“I’ve got to do better”: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani gets helmet for riding around city after criticism; Punchy hills around Cockermouth at Tour of Britain + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Who are you calling a helmet?
We live in a strange age of political communication, the present and incoming generation of politicians and their special advisers are uncomfortably native when it comes to digital media. A failure to cut through is unacceptable, but it’s also not an easy to task to produce ‘content’ that doesn’t make the viewer want to curl up in a ball and consider retreating to the wilderness. Just look at any of the US President’s AI-generated monstrosities…
It helps that Zohran Mamdani himself is significantly younger than most politicians, and can knowingly cut through the kitsch or cliché because he understands the media assignment, rather than being someone decades older clearly told to do something by order of the young person with a phone in the office.
Take the New York City mayor’s latest video, published yesterday afternoon and which has already amassed 28 million views, and 2.3 million likes on Instagram alone…
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Having taken part in various events and been spotted repeatedly not wearing a helmet when using a hire bike, Mamdani has made content out of his newly-bought helmet ‘unboxing’. It’s light-hearted and appears to have gone down rather well in a social media algorithm increasingly ‘stanning’ politicians and their every action.
Funnily enough, despite its social media reputation, Bluesky has actually had some of the more interesting discourse on the substance of wearing a helmet. Here’s BBC reporter David Gregory-Kumar…
Ok. The evidence is drivers take more risks around cyclists wearing a helmet. It’s safer not to (does not apply to kids) and when you put in proper infrastructure you don’t need them at all.
— David Gregory-Kumar (@drdavidgk.bsky.social) 18 August 2026 at 16:12
Gregory-Kumar then linked to a 2019 study by Ian Walker (he of ‘motonormativity’ fame) that suggested wearing a helmet actually led to drivers attempting closer, more dangerous passes.
There were other users hemming and hawing, here are some notable comments:
“Best thing you can do is wearing a “dutch helmet”: create such safe bicycling infrastructure that a helmet is not necessary.”
“Helmets discourage people from riding, which in turn increases the rate of accidents. It also cues to drivers that it’s okay to drive closer and be reckless around them. The best way to prevent a head injury isn’t to wear a helmet, it’s to not to be in an accident in the first place.”
“95% of Netherlands cyclists don’t wear helmets, and more than 30% commute using bicycle every work day, yet their head injury rate is lower than other countries with much lower numbers of cyclists. Why? Because they have purpose built often separate well designed cycle integrated infrastructure”
“Even if the infrastructure would be perfect a helmet is highly preferable. you’re never alone and others could always be idiots or a mechanical failure is possible at every moment.”
It should be said that helmets have been in the news quite a bit lately, thanks to the head of the professional cyclists’ union calling for stricter safety standards in light of Fin Tarling’s death.
In addition, this isn’t the first road safety policy put forward by Mamdani who has worked to tackle the supply of illegally-modified e-bikes in the city.
Still, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and given the poor historic attitude towards cyclists from the authorities, a helmet probably isn’t a bad way to go…
Racing round-up: Bull charges once again
Sadly, not every eye in the cycling world was on Cockermouth this afternoon (their loss).
In the Renewi Tour in Belgium, many of the world’s best sprinters lined up where, in pouring rain Jonathan Milan narrowly bested Olav Kooij and Tim Merlier for the win. Jasper Philipsen, Sam Bennett, Dylan Groenewegen, Mike Teunissen and Arnaud De Lie were also in the top-10. That’s a lot of race wins…
Photo finish in the pouring rain! 📸☔️
Jonathan Milan JUST pips Olav Kooij to take Stage 1 of the Renewi Tour 💨 pic.twitter.com/oTVsPkDV2w
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) August 19, 2026
In the Deutschland Tour, Isaac Del Toro is still in great form following his Tour de France podium, taking victory by a single second in the opening prologue by 1.7 seconds from Soudal Quick-Step’s Paul Magnier. As someone who likes the concept of both prologues and TTs contested on road bikes, this pleases me…
Del Toro pips Magnier! 🔥
The Mexican steals the Prologue win at the Lidl Deutschland Tour 👏 pic.twitter.com/gJqKXeFncy
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) August 19, 2026
And finally, in the concisely named Tour du Limousin-Perigord-Nouvelle Aquitaine, Groupama-FDJ’s Ewen Costiou triumphed on a hilly course ahead of Matteo Vercher and a group led by Alex Aranburu.
