“Against the soul of the sport”: Cycling fans disgusted by former rider’s idea to “privatise” Alpe d’Huez at the Tour de France to force fans to pay to watch at the roadside; “Yes, you can wash your bike too much” + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
"I can't believe I’m saying this… but yes, you can wash your bike too much"
Too much time spent in their rain cave, I reckon…
London council urges food delivery companies to do more to educate riders about e-bike laws and dangerous illegal modifications
Newham Council is calling on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to implement a “food delivery charter” to force companies like Deliveroo, JustEat and Uber Eats to better educate their couriers on the law around e-bikes and illegally modified vehicles.
The context is concerns from the local authority and the London Fire Brigade about fires involving lithium batteries, but food delivery companies have also faced questions from those worried about the safety implications for cyclists and pedestrians of couriers riding illegal electric motorbikes or illegally modified bikes in cycle lanes and shared-use areas.
The BBC reports Newham Council wants a charter that would require Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat to properly educate couriers and provide guidance on which bikes and modifications are legal and roadworthy.
Newham Council said the borough had “a high concentration of food-delivery riders”, with a growing number using illegally modified e-bikes or dangerous counterfeit chargers that pose a fire risk.
“These fires are extremely dangerous and people need to be warned of the dangers. The trouble is that these illegal batteries are often a fraction of the price of legal ones,” Labour councillor Amar Virdee said.
Figures from across the bike industry have warned about the dangers of unregulated, dangerous lithium batteries. Last year, Brompton boss Will Butler-Adams warned that public perception is already sceptical of e-bikes due to “too many examples of e-bikes, e-scooters and light electric vehicles hurting people” and that this could “all snowball into a world of fear” which could “affect the whole momentum of light electric vehicle transport”.
“We’ve got poor quality stuff coming into the UK and if we’re not careful, that will affect the whole momentum of light electric vehicle transport, which would be an absolute chronic shame,” he said.
Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat told the BBC they require their riders to use roadworthy and legal vehicles, and would “welcome” the chance to work more closely with London’s fire and transport authorities.
Should some parts of the Tour de France route be "privatised"? You have your say
Panda: “Having the ‘best’ sections of road ticketed with proceeds going equally to the teams seems fair to me as long as the tickets are available to all in a fair ballot process at a reasonable cost and the atmosphere is retained. The rest of the route is still free.
“If the model was one spectator per two metres of road applauding politely having each paid hundred of euros for the privilege (and most of the tickets going to corporate hospitality brokers) then that would be rubbish.”
Daddy Feebs: “Yeah, I get it — teams need money. So let them do what bands do, when on the road. Let them augment their fees, with merch sales, direct to the fans. With co-ordinated D2C, with meet and greets, with proper VIP events, access to riders. If you let people in, they’ll pay for that access, but it has to be done properly.”
SecretSam: “I can actually see Pineau’s point, and locations like Alpe d’Huez lend themselves to a ticket model. However…it’s a public road, so I’m not sure how that works. Personally, I’d prefer to be on one of the bends, Huez ski village is horrible.”
VanDerPollo: “Cycling without the people with free access will be its death.”
thisisthatian: “Disgusting. You’ve already said it. A public road, monetised. Cycling sadly is facing the same fate as many other sports, pay walls, which will only damage the sport.”
Filiberreke: “If it can be done and works in Tour of Flanders, why not on Alpe d’Huez…”
Het is koers: “No brainer. Although it’s the soul, scenes are becoming more and more out of hand. Plus it’s a way for destinations to generate income and also to know who’s actually attending. For many reasons a way forward…”
Feargal McKay: “1) It’s not against the soul of the sport. ASO, Flanders Classics, World Championships, other race organisers, already charge fans to watch parts of their races. 2) This has always been part of cycling’s financing model. 3) Do the math. The revenue earned is small. Spread over 20+ teams it’s tiny.”
ckshowalter: “I could see privatising for safety reasons. That stretch of road is getting scary insane. But it feels like it would be better to have a lottery draw system in that case.”
