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McDonald's says it’s “unsafe” for cyclist to use drive-thru; Moving house by cargo bike; Carmageddon: Cycling down as drivers hit roads; Emergency cycle funding: winners and losers; The lightest bike you'll see today; A lap of the Cyclops junction + more

Today's live blog with Alex Bowden (daytime) and Simon MacMichael (evening)...
02 July 2020, 15:52
Detroit bike at road rage shooting (via Fox 2 video)
Road rage motorist shot dead by cyclist in the US

Fox 2 reports that a road rage incident involving a motorist and two cyclists culminated in the motorist being shot dead by one of the cyclists.

The website reports that both a lawyer and “police sources” believe the woman was “likely justified” in using lethal force.

A couple were reportedly riding along East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit at around 11pm on Tuesday when a 34-year-old motorist shouted at them. Detroit police sources say he was upset with the cyclists riding there.

The male cyclist shouted back. The motorist then stopped and got out of his SUV before approaching with a knife.

The female cyclist then fired a single shot, killing the man.

Detroit police placed her under arrest.

02 July 2020, 15:19
Cameron Jeffers rode to Barnard Castle for an eye test

Cycling YouTuber Cameron Jeffers' latest stunt has seen him ride to Barnard Castle.

"Rumour has it Barnard Castle is the place to visit if you're after getting your eyes tested," he says, referencing that whole Dominic Cummings thing.

We've previously covered Primal's Dominic Cummings eye test jersey and The Tour de Dom, a 610-mile virtual challenge equivalent to London to Durham to Barnard Castle to Durham to London.

Our own Dave Atkinson also recently completed a virtual 'Cummings and goings' ride from Big Ben to Barnard Castle with a stopover in Durham for the Genesis Trust.

 

02 July 2020, 15:02
Video: Alex Dowsett's step-by-step guide on how NOT to go tubeless

"Nothing's happening. I probably should have checked the instructions."

Here are some.

02 July 2020, 14:34
World's second biggest bike garage opens in The Hague

The new bike garage at Den Haag Central Station has space for almost 8,000 bikes.

NL Times reports that the only bigger one is the underground bike garage in Utrecht, which can hold over 12,500 bikes.

02 July 2020, 14:16
Oakley is selling PPE

Oakley has released some clear eyewear with a wider coverage area that is certified as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Oakley_0OO9211__921120radar-ev-pitch_matte_black_clear_330A

The Shield Your Eyes offering was apparently developed, “in response to a growing consumer demand for eyewear that provides extra coverage for everyday life and sport.”

02 July 2020, 13:42
Video: Peter Sagan cooks Italian

He has strong opinions about certain elements, as you'll see.

02 July 2020, 13:16
Cyclist at McDonalds (Flickr Creative Commons)
McDonald's tells cyclist it’s “unsafe” for him to use drive-through

A Stoke cyclist has accused McDonald's of 'discrimination' after he was turned away from one of its drive-throughs.

The firm’s customer service team told James Owens its drive-through layout was “unsafe” for him – although apparently it’s okay for motoryclists.

The Stoke Sentinel reports that Owens was told he could not be served at the Meir Park branch at the end of a long warehouse shift.

In a letter of complaint, Owens wrote: "The main part of the restaurant was closed so I queued in the line of traffic waiting to be served in the drive-thru.

"When my time came to be served, I was shocked and embarrassed to be told that because I was riding a bicycle, I would not be served.

"I believe this is highly discriminatory against young people or anybody trying to do their bit for the environment by riding a bike. If cyclists are not welcome, why is this not made clear at the entrance to the drive-thru?

"Cyclists and motorists manage to share every other part of the highway so why does McDonald’s think they cannot negotiate a drive-thru together?”

Owens said he felt this was a “completely outdated and unacceptable position to take,” adding: “I should be grateful if you would please justify your company’s position towards cyclists.”

McDonald's apologised to Owens, but then restated its policy that cyclists cannot be served at drive-throughs.

"We are offering a drive-thru service only due to the Covid-19 situation, and restaurants cannot serve pedestrians and vehicles at the same point,” said the firm’s customer service team.

“By the very nature of a drive-thru layout, vehicles need to pull up close to the service points and as there are no specific pavements or safe areas for pedestrians to use at the same time, safety becomes a concern.

"We are unable to permit pedestrians, bicycles and class-one mobility scooters to use our drive-thrus for these reasons. We are able to serve customers on motorcycles or those using a class-two or class-three mobility scooter."

