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"What possible justification is there for this?" Bike racks in Norwich closed for "Royal Period of Mourning" goes viral; Remco wins the Vuelta; Reaction to Hammersmith cancelling Car Free Day; Cabbie "meltdown" in CyclingMikey vid + more on the live blog

It's Monday, we're getting used to saying King Charles III and Jack Sexty is kicking things off in the morning, with some other members of the news team chipping in this afternoon...
Mon, Sep 12, 2022 08:55
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"What possible justification is there for this?" Bike racks in Norwich closed for "Royal Period of Mourning" goes viral; Remco wins the Vuelta; Reaction to Hammersmith cancelling Car Free Day; Cabbie "meltdown" in CyclingMikey vid + more on the live blogNorwich bike racks closed Sep 22 (Jeremy Hutchinson)
12 September 2022, 16:03
Bike rack(s)gate Norwich: a closing round-up of reactions

Well since this morning we've found out from our spotter Terry that it's actually multiple bike racks with signs on around Norwich City Hall, and interestingly the wording appears to be slightly different on each one. 

Even though, as some have pointed out, there is something of a reasonable explanation for the closure of the racks, in the court of public opinion the council are still taking a fair bit of flak for closing them for such a lengthy period of time. 

Someone proudly proclaiming to be an anti-monarchist has now even parked their bike in front of the sign in protest.

12 September 2022, 15:55
Always remember to make eye contact with drivers

Unless you're Shaquille O'Neal, that might be difficult in some parts of the USA where these very, very large pickup trucks appear to be gaining popularity amongst sections of the population that, we suspect, are not using them for logging....

12 September 2022, 15:39
Active travel news and state funeral news colliding much more than we were anticipating this week...
12 September 2022, 15:18
Cyclist "fighting for his life" after being hit by lorry driver in Southwark
Police tape (CC licensed by freefotouk on Flickr)

Police rushed to Great Dover Street outside Borough Underground Station in London at 7.35am this morning following the collision between a cyclist and a flat-bed lorry driver. The Evening Standard reports that the male cyclist was taken to hospital for treatment, and he is in a critical condition.

The driver of the flat-bed lorry stopped at the scene, and there have been no arrests made at the time of writing. 

12 September 2022, 14:22
Remco Evenepoel wins La Vuelta a España: Roundup after final stage in Madrid
Remco Evenepoel vuelta espana podium 2022 (Wout Beels)
Wout Beel

 

As Remco Evenepoel crossed the line yesterday in the Spanish capital of Madrid he became the first Belgian to win a Grand Tour in 44 years. He also took the first Grand Tour win for his team, Quick-Step AlphaVinyl, and boy did we know about it!

Along with multiple posts to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram they also posted 79 Instagram stories throughout the day, granted one of two were from the GP Montreal, but mostly it was Remco in Red. Here are a few social media posts after the final stage...

12 September 2022, 12:23
More peculiar marks of respect for Her Majesty

As we've already mentioned, a number of events have been simmered down or cancelled altogether following the death of Queen Elizabeth last Thursday, and some of the decisions have left people scratching their heads... with the one to cancel Car Free Day in Hammersmith yesterday standing out as one of the most puzzling. 

Is it more respectful to drive round Hammersmith than to walk, cycle or catch the bus? With what we suspect is a hint of sarcasm, Sue and John added: "She would really really have appreciated this gesture - stopping local people celebrating a lovely and community-focused idea was the reason she got up in the morning." 

12 September 2022, 11:32
Norwich bike rackgate: a passer-by comes forth with more information
Norwich bike racks closed Sep 22 (Jeremy Hutchinson)

While we still await further comment from Norwich City Council (though as EnjoyTheRide points out in the comments, it's probably not its top priority right now) we've heard from an intrepid reader who happens to be in Norwich today for some eyewitness reporting. 

Norwich bike rack during royal proclamation 2022 - Terry Gilbert

Terry Gilbert tells road.cc that four cycle racks around City Hall have the notices on:

"The excuse seems to be to allow people to leave flowers, but I took a photo showing that currently the flowers are not at the point where they encroach near the bike racks," said Terry. 

"If it's for presentation reasons, I for one think the notices are rather more distracting from the aesthetic of the City Hall frontage than a bike!" 