Meanwhile in Nottingham... police "clampdown" on illegal e-bikes
On the same day we brought you Newham Council’s bid for stricter action from food couriers regarding illegal use of electric mopeds and illegally modified e-bikes, Nottinghamshire Police reports it seized “numerous” illegal bikes in Nottingham during a “day of action”.
Seven bikes were seized in total, numerous officers (in one picture shared by the force there’s at least one officer for every bike seized in the whole day) sent to the city centre to stop and check riders’ bikes, seizing any that do not meet EAPC requirements of not exceeding 250w or the motor continuing to propel riders at speeds in excess of 15.5mph.
The force says the clampdown followed “concerns raised by members of the public”.
Sergeant Dan Butler, of the City Centre neighbourhood policing team, said: “Throughout the afternoon, we received a lot of positive feedback from the public with many saying they welcomed us seizing the e-bikes. The community impact has been massive. People have had enough of these riders whipping around without any regard to people’s safety.
“The complaints have ranged from safety issues in relation to these bikes speeding around on pavements showing a disregard for the safety of pedestrians and other people around the city centre. We’ve also had numerous reports of these bikes failing to stop at red traffic lights and using areas where it’s not suitable to ride a bike.
“If I could pass one message on to people who are considering utilising illegal e-bikes and illegal e-scooters in the city, just to let you know if you are seen by the police and you are stopped by the police, we will be seizing your bike. It will be extremely difficult for you to get that bike back and rest assured you will be prosecuted for any offences which come to light.
“That’s because we are very determined to get on top of this problem in this city — and that’s as a result of what the public have asked us to do.”
Major landslide takes out Carmarthenshire cycle path
The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, the charity formerly known as Sustrans, has reported a major landslide on the National Cycle Network Route 47, south of Tumble in Carmarthenshire.
Asking people to avoid the area and definitely not to approach the “extremely dangerous and unstable” site, the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust said its team is on-site and would close the affected area and route a diversion as soon as possible.
A spokesperson confirmed: “Our Walk Wheel Cycle Trust Estates Team are working to close the path and ensure route users are aware on the ground. We are working with local partners to secure the site and it will remain closed.”
A money-no-object Christmas gift for that cycling pal who's just a little bit too obsessed with their bike
Jo’s found a belter on Stinner Frameworks’ website, introducing the titanium photo stick, for adding a bit of extra class to your bike pics.
No more balancing with an actual stick or getting someone to let go at just the right moment, you can spend £62 on a titanium prop for your bike photo needs. It’s the 2.0, an upgrade on the original, something Stinner says is “one of its most requested products”.
It’s made from a 3D-printed yoke and has rubberised ends “for extra grip”. It apparently also breaks down to the size of a pencil for easy transport, the stick working by securing to your bike’s non-drive side bottom bracket.
Leave it in frame or Photoshop it out for perfect floating bike shots on your ride, Stinner suggests.
Cycling apparel pioneer Gore to close Gorewear clothing division after 40 years
> Cycling apparel pioneer Gore to close Gorewear clothing division after 40 years
Have you ever seen a cycling route like this designed in the UK?
There probably have been cycle routes built like this in parts of the country but it’s certainly different to lanes built on the side of roads, squeezed in between traffic and pavements.
This is the 3.7-mile Longbridge to Selly Oak route that is expected to be approved by Birmingham City Council after 55 per cent of people backed the project at a public consultation. At Selly Oak it has been designed to join up with other cycling routes to the city centre, creating a “connected corridor”.
Of the expected £22.5m required, two thirds (£14.5m) is coming from central government, while £8m is coming from local sources, the BBC reporting that’ll be £4m of funding from the city’s Clean Air Zone and £4m from bus lane enforcement.
“Transforming the city’s transport is fundamental to meeting the challenges of the next decade and beyond,” the council has stated.
“Economic, population and housing growth will create additional demand for travel, which cannot be accommodated via ongoing car dependence.”
