"I'll pay the fine! You're not going to see me complaining": CyclingMikey shares footage of him accidentally riding through red light, although barrister doubts prosecution is "in the public interest"; Paris-Roubaix cobbles stolen + more on the live blog
Welcome to the Wednesday live blog! Dan Alexander is on duty, readying your updates, news, reaction and more from the world of cycling today
CyclingMikey red light video (YouTube/CyclingMikey)
10 April 2024, 13:22
"I'll pay the fine! You're not going to see me complaining": CyclingMikey shares footage of him accidentally riding through red light, although barrister doubts prosecution is "in the public interest"
Here's a bizarre turn of events for your Wednesday live blog. CyclingMikey, the road safety campaigner who uploads and reports videos of road users committing traffic offences, has shared his latest video, in which the road user in question is... himself?!
Having stopped at traffic lights on Eccleston Street in Westminster, one of the four lights visible soon turned green, signalling the bicycle rider to advance and cross the junction. However, with no traffic following, and the benefit of camera footage to look back on, he worked out the other three lights were red and the green light was in fact for traffic from another direction and had been twisted out of place. How the junction should look...
@TfL@CityWestminster I'd like to report this traffic light as someone has twisted it to point down the wrong road. See the video in my post above. This is what it is supposed to look like: pic.twitter.com/6fCWqTJAVD
— CyclingMikey the Unspeakable (@MikeyCycling) April 10, 2024
How it did...
Anyway, Mikey took the bold (and admirably principled) step of uploading the footage to social media and even invited any trolls who may wish to report the incident to the police, giving the time and date of the incident to assist any report.
"It's my mistake, I hold my hands up, I'm at fault there," Mikey told his YouTube video. "I missed that the other two traffic lights were still red. I realised something was wrong when the scooter rider next to me revved his engine and then stopped, so he obviously almost got caught too, but he and the other scooter rider behind me didn't follow through. That's probably the best use of video cameras that I have over the years, that I can go back and look at when there's been a point of conflict or something's gone unexpectedly and I can find out what went wrong and change my own riding as a result.
"I'm sure that some trolls would like to report me for running the red light... you're welcome to, I'll even give you the time and date! It was yesterday, the 8th April, at 13:16, I'm sure you can work out where the road is.
"If the police prosecute me, so what? I'll pay the fine, you're not going to see me complaining."
Barrister and fellow YouTuber the BlackBeltBarrister saw the footage and suggested it "ought not be in the public interest" to prosecute in this case.
"Perfect example of where the police can use discretion as this video serves as education and a show of integrity — so it ought not to be in the public interest to prosecute," he commented.
10 April 2024, 16:00
"Obstacle course" cycle junction a "ruse to drive motorists out of the town", claim drivers – but cyclists praise long-awaited layout change
No 60km solo victory? I guess that comes next week when Tadej Pogačar returns... just a good, old competitive reduced bunch sprint, Benoît Cosnefroy the strongest of an evenly matched front group that had reeled in escapee Marijn van den Berg on the final climb to the finish.
In Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel's absence, UAE Team Emirates and Alpecin-Deceuninck had to settle for third with Tim Wellens and sixth with Quenten Hermans. See, isn't so easy without your big dogs, is it?
Shout-out to Israel-Premier Tech Brit Joseph Blackmore (who's already won three stages and three GC races this year, by the way) for a moster lead-out followed by enough strength to sprint for fourth. Did his team pick the right man for the finish?
10 April 2024, 14:02
Elisa Longo Borghini lands impressive solo victory at Brabantse Pijl
It's the official cobbles x Ardennes crossover day — Brabantse Pijl — the perfect mix of a last dose of pavé and puncheur-friendly tarmac bergs. In the women's race, Elisa Longo Borghini continued her impressive classics campaign, adding a third victory of the spring to her palmares and a second in succession, following on from Flanders.
🥇 Elisa Longo Borghini cruises to a solo victory at Fleche Brabanconne! 🙌
Demi Vollering was second, the Ardennes triple-header starting this weekend surely going to offer the SD Worx climber a big opportunity for that first victory (or three) of 2024. 35km to go in the men's race, and with no Mathieu van der Poel or Tadej Pogačar it feels a bit like some bike races used to — open, competitive, all up for grabs... we'll let you know who comes out on top as soon as it's happened...