Into the yellow jersey! 👏
Ewen Costiou attacks late and holds on to win Stage 2 of the Tour du Limousin, moving him into the GC lead! 💛 pic.twitter.com/VoNz1FvFl6
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) August 19, 2026
The talented Frenchman also moves into the race lead with two stages remaining…
Young cyclists stage protest to stop diggers removing bike park jumps deemed “unsafe”
I feel like the facing down a bulldozer trope is definitely an overused trope in pop culture. Glad to see it making an appearance in the real world!
Fair Fuel UK boss joins Restore Britain, pledges to liberate drivers but admits e-bikes in London are "fantastic"
A cursory look back through our archives see that it’s been a little while since we last stumbled upon Howard Cox. He’s the founder of Fair Fuel UK, and also once satirised the “Lunatic” Highway Code as “a cyclists’ charter to ride any way they wish” that was “authored by an asylum inmate.”
I say satirised because that’s what the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) determined his newspaper column had been, even if the subject of road safety maybe isn’t the best place to search for comedic material.
Anyway, we’re not the comedy police. If you found it funny then good for you…
Since then, Cox has stood to be Mayor of London for Reform UK, winning 3 percent of the vote on a platform of abolishing ULEZ and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in the capital. But he left the party later that year after disagreeing with the party’s desire to disassociate with Tommy Robinson.
Perhaps it is unsurprising then that he cropped up yesterday as the new Transport spokesperson of Restore Britain. There is some academic debate as to whether Reform UK are politically right-wing or far-right. Without getting involved in those weeds, given it’s universally agreed that Restore are even further to the right of them, that gives you a reasonable idea of what we are dealing with.
We’re also unfortunately familiar with Rupert Lowe, kicked out of Reform over bullying allegations, he now leads Restore and their Great Yarmouth affiliate which holds the balance of power on Norfolk County Council. He’s gone out of his way to decry cycle lanes “a sodding waste of money”.
In a video uploaded to Twitter, which opens with a description of Cox’s home city as “Sadiq Khan’s warzone”, several eyebrow-raising quips are made, mostly on Lowe’s part…
I’m delighted to welcome @HowardCCox to Restore Britain as our Transport Spokesperson – through FairFuelUK, Howard has helped to keep fuel duty frozen for sixteen consecutive years.
A proven track record of delivering for motorists.
We are building a properly qualified team. pic.twitter.com/vAJk5JcZOU
— Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) August 18, 2026
“In my view Howard, everything you’ve done for Fair Fuel is incredibly good value. I see drivers who are treated as second-class citizens by a state that has lost sight of what actually drives the economy, what drives freedom and individuality.
“We need 20mph limits scrapped unless it’s absolutely crucial, unless it’s in vulnerable areas.”
“The white van man drives most of the economy. It’s time to remove these [state] fetters and let people get on with their lives, travel freely and generate wealth.”
Cox, for his part as spokesperson, manages to get a word in, insisting, “The Treasury has admitted to me, at the top of the agenda, [they’re] thinking how can they fleece the motorists. They see them as an easy way to pocket cash.”
So far, so typically full of various bits of misinformation. But then comes this short exchange on two-wheeled transport:
“The cyclists are moving faster than the drivers these days, Howard… the whole thing’s gone mad, they go through the lights… I have nothing against the cyclists, I was using an e-bike myself the other day…
“They’re fantastic.” Cox interjects.
