Cyclist left in tears by aggressive driver for not using dangerous bike lane; Groenewegen gets nine-month ban; More dreadful cycle lanes; Cycling in cities up 127%; EF Pro Cycling launch diversity programme; AI ‘smart junctions’ + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
New research shows 127% increase in cycling since lockdown in UK's biggest cities
New research from Utility Bidder has shown that Liverpool experienced a 222% rise in cycling since the first COVID-19 lockdown. The report uses data from Strava, as well as city-specific cycling data from Sustrans, and found that the UK’s biggest cities have on average experienced a 127% rise in cycling since May. Other cities that saw a spike in cycling activity include Manchester where it increased by 169% and Glasgow where there was a 146% increase.
Utility Bidder estimate that this has saved 6,313 tonnes of carbon dioxide in Liverpool alone. Despite a lower percentage increase, the 119% rise in cycling in London is estimated to have saved 45,846 tonnes of carbon.
All ten cities, which also include Birmingham, Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, Bristol and Sheffield, combined saved a total of 9,000 people’s annual carbon dioxide output.
Dylan Groenewegen banned from racing for nine months
Jumbo-Visma sprinter Dylan Groenewegen has been banned from racing for nine months by the UCI. A lengthy ban was widely expected after the UCI strongly condemned the Dutch rider’s actions in the first stage of the Tour of Poland. Groenewegen will be suspended until 7 May 2021 and has accepted taking part in ‘a number of events to benefit the cycling community’. The 27-year-old was involved in the incident at the Tour of Poland which caused Fabio Jakobsen to crash into the finish barriers. Jakobsen has not yet returned to racing either because of the severity of his injuries.
Manchester AI-controlled 'smart' traffic junctions go live
Transport for Greater Manchester and Vivacity Labs have announced that their new AI-controlled traffic lights, which use sensors to anonymously identify different types of road users, are to go live. The hope is that the ‘smart junctions’ can give priority to pedestrians and cyclists report BusinessCloud.
Vivacity Labs’ initiative won an Innovative Use of Technology award last week at the 2020 Intelligent Transport Systems last week and is set to go live in Manchester after successful trials in Salford back in September. The increased number of cyclists on the roads since lockdown should benefit from the lights which seek to accommodate those on bikes and pedestrians with priority where possible.
Mark Nicholson, CEO of Vivacity Labs, explained the technology: “Since the pandemic, commuter trends and traffic hotspots have changed completely, and cities need AI to help protect people no matter what mode of transport they take.
“Our vision is to help cities implement critical policies addressing safety, air quality, sustainable travel, and congestion, at a hyper-local level.”
EF Pro Cycling and Cannondale to increase diversity in cycling with college programmes
EF Pro Cycling and Cannondale are to launch new cycling programmes at historically black colleges to try and help increase racial diversity in cycling. The programmes will start in 2021 and have been outlined with an initial commitment of three years. USA Cycling are involved in the partnership, while Cannondale will supply teams with equipment and funding.
“We believe that cycling is for everyone. Yet, in reality, not everyone feels welcome or has access today,” said Mary Wittenberg, EF Pro Cycling President.
“We want to help increase diversity in our sport, starting with racial diversity in cycling in the USA. Success will require a comprehensive approach across the industry, so we turned to USA Cycling to talk about how we could best target our energies in concert with others looking to help from grade school to masters-age athletes.”
Despite the initial three-year commitment, both EF Pro Cycling and Cannondale have expressed their desire to build a long-term project to improve opportunity to participate in cycling for all.
Brian Facer appointed as British Cycling CEO
Brian Facer has been appointed as British Cycling’s new CEO and will replace Julie Harrington in January. Facer joins the governing body from Premiership Rugby side London Irish, where he was also CEO and oversaw the club’s return to London.
British Cycling Chairman, Frank Slevin said: “Brian is a British Cycling member and a passionate cyclist, and he understands the needs of the cycling community who are the core of the organisation. What also impressed us was his knowledge of British Cycling, and his commitment to investing in all of our staff and volunteers, so that they can achieve their own potential and make the federation as a whole even stronger.”
Cambridge cycling and walking bridge lifted into place
A new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists was lifted into place as part of the new Chisholm Trail, which will link the city of Cambridge via a mostly traffic-free route. The 40-metre Abbey-Chesterton bridge was lifted into place earlier this week and will provide a more convenient journey for cyclists into the city.
One cycle commuter commented: “I’m a cyclist that uses the route between Addenbrooke’s and north Cambridge every day. I’m very excited to see the new bridge open – a big thank you to Camcycle and Jim Chisholm and everyone who’s campaigned for it.”
The aim of the Chisholm Trail is to make many journeys quicker without using a car and it is hoped the new infrastructure will encourage more people to cycle into Cambridge.
