“A bike theft supermarket”: New Bristol bike racks located outside train station panned; Crazy Hungarian bike lane divides internet; Nibali, Pantani + Coppi star in mesmerising Giro ad; Drivers “robbed of lanes”, says columnist + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Weekend catch-up
Where have you been? Never mind, here’s what you missed on road.cc in any case…
New study finds that e-bike riders quadrupled their cycling distance over a six month period
Are Bianchi about to launch a revamped Specialissima?
Lorry firm ordered to close after cyclist’s death – bosses admit lying to public inquiry
“Do it for us and the rest of the field”: Movistar issue plea over maskless Tour de France fans
Testing now back to normal says Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation
Tour de France Stage 9: Tadej Pogacar wins, Primoz Roglic takes yellow + highlights and reaction
Tour de France Stage 8: Nans Peters takes solo win, Adam Yates clings onto yellow jersey
David Gadau takes a tumble and lands on an unfortunate spectator
J’ai perdus le contrôle, désolé à la supportrice au bord de la route 😅 https://t.co/shLzcUf0QM
— David Gaudu (@DavidGaudu) September 6, 2020
It’s been said that some fans are getting too close to the riders with fears of coronavirus cases stifling the progress of the Tour… but in the case of this spectator it was no fault of his own, as the Groupama–FDJ rider loses control and crashes into him. The team aren’t having much luck this year, with their star man Thibaut Pinot again succumbing to a recurring back injury that cost him over 25 minutes on the leaders during stage 8.
UK Cycling Expert is full of praise for the Tour de France peloton 'medic'
With COVID-19 it’s a very good idea for the race doctor to ride in the peleton during this year’s edition of the Le Tour. pic.twitter.com/X1FNmbhsVi
— UK Cycling Expert (@ukcyclingexpert) September 6, 2020
Our favourite cycling parody account on social media definitely hasn’t got this confused with the Swiss national champion’s jersey being worn by Groupama’s Sébastien Reichenbach.
What is Nibali, Merckx, Coppi and Pantani were racing together? This ad for the upcoming Giro d'Italia tries to answer...
Orgoglioso di aver preso parte allo spot @RaiSport per il @giroditalia 🇮🇹
Un applauso a coloro che hanno lavorato per questa realizzazione 👏 Io sono rimasto a bocca aperta e sono certo che accadrà lo stesso a tanti altri. Grazie a #RAI che mi ha voluto in questo spot 🙏 pic.twitter.com/xD9SbDVlV2— Vincenzo Nibali (@vincenzonibali) September 6, 2020
With a guitar hero version of the Nessun dorma playing in the background, this ad for the rescheduled Giro from Italian TV network Raisport renders Vincenzo Nibali onto a mountain pass, as he rides alongside legend after legend before a certain Marco Pantani pops up and rides away (they all regroup at the end though).
The Giro is set to start on Saturday 3rd October, les than two after the Tour de France ends.
Cyclists, cycle lanes etc etc
Why don’t cyclists use cycle lanes?
#37 pic.twitter.com/23fGM8QVrw— 4 Chords No Net (@4ChordsNoNet) September 6, 2020
Community divided over planning application for Cornish coastal path due to environmental impact
A proposal for the ‘Saints Trail’ – which will provide a traffic-free link between the popular seaside towns of Perranporth and Newquay – has garnered almost a hundred comments from both supporters and objectors to the plans.
While many highlight that cycling on busy A-roads in the area isn’t always pleasant and a traffic-free route is much needed for cyclists, others claim that Cornwall Council haven’t fully considered the environmental impact. One supporter commented: “I am a cyclist who lives locally and the roads of Cornwall are extremely dangerous especially in the summer when there is a lot of traffic. This project will make exercising by cycling a lot safer.
“It will encourage more people to cycle and get fitter putting less pressure on our NHS resources. Local businesses will be enhanced by increased traffic from cyclists.”