“They’re incredibly efficient tools, but I think it’s time we effectively respected drivers, to treat them properly and liberate them.”
Argh! The most ardently pro-motorist men in the country are there singing the praises of the bicycle, they see the benefits of it as a mode of transport, but are so trapped in their motorist-mindset they cannot envision a life for themselves outwith the four-wheeled vehicle in the sprawling metropolis in which they reside.
It is not the people worthy of liberation but the driver, who ‘deserves’ to drive unfettered through the thronging masses. Sometimes, we run out of words!
Wiebes wins!
5km to go and Riejanne Markus again launched a strong attack which this time drew out two chasers rather than the group. Bredewold was there but the chase then stalls despite getting a gap. Julia Kopecky is on hand to close it down.
4km and Quinty Ton tries again in vague, Le Court is among the riders to bridge across but without avail.
3km Lotte Kopecky attacks! How’s that for a joker card? Kim Le Court is again straight on the Belgian’s wheel however and Kopecky finds herself pinned to the front of the group.
Through the flamme rouge and SD Worx are perfectly positioned with Kopecky and Bredewold in front of Wiebes. Kopecky drives down the hill but is passed by Picnic’s Pfeiffer Georgi, working to lead out Josie Nelson. Bredewold takes over though in the final few hundred metres to bring Wiebes back into position, then when the Dutch sprinter launches inside the final 200m, the result was never in doubt.
That’s Wiebes’ 134th win, ahead of Chiara Consonni and Brit Josie Nelson. Was it ever in doubt?
Sprint incoming?
A long pull by Lidl-Trek’s Shirin van Anrooij set up a strong Riejanne Markus attack. A quartet escaped and had a good gap but were reeled in once again. Movistar’s Lianne Lippert was next to try but Bredewold is relentless, closing down gaps to set up a bunch sprint for SD-Worx teammate Wiebes, and prevent any GC rivals stealing a march.
Saying that, what’s this? A nine-rider move steal a march and look threatening but this time FDJ-Suez’s Lauren Dickson is the one to bring them back.
So many attacks through the Cumbrian grey, now we have another split and it’s this time a group of 10 – without Wiebes! But again they’re reeled in.
8km to go Quinty Ton is next to try but to no avail.
7km to go, and it’s surely a bunch sprint incoming? You know where to watch…
Heavens open, feeds close
Mischa Bredewold led ahead of Swinkels and Kim Le Court at the intermediate sprint, taking maximum points and bonus seconds, as the heavens open. I’m sure the neighbouring sheep are grateful for the rain, but it’s played havoc with the race’s live stream.
When the images stabilise, the race is in pieces, lit up once again by Le Court but the front group is again caught, albeit by a now very reduced bunch. Zoe Bäckstedt and Lara Gillespie are among the riders dropped.
There are around 30 riders at the front of the race, Wiebes still among them and the attacks keep coming. Le Court is leading or marking all of them, a remarkable show of strength from the Mauritian.
16km to go, wet, narrow roads heading into very dark clouds await. Meanwhile there is a stunning rainbow captured by the TV helicopter.
A final reminder you can watch the closing stages at the link below…
How does the smallest of bike brands stay afloat?
Can’t get much smaller than a one-man band, although I bet there’s an AI somewhere envisioning how a Mr Dawley-type figure in a company like Dawley Bikes can be ‘re-imagined’ out of existence…
Attacks
Ah, Audrey de Keerskmaeker had one mission, to secure the mountains jersey atop Parsonby Brow. That looked in jeopardy when Kim Le Court attacked from the peloton, causing a big split in the peloton and reeling in the escapee.
But De Keersmaeker hung on in that front group and followed the front wheels to cross the line third at the summit – a very well earned mountains jersey will be coming her way.
It was quite an impressive split of around 18-20 riders, but with Lorena Wiebes in the front group no one was willing to ride and the chase stalled, allowing the peloton to re-group.
