“I had no idea how fast I was going”: Former Conservative leader slammed for hypocrisy on “dangerous cycling” law after driving to Germany with broken speedometer; More “victim blaming” bike tips; Dream Team GB; Thank you Shell? + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Meanwhile, in Wales (and on the Lib Dem campaign trail)…
Here’s one to stow away in the road.cc archives:
Having a wheelie great time launching @WelshLibDems General Election campaign in wonderful Wales with @DoddsJane and @LibDemDavid pic.twitter.com/MfKsIW4CeS
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) May 29, 2024
Interesting to note that Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey – going for a somewhat different approach to his rivals by actually riding a bike (well, at least for a few yards and until the photos were taken) – also decided to ward off the usual anti-cycling social media trolls by opting for the hi-vis helmet look.
You’ll also be pleased to learn that a group of Lib Dem activists (or bemused passers-by) were standing at the bottom of the hill with signs – presumably saying ‘Stop!’ – just in case Sir Ed didn’t manage to pull the brakes in time…
“Thank you Shell” or “Greenwashing par excellence”? British Cycling’s new Shell-supported sustainability strategy divides opinion
In case you missed it last night, British Cycling has unveiled its first ever environmental sustainability strategy, which the governing body hopes will ensure it halve its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2035.
However, in the report detailing British Cycling’s sustainability plans, the spectre of Shell – the governing body’s rather controversial partner since 2022 – looms large, with BC claiming the oil and gas giant is “helping accelerate [its] journey to net zero” through its carbon offsetting programme, supporting its transition to low and zero carbon vehicles, and contributing to the cost of sustainable aviation fuels.
> “A step in the right direction or a nice bit of greenwashing?” Shell-backed British Cycling aiming to halve carbon emissions in six years and achieve net zero by 2035 – as governing body says partnership with oil giant is key to “positive progress”
Unsurprisingly, Shell’s role in what is admittedly a very noble and ambitious plan by British Cycling has divided opinion within the cycling community, with one describing the oil company’s involvement as “greenwashing par excellence”.
“Given Shell is about to cut loads of the (relatively few) staff it has working on renewables, them helping a small governing body cut its emissions means the square root of f*** all,” Josh Morris wrote on Twitter.
“Wasn’t the very concept of analysing ‘sustainability’ through a single oversimplified tariff-based metric one of Shell’s great PR coups?” asked road.cc reader ROOTminus1 in the comments section.
“Allowing people to perform the mental gymnastics whereby planting a few trees in the Sahal region (numbers planted unconfirmed, time until trees cut down/die unavailable) can somehow offset the square miles of open cast mining to harvest rare materials for batteries.
“Or 20 per cent of the same tree accounts for the oil used by a company as fuel and electricity, despite the fact it’s Shell pumping that oil out of the ground and then blaming their customers for the damage they’re causing.
“British Cycling should be doing their part, as should we all, but their MO should be aiding a national reduction in emissions by getting people out of cars (ICE or electric) and onto bikes, not BS creative accounting with CO2e credits.”
However, not everyone was so dismissive of Shell’s intentions at British Cycling.
“You just can’t please some people,” wrote alexuk. “If I were Shell, I’d be so depressed. Would people really prefer they do absolutely nothing, and not sponsor British Cycling?
“I think the masses are all just so brainwashed to hate these companies, that they don’t want to even consider they might not be as bad as certain groups like to make out. I for one am glad that they’re handing over some money to support cycling. Thank you Shell.”
Wonder if that message will pop up on a billboard in Manchester soon?
‘What’s the point of cycling infrastructure? Nobody cycles anyway’, #5,901
Bank Junction this AM pic.twitter.com/C1D8ZPYtY9
— Rory McCarron (@CyclingLawLDN) May 30, 2024
It’s what time of year already? I’ve still got the mudguards on…
> How to get your bike ready for summer — get your pride and joy clean and in full working order for plenty of sunny miles
Do you know some of the UK’s most inspirational cycling women? Well, you’ve only got a month left to nominate them for Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling awards
Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling awards, which recognises the inspirational women who help shape cycling and empower and encourage others to share the benefits of riding a bike, is now in its eighth year – and there’s only a month left to submit your nominations for the 2024 vintage.
Women from every corner of the cycling world – from the school run and community schemes to the bike industry and Olympic stardom – have made the list in the past, including Sarah Storey, Gail Porter, and Maxine Peake, while last year’s winner Jo Shwe is the co-founder of Colour Collective, which champions inclusivity within the mountain biking community.
“I always think middle-aged average women are still underrepresented in cycling, so it was amazing to be recognised as part of the list,” the 44-year-old from Ackworth said.