On Facebook, a local opposed to the plans said: “If you read the negative comments it is mainly around the issue that Cornwall Council are not bothering with a full environmental assessment. This is something no other developer would get away with, they are potentially pushing this plan through and going to cause an awful lot of damage to the wildlife.”
The status of the application is still marked as ‘awaiting decision’ on the summary page. Among local organisations that were consulted, including Parish Councils, the Ramblers Association and Devon & Cornwall Police, feedback is largely positive.
On the forum: to bell or not to bell?
While it’s not a legal requirement according to the Highway Code, some cyclists consider a good bell essential, particularly when riding on shared use paths and trails… do you agree, or is the humble voicebox perfectly adequate to announce your presence? Add your tuppence worth on the road.cc forum.
Thibaut Pinot's first week in a nutshell
Résumé de la première semaine… 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/6MqKsAPvOX
— PINOT Thibaut (@ThibautPinot) September 7, 2020
Once again, it wasn’t to be for the Frenchman… will we ever see him wear yellow in Paris?
There's no rest day for the Ineos Grenadiers support crew...
Putting the @INEOSGrenadier to work on the first rest day at #TDF2020 #BuiltOnPurpose pic.twitter.com/eOAk8Rl3yc
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) September 7, 2020
…because it looks like they’ve been deployed to take lots of creative photos to plug the new Ineos Grenadier 4X4 that the team now takes its name from. Hopefully there are some super tall crew members to get the bikes on and off that roof rack…
InternationalElles complete Tour de France distance and Everesting challenge double-header
After completing the 3,484km distance of the 2020 Tour de France route as a non-stop relay in less than four days on indoor trainers, the British members of the team put together to highlight gender inequalities in cycling ventured outside to completed a successful team everesting on the fearsome Bwlch climb in South Wales. They completed it in 18 hours, and members of the InternationalElles from the Netherlands, Australia and the USA also completed everestings in their home countries.
Louise Gibson commented: “We’re thrilled to have completed the challenge. The Tour de France distance relay was tough, but we were able to complete it as a team.
“The Everesting was one of the most incredible days I’ve had on my bicycle and I’m so proud all five of our UK-based riders as managed to complete it together. The climb was amazing and the weather was on our side. I’m delighted that even though we weren’t able to go to France we were able to keep the conversation going about the inequalities that exist in cycling.”
The InternationalElles will be hoping to get back to their usual annual event of riding the full Tour de France route a day ahead of the men in 2021, which couldn’t happen this year for obvious reasons – click here for more info on the team.
Really fun or sh*tfrastructure? This crazy cycle lane in Hungary is dividing the internet
We’re not sure why or how this cycle path in the Hungarian town of Körmend ended up this way, but it’s either a massive fail or a right laugh depending on your point of view.
On the Reddit thread, one person commented: “a separate bike lane, properly striped, with changes in elevation to keep Hungarians paying attention. 10/10 would implement everywhere in the world!”
Others noted that the undulations are reminiscent of a pump track; although this cycle lane is also designed to take you somewhere, whereas pump tracks are loops if course.
Do you have a sudden desire to hop across to Hungary and try this crazy cycle lane out, or is it just a bit silly? Let us know your thoughts as always…
Rutland Cycling launch premium same-day delivery service, with bikes arriving at the customer's door ready to ride
Want every bit of hassle imaginable taken out of your net bike purchase? For an additional £99.99, Rutland Cycling will not only deliver your new steed on the same day if you order in the morning, but you can also have your saddle height set and any accessories added so it’s literally ready to ride straight away. It’s delivered directly from Rutland, which means no middle men and no packaging to dispose of when the bike arrives, with the handlebars straight, tyres pumped and pedals fitted.
The service costs £99.99, and for a limited time it’s free on bike purchases over £5,000 – head over to Rutland’ Cycling’s website for more info.