Belgian mud
Straks LIVE: Vernieuwde Jaarmarktcross in Niel belooft modderspektakel te worden https://t.co/NmHYoGjyzp pic.twitter.com/CtBSenldEX
— Sporza 🚴🔥 (@sporza_koers) November 11, 2020
There are very occasionally some days when being a pro bike rider doesn’t seem all that appealing… a nice dry day for it in Belgium then.
Wie straks wil winnen in Niel, zal niet mogen aanmodderen! 😁https://t.co/rgCneEJl2H pic.twitter.com/SHwSquYzb1
— Sporza 🚴🔥 (@sporza_koers) November 11, 2020
Police update on stolen bikes
Yesterday we reported that a bait bike led police to a stash of 60 stolen bikes in London. Three men were arrested and City of London Police are now trying to find the owners of the bikes. Already some people have come forward to say they believe they can see their bike in the photo. Many of the bikes are valued at several thousand pounds, with the most expensive worth roughly £5,000.
City of London Police said: “We’re currently in the process of creating a visual slideshow on our website of the bikes we’ve seized, so we can return them to their owners in the most efficient way.”
More than 80 bikes have been recovered and there have been at least 10 arrests as part of this latest operation against bike thefts in the capital. Yesterday we shared this video of a Deliveroo driver stopping a potential bike theft in London.
Bjarne Riis to leave Team NTT
Bjarne Riis will step down as Team NTT’s team manager at the end of this season. The team are currently struggling to attract sponsorship beyond 2020 and Riis has confirmed he will be leaving the team.
“To be a part of NTT Pro Cycling during a unique year for all of us has been a great experience. I have a lot of respect for the team that Doug has built and want to thank him for the opportunity. I wish him all the best for the future,” Riis said.
Riis, who held a similar role with Tinkoff-Saxo joined NTT at the start of 2020.
Family of teenager who died after being knocked off bike by driver call for change after second incident in three weeks
A petition to make changes to a road where Joshua Fletcher was tragically killed after being knocked off his bike by a car driver has been started by the teenager’s family. Fletcher died following the collision on the Southern Distributor Road in Newport last month. The driver of the car has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but the family of the victim want to see more commitment to road safety.
“A young boy had so much life left but tragically taken,” said Avril Fletcher, Joshua’s aunt told Wales Online.
“The family are devastated. I want the council to rethink the road as this is not the first time this has happened. Something needs doing.
The petition’s importance has been further emphasised by a second incident involving a teenager needing hospital treatment having been hit by a car driver on the same stretch of road last week.
Is this the worst cycle lane ever made?
Spectacular piece of civic infrastructure recently implemented on Castle St, #Dublin … where do you even begin?! 🤦🏻♂️#Cycling #PublicRealm #UrbanDesign pic.twitter.com/1KAzI7Zx82
— Will Derham (@w_derham) November 11, 2020
We’re no strangers to terrible cycle lanes here at road.cc so they have to be pretty dreadful to catch our eye.
Just last week we showed you this Manchester cycle lane filled with leaves…
Or how about this bike lane which Essex County Council claimed didn’t need repairs..
We’re not sure what’s worse about the Dublin ‘infrastructure’ that Will Derham has shared above. The car parked in the middle of the lane or the lines? It really does look like primary school children have been given some white paint and told to draw a Zebra…
Dr Richard Freeman 'tried to frame Shane Sutton over testosterone scandal as act of revenge'
Dr Richard Freeman was yesterday accused of trying to frame Shane Sutton as an act of revenge. The former British Cycling and Team Sky doctor’s fit-to-practise medical tribunal continues in Manchester this week. Part of Freeman’s defence is the insistance that he ordered testosterone under the instruction of Shane Sutton – to treat Sutton’s erectile dysfunction.
Matt Lawton of The Times reported that Simon Jackson QC, who is representing the General Medical Council, read messages that had been sent between Freeman and Bradley Wiggins in 2016 which suggested the 2012 Tour de France winner blamed Sutton for the the publication of the Jiffy Bag story in 2016.
The message read: “Sit back and watch as I have a lawyer to tear that **** Lawton to pieces … with any luck I will get Sutton as well.”
Mr Jackson said: “What I’m suggesting to you Dr Freeman is when you identified Shane Sutton as the intended recipient of the testogel, you had a motive to identify him as the recipient? Are you with me?
“I suggest you had a motive to identify Mr Sutton, to get even and discredit him, didn’t you?”
The accusation comes on another controversial day for British Cycling after coach Kevin Stewart was sacked for what the governing body described as a “long term pattern of inappropriate relationships with riders.”