“I work in a school, and when I told the young women I work with about the award, it encouraged them to go out riding their bikes more. The award also boosted my confidence and elevated my profile so it’s wonderful more women are going to be recognised in this way.
“Cycling has opened so many doors for me. Age, ability, gender, ethnicity, and social background don’t matter as much as treating everyone and everything with kindness and respect.”
Nominations are open to all and span four distinct categories: Community champion (for the “unsung heroes”); Sporting hero; Cycling influencer (aimed at campaigners and those who promote cycling far and wide); and Industry mogul.
Continuing the countdown until the nominations shut, Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK’s chief executive, said: “There’s no denying that women face more barriers to taking up cycling. The women we celebrate are breaking those down and we want to shine a spotlight on their hard work.
“Whatever your background or ability, there are so many benefits to reap from cycling, not least the joy it brings. Every nomination represents a unique story of determination, passion, and dedication to making cycling accessible to all. Help us celebrate the achievements of these women and inspire others to join the movement towards a more diverse and equitable cycling world.”
For more information on how to nominate your own inspirational cycling figure, visit Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling page.
Miguel Ángel López claims case against him was based on “manipulated and biased phone call transcripts”, as Colombian climber announces intention to appeal four-year doping ban to CAS
Well, that didn’t take long.
Miguel Ángel López – the recipient of a four-year doping ban from the UCI yesterday for using and possessing the human growth hormone menotropin during the 2022 Giro d’Italia – has announced his intention to appeal his suspension, which he believes is based on “manipulated and biased phone call transcripts”.
Yesterday, the UCI’s Anti-Doping Tribunal banned the former Astana rider (the type of rider for whom the term ‘mercurial’ was invented) from competition until July 2027, after launching disciplinary proceedings against him last year in the wake of an investigation conducted by the Spanish police and Spain’s anti-doping agency into the Colombian’s links with the suspected doping doctor Marcos Maynar.
According to the Spanish press, a document unearthed during Operation Ilex revealed that López received a dose of menotropin, a human growth hormone that increases muscle mass and eliminate fluids and which is normally used to treat fertility disturbances, before the start of the 2022 Giro in Hungary.
However, the 30-year-old – who has always denied the allegations – came out swinging last night in response to his four-year ban, which he described as “unjustified”, stating on social media that he will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“Today I have been informed about the UCI decision and the penalty of four years suspension,” the Vuelta and Giro podium finisher, who has also received the support of his home Medellín team (the squad he raced for while in exile in 2023 after being sacked by Astana), wrote on Instagram.
“I deeply disagree with it, understanding that it contradicts previous decisions made by the Spanish courts and the CAS itself, [and] I insist on maintaining that the offence is based on the interpretation of conversations that were biased and manipulated.
“I understand that the violation is non-existent and the punishment is unjustified. I will immediately appeal to the UCI and defend my innocence as I have always done, I trust to return to the competitive world of cycling.
“I appreciate the people who support me, all the positive messages from the fans, and the continuous support of my team and my family.”
Where’s this War on the Motorist again?
A new report published by Transport for London (TfL) has revealed that pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists continue to be the most at-risk road users in the capital, accounting for 80 per cent of all people killed or seriously injured on London’s roads in 2023, while drivers were involved in 68 per cent of all casualties on London’s roads.
Read more: > Cyclists continue to be “most at risk” alongside pedestrians and motorcyclists, together making up 80% of all people killed or seriously injured on roads in 2023, reveals Transport for London
Swapfiets launches new Women’s Cycle Squad to “help build confidence and community to encourage more women on two wheels”
Responding to a recent study which found that 90 per cent of women fear cycling in cities, Dutch e-bike rental brand Swapfiets is launching its new Women’s Cycle Squad initiative on Sunday, providing expert-led group rides in London to “help build confidence and community to encourage more women on two wheels”.
The event will take place this Sunday at Swapfiets’ Spitalfields shop, between 11am and 3pm, kicking off with a meet and greet where participants can chat about any worries they have about cycling in London. A two-hour ride will then follow a route from Shoreditch down to the Thames before a leisurely lap around Hyde Park, and then taking advantage of London’s cycle lanes back to the start.
The route, according to Swapfiets, will stick mainly to “designated cycle lanes for an accessible experience for all levels”.
“The research showing 90 per cent of women fear cycling in urban areas really resonated with me, as I’ve experienced many of those fears myself over the years,” Katarina Hlavata, UK Country Manager at Swapfiets and who will be leading Sunday’s ride, says.