Councillor says Chesterfield town centre cycling and walking measures are "stupid"
It appears the chairman of Chesterfield’s Civic Society Philip Riden isn’t appreciating the benefits of temporary measures to encourage cycling and walking as Britain goes back to work, claiming that the roadblocks (for cars) are putting people off visiting Chesterfield town centre.
In a letter submitted to Derbyshire County Council, he wrote: “Of all the wasteful, badly thought out knee-jerk actions taken by the Government in the last few months, the decision to give large amounts of taxpayers’ money (£443,000 in the case of Derbyshire) to highway authorities to close or obstruct streets must rank as one of the stupidest.
“In Chesterfield it is inconceivable that the closure of South Place and Corporation Street has saved a single person from contracting Covid-19, or encouraged them to walk further. Nor has the erection of unsightly plastic and metal barriers and the dumping of large concrete blocks on other streets.
“All it has achieved is to make the town centre look hideous and to discourage people from coming to shop, eat or drink in Chesterfield. That is exactly the opposite of what the Government and local authorities should be doing.”
A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council told the Derby Telegraph: “We’ve been working in partnership with district and borough councils to ensure appropriate social distancing measures are in place, but the limited amount of time we had to meet Government guidelines meant we weren’t able to consult local people or businesses about the changes.
“We’re happy to make adjustments or tweak our plans where we can and with the limited resources available as shown by the further changes we made to the area around South Place following comments from local people.”
Mike Rutherford of Auto Express strikes again, saying drivers should "keep fighting to take back pedestrian and bicycle lanes"
It’s become apparent recently that some people really don’t like the idea of being told that it’s not necessarily a good think to be driving everywhere… one of those is Mike Rutherford, a founder of the Auto Express motoring magazine who last week claimed Covid-19 “is being used as a cover for an attack on the British motorist”.
In his latest article on the matter, Rutherford is preparing for an imaginary battle as he calls on motorists to protest for the removal of “lavish highways for bicyclists”. Not even pavements that have been widened for pedestrians can escape the wrath of Rutherford, which are described as “needlessly wide boulevards”.
He continues: “If the main opposition Labour politicians, the sleepy Lib Dems or the ruling Conservatives really do believe in robbing drivers of the roads owned by those same drivers, let’s see such blatant car-user discrimination adopted as official party policies – then included in their respective manifestos. I dare them.”
"A bike theft supermarket": new bike racks located outside Bristol Temple Meads train station panned for lack of security
450 spaces for a main train station in a city the size of Bristol. Far from looking good it’s totally inadequate. They are also a terrible design and not secure enough. A bike theft supermarket.
A warm welcome to the latest addition of #shitfrastructure in Bristol! https://t.co/mKOzZBbC75
— Bristol Shitfrastructure (@shitfrastructur) September 7, 2020
As Network Rail Western proudly announced the opening of 450 bike parking spaces around Bristol Temple Meads train station today, many Bristolians were not enthused.
Anyone who has used the station will know there is ample parking inside after going through ticketed barriers; and many believe the new racks placed outside the station in full view of the public are simply too tempting for thieves. It’s also noted that they appear to be further away from the station entrance than the car park.
These look really insecure as they are out in the open and can easily be cut through. It’s a real shame you’ve moved bike parking off the platform; did you consult with any cycling organisations in Bristol about this move?
— Paul N (@NewpPaul) September 7, 2020
So before you had in-station parking in a place where even the most brazen thief would think twice, especially with the BTP presence in the station, now you’ve moved provision outside to a far less secure location and you’re asking for this to be applauded?
— Rendel Harris (@Rendel_Harris) September 7, 2020
There will be even more spare room in those racks once the local T-Leaves drop by with their bolt cutters!
— Rick Just Riding Bikes (@justridingbikes) September 7, 2020
The irony of a car park being closer to the station than the cycle storage is exquisite.
Is that the parking that’s under cover by an old platform?