10 April 2024, 12:53
Paris-Roubaix spectator's lawyer insists "never any intention to harm" to Mathieu van der Poel and confirms she has contacted riders' union
Bike thief who ditched his own bicycle to steal another jailed
A bike thief has been jailed and ordered to pay his victim compensation after admitting abandoning his own bicycle in order to steal another one.
The Peterborough Telegraph reports Benjamin Trayford was seen on CCTV cutting through a lock on March 9, leaving his own bicycle outside the Nisa shop in Eldern to make off with the stolen one.
The 31-year-old was identified two weeks later, having been approached by Tesco staff for acting suspiciously, and arrested by the police in relation with the earlier theft. Trayford admitted the offence and has been sentenced to four weeks in prison and was ordered to pay £250 in compensation.
"This was a moment of opportunity for Trayford, and he didn't think twice before committing the offence," PC Jenkins said. "Bikes are extremely important for cyclists as they are often their main form of transport, and therefore I would like to encourage cyclists to look into the best ways to protect their bikes when it comes to leaving them."
Learning to ride a bike as an adult — one cyclist's story
A year ago today, I got a bike for my birthday and tried learning to cycle for the first time. I've made a little video for fun to show my journey over the past twelve months.
I didn't think I'd be able to, so if you've never learned or want to try again, this is your sign🚴 pic.twitter.com/039kclCUxR
"Taking the first step was pretty emotional after what I've been through": Jay Vine begins recovery from fractured vertebrae
UAE Team Emirates climber Jay Vine was one of the worst affected in last week's horrendous Itzulia crash, suffering several fractured vertebrae in the pile-up which also saw Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič abandon with injuries.
The Australian rider has updated fans on his condition, explaining that being able to take his first steps with a walker was "pretty emotional" considering some of the early fears about the extent of the damage.
"Incredible support from everyone! Thanks so much for all the messages!" Vine wrote on Instagram. "Medical update on my end: I'm tracking as well as can be expected, I have been able to walk around my room with the aid of a walker, and taking the first step was pretty emotional after what I've been through.
"Waiting to get home to Andorra, but the folks in the hospital have been A + with the care I have received. Just can't believe that I will still be able to walk and play with my kids one day, it was pretty scary for a couple of days when we weren't sure if surgery or neurological problems might present themselves. Long road ahead for my recovery, but I am looking forward to getting the process rolling."
10 April 2024, 09:42
Timmy Mallett's Northern Ireland cycling tour
This is our regular 'we're very jealous of Timmy Mallett's life' post. Northern Ireland is the latest destination the presenter is exploring on two wheels.
Well worth a follow on Strava, plus other socials, if you're that way inclined...
"Road safety remains the biggest barrier to more people cycling": Research suggests more than two thirds of Scots think not feeling safe is main barrier to cycling
"Ridiculous" Paris-Roubaix vandalism as cobbles stolen from famous sector and "a lot of rubbish" left by fans
Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix (The Friends of Paris Roubaix — the volunteers who maintain the cobbles and help keep the famous sectors rideable) have raised the alarm about a "ridiculous" act of vandalism at Sunday's race, cobblestones apparently stolen out of the ground by spectators looking for a souvenir.
"Cobbles from the Carrefour de l'Arbre were stolen after the race. There was also a lot of rubbish. Ridiculous," the group said on social media, also sharing a photo of the littering problem.
I'm afraid you've got to win Paris-Roubaix if you want a cobblestone on your mantelpiece, and digging one out the ground has obvious safety implications for anyone professional or otherwise riding the cobbles. Not to mention the extra time and money required to replace the pilfered pavé. In short, not the smartest idea. But don't worry, we have a suspect...
Very suspicious. Facetiousness aside, there has been plenty of sympathy for Les Amis des Paris-Roubaix, a voluntary organisation stretched for time and resources that does its best to help keep one of the great sporting events running. And then something like this happens.
Jane van Nieke: "Ridiculous doesn't begin to describe it! Merci beaucoup for your continued passion and hard work."
Olifants: "We true cycling fans very much appreciate your efforts to retain this portion of history in the sport in spite of people without manners or morals or ethics. I thank you!"
Dan is the road.cc news editor and joined in 2020 having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Dan has been at road.cc for four years and mainly writes news and tech articles as well as the occasional feature. He has hopefully kept you entertained on the live blog too.
