An unexpected turn of events: Social media users criticise 5 Live contributor urging cyclists to “behave much better”; Man charged after fatal crash in Kent; Another Spanish sprint + more on the live blog
Is the internet (in one small way) getting better?
To paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen, I grew up with 5 Live. I knew 5 Live. BBC Radio 5 Live was a childhood friend of mine. Social media admin, you’re no friend of 5 Live.
The wonder of public service broadcasting is that it is not reliant on clicks, engagement or any ad-revenue – imagine! So why the BBC are putting out these sorts of social media posts isn’t exactly clear…
The caption is a call to arms in internet terms, with Times columnist Edward Lucas explaining that “cyclists should realise that it’s in their interest to respect the law, because the law that protects pedestrians is the law that protects them against rogue drivers”.
We’re also treated to the reassurance of Lucas’ status as “a cyclist himself” before the topic is opened up to us, dear readers, with a “What do you think
“
I suspect Lucas has been invited on to the station given his most recent column espoused similar themes, targeted once gain on floating bus stops and pedestrian crossings. But that was all yesterday’s live blog so we can leave that for now.
I can imagine the writer of this social post plotting the subtext of their ragebait in their head, “Go on, cyclists are a bit crap aren’t they? Come, Facebook user! Share with us your antipathy, express your modicum of frustration to us!”
Reassuringly, the comments aren’t biting:
“Lets imagine you have a road safety magic wand. You can wave it and one group of road users will behave perfectly from now on. Are you going to pick cyclists? I’m not saying everyone can’t behave better on the roads including cyclists, but we need to put things into perspective.”
“Do a simple thought experiment:
Compare the difference in road safety if either
a) all cyclists cycled cautiously and with full attention at all times vs
b) drivers drove cautiously and with full attention at all times.
And the answer will become clear about where the problem on our roads lies.”
“If the roads were safer, cyclists wouldn’t need to use the pavements to stay feeling safe. Start with the problem, not the symptom.”
“The only danger on the roads are drivers”
Honestly, I might even urge you to leave this page and scroll through the comments yourself. It took me a good minute before I even saw the phrase “road tax”.
It’s the latest in a trend I’ve noticed of Facebook comment sections steadily improving their attitudes towards cyclists. Unfortunately, I’m yet to see the shift when it comes to sections reporting on local infrastructure, nothing can quite stir the feelings like a temporarily empty cycle lane photographed and put on a local newspaper Facebook page or residents’ group.
But progress is progress, and the lack of scapegoating maybe gives me reason to be cheerful after all. Either that or the usual trolls are too distracted by the worst AI-generated videos you could conceive of. We’ll take the wins where we can get them…
Surging Scottish hangar demand
Demand for spaces in cycle hangars in Edinburgh has increased by 2,700 (50%) in the last 12 months. After adjusting for duplication across waiting lists, I estimate that around 7,000 people currently want a spot in one – but Edinburgh Council only provide 1,500 spaces. rpubs.com/edtiss/hangars
— Edward Tissiman (@edtiss.bsky.social) 8 September 2026 at 08:35
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Latest Comments
@Didsbury Both. Sorry, English not my first language.
@xinnix83 shocked or shaken?
@mjc2669 Also agreed, I also bought a pair of Prime Doyenne 50mm and they were an affordable upgrade for my affordable bike. So, like many other posters, didn't really understand the purpose of the article.
@kingleo Yes it is, because that counts as being in the act of crossing, but not if they are just waiting.
@kingleo That's what I was taught as driver, fifty years ago. You don't have to stop unless they put a toe on the crossing. It's not changed.
Er, that is a digital caliper.
@chrisonabike 'Traffic in Towns' or the Buchanan Report 1963, forecast everything that's happening now. More roads, more traffic, so we need more roads so we get more traffic, so we need more roads................ The essential futility of building more roads has been apparent for over sixty years, but some people still see it as 'the' answer.
Erm, I think the 'paid promotion' banner at the top should have been a bit of a giveaway that wasn't a likely direction.
@Rendel Harris, if a pedestrian puts a foot on the crossing, the cyclists have to stop. Is that correct?