AI pile-on at expense of Lib Dem London Assembly member who suggested tradespeople could carry equipment by cargo bike keeps rolling on; Jeremy Vine’s TV guests suggest number plates and insurance to deter “smugness” among cyclists + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
We've entered day 7 of getting ChatGPT to make a video of a tradesperson carrying an unweildly load by bike...
For those of you who haven’t been served one of these on Facebook yet (or maybe you’re not on Facebook – even better), it all started on LBC’s Cross Question with Iain Dale last Thursday, when the Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Hina Bokhari suggested that as “another option”, tradespeople could consider getting around by bike instead of a white van sometimes. Not a completely ridiculous suggestion, right?
Well of course, it’s been completely taken out of context and then some, with the help of dozens of AI-generated videos mocking Bokhari for suggesting some journeys could be made with a proper cargo bike built for the job of carrying stuff.
Both Dale and Conservative politician Festus Akinbusoye were baffled by Bokhari’s comments, and the AI videos are exaggerated to depict tradespeople carrying loads that are either too large, or using standard push irons that are worlds away from modern electric cargo bikes. Here’s another…
Now then… while a cargo bike isn’t going to be appropriate all of the time, I don’t think Bokhari was actually suggesting it was – she was simply making the point that a cargo bike can be an option in a city where going everywhere in a van is less economical, and will probably take you longer.
Here’s the ever-reliable Pedal Me showing that it can be done…
And the Bristol-based Plumber Greaves, also showing that it can be done…
View this post on Instagram
Sorry tradespeople (and ChatGPT)… afraid the suggestion is not quite as silly as you might have initially though!
UCI launches its 2026 Cycling for All Manifesto
We’ve come to expect these innocuous-looking UCI press releases that land our inbox to contain an absolute bombshell at the end – I’m sure the one where they announced the controversial 40cm minimum handlebar rule was nestled at the bottom of a presser about their annual congress – but this one is genuinely pretty run-of-the-mill. Worth sharing though, because the UCI is reiterating its commitment to promoting cycling beyond bike racing with its latest Cycling for All Manifesto:
“The updated Cycling for All Manifesto is published in the first year of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035), which aims to accelerate global action toward safe, affordable, accessible and low-carbon transport systems”, the presser says.
“As a founding member of the Partnership for Active Travel and Health (PATH) and a member of the Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLOCAT), the UCI intends to contribute to these efforts, particularly where they concern everyday cycling.”
Tony Mitchell, the President of the UCI Cycling for All and Sustainable Cycling Commission, added: “Getting more people onto bikes takes all of us — no organisation can achieve it alone. This Manifesto gives our National Federations, cities and partners a shared position to work from, and a clear statement of what the UCI will do alongside them.”
We’ve scrolled all the way to the end and there’s definitely not a devastating post-script: “Oh by the way, we saw that debate on Jeremy Vine on 5 and are now introducing number plates for all riders starting from tomorrow.”
"There's the entitlement plus the smugness, and that's a deadly combination", says Jeremy Vine's guest who suggests number plates and insurance for cyclists
View this post on Instagram
Mr Vine must have been biting his tongue very hard when his guest, the former Sun journalist Nina Myskow, almost got a full house by referencing red lights, number plates and insurance, while also saying the “entitlement” and “smugness” of cyclists is a deadly combination. Statistically we’re not sure the entitlement and smugness of a cyclist has ever proved deadly, and Myskow does admit she’s “generalising” – still, the carefully clipped-up segment has led to plenty of people agreeing that cyclists need insurance and number plates on Instagram, although there’s a similar number calling her out.
“There shouldn’t be any barriers to cycling”, said one, while another questioned where Myskow and those who agree with her want to stop kids cycling to school.
Colnago launches new gravel race bike with room for 53mm tyres
Colnago reckons this is the gravel bike to do it all, from one-day races to massive long epics. All you’ll need is at least £5,300…
> Colnago launches G5-X race-ready gravel bike with 53mm tyre clearance
"These accidents must stop": Tom Pidcock joins riders in condemning organisers of Italian ProSeries race after another driver enters the course
Sharing an image of his colleague Marcel Camprubí’s broken bike after another incident involving a driver on the course – this time the driver of a police vehicle travelling the wrong on the course of the Italian one-day race Tre Valli Varesine – Pidcock has shared his anger on social media, and also told Eurosport that he wanted to “stop racing” after Marcel Camprubí was hit.
More on this later via Callum’s full story.
Help us to bring you the best cycling content
If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £2.49. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.
10 Comments
Read more...
Read more...
Read more...
Latest Comments
How's that going to help? And what if you want to cycle, but don't use Instagram?
