AI pile-on at expense of Lib Dem London Assembly member who suggested tradespeople could carry equipment by cargo bike keeps rolling on; Jeremy Vine’s TV guests suggest number plates and insurance to deter “smugness” among cyclists + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
We've entered day 7 of getting ChatGPT to make a video of a tradesperson carrying an unweildly load by bike...
For those of you who haven’t been served one of these on Facebook yet (or maybe you’re not on Facebook – even better), it all started on LBC’s Cross Question with Iain Dale last Thursday, when the Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Hina Bokhari suggested that as “another option”, tradespeople could consider getting around by bike instead of a white van sometimes. Not a completely ridiculous suggestion, right?
Well of course, it’s been completely taken out of context and then some, with the help of dozens of AI-generated videos mocking Bokhari for suggesting some journeys could be made with a proper cargo bike built for the job of carrying stuff.
Both Dale and Conservative politician Festus Akinbusoye were baffled by Bokhari’s comments, and the AI videos are exaggerated to depict tradespeople carrying loads that are either too large, or using standard push irons that are worlds away from modern electric cargo bikes. Here’s another…
Now then… while a cargo bike isn’t going to be appropriate all of the time, I don’t think Bokhari was actually suggesting it was – she was simply making the point that a cargo bike can be an option in a city where going everywhere in a van is less economical, and will probably take you longer.
Here’s the ever-reliable Pedal Me showing that it can be done…
And the Bristol-based Plumber Greaves, also showing that it can be done…
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Sorry tradespeople (and ChatGPT)… afraid the suggestion is not quite as silly as you might have initially though!
Colnago launches new gravel race bike with room for 53mm tyres
Colnago reckons this is the gravel bike to do it all, from one-day races to massive long epics. All you’ll need is at least £5,300…
> Colnago launches G5-X race-ready gravel bike with 53mm tyre clearance
"There's the entitlement plus the smugness, and that's a deadly combination", says Jeremy Vine's guest who suggests number plates and insurance for cyclists
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Mr Vine must have been biting his tongue very hard when his guest, the former Sun journalist Nina Myskow, almost got a full house by referencing red lights, number plates and insurance, while also saying the “entitlement” and “smugness” of cyclists is a deadly combination. Statistically we’re not sure the entitlement and smugness of a cyclist has ever proved deadly, and Myskow does admit she’s “generalising” – still, the carefully clipped-up segment has led to plenty of people agreeing that cyclists need insurance and number plates on Instagram, although there’s a similar number calling her out.
“There shouldn’t be any barriers to cycling”, said one, while another questioned where Myskow and those who agree with her want to stop kids cycling to school.
UCI launches its 2026 Cycling for All Manifesto
We’ve come to expect these innocuous-looking UCI press releases that landing our inbox to contain an absolute bombshell at the end – I’m sure the one where they announced the controversial 40cm minimum handlebar rule was nestled at the bottom of a presser about their annual congress – but this one is genuinely pretty run-of-the-mill. Worth sharing though, because the UCI is reiterating its commitment to promoting cycling beyond bike racing with its latest Cycling for All Manifesto:
“The updated Cycling for All Manifesto is published in the first year of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035), which aims to accelerate global action toward safe, affordable, accessible and low-carbon transport systems”, the presser says.
“As a founding member of the Partnership for Active Travel and Health (PATH) and a member of the Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLOCAT), the UCI intends to contribute to these efforts, particularly where they concern everyday cycling.”
Tony Mitchell, the President of the UCI Cycling for All and Sustainable Cycling Commission, added: “Getting more people onto bikes takes all of us — no organisation can achieve it alone. This Manifesto gives our National Federations, cities and partners a shared position to work from, and a clear statement of what the UCI will do alongside them.”
We’ve scrolled all the way to the end and there’s definitely not a devastating post-script: “Oh by the way, we saw that debate on Jeremy Vine on 5 and are now introducing number plates for all riders starting from tomorrow.”
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AHH! It's a perfect morning where I live. The birds are singing as I finish my organic muesli and green smoothie. I think I will further emphasise how virtuous and healthy I am by going for a bicycle ride later. My beautiful wife with who I have just shared several orgasms may accompany me. How I feel sorry for those flabby sedentary people in number plated (even cloned) and (un)insured SUVs and high performance cars. Some of them can't even play a musical instrument or speak a second language.
I actually have, and use, both the C606 Pro and the Explore 2. I use the Magene unit more than the Garmin, it feels more modern somehow. I have found the touchscreen fine, maybe that screen protector mentioned in the review is dulling sensitivity. The Garmin has a more fluid upload of ride data as the Magene generally needs onelapfit to be explicitly invoked. Depends what you're used to I guess. Sounds like the reviewer got taken out of his comfort zone :-)
@slc we say to the public: only a very few people have been mauled on this route, and not many more chased by tigers (losing their belongs in terrified flight). It's unfortunate, as is the fact that our trackers haven't been able to identify any man-eaters. But we don't have the resource to leave out goats as bait or hide in trees all night. Or ask the locals for info. Regardless, people should use the path with confidence... (or should that be "if you go and use it it's your look out"?)
I can't believe you've given a positive review of an item that *actually failed* during its stated intended use. What would it have taken for you to mark them down? Ended up in hospital?
I didn't know the Featherissimo was a West Country resident
@chrisonabike tigers will be tigers. A leopard can't change its spots.
@Motivated First of all, lumen figure tells you how much light is produced, not how much actually falls on the road. Lumens give you potential, but do not guarantee the overall result. It's more or less like saying "I'm a fast rider because I produce lots of watts". Which could go hand in hand with actual speed, but does not guarantee it. And secondly, a lamp as powerful as that could be terribly glaring to other users of the road. It's no coincidence that car headlights have a horizontal cutoff.
@Boopop I do have lots of faith people. I do not have faith in companies. Especially when they hire experts and show obviously misleading materials in their ads. And I NEVER accused Road.cc of any wrongdoing around this article.
The police are quite correct to point out the context of the crime figures. It is only reasonable for the public to expect that no crimes will be solved if the police can't be bothered to implement counter measures such as CCTV and patrols.
@OnYerBike Unless said brain has been made stoopid by all the pollution...
1 thought on “AI pile-on at expense of Lib Dem London Assembly member who suggested tradespeople could carry equipment by cargo bike keeps rolling on; Jeremy Vine’s TV guests suggest number plates and insurance to deter “smugness” among cyclists + more on the live blog”
AHH! It’s a perfect morning where I live. The birds are singing as I finish my organic muesli and green smoothie. I think I will further emphasise how virtuous and healthy I am by going for a bicycle ride later. My beautiful wife with who I have just shared several orgasms may accompany me.
How I feel sorry for those flabby sedentary people in number plated (even cloned) and (un)insured SUVs and high performance cars. Some of them can’t even play a musical instrument or speak a second language.