Never fast enough to take things on the bike too seriously, when he's not working you'll find him exploring the south of England by two wheels at a leisurely weekend pace, or enjoying his favourite Scottish roads when visiting family. Sometimes he'll even load up the bags and ride up the whole way, he's a bit strange like that.
Ah, but did they arrive looking like an explosion in the Decathlon aisle, with helmet hair and oil on their Louboutins? Got to look at the whole picture you know.
Actually looks more like a double bass (around 6ft/182cm) than a cello (around 4ft/121cm) to me, in which case all the more kudos to the rider.
What is the point of sending somoeone to prison for four weeks. All it does is punish society. The state of our prisons mean that somone who goes in as a person who could be rehabilitated will probably come out as an in debt drug user, who then needs to commit further crimes to pay the people he owes.
What is the point of sending somoeone to prison for four weeks. All it does is punish society. The state of our prisons mean that somone who goes in as a person who could be rehabilitated will probably come out as an in debt drug user, who then needs to commit further crimes to pay the people he owes.
The government are proposing that short prison sentences (12 months or less) be suspended in almost all circumstances.
55% of people given a custodial sentence of less than 12 months are convicted for further crimes. For offenders punished with Suspended Sentence Orders with requirements that are served in the community, the reoffending rate is substantially lower at 24%.
The trouble is we've had 14 years of this Government talking about doing all sorts and delivering the square root of zero! Roll on the election and we may get some politicians who actually want to work and get things done.
[Snip]
Would the police ever provide similar (victim blaming) advice to motorists...?
[Snip]
Really?
Have you slept through the last few decades of public broadcasts and adverts inviting people to *not* leave valuables in their cars, or if they do, to cover / hide them.
True - but they don't tend shake their heads and suggest you should have looked at the best way to protect your missing car? Nor shrug while pointing to the sign that says "car thieves operate in this car park".
Matthew Acton-Varianreplied to mitsky |7 months ago
4 likes
I tried "taking methods to protect my bike" such as making the bike, lock and stand live with high voltage electricity, but apparently that is illegal. How much does an armed security guard cost? Asking for a friend.
We go to Woodbridge 3 or 4 times a year and it annoys me that cars are allowed along the main street on a Saturday and even park on the pavement.
Quite what the dynamics are I have no idea - more wankpanzers in the pedestrian bit I suppose.
Oh and then there are all the drivers who park in the bus stop by the town square.
driver who "failed to observe four separate red lights at the intersection and "failed to brake or steer", jumping curb & killing baby, held to be "single, momentary lapse of attention", acquitted of all charges.
driver who "failed to observe four separate red lights at the intersection and "failed to brake or steer", jumping curb & killing baby, held to be "single, momentary lapse of attention", acquitted of all charges.
That is a tragic miscarriage of justice and Judge Katherine Denhoff should be immediately removed from her position.
Quote:
In acquitting Zadeh of all charges, B.C. Provincial Court Judge Katherine Denhoff noted there were no drugs or alcohol involved, and no evidence of any issues with his driving before the crash.
Considering that the driver went straight through a red light before crashing, I would dispute that statement as being categorically false.
I just wondered how many people it would need to have been killed at that spot - 4,5,6, 12 before it became a guilty verdict or would it make no difference as to how many were killed and he still would have been aquitted?
The way that was written makes me think it is a sick April fools joke.
And the reporting is awful (as usual with most media outlets) too:
"Zadeh has admitted he was driving a Ford Escape that ran a red light at the intersection of Hornby and Smithe streets. The SUV hit another car.. "
I would ask if the vehicle was sef-driving/autonomous. http://rc-rg.com
The judge should be permanently removed from office for this.
How would she feel if she was related to the baby that died?
The way that was written makes me think it is a sick April fools joke.
And the reporting is awful (as usual with most media outlets) too:
"Zadeh has admitted he was driving a Ford Escape that ran a red light at the intersection of Hornby and Smithe streets. The SUV hit another car.. "
I would ask if the vehicle was sef-driving/autonomous. http://rc-rg.com
The judge should be permanently removed from office for this.
How would she feel if she was related to the baby that died?
That's terrible. At best a momentrary lack of concentration, at the most forgiving, is 1 red light, not 4 with the last fatal one having been red for 20secs