Cyclist left in tears by abuse from aggressive driver for not using unsafe cycle lane
Better #cycle #infrastructure needed. Is it any surprise more people don’t cycle. Left in tears after aggressive behaviour #highwaycode ignorance by motorists targeting #cyclists in #oxford on #warneforlane @BBCOxford @CllrTomHayes @OxfordLordMayor @OxLivSts @cycloxoxford pic.twitter.com/xGgQNfN6V6
— Katherine S Miles 🔶 (@katherinesmiles) November 10, 2020
Lib Dem candidate Katherine Miles was left visibly shaken and tearful following abuse from an aggressive driver in Oxford. Miles explains in the video that she wasn’t using the cycle lane as it isn’t safe for her to ride with her child when a driver repeatedly blasted their horn at her and shouted ‘get in the bleep bike lane’.
Miles said: “Better cycle infrastructure needed. Is it any surprise more people don’t cycle. Left in tears after aggressive behaviour. Highway Code ignorance by motorists targeting cyclists in Oxford.”
11 November 2020, 09:21
11 November 2020, 09:21
11 November 2020, 09:21
11 November 2020, 09:21
11 November 2020, 09:21
11 November 2020, 09:21
11 November 2020, 09:21
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Latest Comments
@mdavidford That was my assumption, but have just had a look and it does seem to be the case (otherwise MIB would be yet another part of the answer to the "cyclists don't have insurance" complaint). So no, I don't think a 'traditional' 4-8mph mobility scooter has anything to do with MIB.
Gosh, comment counts, remember them?
Is there a sweepstake at road.cc HQ, where the staff member who nominates the closest minute to the timestamp of the first “off-road feature on road.cc” comment to be posted wins the pot?
@Surreyrider Stop padding out your comment count.
Re 'Going too fast' - "Some cyclists are not aware of how fast they’re going and need to really keep an eye on their speed, which they may not do on their bike as much as when driving a car." Hahahahahahahahahahahaha Wait - this wasn't meant to be a joke??
[Bah - stupid comment system - stripping my line breaks :o( ]
1 Forgetting to do your helmet strap up (yes, really!) 2 Ditching hi-vis clothing 3 Going too fast (whatever that means) 4 Not checking your bike (this one actually seems fair enough) 5 Using noise-cancelling earbuds 6 Cycling on pavements 7 Getting ahead of yourself (i.e. don't ride on the road before you've practiced riding. But also, don't ride not on the road, because you're not allowed - see above) 8 Going for a ride in heavy rain (really scraping the barrel now)
As someone that is fortunate enough to be riding road, gravel and MTB regularly, I'm not fussed where the article is linked. The dropper post was transformational for my MTB riding & even last night on a gravel ride on some more "steep" (ish) rooty stuff it was one thing that I thought I'd like to have had available. But then again, I ride my gravel bike because basic offroad riding is more fun on a drop bar, suspension-less machine, it just creates more smiles than you get even on a hardtail in similar conditions where you can be over biked (just my opinion, others are available). I can see why you might want suspension, but then why not just buy a hardtail MTB? All depends on your riding requirements & preferences I guess. Either way, being on two wheels on & offroad is fun, so it's all good.
@quiff Didn't realise MIB would only cover vehicles that legally require insurance (as opposed to just anything that doesn't have insurance). In which case the references in the article to mobility scooters and the like are also presumably besides the point.
Not sure why any sprinter would bother going to the TDF, they ruined the Paris stage for them and the first week is mountains.
19 thoughts on “Cyclist left in tears by aggressive driver for not using dangerous bike lane; Groenewegen gets nine-month ban; More dreadful cycle lanes; Cycling in cities up 127%; EF Pro Cycling launch diversity programme; AI ‘smart junctions’ + more on the live blog”
Definitely feels like UCI
Definitely feels like UCI punishments are handed out based on the severity of the consequences and how high profile the riders involved are. Not saying Groenewegen shouldn’t receive some form of punishment, but maybe the UCI should punish every line deviation in a sprint equally, not just when someone gets hurt, then these crashes might actually stop.
I agree with the principle.
I agree with the principle. All deviations from line are not equal, though. A large deviation to squeeze someone into barriers on a downhill sprint is always going to be worse than a smaller one in the centre of the road.
Totally disagree… the
Totally disagree… the consequences absolutely have to be considered in these scenarios, as the consequences absolutely should be considered by the racer before they take these actions.
It was a 45-50mph sprint. Theat speed was not a surprise – most teams will have geared up especially for that finish. Jakobsen’s position was known to DG, as was the speed in which he was closing (DG wouldn’t have shut the door so hard if Jakobsen wasn’t coming up so fast). As mentioned before, no one stays upright when hitting barriers at over 40mph, so it is reasonable to state that DG shut that door not caring if it took Jakobsen down.
