‘It’s unfortunate and absurd we have to challenge this’: Cycling club launches lawsuit after New York City lowers bicycle speed limit in Central Park; Albert Bridge shut to motorists + more on the live blog

New York City’s oldest recreational cycling club has argued that the Adams administration improperly exercised its state-granted authority by lowering the speed limit for cyclists in Central Park.

In a lawsuit filed late on Tuesday, the New York Cycle Club claims the city Department of Transportation misapplied Sammy’s Law, which gives the city the power to lower the car speed limit to 20 miles per hour.

“It’s unfortunate and absurd that this challenge has to be brought by cycling groups because Mayor Adams chose to pervert the meaning of Sammy’s Law and circumvent the city’s own rule process,” Peter Beadle, the lawyer for the New York Cycling Club, told Streetsblog. 

According to the lawsuit, the legislation allows a 15mph limit only for “motor vehicles” and only when done with traffic-calming measures that reduce the “negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behaviour and improve conditions for non-motorised street users such as bicyclists”.

Beyond legal technicalities, the club is also worried that the rule poses a serious problem for high-level training in the park. Riders, such as Olympian Kristen Faulkner, who won gold in the 2024 Paris Games, train in Central Park.

The group argues that the park is the only suitable training ground in Manhattan, and schedules its faster group rides when pedestrian traffic is minimal.

Club spokesperson Neile Weissman added that the cyclists are already squeezed for space.

“I was actually shocked to learn that half the visitors that come to Central Park come by bike, yet they’re allocated only 10 percent of the available path. And even that they have to share with pedestrians.

> Cycling group and Royal Parks disagree over cyclist speed limit advice in Richmond Park

Beadle is keen to stress the case isn’t an attack on the law itself. “It’s not that I am saying the city doesn’t have the right,” he said. “But it has to follow the proper procedure.”

This speed limit is one of the last in a string of anti-cycling policies introduced by Mayor Adams in the final year of his term. It is unclear whether the DOT has officially implemented the restriction yet, despite the 60-day review period ending on Saturday.

Weissman added that instead of relying on enforcement, the solution lies in building more cycling space.

He said: “The Central Park Conservancy is showing a lack of vision in not pushing forward with bikeways along the traverses and adjacent avenues. They should be pounding the table for DOT to get this done. This lack of imagination is the reason why everyone is so frustrated – the city is literally not thinking outside the park.”

The DOT defended the speed limit, saying it “promotes safety”.

Spokesperson Vin Barone said: “The new speed limit in Central Park – which applies equally to bikes and essential vehicles – aligns with the speed limit for e-scooters and e-bikes on city streets. This new speed limit reduces confusion, promotes safety, and helps ensure the park remains a comfortable place for everyone – from families and runners to daily cyclists. We are confident in this policy and look forward to defending it in court.”

Glasgow – it’s just like Amsterdam. Or at least that’s the opinion of Cycling Scotland, whose latest traffic survey found that cyclists are outnumbering car drivers at rush hour on a busy road in the south of Scotland’s largest city.

> Cyclists outnumbering drivers at rush hour on busy Glasgow road, as campaigners hail “colossal” impact of safe cycle lanes

Police have warned that six new raised crossings to be installed on side roads along Mortimers Lane in Fair Oak could create a risk of collisions.

The crossings, which are part of a major walking and cycling scheme, are 75mm high with gently sloping ramps on both sides. The scheme also plans to widen the footpath on the south side of Mortimers Lane, to allow cyclists to share it safely.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said that the force does not formally object to the crossings, but warns that they can sometimes confuse drivers, potentially leading to conflicts.

“From professional experience, I have become aware that these types of raised table crossings at the mouths of junctions, leaving a possible unexpected priority for drivers, can be misunderstood, leading to conflict and collisions, a spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporter.  

“I am also aware that these types of layouts have been increasingly used to promote active travel. As such, the position is that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary do not support this Order proposal; however, we will not be recording a formal objection to these proposals.” 

The crossings will be installed on the side roads along Mortimers Lane, specifically at Mortimers Drive, Willow Grove, Rustan Close, Michaels Way, Scotland Close, and Bradshaw Close.

This is part of the Fair Oak Walking and Cycling Scheme, which aims to make local journeys “safer” and “easier” for people walking and cycling.

