“At least this one stopped at a red light, but only to use her phone”: Driver’s anti-cycling ‘gotcha’ moment backfires; Motorists blast Camden’s road safety plans; Astana want Cav; “It’s a cycle lane, not a car park”; Sagan on WVA + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Cav and Vino4Ever? Astana interested in signing Mark Cavendish
Alright, hands up – who had Astana in the ‘where will Cav end up next?’ sweepstake?
While at this point it seems that every team under the sun, from Ineos to Human Powered Health to the local Sunday bun run, has been linked with a move for the now-unattached sprinter, Mark Cavendish’s next destination, following his departure from Quick-Step and the long, drawn-out implosion of the B&B Hôtels team, remains one of pro cycling’s biggest unsolved mysteries.
On Tuesday, you may recall, we reported that a source close to the ill-fated B&B set-up told the Placeholder Podcast that the former world champion may even be on the brink of retirement – a reason perhaps vainly proffered by the French team’s management to explain the collapse of their much-vaunted sponsorship deals.
However, Cavendish’s fellow Manxman Pete Kennaugh has also informed listeners of the Never Strays Far podcast that the two-time Tour de France green jersey winner “has definitely signed a contract” for 2023.
Hmmm…
A.S.O./Pauline Ballet
Of course, you imagine that most cycling teams would jump at the chance to snap up Cavendish as he aims to make history at the Tour next summer with a record-breaking 35th stage win.
But at this stage of the winter, budget concerns and squad size caps – a factor that appears to have ruled the Ineos Grenadiers, deemed to be the most fitting destination for the British champion, out of the running – have limited the number of teams capable of accommodating the veteran sprinter, while also giving him the chance to go for that elusive record.
For instance, Pro Conti team Human Powered Health are reportedly interested in Cavendish’s signature, but are extremely unlikely to secure a wild card spot at the Tour, even with the race’s greatest sprinter on board.
Vino at the 2012 Tour
So which team has the space, available funds, and guaranteed place at the Tour? Well, up steps Alexander Vinokourov and Astana.
The Kazakh team – who now have a significant hole in their squad following this week’s sacking of Miguel Ángel López due to the Colombian’s alleged links to a suspected doping ring – are reportedly interested in Cavendish, though any negotiations have yet to begin.
Vinokourov has told Cyclingnews this week that when he heard that B&B Hôtels were on the brink of collapsing, “I thought about Mark right away.”
“I gave him a phone call saying if he was free then we could talk. It’s true, he’s what, 35 or 36? [he’s actually 37] but what really matters is if he’s motivated. I won the Olympic Games when I was nearing 40,” the controversial Astana boss said.
“We’d have to reach a full agreement. For the moment, nothing is decided,” he added.
Cavendish would surely add some much-need firepower to the stuttering boys in blue, who only managed five victories this year, something which is certainly not lost on Vino.
“Astana have never had a really big sprinter,” he said. “We’ve always focussed on the stage races, not so much at that.”
.jpg)
Vino secures a, ahem, ‘popular’ win on the Mall in 2012 [Credit: Britishcycling.org.uk]
Vinokourov, who won the 2012 Olympic road race in London, a race which Cavendish had entered as the overwhelming favourite, joked that “maybe it was me who stopped him from getting his title of ‘Sir’.
“But now there’s the chance of breaking the record in the number of Tour wins… It’s up to his people to take a step forward. I hope so.”
I for one am looking forward to the Cav4Ever t-shirts when he breaks that Tour record next summer…
“It’s a cycle lane, not a car park”: Why don’t cyclists use the cycle lane? Part 2,973
Nice work @Man_Bites_Frog I stopped and spoke to the driver who was dismissive of a very polite reminder that it was in fact a cycle lane not a car park and her parking compromised my safety. Just walked off. Another one for @YPLAC pic.twitter.com/WKjJpClw7F
— Pete Shilton Godwin (@PDshiltongodwin) December 14, 2022
High cycling fashion
If you’re in any way confused or baffled by my references to ‘Vino4Ever’ in this morning’s story about Cav and the Never-Ending Cycle of Rumours, feast your eyes on this beauty:
Move over, La Vie Claire – Vino wearing a jersey plastered with an image of Vino, with ‘Vino’ written all over it in a range of different fonts and colours, truly marked the pinnacle of cycling style and sophistication…
“Congestion, congestion, and for what? A few fair-weather cyclists”: Camden Council cops classic contradictory cobblers concerning contemporary cycling and walking improvements
All credit must go to road.cc editor Jack Sexty for that imaginatively alliterative headline – someone certainly had their morning coffee…
Cabinet this evening has approved a range of cycling, pedestrian, road safety and public realm improvements in the High Holborn, Drake Street and Procter Street area. These will help ensure the safety of cyclists and improve the area for all.