Last month Costa Coffee’s Twitter account manager received a fair bit of backlash after claiming that the reason cyclists weren't allowed to use their drive-through service was because they aren't "taxed and insured to be on the road".

Costa Adam later admitted he got it wrong by assuming this was the reason why. He later said he believed it was because of "strict health and safety guidelines".

He later claimed that the drive-through lanes are "designed for motor vehicles", and that the speaker to place an order is somehow triggered by a motor vehicle when it pulls up.

02 July 2020, 12:29
PedalMe employee moves house without hiring a van

Last year Sustrans managed to move the entire contents of their Farringdon offices to a new place in Tower Hamlets using electric cargo bikes.

02 July 2020, 11:19
BREAKING: Kids on bikes turn right at junction WITHOUT having to mix with motor traffic
02 July 2020, 11:16
Vigil today for NHS COVID-19 nurse killed while cycling in Edinburgh

A vigil is being held today for an NHS nurse who volunteered to treat COVID-19 patients who was killed in a road traffic collision last week.

Full story here.

02 July 2020, 10:13
Named and given a nod of respect: Local authorites that secured MORE than their requested allocation of emergency active travel funding

The corollary of the authorities listed in the previous update.

These ones basically put in extra strong bids for emergency cycle funding and were rewarded for doing so.

02 July 2020, 10:08
Named and shamed: Local authorites that failed to secure full allocation of emergency active travel funding

As we said further down the page, where authorities were awarded only a fraction of the emergency cycle funding they requested, this was because the Department for Transport deemed them to have put forward a weak bid.

 

See here for more on how the DfT has written to councils informing them it wants to see “an even higher level of ambition” when it comes to proposals for emergency active travel measures.

02 July 2020, 10:06
Carmageddon: Cycling levels fall as more and more motorists take to the roads

A couple of weeks ago, we asked whether cycling had already passed its peak.

While cycling levels were still up by 70 per cent at that point compared to the period before the coronavirus lockdown, they had started to decline.

At the same time, motor traffic had already doubled compared to the lockdown low back in April.

Those trends have apparently continued.

According to research by the RAC, almost a third of drivers – some 10.5 million – will be using a car to get away for an overnight stay this weekend with lockdown being eased.

02 July 2020, 09:03
Cycling and Walking Plan and updated Cycle Infrastructure Design guidance to be published “over the summer”
02 July 2020, 08:54
bird-e-scooters-queen-elizabeth-olympic-park-copyright-simon-macmichael
You'll need a driving licence to hire an e-scooter

A blanket ban on riding e-scooters on UK roads and cycle lanes will end on July 4 with a 12-month trial where insured rental scooters will be made legal.

As we reported yesterday, riders must be over 16 and hold at least a provisional driving licence.

Asked about the latter part of that earlier today, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed it was the case for the trial period.

He explained this was due to a quirk in legislation dating back to 1880.

Anyway, check our full story for details on what is and isn't allowed.

02 July 2020, 08:41
The lightest bike you'll see today

Okay, it's not going to help you set new fastest times on your local climbs - but this is bloody brilliant, isn't it?

02 July 2020, 08:27
leeds pop-up bike lane 2.PNG
They've announced the emergency active travel funding in your area

As we reported on Saturday, the Department for Transport (DfT) has written to councils informing them it wants to see “an even higher level of ambition” when it comes to proposals for emergency active travel measures.

Authorities have been given 100%, 75%, 50% or just 25% of their respective bids, “based on the extent to which they aligned with the criteria”.

Several who made especially strong bids have even received more than they requested.

Basically, those who were keen to build good infrastructure got money; those who weren't, didn't.

You can see what your local authority got here, along with an indicative allocation for the next phase of funding.

02 July 2020, 08:20
A full lap of Manchester's Cyclops junction

The Royce Road junction in Hulme in Manchester is due to officially open today.

It's the UK’s first “CYCLOPS” design, which is similar to the traditional Dutch junction. Its layout and traffic lights allow cyclists to turn right without having to move across lanes of traffic.

It's hard to explain. It's easier to get your head round it by watching this video.

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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29 comments

Avatar
jayinjapants | 4 years ago
0 likes

That cyclops junction works similarly to way we are supposed to use traffic light controlled junctions here in Japan, cross straight over, stop on the other side and rejoin the road you want to go down on the other side (bikes are not allowed to wait in the middle of the road to turn). That cyclops set up though is far better way as you are physically separated from the traffic, nice, am jealous.

