Cyclist injured by wire trap deliberately placed across trail; Police searching for Audi driver who slapped cyclist; ‘Completely unrideable’ 6-seat tandem; Cycling boom continues as LBS’s fully booked for repairs + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Bank holiday weekend catch-up
Been for a long drive to test your eyesight over the bank holiday? Here’s what you missed…
Everesting World Record broken twice in a week (+ video)
Government to issue half a million £50 repair vouchers to get neglected bikes back on the road
Cardiff bike shop worker stole £2,600 worth of bikes and cash
Chris Boardman calls for presumed liability law to help get more people commuting by bike
Ian Boswell rides his own Dirty Kanza
The former Team Sky rider – who now races gravel events as part of his role as a Wahoo ambassador – decided to DIY the 200 mile gravel epic around his local dirt tracks with the event obviously not happening for real this year. His Strava upload shows that Boswell’s total elapsed time was 11 hours and 38 minutes, meaning he only stopped for an hour in total over a fast and furious ten and a half hours of riding.
Is the Durham Tour Series back on?
Does that mean we can go and do Durham Tour Series then ?
— Jacob Tipper ️ (@JacobTipper) May 24, 2020
If it’s ok in a car then surely a little bike race won’t hurt!
London or Amsterdam? Huge numbers spotted cycling in England's capital over the bank holiday weekend
Incredible number of people cycling in Central London today. The Superhighway #CS3 is almost overwhelmed by the number heading west through Westminster. #Cycling #London #Westminster #Cycleway pic.twitter.com/Sv16YbcHpD
— Streetcam London (@streetcamlondon) May 25, 2020
It’s been widely reported that cycling has increased during the lockdown; in fact the government have been positively urging commuters to cycle and walk where possible instead of using public transport while announcing a £250 million emergency active travel fund for pop-up cycling infrastructure. It hasn’t gone unnoticed how much things have changed in London during the lockdown, with people free to explore the city without experiencing the huge volumes of traffic they would have had to contend with pre-lockdown…
This is astounding. Certainly blows away the ‘people here won’t ride bikes’ argument.
There is absolutely no reason this can’t be so in other major cities across the UK. If we choose to enable it. And right now is the time to do so. There will never be a more appropriate time. https://t.co/xey1o5xv84
— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) May 25, 2020
Yesterday saw by far the highest ever use of London @SantanderCycles and possibly highest volume of cycling ever seen in the capital.
Circumstances may be exceptional, but it’s significant that many will have experienced for the first time, a new way of moving through a city. pic.twitter.com/NFKhHesdMY
— Jo Wood (@jwoLondon) May 26, 2020
It’s also thought that London’s Santander Cycles saw its biggest ever weekend, with over 50,000 hires a day according to data analyst Jo Wood. It’s also noted that the times people are cycling has spread more evenly throughout the day during lockdown, and isn’t just limited to routes most associated with commuting.
Where are people cycling? Almost everywhere.
Use has moved from commuter dominated routes between mainline railway stations and central London to one more evenly spread. Green spaces especially play an important role.
[3/4] pic.twitter.com/hJkSKDuNWS
— Jo Wood (@jwoLondon) May 25, 2020
Will the boom in cycling during the lockdown genuinely be a turning point when life eventually gets back to normal, or will we inevitably return to the car-clogged streets of before?
'Bonkers lockdown project', i.e. an unrideable six-seater tandem, up for sale on eBay
In what is perhaps the most audacious and impressive unfinished cycling project we’ve ever seen, behold this six-man tandem that is currently ‘completely unridable’.
Building it was “a true lockdown challenge” according to its creator; but on the eBay listing, we’re informed that “with some work/clever re-engineering you could be riding around on this absolute unit.”
The wheels and forks have been salvaged from a 70’s Honda PF50 moped, and the frame size is listed as a ‘medium’; although we’re not sure if there’s currently a scale for measuring frame sizes of six-person tandems.
On Twitter the creator’s son says the novelty project is being sold to raise money for charity, and with no reserve the bidding is currently at £1.43… a lot of bike for your money, even if it doesn’t work. Collection is from Colliers Wood in London if you think you could being it to life, and the link is here.
