Corbyn v Johnson – the L-shaped cranks issue; ‘Safety first’ Xmas tree; Peloton shares drop further; #bikesatpollingstations (and #dogs); Christ(mas) on a bike; Israel Cycling Academy becomes Israel Start-Up Nation + more on live blog
SUMMARY
Morning
Think we’re going to have to pace ourselves a bit today. It’s already feeling like a gruelling day and it’s barely past nine.
A logical place to start for a cycling live blog on the day of a general election is with a round-up of where each of the main parties stands on cycling.
My colleague Simon MacMichael has done a nice rundown of the various policies and promises.
We know there are plenty of other issues, but it’s interesting to think about how cycling policy reflects the broader attitudes of each of the main parties.
#bikesatpollingstations
#bikesatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/93R331kyCm
— David Knight (@furnivalknight) December 12, 2019
Voted. #BikesAtPollingStations #BromptonsAtPollingStations #GE2019 pic.twitter.com/sdqIznnHwV
— Graham Boulton (@gboulton66) December 12, 2019
#BikesAtPollingStations pic.twitter.com/EEwqMSDBLy
— Cycle Sam (@MCRCycleSam) December 12, 2019
London's cycling commissioner's been down already
Voted! #bikesatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/wVwYzEH4zF
— Will Norman (@willnorman) December 12, 2019
#cargobikesatpollingstations
#bikesatpollingstations #cargobikesatpollingstations #GE2109 pic.twitter.com/fE90WSZh5d
— Rob Wilson (@mrrobwilson) December 12, 2019
voting for a brighter day #BikesAtPollingStations #cargobikesatpollingstations #GE2019 pic.twitter.com/rGNyxhKcbo
— Jack Thurston (@jackthurston) December 12, 2019
Very important election day sociological analysis
Early days, but I’ve noticed something while embedding #bikesatpollingstations on a website that throws a whopping great tantrum whenever it encounters non-alphanumeric characters.
People who cycle to vote are far less likely to deploy emojis than the average social media user.
#bikesatpollingstations fail
I was going to do a #BikesAtPollingStations photo, but I went at 07:00 and it was still dark. When the flash went off and my tyre sidewalls reflected back, I jumped and took a picture of my feet instead.
— Goth on a Brompton (@GothOnABrompton) December 12, 2019
Beryl offering free rides to polling stations
A reminder that British bike share company Beryl are offering users free rides to their polling stations.
Beryl operates in the City of London, Hereford, Bournemoth and Poole, and say they’re running the complimentary rides to “encourage riders to choose sustainable transport to and from their local polling stations.”
The promotion will be automatically applied to everyone with a Beryl account. Voters can make use of two rides with a free unlock and ride of up to 30 minutes each.
Doing the double
Maybe this can help us segue into another topic for a bit…
#BikesAtPollingStations
followed by #treebybike pic.twitter.com/NS0v9X0ERk— Nick Flynn (@nickflynnUK) December 12, 2019
Of course you don't *need* a tree
A lunchtime reminder of where the parties stand on cycling
As the UK heads to the polls again, we’ve highlighted the key active travel pledges as politicians chase your vote.
Israel Cycling Academy becomes Israel Start-Up Nation
The new sponsor for Israel Cycling Academy is Start-Up Nation Central, “a Tel Aviv-based non-profit organisation that connects companies around the world to Israeli innovation.”
The team will therefore be known as Israel Start-Up Nation for the 2020 season.
Our new name for season 2020. WorldTour, here we come! #yallaacademy pic.twitter.com/K8eZCtm0Hm
— IsraelCyclingAcademy (@yallaACADEMY) December 11, 2019
Here’s the kit.
Israel- Start Up Nation will be racing in a new kit: #yallaacademy pic.twitter.com/Wa9zkQQg4R
— IsraelCyclingAcademy (@yallaACADEMY) December 11, 2019
It's not just Beryl Bikes offering free rides to polling stations
Uber offering free Jump e-bike rides on election day: if you’re London-based and yet to cast your ballot, you can take advantage of two free rides of up to 12 minutes each to the polling station and back… https://t.co/tWmY0jjATV #cycling #GeneralElection2019 pic.twitter.com/kpoYgQtDyc
— ebiketips (@ebiketips) December 12, 2019
Or get a lift off Pedal Me
People already jumping on our free rides for Election Day promo – look up feed for code! pic.twitter.com/8YWxRaFmjR
— Pedal Me (@pedalmeapp) December 12, 2019
REE RIDE CODE FOR LIFTS TO/FROM VOTING: 7DEWQA
Please pre-book to avoid disappointment – we’re likely to be extremely busy.
Only applies to passenger jobs within our operating hours (8-8 tomorrow).
— Pedal Me (@pedalmeapp) December 11, 2019
We don’t endorse any one party – though this is the only party leader who’s committed to using us for their ride to Buckingham Palace to start their government, should they be invited to do so, so far…
Not too late to get in there @BorisJohnson ! pic.twitter.com/KDS3xtMvNo
— Pedal Me (@pedalmeapp) December 12, 2019
The infrastructure buzz
The Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, Heidi Alexander, has a confession to make.
Something strange has happened to me in the last 18 months. I now have emotional reactions to pictures of kerbs and concrete – this one gives me a particularly warm feeling inside 🙂 https://t.co/EJMqC69OrC
— Heidi Alexander (@Heidi_LDN) December 12, 2019
"The wild"
The wild? If you did all your riding in an airbed showroom, you probably wouldn’t be all that concerned about possible blows to the head.
