Deals for the Dirt: Weekly off-road roundup!

@Bungle_52 Some on here think advisory letters are a waste of time ... I think most drivers genuinely think they have done nothing wrong but a letter from the police is a real wake up call I'm at least one of them, especially if they are as you describe them, 'a suggestion that they might like to look at the Highway Code sometime'. Those go straight in the bin, which is the fate the police have in mind for them. They now seem to have stopped sending even advisory letters for close passes as they are short staffed That solves the question. Gloucestershire and Derbyshire have abandoned any action for close passing, no matter how close. Kent and Essex won't look at any video unless there's a collision, and what they really mean is 'unless there's a KSI'. Lancashire bins all reports- they ignore phone use, RLJs, 'No MOT and failed MOT but still on the road', unbroken white line offences. It's all blamed on 'short staffing and lack of resources'. Cycling Mikey assumes that 'a NIP-issued email' is evidence that the offending phone user 'got 6 points and a fine'. I think he's deluding himself and the Met. will be clutching at any excuse to bin most of those cases. Meanwhile, we get this (Ford Kuga FE20 YRO, yesterday), day in, day out- NMotD has had no effect, close-passing is getting worse, the police forces are vying with each other for the most efficient way of binning all the cases and sticking two fingers up at cyclists, and it's just a matter of chance whether any of us is the next one to be murdered by being dragged under a car for miles. The police certainly won't lift a finger to deter close-passing.

@Rendel Harris Yes, but I think it's easy to underestimate the level of mental "change" and "risk" this represents (as a regular or even irregular adult cyclist). With e.g. cars, you just go online (was going to say "go to a dealer/garage...") and a car which will carry you and others around, carry the shopping, keep the weather off, allow you to drive at night and can be secured is not hard to find. And all your friends / relatives / contacts likely done so and are possible points of contact if you need advice (or just reassurance). Bikes? Much less (although thankfully as easy as riding a bike...). It's not like most people spent their childhood being carried around by adults on different bikes. Indeed the age most people stopped cycling (if they started) is probably getting lower. Outside of the e-(moto)(-(r)bike) riders. Of course there's more paperwork and expense for the car (optional in some areas / counties...) but so many things are familiar or guides are present. It's even simple to work out how to get to where you need. You just drive wherever you can (ideally on the roadway...). Even less thought using a satnav!

@ChrisA It's a different universe * but in NL while they have had building regulations requiring bike storage for decades, lots of the historic housing stock won't have them. As well as some creative solutions ** many people simply store their bikes outside. And indeed some of the "durability" of Dutch bikes relates to being able to withstand living outdoors in all weathers (heavier frames / more paint - but chaincase / enclosed gears and brakes also feature). Like so many things it's hard to imagine in the UK (theft and particularly vandalism). (But the number of "cycle hangers" is growing...) I hear there's plenty of theft in NL also - but with the numbers of bikes perhaps it's just like how people in the UK are used to leaving their cars parked on the street? * But also - only about half a century away to be recognisable, perhaps - especially in the few UK places where there is some passable cycle infra? ** See e.g. the BicycleDutch article "Home-side bicycle parking" on the Buurtstalling (Neighbourhood Bicycle Parking Facility). Plus of course the practice of many people effectively storing a bike at a train station as part of their commute.

@chrisonabike Some first class trolling from Callum... I love it.

I'm a big fan of Lucinda Brand, but it was a travesty to take that win from Marie Schreiber. From the overhead shot it was clear that Lucinda at no stage got alongside Schreiber, and it was clear from Lucinda's pedal strokes - which continued as they were - that she not impeded. Lucinda's own words to the jury confirmed that Marie had not impeded Lucinda, and based on that there was no reason to overturn Marie's win. It was ridiculous. A stain on the weekend.

Playing to the crowd again!

@This Wreckage I was thinking more of having space to put a bike store, which can be obtained relatively inexpensively these days, although I agree that's a fairly high level of commitment for someone who isn't certain cycling is for them. An Oxford ground anchor and a Topeak bike cover only cost £25 together so not an enormous commitment.

@chrisonabike Keeping your pride and joy, or at least a tool that you clean, maintain & use regularly, in your home is one thing. But many people who "have to" use a bike will have an old rusty boneshaker, or better, that they would, by habit, just leave outside (just look at all the shiny new kids bikes that are left lying around, which neither the children or their parents are minded to put away). Any if it is still working, rather than your rusty relic, eventually somebody is going to "borrow" it. It both depresses me that it is necessary and surprises me that people don't lock up things.