Better Streets for Birmingham has expressed support and said the plans are a “stark contrast” to the current layout which includes a shared-use pavement and “cyclists sometimes crammed into a corner of the lane”.
Mathieu van der Poel shows off his skills
Don’t think I’d ever be able to get a travel insurance quote again if I tried this during a winter training camp…
Egan Bernal's yellow Tour de France-winning bike reportedly stolen in Colombia
> Egan Bernal’s yellow Tour de France-winning bike reportedly stolen in Colombia
"Against the soul of the sport": Cycling fans disgusted by former rider's idea to "privatise" Alpe d'Huez at the Tour de France to force fans to pay to watch at the roadside
The often outspoken former Giro d’Italia stage winner Jérôme Pineau — who blew up the Vuelta a couple of years ago when he claimed (without evidence) the team then known as Jumbo-Visma were motor doping — has found a new topic to stir the pot.
Accepting his stance “would shock people”, Pineau has made the case that Alpe d’Huez’s summit finish at next year’s Tour de France, one of the great roadside spectacles in the sport, should be “privatised” and ticketed for the final five kilometres.
His comments came on RMC’s cycling podcast, the Frenchman claiming cycling is “killing itself” and he expressed concern for the future of the sport. While few would disagree with his analysis that followed, the conclusion that Alpe d’Huez (and presumably other major climbs, roads and stages) should be ticketed for roadside fans has been deeply unpopular.
Pineau slammed the UCI and ASO (the organiser of the Tour and other races such as Paris-Nice, Paris-Roubaix, La Vuelta Femenina and Liège–Bastogne–Liège), accusing them of profiting financially out of the sport while riders and teams struggle to keep the lights on year after year.
“The people who run us think big because they’re lining their own pockets, as evidenced by these World Championships in Rwanda, which are simply a scandal for the finances of international cycling,” he began.
“I’m going to shock some people, but we’ve created a stage that will go up Alpe d’Huez twice [stage 20 only finishes at the summit and ascends the Col de Sarrene, not the iconic 21 bends]. Let’s privatise the last five kilometres of Alpe d’Huez, let’s charge admission, let’s have VIPs, let’s create something to make money. In the history of cycling, it’s popular, it’s a free sport. But a free sport where there are no more riders on the road because there are only two teams, Bahrain and UAE, is less fun, isn’t it?
“At the end of the Trouée d’Arenberg during Paris-Roubaix, there’s a VIP area. Who collects the money from the people who paid? It’s ASO. Spectators come to watch the race to see your riders, but your riders have zero on the revenue sheet. That’s what’s not right. Hospitality areas are organised at the Tour and other major races, but it’s the organiser who takes the money, not the people who put on the show.”
So… ticketed areas, more hospitality, more VIPs, but the money going to the teams rather than the suits’ back pockets?
Pineau was joined on the podcast by legendary Groupama FDJ team boss Marc Madiot, who agreed a “better balance” was needed between stakeholders, especially financially, but disagreed ticketing roadside fans was the way to go.
“I’m in favour of free access; we’re the last major sport that’s free. It’s one of our strengths,” he said.
Speaking more generally about running a team in 2025, Madiot continued: “Apart from the emirs and state sponsors, it’s difficult to make a name for yourself in the peloton these days. The problem with cycling is that it used to be a popular sport, for workers and farmers, and it’s becoming a sport for the rich.”
As Pineau himself predicted, his idea has not been popular with fans of the sport, the thought of losing one of cycling’s greatest and most unique features, freely accessible roadside spectating, repulsive to many.
“This is against the soul of the sport. Cycling is the people’s sport. Asking tickets would be against that. You also need millions to have a WT squad nowadays, so you would have to ask huge prizes, otherwise teams would still depend 90+ % on their sponsor.”
“Roads are a public good paid for by our taxes; that must remain free. To charge for spots, there are velodromes, but a Tour de France of velodromes wouldn’t interest many people.”
