“You know what the problem with cyclists is”: Chris Hoy’s ‘fun’ taxi journey; Is cycling safer in Europe?; Vos puppy paws DQ: harsh or fair?; Confused anti-LTNer; Pidcock, true north; Commonwealths meet Braveheart; Creepy bollards + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
“You know what the problem with cyclists is…”: Chris Hoy’s ‘fun’ taxi journey
Well, this is awkward:
You know it’s going to be a fun taxi journey when the driver starts the conversation with “you know what the problem with cyclists is..” 🤦🏼♂️😂
— Sir Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) August 7, 2022
Let’s just hope that particular taxi driver is better at spotting cyclists on the road than he is at spotting then sitting in his backseat…
Aye. But did you ask him if he’d been busy or what time he was on till.
— john venters (@johnventers1) August 7, 2022
Sir Hoy’s uncomfortable journey with the unwitting taxi driver reminded me of a live blog post from March, when cycling writer Chris Sidwells and road.cc’s very own Simon MacMichael recounted their own favourite bike-related taxi stories:
My fave London taxi story? Cutting it fine for Eurostar, grab cab from Paddington.
Driver: “Effin’ cyclists, think they’re in Tour de France. Anyway, where you off to guv?”
“Paris. Presentation of route of next year’s Tour de France. Don’t worry, don’t think Euston Road’s on it.” https://t.co/a6rLsbb2aP— Simon MacMichael 💛🇫🇷🚲 (@simonmacmichael) March 20, 2022
Mine is. Irish female taxi driver. “What do you do?”. Me, “I write about cycling” Her, “I hate fuckin’ cyclists.” Then, “do you know Sean and Stephen?” Me, “Yes I do” Her, “Ah, they’re lovely fellas.”
— Chris Sidwells (@ChrisSidwells) March 20, 2022
As the six-time Olympic champion posted the anecdote on social media for all the world to see, the usual suspects – some of whom, presumably, saw the post because they follow Chris Hoy, the famous cyclist, on Twitter – used the opportunity to continue the driver’s conversation for him, with predictable results:
….not using the cycle lane right next to where they’re actually riding? Or stopping at red traffic signals?
— Mark Imabloke® (@imabloke2703) August 8, 2022
Cyclist in Hull today, riding no hands, texting, rode straight through red lights at four way junction didn’t lift his head at all. That’s what’s wrong with cyclists.
— Neil Cook (@needsironing) August 7, 2022
My main issue with cyclists is whe they cycle in tandem on narrow roads, to the point that they’re almost in the middle. How can anyone give them a wide berth? And cyclists wonder why drivers disrespect cyclists. Also a red light means stop!
— Garold Warren (@warren_to_the_g) August 8, 2022
…is I had to drag my partner out of the way of one hurtling towards us on the pavement. Seconds later, another shot past us from behind. That’s a problem with cyclists. Another is being told it doesn’t matter because cars kill 5 ppl per day.
— Christopher Seddon (@Prehistory) August 8, 2022
Sigh…
But at least the taxi driver has a brand new story for his poor punters today:
Tomorrows conversation will be “ you’ll never guess who I had in the back of my cab yesterday.. that Bradley bloke “
— The man with no name (@manwith__noname) August 7, 2022
Weekend roundup: Victim-blaming police officers, Shapps’ dangerous riding law, sweaty Pelotons and more…
If, like me, you were as busy over the weekend as the non-stop, Cat 3-style racing at the Commonwealth Games (more on that later), then there’s plenty to catch of road.cc news to catch up on this sunny Monday morning.
First, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps renewed his pledge to introduce a ‘causing death by dangerous cycling’ law that would see bike riders found guilty of the offence face the same punishment as drivers convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Currently, cyclists involved in crashes in which a pedestrian is killed or injured can face prosecution under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 for causing bodily harm through ‘wanton or furious driving’, described by Shapps as a “legal relic of the horse-drawn era”.
According to the Daily Mail, the new legislation would be included in the Transport Bill, which will begin its passage through Parliament later this year.
A coroner’s inquest has heard how 19-year-old cyclist Reece Thompson was killed by a freak crash when he collided with a lamppost, causing fatal head injuries, while a Cambridge cyclist was robbed at knifepoint in the latest in an increasingly long line of moped-based bikejackings.
