Countdown to Carmageddon: Park Lane Cycleway almost finished, pop-up cycle lanes planned for Westminster; Prom Wars: Merseyside Edition; Radical alternative to Strava; More on Rod Liddle’s “piano wire at neck height” column + more
SUMMARY
Yorkshire club riders say hit and run driver aimed for them after one suffered broken back
A York cyclist who was left with a broken back believes the hit-and-run driver responsible for the collision deliberately aimed for him.
The BBC reports that John Bennett, club secretary at Barnsley Road Club, was riding with friend Martin Townsend on the B122 Naburn in York between 10.30am and 10.50am on Monday when they were hit from behind.
“The car came behind us and I could see in my peripheral vision that the driver seemed to be aiming at us,” said Bennett.
The motorist drove off, leaving the two men on the ground.
“I was in a state, with blood pouring down my face,” said Bennett. “Thankfully a woman pulled up and rang the ambulance.”
Townsend suffered only bruised ribs and cuts, but Bennett faces 12 weeks in a spinal brace with possible permanent damage to his back.
He was previously injured in another hit-and-run while riding in Sheffield last year.
Anyone with information on the collision has been asked to contact North Yorkshire Police.
"Ride a bicycle and keep well"
Pretty sure we’ve run this at least once before, but hey-ho.
An old Bicycle ad during the influenza pandemic. from r/bicycling
Pop-up cycle lanes planned for Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly
Westminster Council has announced plans to widen pavements and install pop-up cycle lanes on “some of the most iconic locations in the world” – Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly.
We’ve published our extensive and ambitious plans to provide new and additional space for cyclists and pedestrians in the heart of the capital to safely support the easing of the lockdown and get the economy moving again. https://t.co/WK4nVSSPc6
— Westminster Council (@CityWestminster) May 27, 2020
Ned Boulting doesn’t think the Sunday Times is publishing his complaint about that Rod Liddle column
Over the weekend, Rod Liddle said the notion of stretching piano wire at neck height across roads used by cyclists was “tempting”.
Yesterday, the Sunday Times said the column was “not intended to be taken seriously” – the exact phrase that Cycling UK said yesterday would be an “inappropriate” defence of it.
Ned Boulting apparently got the same response after he wrote to complain about the column.
I suppose this standard reply means the @thesundaytimes won’t be printing my letter, which was rather what I thought would happen. Bit disappointed nonetheless. https://t.co/H3VENDZndI pic.twitter.com/mVv5oEwrJq
— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) May 28, 2020
The ITV cycling commentator had said: “When I ride, I am both tolerant and vulnerable and I believe most people are, most of the time. So, when Mr Liddle jokingly calls for the garrotting of cyclists, he is playing the simplest, basest game of appealing to the lowest common denominator.
“It would be funny, were it funny. It would be fair, were it fair. And it would be right, were it right.
“It would be harmless were it not tediously dangerous. Apart from that, I can find no fault with it.
“Have a word, will you?”
Been turned away from the tip because you were on a bike? Try this workaround
We’ve had a number of reports of people being turned away from their local recycling centre during the coronavirus crisis because they were on a bike.
The first instance we reported on was in Hereford, where the council explained that cyclists cannot offer “mutual protection” by winding up a car window when entering the facility.
We reported on another example in Devon on yesterday’s live blog and there were a number of replies indicating that it’s something that’s happening up and down the country.
But how’s this for a workaround?
Worth a try? pic.twitter.com/gu6bxtXAa3
— Ant Veal (@TeignmouthSkies) May 27, 2020
Gravel shorts. For gravel...
Yea, but do they do ‘indoor’ gravel shorts?
— Justin Belcher (@justin_belcher) May 28, 2020
‘Gravel-specific’ clothing has actually been a thing for a couple of years now.
Rapha launched their explore collection in March 2018 following ‘the world’s first gravel-specific shorts’ courtesy of Pedal ED.
French cycling apparel brand Café du Cycliste launched their gravel range later that same year.
