Cyclists told to “share the roads with other traffic” after safety scheme branded “missed opportunity” due to no bike lanes; Van der Poel trains for 3 hours… then dominates cyclocross race; Blythe white shorts shocker; TDU chaos + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Community service for new driver who killed cyclist while "driving too fast" on country road, a month after passing his test
A couple in their 70s were on a cycling holiday in Scotland when Aly Albosati lost control of his car and hit them both:
> Community service for new driver who killed cyclist while “driving too fast” on country road, a month after passing his test
White shorts enthusiast Adam Blythe defends Ineos white/grey shorts shocker
Stop the press… Make sure you’re sitting down for this one, because it might just be the cycling revelation of 2026.
Over the weekend, former British champion – and noted white shorts enthusiast – Adam Blythe posted a video on Instagram, publicly voicing his support for… wait for it… the terrible new Ineos Grenadiers kit. Shocking, I know.
However, and perhaps amazingly, Adam wasn’t completely enamoured with Ineos’ orange/white/grey look for 2026. Mostly because the shorts aren’t completely white.
Even Greg van Avermaet got involved in the white shorts style chat in the comments.
“Fashionista,” the former Olympic champ and Paris-Roubaix winner said.
“White is a good match! But the white pants only work if you’ve got brown legs, otherwise it just doesn’t.”
Maybe why the new Ineos kit hasn’t proved overly popular in ol’ Blighty…
“In the end, it was the perfect scenario”: Noemi Rüegg ‘pulls a Powless’ and overcomes three UAE riders to clinch second straight Tour Down Under title
Did you set your alarm? Because there’s no getting away from it – it might be taking place on the other side of the world and broadcast at an ungodly hour in the UK, but road racing is back, baby. And it’s hit the ground running.
At the Tour Down Under this morning (or yesterday morning, I’m not really sure), defending champion Noemi Rüegg became the latest EF Education rider to overcome a distinct numerical disadvantage to win a bike race. Though this time it was UAE, and not Visma, left with Aussie egg on their faces.
On the race’s decisive day, featuring two climbs of the Corkscrew, a TDU staple, UAE Team ADQ went for the jugular, throwing riders up the road, before Dominika Włodarczyk slipped away on the run-in to the final ascent, gaining a healthy half-a-minute lead.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
However, on the second time up the Corkscrew, Rüegg took matters into her own hands, bridging the gap by herself after strong work from her EF teammate, and world champion, Magdeleine Vallieres. The problem? She was soon joined by Włodarczyk and her UAE colleagues Mavi García and Paula Blasi.
After cresting the Corkscrew, UAE threw the kitchen sink at Rüegg, launching attack after attack on the 5km run-in to the finish. But despite being outnumbered three to one, Rüegg remained calm, closing down every move, before easily dispatching the entire UAE contingent in Campbelltown, making it two TDUs in a row for the Swiss rider.
That’s what they call in the business, ‘doing a Powless’ (sorry, Ian Stannard, you’ve been usurped. Sport and short memories, eh?).
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
And speaking to reporters after her win, Rüegg revealed that she soon realised over the Corkscrew that what looked like a perilous situation on paper could actually work in her favour out on the road.
“I knew they they’re going to attack me one by one. That was their only possibility to beat me,” she said.
“But I knew they wouldn’t stop working, because then they would also lose their GC. So, I just knew I had to follow their attacks and I could trust my acceleration.
“And in the end, it was the perfect scenario. I think maybe if there were other riders from other teams, then it would cause a bit more chaos.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
“It’s only like five kilometres to go [from the top of the Corkscrew] and it’s mostly downhill so the speed was really high and I could always make a lot of use of the slipstream. I think it would have been different if it would have been like a flat or even a climb. That would have made it a lot harder for me.
“Follow the attack by attack. Didn’t think too far ahead. And then it worked out. I knew if I got into the last 500 metres with them, then nothing can happen anymore. But I didn’t want to believe it too early. But yeah, it’s crazy.”
What is it with EF riders and unlikely victories?