— Paul N (@NewpPaul) September 7, 2020
It’s not clear if the new external racks are purely additional, or if they are replacing some of the bike storage space inside the station – road.cc are contacting Network Rail for comment.
Would you use the new bike racks?
7 September 2020, 08:58
Chris Froome's steed for next season is lighter, more aero and all that jazz
Factor unleashes Ostro lightweight and aero race bike
New all-rounder is being raced in the Tour de France – plus new wheels from Black Inc
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Latest Comments
Omata. Don't get it. Cool way of displaying the information and neat hardware integration. But you could have done that display with no moving parts using a touchscreen instead of the mechanical display and kept the electronics. Been less than half the price too, and just as cool tbh.
@mdavidford using a "Bath cap", you mean?
For a moment there I thought that said Silca were going retro and bringing back omerta...
Would they have been able to finish that bit properly if they hadn't lopped a couple of grand off the budget to get it under £500k?
@chrisonabike "The countryside is difficult when it comes to transport choices. " You're not wrong. "Recreational cyclists – as evidenced by the folks on here – will likely cycle anyways, probably even if it was banned!" Twice.
@Rendel Harris whoa there son, put away that tinfoil hat. The Telegraph (a trusted broadsheet since 1855) was merely quoting home office figures, which shows knife crime rising steadily under Khan, even after 2019. By the way, on the off chance you're out tonight, make sure you keep your back to the wall on the way home? There's a good chap, despite our differences I'd hate for anything bad to happen to you.
@Nigel Garage Is that the Telegraph that has the same obsessive hatred of Lord Khan as yourself, doubtless for the same reasons (brown, Muslim, left wing, popular, successful, caned the Tories three elections in a row)? The Telegraph that in 2024 claimed London gun crime had risen 2,500% in a year when in fact it had risen by 1%? If the Telegraph says it's Monday I check my watch to see if it's true. Knife crime offences have risen under Khan, by about 50%, from 9,086 offences in 2016 to 13,850 in 2025. What the Telegraph doubtless failed to mention is that a large part of this increase is due to stricter knife laws having been brought in in 2019, so that many offences that previously wouldn't have been recorded as knife crime now are. They doubtless inadvertently failed to mention that the number of under-25s injured by knives has fallen 25% since 2016, and the overall number of hospital attendances for knife crime has fallen 50% in the same period. Probably also didn't mention that homicides have fallen to the lowest level since records began in 1990, despite the population rising by more than two million people over that period. One imagines they also failed to mention that the Tory governments from 2010 to 2024 slashed over a billion pounds from the Metropolitan Police Service budget? Thought so. "Just this evening it was reported that legendary comedian Paul Whitehouse was the victim of an attempted mugging in Islington while using a cash machine, it’s completely out of control." In 1995 I was mugged at knifepoint in Bath, does that mean knife crime in Bath was completely out of control then?
@Backladder Do locals never drive to Thornhill for the cafe, community centre, school, vets etc.? Yes, this is "proper countryside" and maybe most people simply drive the fair ways to the big town (Dumfries!). The countryside is difficult when it comes to transport choices. I do know that in many places where it's made less unattractive people do choose the car less often. I'm not convinced more than a couple of the locals would walk on that road. Kids and older people cycling there seem rather unlikely also. But maybe they're hardy folk? Recreational cyclists - as evidenced by the folks on here - will likely cycle anyways, probably even if it was banned!
@jackcycles I can hear the Pub Landlord - "I'm sick of all those cells going to foreigners! I want to see Great British bike thieves in Great British prisons!" Given Mr.Farage has made a big thing about security while simultaneously refusing the offer of it * ... ... I'm guessing he'll be for blaming his pet hates for "an epidemic" of bike theft. Then refusing to use the police budget to tackle cycle crime, taking a millions from some dodgy donor "to fix crime", after which he'll refuse to answer any questions about what it was spent on **... * Apparently because it wasn't commensurate with his ego - sorry, his public profile - because "I'm bigger than the leader of the opposition!" ** AFAIK the latest explanation for the donations is "none of your business". Looking forward to the next report of eg. a judge receiving a large "personal gift, no strings attached" from the mob and offering the same explanation!