They’re descending now to Cockermouth where bonus seconds are on offer before the race loops out and back before the finish.
30km to go, the peloton back together.
Get yer skates on, G!
We now have 22 out of 23 team line-ups confirmed for the Vuelta a Espana which gets underway on Saturday. The exception? Netcompany-Ineos.
Incidentally Pinarello-Q36.5 were the penultimate team to reveal their 8-man squad. There’s no Tom Pidcock, but both Tom Gloag and Eddie Dunbar will be keen to make a mark on one of the several mountain stages on the route. Irishman Dunbar is a former two-time stage winner at the race and has also top-10’d the Giro d’Italia. Meanwhile Londoner Gloag is riding his first Grand Tour since he was unexpectedly drafted to support Primoz Roglic’s Giro d’Italia triumph in 2023.
Dunbar is set to be one of two Irish riders in the race, the other being Darren Rafferty, whilst there should be at least 10 Brits in the race, presuming – Netcompany-Ineos pick Oscar Onley as expected. The other Brits on the start line are:
- Matthew Brennan
- Oliver Peace
- Callum Thornley
- Finlay Pickering
- Ben Tulett
- Ethan Hayter
- Paul Double
- James Shaw
Drum n Bass Pedalling Pied Piper
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Wasp sting!
We had a great two-rider move featuring Team Picnic PostNL’s Audrey de Keersmaeker and Handsling Alba’s Arabella Blackburn with a proper gap and everything. That was until Blackburn was stung by a wasp on her left leg, she was captured by the TV moto rubbing herself and asking for anti-histamines.
When De Keersmaeker moved out of the saddle at the bottom of the day’s first climb to Caldbeck, Blackburn had no answer, leaving the young Belgian to push on solo.
60km to go, De Keersmaeker has 2’30” on the peloton. The riders are now heading back towards Cockermouth through the edge of the Lake District before the final finishing loop, the next climb of Parsonby Brow is around 20km away. You can watch the action at the link below…
Fin Tarling bursary fund exceeds £60,000
A thought crossed our minds yesterday how long we should keep posting details of Fin Tarling’s GoFundMe for. The answer, in short, is as long as it keeps going up.
At the time of writing, a phenomenal £63,172 has been raised to support a fund for young Welsh cyclists, a simply sensational sum for a very worthy cause..
"A young athlete dying far outweighs all the other problems": Vaughters criticises UCI and rider rep
As someone with a lot of time for Jonathan Vaughters, this is a very important read…
Intermediate sprint and crash
Was it courage or naivety from Leila Gschwenter to attack into a block headwind at the start?
Riding for the third-tier Smurfit Westrock team, the Austrian was alone at the front of the race before being swept up by the peloton as the race turned right at Whitehaven to follow the coast.
The next action of note was the intermediate sprint, which saw Karilijn Swinkels edge out Lara Gillespie and Kim Le Court-Pienaar for maximum points, whilst all three riders took all-important bonus seconds. In a race that was won by incredibly fine margins last year, to Cat Ferguson’s detriment, every second counts.
88km to go, the peloton are together, I was about to sign off but there’s been a big crash at the back of the bunch! Lieke Nooijen’s down as is Claire Steels, that looked like it could hurt. Thankfully with no break up the road, they should be able to rejoin the bunch fairly easily if they’re uninjured.
A reminder that you can watch the action on the YouTube live stream linked further down this page…
Bad news for Wim Hof
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I am reliably informed that fitness influencers are promoting ice baths again. I’m not sure there was ever a time they weren’t being plugged by people in that sphere but that’s beside the point.
But one hormone health specialist has got in touch to inform us that suggestions that ice baths increase testosterone are bogus. Mike Kocsis says, “There is no good human evidence that cold plunging raises testosterone. A small 2026 study of male athletes found no significant change after 10-minute cold showers at 17°C on four consecutive days, which does not settle the question but puts the confident online claim ahead of the evidence.”