Earlier this month you may recall our coverage of the ‘social distandem’ from avant-garde bike builder Colin Woof, a rideable machine that puts a good two metre gap between the riders for safe tandem-ing during the lockdown.
Re that Lancashire 'group ride'
To be fair they were on their way to Barnard Castle for an eye test
— Rob Smith (@ashingtonlad) May 26, 2020
Some of our readers and followers have been giving some perfectly ‘reasonable’* potential explanations for an alleged group ride spotted in Lancashire over the weekend.
*Not actually reasonable.
Girl who rode 1,200km across India carrying injured father postpones elite trial offer
15-year-old Jyoti Kumari made the exhausting journey back to her hometown with her injured father on the back of her bike, when they were left stranded in Goa with no source of income. The Cycling Federation of India heard about the remarkable tale of endurance, and offered Jyoti a trial at their National Cycling Academy in Dehli with all expenses paid; however, The Week reports that she has declined the offer for the time being to focus on her studies:
“I wish to complete my studies first. I also feel physically weak now after such a long arduous journey,” she said.
“I was told that I will get a call from CFI next month and I will tell them that I need a couple of months to be mentally and physically ready for the trial.”
"I couldn't speak to my kids": Sir Bradley Wiggins on brutal 2012 training regime
Wiggins told Eurosport that he was so focussed on gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, that he felt he couldn’t say hello to his children prior to lining up for his individual time trial: “I had to walk about 500m to the warm-up zone so I tried to get there without being recognised”, he said. “I walked past this little café and I saw my mum outside, and my kids were inside the café, and they came running out and I couldn’t, I didn’t want to see or look at them because I would have started crying I think. I thought ‘they are going to be there in an hours time’, but it was the cruellest act to not say hello to them, but I had to stay so focused and not let any emotion come in at any point.
“I look back and I know I am not that person anymore; I know who he was and I feel sorry for him.
“That was me and my insecure, introvert-ness sat on a throne with a bank of photographers in front of me not knowing what to do, so I just did that, I did that from school days, performed. I can’t really look at pictures of that now. As focused and amazing as he was on a bike, that athlete, off the bike there was this insecurity and I didn’t know how to react socially.”
Pleasure riding with all 2,300 of you for @LeColUK’s social spin! Shout out to my guests too, we’ll be doing another very soon x pic.twitter.com/xmjVmnQWgc
— Brad Wiggins (@SirWiggo) May 26, 2020
2,300 people rode with a considerably more chilled version of Wiggins for Le Col’s social spin at the weekend, with his latest barnet suggesting his Instagram pic posted last weekend may have been taken a little while longer ago than we first thought…
You can now get a workout on Grand Theft Auto V
Move over that thing beginning with Z… because you can now do your indoor riding session while shooting people and running them over in one of the most popular video games of all time, Grand Theft Auto V. As demonstrated by YouTuber Shane Miller in the video above, it’s made possible via the GTBikeV Mod plug-in that can connect to a smart bike or trainer that is ANT+ FE-C compatible. There is proper gradient simulation, and if you fancy a break you can do any number of other activities such as crashing into oncoming traffic, chucking bombs at enemies or going for a quick swim. We might just be giving this a go ourselves very soon!
Appeal for info after two club cyclists were hospitalised following hit-and-run in Yorkshire
#Appeal for #information
25.5.20 10.30am- 10.50am nr #Naburn #York 2 club members were struck by a dark (black/grey) Focus style car- driver left the scene hit & run. Our club secretary is now in hospital with spinal damage. @CliftonCCYork @YorkRouleurs @veloclubyork pls rt— Barnsley Road Club (@BarnsleyRdClub) May 26, 2020
Barnsley Road Club say their secretary suffered spinal damage and another club member was also hospitalised after a hit-and-run near Naburn in North Yorkshire. It’s reported that the car that struck them was a ‘dark (black/grey) Focus style car’, and anyone with potential information has been urged to get in touch with North Yorkshire Police.
Among those to share the post on Twitter was Dame Sarah Storey, and the club have since said that their secretary will have to spend twelve weeks in a spinal brace to recover from injuries.
So sorry to hear this Alastair. I hope the riders are doing ok and the police are able to find the driver.