Police appeal for information after cyclist is killed near Lymm
Police have appealed for information after a cyclist died on Tuesday following a collision near Lymm the day before.
The Warrington Guardian reports that the incident occurred at the junction of Dunham Road, Paddock Lane and Warburton Lane, at around 7.30am.
The cyclist, a 42-year-old man, was taken to hospital with serious injuries and has since died.
The motor vehicle involved was a Red Ford Tourneo Connect.
PC Neil Dalley of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a devastating collision which has resulted in a man losing his life. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.
“Enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision are continuing and I would appeal to anyone with information or dash cam footage which may assist us to contact us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information should contact GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit via 15638@gmp.police.uk or 0161-856-4741 quoting Log 704 of 25/05/20.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Great Britain Cycling Team offers support to Blue Peter ‘Train Your Way To Tokyo’ challenge
British Cycling, Rowing and Athletics are teaming up with Blue Peter to cycle, row and run the distance between the Blue Peter studio in Salford and the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo in just 30 days.
Starting today, the ‘Train Your Way to Tokyo’ challenge will see Blue Peter presenter Lindsey Russell join forces with athletes from the three GB squads to cover the 9,448km distance – an average of 314km per day – completed either inside the home or outdoors within current government guidance.
Russell said: “Though I’ve completed many Blue Peter challenges, I’ve never taken on a multisport challenge quite like this. It’s daunting but I can’t wait to train with these incredible athletes and hopefully show what can be achieved by working together, all from our own homes.”
Reigning Olympic and world champion Elinor Barker will mentor Russell for the cycling part, with other members of the Great Britain Cycling Team, including Dame Sarah Storey and Neah Evans, counting their kilometres covered in training over the 30 day period towards Lindsey’s total.
Barker said: “I’m enjoying being part of the Train Your way to Tokyo challenge with Blue Peter and already in our first week, myself and my Great Britain Cycling Team teammates have clocked up a good number of kilometres in training to help Lindsey on her way. Hopefully, we will help to inspire the audience to take up more activity themselves especially as we’re in this difficult period of lockdown.”
The group effort runs until June 16, with the final film being shown on Blue Peter on June 18 (5.30pm) on CBBC and on iPlayer.
A relaxing and peaceful ride on Hammersmith Gyratory
It is now (almost) relaxing and peaceful to cycle on Hammersmith Gyratory and King Street in BOTH directions. Few little bits to clarify but…. thank you thank you thank you thank you @lbhf @StephenCowan pic.twitter.com/5ZC3lOr7B5
— Dr Edward Seaton (@_Dermatologist) May 27, 2020
Unwilling to splash out on a Strava subscription?
Anyone looking for a @Strava alternative?!
We’re bringing back these ‘YOMP’ pads.
£4 annual subscription, free set of crayons 🖍 pic.twitter.com/2cQIXMbgVC
— Mamnick™ (@Mamnick) May 27, 2020
Latest Met Police speeding enforcement update
We tend to report on this in a ‘there’s loads more speeding’ kind of way, but it’s also a product of the fact the Met has increased enforcement in response.
In #London Traffic 👮♂️ speeding enforcement (enf) since #lockdown compared to 2019.
➖All speed enf up 126%
➖Extreme speed enf up 193%Urban Road focus supporting #Cyclist & walking:-
➖20mph 10x more extreme speeding enf
➖20 & 30mph 94% more speed & 218% more extreme speed enf pic.twitter.com/bp0WVz4aDe— Andy Cox (@SuptAndyCox) May 28, 2020
5.8km of segregated routes to be added in Leeds as part of CityConnect
Work on a number of planned segregated cycling routes in Leeds has been brought forward in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Work on a 1.3km route on Claypit Lane between Chapeltown Road and Woodhouse Lane has begun, while in the south of the city, a new 3km segregated route between Elland Road Park and Ride and the city centre will be started in the summer.
The existing segregated cycle route on Dewsbury Road will also be extended with a 1.5km section of new route between Garnet Road and Beeston Ring Road.
The schemes are being delivered as part of the Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme.
Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development, also said that the Combined Authority would be working with councils to make more road space available to people travelling by bike and on foot.
“During these difficult times, we’re working hard to make walking and cycling more attractive and natural everyday choices for exercising and commuting,” she said.
“We’re delighted we are bringing the construction phase of these schemes forward for new segregated cycle routes south of the city connecting Beeston, Holbeck, Hunslet and the city centre, as well as important work on Clay Pit Lane and Meanwood Road. Every new piece of segregated cycleway in Leeds gets us nearer to the 500 miles of cycle network we are aiming to deliver across the city.
“In this Covid-19 recovery phase, Leeds is creating many more new routes which offer improved safety for people who walk and cycle, offering convenience and championing health and wellbeing for our residents.
“Alongside improved segregated cycleways the scheme will improve the environment for pedestrians. This work funded through CityConnect will improve environmental sustainability, better air quality and reduce pollution of all types in and around Leeds. We look forward to seeing the schemes completed later this year.”
Thomas Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter to be closed to motor traffic
Northern Quarter street goes car-free permanently. Great! pic.twitter.com/mGl5fWtK4N
— Helen Pidd (@helenpidd) May 28, 2020
Remember how the big complaint about London's cycleways was that they took ages to build and "caused" congestion?
They started this two weeks ago.
Park Lane Cycleway at the Marble Arch end. Construction workers say it will be finished by Tuesday. When finished: one bidirectional cycle lane, one bus lane, one car lane. pic.twitter.com/ZSLJ8mdaF8
— MJ (@MichielJoseph) May 24, 2020
Cycling in Ireland has more than doubled compared to this time last year
Over half a million adults are now cycling on a weekly basis, up 260,000 on the same time last year.
✅ Improved physical health
✅ Improved mental health
✅ Good for the environment
✅ Reduced traffic congestion
✅ Good for societyRead More ➡️ https://t.co/bh8QX6ycfA pic.twitter.com/emrWZBSTNe
— Cycling Ireland (@CyclingIreland) May 28, 2020
Prom Wars: The Merseyside edition
Last week we reported how Bournemouth council leader Vikki Slade had warned cyclists they had “one more weekend” to prove they could ride responsibly on the town’s seafront path or face a ban.
She has since said that the council has no plans to ban cyclists from the prom “at this stage” but will continue to monitor the situation.
The Liverpool Echo reports on a similar story from the Wirral, where a number of local residents near North Parade, Hoylake, have complained that cyclists have been “taking over” the front during the lockdown.
“My partner drove along the front and was faced with 10 cyclists coming towards him and not in a rush to move out of the way,” complained one on Facebook.
“I’ve never seen it like this and that’s a long long time of knowing the prom,” said another. “Can’t have cyclists at speed with kids and elderly people. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
Councillor Andrew Gardner, who represents Hoylake and Meols, said the last seven weeks had seen a “big increase” in the number of cyclists on North Parade.
He said many didn’t appear to realise it was a one way road, adding, “I have received reports from more than 30 households of near misses and collisions.”
North Parade is one way from the Kings Gap to Hoyle Road but there is a shared use path on the prom for both cyclists and pedestrians to travel in both directions.
Local cyclist Chris Malkin said that some were being criticised for riding on the prom, including the footpath section on the south side of the new RNLI station.
“This is a designated cycle route, part of the Wirral Circular Trail and cyclists are entitled to use it in both directions,” he said. “I suspect many local pedestrians are unaware of this.”
A Wirral Council spokesperson said: “We are currently reviewing locations where it may be appropriate to introduce measures identified within the Government announcement.
“But we would ask all road users to be considerate to others during this time and remind people it is essential that we follow the usual highway rules to ensure we all remain safe.”
Countdown to Carmageddon
Regarding the swift completion of the Park Lane Cycleway (see below), London Cycling Campaign (LCC) is warning that London will be “in real trouble” if plans for emergency safe cycling infrastructure are not implemented quickly.