“Basically this will kill cycling. The key of the sport is that it’s free to watch live”
There were some willing to consider it, the much-followed Mihai Simion account on Twitter writing: “You can shoot me but I’d support this business idea IF THE MONEY WILL GO TO THE TEAMS and not to ASO. Just like in Ronde van Vlaanderen, tickets should be sold for some special places (NEVER most of the route!). I’d agree with the last 5 or 3 km of Alpe d’Huez. The current business model is broken, just see how many teams are disappearing… But of course, pro cycling should remain mostly free to spectators so I’m definitely against fully closed circuits where you can’t enter without paying, that’s for sure.”
In reply, someone else added: “It’s a good idea as it would make cycling teams more profitable as right now it’s a big marketing cost for not much direct measurable profits. But it is a slippery slope, so only big finals where crowds are too big at the moment. It would also increase safety of cycling.”
Thoughts?
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Latest Comments
I hope the government displays the correct 'moral fibre' attitude and also piles on the Fuel Price Escalator
I can't leave this 'ER' stuff unchallenged! We do not say ER!!
I was around in 1973 and remember the impact that the oil crisis and the subsequent oil price hikes had. That was a missed opportunity; this may be the second chance we've been waiting 52 years for. Hasn't come to that yet, but we need to be ready if it does.
[placeholder for obligatory picture meme of Inigo Montoya]
I think you're going to need to be more specific, because no-one can tell who or what you're responding to.
That word… it doesn’t mean what you think it means.
"I see many children in the ER with life altering injuries caused by crashing bikes while not wearing helmets. I also hear stories from paramedics about children who don’t even live long enough after a crash to get to the ER. Same with adults, but less so." Again, observer bias writ large. Do you also see the many, many more people who die because of obesity and associated illnesses because they didn't cycle? The health benefits of cycling outweigh the negatives by a huge margin, but this is never acknowledged by ER staff who only see dead/injured cyclists not the people who die from not cycling. Just because you see something doesn't mean it is universal, and there is much more too it than just ER. "Listen to the people whose job it is to scrape you off the road." Why would I listen to people with such a narrow viewpoint that they can't acknowledge that there is more too it than just what they see? People who literally don't understand that it's far bigger than them and their skewed views. "Wear a helmet, don’t trash people who do, and don’t nitpick about whether a helmet saved a life – if she thinks it did, that’s her right." No, I won't wear a helmet, that's my choice and having read a lot about it, that is completely justified. I don't tell people what to do, maybe you could do the same? I do suggest that they go and look at the evidence and data, otherwise, like you, they might be arguing from a false premise. She is entitled to think that a helmet saved her life, and it isn't nitpicking to say that is extremely unlikely, given the data. It also isn't nitpicking to point out that her sponsors likely include the company that made the helmet.
I'd rather listen to the people who are working to prevent so many traffic collisions. There's no clear evidence that helmets do anything to make cyclists safer (though there is limited evidence to suggest that bike helmets make cyclists less safe) though they do provide a small amount of protection that is likely ineffective in multi-vehicle collisions. You're using a strange logic really. I wouldn't head straight to rubbish collectors to inform me about the best shopping decisions, though it is clearly their job to collect the remnants of my shopping. Similarly, I wouldn't go to a sewer engineer to get the best health advice to keep my toilets regular etc. To be honest, your mention of "children in the ER" seems like an emotional distraction technique to prevent people from thinking clearly.
I see many children in the ER with life altering injuries caused by crashing bikes while not wearing helmets. I also hear stories from paramedics about children who don't even live long enough after a crash to get to the ER. Same with adults, but less so. Listen to the people whose job it is to scrape you off the road. Wear a helmet, don't trash people who do, and don't nitpick about whether a helmet saved a life - if she thinks it did, that's her right.
Likely due to the right wing oligarchs that almost all our media. Even the BBC is right wing and will even frame questions using a far right wing world view when interviewing Greens or Lib Dems (are they even still around?).
