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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Pretty impressive stuff from Axel Laurance there - from sliding along prone on the tarmac to back up on his feet all in the one movement. Shame he didn't manage to land it back on the bike again for the full effect, but good going nonetheless.
This has always happened in politics. It's just easier to find out about it now.
@Kadinkski Why not go full H2G2 and bring out peril-sensitive sunglasses - they could help people develop a relaxed attitude to danger?
It's not the cycling that is the hazardous bit, it is the car drivers knocking you off with 2 tonnes of steel. The Dutch manage to survive without helmets because it's normal. Assuming cars must be the dominant form of transport is the problem.
@ajuk.uk@gmail.com I'd also note that you seem to ignore that simply changing the numbers on a sign does "work". It does bring average speeds down and there are fewer consequences. I'm assuming you would welcome fewer deaths and injuries - but perhaps you think that's overstated / think that the "principle" is more important? Or you think that's a price worth paying for some other reason / "just one of those things"? I think measurable "reduced average speed" leading to things like measurable "reduced KSIs" is an improvement and will gladly take it * - until we get round to rebuilding the roads / adding a lot more traffic police / making humans "better" somehow (increasingly unlikely outcomes)... You seem to differ here - is that fair? Is that because "respect for the law" / avoiding people getting used to breaking the law is an axiom? Or just the *most* important thing? If so is that because "it's a slippery slope" and once "respect" has lost you feel that *all* bets are off? While things like "belief" and "respect" clearly are important, I would disagree that in this instance "respect for the law" is *the* most important aspect. People have been breaking any law I can think of for as long as I can remember. But "it's complicated" - the numbers who do so vary immensely. Some laws are broken by many if not all, some of the time - but even then people may not completely ignore them. Because of this complex interplay between human behaviour, law, etc. I am less worried that "5mph over the speed limit and next they'll be 10mph and ignoring the lights". Especially since in some environments the "respect for the law" has been observed in the breach for time. I'll take "25 in a 20" over "32mph in a 30mph limit" while acknowledging that where we would want a 20mph limit the goal is to have people going at *most* 20mph. (And maybe in e.g. a car park 20mph is far too high anyway?) * I do have an ulterior motive - I would also like to see less motor traffic in urban environments and what is there being less obtrusive / noisy - and I think lower speeds help that.
I'd be interested if they could see a couple of hours ahead and tell me when I'm going to run out of energy half an hour from home, so I can cut the ride short.
@ajuk.uk@gmail.com Lots of points there - can only pick a couple. Hmm... basing road safety principles on our busy modern roads on what applied in the 1930s? Yet it sounds like you favour the 1936 version because "better than 1930". Can we not do better than that? Where I think we agree: that the *better* way of setting the speed limit is to modify the road design. And obviously that sometimes levels of compliance are sometimes extremely poor. It varies - but in fact I think the situation you describe in your last paragraph has largely come to pass - effectively speeding (in some ways) *has* become socially normalised already! It must have, because such high percentages do it! And I don't think that's something new. It likely has at least as much to do with "risk of getting caught" combined with the consequences. Of course society's view of speeding / those who speed is also involved. Where we differ - I would question the whole "goal is identifying genuinely dangerous drivers" idea. (How is that defined?). Why? I am not convinced that is in fact what our system does (even if you feel it is or should be set up to do so). Or rather - the way we do it is extremely ineffective. In practice it's reactive policing and we determine they're dangerous because after lots of "minor offences" they kept playing the odds and killed someone in such an egregious way that their lawyer can't convince other drivers that it's just "one of those things". Of course it's open to you to argue that's a problem of success - we already have reduced offending to very low levels compared with how it was...
I've been working on some glasses with an overlay that sees up to 5 seconds ahead. Idea is to warn of upcoming collision or hazard. Have developed a working software model using AI, but I'm struggling with the product design aspect - like how to get this into the glasses but in a way that doesn't distract the rider. Maybe it only appears when an imminent collision is identified? I'm kind of looking for help with developing the product - have sent PoCs to Smith, oakley, and Apple but no response - I'm excellent with the tech/software, but not partnerships or product development. Will be doing a kickstarter but let me know if anyone is interested in chat first and potentially coming onboard. Could be a complete gamechanger!
I think modern politicians need a different skillset to succeed than earlier generations. Obviously there's a lot of overlap, but the (social) media environment is now such that politicians need to always be in campaign-mode to some degree, at the expense of time spent getting to grips with their brief and governing.
@mctrials23 Yes, all of that and especially (I'm sure you meant this under the training understanding/advancements) huge blocks of altitude training which effectively legally simulates doping with EPO.
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?