👉🏽 https://t.co/rILFecF7dq pic.twitter.com/AxRH8AhUyW
— Camden Council (@CamdenCouncil) December 14, 2022
Last night, Camden Council’s cabinet approved a series of safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians in High Holborn, Drake Street, and Procter Street.
The scheme, work on which is expected to commence in March 2023 and forms part of the Healthy Streets initiative, will reduce Drake Street and Procter Street to one traffic lane and one bus lane to allow space for a segregated cycle path, while a ‘cycle gate’ – used to separate the movements of cyclists and motor traffic at busy junctions – will be added to Procter Street at the junction with High Holborn, along with another signal-operated cycle lane on High Holborn.
Other measures include the introduction of contraflow cycling and two-way cycling on Catton Street and in Red Lion Square respectively, and the enlargement of bike boxes in several areas.
“It has been clear for too long that the Holborn area needs safety improvements. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of people who have died on the roads here while cycling,” said Adam Harrison, the cabinet member for a sustainable Camden, said after the vote.
“Working together with TfL, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, and the mayor of London, these agreed changes will help ensure that the safety of cyclists is prioritised in the Holborn area, whilst improving the area for residents, businesses and visitors.”
However, despite London walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman’s claim that the changes will help “build a greener, more sustainable and safer London for all”, not everyone – surprise, surprise – was impressed.
In fact, the response to the council’s announcement on Twitter seems to have covered the entire gamut of the anti-cycling infrastructure argument, from complaints about potential congestion and ‘gridlock’ to ‘tax-paying motorists’, ‘fair-weather cyclists’, pollution, pedestrian safety, and even the odd reference to Karl Marx:
There’s no space in London for modern infrastructure without causing gridlock.
— ₱ⱤØ₣Ɇ₴₴ØⱤ Keu (@Prof_Keu) December 15, 2022
Is it only motorists that pay tax… *checks payslip*
— Andy_WDG (@Andy_Noelp) December 14, 2022
More of the seem…. Congestion congestion and for what… A few far weather cyclists
— UncT Bs (@UncT127) December 14, 2022
It will ensure the safety of cyclists? What about ensuring safety of pedestrians?
— Annie Smith (@Cappygolightly) December 14, 2022
I can taste the extra pollution this one’s gonna be wonderful thanks 👍🏻👍🏻let’s not ask what the total budget is that’s a secret but I expect millions .
— Winston of kent (@winstonofkent1) December 15, 2022
You people are destroying london gridlocking traffic to a halt! Absolutely useless!
— DonVito🤌🏻 (@RednBlue81) December 14, 2022
I presume cyclists don’t use home delivery of anything?? They support local shops??
I mean delivery by a 2 tonne van, that would be a bit hypocritical….
Like saying I bike but use a Chelsea tractor too.
— Richard Symonds (@kiwi_to_go) December 15, 2022
The pattern of committing has changed now, with people working from there is no need for these commuting focused cycle schemes causing gridlock. Commercial vehicles need to ply their trade and you are determined to make London the worlds most congested city
— AntiPCman (@antipcman) December 15, 2022
“All” does not included driving people or disabled people. More Marxist posturing.
— Mark Sharon (@MarkSharon_DP) December 14, 2022
My head hurts…
Dan Cyclist
Minus 4 when I set off this morning 🥶⛄️
A day to take great care and wrap up warm pic.twitter.com/GXK7prN5tE— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) December 13, 2022
I’ll get my coat…
Operation Snap: Gloucestershire Constabulary to finally accept camera footage from cyclists
If our Near Miss of the Day series has proved anything, it’s that the outcome of reporting incidents of close passes and dangerous driving can be something of a postcode lottery.
Where are you are in the country, and which police force’s jurisdiction an offence happens under, can often greatly impact whether you’ll hear of a warning letter or even tougher action against the driver, or if you’ll simply be ignored.
> Is submitting close pass footage to the police a postcode lottery?
But for cyclists in Gloucestershire, the odds now seem to have finally, and ever so slightly, tilted in their favour, as Gloucestershire Constabulary last night announced that it had introduced the online reporting service Operation Snap, allowing locals to upload video footage of dangerous driving, close passes, and motorists using mobile phones behind the wheel.