“We’re launching the Cycle Squad programme in direct response, to empower and build confidence for women exploring their cities by bike. Cycling should feel easy, fun, and freeing, not intimidating. By fostering a supportive community and sharing skills, we want to help make that possible for more women.”
Participants can either use their own bikes or one of Swapfiets’ models, and can book for their spot for the ride here on the brand’s Eventbrite page.
Cue the Jaws theme…
Look who’s riding in the French Alps! 🏔️
Good luck Jonas, step by step 💪 pic.twitter.com/xw6YkpfBrk
— Team Visma | Lease a Bike (@vismaleaseabike) May 30, 2024
Indoor training app Rouvy introduces new flexible subscription plan, allowing users to pause payments and even ride 20km a month for free
At a time when one of their biggest rivals, ahem, has been on the receiving end of a lot of flak for upping their prices just as summer commences, indoor training app Rouvy has announced a new flexible off-season payment plan, which includes a refined pausing option and new free version for its users who prefer to ride their bikes outside when it’s nice and warm (I know, the weirdos…).
According to Rouvy, the new plan will “provide the flexibility for users to not pay for the platform when they’re not using it but also to ride indoors should they need to during this period” by enabling every user to pause their subscription for 180 days, with the ability to un-pause at any time (but only once per calendar year).
And if it’s raining and you want to jump on Rouvy for a quick spin while your subscription’s paused, user will be able to ride on the platform for 20km a month free. Daily passes can also be bought for paused subscribers should the poor weather remain and they fancy racking up the static shed miles.
All existing and new users will be eligible for the new Pausing option (which begins on 1 June), and prepaid yearly subscriptions will be prolonged by the number of days the user paused their subscription. And even those who cancel their subscription can still avail of the 20km a month free ‘Rouvy-lite’ version.
“We have always said, and continue to say, that Rouvy helps you be a better cyclist and enjoy the outdoor experience. I believe it makes sense to use Rouvy all year round,” the platform’s co-founder and CEO Petr Samek said.
“On the other hand, we absolutely understand that there is no substitute for outdoor riding with friends. Finally, we want loyal and satisfied customers. That’s why we leave it up to our customers. Ride with us year-round, or feel free to pause during the summer, you’re still part of our community of loyal users and have access to all the benefits we offer as part of our loyalty programme.”
‘Cyclists Dismount’: The Alternative Method (where cyclists don’t have to dismount)
🚫 Let’s Ditch “Cyclists Dismount”! 🚫
We’ve been helping @TfL make roadworks better for bikes for 5+ years
e.g. this permeable closure (cones not barriers) allows the second cyclist to more quickly return to the safety of the cycle lane pic.twitter.com/N4TFNF75Nf
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) May 30, 2024
Lizzie Deignan, Anna Henderson, and Elynor Bäckstedt set to star for Team GB at next week’s Tour of Britain Women
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the lack of certainty surrounding the race for much of 2024, not all of the biggest teams in the women’s peloton will be travelling across the Channel next week to race the inaugural edition of the revamped Tour of Britain Women.
Of the Women’s World Tour’s 15 teams, only SD Worx, DSM-Firmenich, Liv AlUla Jayco, and Human Powered Health will represent the sport’s highest level at the four-day successor to the dearly departed Women’s Tour.
But that doesn’t mean next Thursday’s start line in Welshpool will be missing some of the UK’s biggest cycling names.
Because, in welcome news for fans across the country, British Cycling has this afternoon confirmed that a six-strong Great Britain Cycling Team will race the renamed Tour’s first edition, led by former world champion and double Women’s Tour winner Lizzie Deignan.
Deignan will be joined by her Lidl-Trek teammate Elynor Bäckstedt, while Bäckstedt will enjoy the opening two stages on home turf alongside her fellow Welsh rider and Olympic gold medallist Elinor Barker (Uno-X Mobility).
Visma-Lease a Bike’s Anna Henderson, who’s endured a tough, injury-prone 2024, will make her comeback from a broken collarbone at the Vuelta in GB colours, and will surely fancy her chances for a stage win.
(Cor Vos/SWpix.com)
Fenix-Deceuninck duo Millie Couzens and Flora Perkins round out what is a very strong national squad.
“It’s always incredibly special to race on home soil where the energy and support from the crowds is unparalleled. For me personally, I am particularly excited that two of the stages will be hosted in Wales on some iconic roads, which will undoubtedly make for a challenging and competitive race,” Barker said after the team was announced.
“The Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women comes at an important time in our preparations for a huge summer of cycling. I think I speak for the whole squad when I say we’re extremely motivated to put on a brilliant show in June – we can’t wait.”