Only in Europe…
An absolute classic to the add to the ‘Eurotrashy Pro Cycling Photoshoots’ file:
All we need now is Remco sitting in his suit in a bath full of beans (if you know, you know)…
Police force insists cyclists’ camera footage is taken seriously, after backlash to “no crime had been committed” response to near collision
West Yorkshire Police has responded to criticism of its handling of incidents involving cyclists, after the force chose not to take action against a taxi driver who a cyclist alleged was “too busy checking their phone” when they turned into the rider’s path…
> Police force insists cyclists’ camera footage is taken seriously, after backlash to “no crime had been committed” response to near collision
Is this the end of a short, aero era? Drop handlebars banned from Leadville Trail 100 and Little Sugar mountain bike races, as organisers cite safety and “course compatibility” concerns
Our friends over at sister site off-road.cc will have more on this soon, but there’s been a big development in the world of mountain biking today, following the news that Life Time – the organisers of the iconic Leadville Trail 100 – have banned drop bars from their two biggest races.
Adding road-style drop bars to traditional MTB machines – creating what they call a ‘Frankenbike’ build – has become something of a trend in recent years, especially at the Leadville Trail 100, where tough technical sections combine with fast gravel roads, perfect for some aero gains.
In 2022 and 2023, two riders, Cory Wallace and Dylan Johnson respectively, cracked the top 20 using drop bars, before Keegan Swenson cemented the set-up’s viability by winning the next two editions on drops, one on a hardtail mountain bike and the other on a full-suspension Santa Cruz build.
The biggest bike brands have started to take notice too, with Trek and Ridley releasing full drop bar mountain bikes last year, while Pinarello dropped (excuse the pun) its brand-new Grevil MX just last week, fuelling speculation Tom Pidcock was readying himself for a crack at Leadville.
However, that dream could be scuppered by organiser Life Time’s announcement that drop bars will not be allowed, under threat of disqualification, from either Leadville or the Little Sugar MTB race, the organiser citing safety and “course compatibility” concerns behind the surprise decision.
“For rider safety and course compatibility, drop-style handlebars (road or gravel bars with drops) are no longer permitted for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB and Life Time Little Sugar MTB. All competitors must use flat or riser-style handlebars at these events,” Life Time said.
“This rule will be enforced during pre-race inspections and on course; violations may result in disqualification.”
However, interestingly drop bars can still be used at Life Time’s other big mountain bike race, the Chequamegon MTB Festival.
Cycling meets political satire (again)
I’ll be honest, the way things are going, I was very close to checking if this one was real…
Nottingham police test out new “compact dynamometer” in crackdown on illegal e-motorbikes in city
Over in Nottingham, police are trying out a new portable e-bike speed tester as part of a renewed attempt to clamp down on the use of illegal e-motorbikes in the city.
The tester, or ‘compact dynanometer’ to give it its full title, was bought from Switzerland using funds from the office of Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, and allows officers to determine the top unaided speed of an e-bike or e-scooter “without needing a full test track or laboratory”.
If the number of their machine exceeds 15.5mph – the legal top assist speed, as I’m sure you know, of legal electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) – police have the power to confiscate the more powerful, illegal machines.
Nottinghamshire Police says it seized 34 illegal e-motorbikes between 3 November and 5 January, with 24 riders facing court proceedings for having no licence or insurance. 48 “education packs” were also distributed.
Sgt Dan Butler, from the force’s neighbourhood policing team for Nottingham city centre, told the BBC that officers are also looking to stop illegal vehicles from being brought onto the streets, along with seizing them when they’re spotted.
“Officers from our team are reaching out to the food delivery companies, just to see what checks they are doing [and] if they are aware that these types of bikes are being used,” he said.
“They’re clearly wearing uniforms, they’re being branded within certain food delivery companies, representing their companies on illegal e-bikes, so there’s obviously work ongoing.”
Fancy racing your bike (and swimming and running) at the South Pole? Well, here’s your chance
Almost every day, an email pops into the road.cc inbox, advertising a race, sportive, or similar event in some exotic locale, that makes you think: ‘Woah, I’d love to do that’.
Today was not one of those days.
This afternoon, we received a press release from the organisers of A100, the world’s first “extreme” triathlon to be held in Antarctica. Yes, that’s right. Antarctica.
The race, the brainchild of former Ironman 70.3 AG world champion Ilya Slepov, will be take place on King George Island early next year, near Bellingshausen Station. It will feature a 1km swim in the Southern Ocean, which boats a water temperature of 0 degrees Celsius (no thanks), a 66km mountain bike ride, and a 33km run. Sounds… fun.