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RobD | 4 years ago
0 likes

What A surprise that Essex had one of the highest allocations available for funding and didn't bother to request more than half of it. In a county that's relatively flat and with a poorly designed road network you'd think actually putting in some cycling provisions would be a good idea.

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Oldfatgit | 4 years ago
1 like

Thanks for the Cyclops video.
I'd looked at yesterday's (I think) article and I couldn't work out how you would navigate it.
I'm unlikely to ever come across one, but if I do at least now I might have a clue.

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RoubaixCube | 4 years ago
0 likes

Oakley making PPE... I wonder if they will beat or match Bolle on price... or if they will stick to the tried and tested formula of charging 20-30 pairs of bolle's for the one pair oakleys.

Thats what i love about Bolle's. They are cheap and they are highly servicable. No love will be lost if they were to get absolutely destroyed or go missing. £10-12 buys me a new pair.

Not as stylish yes - but certified to the highest of safety standards when it comes to safety glasses.

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cdamian | 4 years ago
2 likes

I was once forbbidden to go on foot to the McDonalds drive-thru. I came back with a bicycle and they let me order.
This was in Spain though and makes no sense either.

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eburtthebike | 4 years ago
2 likes

"We are unable to permit pedestrians, bicycles and class-one mobility scooters to use our drive-thrus for these reasons. We are able to serve customers on motorcycles or those using a class-two or class-three mobility scooter."

MacDonalds: oxymoronic or just moronic?

Avatar
nniff replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
1 like

eburtthebike wrote:

"We are unable to permit pedestrians, bicycles and class-one mobility scooters to use our drive-thrus for these reasons. We are able to serve customers on motorcycles or those using a class-two or class-three mobility scooter."

MacDonalds: oxymoronic or just moronic?

More like "M, innit"

Avatar
Dao replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
4 likes

It's almost as if Mcdonalds missed the briefing that reminds everyone that bicycles are road vehicles and NOT pedestrians. just because it doesn't have a motor doesn't mean it's dangerous to be in the drive-through.

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brooksby replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
2 likes

IIRC there was a story in one of the tabloids a couple of weeks ago, in which a McDonalds drive-through also turned away a bloke on horseback.

I admit to being confused - giving paper bag of food to someone on a motorcycle is alright but not to someone on a bicycle or a horse?  Methinks they're making it up as they go along...

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
0 likes

I'm guessing it is insurance companies stating certain rules as all drive ins seem to be the same, but it does seem like they equate bikes with pavement transport rather then road as Dao states above. Maybe because Kids would be all there on their bikes.

Just checked their FAQs

Are bicycles allowed through Drive Thru?

McDonald's supports the health and environmental benefits of cycling, however it is our practice not to serve cyclists using the drive-thru lane or drive-thru service windows.

Why? The drive-thru facility is designed for motor vehicles and, on balance, we are concerned that use by cyclists could compromise their safety through: the necessarily close proximity with motor vehicles; the limited visibility of cycles (particularly given the sharp corners of the drive thru lane); and the difficulties of carrying food and drinks and retaining full control of a bicycle. In reaching this view we have consulted with our own Hygiene and Safety Department, the Highway Code, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

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mdavidford replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
7 likes

AlsoSomniloquism wrote:

McDonalds wrote:

the difficulties of carrying food and drinks and retaining full control of a bicycle.

Because retaining full control of a car while extracting your Big Mac from a bag and balancing a gallon of Coke on your knees is easy, and far less disastrous when it goes wrong...

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Hirsute replied to mdavidford | 4 years ago
0 likes
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eburtthebike replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

IIRC there was a story in one of the tabloids a couple of weeks ago, in which a McDonalds drive-through also turned away a bloke on horseback.

I admit to being confused - giving paper bag of food to someone on a motorcycle is alright but not to someone on a bicycle or a horse?  Methinks they're making it up as they go along...

They just ran out of hay for the burger.

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adamrice replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
11 likes

It's not safe for anyone to eat at McDonald's. This was a blessing in disguise.

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hawkinspeter replied to adamrice | 4 years ago
2 likes
adamrice wrote:

It's not safe for anyone to eat at McDonald's. This was a blessing in disguise.