This is how the Hovding system would perform in the wild! pic.twitter.com/TOgGgTZtRu
— Fully Charged (@FullyChargedUK) December 12, 2019
Last year's Portuguese national champion provisionally suspended for anti-doping rule violation
UCI Statement on Domingos Goncalves and UCI Professional Continental Team Caja Rural – Seguros RGA https://t.co/VADwB0aso0 pic.twitter.com/D5jFMd4QPy
— UCI_media (@UCI_media) December 12, 2019
The tree clearly feels it's necessary to wear a cycle helmet
It’s attire is pretty hi-vis too, you’d have to say.
Rode in the local Festival of Lights, look how much my son loved it! from r/bicycling
Merida’s 2020 time trial bike “ready to slice the air”
[Adopts Jim Bowen voice] “So, Rohan, let’s take a look at what you could have won…”
You’ve already seen @MeridaBikes‘ lightweight #SCULTURA and aero #REACTOEVO in the new colours for 2020. Here comes the #TIMEWARPTT, ready to slice the air. pic.twitter.com/WHfOwNbuxE
— MeridaProRoadRacing (@MeridaProRoad) December 12, 2019
Heading to the polling station on your way home?
If it’s of any help at all, here’s our thing highlighting the various parties’ key active travel pledges.
Where do you stand on our L-shaped cranks article?
What do you mean you’ve never read it?
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Here's a photo I took on Alpe d'Huez at TdF 1991. L to R: Gianni Bugno, Miguel Indurain, Luc Leblanc. They would finish the stage in that order, Bugno winning. Yes, colour film was available in 1991 but that day I chose to use black and white knowing that many years hence it would look epic.
Riding a bike is green. Pro cycling is not. Don't greenwash us by confusing one with the other.
The first 750 words of this article comprise a detailed explanation of the ways in which cycling continues to feel the full force of climate change. Perhaps more time reading what's actually written before rushing to spaff nonsense everywhere might help your comprehension.
Sadiq Khan and TfL cannot be accused of neglecting cycling. They have greatly improved provision in London. Yes there is a lot more that could be done, but we need to be patient. The public finances aren't in good shape, so things are going to b e tight for some time.
@Rendel Harris "ultimately football at every level is played on roughly the same size to pitch, the goals are the same size and there are eleven players on each team." Except they don't. In a senior team a 16-year-old plays against adults, under tougher competition, plays more matches and under greater mental strain. If your argument was vaild, I could easily counter it by sayng that riding the very same bike on the same roads as in training, 150 km a day, should not be such a big deal for a pro cyclist.
The TdF yearly circus generates human and atmospheric pollution. Big time. Airplanes, choppers, trucks, cars for teams, media, VIP and other involved parties. But pro cycling is a profitable business, ask ASO. Don't spoil the party with questions about carbon footprint, side-road waste, recycling (pun intended). Also, why does ASO not have a plan B case of high temperatures - earlier departure times, shortened stages, ... ? Based on this week's weather forecasts, several stages are likely to be cancelled. Quote of the day : "But as cycling continues to feel the full force of climate change, ..." In what ways?
@Podc I heard that Scunthorpe CC's experiment with wrapping the name around the jersey under the arm to make it fit didn't go too well either.
Be interesting to see if UAE chase down any breakaway today to ensure that Jonas stays in yellow.
@Rendel Harris Interestingly, and it sort of supports my theory that UAE were being cunning, Pog has the mountains jersey today because he was the quickest up the final climb, which argues that he hadn't burnt all his matches when he got to the finish.
@JLasTSR It takes time. I got knocked off nine years ago in broad daylight on a roundabout, by a driver who was wearing very dark glasses, I'm suspicious that he was actually visually impaired. No prosecution. It took me a few years to get my confidence back. I wish you all the best in getting the enjoyment back.
10 thoughts on “Corbyn v Johnson – the L-shaped cranks issue; ‘Safety first’ Xmas tree; Peloton shares drop further; #bikesatpollingstations (and #dogs); Christ(mas) on a bike; Israel Cycling Academy becomes Israel Start-Up Nation + more on live blog”
Loving that Peugeot. I had
Loving that Peugeot. I had one in a similar paintjob, though mine probably never looked that good.
Oh, and whatever the weather, get out and vote.
I always walk, the polling station has never been far away enough to ride.
Oh, is there an election on?
Oh, is there an election on?
Kendalred wrote:
I’m surprised they allow people to park their bikes that close to polling stations.
Every remembrance sunday, they prohibit bike parking anywhere near the cenotaph here in the centre of Bristol, citing the risk of terrorism…
Quote:
Here’s a hmmm review about a
Here’s a hmmm review about a bicycle touring movie-
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/dec/12/the-bikes-of-wrath-review-cameron-ford-charlie-turnbull-cycling-documentary
ktache wrote:
I’m not sure they’re very impressed with it:
I’ve just been to vote for a
I’ve just been to vote for a party that won’t win a majority tonight, but does have a clear policy on the biggest issue of the day; which sadly isn’t active travel. We shouldn’t leave that up to party policy, it should be agreed between all parties and run by commity. Was I wasting my time; probably. Will I be able to complain later? Inevitably.
I am definitely a fan of the
I am definitely a fan of the ‘banking my right to complain’ approach!
Compact Corned Beef wrote:
I voted Green, so I’m pretty sure I can complain about the result tonight.
Compact Corned Beef wrote:
Good on you for doing your democratic doody!