We’ve introduced a new online service, known as Operation Snap, where you can report traffic offences with video evidence.
Report dangerous driving, close passes of cyclists, using a mobile phone handheld whilst driving and more.
Find out more: https://t.co/YLLRh8dnpY pic.twitter.com/Y175wl574w
— Glos Police (@Glos_Police) December 14, 2022
According to a statement from Gloucestershire police, the implementation of Operation Snap – the purpose of which, the force says, “is to improve road safety and to prosecute those that place others at risk” – will allow the police “to effectively deal with the footage recorded by members of the public in a safe and secure way, whilst making the investigation process simple and straightforward.”
The statement continues: “We have a determined and robust approach to policing the roads and we’ll take every opportunity to make them safer for everyone.”
Didn’t happen to knock up a British champion’s version, did you?
👕 Our 2023 kit captured during the official photoshooting in Altea.
Indeed, we kept the same design with just some small changes, but we love 😍 it!#AstanaQazaqstanTeam
📷 @SprintCycling pic.twitter.com/nOa2VaY6VS
— Astana Qazaqstan Team (@AstanaQazTeam) December 15, 2022
“Riding in Australia is overwhelmingly fear inducing,” says pro
An Australian professional cyclist has posted online about her experiences riding her bike on home roads and the dangers posed by dangerous, “abusive”, and “volatile” motorists.
Brodie Chapman, who is set to join Trek-Segafredo after three years at FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope, has enjoyed a successful 2022, winning the GP de Chambéry and picking up top tens at the Tour of Flanders, Tour de Suisse, and Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge.
However, on Twitter this week the 31-year-old spoke of the dangers faced by cyclists, whether pros, commuters, or leisure cyclists, on Australia’s roads, where she says the problem is much worse than in her adoptive home of Spain.
Riding in Australia is overwhelming fear inducing. Many people driving cars are abusive, volatile and lack a basic understanding of the road rules or respect for other humans. I also drive a car and I manage navigate other road users just fine. Take me back to Spain.
— Brodie Mai Chapman (@Brodie_Mai) December 13, 2022
“Riding in Australia is overwhelming fear inducing,” she tweeted. “Many people driving cars are abusive, volatile and lack a basic understanding of the road rules or respect for other humans. I also drive a car and I manage navigate other road users just fine. Take me back to Spain.
“Every time I leave the house my family says, ‘be careful the roads are dangerous’, and unless they are talking about potholes or lava it’s actually ‘people driving dangerously’.
“I take every care to just be normal, be visible, ride in a straight line and carry on my way.”
She continued: “And before it’s “not all Australians”, no it’s about five percent of irrationally angry people who have a meltdown if they have to slow down for two to five seconds to pass me and then slow down more anyway to yell out the window their version of ‘the rules’. That five percent are literally life threatening.
“And although I am just ‘doing my job’ the same basic decency must apply to those commuting, riding for the fun of it, or training. Most of us pay rego [the Australian equivalent of vehicle excise duty] and passed our driver’s test. If it is dangerous for you to pass and you do it anyway, you need to do your driver’s test again.”
Anti-cycling bingo comment of the day
A cracking one for the anti-cycling bingo card here, courtesy of a Facebook user, in response to this morning’s story about the red light-stopping, phone-carrying bike rider and the irony-deficient taxi driver:
Peter Sagan: “Wout van Aert disappointed me as a person”
It seems that there is still no love lost between Peter Sagan and Wout van Aert after the two fell out over a spot of sprint argy-bargy during this year’s Tour de France.
Way back in July, on stage three of the Tour to Sønderborg in Denmark, won by Dylan Groenewegen, the then-yellow jersey clad Van Aert became the first rider since five-time Giro d’Italia winner Alfredo Binda in 1930 to finish second on each of the opening three stages of cycling’s biggest race (the Jumbo-Visma rider, of course, would then go on to finally taste victory in thrilling fashion on the following stage to Calais).
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
But in Sønderborg, the imperious Belgian came under fire from a finger-wagging Sagan (a rider well-accustomed to a bit of pushing and shoving in a sprint), who told reporters at the finish that he was “happy I’m still in one piece” after an alleged deviation from Van Aert boxed him in by the barriers.
While Aussie sprinter Caleb Ewan blamed both riders for the chaotic finish, it appears that Sagan is not in a mood to forgive and forget the rider who has arguably replaced the Slovakian as the peloton’s most prolific all-rounder.
