Family demands council “gets serious” about promoting cycling as bike shed planning breach saga continues; Cyclist reunited with good samaritan; Bikes at polling stations; Giro kit poll; Extreme bike rack; Active travel dispute + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
"How would an SUV parked in that space be more in keeping exactly?": Confusion and disbelief after family told to remove homemade bike shed
Since yesterday’s main live blog story about the Leicester family told to remove their homemade eco bike shed as it is not in keeping with the Victorian character of the area, we have had plenty of comments of disbelief and frustration. Kavi Pujara and Labour councillor Lindsay Broadwell urged people to send comments of support to the family’s cause on Leicester City Council’s planning portal.
These screenshots from Google Street View sum up most of the frustration at the story…cars parked everywhere, front gardens converted into space for multiple vehicles and a car park are all seemingly part of the ‘Victorian’ character of the street…
On Twitter, Oli suggested that to make it a truly Victorian place to live the council “better get rid of all those cars on the street, the electrically powered street lighting, the uPVC doors and windows, double glazing and any plastic wheelie bins.”
Wait till the council finds out the Victorians had wooden bike sheds, they are going to be shocked I tell you. They will demand every house has one to be historically accurate pic.twitter.com/DBaJ56wMY1
— Richard Parker (@velohistorian) May 6, 2021
Farcical https://t.co/ElgSTBdppe
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) May 5, 2021
Israel Start-Up Nation reveal groovy new kit for the Giro d'Italia
What do you think? 😍
____
🇮🇹 #Giro pic.twitter.com/uyeiiyIhD0— Israel Start-Up Nation / Israel Cycling Academy (@TeamIsraelSUN) May 6, 2021
Alex Dowsett and Dan Martin have got a fresh new kit for the Giro. Our latest Drink at Your Desk Live! guest can leave the blue and white stuff at home as Israel Start-Up Nation have gone for a mishmash of colour. I actually quite like it, to be fair…
Strava's app down the day after new interface update
Loving the new @Strava app… pic.twitter.com/BwlkATVJ14
— Paul Evans (@evvopaul) May 6, 2021
Strava’s app appears to be down just a day after it was updated with a new interface to make it easier to use. A quick peek at social media found plenty of disgruntled athletes having trouble uploading their activities. After all, if it is not on Strava…well, you know the rest….
Strava has not yet commented on the issue, however this morning its support account on Twitter handily replied with this to one upset user: “we’ve made changes to the Strava app that we hope will make it easier to find and use the features you like”.
We will have more to follow on this one shortly…
Bikes at polling stations
Please vote. #bikesatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/8IsMKQeJ92
— Adam Tranter (@adamtranter) May 6, 2021
Granted, dogs at polling stations is our favourite election day content, but bikes at polling stations can be a close second. Coventry Bicycle Mayor Adam Tranter got in early….on Tuesday he persuaded the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates for the West Midlands mayoral election to agree to five key active travel pledges.
More election day bikes…
🗳It’s Election Day!! 🗳
Early ride to vote for @hsigreens lead candidate @ArianeBurgessHI#VoteGreen to make tackling the climate and ecological emergency a priority. #VoteGreen for a more inclusive, fairer, greener Scotland.#BikeToBallotBox #bikesatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/FF6ArcBGjo
— Allan (@AllansGray) May 6, 2021
I’m a candidate in #Evesham #Worcestershire and have done a tour of polling stations! #Cycling #bikesatpollingstations #Elections2021 pic.twitter.com/FelKr9KLNh
— Helen Russell (@helengoth) May 6, 2021
Chris Froome partners with Quad Lock
Partnering up with @QuadLockCase to make staring at my stem way more fun 😁 🎶🎵 #cycling pic.twitter.com/iXxdNT0Ays
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) May 6, 2021
Santini reveals eco-friendly Vuelta a España leaders' jerseys
The first Grand Tour of the year is just around the corner but we have some news about the final Grand Tour in the calendar too. Santini revealed these new eco-friendly jerseys for the race leaders which are made from recycled materials. The famous red jersey for the overall race leader is sponsored by Carrefour. Škoda, Feníe Energía and Loterías y Apuestas del Estado sponsor the green points jersey, white jersey for best young rider and polka dot mountains jersey respectively.