British Cycling’s Performance Director, Stephen Park, added: “We know that the team will relish the rare opportunity to race at home, and for the Paris hopefuls among the squad, the event will play a crucial role in the final preparations for the Games.
“We know that they’ll add real strength and stardust to the race and expect fans will be out in force to show their support.”
Sam Bennett’s going to really enjoy that one sprint stage at the Dauphiné (and those six stages in the Alps)
Declared pure sprinters for the Dauphiné so far:
1) Sam Bennett.
That’s it…
— Ned Boulting 🏳️⚧️ (@nedboulting) May 30, 2024
Well, at least he’s in really good form. Maybe Remco will decide to take him on in a bunch sprint?
“Another day, another nonsense video”: Surrey RoadSafe under fire – AGAIN – for second video in two days urging cyclists to be more visible so drivers don’t cut across and hit them
So, it turns out Surrey RoadSafe weren’t bluffing when they threatened to release a series of animations “illustrating common car/bike collision scenarios and how to avoid them” (Spoiler Alert: They won’t involve any advice for motorists).
After yesterday’s clip, advising cyclists to ride defensively and in the middle of the lane to prevent oblivious drivers from pulling out of junctions and hitting them, somewhat missed the point and inevitably led to accusations of “victim blaming”, the partnership between Surrey’s police force and the council is back this morning with more helpful hints for where you’re going wrong when a motorist ploughs straight into you without warning.
This time, we’re being told to ride further into the middle of the lane (which is fair enough) to prevent oncoming drivers – who are presumably texting away on their phones at this point – turning right and hitting us:
Cyclists improve your visibility on the road.
Watch our series of animations illustrating common car/bike collision scenarios and how to avoid them.
#2 RIGHT CROSS #HabitsForLife pic.twitter.com/u6m2bGwufA
— Surrey RoadSafe (@SurreyRS) May 30, 2024
Hold on, in the first example, has the driver of the white car just committed an extremely close pass on the cyclist, obscuring the other motorist’s vision in the process? Surely that deserves a mention?
Anyway…
Much like yesterday’s clip, the general view of these animations seems to be that Surrey RoadSafe’s heart is in the right place, but their execution leaves a lot to be desired.
“I understand the point you are trying to raise, but Christ this is terribly put together,” said cycling lawyer Rory McCarron in response to this latest effort.
“Riding primary position comes with its own challenges and that doesn’t necessarily mean a collision in the example given will be avoided when people simply don’t look properly regardless.”
Also:
DRIVERS – LOOK WHERE YOU’RE GOING.
— Andy (@DrVxD) May 30, 2024
“Another day another nonsense video,” added Ryan. “Cyclists aren’t causing these, the cars are. If we cycle in the middle of the road then we’re more likely to get close passed/angry drivers behind us.”
“These are good videos, but they also need to be re-presented and targeted at drivers,” noted Pharmacist on a Pushbike. “Why do cyclists ride in the middle of the lane? To make it easier for you to see them and less likely to hit them.”
Well, better luck tomorrow, I suppose…
Cyclists urge councillors to “take control” and stand by their active travel commitments after report recommends scrapping of divisive low traffic neighbourhood “as soon as possible”
More from Exeter’s highly contentious and long-running LTN saga…
> Cyclists urge councillors to “take control” and stand by their active travel commitments after report recommends scrapping of divisive low traffic neighbourhood “as soon as possible”
Former Conservative leader who spearheaded “dangerous cycling” law campaign has road safety attitude questioned after old interview reveals he “had no idea how fast I was going” while driving BMW with broken speedometer to Germany
Earlier this month, you may remember, former Tory Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith made headlines once again as he led the charge for a new “dangerous cycling” law, proposing an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill that would introduce tougher penalties for those who kill or injure while riding bikes.
The amendment was then backed by the government and had passed through the House of Commons at the time when Rishi Sunak blew the whistle on the general election campaign.
Parliament’s prorogation has stalled its progress for now, however, but both Labour and the Conservatives have committed to resuming its passage into law if they win July’s election.
In the meantime, Duncan Smith said he would be approaching Sunak and Keir Starmer to seek assurances that the tougher measures would pass into law later in the year, the longstanding MP expressing his belief that “too many cyclists pretend to be racers” and that “all road users need to operate within the law, including speed limits”.
🚨 This may look like I am in a new crime drama with Sir Iain Duncan Smith…
But it is our investigation into cycling near Regents Park.
Using a speed gun we found some cyclists exceed the 20mph limit for cars, with @MPIainDS calling for a change in the law.@LBC pic.twitter.com/Jg67k5sImA
— Henry Riley (@HenryRiley1) May 15, 2024
It’s in that context that a road.cc reader got in touch with a link to an interview Duncan Smith conducted with the Sunday Times back in 2019.