> Sagan blames Van Aert for bunch sprint near miss – and Ewan blames both of them
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the three-time world champion said of Van Aert: “He’s a great champion. But he insulted me at the Tour, and he hasn’t apologised yet.
“In this, he disappointed me as a person. I’m waiting for him to come to me, I won’t go to him. And I think he himself understands why.”
After a turbulent season punctuated by yet another bout of Covid-19 (the third time the TotalEnergies rider had contracted the virus in 18 months) and near misses (he only won once, at the Tour de Suisse in June), 32-year-old Sagan believes he can regain the magic of his mid-20s and challenge Van Aert and the rest in next year’s spring classics.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
Asked by the Italian sports paper if he can still win the biggest races, Sagan replied: “I don’t like this question. I’m doing my best, like always, to be ready to fight at the highest level. If I didn’t believe in it, I wouldn’t do it.
“I don’t like to look for excuses. I’m always present when needed. With Covid-19, I’d had a lot of experience: three times, a bad case and also a case with few symptoms. But in any case, we’ve more or less all had it.”
Less than a month to go to the start of the road season…
Wheels in motion…
Set your reminders for 13 January, as the Tour Down Under will be making its long-awaited return to kick off the road racing season (alright, Het Nieuwsblad purists, don’t at me).
The South Australia-based stage race will take place for the first time in three years – smaller, national events filled that long Covid-induced gap – and the start list already looks pretty tasty:
The race coming back with a bang: Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas, Simon Yates and Jai Hindley all confirmed as starters for the Tour Down Under in January. #TDU
— Sophie Smith (@SophieSmith86) December 15, 2022
Got a spare 15 grand? You could buy Wout van Aert’s bike for Christmas…
Running out of ideas for what you can get that special someone for Christmas?
Well, ponder no more, as Jumbo-Visma are auctioning off their bikes and kit from this year’s Tours de France, giving cycling fans the opportunity to snag the perfect last-minute Christmas present… if you’ve got a spare ten grand knocking about, that is.
Organised by the Dutch team’s partner Catawiki, the auction will not only help Jumbo-Visma offload a fleet of outdated bikes – the team is switching from Shimano to Sram for 2023 – but will help raise fund to develop potential cycling talent in the Netherlands.
“At Team Jumbo-Visma we’re engaged in many initiatives supporting cycling talents to flourish,” team director Richard Plugge said. “Think of our Academy, the talents of our Development Team, and of course the initiative CyclingClassNL, in which we participate as a cycling team. That is how we truly contribute to the future of Dutch cycling and this auction enables us to take the next step.”
Some of the items you can bid for include Jonas Vingegaard’s Tour de France-winning Cervélo R5 (the highest bid for which currently stands at €8,000) and S5 (€7,500), two bikes belonging to double Tour Femmes stage winner Marianne Vos (currently at €6,000 and €5,500), Dutch champion Riejanne Markus’ rather snazzy red, white, and blue R5 (€6,000), Primož Roglič’s S5 and R5 (at around five grand each).
And if you fancy bidding for Wout van Aert’s green-forked S5, at the moment that’ll set you back over €13,000 (but don’t worry, you can get his standard team issue model for the low, low price of ten grand).
A range of bikes belonging to other Jumbo-Visma riders such as the now-retired Tom Dumoulin, as well as kit and race numbers, are also available. The auction closes on Monday, just in time for your new ex-pro bike to go under the tree.
Though I’m not sure if Peter Sagan will be bidding for any of Van Aert’s bikes…
Trying to get to the weekend like…
Ciklokros pic.twitter.com/SK8u4GQ0Co
— Blaž Debevec (@BDebevec) December 14, 2022
Have a good evening, everyone!
“At least this one stopped at a red light, but only to use her phone”: Taxi driver’s anti-cycling ‘gotcha’ moment backfires… as cyclists point out he used phone to take photo
As avid readers of the live blog will know, it can sometimes be tough being a dedicated anti-cycling bingo player.
When you’ve gone days since you last saw an empty cycle lane or a child riding their bike on the pavement, and your thumbs start to cramp from tapping out ‘road tax’ and ‘lycra’ on your phone… things can start to get a bit desperate.
Such a cruel fate, unfortunately, has befallen our motoring friend Kevo2205 – to give him his full name – who, anxious to complete his anti-cycling bingo card for the week, decided to snap a photo of someone on a bike at a set of traffic lights (the natural hunting ground for bingo players).