“The partnership between ourselves and the prestigious Spanish race, which has endured for five years now, is something we are particularly proud of because it confirms our unwavering commitment to pro cycling and dressing great champions,” Santini’s marketing manager Paola Santini commented.
More on Israel Start-Up Nation's red wine inspired Giro kit
Height order, as every lineup should be. New kit for the @giroditalia. Fantini Wines special 👌 pic.twitter.com/kzyRDatwZt
— Alex Dowsett (@alexdowsett) May 6, 2021
We have the official word on the colour of Alex Dowsett and Dan Martin’s new kit…dark red. That is nowhere near as pretentious as I was expecting. It is apparently inspired by the dark red of team sponsor Vini Fantini’s wines, something the riders will be hoping to sample after a stage win or two. The team’s Italian sponsor got the nod for the biggest race of the year in their home country and the kit has been designed by Israeli clothing company Jinga.
Rider Patrick Bevin is happy with how it turned out…”I like this one. I think it’s a really cool design. It’s a nice gesture to change the kit for our Italian sponsor Vini Fantini while racing the Giro. I really think it looks great!”
“We thank Sylvan [Adams, co-owner], Ron [Baron, co-owner] and the whole team for this beautiful gift,” Valentino Sciotti, president of Fantini Group said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for us to be under the spotlight in the most important race in Italy. We will live this moment with immense joy and as a further incentive to love this sport even more.”
Extreme bike rack...
From FB. And you thought your bike rack was impressive? pic.twitter.com/hpoad97GfD
— 🚲 Will 🇬🇧🇿🇦 (@WilliamNB) May 6, 2021
Bath transport boss claims new council leader asked her to drop walking and cycling plans
Cllr Joanna Wright claims the reason she is no longer a part of Liberal Democrat Kevin Guy’s new cabinet is because she refused to “dump” walking and cycling plans. Wright says Guy asked her to bin the active travel plans, despite “massive” public support.
Somerset Live reports Wright feels she was a victim of “slow motion sabotage” by colleagues wanting re-election more than tackling the climate crisis. She had led the Lib Dems’ manifesto promise to deliver more low traffic neighbourhoods and active travel schemes. “Our new leader Cllr Kevin Guy sent me an email on that [dumping active travel plans], which is probably one of the reasons why I’m no longer in the cabinet,” she said.
Cllr Guy disagreed with Wright’s assessment and said his administration was “collegiate” and not “hell-bent on ideology”.
Trek-Segafredo DS outlines Vincenzo Nibali's chances after injury-hit run to the Giro d'Italia
We’re gonna need a bigger boat!
The Shark @vincenzonibali is coming to the @giroditalia 🦈#Giro 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/MY2c7k373s— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) May 3, 2021
We’re gonna need a bigger boat was the line from Trek-Segafredo on Monday as the Shark of Messina, Vincenzo Nibali, beat a “race against time” to confirm his place at the Giro d’Italia. The two-time winner of the race broke his wrist after being hit by a driver last month but has recovered sufficiently, with the help of a specially designed carbon fibre cast, to take to the start line in Turin.
Trek-Segafredo sports director Kim Andersen has said we should not expect too much of Nibali early in the race and that his goals will be determined by how well he gets through the first week. “In our winter plan, he was the GC leader, but the crash changed everything,” Andersen explained. “We’ll understand his ambitions as we go along. For us, it is important to know that he is there. Vincenzo has class, experience, grit, and a very strong bond with the race. His determination is an added value without equal.
“He must pass the first week without problems, and then it will be a crescendo. Week three is his terrain. He can aim for the stages, or he can surprise everyone and fight for the GC, although the competition from the new generation will be very strong. Vincenzo’s goal is to race free.”