“The researchers concluded that cold-water immersion attenuated long-term gains in muscle mass and strength, and said its regular use after exercise ‘should be reconsidered’.”
There goes that snake oil, although Kocsis does assure us that ice baths do still make us produce noradrenaline and dopamine – probably from the shock of finding yourself in freezing cold water. But that there’s no promise of any long-term fitness benefits from the practice besides potential psychological stimulation.
Still, after a long hot day out riding, I don’t think the rubber ducks will be going anywhere anytime soon at the biggest race in the world…
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Reported bike thefts at train stations fall by 11%... but proportion of thieves charged doubles
Are there fewer reported thefts because there are fewer bike thefts and because BTP’s action has improved? Or are there fewer reported thefts because people don’t trust the police to investigate the incident or retrieve their bike? Sadly the data doesn’t provide detail on e-bikes either which I suspect might be relevant…
Ultra low emission zones repairing children's lungs - study finds
To borrow a phrase from one of my editors, this just might silence the ‘gammonati’.
Queen Mary University of London have found the benefits ultra low emission zones have on the development of children’s lungs.
Children in the study had annual lung function and capacity tests in the year before ULEZ came in and for four years after.
Using primary school children from less polluted Luton as a control group, researchers analysed the developing lung capacity of children in London’s ULEZ and found that, having had a smaller lung capacity when the study began, after four years living in ULEZ then lung capacity had caught up with the control group.
Professor Chris Griffiths told the BBC he was “absolutely stunned” by the results.
“The speed of catch up in lung capacity in the London group was surprising and impressive.
“This shows an ambitious clean air zone can drive pollution levels down, rapidly restoring children’s stunted lung growth.”
It should be noted that both London and Luton implemented policies during that time which reduced the level of air pollution, but that areas’ levels remained higher than World Health Organisation guidelines.
The Beeb also say that, “Another aspect to consider was that the London group may have been more likely to walk or cycle to school once Ulez came in.”
Not that we’re complaining about that. The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, is quick to claim credit…
Some outcomes are bigger than politics.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@london.gov.uk) 19 August 2026 at 11:22
Vollering's recovery ride
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Tour of Britain Women: Live stream!
All eyes on Cockermouth today as the women’s Tour of Britain is just getting underway. Sadly, live TV coverage is restricted to the men’s race, with ITV4 highlights coming later this evening. But, in the meantime, we have a YouTube live stream if you need something to pass the time.
Today’s stage heads south towards Whitehaven before snaking north along the Cumbrian coast through Workington before heading inland at Silloth and looping back. The riders will pass through the finish line once more before taking on a short circuit. A fast downhill finish should lead to a bunch sprint.
And with Lorena Wiebes on the startlist alongside Lotte Kopecky, the Dutchwoman might be hard to beat…
"Socially unsafe" bike lane opposed by Green Party councillors
I saw one comment accusing this story’s headline of clickbait, even though there wasn’t any misrepresentation of the story, and the additional details and context provided in the story itself do a reasonable job (if I say so myself) of explaining what the proposal entails and the criticism it has faced.
Is it attention-grabbing to make you read more to learn why an active travel proposal is being opposed by the party most associated with cycle infrastructure? Of course, it’s a headline. That’s its job. Rest assured we’re not in The Day Today territory just yet…
Another comment noted that Bath is home territory for road.cc. Correct! So I put out a call for opinions on the proposal to our spa town locals in the virtual office, and here’s what they had to say:
“I think it’s a bit of an odd solution. Another option would be to use the top of the loop for the path and close it to traffic, but you’d lose a lot of parking spaces and of course we can’t have that. The lower contraflow route introduces conflict and it’s the high-traffic area of the park next to all the playground facilities. One of the Greens’ main objections is that it’s a path through a secluded park and it just won’t be suitable for some riders, which is valid, even though it’s a long way from being the first secluded bike path in Bath.”