The growing concerns around violent bikejackings have prompted pro cyclist and former Scottish champion Jennifer George to avoid riding on her own, after she experienced two attacks in recent months.
The police – in both the UK and Canada – also drew our attention over the weekend, as one officer in Toronto, who had been dishing out fines to cyclists, later crashed his SUV into one in a bike lane – and then claimed he had not seen the rider because the sun was in his eyes. Classic.
Then, a cyclist who captured the moment a Range Rover driver hit him with their car has blasted Northants Police for “victim-blaming twaddle”, sharing a letter from the police confirming they were not taking action because the victim placed himself “in front of the car” by dismounting his bike.
The force’s Chief Constable has now replied to the cyclist on social media to say the incident will be “reviewed and reassessed”.
Finally, a Peloton owner went viral after taking to social media for advice when his sister-in-law left his training machine in an “unacceptably gross” mess after a particularly sweaty session.
Apparently, much like her sweat, any attempt to reason with the offender goes in one ear and out the other…
Marianne Vos disqualified for illegal ‘puppy paws’ position: But was the commissaire’s decision a bit harsh?
Yesterday, Marianne Vos continued her red-hot streak from the Tour de France – where she won two stages and the green jersey after a five-day stint in yellow – by outsprinting Audrey Cordon-Ragot to take the fourth Postnord Vårgårda WestSweden title of her illustrious career.
Until she didn’t.
It looked like Marianne Vos had won #VargardaWWT for the 4th time, but the Dutch rider was disqualified for using the illegal ‘puppy paws’ position.
Was it a harsh decision? pic.twitter.com/gCeiW1pJci
— GCN Racing (@GcnRacing) August 7, 2022
Almost three-quarters of an hour after Vos crossed the line as the victor, the UCI officials at the race disqualified the Dutch superstar – for briefly adopting the banned ‘puppy paws’ position (bringing her forearms close together in a faux-TT-style aero tuck) with 13 kilometres to go to the finish.
The rule was introduced last year, along with the banning of the ‘super tuck’ descending position on the top tube, in an attempt to improve safety both in the peloton and in your local Thursday night club race. The requirement for safe finishing straights, however, seems to be more lax in its implementation…
With Vos eventually disqualified, just as the top three (which also included emerging British talent Pfeiffer Georgi) were preparing themselves for the podium, the win went to Trek-Segafredo’s Cordon-Ragot, who was left with “mixed feelings” following her belated victory.
“It’s a strange situation,” she said, after hearing the news.
“After the finish line I was happy for my second place, and I am still proud of it. I had no regrets because I was beat by the strongest rider in the peloton at the moment.
“I was definitely not embarrassed to be second. But then I was told I was the winner and my name will be on the palmares.
“Chapeau to Marianne, because she was the first who recognized that a rule is rule and accepted the sanction.”
Vos, as ever, was magnanimous in defeat and disqualification.
“When I was in that ‘puppy paw position’, I quickly realised it was not allowed. I immediately switched to the correct position. Apparently, it was enough for the UCI to disqualify me,” the Jumbo-Visma rider said.
“We’ll have to accept their decision. It is a pity, but it is a rule, and it is strictly enforced. You usually don’t ride in that position. I feel bad about it because I did not benefit from it, but rules are rules.”
What do you think?
Was the commissaires’ decision to disqualify Vos for her three-second infringement a touch on the harsh side, or is it simply a case of – as our dear leader so eloquently put it – ‘them’s the breaks’?
Also, if the officials believed that Vos had broken the rules, surely she should have been removed from the race as soon as possible, thereby reducing her considerable influence on its outcome?
Live Blog worlds collide
Everyone, huddle around the wireless at half twelve today:
Yikes! I’m on Jeremy Vine’s radio 2 show today at 12:30. I’m scared! I hope I can be switched on and eloquent.
— CyclingMikey Rat (not a PO) 🇳🇱🇪🇺🇿🇼🇺🇦 (@MikeyCycling) August 8, 2022
All we need is Ashley Neal, and that’s the perfect live blog radio line-up.
Not sure what they could possibly be talking about, mind you…
‘They may take our lives, but they will never take our bronze medal!’