During the ‘Me and My Motor’ feature, which saw the former Tory leader reveal he enjoys driving his Morgan sports car to alleviate the stress of modern politics, Duncan Smith recalled driving to Germany, during his days in the Scots Guards in the 1970s, in a BMW with a broken speedometer.
“The dial was stuck at zero — I had no idea how fast I was going,” he said.
Our reader asked: “As the owner of several fuel-guzzling high-speed cars, could the real motivation behind Duncan Smith’s legislation be that like many of the great British public he just doesn’t like cyclists?
“As Chris Boardman has pointed out 1,700 people were killed by motor vehicles last year. More people are killed by cows and lightning [than cyclists].
> “Dangerous cycling” law will be passed following election, Labour and Conservatives confirm
“This bill will have little effect on road safety but will almost certainly put people off cycling, causing more damage to the environment and the public’s health through inactivity. The UK is the most obese nation in Europe and the cost of treating related diseases like diabetes and heart disease is huge.
“Is the real motivation behind this bill to win votes from the car-loving British public? If the Tory party really do care about road safety, Rishi Sunak should order Iain to do campaign about the importance of speedos in cars.”
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The new site is an disaster. The pages are cached (set the cache timeout to zero!), When I logon it keeps forgetting I'm logged on and doesn't return me to the page I was at when I logged on. I use Chrome and frequently content is rammed up against the right margin for some reason. It has been ten years since I built websites but I remember getting this basic stuff correct. If you are using WordPress, don't!
See Hambinis recent you tube video on the quality of BMC frames.
Jetmans Dad "Food delivery riders in particular are riding overpowered 'eBikes' that are basically mopeds … powered only via the throttle without pedalling at significantly more than 15mph. Problem is they look like normal bikes/ebikes and not like mopeds so that is what people describe them as." Indeed, mistaken identification of e-motorcycles as bicycles is a significant problem because different regulations and training apply, so different enforcement. Even worse are the illegaly modified e-motorcycles that are not operated as such, without training, insurance and compliance generally. Zero hour employment contracts and employers taking no practical responsibility make it worse yet. Then there's the health impacts on customers that fall on taxpayers through the NHS.
I might be cynical about Police re-organisations but how many new senior officer posts will be created in this re-organisation.
I have to put it back into mode eight so rarely that I will have to open up the manual. Normally when I stick it on the bars when I had to send my r4 back to Hope. Or if it seemed to go a bit weird. Can't remember the last time.
I have nothing but praise for my helmet mounted Exposure Axis, running eight years now. Battery only does two and a bit commutes now, so I'm going to either upgrade to the Diablo or see if they will upgrade the battery. If they'd released their STVZo road/4k lumens when your giving it some going downhill off road light I would have bought it first day. Mode 8 for me, low low, good mid and top high, decided after a couple of weeks of use and I've never changed. I use the button or the tap function (Tap 2 for me) to cycle through the power levels. Exceptional helmet light. The button is it's weak point, but very livable, I am glad of the tap function. It can sometimes take a few presses to get the flashing bit with its press and hold, but not for too long because that's off.
Hard to see who replies on any thread. I only visit the site a couple of times a week as it is not usable.
People who want to travel safely in a 20 mph area, so that no motor vehicle tries to overtake them, need to be capable of 20 mph so get no assistance at all from a legal e-bike that provides 15.5 mph. So the e-bike regulations are broken because they encourage unsafe overtaking by impatient drivers (5 mph). In 30 mph roads, the 10 mph difference would still allow safe overtaking to be completed in short distances. So the low speed 15.5 is less safe in practice not safer.
I have been doing some cross-checking between my records and the police dataset How do you do that? The spreadsheet has been designed to ensure that you can't. There's no unique code for each incident, so why haven't they included that? There are many incidents dated from the same location on the same day by the same despised reporter category (cyclist) for the same offender category (such as 'car'). The great majority of intended (as usual in these misleading 'databases', it's not the real outcome) outcomes is the entirely useless 'warning letter'. Is there anybody out there who believes that the average police officer could rouse either the wit or the willingness to determine whether the offender has received a warning letter previously?! Some people will be receiving numerous such letters to throw in the bin, which encourages them to repeat the offence. As for the claimed 'positive outcome'!- only the most deluded could believe that
I pretty much have stopped bothering. I also find when I come to the site it loads the previous days page and I have to refresh to see today’s front page.
