"This could be a cycleway": Cyclist leaves homemade sign on abandoned car; 5-year-old vs rush hour traffic; Amazon driver delivers textbook safe pass; New KOM jersey; Humanised hi-vis; Runaway Ostrich causes crash; Spring sunshine + more on the live blog

It could, and yet....
There since 18/03
No registration plates
Advertising
No permit on display
Reported to @GalwayCityCo on 22/03
Still there on 24/03.
As for safe cycling? Too much to ask.
PLEASE CONTACT your councillors. This is what they are defending. pic.twitter.com/jg2ZEHfd1G

— Gráinne Faller (@FHmediastuff) March 24, 2022

The Salthill Cycleway story has been rumbling on for a while. Plans for a major segregated cycleway in Salthill, Galway, were initially backed by councillors, but last month after four hours of debate, the same local politicians voted 13 to four against the €1m project. 

Councillors have complained of toxic debate, while some local business owners opposed the plans vociferously.

There's some context to the site of this snap: a cyclist leaving a homemade sign making a simple point about how road space is used. Abandoned cars for advertising purposes? Fine (apparently). The cycleway plan? Not...

But at least you can get 2.9% APR, 7 years warranty and award-winning car of the...(thankfully the sign blocks the end of that ad)...

Feel free to share pics. pic.twitter.com/JnCwX1Tfak

— Gráinne Faller (@FHmediastuff) March 24, 2022

It reminds us of another live blog favourite...the time a public-spirited cyclist made homemade parking tickets for cars parked in the bike lane...but got told to f*** off. Comes with the territory, I guess... 

National Highways has completed a project upgrading the Mowhay footbridge over the A38 near Plymouth. The previous bridge was considerably narrower than it is now, meaning it is now suitable for wheelchair users, pushchairs and cargo bikes or trikes to cross. The old set-up was not wide enough to accomodate cyclists and walkers, and work started in June last year to modify both ramps, as well as the body of the bridge.

As well as the wider deck, the upgrade includes a more manageable gradient, new ramps, steps, fencing and guard rails, new lighting and a new surface water drainage system.

How's your day going?

Probably better than this unfortunate cyclist taken out by a runaway ostrich...

The incident happened in Buenos Aires, on Monday and left the woman with a broken wrist and a large cut to her head which needed treated in hospital in the Argentine capital.

The Daily Mirror has the video, if you want to watch that, and local media reports the bird was a pet that had escaped from a nearby property.

Cycling into the city to school in #Leicester. A 5 year old can beat the traffic in rush hour. Such a beautiful day to ride in. It would be lovely to have a proper segregated lane then maybe more people would choose to cycle than drive @OweniteAdam @RideLeicester @SustransEMids pic.twitter.com/oBIW04irXF

— Paul Player (@paulmplayer) March 23, 2022

Plenty to unpack here...

Is that the world's narrowest 'segregated' cycle lane was probably not the point the video, but definitely my first impression. And with a proper lane, Paul says: "Cycling into the city to school in Leicester. A 5-year-old can beat the traffic in rush hour. Such a beautiful day to ride in. It would be lovely to have a proper segregated lane then maybe more people would choose to cycle than drive."

No wonder he sent his son on the pavement once the wands end. A cycle lane barely wider than the double yellow lines + an HGV + other congestion = a dangerous place to ride.

Paul did add that there is: "Hugely impressive work going on in Leicester regarding sustainable transport and cycling infrastructure just needs it linking all together. After this road my son can safely cycle into the city the whole way on dedicated cycle paths."

Leicester's Deputy Mayor even got involved, responding to one critical comment about the safety of this cycle lane...

We have plans to give it similar or even better treatment to the stretch of the same road just north of here - we just need the funding…

— Cllr Adam Clarke 🇺🇦💉💉 💉 (@OweniteAdam) March 23, 2022

And the Leicestershire Loves Cycling agreed the city is moving in the right direction...

We have to be patient. I look at what’s going on around the country and outside London Leicester is probably making more inroads into cycle infrastructure than most. Above all there are politicians behind this despite all the flack they get.

— Leicestershire Loves Cycling (@LeicsCountyBike) March 24, 2022

Genuinely don't know what this means, but seriously* thinking of sponsoring next year's mountain stages of the Tour De France. A friendly dig after yesterday's pavement-cycling discussion. @roadcc #polkajersey #kingofthemountains https://t.co/ozafdgL4dk
*not seriously pic.twitter.com/bpEfK4ibva

— You Park Like a C*nt (@YPLAC) March 24, 2022