However, the cyclist, much to Kevin’s chagrin I imagine, stopped at the lights, forcing the motorist to dig deep into his tattered old ‘car is king’ tote bag for inspiration:
A least this one stopped at the Red light,but only to use her phone 📞 pic.twitter.com/nO8yMs3qQ4
— Kevo2205 (@Kevinhu48834498) December 10, 2022
Unfortunately for Kev (who appears from his timeline to be a taxi driver), some Twitter users were quick to note the irony of his post, which criticised a cyclist for using their phone while stopped at a set of traffic lights… a moment illustrated by a photo captured, presumably, on a phone by a driver stopped at a set of traffic lights:
Howd u take this photo Kevo?
— PeNgeFiNcHesS (@Fil_edge) December 14, 2022
Checks Road traffic act.
Checking phone on a bike while stopped. Legal
Using phone at the wheel of a motor vehicle. ILLEGAL https://t.co/Sc3kQRg1uC— Stuart Baillie (@StuInNorway) December 14, 2022
And what’s wrong with that? She’s not breaking the law, unlike the person who took this photo. Numpty. https://t.co/sBqaz780TH
— 🇺🇦 Fuck Brexit, Fuck Putin. #SlavaUkraini 🇺🇦 (@nternetinspired) December 14, 2022
“So the cyclist is acting entirely legally, meanwhile you’re doing the same thing with your phone in the car (that angle, it’s the driver with the phone) which, incidentally, IS illegal”, wrote Anthony, while another Twitter user simply described Kevo’s tweet as “hilarious”.
I have to say, some of the attempts to defend Kevin’s backfired ‘gotcha’ moment are as equally entertaining:
Why was a passenger leaning across in front of the driver then ? That’s dangerous, and impossible with their seatbelt on.
— Stuart Baillie (@StuInNorway) December 14, 2022
You’re right, it looks absolutely hectic.
— Darryl (@Juppopovic) December 14, 2022
Who knows if Kevin is insured, or has a valid license?
Are you related?— RF5 *💙 (@RedFocus5) December 14, 2022
Full house!
15 December 2022, 09:42
More on those safety improvements from Camden Council:
Council green-lights safety changes to London's lethal Holborn gyratory
Consultation found more than two thirds of respondents support overhaul of junction where a number of cyclists have lost their lives
15 December 2022, 09:42
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“when the government confirmed that Nottinghamshire County Council will receive £6.7 million for active travel over the next four years, with part of this funding to be used to repair the greenway” Wow - 6.7 million for the WHOLE council for a WHOLE four years for active travel. And once this one shared route has been repaired and the barriers paid for, there could be a WHOLE five million left for the rest of the county. For four years! Astonishingly generous. Imagine how much excellent infrastructure they will build.
Standard journalist protection against any possible action for libel or defamation when mentioning any accusation that hasn't been proven in court. Obviously it's pretty unlikely that an unidentified person (it doesn't even say in which country the incident occurred) would be taking legal action over this but it's good practice always to include it. While there is no reason to believe Swenson has made up the story there are always different perspectives: the driver or passenger might well claim that the door was already open before he arrived and he wasn't paying attention. Unless/until a case is proved in court or by admission it remains an allegation and so it's safest to add the "allegedly" proviso.
Swenson was hit by "a motorist’s car door, which was 'allegedly' swung open into his path." Allegedly swung open? Is there some reason to believe Swenson is making up this story?
And to show the sleeves with the dummy in the riding position.
The people who would listen to them aren't much of the problem. What're needed are for [insert high profile sportsball people of your choice] to do this.
Get some help you tedious fool.
No, now everybody can see the space after your opening bracket!
What he means is there's nowhere to park all day for free! Morrisons has a 2 hour limit and the shopping centre is pay and display.
villages not villagers. Am I not allowed to edit my crap spelling and grammar anymore?
Daffodils were out before the end of January in some Cambs villagers. I heard a yellowhammer singing a week ago ( not usually heard before mid March to early April) and saw a very large bumblebee at a garden centre today - it was buying some gardening gloves.
48 thoughts on ““At least this one stopped at a red light, but only to use her phone”: Driver’s anti-cycling ‘gotcha’ moment backfires; Motorists blast Camden’s road safety plans; Astana want Cav; “It’s a cycle lane, not a car park”; Sagan on WVA + more on the live blog”
A general rule that I haven’t
A general rule that I haven’t seen an exception to yet: The more personalised the number plate, the less I want to be friends with the driver.