Only athletes with long-distance triathlon experience will be allowed to take part (I’m not surprised) and the race route, the organisers says, will be based on Antarctic ecological requirements and will only head through permitted zones, “leaving as little impact on landscape as possible”. Good to know.
Apparently, the race will be held during the “most favourable period of time”, when temperatures range from -3°C to a positively balmy 5°C – though apparently weather at the South Police can change dramatically, with snow, fog, and strong winds to be expected at any moment.
The organisers are calling the race the “ultimate test of human will”. Which makes it ironic, then, that their website is so reliant on weird AI imagery:
Seriously, what is going on with those brake levers nd hoods? Must be the cold and snow…
“That will rattle Lime’s cage”
> Business owner bills Lime £7,600 over parking row, after seizing e-bikes left on his property and taking operator to court
Geraint Thomas named Wales’ Cycling Ambassador for 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ
Is it July 2027 yet? No, unfortunately we still have 18 months to go until the Tour de France rolls back into town. But it’s fair to say that excitement is building ahead of what promises to be the biggest, most spectacular Grand Départ ever (well, we would say that, wouldn’t we?).
And, with the men’s race set to spend a day in Wales next summer, including a stage finish in Cardiff, it was really only a matter of time before the Welsh government sent a few emails Geraint Thomas’s way.
The 2018 Tour winner, who will most likely be spending the UK Grand Départ behind the wheel of the Ineos team car, has been named as Wales’ cycling ambassador for the race.
That means G, along with getting Oscar Onley podium ready for the Tour (I’m getting too excited, aren’t I?), will work with Visit Wales to “promote Wales’ stunning landscapes, world-class routes and family-friendly bike trails”.
Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
“I’m incredibly proud to be announced as Wales’ Cycling Ambassador as we prepare for the 2027 Tour de France,” Thomas, who has just started his new gig as the Ineos Grenadiers’ director of racing, said in a statement.
“The Tour coming to Wales is massive – these roads, these climbs and these fans are made for cycling, and now the world gets to see that. I can’t wait to play my part in welcoming the Tour, inspiring riders young and old, and helping make this a moment Wales will never forget.”
Team management, ambassadorial roles, and a podcast? Geraint’s going to be a busy boy next summer.
Why don’t cyclists use the cycle lane? #285,901
This isn’t the first time we’ve featured Edinbugh’s Elm Row, and its questionable design (along with some locals’ penchant for pavement parking and bike lane overhanging), on the live blog. And let’s face it, it probably won’t be the last:
[Credit: Leith Feeder Ride, Bluesky]
Desperate to finally win your local 10-mile time trial this year? Lizzie and Phil Deignan could be here to help
If you’re in the market for a new cycling coach or two in 2026, I hear there’s a married couple who could teach you a thing or two. Apparently, they were pretty handy on a bike back in their day…
Yep, this afternoon, pro cycling power couple Lizzie and Phil Deignan launched their brand-new coaching service, Deignan Performance, which they say will “combine world championship pedigree with a genuinely personal approach”.
And it’s fair to say their credentials are solid. Lizzie, of course, retired last year following a glittering career which saw her secure groundbreaking wins at Paris-Roubaix, the Tour of Flanders, La Course, and the world championships.
Donegal rider Phil, meanwhile, was a Vuelta stage winner in 2009 while riding for Cervelo, before cementing himself as an ever-reliable domestique in the mountains for Team Sky.
CorVos/SWpix.com
According to Deignan Performance’s website, you can be coached by the duo for £160 a month if you’re an adult, and £120 if you’re a junior. The service includes an initial consultation, a premium Trainingpeaks account, file and test analysis, mentorship, and tactical and fuelling help.
“After coaching myself to a World title and [an] Olympic medal I took a break to have our daughter Orla,” Lizzie posted on Instagram today, announcing the launch of the business.
“In that time I realised I needed to share the load, that’s when I started working with Philip. Together we won the WorldTour, two Monuments and, most importantly, happiness and balance at the top of my game.
“Eyeru Tesfoam approached me in 2024 seeking guidance and support for her bid to compete in Paris for the Refugee Olympic Team. Being on the start line together is one of my fondest Olympic memories and was the start of my desire to coach.