According to the council, the new traffic calming measures will allow pedestrians and cyclists to have the right of way across side roads. Hampshire County Council officers say the crossings will be wide, clearly marked, and include ramps that naturally slow traffic.

Jonathan Milan claimed his second consecutive victory as Lidl-Trek controlled a tense sprint to win stage 5 of the UAE Tour in Dubai.

The flat 160km stage from Dubai Al Mamzar Park to Hamdan Bin Mohammad Smart University was destined for a bunch finish, despite being complicated by two sweeping turns inside the final 1.5km. Lidl-Trek timed their effort to perfection, delivering Milan into position in a fierce fight before the Italian launched a long sprint on the finishing straight. Despite opening up early, Milan managed to sustain his effort all the way to the finish, holding off Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility) and Matteo Malucelli (XDS Astana).

Jonathan Milan said, “Last year I finished second on this stage, so I knew how important it was to take these last corners in the first few positions. It was really well controlled by my teammates all day, even at the end when it got a bit chaotic. We still managed to stay together, and they were able to position me so I could find a good line to sprint.

“After a big effort from the guys all day, you have to find a way to bring home a result. I can’t just sit there and watch the other sprinters go, so I want to deliver the best result I can for them. I’m really happy with this victory, and I have another opportunity on the final stage, so I will for sure go all in again on Sunday.”

Race leader Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) finished safely in the bunch and retained the red jersey ahead of Saturday’s summit finish on Jebel Hafeet, where he will attempt to defend his lead. The pan-flat stage made it difficult for the early breakaway to form, but three riders eventually emerged in the lead: Gianni Moscon (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Nickolas Zukowsky (Pinarello-Q36.5) and Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Premier Tech).

While Diller claimed both intermediate sprints, the peloton kept the move tightly controlled, with the gap rarely stretching beyond 1:30 during the opening 90km.

A former Cycling Ireland officer has been handed a suspended 18-month prison sentence for attempting to deceive the Irish government by producing false quotations to secure grants for bikes and timing equipment, a controversy that led to internal turmoil within the governing body, an unsparing audit, the loss of a sponsor, and a police investigation.

> Former Cycling Ireland officer handed 18-month suspended sentence over fake state grant quotations scandal

BBC Radio 1’s Greg James is being supplied with a specialist kit and custom-built tandem bike by two Derby businesses for his upcoming Comic Relief cycling challenge.

Sportswear brand HUUB is supplying the kit, and Mercian Cycles has built a one-off custom bike for his 1,000km cycle from Weymouth to Edinburgh.

The challenge, which takes place between 13 March and 20 March, is to raise money for Red Nose Day.

Comic Relief told the BBC that James’s challenge would help support vital projects providing food, shelter and safety, with “every mile pedalled helping to put food on tables, secure safe places to sleep, and protect those at risk of harm”.

On Instagram, Little Eaton-based Mercian Cycles said it is proud to be supporting James on his ride.

“His custom red Mercian with a blue backup ready – was built the same way every Mercian has been since 1946: entirely by hand in Derby, one craftsman from start to finish.

“From hand-cut lugwork and traditional open-hearth brazing techniques to individually numbered frames and hand-line paintwork, each bike we build carries decades of British frame-building heritage.

“We’re honoured to play a small part in a huge challenge for an incredible cause.

A series of surprise guests will join James on his eight-day journey. Mercian cycles have also provided four standard bikes of ‘various sizes’ to be used by those joining James.

Mercian cycles were rescued from liquidation in 2024 by four local businessmen and self-professed “passionate cyclists”.

HUUB will also kit James out from head to toe, including special cycling shorts and waterproof outerwear.

Dean Jackson, founder and chief executive of HUUB, said: “We’re incredibly proud to support Greg and Comic Relief. It’s fantastic to see a national charity challenge backed by Derby businesses.

“Events like this show what can be achieved when local expertise meets a brilliant cause.”

> Hot pants! Huub launches £400 heated trousers for record-breaking velodrome performance

James Knowles of Mercian Cycles added: “We’re hugely proud to see a Mercian tandem at the centre of such an incredible national fundraising challenge.

“To create something bespoke for Greg and Comic Relief is a real honour.

“Derby has a proud cycling and manufacturing heritage, and it’s fantastic to see that expertise playing a role in raising money for such an important cause.”