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) May 26, 2020
12 weeks in a spinal brace for our club sec; thanks to hit and run driver. Get any information to @northyorkspfcc @NYorksPolice pic.twitter.com/Y7yqe9pq4s
— Barnsley Road Club (@BarnsleyRdClub) May 26, 2020
The cycling boom rolls on
Absolute scenes outside @donnybrookbikes this morning.#BikeBoom2020 pic.twitter.com/ZLuB74UENh
— Dublin Cycling 🚲 (@dublincycling) May 26, 2020
With bikes still selling out in shops and online, various retailers and customers are also reporting that local bike shops are booked up for weeks with repair jobs as people continue to salvage old bikes from the shed.
Anyone else been told there is more than a 3 week wait to get your bike fixed?
This is before the £50 voucher is released, which proves that often undervalued bike mechanics and local bike shops are crucial for modal shift.
You can’t get your bike fixed online! https://t.co/aLCTpSnmHc
— APPGCW (@allpartycycling) May 26, 2020
I’m booked until the 3rd week in June….obvs IF I am able I do bring forward if possible…. It is the sign of the times….to be fair much of the Trade think the vouchers will be a nightmare….
— RoadiesCycles 🏴 🇪🇺 (@roadiescycles) May 26, 2020
This is likely to continue when the government’s half a million £50 repair vouchers are issued; but as mentioned above, it might be a while before the bikes in question can actually be fixed.
Police searching for Audi driver who slapped cyclist after making dangerous overtake
Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was slapped in the face by the driver of a yellow Audi.
The incident happened at around 5.40pm on 18th May on Faringdon Road, Abingdon, when the 26-year-old man and his partner were overtaken by a yellow-coloured Audi S4. Another vehicle was coming in the opposite direction, causing the driver of the Audi to cut in sharply and nearly hit the slap victim’s partner.
The driver, described as white, around 6″2 with a large build and in his early 30’s, then reportedly blamed the cyclists, exiting his vehicle and shouting at them. He then got back in his car, drove a short distance and got out again, slapping the victim in the face before he drove off.
The victim wasn’t seriously injured. Investigating officer PC Henry North said: “This incident of assault took place in daylight hours and at a time I believe there could be witnesses.
“I would ask that if anyone was in the area at the time and believes they saw this incident happening, or recognises the description of the offender, to please get in touch with police.
“Alternatively, if you think you saw the vehicle in the area, a yellow coloured Audi S4, then please also get in touch.
“I would also like to appeal to any other motorists who were in the area that might have access to a dash cam. Please review it and check if anything significant was caught on the camera.”
Cycling UK submit formal complaint over Rod Liddle 'piano wire' article
Controversial columnist Rod Liddle wrote that it would be “tempting” to stretch piano wire across the road to target cyclists in his latest Sunday Times column; and now Cycling UK have registered a formal complaint with the paper, arguing that “the article in question is inflammatory, in seriously poor taste, and implies that a seriously dangerous and criminal act is somehow an acceptable course of conduct.”
More to follow.
Has Uber just dumped 20,000 e-bikes?
The ongoing (and curious) tale of the fate of JUMP e-bikes, following Uber’s investment in Lime electric scooters. https://t.co/P2E8FrPau8
— Rory Williams (@carbonsmart) May 26, 2020
A curious tale has emerged that claims Uber have dumped up to 20,000 of their Jump!-branded e-bikes and their batteries, and laid off all the staff involved in building the latest iteration. It’s described by Bike Share Museum – who uncovered the scandal – as “disgusting… in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic where bicycles have literally become an object of survival.”
What’s going on? Our sister site eBikeTip will be doing some further digging this week.
Another cyclist is injured by a trap in Wales
And then this happens:https://t.co/lJb5WS8Ola@SuptAndyCox I’m not sure, but I suspect that this was written on the met’s patch, section 44 of the serious crime act seems pertinent, although proving intent will be difficult. Public order?
— Nathaniel Cleland (@bellezzasolocle) May 26, 2020
Wales Online report that Neil Nunnerley needed hospital treatment after hitting a trap made of wire and branches, which cut his mouth, face and chest. It’s reported that there were numerous other potentially fatal near misses across trails and paths around the Swansea and Cardiff areas due to improvised traps, with similar incidents appearing to be on the increase across the UK since the lockdown began.