Patrick9-32 wrote:
As with so many things in life, Half Man Half Biscuit have a lyric that sums it up, Paradise Lost (You’re the Reason Why):
Well we’ve both seen your personalised reg plate
And it’s not the worst crime I agree
But we both know full well that it really should spell
T-W, A-T, O-N-E.
Otherwise known as W#@ker
Otherwise known as W#@ker plates but that said easy to remember if they do something dodgy
Cyclo1964 wrote:
If I recall correctly Theo Paphitis said on Top Gear that he bought his Dragons Den colleague Peter Jones W411KER.
The ones I find hilarious are
The ones I find hilarious are the ones where the digits are moved, have bits cut off and coloured screws in certain places so that if you stand 100 yards away and squint, you can just about make out what they are attempting to spell.
Or the certain Mr Hunter near me who has helpfully had his plates made up with no gap so it ‘spells’ his name. HU10TER. No, me neither.
The more personalised the
The more personalised the number plate, the less I want to be friends with the driver
I would have enjoyed supporting this undoubtedly correct assertion with data on offences. Sadly, I can’t- although these pathetic pillocks are generally in easily identifiable pathetic pillock cars they don’t seem to be offending at a greater rate than drivers of common-as-muck plate cars. I had to go back to 30th November to find 17 SAM in his Tiger Tank entering his third month of benefit from the Lancashire MOT amnesty
Although this has just turned
Although this has just turned up with no VED- the driver of GU17 JAS undoubtedly bears the initials JAS
Lancs Plod have no interest
Lancs Plod have no interest at all in illegal vehicles on our roads, they have been advised about a vehicle with no VED for two years. They say it is the DVLA, the DVLA say it is the police. Round and round they go.
My experience is that DVLA
My experience is that DVLA doesn’t ever respond to notifications of VED evasion- this is one of the few offences where you can prove that the relevant authority has done nothing and has just filed mountains of evidence in the bin. This certainly applies to Lancashire Constabulary, which is unquestionably the authority responsible for MOT and insurance evasion: this is a notable day because, with the encouragement of Lancashire Constabulary, MV57 GXO has finally reached his 2 years milestone!- first reported this May. Usually seen at The Old Garstang Police Station, in this one he’s in another of his favourite spots
A wise rule, with the
A wise rule, with the exception of the van advertising drain cleaning services I saw a while back, with the plate FLO4TER.
Does anyone remember the
Does anyone remember the booted version of the VW Golf, the Jetta?
It wasn’t around for long which made the guy who lived near me look very foolish for having the reg J3TTA on his.
That land rovers number plate
That land rovers number plate looks like it has been deliberately altered from an 8 to a B.
Plus it has no tax
Well you wouldn’t want a
Well you wouldn’t want a legible number plate if you’re driving around without tax. At least they got something right!
Well you wouldn’t want a
Well you wouldn’t want a legible number plate if you’re driving around without tax
Pff…Call that tax evasion? This is tax evasion!
A quick look at that company
A quick look at that company shows it’s no longer trading. In fact the director of the company seems to have a whole string of failed companies under their belt – leaving large debts behind each time by the looks of it. So a bit of VED evasion is peanuts!
This director needs to go
This director needs to go into politics – they could go further!
Wow! 5 years out of tax? It
Wow! 5 years out of tax? It certainly beats the £50,000 Range Rover Vogue up the road from me which ran out two years ago and is still in daily use.
BolloX To yoU pal , and
BolloX To yoU pal , and all cyclists ! ( did u spot personalised plate ??)
Unusual to find a car parked
Unusual to find a car parked there. I normally find vans, lorries and such parked about 10 yards back outside Lux Lounge (the photo was taken eastbound on Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, almost directly outside Ken Fosters Cycles).
Not just a cycle lane but
Not just a cycle lane but contravines HWC Rule 191
191
You MUST NOT park on a crossing or in the area covered by the zig-zag lines. You MUST NOT overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing or the vehicle nearest the crossing which has stopped to give way to pedestrians.
Laws ZPPPCRGD regs 18, 20 & 24, RTRA sect 25(5) & TSRGD regs 10, 27 & 28
Yeah, but they had their
Yeah, but they had their BOLAS on so that’s all fine.
So they don’t like the fair
So they don’t like the fair weather cyclists… But what about the rest of us?
Blimey – it’s like the
Blimey – it’s like the aftermath of a battle in Harry Potter world – broken wands everywhere.
Something there is that doesn’t love a wand – that sends the ground-swell of opinion against it. Maybe it smacks of petty officiousness? Or maybe “when you’re that entitled equality seems like oppression”?