Anderson confirmed that given the question marks over Nibali, Bauke Mollema and Giulio Ciccone will have freedom to chase stage victories.
Rapha's latest EF Education-Nippo special...hot or not?
We get the feeling this one is going to be far less controversial than last Giro’s Palace collab. Rapha are back at it, bringing EF Education-Nippo a special one-off kit to wear at the Italian Grand Tour. That is two new Giro kits today and two thumbs up from me…but what do you reckon?
Take a closer look at the kit in all its glory as well as the “fastest ever TT aerosuit” they will be wearing in Turin on Saturday here…
Edinburgh cyclist injured in crash meets "mystery good samaritan" who helped
Caroline Hunter suffered a fractured wrist and leg injuries after hitting a pothole and coming off her bike on Slateford Road in Edinburgh on Friday 23 April. Edinburgh Live reports a mystery good samaritan stopped, used her car to prevent oncoming traffic posing a threat and provided first-aid help.
In a weird twist, the good samaritan turned out to be a friend of a friend. Caroline Nicolson explained how she found out the injured cyclist wanted to thank her in properly.
“It’s totally bizarre. It turns out she’s a friend of a friend,” Nicolson said. “I received a phone call from another friend who says they saw the article and asked ‘is that you?’. I think they recognised me from the red car, and my big first-aid bag. We’ve exchanged a few text messages. It was really nice of her to get in touch. It was then we realised we had some of the same friends.
“It was just common sense really. I stuck my hazards on and stopped the car so traffic had to go round us. I’ve always got a big first-aid bag in my boot so I was able to bandage her up and help get the shock under control. I would’ve taken her to hospital but she just wanted her husband to pick her up.”
No words needed...
That was an LTN road and gave a safe space for children to cycle. State of it now.
— Jo Rigby (@Jo_Earlsfield) May 5, 2021
Family asks for "joined-up thinking" from Leicester City Council if it is "serious about promoting cycling"
Last night Kavi Pujara once again appealed to Leicester City Council to be “serious about promoting cycling” and help his family with planning guidance to build an acceptable bike shed…
Writing on Facebook, he said: “Dear LCC [Leicester City Council]. How about some joined-up thinking here? If the city is serious about promoting cycling should you not get serious about storage solutions for cycles too?
“I understand that sheds in front gardens aren’t a permitted development, but we do need to store bikes somewhere. Perhaps with some planning guidance on building a bike shed from the council we could do this in a harmonious way and really be a cycle-friendly city.”
The family has received widespread support since the story broke yesterday, with numerous willing backers leaving positive comments on the council’s planning portal. As per the planning application, the council says it is aiming for a decision on the ‘retrospective application for construction of bike shed at front of house’ by May 20.
Mixed reception for Oakley Kato sunglasses
These are not to my liking at all, no doubt I’ll own a pair in two to three years time.
— #Kris (@LLCool_K) May 6, 2021
Oakley launched its new Kato glasses today and they have received a mixed reception over on our Twitter. A few shouts of “too expensive” and a few people not liking the design. On Twitter, Pedro left it short and not-so-sweet…
Hideous.
— Pedro (@pedro118118) May 6, 2021
Not much love from Veloist either…
Minging
— veloist (@veloman8) May 6, 2021
Are they that bad? Or is it the £231 price tag clouding people’s judgement? Let us know your thoughts.
6 May 2021, 08:03
6 May 2021, 08:03
6 May 2021, 08:03
6 May 2021, 08:03
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Fascinating and insightful article, thank you.
@Sriracha " Stick a battery in a car and your still a motorist ". I think you'll find a lot of motorists who disagree with you there ;-)
"Dude. Pretty confident I could bunny hop those barriers!"
It sounds as Dublin is experiencing visits from UFO cyclists. "It was bicycle shaped. I'd never seen anything like it before. It emitted a low hum and then streaked through a red light at an unimaginable speed - probably several times the speed of sound!"