New Northwave winter boots, in Snow White? Don't they realise how filthy our roads are in winter?? Silca Omata, lovely retro computer, but about £400 too expensive.
30 thoughts on ““A bike theft supermarket”: New Bristol bike racks located outside train station panned; Crazy Hungarian bike lane divides internet; Nibali, Pantani + Coppi star in mesmerising Giro ad; Drivers “robbed of lanes”, says columnist + more on the live blog”
On the fans getting close – I
On the fans getting close – I watched some of the highlights over the weekend, and it’s pretty scary how close the crowds get. I was watching a climb, and the spectators were basically moving out of the way barely a few feet in front of the rider. And they weren’t all wearing masks, or anything like that. Considering how a climber must be gulping air, I imagine that he was feeling a bit nervy.
“On the fans getting close”
“On the fans getting close”
Independent of Covid, because it has been going on for years, the stupidest spectators are the ones who think they are part of the action by thrusting themselves right into the road. Now they’re just compounding the foolishness by doing it without masks- illustrating the fact that they’re only interested in themselves.
Especially as they then
Especially as they then scream as loud as possible next to the cyclist which is an annoying distraction at the minimum and now downright dangerous.
Re the roadside fan who got
Re the roadside fan who got run into by David Gaudu, I think it is a “her” and not “him” as Gaudu refers to the person as a “spectatrice” rather than a “spectateur”.
One of the tweets replying to
One of the tweets replying to the cycle path one mentions Brandalism. I love it
https://streetartnews.net/2020/09/guerilla-take-over-of-100-uk-billboards-in-anti-car-protest.html
Great, much-needed counter to
Great, much-needed counter to ads for SUVs, which are clearly working unfortunately.
On ‘Cyclists, cycle lanes etc
On ‘Cyclists, cycle lanes etc etc’ – WTF did the council think they were telling people to do there? Are we supposed to seriously interpret that sign as “pedestrians and cyclists, please share the use of this verge – we did mow it, after all!”…
Possibly the photo is taken
Possibly the photo is taken from the very end of a shared use path, and whoever was charged with putting the signs up just went along putting them up double-sided without really thinking about what that implied at the end point?
I feel for Pinot, if it wasn
I feel for Pinot, if it wasn’t for bad luck he’d have none at all. At least he has the fortitude to admit it.
Have strange urge to ride
Have strange urge to ride that Hungarian bike lane.
On a mtb, obviously but still…
EddyBerckx wrote:
I was thinking it would be more fun on a bmx.
The cycle track beside 2nd Av
The cycle track beside 2nd Av in Southampton is the mirror equivalent – with repeated drops for cars to access parking.
Unfortunately, G. maps isn’t up to date, but Bing’s Sat view does show it, though not cyclists getting air!
As if Ineos chemicals hasn’t
As if Ineos chemicals hasn’t already done enough damage to the environment and are now using a cycling team to greenwash, they decide to use fuel inefficient vehicles to move the cycling team!
I saw those bike racks on
I saw those bike racks on Saturday and they don’t look great security-wise despite notices about it being lit and covered by CCTV – having a disclaimer about bikes being left at your own risk isn’t particularly encouraging. It’s definitely less secure than being behind ticket barriers and outside the Transport Police, so I expect there will be a few thefts. CCTV won’t be much use if the thieves wear masks.
I believe the platform cycle parking is being removed so that they can repair the roof or something, so it may be that this was the best alternative they could come up with, though it would have been nice to have the covered car park converted into a cycle park as that’s right next door to the ticket office.
If the very similar racks at
If the very similar racks at Reading Stations North entrance are anything to go by your bike will disappear in seconds and the CCTV notices will turn out to be a lie.