It was the classic ‘brake or crash?’ question that DG asked, however he didn’t actually leave any realistic option for Jakobsen to brake. I’m sure that was not DG’s intention, but that’s exactly the point… he didn’t consider the consequences…
But… I take your point, the seriousness of Jakobsen’s injuries were environmental… poor barriers, poor finish choice. If DG’s move wasn’t so blatant and decisive, I might feel some sympathy for the chap.
Basically, I believe that all deviations are not equal. I’d be happy to back mandatory bans for any rider who’s deliberate actions in a finish causes a crash, no matter the seriouseness of injuries caused.
I think what you’ve described
I think what you’ve described there is the severity of the potential consequences, not the actual consequences. Absolutely agree that severity of potential consequences should be the deciding factor. Why not state that any line deviation in a sprint carries a penalty, minimum is losing your position on the stage, punishment increases dependent on:
– speed,
– size of deviation,
– proximity to barriers,
– proximity to other riders.
I still think that if you want to see change, riders need to face consequences, irrespective of whether they cause a crash, or even impede another rider.
I think the problem is that
I think the problem is that sports governing bodies will never get it right in a lot of peoples’ eyes whatever they do … witness the outrage when a footballer badly breaks an opponent’s leg with a nasty tackle and receives only a 3-4 match ban, same as they would have done if the same tackle hadn’t resulted in a leg break. There you have loads of people arguing that the punishment should fit the outcome not the crime (as such).
And if we look at the legal position, it is even more muddy, because often charges and sentencing are based on outcome (we just have different offences to take account of that).
The same standard of driving could give rise to a charge of dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving or causing death by dangerous driving … dependent on the outcome, not the actions the driver actually carried out.
I don’t necessarily have an issue with what the UCI have done here, I just want to see consistency in their approach, and if they are going to sentence based on outcome, not just actions, be clear and transparent on how that is going to be done.
Maybe they should all wear
Maybe they should all wear helmets, to mitigate most of the injuries suffered by that poor cyclist.
If the AI is so smart, why
If the AI is so smart, why has it mislabelled one of the cyclists as a pedestrian?
Might have missed the bike
Might have missed the bike with the taxi in the way. However the more pressing question is why has it labelled all the Cyclists as members of an Emergency service?
OnYerBike wrote:
Because he wasn’t wearing hi-viz?
(No subject)
And is Manchester spying on
And is Manchester spying on Westminster? We need to be told
Indeed
Indeed 🙂
I don’t think many people will have noticed that the image shows the north end of Westminster Bridge which isn’t in Manchester).
However Vivacity Labs have AI cameras monitoring a number of cities, including London.
Brian Facer “I’ve been a very
Brian Facer “I’ve been a very keen cyclist all of my life” Oh do feck off. We had a perfect opportunity to appoint someone who KNOWS cycling, not looking for their next challenge in sport.
Glad to see Bjarne Riis leaving again, can we put out a memo to every team, make sure he doesn’t return??
Link to the petition for the
Link to the petition for the Southern Distributor Road in Newport where two people were recently killed https://www.change.org/p/newport-city-council-change-speed-limit-on-the-blaina-wharf-pub-on-the-sdr-bridge-newport?recruiter=892437338&recruited_by_id=bf89d4d0-98d4-11e8-acc7-ef63783164ee&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard&use_react=false
Any link to Utility Bidder’s
Any link to Utility Bidder’s actual report detailing the figures? I’d love to believe that cycling has comfortably more than doubled in London, and more than tripled in Liverpool, but I’m skeptical.
Is it possible that potential
Is it possible that potential NTT sponsors see Riis as the problem? I would.
M20MAMIL wrote:
Most companies that sponsor sports teams are far from squeaky clean, and nowadays you can add repressive regimes like UAE & the Bahraini royal family. They want to buy some kudos and publicity and don’t care about morals or ethics. Winning is what matters. Sports sponsorship is about looking good, not doing good.
The teams themselves don’t always behave much better. And then you have shitty sponsors who renege on promises such as Paule Ka, who supposedly save Bigla Katusha mid-season with a supposed multi-year deal but then only paid one month’s money IIRC (despite it being a fraction of the cost of a men’s team).
If Riis’ doping in the 90s is an issue for potential sponsors then Doug Ryder would have known that quite some time ago. But followers of the sport don’t know a fraction of what is said behind closed doors.
Not entirely sure that Dublin
Not entirely sure that Dublin cycle lane is that terrible apart from the parked car. It’s obviously got those hatchlings to stop a gradual squeeze of the cyclists on a very shallow radius corner. Whilst it would be a million times better with some lane dividers or other hard street furniture I think the intent was ok and a lot better than nothing.
Secret_squirrel wrote:
Looking at the silt and sh1t in the gutter it looks like the drainage is poor. I’d not ride through it.