al) or has he just been wound up by Headway?
eburtthebike wrote:
More likely being funded by Oil and Auto industry
eburtthebike wrote:
Does “wound up by” mean, “had a big financial donation made to his constituency office by”?
brooksby wrote:
He gets almost £10k a month from his advisory firm’s clients, for which he toils for 34 hours. If that were a regular full time job, he’d be getting £500k per annum, which is about 20 times median I think. Salt of the earth really, just a bloke doing his best.
Clients include ‘Linden Energy Holdings, Inc; an energy development company”, whatever developing energy is.
The big surprise for me here
The big surprise for me here is that a polititian has actually answered a question directly and with no ifs or buts. That must be one for the record books surely.
I go on theyworkforyou regularly and I’ve never seen 50 in the yes box for does this answer the question before.
One thing I really love about
One thing I really love about the commute is the look of confusion that obviously able-bodied people get on their faces when they point out that I’m in a disabled seat on the train, in cycle gear and that I should get up and let someone else have the seat. (By someone else, they mean them).
I used to argue with them … now I just point T the walking stick that’s strapped to my crossbar, point to the sign advising priority seating and say … “feel free to get the guard”.
Tends to shut them down quite quickly.
It’s not understood by many able-bodied people that it’s perfectly possible – and in many cases recommended – to be able to ride a bike while being unable to walk very far. It seems to be beyond comprehension to some that this is possible.
It is … and without my ebike I’d be pretty much housebound and not able to get in to work.
Valid point.
Valid point.
The other thing is what someone on Elon Musk’s new toy said: at the worst case, this photo is equivalent to someone putting their bag on a seat so nobody can sit next to them. Does this woman post photos and snarky comments about them?
(And – my own opinion – wouldn’t the folded bike, rucksack and helmet take up far more room on the train if he blocked the aisle with it?)
I did wonder where else he
I did wonder where else he could have stored the bike. If it was a suitcase would she have had the same comments?
Sadly “doesn’t look that way
Sadly “doesn’t look that way to me!” is not limited to internet forums. And we all make snap judgements based on our (normally limited) experience.
Wonder if there’s something to the “cycling = sport” conception which then means people can’t get past the “but if you’re fit enough / able to a bike…” bit? So people don’t see them as mobility aids (nor does the law)?
Meanwhile just over 100 miles away: tricycles, any kind of “cycle”…
chrisonatrike wrote:
Thanks for that link … looks like I’d better not think that the Disablity Discrimination Act is on my side if ever I get stopped and to use the mobility aid card.
Hear hear! As someone with
Hear hear! As someone with Crohn’s and a radar key I have been challenged before. Not often, but more than once. If I’m in a good mood I explain that not every disability is visible, but I have told someone to mind their own f-ing business before.
@ShutTheFrontDawes
@ShutTheFrontDawes
I have offered to show people the shitshow that is my knee, but they soon back off when they realise I’m in bibs and the only way to the knee is from the top …
wtjs – is this you !
wtjs – is this you ?!
So they get a pass until they
So they get a pass until they’ve been warned thriugh a nip that this illegal activity is illegal? Wow.
In the twitter thread, mar
In the twitter thread, mark hodson says
“Yes, quite bizzare, do we not do the same vehicle for speeding twice in the same week, day or even hour… “
Someone else put
“It’s Lancs Police. Be thankful they didn’t send a PCSO round to your house and threaten you with further action for wasting police time…”
Remember the hoohah when
Remember the hoohah when drivers got multiple speeding tickets over the course of a week on the same stretch of road. “Y’Honour, I don’t believe this should be treated as multiple offences as I never had the ticket to state I had been speeding the first time so I couldn’t correct the mistake”.
So I suppose it is similar to that. It might also be why that BMW that wtjs never gets done. They are still awaiting the response to the first nip.
There was an article recently
There was an article recently about a chap getting caught twice, two minutes apart. Separate roads, separate cameras with a different limit in between. He rightly got NIP’d twice, and I hope got prosecuted for it twice.
https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/man-receives-two-speeding-tickets-7631249
It can (and in my opinion should) be done.
Worked for this scrote.
Worked for this scrote (same road). Although shouldn’t have even been offered a speed awareness course for the first one. He AVERAGED 50 in a 30mph initially, so could have been doing 40 and 60 along the first stretch. To then state he thought it was 40 just shows he was either driving without due care and attention as the stretch has multiple signs, or doesn’t know the HC on what a road with lights and no speed signs means.
It might also be why that BMW
It might also be why that BMW that wtjs [keeps showing with no MOT, insurance or VED for years] never gets done. They are still awaiting the response to the first nip
I’m sure you’re aware by now that nobody is ever prosecuted for any traffic offence by Lancashire Constabulary! (except, maybe, speeding). This is MV57 GXO outside the Old Police Station, Garstang, overnight
I can barely see it – it
I can barely see it – it should have lights on and be wearing reflective clothing else it’s got itself to blame if anyone drives into it.
I can barely see it – it
I can barely see it – it should have lights on and be wearing reflective clothing else it’s got itself to blame if anyone drives into it If anyone did, LC would still make out they didn’t notice the absence of MOT, insurance and VED. It’s all part of the LC Offender Defence Program
wtjs – is this you ?!
wtjs – is this you ?!
No- in keeping with Lancashire Constabulary’s firm opinion that it’s the reporters that are the problem in Lancashire not the offenders, and the fact they can’t dispute offences like this ‘No MOT for 11 months and 3 years 3 months economical No-VED motoring’, they prefer to keep their heads deep down in the sand and never reply to me- thereby proving to their own satisfaction that the offences never happened and are therefore not recorded. This dodge was successfully run for years by Greater Manchester Police before they ‘were put in Special Measures’- when you’re lumbered with a police force as bent and as ineffectual as these you have to keep going! It’s a safe bet there will be no prosecution or any other action in the prior offence which LC uses to bin the offence reported by ‘Mr Davies’ in the instance you mention. LC deploys an army of dodges!
So committing lot sof
So committing lot sof offences keeps you on the road.
Here’s my local PCC:
A Conservative police and crime commissioner who pledged to crack down on speeding has been caught breaking a 30mph limit five times within a 12-week period.
The PCC for Nottinghamshire police, Caroline Henry, admitted the offences, including two committed on consecutive days, at a previous hearing in February at Nottingham magistrates court.
…
The 52-year-old, who was elected to the post in May 2021, was caught speeding in a blue Mercedes and a silver Lexus with a personalised number plate in 30mph zones at four locations in Nottingham in March, May and June last year.
Court documents relating to the charges she has admitted show Henry was caught speeding twice near a primary school in Daybrook, Nottingham, as well as roads in Chilwell, Beeston and the city’s A610.
Speed cameras clocked the PCC‘s speed as high as 40mph in a 30mph zone, with other excess speeds recorded at 35mph and 38mph.
The offences took place on 17 and 18 March, 2 and 27 May, and 8 June last year.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/may/03/nottinghamshire-police-and-chief-caught-speeding-five-times-in-12-weeks
She has not resigned her position, citing various combinations of weasel words.