“Joining forces with Philip to create Deignan Performance was the obvious next step. We will work together to deliver every rider we coach a personal and bespoke experience…
“A beginner? A professional? A new mum navigating your return to fitness? Or a rider looking to create new goals and find out your true potential? We would love to hear from you!”
Of course, Lizzie and Phil aren’t the only retired pros launching a coaching service this month. Next month, Alex Dowsett will officially launch Stride, a “cycling training platform designed to bring WorldTour-level tools to everyday athletes”… and powered by AI. Well, at least he’s not making weird South Pole images with it.
“By today’s standards, Leadville 100 and Little Sugar aren’t mountain bike races, they’re off-road races. Banning drop bars doesn’t change that”
I told you earlier that off-road.cc would have more on Leadville’s curly bar ban this afternoon. And Matt Page hasn’t disappointed…
> A ban on drop bars by the organisers of America’s most famous mountain bike race won’t actually solve any problems
How to prepare for a cyclocross World Cup win, MVDP-style: Mathieu van der Poel completes three-hour training ride – and then dominates cyclocross World Cup (after being “forced” to race Benidorm round by teammates)
During TNT Sports’ coverage of yesterday’s UCI Cyclocross World Cup round in Benidorm, co-commentator Ian Field described Mathieu van der Poel’s approach to his unbeaten winter campaign as “winter training with a number pinned on his back”.
Well, that ‘cross cliché was truer than ever on Sunday, when the Dutch phenom casually interrupted his latest Costa Blanca training ride to rock up to the revamped Benidorm course… and demolish the field again, securing the 49th World Cup triumph of his career and his
In fact, according to a clip posted on social media by Apecin teammate Jonas Rickaert, Van der Poel – getting the base miles in as he builds up to the classics season and a possible early showdown with Wout van Aert at Omloop – trained on the road for three hours before rocking up in Benidorm by bike (eschewing the Lambo he normally uses in northern Europe).
Dodging the boozed-up holiday makers and sun loungers, and after changing from his normal Alpecin team kit on the road into his rainbow racing jersey (nice etiquette there, Mathieu, bonus points), the seven-time cyclocross world champion remained quiet for most of the opening lap (probably shaking off those training miles), content to follow early leader, and his Alpecin teammate, Tibor Del Grosso’s wheel.
However, on the long climb to the finish line at the end of the first lap, Van der Poel accelerated. And that was that.
The 31-year-old’s training/racing day on the Costa Blanca certainly vindicates the UCI’s decision to stage a World Cup round in Benidorm, a rather transparent attempt to woo the big multidisciplinary stars getting their all-important January road miles in along the Spanish training haven.
What’s more – Van der Poel only decided to race in Benidorm on Saturday… after a little coaxing from his teammates during those long days out on the road this week.
Van der Poel wins in Benidorm! ?
It’s the 49th UCI World Cup win for the World Champion. Felipe Orts holds onto a podium spot as Thibau Nys leads him in ? pic.twitter.com/sw00bZ9hXS
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) January 18, 2026
“They forced me all week to race, because they wanted to come and watch,” he laughed when asked about his last-minute change of plans.
“That played a part in my decision, of course. But I hesitated for a long time, because my training is very important. During those three weeks in Belgium I basically did not train between the races. As a road rider, it is an important period too.
“The weather played a part as well, plus the fact that I had been able to train really well here for two weeks.
“I had done enough, in my opinion, to add this ‘cross. I do not think this hour will have much influence on what is coming, but it was mainly the coach I had to convince.”
I imagine that three-hour pre-race ride was part of the compromise. I think he’ll be alright, though.
“I just can’t get my head around it”: Geraint Thomas hails “bonkers” Cardiff stage at 2027 Tour de France
Speaking of Geraint Thomas, the Tour de France, and podcasts, Geraint Thomas has been speaking about the Tour de France – and in particular, its trip to his home city of Cardiff – on his Watts Occurring podcast.
“The Tour coming to the UK again for a start is amazing, but to come to Cardiff. That’s bonkers,” the 2018 Tour winner told his old mate and fellow retired Welsh pro Luke Rowe on this week’s episode.
“That’s where we grew up, on those roads, dreaming one day of being on the Tour one day in a foreign land. France, all warm and sunny, and the crowds, and all these people on the climbs watching. A world away, a different planet. Fast forward 25 years, and it’s going up those same roads. I just can’t get my head around it.”
Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
While Thomas admitted that he knew a Cardiff Tour stage was on the horizon, it wasn’t enough to entice him to continue racing on into his 40s.
“We got a bit of a heads up a bit earlier, when we knew it was in the pipeline. Even when I was still racing I was like ‘that would be so good to do’, but it was just so far away, there was no chance I’m hanging on until that,” the Ineos director of racing said.
“I was at the press conference for it, as an ambassador for it. I was there with the First Minister and [Christian] Prudhomme, and that was a bit strange as well. I’ve definitely crossed over to the other side now, I’m no longer an athlete anymore.
“For me with Ineos, obviously it’s a British team. It’s massive for the team. When it started in Yorkshire, just being British, being in Sky, that was huge as well. As long as people don’t feel overawed by it, I think it’s just something you’ve got to enjoy and laugh,” he continued, pointing out that new Scottish signing Oscar Onley and Welsh TT specialist Josh Tarling would be aiming to be part of Ineos’ line-up for Britain’s third Tour Grand Départ.
Meanwhile, Rowe – after dissecting the “really tough” Welsh stage finishing in Cardiff – put 2024 Flèche Wallonne winner, and fellow Welshman, Stevie Williams as a potential contender on a route that will feature over 3,000m of climbing.
“Top of my mind is Stevie Williams, if he gets himself back to full fitness,” Rowe said. “Why couldn’t Stevie Willaims win on his day?”
Now that’s a great shout.
Cyclists told to “share the roads with other traffic” after safety scheme branded “missed opportunity” for failing to include cycle lanes and encourage locals to ditch their cars
Today’s first story comes courtesy of just down the road from your resident live blogger, in Hillsborough (that’s Royal Hillsborough to you, commoner), where a councillor has branded a new road safety scheme a “missed opportunity” for failing to include cycle lanes – only to be told that cyclists can happily and safely share the roads with drivers, obviously.
Hillsborough, in case you’re unaware, is a lovely little village in Co. Down, surrounded by some beautiful scenery and dotted with fantastic architecture and a handful of very good pubs and eateries.
It is also – as its recently affixed Royal moniker attests – home to Hillsborough Castle, the British royal family’s official residence in Northern Ireland (and the scene of a rare head-to-head knock-out hill climb challenge which I took part in many moons ago).
However, as lovely (and expensive) as it is, Hillsborough is riddled with infrastructure issues, including a plethora of tight, uncomfortable footpaths and a serious pavement parking problem, especially outside the nice restaurants. Well, the Range Rovers have to go somewhere, right?
Well, all that is finally being addressed, after Lisburn and Castlereagh Council signed off on a new public realm scheme last week, which the local authority says will improve pedestrian safety and “deliver a major uplift to the look and feel of the village, enhancing streets and public spaces while protecting its unique heritage and historical significance”.
Planning chairman, Alderman James Tinsley, pictured here seemingly holding the plans (though that could just be a massive blank piece of paper with a logo on it) said in s statement: “This scheme will significantly enhance the village landscape. Pedestrian safety is central to the design, and the scheme will also support future traffic management measures.
“I look forward to seeing the completed project, which will deliver improved pavements, heritage-style street furniture, enhanced drainage and clearer wayfinding signage and create a safer, more attractive village for residents and visitors.”
The changes, which be delivered as part of the £26m Destination Royal Hillsborough development, and won’t be expected to get underway until 2027, have been described as long overdue by some councillors, with one noting that locals have been calling for road safety improvements in the village for 40 years.
However, according to SDLP councillor Pat Catney, the plans are missing one crucial thing: consideration for people on bikes.
“These plans have been a long time coming,” Catney told the council last week.
“Though, I think that there may be an opportunity missed with no cycle lanes to be created if this council is serious about sustainable travel and getting people out of their motorcars. But I am 96 per cent in favour of these designs.”
In response to the councillor’s concerns, a design team spokesperson responded: “We have had numerous public consultations on the designs for Hillsborough and consulted at length with the Department for Infrastructure.
“We would suggest that cyclists can share the roads with other traffic. The footpaths are to be widened and the roads made more narrow, this is done to impede heavy traffic vehicles from going through the village.”
Well, at least cyclists won’t have to share the roads with lorry drivers in the village anymore. That’s a plus, right?