RE: Dublin street barriers - if "anti-social types" is your problem then the answer is unlikely to be "put in something they'll either see as a challenge, or just ignore and find another way of causing trouble (possibly right *outside* of the barriers)"
It does seem baffling that he was allowed to carry on. I wonder if him being in yellow affected the decision.
As soon as Mrs H and I saw the Traeen crash (didn't intend that pun but I like it now) and him being checked over at the roadside we both said that's it for him, he can't go on. It was quite clear from the video that he had taken a massive force to his right hand side and his head had banged along the tarmac for a considerable distance, he should never have been allowed to get back on the bike. It's only sheer luck that the exhaustion and confusion the crash clearly caused didn't lead to another, worse one. Do the medics have access to the TV footage? If not they should, or somebody who does should be able to get in touch with them, so that they can factor in how bad a crash was if footage is available before letting the rider resume; I don't think anyone who saw the footage would have been happy to say it was safe for him to proceed.
That's the funniest thing I've read in ages. An MP complaining about language that obscures facts. An MP complaining that someone has bent the truth, altered the meaning and the perception. Maybe if he did that for everything that comes out of every politician's mouth or is written by them, our politics would be in a far better place and our people would be more knowledgeable. But I agree, he is correct to correct the article.
That's the funniest thing I've read in ages. An MP complaining about language that obscures facts. An MP complaining that someone has bent the truth, altered the meaning and the perception. Maybe if he did that for everything that comes out of every politician's mouth or is written by them, our politics would be in a far better place and our people would be more knowledgeable. But I agree, he is correct to correct the article.
"Frightening" wildfires are the absolute worst. I am quite partial to a "Mildly amusing" one myself.
27 thoughts on “Family demands council “gets serious” about promoting cycling as bike shed planning breach saga continues; Cyclist reunited with good samaritan; Bikes at polling stations; Giro kit poll; Extreme bike rack; Active travel dispute + more on the live blog”
Excellent, I hope Leicester
Excellent, I hope Leicester council are lampooned mercilessly until they leave this poor family alone with their little shed.
I think the best solution for
I think the best solution for the family would be (as recommended by a commenter yesterday) to buy a crapped out old van, preferably old enough to avoid VED and MOT requirements and park it in the road outside their house. Perfect shed, and totally in keeping with the current vibe of the street which seems to be “CARS EVERYWHERE”.
I believe also that putting
I believe also that putting their shed on wheels might help, because it is then classed not as a permanent fixture (although that might be a security issue!)
As one of the planning application replies noted, whilst cars enjoy this excuse, and indeed genuinely are mobile, nevertheless each space remains permanently occupied, by one car or another.
Maybe some bogies from a
Maybe some bogies from a Victorian era steam loco would do the trick. Or cast-iron cartwheels. Would do double duty as a decent ground anchor, plus you can fit an axle lock to stop them from moving.
I like how the Victorian
I like how the Victorian advert calls it a “bicycle house”
It’s not a shed, it’s an
It’s not a shed, it’s an elevated eco planting platform with sublevel storage
Why is it that in the team
Why is it that in the team photos Alex Dowsett always looks like a naughty schoolboy?
I quite like the kit though, although I thought the blue and white looks quite smart this year too.
First comment on the planning
First comment on the planning application is very negative, all the others seem to be supportive so let’s hope the council see sense: https://planning.leicester.gov.uk/Planning/Display/20210428
We are in a similar position, lucky to have a fair size front garden but only a small rear yard and are bound by the same planning rules – I can’t put a bike store in front of the building line despite being screened from the public by an 8 foot hedge, but any old Tom, Dick or Harry can park their car on the other side of that hedge. These rules need reviewing at a national level.
They do. Equally, I would not
They do. Equally, I would not want to see massive/ugly constructions in front of every house. So there needs to be something carefully worked out that allows for bike storage without giving carte blanched to all manner of outhouses.