At the end of a frenetic, tactically intriguing 100-mile battle around Warwick, Scotland’s latest two-wheeled Braveheart, Finn Crockett, had enough in the tank to see off England’s Fred ‘Longshanks’ Wright to secure a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games road race, prompting this not-at-all-over-the-top reaction video:
News just in that this is how @finn_croc chose his sprint tactics today…
‘@ScottishCycling punching above their weight, and no wonder they’re smiling!’ 😄💙🏴@Team_Scotland #Birmigham2022 #braveheart pic.twitter.com/PGqGA2WDMJ
— Rab Wardell (@RabWardell) August 7, 2022
Crockett’s third step on the podium below New Zealand’s winner Aaron Gates and South Africa’s Daryl Impey – who, as far as I’m aware, didn’t have much of a role in the First War of Scottish Independence – capped off a super Sunday for the Scottish team, after Neah Evans took silver in the 4G-athon that was the women’s race, won by Australia’s Georgia Baker.
Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
In the men’s event, Northern Ireland’s fast-finishing Matthew Teggart (who kindly agreed to an interview for road.cc’s Rás Tailteann feature in June) also took an impressive fourth place, just missing out on the bronze medal by half a wheel after it all came down to a small group sprint for the win, following a last-ditch but ultimately unsuccessful attack by the little-known Welsh rider Geraint Thomas.
Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
I suspect we’ll hear more about that Thomas fella in the future…
Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
The bollards have eyes
There is definitely something horror film/sci-fi-esque about these creepy bollards in the Leicestershire village of Stoney Stanton:
Because no one ever believes me when I tell them that one of our neighbouring villages has made their bollards look like Midwich cuckoo style children, I have recorded the ghastly proof on video. (It is worse at night.) pic.twitter.com/RN8AzCGhck
— Andrew Copson (@andrewcopson) August 7, 2022
Not sure how much they’ll improve road safety, beyond giving motorists recurring nightmares…
Anything that will make drivers pay attention is fine by me
— Cyclegranny 🚴♀️ (@anneramsey740) August 7, 2022
Who knows? Whenever I go through I’m too mesmerised by the creepy bollards to notice anything else.
— Andrew Copson (@andrewcopson) August 7, 2022
i remember ( whilst covering he 2004 tdf), in one area, where at each collision location ,there were life size silhouettes of the fatalities, including many small children.
this made one think and slow down . pic.twitter.com/wk5bka3K57— cycleoptic💙💚 (@cycleoptic) August 8, 2022
Problem for me is that it draws the eyes and make sit more likely you miss a kid running out from the other side
— doug (@jefferson_guine) August 8, 2022
But you’re starting with the flawed assumption that drivers pay attention and slow down when children are present.
— Bike Tyson (@SoylentFoks) August 8, 2022
“Not made of sugar!”: Tom Pidcock, a true northerner
It may be lovely and sunny where I am right now, but Alpe d’Huez conqueror Tom Pidcock is currently racking up the post-Tour miles in decidedly less favourable conditions:
Ah, c’mon inside Tom and get yourself a brew.
Pidcock’s teammate Dylan van Baarle had the right idea, however, and spent the day with the feet up on the sofa.
Those mad cyclo-crossers, eh?
Confused motorist of the day: “My wife is now a cyclist due to the LTNs…”
The succinctly titled Twitter page, ‘Stupid shit people say on Facebook about cycling’, occasionally throws up a few gems.
And this is certainly one of them, originally posted on Zuckerberg.com by a motorist who used to be angry about cyclists but is now mostly angry about Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, largely due to the fact his wife can now ride her bike to work because of the LTNs… Got all that? Good.
“I’m here to hate on LTNs not cyclists. I’ve had beef with cyclists in the past but I in no way blame them for the LTN nonsense. My wife is now a cyclist due to the LTNs. She’s a nurse whose car journeys to & from the hospital have become so ridiculous she had to start riding.”
— Stupid shit people say on Facebook about cycling (@AntiCyclingFB) August 7, 2022
The penny is right on the edge of the table, just ready to drop…
— David (@SpotMonkey) August 7, 2022
So, thanks to the LTNs, his wife will become slimmer, healthier and save a shedload of money. And he’s angry about that?
— Christopher Day (@IndieChris71) August 7, 2022
Can’t quite get their hatred’s angle. Is it because they think the LTNs are responsible for their wife’s car-journey ridiculousness, because they wish their wife hadn’t become a cyclist, because they can no longer be beefed about cyclists now that their wife is one…?