48 thoughts on ““I had no idea how fast I was going”: Former Conservative leader slammed for hypocrisy on “dangerous cycling” law after driving to Germany with broken speedometer; More “victim blaming” bike tips; Dream Team GB; Thank you Shell? + more on the live blog”
Not an X user so I can’t see
Not an X user so I can’t see any replies which may cover this but I am going to ask anyway. While he was waving a speed gun around near Regents Park, were any of the cars exceeding the 20mph limit or was it was just bikes, or more likely did he only point it at bikes and totally ignore the cars as they didn’t suit his narrative?
In their own video that
In their own video that accompanies the tweet, where IDS claims he’s not anti cyclist or anything just pro safety, they show a setup where the claim they catch a cyclist speeding at 24mph.
Except they’re almost certainly getting the speed of the van infront of the cyclist, because there’s no way the cyclist is doing 24mph at their cadence or bike position. If they are sign them quickly to Team GB. And yet the cyclist doesn’t appear to be catching the van either.
It’s as fake news narrative as you’d expect, maybe worse, surprised LBC can get away with stuff like that.
And we shouldn’t forget that
And we shouldn’t forget that 85% of drivers speed on 20mph roads.
HarrogateSpa wrote:
I’ve posted it somewhere on road.cc before, but…
My village put a notice up after they put those smiley-face speed detectors up in various places last summer, after the local speed limit was reduced to 20mph (from 30).
Out of every 250 vehicles, 223 were travelling at under 30mph (89.2%), 26 were travelling at 30-40mph (10.4%), and 1 was travelling at over 40mph (0.4%).
For some reason, they didn’t measure how many were actually travelling at below the 20mph limit.
I still read the last bit as
I still read the last bit as ” and I was travelling at over 40mph ” !
brooksby wrote:
Maybe they did and the answer was 0. I bet there were gaziillions of cyclists going throught at 52mph though and that’s why the didn’t include an over 50mph reading.
I didn’t think speed guns
I didn’t think speed guns were calibrated for use on cyclists. I thought they needed a hard surface to work accurately.
You’ve assumed way too much
You’ve assumed way too much science and data analytics went into it. Like they actually calibrated the device they used, and weren’t just waving it around like some sci-fi raygun. Or they hadn’t shown a piece of footage from riding a bicycle and deliberately speeded up the film just to give the impression of speed.
In theory if the device is set right it can measure speeds from the person as the object, rather than the bike which is notoriously difficult to measure at angles as such a tiny area to target.
And it works, those speed indicator devices that appear instead of speed cameras, fairly accurately matches my GPS, as long as I’m the only object it can sense, if there’s a vehicle behind me it always reports their speed instead.
I rode past a local policeman
I rode past a local policeman using one of those last summer, he grinned and shouted 22, which sort of matched my gammons reading (mental maths included), so either they work on bikes or police in Oxfordshire have a sense of humour. I suspect both.
I strongly suspect that
I strongly suspect that “gammons” is an auto-correct from “Garmin’s”, but the idea that you cycle with an overweight red-faced man who continually calls out your speed has tickled me 🙂
This really winds me about
This really winds me about journalism at the moment. Linking to twitter is seen as an acceptable thing to do but the article is hidden unless you have a twitter account. Instagram, twitter, facebook and any other site that requires an account even to view should not be used as a story source.
My local bus company has started sending out service updates via twitter. They are now invisible to anybody who doesn;t want to sign up to elon’s world of hate.
This! 1 million times!
This! 1 million times!
There used to be a workaround
There used to be a workaround: Click on ‘sign up’, and then just go back. This hasn’t worked for me recently, but maybe there is another way.
I’m prepared to bet that this
I’m prepared to bet that this bloke still drove home.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c133x22kzrpo
The so-called “dangerous
The so-called “dangerous cycling” law has absolutely noting to do with making the roads safer, and everything to do with trying to suppress cycling as a means of transport. The motor industry is increasingly seeing cycling as a threat to their long-term profits.
Kim wrote:
that’s even worse than trying to soothe the feelings of drivers who are feeling oppressed which is the other explanation
I don’t know if its trying to
I don’t know if its trying to supress cycling as a means of transport but will likely have that knock on consequence. To me its pandering to their potential voters, in the same vein as national service and asylum seeker policies :-/
It’s probably just me on this
It’s probably just me on this one but I don’t really see the issue with creating a law that clarifies and improves the current mish-mash of unfit laws that have been used to prosecute a cyclist. Are we just being NIMBYS or is there a real reason (and not that it will be used once in a blue moon so isn’t necessary) that this propose law is so bad.
It could always have the opposite effect to that which IDS and others think it will have and make it harder to get an appropriate punishment against a cyclist. If a cyclist is tried for death by dangerous cycling instead of manslaughter then it becomes rquivalent to the same in a motor vehicle.