40 thoughts on ““Against the soul of the sport”: Cycling fans disgusted by former rider’s idea to “privatise” Alpe d’Huez at the Tour de France to force fans to pay to watch at the roadside; “Yes, you can wash your bike too much” + more on the live blog”
Not having spectators paying
Not having spectators paying to watch road cycling is why most professional cyclists aren’t paid very much. Also, it makes it hard to financially run a team; a lot of women are paid nothing.
Um, kind of, but mainly
Um, kind of, but mainly cycling gets its money from sponsors. Who are interested in exposure ie people viewing. Fewer people (due to tickets or other reasons) -> less sponsorship.
The issue with cycling is it’s held on public roads. So mostly you can just rock up. The ‘road’ may be closed, but the surrounding bits are more challenging. However, it works for events like the New Year fireworks in London, so it’s do-able.
They can charge cars and
They can charge cars and campervans to go into the mountains.
Again, how will that work?
Again, how will that work? They’re public roads.
SecretSam wrote:
Again, how will that work? They’re public roads. — kingleo
The roads are closed during the race so charging for entry should be straight forward.
Motorists have to pay to get
Motorists have to pay to get into London.
Well how does it work at the
Well how does it work at the finish line then ? you dont see a camper van parked on a finish line because its a ‘public road’, because the organisers have liased with the local authorities and said nope no public motor vehicles allowed to park here, infact they usually say you arent allowed within 5km of the finish with a vehicle, on a MTF the gendarmes will stop you proceeding further at least half way up the day before.
I can actually see Pineau’s
I can actually see Pineau’s point, and locations like AdH lend themselves to a ticket model. However…it’s a public road, so I’m not sure how that works.
Personally, I’d prefer to be on one of the bends, Huez ski village is horrible.
The reality at the TdF and
The reality at the TdF and most cycling tour races, is the people you see at the finish line, or with the best view of the finish are rarely the ones there for free.
Watch some of the footage from the social media influencers invited to the TdF, always by the finish line with the best view, they might not have paid, but their sponsors did.
Even the Tour of Britain does it, couldnt get anywhere near the finish line at Southwold because the corporate guest part blocked off a whole chunk of space, and everyone there for free was squeezed into barely more than a pavements width of space.
This is really Pineaus point, people already pay race organisers for better access to spectate from, to get that premium experience but they call it hospitality, and all the profit goes to the race organiser, not the teams.
Yeah, I get it – teams need
Yeah, I get it – teams need money. So let them do what bands do, when on the road. Let them augment their fees, with merch sales, direct to the fans. With co-ordinated D2C, with meet and greets, with proper VIP events, access to riders. If you let people in, they’ll pay for that access, but it has to be done properly.
Not sure that’s such a great
Not sure that’s such a great model – most bands these days are losing money on touring.
Because touring for bands is
Because touring for bands is to promote sales. Unless you’re filling wembley, you’re probably not making money.
Touring is mostly now ‘for
Touring is mostly now ‘for the love of the art’ – for the majority of acts now it’s loss-making even taking into account any incremental sales increase that might result.
Here you go – Tour of Britain
Here you go – Tour of Britain 2026 at Wembley.
Not even just “these days”.
Not even just “these days”. I *think* I’m right in saying Rick Wright was the only musician to make any money on one of the Pink Floyd tours because Roger Waters sacked him from the band* but he was retained as a salaried keyboard player.
* who all had skin in the game and lost money
Agreed – and I know this
Agreed – and I know this perhaps better than anyone. But, there would be one crucial difference, for bike teams – the tours they are on, are happening anyway. So, this is an extra way to add revenue . If you’re a band, projections of merch income or VIP packages can very easily decide whether a tour is viable, or not. For a World tour Bike team, they’re already going to the Vuelta. Any extra income from D2C just injects a little much-needed headroom into their profit projections
So … have a read of the
So … have a read of the Vaughters memoirs. Apparenly the Giro organiser turned up to a meeting of all the team principals and offered them a share of the revenues in return for behind-the-scenes access to the riders etc (think GdI Unchained) …. and the teams all found a reason not to take him up on it thus kicking themselves squarely in the nuts.