— wingpig (@wingpig) August 7, 2022
They work then. He’s almost got it.
— Tommy (@Wombletom) August 7, 2022
LTNs doing what they should.
So his wife will be healthier, happier, and better off. Surely that’s a win. Until she leaves the miserable bastard for a cyclist🤣 https://t.co/agCzq4DgYV— Real Gaz on a proper bike #fbpe (@gazza_d) August 7, 2022
Ethan Hayter extends contract with Ineos Grenadiers until 2024
Fresh from taking the overall win at the Tour of Poland last week, Ethan Hayter has penned a new contract with the Ineos Grenadiers, tying him to the British outfit until the end of the 2024 season.
23-year-old Hayter – whose younger brother Leo has just joined up with Ineos as a stagiaire before turning pro with the team in 2023 – has enjoyed another stellar season following his breakthrough 2021.
Along with his GC win in Poland (the second stage race victory of his career so far after last year’s Tour of Norway), in 2022 Hayter has so far secured a second British time trial championship in a row, taken two stage wins and the points jersey at the Tour de Romandie, another stage win in Norway, and a stage and the points classification at the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali – not to mention going toe-to-toe with Wout van Aert at the Critérium du Dauphiné, before hanging on in the Alps for a very credible 15th overall.
“I am really proud to extend my contract with the team and keep racing as a Grenadier,” Hayter said in a statement released by the team today.
“The goal is clear – to kick on and win more WorldTour races, have a go at the World Champs and get some Grand Tours under my belt. I believe I am in the best environment to continue winning over the coming seasons.”
Cycling Home and Away: “How do we get British and Irish drivers to respect humans the same way?”
70 km on French cycle paths and local roads yesterday. Every single driver overtaking us did so like this.
How do we get British and Irish drivers to respect humans the same way? pic.twitter.com/m4BXu055KL
— Michael (@baoigheallain) August 8, 2022
This photo – taken by a Londoner on holiday in France – got me thinking: Are conditions on the continent really better for cyclists, as the poster suggests, when it comes to road safety?
Or do we adopt a rose-tinted view of our experiences on the bike while abroad, compared to the daily, stressful slog of the commute?
The Twitter jury, it seems, is still out:
Is it possible that the reason of the difference isn’t a country, but rather location: city vs countryside?
If I move 20km away from the city, I experience the same: people taking their time to move to a different lane, while everyone is “in a hurry” near the city center.— KarolisLab (@KarolisLab) August 8, 2022
I think it’s to do with density of population and number of vehicles on the road. Uk roads are really my Busy and congested, causing drivers to be more impatient and take stupid risks to get past at the first opportunity
— Surrey Cyclist (@CyclistSurrey) August 8, 2022
Poor sight lines should be even more reason for giving space to vulnerable road users.
— Michael (@baoigheallain) August 8, 2022
I’ve only ridden a motorcycle in France, but the difference in driver awareness took me by surprise.
Lovely country to bimble around on 2 wheels.
— Gazza Biker (@gazzabiker) August 8, 2022
No, it will never happen, uk drivers are selfish. They not prepared to share the road with cyclists or any other road user. Ridden on many countries and never had the issues I have experienced in England. Attitude of ‘me first’ and not only on the roads.
— Andre Edwards (@Andre_Edwards2) August 8, 2022
J’ai failli dire la même chose remplaçant French par Italian, et British/Irish par French.
Est-ce que ça ne serait pas juste un biais ? On est en Août, en vacances, pas pressés, plus prompts à partager la route en campagne différemment qu’en ville en stress ? https://t.co/0BmTGh8AOp— Sehn 🚲🚶🏻🏃🏻🎶 (@Lyon5AVelo) August 8, 2022
But… but… cyclists!
Mainstream narrative. pic.twitter.com/GHBZO3KtT8
— Tom Flood (@tomflood1) August 8, 2022
Now, that is how you watch a bike race
It’s safe to say that the party spirit was alive and well at the Commonwealth Games road races yesterday around Warwick, with huge crowds enjoying the sunshine, atmosphere and spectacular racing:
So what are the chances of these folk getting an honourary position next to @tdfbeefeaters pic.twitter.com/UiOT6ohiiX
— Jon Klaff (@jon_klaff) August 7, 2022
Vos Puppy Paws poll result
Looks like the majority of you disagreed with the commissaires, and reckon Vos should have kept her win at yesterday’s Postnord Vårgårda WestSweden (let’s face it, she’s already got three of them – can’t be too greedy after all):
Comment of the day goes to mdavidford who, when pondering how many crashes have been caused by the use of the puppy paw or super-tuck positions, concluded: “Probably about as many as overlength socks”.