Alternatively, like bridges with lots of warning signs on, retroreflective illuminated bollards, large buildings and cyclists with lights wearing hi-vis maybe they just can’t be seen by some?
I think the problem with the
I think the problem with the Park Row cycle lane – https://goo.gl/maps/bcQ8rzyZu8srCge96 shows the ‘pop-up’ version, before they put in the ‘permanent’ version (yes! my photos show the permanent version) – is that they didn’t make it long enough. There’s enough room before it’s ptrotected for cars to go on there at each end “for loading” and then they ‘accidentally’ knock down a wand so the next time someone parks a bit further, then they knock one down, so people can park a bit further, and so on – and as long as they haven’t knowingly knocked one down people seem to think that they can just park there (despite the painted cycle symbols and signage).
Think you’re right – if it’s
Think you’re right – if it’s possible someone will chance it, and if someone’s doing it already another will “because someone else did”. (And I’m not even talking about the “don’t care won’t care” or “from my cold dead hands” types).
When it comes to parking we’ve got generations of the following experience to wean people off: “park almost anywhere you like – and always where there is a “destination” – for as long as you like and usually for free. Any exceptions should be very very clearly marked and there should always leeway for circumstance (I put my hazards on)”.
That’s going to be a very hard habit to break. In many people’s eyes the equivalent of privatising the pavements. When you’ve just bought some really expensive shoes!
chrisonatrike wrote:
When this is proposed by Liam Fox and every gammon in England votes for his party, you might be laughing out of the other side of your face.
There will be a body set up to run the infrastructure (Network Pavement) and Pavement Operating Companies will apply for franchises to run walking services on the pavements. You will need to buy a ticket, and you may find that yours is only valid at a specific date and time. It may be cheaper to buy two singles or multiple part route tickets, and you may not be allowed to break your journey, for instance at the last shop still open.
It’ll be a shambles, but the next government voted in will baulk at paying a few billion to the private equity shysters who turn out actually to be in charge, and so may only tinker round the edges.
This will happen shortly after the introduction of Tourney Di2, and will be followed by an article on L shaped cranks on this very website. How do I know? Read Nostradamus, it’s all in there.
I can tell you’re not in the
I can tell you’re not in the first flush of youth! Pavements will soon not be required for walking as we spend increasing amounts of time in the metaverse. (Those needing to move their physical bodies will avail themselves of hoverboards routed by “quantum algorithms” to more efficiently utilise space and save crucial seconds of journey time).
This will prove fortunate as it turns out we’ll still need physical space to send the bits through – at least for a decade. Or rather – for the vast array of broadcasting, routing and switching devices which now fill the spaces between living pods and which will be in use until everyone’s implants have enough capacity to allow running a totally decentralised network. (This will be a new nightmare for drivers as the “rush hour congestion” will now be within them).
In addition, people will realise that exposing their physical bodies is a liability – firstly because the outside environment will immediately scan their identities for who knows what and you can’t encrypt your real face. Also although the autonomous service and supply vehicles have very advanced road skills they are no longer expecting humans in the environment. When you’re hoovered up by a self-replicating upcycle-drone (recyling truck) there will be no-one to sue.
brooksby wrote:
I do wonder if part of the problem is the law. Whilst you or I agree that parking in a cycle lane is obnoxious, in many cases the law (deliberately or otherwise) permits it. Advisory cycle lanes are completely meaningless and even mandatory ones may not technically prohibit parking (depending on when they were created). It’s also not entirely clear what (if any) legal significance the bollards have – they certainly don’t appear (to me) to be sufficient to create a mandatory cycle lane or a cycle track (which would be legally protected from parking). As far as I can tell, they would just be considered “road furniture” – so you shouldn’t hit them but beyond that of no legal significance.
I don’t think we can rely on human decency to keep cycle lanes clear – I think we need enforcement, but you can’t have enforcement without an appropriate legal framework.
I think we need enforcement,
I think we need enforcement, but you can’t have enforcement without
an appropriate legal framework… a police service interested in enforcing anything at all
Did you do ‘Ten Twentieth
Did you do ‘Ten Twentieth Century Poets’ at school?
I’m inspired by the Haiku of
I’m inspired by the haiku of “Flintshire Lad”…
The fabled Park Row cycle
The fabled Park Row cycle lane, this lunchtime…
and
and
and…
and…
and…
and… (you can see the folded down wand under the rear of the car)
and finally…
and finally…
As you can see, we might be
As you can see, we might be building up to a request for the council to put in tank traps or caltrops…
Re: Driver using phone to
Re: Driver using phone to film cyclist using phone.