I'd be interested to see an explanation from the representative of JM Decorators in the picture above as to what sort of job he is doing that requires fifteen different pots of paint. Does he have a commission to touch up the Sistine chapel ceiling?
@slc Perhaps he has a deal with Nopinz and is about to lobby for all cyclists to have to wear skinsuits with the numberplate in an aero speed pocket.
@Steve K Amen, clearly the need for viewers and press mentions and therefore all those lovely wages greatly outweighs any principles.
It's particularly depressing that a supposed cycling advocate like Vine gives this air time.
I can't understand how cyclists having insurance and number plates stops drivers from killing and injuring thousands of people every year.
@squired Here is where the genius of Mr Loophole comes into play. The number is positioned on you, or rather, on a hi-vis tabard you must wear in lieu of clothing well suited to cycling, thus ticking off three bingo items together.
@squired This is one reason why they aren't feasible. They could not possibly be made large enough for a pedestrian or motorist to read (especially those who should be wearing spectacles!). A small numberplate could be attached to the seat post as in road races. But if I was going to go out and do wheelies, steal mobile phones etc, I would fit a cloned or false plate.
There is one thing I can never quite work out when it comes to the call for number plates on bikes... I'm not particularly tall, so I typically end up on bike that are sized small, or frame size in the region of 48-50cm. Now we are approaching winter I have mudguards and two rear lights taking up the available seat post on my road bike. The saddle bag contents have to get moved to a drinks bottle because there is no room for it and lights. So, where exactly would a number plate go? There simply isn't any real estate available at the back of my bike to attach it to. The mudguards are the clip on variety, so wouldn't have the strength to house a plate. If bikes did have number plates, would they just act as a great wind catcher that helps to make your journey into a strong headwind even more uncomfortable?
AHH! It's a perfect morning where I live. The birds are singing as I finish my organic muesli and green smoothie. I think I will further emphasise how virtuous and healthy I am by going for a bicycle ride later. My beautiful wife with who I have just shared several orgasms may accompany me. How I feel sorry for those flabby sedentary people in number plated (even cloned) and (un)insured SUVs and high performance cars. Some of them can't even play a musical instrument or speak a second language.
10 thoughts on “AI pile-on at expense of Lib Dem London Assembly member who suggested tradespeople could carry equipment by cargo bike keeps rolling on; Jeremy Vine’s TV guests suggest number plates and insurance to deter “smugness” among cyclists + more on the live blog”
AHH! It’s a perfect morning where I live. The birds are singing as I finish my organic muesli and green smoothie. I think I will further emphasise how virtuous and healthy I am by going for a bicycle ride later. My beautiful wife with who I have just shared several orgasms may accompany me.
How I feel sorry for those flabby sedentary people in number plated (even cloned) and (un)insured SUVs and high performance cars. Some of them can’t even play a musical instrument or speak a second language.
There is one thing I can never quite work out when it comes to the call for number plates on bikes… I’m not particularly tall, so I typically end up on bike that are sized small, or frame size in the region of 48-50cm. Now we are approaching winter I have mudguards and two rear lights taking up the available seat post on my road bike. The saddle bag contents have to get moved to a drinks bottle because there is no room for it and lights. So, where exactly would a number plate go? There simply isn’t any real estate available at the back of my bike to attach it to. The mudguards are the clip on variety, so wouldn’t have the strength to house a plate.
If bikes did have number plates, would they just act as a great wind catcher that helps to make your journey into a strong headwind even more uncomfortable?
@squired This is one reason why they aren’t feasible. They could not possibly be made large enough for a pedestrian or motorist to read (especially those who should be wearing spectacles!).
A small numberplate could be attached to the seat post as in road races. But if I was going to go out and do wheelies, steal mobile phones etc, I would fit a cloned or false plate.
@squired Here is where the genius of Mr Loophole comes into play. The number is positioned on you, or rather, on a hi-vis tabard you must wear in lieu of clothing well suited to cycling, thus ticking off three bingo items together.
@slc Perhaps he has a deal with Nopinz and is about to lobby for all cyclists to have to wear skinsuits with the numberplate in an aero speed pocket.
I can’t understand how cyclists having insurance and number plates stops drivers from killing and injuring thousands of people every year.
It’s particularly depressing that a supposed cycling advocate like Vine gives this air time.
@Steve K Amen, clearly the need for viewers and press mentions and therefore all those lovely wages greatly outweighs any principles.
I’d be interested to see an explanation from the representative of JM Decorators in the picture above as to what sort of job he is doing that requires fifteen different pots of paint. Does he have a commission to touch up the Sistine chapel ceiling?
How’s that going to help? And what if you want to cycle, but don’t use Instagram?