That said, I think he also wanted some assurance that they’d send their best riders to the race and e.g. the French teams didn’t want to upset the TdF organisers which I can kinda understand.
The teams still dont get
The teams still dont get merch sales they’re literally stuck in the 90s with some of the rubbish they offer for sale
Jonathan Vaughters’ memoirs
Jonathan Vaughters’ memoirs make interesting reading on the subject of the economics of the sport. The teams don’t see any of the money going in other than from their own sponsors which means they’re never more than a couple of years away from folding if they can’t renew their sponsorship deal … and the teams don’t really have much of a value proposition so a) the riders aren’t rewarded properly and b) the pressure for results is ridiculous. Oh, and it’s more or less impossible to create any enterprise value in a team.
Having the “best” sections of road ticketed with proceeds going equally to the teams seems fair to me as long as the tickets are available to all in a fair ballot process at a reasonable cost and the atmosphere is retained. The rest of the route is still free.
If the model was one spectator per two metres of road applauding politely having each paid hundred of euros for the privilege (and most of the tickets going to corporate hospitality brokers) then that would be rubbish.
Oh they think delivery riders
Oh they think delivery riders are unaware they’re riding illegal bikes… bless.
sigirides wrote:
Oh they act like they’re surprised that the firms who’ve lobbied and lawyered their way to their current status are unaware (or even concerned) that people might be working illegally for their tiny monies, or illegally using vehicles to do so… blast them.
https://www.theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/sep/04/britains-e-bike-boom-desperation-delivery-drivers-and-unthinkable-danger
Hasan certainly claimed to not know….
‘Hasan, 21, tells me he bought his bike new, on the internet, for £600. “I got it because I do, like, eight or nine hours a day, and if I’m only pedalling I’m going to get more tired. An e-bike makes it more comfortable.” Originally from Bangladesh, he has put a sticker showing a map of the country on the front mudguard.
He assumed the bike was legal because there was nothing on the website he bought it from that said it wasn’t. “If it’s not, how do they sell it to people?” He says that if he’d known he was breaking the law, he wouldn’t have stopped when they pulled him over. The cycle response unit operates on pedal bikes. “I believe they wouldn’t catch me,” he says.’
When I was last in that
Not that such folks are incentivised to care at all…
But when I was last in that respectable high-street store where you can’t buy currys but there are a world of PCs (not that most delivery riders are likely shopping / hiring there) I saw this very very clear notice, obviously not just covering our backs … ?
I doubt it’s made clearer most other places…
Amazing foresight to have
Amazing foresight to have seen these products coming so far in advance that they were preparing by printing these posters in the 80s.
Quote:
In fairness, it’s much harder to seize a second bike when your hands are full with the first one.
I’m not against the idea of
I’m not against the idea of having some kind of registration to help control fan behaviour, paying for it for seems to be excessive.
RE: “food delivery charter” –
RE: “food delivery charter” – that’s hopeful! Legal distance from those working for them and deniability of responsibility is a key part of the business plan.
Some places in Europe do seem to have managed to get some regulations in for these businesses, which works be a lot more likely to help.
Unfortunately UK politicians have already enjoyed the benefits of the lobbying from these companies AND they’ve managed to get some legal wins also. So outside of the “but illegals!” focus of politics currently we may be stuck.
Regarding the enforcement by
Regarding the enforcement by Nottinghamshire Police…
Is there going to be any pushback on their incorrect language when talking about “illegal e-bikes” when they should be referring to them as “illegal/unregistered e-motorbikes”?
There’re better ways to
There’re better ways to Monetise this sport than paying to ‘stand on a roadside…
Are you going to share with
Are you going to share with the readership some of these better ways? Thanks.
Seven bikes were seized in
Seven bikes were seized in total, wow, what an achievement! At what cost?