Speaking of Lisburn and Castlereagh Council, Hillsborough’s lack of cycle lanes wasn’t the only time the local authority was criticised for a “missed opportunity” last week.
This time, the council was accused of lacking transparency after it quietly removed a plaque bearing the name of the Disgraced Royal Formerly Known as Prince Andrew from next to a yew tree which he planted in 2009 at Lisburn’s Lagan Valley Island civic centre – the same year the Ulster cyclocross championships took place at the venue (and where a certain live blogger raced in the U16 event).
See, I told you I could make any story about cycling…
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Latest Comments
@Paul J Van Schip certainly seems a bit of a dick, but he's a European and multiple World Champion on the track, pretty sure you don't get there without having some talent in your legs.
Poor Vincent cannot get over the simple fact that given the choice people prefer dedicated cycling spaces, rather than pretending to be cars like vehicular cyclists.
What is the point of the fancy air sensor if it can't account for changing weather conditions?? If all you care about is a delayed approximation of aerodynamic watts in steady conditions, you don't need any special sensors for that. Just your speed on a decently flat course is enough to approximate rolling resistance and drivetrain losses. And the rest must be aero. If you assume a less aero body position at the same watts, your speed will drop while rolling resistance also drops, which means approximated aero watts goes up. And that's enough to demonstrate what you've shown in your testing protocol ("I sat upright and the number went up a little while later").
Your correction is accurate - it's almost always been "the (lack of) thought that (doesn't) count". "Massive" - less than a billion a year spent on active travel (trying to catch up / building a network across the entire country) Not massive - 6 billion every year (2026-2030) spent on road *maintenance* of existing "already built, goes everywhere, very convenient" road network for inactive travel Ultimately the reason "cycle infra" is *needed* is those unbelievably colossal amounts spent every year (and for more than a century now) on making mass motoring not just viable but apparently the "best choice" for most journeys. As the Dutch and others have shown, the majority of people *are* prepared to cycle and even mix with very light, slow local motor traffic *if* cycling is also made safe and convenient for the whole of their journey (including secure parking at both ends). (The history of the financial drivers of the current situation are a complex topic but note that while people complain about "crumbling roads" and underfunded motor infra - with some reason - by us continuing the fuel duty escalator freeze (for example) we're actually helping motorists pay *even less* for that activity / subsidising more of the cost of driving than ever.)
yes, but people will still object - which was my point.
So ' Priority of Road Users' and 1.5 metre clearance at 30mph has been been reduced to 'sharing'? NCN route 2 here in South Hams is an absolute scream with white vans, tractors and total idiots who refuse,or are totally incapable,to reverse on high Devon banked lanes ...means you have to get off and pedal back to a passing place....could be at that all day...so I don't bother...
@MaxiMinimalist Agreed. The big problem I see now is today's parents grew up being driven to their schools, and therefore, see private motor vehicles as the only viable form of transport. The vast majority of UK infant and primary schools have a catchment area that is within easy walking distance from home to school. Yet, the traffic caused by pupils being driven to/from school is astonishing. Banishing the "School Run" should be a priority for all schools.
When I was a kid (that was during the previous millenium when phones were connected to a plug in the wall), I rode my bicycle to school, music academy, sport grounds, parties even during the winter. The government didn't have to spend, correct that, didn't have to think of spending massive amounts of money to build cycling specific infrastructures. Over the past 3 or 4 decades, cars have grown bigger, taller, safer (for their drivers) and faster. Meanwhile, motorists have become abusive, aggressive, hypersensitive to people moving on two wheels, aka cyclists. Spending billions upon billions on new infrastructure won't address the crux of the matter. Sadly.
Obree had some actual talent in his legs though, in addition to his bike/aero engineering talent.
Малко като опит за доказване е излязло... Никой няма нужда от толкова голям въртящ момент и мощност на шосеен велосипед с тънки гуми, които дори трудно ще предават тази мощност върху пътя. А ако има и ограничение от 25 км/час е още по-безмислено.
37 thoughts on “Cyclists told to “share the roads with other traffic” after safety scheme branded “missed opportunity” due to no bike lanes; Van der Poel trains for 3 hours… then dominates cyclocross race; Blythe white shorts shocker; TDU chaos + more on the live blog”
Would “we” also suggest that
Would “we” also suggest that other traffic (and its drivers) also share the road (carriageway) with cyclists?