June 15’s the date…
It’s a matter of urgency that #streetspaceldn happens, without compromise, prevent total logjam across London on June 15th. This is just a taster if how bad it will be if @MayorofLondon ‘s plan doesn’t work. Details on our campaigning work here https://t.co/o8FUKSNEky pic.twitter.com/5oX9e9jGRt
— London_cycling (@London_Cycling) May 28, 2020
We’re live on location in Camden to share some news about @MayorofLondon ‘s #streetspaceldn progress 👋🚲 https://t.co/5dE15jDgqz
— London_cycling (@London_Cycling) May 28, 2020
28 May 2020, 08:27
28 May 2020, 08:27
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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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Latest Comments
Well done for doing the research. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/20/suv-risks-warnings-road-safety-buyers-uk-study
Not as rare as they should be after taking milage into account. Clearly part of that equation is better education of pedestrians , but I have no issues with making cyclists subject to the speed limits. The majority do not exceed 20mph, except for the rare occasions they have a good breeze or an incline in their favour. Those that have the capability are often already recording their data anyway, the excuse that cycles are not fitted with speedometers seems very lame in this day and age.
But then there would would have been grounds for prosecuting the driver in that circumstance as he would have been substantially exceeding the speed limit. The cyclist was innocent under the law but I consider him profoundly responsible for that death. We ask for considerable consideration by motorists and we have now been given legal backing for it, it does not become us to defend hairing round public park roads in substantial excess of a speed limit considered to offer reasonable safety to vulnerable road users.
Not as rare as they should be after taking milage into account. Clearly part of that equation is better education of pedestrians , but I have no issues with making cyclists subject to the speed limits. The majority do not exceed 20mph, except for the rare occasions they have a good breeze or an incline in their favour. Those that have the capability are often already recording their data anyway, the excuse that cycles are not fitted with speedometers seems very lame in this day and age.
I believe "hi-vis" isn't actually worth that much - certainly not compared to eg. the value of "reflectives" as soon as it gets darker. But even those are still just PPE though - this is the lowest rung (least effective) on the hierarchy of health and safety hazard controls. And "visual aids for drivers" do nothing if drivers don't do their part, no matter how much is worn...
Not the best timing, but not the major issue he's trying to turn it into either. Fitness amongst young people is a problem when it comes to armed forces recruitment, as many are having trouble with the requirements needed to pass the tests because of their inactive lifestyles. This investment will help deal with the problem.
Seemed pretty visible to me - and she was sporting light-coloured hair, bag, footwear and bright trousers. What if she'd been approaching a motorist "out of the sun", or passing a field of oilseed rape or stand of autumnal trees later in the year? If you think that's flippant, note that "sun" and "tree leaves" have been advanced as defense / mitigation in court despite cyclists following guidance ('should'). Frankly she's already done the best preaching possible: been a "normal person" riding a bike.
@60somethingcyclist Looks like you've stepped straight into silly comment mode without looking at all at the actual facts of the case. It has nothing to do with shared paths, the cyclist was on a public road on the vehicle carriageway, the pedestrian was standing on a traffic island waiting to cross. Evidence from independent witnesses shows that the pedestrian stepped out into the path of the cyclist without warning when he was around two metres from her. Much has been made of the fact that he was possibly riding at 5mph more than the motor vehicle speed limit for the road but he could have been riding at 10 mph and he still would have had no chance of avoiding her. The pedestrian was solely responsible for the incident and no amount of "mutual consideration and respect" would have changed that. Suggest reading the articles and evidence in future before commenting with such nonsense.
@yodhrin I should know, I was one.
@60somethingcyclist hmm... that's a good lesson, but perhaps not one to draw from this case where someone stepped out in front of and close to an oncoming cyclist. There may be other lessons from this case - eg. how do we best train people to expect cyclists, understand that cyclists can move unexpectedly quickly, and educate cyclists that speed awareness matters for them also (even if not explicitly in law). And perhaps what places it's appropriate for cyclists to train / exercise in (and provision of such places if there's sufficient demand but they're lacking)? But it's hard to extrapolate that from even a handful of incidents, never mind one.