Needs to be updated to Taxi Driver who serially uses phone whilst driving…..
Looking down his timeline shows multiple pictures and videos whilst he is driving, and that he is a Taxi Driver.
RE: High Holborn healthy
RE: High Holborn healthy streets – it sounds good – albeit modest (cycle early release on the traffic lights). Is it just me or do some of their advertising pictures look a bit … wrong? Artist’s impressions and all that but the first one doesn’t actually have anyone cycling (just a bike on a stand) and seems to have a lorry and some cars in the bus lane?
The second showing junction … doesn’t seem to have any protected cycle infra, not even a bike lane leading to the bike boxes. No idea what their “cyclists circulate” signs are but they look like they’d be best ignored. It doesn’t look like some fancy paving here (plus tactiles) will change anything for anyone. I’ve coloured in (red) all the motor vehicle space here. There are some broad footways but the vast majority of space here is for motorists.
I could be wrong…
Also – again maybe just
Also – again maybe just “artist” but the “cycle gate” one under the bridge shows a lump of the paving sticking up as the cycle path descends to the carriageway level – looks like that could catch someone turning right. Especially if this path is as wide as shown and you have two or more cyclists next to each other.
My understanding is that the
My understanding is that the absence of bike lane in Camden’s “image 4” (the one you’ve painted red) is because the light phasing will allow cyclists sufficient time to get all the way from the protected bits on Holborn / Proctor Street (images 2 and 3) to the ASL by Holborn tube station before motor traffic is released – so bikes and motors will be sharing it, but consecutively not concurrently.
The “cyclists circulate” signs as you describe them are refuge areas for two stage right turns. I’m not keen on them either.
Ah, thanks. Well that’s…
Ah, thanks. Well that’s… different. Can’t say I’ve come across exactly that idea before. Is this still likely to be a location with lots of motor traffic? I’d be a little cautious while proceeding down the eerily empty space, with motor vehicles held behind me. Given overall rates of red light adherence (by humans whatever mode).
Has has something of a “sporting” feel to it – give the cyclists a head start, then release the bulls! I guess we’ll out.
2 stage turns – yeah, that’s definitely saying “we didn’t aim for a good standard – or for mass cycling – and we’ve achieved our goal”. Even a “network” is going to be substandard if the junctions don’t feel much more safe and convenient than at present. Junctions are both the most difficult part (for the UK) and the most important.
Yes, likely to be a lot of
Yes, likely to be a lot of motor traffic still. To get a flavour, this is what your red painted junction currently looks like: https://goo.gl/maps/fqrqWr1JYHU2Kyn99 ; the bit under the bridge: https://goo.gl/maps/ejGrpJMfPgqAig1L9; the other bit: https://goo.gl/maps/YD2iuYZWEaLUqhmP9
Aha – so it’s almost no
Aha – so it’s almost no actual “infra” changes to the junction then (apart from extra paint), it’s all in the lights. The bridge section gets a protected lane it seems – which is good. The other bit … just more paint for buses?
So yeah – I guess we’ll see if holding back the traffic works well. Although both capitals feature some mixing of modes I think I can spot what the difference is between Holborn and here…
Tbh I think Kevo2205 was
Tbh I think Kevo2205 was being very diplomatic given the anti-clycling bingo opportunity – no helmet, no hi-viz, no lights blah blah blah
Tbh I think Kevo2205 was
Tbh I think Kevo2205 was being very diplomatic given the anti-clycling bingo opportunity – no helmet, no hi-viz, no lights blah blah blah
OK, so that explains the
OK, so that explains the Twitter notifications going into meltdown earlier…
The mental gymnastics some people are doing to try to excuse the driver and claim it might not have been a driver taking the photo is olympic gold level. Bonnet appears to be a London taxi, so can’t see it being a paying passenger (behind teh screen), and there’s no passenger seat in them up front.
the thing about the lady at
the thing about the lady at traffic light tweet is the proportionality. It’s a single female, on a step through bike with a basket, positioned in the gutter, wearing ‘normal’ clothes and shoes and her way to work or whatever not threatening any single person on this planet – yet she is called out by a male driver in a large vehicle who is breaking the law by using a mobile device whilst in charge of a motor vehicle. That’s the irony – not just the fact that the idiot was using a phone to take a photo of someone using a phone.