I look forward to absolutely no argument from non-cyclists complaining about cyclists in primary position through the village.
“Share the road” means
“Share the road” means different things to different people of course!
To the dominant (motorists) it means “please don’t be a complete bastard to those ‘others’ you might occasionally encounter – they are actually allowed here and you shouldn’t just run them down for being in the wrong place”.
To the weaker (vulnerable road users – and especially out-groups like cyclists) it means “while you are technically allowed here it’s up to you to keep yourself safe – you better show respect and be very grateful for any consideration received – using the road in safety is in practice a priveledge, not a right”.
chrisonabike wrote:
A correction: to those saying it to motorists it might mean that.
To a significant proportion of motorists it means “those ‘others’ can use the road as long as they get out the way when I need it – if I run them down it’s their own fault for not sharing enough”.
if I run them down it’s their
if I run them down it’s their own fault for not sharing enough
Yes, if only I’d ‘cared and shared’ more, instead of antagonising hard-working drivers by cluttering-up the road, none of this would have happened…
https://upride.cc/incident/nj69xha_taxi_closepass/
https://upride.cc/incident/kx66ufn_audi_closepass/
https://upride.cc/incident/ml23nte_208_dwlcross/
What the cyclists share of
What the cyclists share of the road is needs to be clearly defined. Many drivers believe that our share is the space between the curb and where they are, often referred to as the gutter.
If you were asked, without any point of reference, to share a packet of biscuits with a large greedy bloke you might reasonably think that meant half. You might take your time eating your half whilst he scoffed them down. Even if you didn’t want all your half you might reasonably expect the bloke to politely enquire if you minded if he hoovered up the remaining digestives. That would be sharing.
IanMK wrote:
The most likely scenario with this analogy is that the greedy bloke would gobble their half of the packet then stick the other half in their pocket, making some vague claims that they are going to redistribute them to the elderly, disabled and the emergency services. If you complain about this they will point out that they have left a couple of spittle-flecked crumbs on the table and will walk away shaking their heads at your astonishing ingratitude for their largesse.
Also when you complain, they
Also when you complain, they claim that they paid for the biscuits in the first place.
IanMK wrote:
I’m shoe-horning this cartoon in as it features biscuits
Fuck fucking cyclists, get
Fuck fucking cyclists, get the fuck off the road or pay some road tax and get insurance. But mostly just get the fuck on the pavement
Very good. I thought you were
Very good. I thought you were being serious for a minute.
I’m not a massive prude but
I’m not a massive prude but shouldn’t the cyclists be doing that activity in private *, never mind on the footway (presume that’s what is meant by pavement)?
Also I wasn’t aware that tax or insurance were needed for a shag? Does that explain the deficiencies in my love life?
* I don’t think we should follow Paul McCartney’s advice about doing it in the road.
Why not? No one would be
Why not? No one would be watching us.
Performance anxiety. I’d be
Performance anxiety. I’d be constantly worrying if I’d followed The Rules (did you put it in the big ring? Would i fall off when dismounting?)
Plus a couple our new friends here appear to be voyeurs.
No one should be taking
No one should be taking fashion advice from Adam Blythe.
He can’t afford socks.
HarrogateSpa wrote:
In the same way that we cyclists ‘can’t afford cars’?
Sorry – I can’t accept this
Sorry – I can’t accept this ‘doing a Powless’ business – not when there’s already a universally-accepted Stannard for this kind of thing.
Quote:
Erm, surely the top aided speed would be more useful to know, given that’s the bit that’s legally restricted?
I think they mean without
I think they mean without pedalling but the premise is poor: The “unaided” speed is only half of the test.
If the driven wheel turns at all without pedalling then the “e-bike” is not an EAPC and therefore illegal.
If the assistance continues at speeds above 15.5mph when pedalling then the “e-bike” is not an EAPC and therefore illegal.
And then there is the continuous power output to consider.
Personally, I think our
Personally, I think our blogger just got confused and wrote the wrong thing. ?
I thought you were allowed to have a ‘walk assist’ that would allow it move unpedalled up to walking pace?
‘If the driven wheel turns at
‘If the driven wheel turns at all without pedalling then the “e-bike” is not an EAPC and therefore illegal.’