The current example looks fine and blends in, especially with the grass roof and its low profile – you can hardly see it. But of course codifying “sensible” is not easy.
Just a thought, if permission for a bike storage shed came at the cost of no street parking in front of the house?
PS – what’s the betting the one objection is from the immediate neighbours with the nice (original?) iron railings?
Looks like a nice shed. I
Looks like a nice shed. I agree with another commentator to just screw some wheels and a towbar on it so it becomes a ‘trailer / caravan’. Perhaps some large diameter Victorian cart wheels would be nice.
Those don’t look like
Those don’t look like regulation ballot boxes in Adam Tranter’s photo.
The answer to planning
The answer to planning restrictions on bike sheds in front gardens is to make it mobile, such as put wheels on it.
This may seem stupid.
However, if you can do this and still make it secure you will thwart planning.
As it seems to be new kit day
As it seems to be new kit day, I see Adidas have released the new TeamGB Tokyo Olympics cycling jerseys, kind of looks like the runners kit now but with short sleeves https://www.adidas.co.uk/team-gb-cycling-jersey/FS0109.html
I see they’ve gone for the
I see they’ve gone for the ‘run in the wash’ look.
Never thought I’d see my
Never thought I’d see my parent’s old house on road.cc ! As I recall there was once a planning palaver over whether the front garden wall could be removed, so this isn’t even the first time it’s got into trouble!
Re: The Conservation Area
Re: The Conservation Area
This document gives more details and it shows the council out in an Article 4 order from 2007 which can stop drives being built etc but obviously any put in place before then could remain. Of course whether these have been enforced is a matter for FOI etc.
I mentioned yesterday that when I was looking up rights etc that Waltham Forest requires permissions for front garden bike sheds but show what they are looking for. Be warned The link is a word doc download and does not open in a web browse option. They show what they believe is acceptable and what isn’t and you can see the differences. Of course this is general and not specifically within Conservation or more stringent Article 4 directions but I think a the council should allow something with a bit of consultation on the setup compared to what they have now.
Although considering the roof was supposed to grow to allow it to blend in better, it hasn’t grown much from the GoogleStreetView in Nov and the pics on the articles above. (assuming the latter are recent).
Re: Bicycle House in
Re: Bicycle House in Leicester front garden.
There’s going to be a humorous ‘wtf’ moment when the planning application is reviewed, and the clerk observes > 100 supporting comments. Like a flashmob planning response.
As a Leicestershire resident
As a Leicestershire resident living not far from the property with the bike shed, I have followed this story with interest.
I have also taken the time to add a comment to the planning application in support of the family. The structure is tasteful and cannot be seen from the roadside. It looks far better than the SUV’s parked on the road and other gardens which have been converted to driveways.
what are the chances that a
what are the chances that a homeowning neighbour complained about the shed because they think it lowers the perceived property value? much like washing lines imply no tumble-dryer.
the infamous grouse wrote:
Why would ‘not having a tumble dryer’ affect any property prices?
brooksby wrote:
You seem to be under the impression that property prices are affected primarily by objective logic…..
Captain Badger wrote:
I’m so sorry – what WAS I thinking…?
Does this mean we have to use
Does this mean we have to use ours now?
I’m trying to replace it with a wine fridge – will my property value go up?
hirsute wrote:
Only if the wine fridge is dug into the floor….
Leicester Council are just be
Leicester Council are just be deliberately awkward. Conservation Areas and bike sheds can go hand-in-hand. Just ask City of Westminster Council. Their Queens Park Estate is rightly a Conservation Area of terraced cottages. The Council have installed a number of bike stores on the road (the front gardens being too small for any kind of shed).
Is Chris Froome’s
Is Chris Froome’s “partnership” with QuadLock actually a paid promotion /paid endorsement? If so, QuadLock should be making that clear.
Why don’t they just stick a
Why don’t they just stick a picture of queen vic on it?