The UCI may need a damp cloth for that burn…
8 August 2022, 08:46
8 August 2022, 08:46
8 August 2022, 08:46
Not gonna lie, I looked at that image and immediately saw a blood bag… That’s one way to overcome a puncture
How to put an end to pesky puncture headaches on the road or trail
Whether you’re riding on asphalt or gravel, using the right kit for puncture prevention and repair makes a cyclist's life so much easier. Peaty’s have just what you need
8 August 2022, 08:46
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[That may have been intentionally specious, in which case ignore, but for anyone who's genuinely confused...] It's £311 (actually £311.88) upfront for the year, which *works out* to £25.99/month, not on top of it.
Or mostly here for some "specific belief bingo" (see their entry earlier)? "Tell me the issue and I'll explain how it's down to cultural weakness (wokeness)"?
‘ though customers now have the option of paying £311 upfront to bring that down to £25.99 per month instead of 30.99 per month’ So it takes about 5 years to break even? Blimey - that’s not a very good deal. Use a VPN. I watch RAI but there must be English speaking channels somewhere in the world that broadcast for free. I don’t want to sound too old fashioned and leftie, but these huge US media corporations are poisonous. They are actually killing choice and sucking us into a US hegemony (as if we are not already in one)
The bottom line remains unchanged after all those years, in spite of the marketing hype: - either use oil and deal with black goo - or use a wax and deal with frequent re-application I'm a wax guy. Never been able to duplicate those 'lasts for 400 km when dry' blurbs. 150-200 in dry conditions is more realistic. In the wet, eat your hat after 50 km. Still, for me it's worth it.
“Unleash bare strength”. How about unleash bare knuckles, open wounds and sprained ankles.
Ha! Your bike is still a puppy! Me and some friends exclusively ride 90s mountain bikes. 30 to 35 years old, full rigid, rim brakes… and we love it. t 56 years old, I can still keep up with most other riders who are younger and on modern, more capable bikes. No need or desire for anything more modern.
Thanks for featuring this absolute GOAT of mountain biking!
@jackcycles I'll try my best not to fight anyone unless my safety or that of another person is at risk, but in any case, not quite sure how you've managed to get from "I wouldn't fight this very large clearly psychopathic probably drugged bloke who might very well have a weapon and has a mate who could join in" to "admitting" I'd only fight women and children. Actually, I am sure, it's because you're a troll. Suspected as much from your first appearances here but gradually been more confirmed and that utterly imbecilic comment seals it.
@Hirsute I have no experience of Essex Police, but I know a lot about the attitudes of officers in Lancashire Constabulary. They don't consider motoring offences to be real offences, especially if they're offences against cyclists. This is odd, because there are very few cyclists up here in North Lancashire and not much active travel for the specific purpose of getting to a specific place, beyond walking short distances. If this assault case had been in Lancashire, I would be pretty sure that the police are deliberately not trying very hard to catch the offender, because they think the cyclist was 'asking for it' by just being there, and is now 'asking for it' by having initially reported it and for repeatedly pestering the police about what they consider to be a trivial offence.
@jackcycles That, in turn, is a very odd thing to say.
23 thoughts on ““You know what the problem with cyclists is”: Chris Hoy’s ‘fun’ taxi journey; Is cycling safer in Europe?; Vos puppy paws DQ: harsh or fair?; Confused anti-LTNer; Pidcock, true north; Commonwealths meet Braveheart; Creepy bollards + more on the live blog”
https://twitter.com
“Yikes! I’m on Jeremy Vine’s radio 2 show today at 12:30. I’m scared! I hope I can be switched on and eloquent.”
Cabbies to ring in to shout grass and snitch !
Throw in some trans althetes
Throw in some trans althetes and Greta T and you’ve got the Death Star for “culture warriors” right there. That’s a show which should definitely come with a trigger warning.
RE puppy paws:
RE puppy paws:
What do the Rules say about penalties? Is it automatic disqualification or is there room for discretion and other penalties (e.g. time penalty)? If the former, then fair enough – rules are rules. If the latter, then a disqualification seems harsh for what appears (to me) a relatively minor infringement when other penalties are available.