We can rant about the punsishments for drivers of motor vehicles being to lenient but until a prosecution is brought against a cyclist for the equivalent crime it is very hard to determine what affect the law will have.
I do not see this as a tighter control on cycling and I would be suprised if the average person will worry about being caught by the law, getting more people on bikes is about making cycling safer for the cyclist and no this this law is not going to do that but it might allow the right wing gutter press to “educate” the driverati that cyclists are not above the law (not that they ever have been).
DoomeFrog wrote:
I dont think any reasonable cyclist would object to this law, execpt perhaps as the risk profile doesnt warrant the parliamentary time. HOWEVER it will almost certainly be used to hold cyclists to a higher standard and higher level of punishment than the equivalent crime commited in a vehicle. Thats what I and I ssupect most others object to.
Case in point – IIRC the proposal in the Criminal Justice Bill had a much higher minimum term for a cyclist than a motorist. (Saw this on Twitter but believe its true.)
DoomeFrog wrote:
https://www.lawyer-monthly.com/2024/05/causing-death-by-dangerous-cycling/
I don’t have an objection to
I don’t have an objection to the new law per se, but to promote it as achieving equality between motorists and cyclists is disingenuous when Clifford Rennie served no time in jail, but Charlie Alliston did.
The Clifford Rennie case is the more egregious outcome, yet no changes in the law or sentencing guidelines are proposed. That’s an odd kind of equality.
Doctor Darabuka wrote:
Absolutely. It’s exactly the kind of equality wanted by those in motor industry, some politicians and at least some us in our cars.
“We all share the road – so it’s fair the laws should be the same for all! Never mind that only some of us bring most of the potential negatives (danger, pollution, noise, infra damage, wear and tear etc.), and actually don’t even fully pay for them.”
“Oh, and by the way – the laws won’t end up applying to some of us with equal force either.”
In fact I’m in favour of more
In fact I’m in favour of more laws here: yes, cyclists who are careless / dangerous should be held accountable (at a level commensurate with the danger). But … in fact they are already – but I’m fine with “straightening up the law” (not that I think this will satisfy those clamouring for it).
In addition though:
– Those installing or designing dangerous infra to be sanctioned.
– And those who wave it through, or were aware of “black spots” but found other things to spend the cash on.
– And (in my dreams) those politicians who brought about the situations in the first place (won’t hurt them to hand over a bit of that motor-lobby or transport business cash).
DoomeFrog wrote:
If it did that no one would mind – the entire cycling + pedestrian lobby have been asking for a review of all road safety law since the Conservative administration promised it in 2014.
Instead we poisonous, dishonest little shit shoveller IDS leveraging a fake position.
Just read the debate and you can find him misleading Parliament. For example he quotes 6 “killer cyclists”. Of those, two are clearly at fault, 3 are not at fault and 1 is ambiguous. Nonetheless, he is happy to be deceiving the House of Commons.
Fortunately IDS and many of his allies – Theresa Coffery for one – is about to be flushed into the cesspit of political history, where he belongs.
Completely agree. What I don
Completely agree. What I don’t understand though is how the cycle to work scheme is still running. It seems totally at odds with the governments stance on cycling.
With the recent increase in
With the recent increase in the national minimum wage the cycle to work scheme has become even more of a perk for the well off rather than assistance for those that need it. Deductions cannot take your pay below NMW even if it would save you more in travel costs.
perce wrote:
Seeing as both the blue team and the red team have said that they will not raise income tax (or VAT), they could scrap the scheme to raise some cash.
Alternatively, they could put up road fuel duty and VED.
Though I suspect evolution of porcine wings will happen quicker than that.
Though I suspect evolution of
Though I suspect evolution of porcine wings will happen quicker than that
The present lot have quite a lot of experience with such anatomy through their regular creation of porcine ‘ears’, like Brexit
I would presume that Ed Davey
I would presume that Ed Davey’s bike isn’t a fixie, so it has a freewheel? I’m pretty sure it would be far safer to go down that hill with his feet on the pedals…
Well the other day he was up
Well the other day he was up here in Windermere constantly falling off a paddleboard, so I think he’s going for the ‘Lovable Frank Spencer’ vote.
“Hmm… Boris did very well,
“Hmm… Boris did very well, popping up on a bike and playing the buffoon…”
Lay off Chris Froome already
Lay off Chris Froome already I’d say. He has his faults, but one can also understand how hard it is to fall from this high…
This is in the US, so they
This is in the US, so they don’t have the same phone-driving laws as us but still worth a watch.