The minimun salary for
The minimun salary for employed female riders is 38,000 euros per year. 62 grand for self-employed riders. Not much indded for a 24/7 job that doesn’t last more than 10 or 12 years (this remark doesn’t include Marianne Vos).
Pineau’s idea isn’t
Pineau’s idea isn’t completely ridiculous but in thé end cycling IS a people’s sport in thé way football no longer really is so…no charges
If you work out the cost per
If you work out the cost per minute of action as the peloton whizzes past, compared to 90 minutes of action at a football match / tennis match / F1 race etc. then even a low cost of entry to stand at the side of the road would probably seem poor value for spectating a road race.
They could introduce parking charges though for those who wish to park their car/campervan etc. on the route!
Greenwashing, Climate Change
Forget the piffling idea of charging fans on top of mountains…
Greenwashing, Climate Change and wilful denial will kill the road cycling world tour unless massive changes to sponsorship rules, funding models, travel protocols, etc are made.
…The fans won’t stand on the roadside all day anymore – the most special part of cycling traversing the greatest ‘grandstand’ in world sport – when it’s 45 degrees, whether they pay or not.
The scary thing is that in the interim, the coolest place to be will be on the top of the mountains and if that’s reserved for the rich the unique nature of grand tours for the fans is all over. …not to mention, the athletes might not even get up there in the heat!
The UCI needs to instigate an environmentally responsible universal baseline funding model for teams – and a salary cap. This will reduce the need for exponentially larger sponsorships, and foster opportunities for pro-environment sponsors, safeguarding the future of the sport.
On the subject of illegal e –
On the subject of illegal e – motorcycles/bikes; Recently I was riding on a shared path when I was passed by a couple of yoofs doing about a zillion kph on ‘ebikes’. They were not pedalling. Further on I caught up with them as they had stopped to chat. I also stopped and asked them about their ‘ebikes’. They were very nice yoofs and told me all about how to do the modification and which websites sold the kits. They showed me how they strapped the huge batteries onto the down tube. ‘Do you wanna do it to yours bro?’ They asked. I did mention that it was illegal to modify a bike that way. They looked very surprised and non plussed at this. And I reckon most of the delivery drivers don’t know the rules either. Perhaps the authorities should start fining McDonalds, Deliveroo, Uber etc – the companies that exploit this ignorance rather than the riders. You can bet that if they were fined they would soon pass on the information to their riders. Deep down, the problem is the gig economy. When u work in the gig economy, when u are treated like sh*t you don’t give a sh*t.
Rome73 wrote:
I think it’s more like your later assertion of “don’t care”. But with a complete lack of interest in regulation the governments have also ensured that eg. sellers don’t feel it’s vital to bring this to your attention (including high street stores) and nobody else does either.
I think you’re quite right in tacking this at the firm level but alas! They got there first with their lawyers (and lobbying….) – So “these are just contractors” and good luck with that…
I think it is *possible* to tackle this. It has been done in some ways in other countries. But it may not be easy now and there’s zero political interest AFAICS.
Agree. When you can buy
Agree. When you can buy illegal bikes very easily and the seller feigns ignorance and saying they expect the buyer were going to use it only on private land, this should be stopped.
OTOH as HP has noted
OTOH as HP has noted previously this is a little tricky as the item in question is not itself banned or indeed illegal to possess by anyone – it’s just certain usage which is effectively illegal *. Thus the sellers can say “legal sale – how can I police use? ”
I think it may be possible to do more (eg. there are other articles that can be legally owned but are restricted) but it may be fiddly. And until this *really* causes the scale of issues that some media scaremonger is the case now I can’t see any political will to try.
* In theory you could get the thing type-claasified, presumably as a moped, then jump through all the hoops for legal usage for that eg. licence, tax, insurance, approved helmet and put it through MOTs … but we know in reality at most a handful of people will ever do that.
Well there is this cycle path
Well there is this cycle path that cuts through a very busy roundabout on the A6 in Loughborough.