I say we should boycott McDonald's until they change their cycle policy.
(I've been boycotting them for a few decades anyway)

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Sriracha replied to adamrice | 4 years ago
1 like

Yes, I am mystified by all this pent up desire for self-poisoning. Not by eating McDonald's, but by joining a queue of exhaust pipes in preparation. And then what - put the fetid bag of burgers in your pannier to eat at home, cold and congealed? Or enjoy the hot treat in the cold comfort of the car park?
A drive-thru is for numpties in cars - why so keen to join them?

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HoarseMann replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
2 likes

a high powered s-pedelec ebike that's registered with the DVLA is considered equivalent to a moped and therefore should be fine to use a McD drivethru - bet that would confuse them if someone tried it!

 

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eburtthebike replied to HoarseMann | 4 years ago
1 like

HoarseMann wrote:

a high powered s-pedelec ebike that's registered with the DVLA is considered equivalent to a moped and therefore should be fine to use a McD drivethru - bet that would confuse them if someone tried it!

Don't tempt me.angel

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Secret_squirrel | 4 years ago
1 like

Looks like my local authorities all failed to cover themselves in glory.  Reading, Wokingham and Oxfordshire B- must try harder.

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AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
3 likes

For the Driver Comment Bingo card, we have nice tweet chain underneath the right turn Tweet of :-

When is there going to be a levy on cyclists to pay for all this infrastructure? Seems only fair that the "user pays" principle is applied.

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Secret_squirrel replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
5 likes

So tempted to reply with "when are car drivers going to be charged for all the people they kill and injure - seems only right that killers and would-be killers pay the price"

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Rome73 replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
1 like

Ha! That's the first comment i noticed when I followed the link. I don't do twitter but if i did I'd reply: 'look again at the video - look at the jogger, look at the pedestrian crossings, the tactile pavement, the foot way, the pedestrian controlled lights . . . . When are blind people and joggers and pedestrians going to pay a levy for all this infrastructure?"

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John Smith | 4 years ago
0 likes

Oxford, City of Cycling! 5th from last...

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mdavidford replied to John Smith | 4 years ago
0 likes

John Smith wrote:

Oxford, City of Cycling! 5th from last...

Oxfordshire, rather than Oxford. Oxford's cycling provision may leave quite a lot to be desired, but it's way ahead of what you get in most of the rest of the county.

To be fair to them, though, they're only 5th bottom based on the amount that wasn't awarded, and that's partly due to them having just asked for quite a lot in the first place (16th highest amount). If you rank them by what they were awarded they come in well inside the top half.

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Rick_Rude | 4 years ago
7 likes

The cycling boom was never about cycling it was about an excuse to get out. That's the problem. It was a means to an end.

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mdavidford | 4 years ago
2 likes

I think it's a bit of a stretch to say from that graph that 'cycling is falling'. The downward section is only for about half a week, prior to which it was going up for about half a week, and it only brings it back to where it was about a week and a half previously. At the moment about all you can say from it is 'cycling levels have been fluctuating'.

Edit: looking more closely at the individual data points, it looks as though the fall in the last few days is mostly due to a couple of days of exceptionally high cycling levels two weeks ago dropping out of the 14-day average.

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Awavey replied to mdavidford | 4 years ago
0 likes

I dont know how we can make a graph at all thats able to give us the appearance of an accurate rolling average datapoint as again you drill down into the data methodology and it is only "Estimated change in cycling usage in England", thats all those cycling figures show, estimated data.

At least it tells us how they are estimating this time by using mobile phone data from a single network, as your phone moves to a different cell it registers a hit which shows you are moving around, but only if you stop moving for 30mins does that trip count as a cycling trip, and short trips of less than 1km in urban,5km in rural locations are excluded.

so they accept its best efforts (why dont they ask Strava to show them their data for more confidence in their data) but its no better than a finger in the air kind of yeah the roads were quiet people were still moving around, they must have been cycling, now more cars (which we can calculate and measure through various means) are around, people are still moving about,but they are probably not cycling anymore, and the baseline against this data is just the same methodology applied to the week before lockdown.

and from that people are using that data to start drawing graphs

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mdavidford | 4 years ago
1 like

Could they not have at least chucked in another £1k and made it a round £40 million? That's almost as irritating as Froome's strava effort.

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Awavey replied to mdavidford | 4 years ago
1 like

well the All Party parliamentary cycling groups figures excludes London boroughs/TFL which is worth 5million according to the DfT in tranche 1,but the DfTs own figures then excludes West Yorkshire CA which is worth 2.5 million according to the APPGCW...so its a total upwards of 40million is all we can say for sure  1

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