The trap Mr Nunnerley hit had been removed when he returned with South Wales Police officers on Saturday afternoon. A police spokesperson said: “The incident was reported to police at around 5pm on May 23. Officers attended the scene with the cyclist and no wire could be found on the trees or any others nearby.
“Understandably, some time had passed between the incident and the matter being reported due to the cyclist seeking medical attention at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.”
It comes after we reported that Rod Liddle wrote a column for the Sunday Times that it would be “tempting” to place piano wire across the road to target cyclists, and some are suggesting such articles could influence a dangerous minority to commit crime.
Earlier this month, two pensioners admitted on camera placing rocks and branches across a path in North Yorkshire to stop cyclists from using it.
26 May 2020, 08:50
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The 3T Exploro Pro GRX bike competition is now closed and we have a Winner!
The 3T Exploro bike competition is now closed, check below to find out if you are about to become the proud new owner of a 3T Exploro GRX Pro bike!
26 May 2020, 08:50
26 May 2020, 08:50
26 May 2020, 08:50
26 May 2020, 08:50
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@Rendel Harris you've painted a rather alluring picture of social harmony there, but unfortunately you've got my name wrong. I'm Jack, not Nigel. However, to return the compliment, I must think of a story for you. I imagine you sat outside a pub, real ale and pipe propped on the adjacent table, in a similar fashion to Nigel Farage at his populist best. You turn to your wife. "You know what dear? I think I've been a bit harsh in my time. I've shunned the politeness and wisdom of others for too long and want to change my ways.* "There there Rendel", says Mrs Harris. "You're not a bad old stick, it's just living in London that's emptied your soul of kindness and compassion. I've found a lovely new place where we can settle down in our later years. It's on a leafy cul de sac, surrounded by friendly neighbours and smiling faces. There's a guy a couple of doors down, a remarkable man. As well as his towering intellect and rapier wit, he's also a keen cyclist, holding severa local KOMs. Don't be perturbed dear - he'll ride with anyone provided they show other road users the kindness and courtesy they deserve." Rendel turned emotionally, voice shaking. "Oh my dear, thank you for this second chance", and with that the rest of the pub goers turned and applauded the couple, throwing garlands of petals in their wake. The end.
As a Councillor, Edward needs to be paying some attention to all that parking obstructing visibility and manoeuvres at the junction, and sorting out those radii.
Ed Hill was chucked out by Reform in 2025, though TBF to him it was about how to run it rather than ideology I think. He is now reportedly closer to Advance UK, which is distinctly more extreme than Reform. I'd call this Alan Amos style attention seeking.
Emily, thank you for such an insightful piece. I’m a man, but I enjoy watching the women’s races, possibly more than the men’s. The racing is so much closer, we rarely know who’s going to win. You painted a wonderful picture of how a true champion is able to ‘rise above’ setbacks and distractions, and focus their energy on the task in hand. ‘All’s fair in live and war -and sport, but always good to hear riders expressing their admiration for their competitors
@Nigel Garage ...and then everyone applauded my courtesy and I waved courteously to all the people who were courteously throwing flowers and cheering and courteously waving flags that said "Nigel is the best!"
The picture from street view clearly shows give way lines from the roads to the green painted cycle/pedestrian lane. The road user should give way (or must...) to the user of the green lane. This would of course apply to any cyclist on the roadway.
If I recall there is a cave or two along the route - perhaps they were sheltering from the heat in one of those having taken it for a Golf bunker?
“So if there’s a cyclist travelling down the cycle path at the moment, from this position I can’t see them because my blind spots are too big on the left hand side of the vehicle”, claims Hill. Well, there's your problem, right there...🙄
First impression from the headline that he's likely a twit. Then the detail he was expelled from Reform makes you suspect that failing even their low bar requirements he really is. Then he clearly explains his vehicle is unsafe for the highway because he can't see to give way when turning. Any collision he now has should have that video run out explaining he drove a vehicle he knew to be unsafe. Advice for motorists; instead of thinking that pedestrians and cyclists are low risk 100kg objects, imagine them as a 300 Tonne trains that will crush you and your vehicle if you cross into their paths. You'd give way to the train, so you equally can to the others.