24 thoughts on “Countdown to Carmageddon: Park Lane Cycleway almost finished, pop-up cycle lanes planned for Westminster; Prom Wars: Merseyside Edition; Radical alternative to Strava; More on Rod Liddle’s “piano wire at neck height” column + more”
Utter scum.
Utter scum.
Is it just me or is London so
Is it just me or is London so slow with the pop up bike lanes that they will be done when all of this over anyway?
On the ‘cycling to the tip’
On the ‘cycling to the tip’ story: if it’s so important to be able to wind your window up that cargo bikes get turned away, then how do motorists put the stuff from their cars into the skips without getting out of the car? Telekinesis?
On the ‘Yorkshire hit and run
On the ‘Yorkshire hit and run’ story: has anyone approached Rod Liddle or the Sunday Times for a comment, yet? I mean, the very next day after his insightful piece of op-ed, something like this happens…
The reality is this happens
The reality is this happens on our roads with alarming regularity, it just doesnt always make the news or cycling focussed websites,that in itself is more an issue as you arent getting the full picture. There were two crashes where cyclists were hit by cars just in the past week on roads I’d ridden just a few days earlier,none have them have remotely caused any ripple of news coverage beyond a local accident report,no report on injuries,condition of the cyclist or if theyd even recovered.
But there is almost certainly no causal link between any of these events & Liddles article, it’s just a bunch of random stuff that happens all too frequently.
Can Mr Liddle account for his
Can Mr Liddle account for his whereabouts when that incident happened? Can he prove he wasn’t driving on that road? Was he in Wales in the days prior to the incident where the wire was strung across a cycle route, injuring someone?
the little onion wrote:
He was probably on his way to Barnard Castle.
Neds not going all ‘dont you
Neds not going all ‘dont you know who I am’ on us during lockdown is he ?
No.
No.
Just checking, because why on
Just checking, because why on earth would he think they would publish his letter, it’s at least 3 paragraphs too long & neither sharp,witty or to the point.
RIP to the poor cyclist in
RIP to the poor cyclist in Lymm.
Note that this is 3 miles from Little Bollington, scene of a story on this site a few weeks ago about local councillors installing anti-cyclist signs
the little onion wrote:
Another serious accident
Another serious accident involving a cyclist reported on that road yesterday afternoon.
Kapelmuur wrote:
Yep, here it is in Altrincham.Today:
http://altrincham.today/2020/05/29/news/cyclist-80-suffers-serious-injuries-collision-close-dunham-road-junction/
Well done Liddle, Parris and
Driving at cyclists: Well done Liddle, Parris and Clarkson. May you rot in hell.
Best wishes to John, and I hope you have a full and swift recovery.
How are ‘gravel specific’
How are ‘gravel specific’ shorts different from ‘normal’ shorts? Are they rougher?
brooksby wrote:
Much rougher; you get gravel rash whether or not you fall off.
You might want to not share
You might want to not share stuff from Manmick it’s a brand with extremist right wing links, and an owner with a history of plagiarism taking intellectual property from people such as the Rough Stuff Collective to enhance his own brand.
Yikes…what’s the extremist
Yikes…what’s the extremist right wing connection, may I ask?!
Spotted this on google
Spotted this on google streetview close to the York designer outlet.
The hit and run incident was further down the road (where there is no cycle path) and this sign may no longer be there. But it does make you wonder if signage like this could provoke a nutter into driving dangerously. Hope John makes a full recovery and can return to cycling in the future.
What does the sign say? It’s
What does the sign say? It’s too small to read.
It says
It says
With the arrow apparently pointing to the road.
Also, ‘cycleway’ is possibly a bit grandiose for what appears to be an ordinary footway that you’re allowed to cycle on.
Thanks. So it’s ok if I put
Thanks. So it’s ok if I put up signs saying “Motorists; please use the motorway”? And then ride my bike at the ones who don’t.
Only if the ‘motorway’ is
Only if the ‘motorway’ is actually a farm track where they’re likely to get stuck behind a tractor or a farmer driving their livestock along it.