When riding downhill?
bensynnock wrote:
We’re discussing how plod can determine whether a rider & an electric (motor)bike that has been apprended can be tested for legality. One would hope that the police are stationary and on a relatively flat surface in order to carry out the test. They might place the bike on the dyno and ride it as you would a turbo trainer but otherwise they’ll just lift up the driven wheel whilst stationary.
We’re discussing how plod can
We’re discussing how plod can determine whether a rider & an electric (motor)bike that has been apprended can be tested for legality
Up here, that’s academic because neither has been apprehended. However, it would be simple: rider is wearing a facemask disguise; he’s not pedalling when going uphill; there’s a throttle, so you can test the previous feature when stationary by the roadside ; however, you don’t need to do that because the rider has just run away, and might be worth catching because he’s a drug dealer- on the other hand, he has just thrown the evidence away; you have a bodycam to disprove the allegations of police brutality
Road.cc wrote:
Assuming most if not all of the illegal bikes use a throttle the police could test whether the driven wheel(s) turn(s) without pedalling without the need for a dyno as throttle control (as opposed to pedal activated assistance) is illegal whether the bike is limited to 15.5 mph or not.
I believe throttle-only
I believe throttle-only control is legally allowed as a walk assist function, albeit only up to c.4mph.
quiff wrote:
And on ebikes built before (I think) 2015.
Not that people would bother
Not that people would bother ATM (since zero enforcement) but theoretically it’s simple to to hide this kind of stuff now we’re in the world of electronics. Just ask VW…
Quote:
What’s their response to Op [cold] Snap submissions like though?
Extreme triathlon in
Extreme triathlon in Antarctica? ⛔️
Elm Row has become a kind of
Elm Row has become a kind of choose‑your‑own‑adventure for drivers who fancy a free parking bay (best‑kept secret for town parking) and a choose‑your‑own‑hazard for anyone on a bike. Apparently there is an ownership dispute in the local rumour mill: residents have been saying for months that the bays sit in a grey zone between the council, the developer, and the tram‑project responsibility, which means enforcement is… well… aspirational.
Any images of the feck‑up that the Leith Walk cycle paths are anyone…
chrisonabike is the sites
chrisonabike is the sites Leith Walk correspondent. I am sure he will be along shortly.
Its got to be better than
Its got to be better than when I lived there, Elm Row was still a roundabout and you battled with buses up Leiith Walk (going down was more fun than that ziggy zaggy cycle way though) 🙂
And Picardy Place is still a
And Picardy Place is still a mess of vehicles – but it used to be a literal “football-pitch-sized” gyratory of unhappy motorists.
Just back in town, what
Just back in town, what happened? Oh, same old thing. Think I even posted one just further on of cars * egging each other on to see who could “overhang” furthest.
I’m not really a regular on Leith Walk; it’s not currently somewhere I need to visit or a route for me.
It’s not *terrible*. If you took someone who could cycle but doesn’t there they’d think it was OK. That’s not nothing.
But if you showed to a regular road cyclist – or anyone with a clue about infra really – they’d shake their head.
That this *style* of infra ** was built is progress. What was built is thus … disappointing.
* for Mitsky
** Separate cycle path as opposed to “bike lane” or “shared use” or a bus lane.
Leith Walk (including Elm Row
Leith Walk (including Elm Row) was designed by Atkins, now part of Atkins Realis. They have a lovely website where they proudly show off projects they’ve been involved in. Leith Walk doesn’t make an appearance. Which is a shame, because they don’t get anything like enough abuse for it.
https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/site-services/search-results#queryTypeExact=&keywordtracking=1&q=leith+walk&sort=score+desc
The road to Hell probably
The road to Hell probably looked lovely on the website, with some nice visualisations.
There were no sign of flames or stygian fumes. The hellmouth had the form of a kitten, with a rainbow over the top. There were only a couple of cars, no bad parking, some nice plantings, happy pedestrians strolling with their kids, even a couple of cyclists…
Is this one of those 15
Is this one of those 15 minute hells?
I know it was “North Britain”
I know it was “North Britain” up here for time but now even Edinburgh is in Scotland – so that’s *20* minute neighbour-hells! https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-planning-guidance-local-living-20-minute-neighbourhoods/
The Proclaimers famously campaigned for much larger ones, but most people won’t walk 500 miles due to the liquid Sunshine on Leith (and everywhere else).