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Well, looks like a good chunk of the electorate are still happy to vote for parties who will promise them "one more lane"... Reform / Restore pretty much guarantee that (albeit some of their councillors realise that following the party lead won't help *them*). But those "we'll end the war on the motorist" parties often include the Conservatives (not certain about Lib Dems) and not infrequently Labour. Although hard-core "knock down the school and build a freeway" types will feel a little defrauded by what they do (or don't) in power. Look for "we'll set the fuel duty escalator in motion again and take some of that cash for public transport" to find the real "woke anti-car" parties. Honourable mention to "change the default urban limit from 30mph to 20mph"...
I've just done similar and put some £1400 Scope wheels on a £1500 bike. Ok, I got the wheels nearly half price... ;) The handling is very different, even on the exactly the same tyres (nearly new Conti GP5Ks taken off the old wheels), as the wider internal is giving the tyres a different shape and I'm still learning to trust them on corners and in crosswinds which is keeping my average speeds down a bit - but they are undoubtably faster on the flats and I'm climbing in one gear higher than I used to on most hills. They may only be saving a few watts, but my FTP is only 225-ish, so a few watts saved is actually quite a percentage gain. Most importantly for my ManMaths in buying wheels that RRPed nearly as much as the whole bike is that they are transferable - I'm thinking about buying nicer frame soon-ish to build up, and the nice wheels I've bought will be nice on whatever bike I use them on.
@wtjs and 'I'm a cyclist myself, but.......'
@Smoggysteve Saw Iain just last Saturday at the Georgetown cup, it was a real shock to hear the sad news this morning, he really was one of the good guys.
I came to make a lot of points about the validity of this study, but Adam Tranter has made them all, except perhaps for one: many of the people riding these bikes haven't ridden a bike for fifty years, and lack knowledge and experience. The implied conclusion, that e-bikes are significantly more hazardous than normal bikes, is not supported by the data. "Nevertheless, Lucie Clinch, senior associate in the personal injury team at Stewarts Law, described the research as a “wake up call”." 'Wake up! There's money in this.'
These objections include all the usual suspects, so much so that it's not necessary to list them beyond the classic and entertaining 'keen cyclists opposed to the cycle lane'.
David Burdus's photograph beautifully illustrates the irony of being so frothingly against provision for cycle infrastructure, while ignoring the extent of the road from which they are effectively barred as pedestrians by the provision for motor vehicles. Look at them all - huddled together on a narrow strip of road set aside for pedestrians. That's the only footway. On the other side of the road, the carriageway extends to the bridge wall. "Down with this sort of thing!"
That's dreadful. Really sorry to hear that
And from a couple of hundred yards further away.
19 thoughts on ““I’ve got to do better”: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani gets helmet for riding around city after criticism; Punchy hills around Cockermouth at Tour of Britain + more on the live blog”
If you are going to wear a helmet, it might be best to learn how to do the straps up…
I assume the Road CC team is drafting a post/article about this…
Particularly aggressive passenger, with very low observational skills.
And a lack of knowledge of the highway code…
@ktache
Indeed.
He is wearing spectacles and claims the cyclist is in the middle of the road…
Someone needs to go to Specsavers…
@mitsky Looks like Crazed Audi Nutter Disorder afflicts the passengers as well, although when CAND Sufferer speaks of the ‘middle of the road’, he is referring to the left turn at the junction.
@wtjs
I believe the “gentleman” is referring to the cycle lane on the main road by his hand gestures.
Even if he was referring to the turning/side road, the cyclist is still not in the middle of the road but the middle of the lane where he is fully entitled to be.
“Signal, manoeuver”? Surely they were already ahead by doing the first! (And if they were a deficient *advanced* driver they might have done the “left turn why signal”…)
It’s these undertaking cyclists who are a liability, putting others in danger of innocently killing them and holding up traffic by forcing careful, considerate motorists with places to go to get out of their vehicles and engage in argument or even argy-bargy.