Cycling’s governing body says it is aiming to broaden the development of the safety tech to the “greatest number of manufacturers possible”, after Aerobag unveiled its system last month.

> UCI calls for “clear regulatory framework” to govern rider airbags

Albert Bridge in west London may be closed to motorists for up to a year, following the discovery of cracks in a cast-iron component earlier this month.

Kensington and Chelsea Council, which manages the 150-year-old bridge, said sensors continuously monitor the cracks to ensure their condition does not worsen.

Whilst the Grade II-listed bridge will be closed to motorists, it will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists, reports the BBC.

However, road.cc commentor AidanR has said: “Unfortunately that’s not the signage on the bridge, which states (nonsensically) that cyclists must dismount and use the footpath, even though pedestrians are now walking on the road as well as the pavements.

“I (and 95% of other cyclists) are ignoring this, as of course I weigh the same whether I’m on my bike or not. But barriers have been placed in such a way as to make it difficult to cycle onto and off the bridge.”

> “Our safe streets are here to stay”: Mayor’s “dangerous” decision to axe low traffic neighbourhoods deemed unlawful, as campaigners hail “huge precedent for London”

The council hope that the bridge may open more quickly if a “temporary fix” is possible.

Johnny Thalassites, RBKC’s lead member for planning and environment, said: “The early advice we have had following initial investigations suggests that we may be able to complete a permanent fix within a year.

“We know we have to close the road to avoid the risk of extra weight causing further damage that could make repair significantly more difficult, more lengthy and more expensive.”

He added that “our ambition remains to get their bridge open as soon as possible” and thanks the public for their “ongoing patience”.

Could the next big Bastille hit be a full-size folding e-bike, not radio-friendly pop music? That’s what the premium French bike brand that shares its name with Bastille the band (and the medieval Parisian fortress, which may have something to do with it) will be hoping, this week seeing the launch of its new Bastille E in the UK, an “e-bike that folds like magic” in six seconds and offers riders “the best of both worlds” according to the brand.

> “The electric bike that won’t be stolen”: This full-size e-bike can fold down in six seconds, according to the brand launching it in the UK

Fabio Jakobsen (Picnic–PostNL) crashed heavily on stage four of the UAE Tour yesterday after his front tyre and foam insert were torn completely from his front wheel rim.

The incident happened with just under 30km remaining on the flat stage, where Jakobsen had been positioning himself for the expected bunch sprint.

Television footage did not capture the moment of impact, showing only the Dutch sprinter getting back to his feet alongside Ethan Hayter, Daan Hoole and Robbe Ghys in the aftermath of the crash. It was initially unclear what had caused the crash.

However, a spokesperson for Picnic–PostNL and their wheel supplier, Ursus, later told Cyclingnews that Jakobsen had struck a rock in the road while travelling at speed.

“It was clarified that Fabio Jakobsen hit a rock while riding at speed, which impacted both the tyre and the rim. This caused the tyre to come off the rim,” the spokesperson said.

Jakobsen appeared to be riding the Ursus ARYA R 50 Team Edition wheels at the time of the incident.

> Hookless road rims: “Maybe ‘scam’ was a bit strong, but I want it to go away. If you’re on it, be super-careful,” says Silca boss

Hookless rim designs, a type of bicycle wheel rim that lacks a traditional physical retaining hook on the inner wall and instead relies on precisely matched tyre and rim dimensions and air pressure to keep the tyre in place, have previously drawn scrutiny.  Some critics say certain tyre and rim combinations may be more prone to unseating, depending on their compatibility.

New road.cc podcast alert! Emily Brammeier, the recently installed president of the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC), has joined Ryan Mallon to discuss doping in pro-cycling.

> “Cheating will be part of cycling forever”: MPCC president Emily Brammeier on anti-doping, tackling the ‘grey area’, and making clean sport the norm

#Paris today: the Seine quays are closed between the Tuileries Tunnel and Bastille, but there are solutions…
#bikesky #bici #vintage #photography #bicycle #bike #fahrrad #Seine #自転車 #design #riverstyle #fun #cycling #cyclinglife #bikelife #biking #bicicleta #velo #cycle #vélo 🚲🚴

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— ᴄʏᴄʟᴏᴢ (@cyclozparis.bsky.social) 20 February 2026 at 08:56