Looks like Network Rail have failed to learn anything about good bike provision in the last few years.
Utter fail.
but what would be the
but what would be the alternative though ? as in what does good cycle parking at a train station look like.
Cycle park plus.
Cycle park plus.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/your-journey/cycling/cycling-facilities
Secure compounds available.
Yes, familiar with those but
Yes, familiar with those but their big flaw is ironically their security, you are meant to have an access token fob to get in,though i have observed tail gaters…but tokens are limited in number, waiting lists extend for years,literally,to get one and only become worthwhile if you then regularly commute via train, so it’s no good for adhoc visits
Well, it uses bolts that can
Well, it uses bolts that cannot simply be removed with a standard hex key or spanner.
And then the CCTV video might actually be looked at to see the bicyle theft when it occurs.
I believe both Reading’s and Cambridge’s suffered from both of these.
Huge amounts of money spent, but ultimately with very little thought given.
Albeit I know of cycle
Albeit I know of cycle parking exactly like that and it doesnt stop bikes still getting regularly stolen, I mean the cctv part especially all that benefit seems to give you is you end up with video of your bike being stolen so you can watch it disappear from your life 🙁
Awavey wrote:
It’s a tricky one. I like the flexibility of the on-platform parking (at Bristol Temple Meads) which are just a big U bolted to the floor. It’s simple and you can lock up several bikes to it and accomodates different bike types and designs. The main thing lacking was CCTV covering the bike park.
These new bike parks don’t look like they could cope with a tandem or other non-standard bike, but they might store a higher density of bikes. I don’t know how they work for people with limited mobility.
Bristol247 has a bristol
Bristol247 has a bristol councillor calling them “institutionally sexist” , on the argument that she thinks women will generally lack the upper body strength to use the upper tier.
I agree that they don’t look like they’d be useful for anything other than a bog standard lightweight two wheeled bicycle.
Quote:
That appears to have been answered in the original tweet:
So, Mike Rutherford believes
So, Mike Rutherford believes the roads are owned by motorists?
Does that mean I can get a rebate on my Council Tax for the damage I do not cause then.
Typical motoring journalist fanning the flames to gain his millisecond of clickbait chutzpah.
Secure park storage is going
Secure park storage is going to be a big issue if widespread use of cycling as a means of commuting is going really take off. Especially if e-bikes are going to have a serious impact. So much learning has to be done.
‘There will be even more
‘There will be even more spare room in those racks once the local T-Leaves drop by with their bolt cutters!’
cor blimey guv wot you on abaht? It’s ‘tea leaf’ you muppet.
plural of leaf being…….
plural of leaf being…….
£99 to have a bike come with
£99 to have a bike come with straight bars, seat height set and fitted pedals? Surely in £/hr we are talking legal industry rates here?
Who is this aimed at? Newb bikers will probably buy a cheaper bike and won’t want to spent the extra and those after more expensive bikes should at least be able to do basic jobs on them. Well you’d hope…..
Tbh I despair at what people can’t do these days. Just saved myself £500 on a car job by spending half a day doing it myself yet the younger generation can’t even do anything without an app. The Tv control stopped working the other day, pulled it apart and resoldered a loose connection, tried to get my son interested in what I was doing but he was only interested in the end result, has no interest in why things work. His mates are all the same. It’s funny actually because the young have this idea the older generation are to blame for eco problems but they are the throw-away generation that doesn’t fix anything. Blood kids….
Not all kids are like that. I
Not all kids are like that. I came across this face-following turret made by a 14 year old the other day: https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/imobp9/i_made_a_turret_that_rotates_to_face_people_using/
and a follow-up after doing some interpolation to smooth the motion here: https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/ina1aq/recently_posted_about_my_turret_that_follows/
I thought the service was £99
I thought the service was £99 for Rutland to deliver fast (same day in some cases) themselves AND as it is them delivering it, they pretty much do the same as they would if purchased in store.