In either case, I do think it behooves the commissaires to make and announce their decision as soon as possible so as to not toy with people’s emotions (both the competitors themselves and also the wider team staff and fans).
OnYerBike wrote:
Quote:
FTFY
How many crashes did puppy
How many crashes did puppy paws ever cause? Or the super-tuck, or a pedalling super-tuck? Those rule changes seemed rather like sticking a plaster on undamaged skin, whilst the broken leg of course design went untreated. Is it my imagination, or have there been more ‘touching wheels’ crashes since disc brakes appeared in the peloton? I rather think that screw top bidons have caused more crashes than puppy paws
nniff wrote:
Probably about as many as overlength socks.
nniff wrote:
Its the hidden magnets – pulls the discs together. The trick is to flip your disc the other way round so the magnetic poles actively repel other riders.
nniff wrote:
Wasn’t the stated intention not so much to prevent crashes in the pro peleton as to set an example to weekend warriors who thought it was cool to do it in traffic etc? Anecdotally I’ve seen a lot less of it in popular road cycling areas like Richmond Park and Regent’s Park since the ban, I assume because riding like that is now seen as a sign that you’re not a pro in training rather than that you are (sad I know but there are plenty who want people to believe they are!)?
In other news.. the
In other news.. the CommonWealth Road Races brought the crowds out – https://fb.watch/eMDvuaRNBJ/
People literally lined the course, the pubs along the route were all full, there were BBQ’s, picnics, temporary bars set up in peoples front gardens a really happy family friendly day of fun throughout Warwick and Leamington for the whole day! It was especially nice cycling on effectively closed roads back home with the family after the race finished.
Yeah but taxi drivers…
Yeah but taxi drivers…
RE: kid-shaped bollards.
RE: kid-shaped bollards. Surely this will just train
driversautonomous vehicles to crash into kids?I think this is common elsewhere but less scary – think something like these appear in NL (and generally mark places considered “less safe”):
Not sure why the kid shaped
Not sure why the kid shaped bollards suddenly became a thing, Nottinghamshire have had them for years, the locals even decorated them when the Tour of Britain rode through
That is a bit weird. I like
That is a bit weird. I like the creativity though. Maybe we can have something like these for Chinese New Year?
Apologies – I forgot one for
Apologies – I forgot one for the locals here:
stonojnr wrote:
Well, that’s not creepy looking at all. Do their eyes light up at night time?
They have children shaped
They have children shaped bollards like that in Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, right outside the primary school.
No fireworks in JV’s piece. I
No fireworks in JV’s piece. I did want him to ask the journalist if he had looked before he stepped into the road.
I think it was HP who wrote that any maximum sentence for a road user needs to take account of the vehicle used as 100kg fatladattheback at 25kph and 2600kg range rover at 50kph+ are not really the same.
There was a government paper a few years ago with the stat in it about ped/cyclist collisions. 20 ped deaths, 11 equal fault, 5 ped fault and 4 cyclist fault. Of course, I can’t find the publication now…
https://www.theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/aug/08/cycling-growth-uk-risk-left-behind-europe-experts
Just a warning letter for
Just a warning letter for this on NSL with oncoming traffic.
Do I have to wait until I’m hit before Essex Police do anything ?
Do I have to wait until I’m
Do I have to wait until I’m hit before Essex Police do anything ?
Yes!. You certainly do up here, because Lancashire has never prosecuted anyone for close-passing or awarded points or fines as far as I can tell. They may have sent someone on the joke online course.
Just a warning letter for
Just a warning letter for this
Warning letters are worthless because everybody, especially the serial offenders, knows that the police will put a lot of effort into ‘not noticing’ any previous warning letter and will just send out another to be hung on a nail in the toilet. That system has failed just like the points system, where the police have sympathy with offenders whose loss of use of a vehicle might be inconvenient so try hard o avoid taking proper action over offences. That’s only the first line of defence for serial offenders- we are well aware that offenders who claim they ‘need’ a motor vehicle are not infrequently allowed to continue driving with more than 12 points
I have decided to welcome the
I have decided to welcome the equalisation of the law between dangerous driving and dangerous cycling. Then we can confirm how many people are prosecuted for each when encountering cycling bingo players.