FWIW I’ve never had one of these in the Meadows or indeed central Edinburgh, but perhaps I’ve just been lucky? I hope I always cycle “defensively” … but even Homer nods, never mind Homer Simpson…
It’s his wife or partner I feel sorry for. Assuming he has one. Imagine having to listen to that for several hours a day.
Let’s just hope he doesn’t have an African Grey parrot.
@Mr Blackbird If that was her driving she’s going to wake up in the middle of the night and think oh no, he was out of the car and looking the other way, I could have taken my shot at escape…
A propos nothing except I’m stuck in in bed with ‘flu and time on my hands, an African Grey parrot made Ralph McTell quit smoking: after an arduous tour he purchased one as a reward to himself. He was showing it off to friends and telling them he was a bit worried about it as it was making awful bubbling hacking noises; they pointed out the bird was simply imitating what he sounded like first thing in the morning and he quit on the spot.
Can we please refer
To Restore as the fascist party? Look at their policies on White British people then compare this to the various 1930s race laws in fascist Italy and Germany
@the little onion Can we please refer to Hamas and the Palestinians as Islamo-Fascists? Look at their policies on democracy, the LGBT community and diversity in general, dissent and freedom of belief. The left you appear to be part of condones them along with their homophobia, transphobia and misogyny – so maybe it’s you who is the Fascist?
Wait what? What have Hamas – or “the Palestinians” * – been saying about cycle infra or mass motoring?
* I was under the impression that these were not equivalent – in an analogous way to Restore not being equivalent to eg. Patriotic Alternative or the British National Party. Although some officials of the latter two are reported as endorsing the former.
@chrisonabike To answer your asterisk this is very much the case, the latest polling in the region shows that only 24% of Palestinians support Hamas; in the West Bank this falls to 18%. Sadly our new shoehorn non sequiteur troll doesn’t appear able to understand the distinction; tragically neither do Israel’s phosphorous shells.
Yes … although while still trying to remain in the middle (and thus offending everyone) from my limited knowledge Hamas won an election there. That was a long time ago of course *
Hamas may well have been declining in popularity before the 2023 attack and killing of Israelis. I’m sure they’ve became even less popular after years of Israeli retaliation (and as their organisation was weakened / people became more desperate).
Of course folks hating Hamas doesn’t mean that they therefore have moderated any ill-will towards Jews, or Israel.
* Exactly how “free and fair” is moot … since shortly afterwards they had a civil war with / murdered the main opposition. And nobody in a position to will allow Fatah / the PLO back.
@the little onion D’you think they meant not “The white van man” but “The white white van man”?
Regardless, they’re almost certainly on the wrong side of history on the motoring. But I have no expectation that humans won’t continue holding … very strong “us and them” views. Or “nobody can tell me what to do” (more Lowe’s case it seems).
Regarding the clip from Restore Britain…
“… the car is a safe place, driving around London you are safer in a car than the Tube…”
Holey moley.
If everyone who took the Tube used a private car instead (or even a PHV) imagine the gridlock…
@mitsky The gridlock would certainly make it safer.
@andystow
I’ve often considered the varying pros and cons of cycling during rush hour/gridlock and emptier roads.
In the past the benefit of gridlock was almost no chance of a serious impact but the con was more pollution.
Now, there is less pollution with EVs but with much wider vehicles our progress can be slower during rush hour.
RE: Ultra low emission zones repairing children’s lungs – study finds
Ah, but aren’t they just making that the poor children living just *outside* them are now stuck in perpetual pea-soupers?
File this one under “but cyclists / cycle lanes cause congestion which increases emissions” / “making the motorists go the longer way round obviously increases emissions” / “making motorists go slower or stop start more increases emissions”.
That doesn’t mean some of that is not true *now*, or that someone shouldn’t do the numbers. As long as they don’t throw the “traffic evaporation” and “more active travel” babies out with the “congestion” bathwater.