I've had a brief look on Facebook, and Ed Hill (who now appears to be affiliated with Advance UK) seems to have taken some useful road safety improvements under his remit, including an initiative to help local pedestrians on unpaved roads, where the wider council won't help due to planning failures. Regarding the cycle path, I think this is linked to a wider misunderstanding about giving way at junctions and I'm afraid I cannot agree with Mr Hill's conclusion. Regardless of the suitability of the cycle path, vehicles should give way at the junction to both pedestrians crossing and cyclists. It seems to be a poorly understood rule among motorists where some believe they have priority at junctions like this, where they certainly do not. I once had a similar issue myself, while leisurely walking to Waitrose to buy some lunchtime fripperies. A driver beeped their horn as I crossed the junction, despite me having priority, and was shocked and apologetic when I explained I had priority. A polite conversation later, the driver departed, educated and updated on the rules of the road.
15 thoughts on “Cyclist injured by wire trap deliberately placed across trail; Police searching for Audi driver who slapped cyclist; ‘Completely unrideable’ 6-seat tandem; Cycling boom continues as LBS’s fully booked for repairs + more on the live blog”
Incredible number of cyclists
Incredible number of cyclists captured riding through quiet London streets? Well, opticians have been closed, so presumably most were out testing their eyesight. Although pesonally, I do it William-Tell-style.
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Can I post my favorite so far
Can I post my favorite so far…
One of the worst things about
One of the worst things about this controversy is that it has put Barnard Castle on the map, and frankly it’s a hidden gem I’d rather stay relatively unknown. So I won’t mention how much less packed with tourists it is on a summer weekend than Richmond just over the Yorkshire border to the south, how glorious the surrounding countryside is, with certainly no fabulous on and off road cycling routes. Nor will I link to an episode of Mark Steel’s In Town that highlights its quirkier aspects, which you definitely cannot listen to online.
https://newsthump.com/2020/05
So many people moving around
So many people moving around using so little road space and creating very little pollution.
Is anyone else seeing a
Is anyone else seeing a smiley face in those bike usage charts?
the vertical opposite of
I’m sure all the yellow Audi
I’m sure all the yellow Audi drivers will want to come forward to the police and be elimated from their enquiries. I would not want to be associated with something as prattish as this.
On the yellow Audi story:
On the yellow Audi story:
(1) the Audi was doing the overtaking, so how iwas it the cyclists’ fault? (I know – logic doesn’t apply to people like that); and
(2) a large built 6’2″ bloke slapped the cyclist? I feel like I want to make some comment about ‘handbags at dawn’ or that rubbish fight in the Bridget Jones film… But I won’t, because I am an Enlightened Modern Man 😉
Imagine the red mist/
Imagine the red mist/ adrenaline confusion going on in inside this driver’s head, from the description of his actions. I always wonder about what happens to family members who incur their displeasure in some way. These are often practised behaviours. The alleged slap is probably some kind of mental / physical compromise between knowing it’s entirely his fault, but not being able to deal with this and still wanting to shift the blame outwards. I always think the have a go and drive off thing is an admission of moral defeat, of knowing that you’re wrong and/ or you’ve done wrong.
Come on PC Plod, there can’t be that many yellow Audi’s on the patch!
RIP.
RIP.
http://altrincham.today/2020/05/26/news/42-year-old-cyclist-injured-crash-dunham-road-junction-sadly-died/
Thank you for posting this.
Thank you for posting this. I read it yesterday and was very saddened by it.
I feel difficulty in giving terrible stories posted as comments a “Like”
My heart goes out to the family and friends of the cyclist.
Terrible re the club riders
Terrible re the club riders knocked off; heal well and fast and get the scummy driver.
Yellow Audi; Why didn’t the riders get the rego?!
‘Will the boom in cycling
‘Will the boom in cycling during the lockdown genuinely be a turning point when life eventually gets back to normal, or will we inevitably return to the car-clogged streets of before? ‘
Er, let me think. Hmmm.