“Suspended driver joins court hearing while driving”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c133x22kzrpo
mitsky wrote:
Yup, “hands free” use is legal in Michigan. They recently made video calling while driving illegal in my state, Illinois.
Did Surrey Roadsafe schedule
Did Surrey Roadsafe schedule this to automate posting a set of videos over a few days? You’d really think they might have paid attention to some of the feedback they’ve been getting…
And – as others have said – will they do the same videos aimed at the people who apparently can’t be trusted to look where they’re going??
Looking forward to tomorrow’s
Looking forward to tomorrow’s “wear hi-viz to prevent collisions with inattentive drivers” video.
Is the criticism of that
Is the criticism of that surrey road safe video fair? The advice in at least this video is perfectly sensible and good and exactly what cyclists should do. Take the lane, especially of danger spots (junctions, constrictions).
Sound advice on how to ride defensively is in no way absolving drivers of their idiocy – it’s just good advice on how to better cope with the reality that the world is full of said idiot drivers.
Are we losing the plot a bit here in attacking the makers of this video? Shouldn’t that energy be directed elsewhere?
No its probably not fair, but
No its probably not fair, but it’s twitter isn’t it, just the attitude of the place.
I don’t think people would be
I don’t think people would be criticising it half as much if they had any belief that Surrey Roadsafe were also sending out twitter-stuff reminding motorists of their responsibilities on the road and how best to not kill people…
You might think Surrey police
You might think Surrey police would be doing something about close passing as they are encouraging cyclists to “take the lane” but :
https://road.cc/content/news/4000-submissions-driving-offences-led-10-prosecutions-301205
938 reports of close passes 3 NIPs and one driving course.
I might agree, if and only if
I might agree, if and only if Surrey were running an equivalent road safety campaign alongside this one aimed at educating drivers on how they can drive safely around vulnerable road users.
Nice read in the graUniad:
Nice read in the graUniad:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/30/the-tranquility-frees-you-bogota-the-city-that-shuts-out-cars-every-week
This amazingly was in the
This amazingly was in the telegraph somehow I was able to read it without paying https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activity-and-adventure/britain-looking-after-cyclists-europe/
If you are able to read it the comments below drag it back to telegraph normality!
New sign support
New sign support
author says they:
– tried to shape the base so that it would be easily detectable by long cane users, without being likely to trip anyone else. The ends are painted yellow to maximise contrast with the paving surface and rest of the sign.
– I’m still not delighted that these things can be put on the footway at all, or that some of the sign faces that can be attached overhang the base by more than the 150mm allowed by ‘Inclusive Mobility’
I got the following back from
I got the following back from IPSO regarding my complaint about the telegrapgh article :-
Dear XXXXXXXXXXX,
I am writing to you regarding your complaint about an article headlined, “52mph
in a 20mph zone…Lycra lout cyclists are creating death traps all over
Britain” published by The Daily Telegraph on 17 May 2024.
IPSO has received over 90 complaints about the article, and it has taken some
time to process the necessary information.
As we have received multiple complaints about the article, IPSO will now
compile a summary of all complaints received, and refer that to the publication
for its immediate attention.
I should note that IPSO is able to consider complaints from an individual who
has been personally and directly involved in the coverage, or journalistic
activity, which gives rise to the alleged breach of the Editors’ Code of
Practice; complaints from a representative group affected by an alleged breach
where there is a substantial public interest; and complaints from third parties
about accuracy. In the case of third party complaints, we will need to consider
the position of the party most closely involved.
As such, we are unable to consider any concerns raised under Clauses other than
Clause 1 (Accuracy).
Once IPSO has concluded its investigation, the Complaints Committee will
consider the matter and issue a ruling on the complaint.
Unless we need further information from you, we will next be in touch to notify
you of the outcome when the decision is published.
With best wishes,
Caption for the IDS photo :-
Caption for the IDS photo :-
“I’ve dried my eyelashes but it’s not going to be much use for my the rest of my hair.”
Wait wait I missed:
Wait wait I missed:
Now that’s a campaign group noting that rather than TfL themselves… but this is one of those “still mindblowing in the UK” ideas we’ll want to get ahold of. Assuming that is we care for any change other than “default party colour was blue, now red, and we nationalised the railways … well, sort of”
Obligatory View From The Cyclepath “Roadworks vs. the Dutch Cyclist” playlist showing how to do it.
Hypocrisy from a politician..
Hypocrisy from a politician…. I don’t believe it!!!
All road users are equal but some are more equal than others?
Four wheels are better than two….
On the subject of educational animations, maybe they can do one to remind pedestrians to check for ALL approaching vehicles and it is safe, before crossing the road???