Norwich bike rack rear side during royal proclamation 2022 - Terry Gilbert

He added: "On the other side of the main steps to the building, the racks have been closed to enable them to rope off the footway for the vast queues waiting to sign the condolence book." 

Norwich bike rack sign during royal proclamation 2022 - Terry Gilbert

"Here's the floral tribute notice, close up" 

Do we still think this heavy-handed approach is appropriate? According to our live analytics a lot of people are pondering this very question right now... 

Thanks to Terry for supplying the photos and info

12 September 2022, 12:22
12 September 2022, 11:31
Win some very nice carbon wheels in our latest mega competition!
12 September 2022, 09:51
CyclingMikey's latest video sees cab driver in "meltdown" over being caught phone driving

This one might take up most of your lunch break to watch in its entirely, and I'm not sure you'll learn much from doing so... essentially the driver is really, really not happy that he has ben caught using a phone at the wheel, and repeatedly says the person who caught him doing so is "disgusting", as well as calling his bike "cheap" (for the record, it's most likely not a cheap bike at all). 

After a lot of shouting and the de-escalation of what nearly turned into a physical altercation, the offender himself called the police, the officers appear puzzled and CyclingMikey, real name Mike Van Erp, left the scene after chatting to one of the attending officers. 

Van Erp said in the video description: "I was too late to report this driver as I was busy at work at the time, so he got off completely scott-free. Interestingly, TfL have recently changed their policies on what offences will result in a green badge being revoked. It takes at least 12 points, or two mobile phone convictions, to be considered for driver licence disqualification. TfL will, however, revoke a green badge or PHV licence for a single mobile phone conviction.

"I hope this taxi driver doesn't use his phone any more. I also hope that this incident gave him a big shock." 

12 September 2022, 09:10
Bike rackgate: some further analysis

As mentioned in our post further down the page, numerous people have defended Norwich City Council for the closing of the bike rack outside City Hall due to the events taking place in the area. As you can see above, the proclamation for King Charles III took place yesterday afternoon, and it's expected that high volumes of people will visit to leave flowers during the national period of mourning. 

norwich city hall - google maps
Google Maps

We're quite certain this is the cycle rack in question, which is indeed right outside City Hall, and could in theory become tricky to access if large crowds formed around it.

So, is it possible that long queues to pay respects will last for 12 days, thus rendering the rack unusable? This is almost too much for a Monday morning... 

12 September 2022, 08:42
Londoners: be prepared to devise another bike route

As we also noted in our news story after the death of Elizabeth II last week, a number of road closures and diversions will be in force during preparations for the funeral in London. We predicted some of the roads in the map above could be closed for several weeks, including Cycleway 3, which passes both Buckingham Palace and Parliament Square, plus Wellington Barracks where many of the troops who provide ceremonial duties in London are based.

We're still waiting for all the exact details from TfL, and will update when we know more. At the moment, TfL's page on travel advice for the mourning period regarding cycling says: "Avoid the roads that are closed to motor traffic and use alternatives if possible. Central London will be very busy. It may be too crowded to cycle in some areas.

"Follow the instructions of stewards and police - you may need to dismount and walk at times." 

12 September 2022, 08:10
Britain is baffled by a cycle rack in Norwich... closed for 12 days due to "Royal period of Mourning"

If your bike is locked up safe and sound, are you really even mourning? That appears to be the message Norwich City Council are trying to hammer home, after a local spotted this bike rack outside City Hall had been closed... for 12 whole days, in what some people are suggesting is a bizarre mark of respect to our late monarch. 

Although, is there a reasonable explanation? One road.cc reader from Norwich got in touch to say that as the cycle rack is outside City Hall it could be justifiable to put it out of use during the proclamation for King Charles III, but they were puzzled as to why it needed to be shut for the entire mourning period. 

Jeremy, who took the photo, also told us: "There were a few people commentating on it and saying that because there’s people leaving flowers outside and going into the city hall building to sign the book of condolences that there might be a queue to get in which would get in the way of the cycle racks.

"The flowers weren’t really near them, and I’m not sure that people would be queueing for all of the days it’s out of action, so seemed a bit of overkill."

Of course social media has gone into overdrive about this seemingly OTT mark of 'respect', with Jeremy Vine and many others chiming in to wonder just why locking your bike up over the next week or so is disrespectful. 

It's not the only unusual bit of meddling from authorities and event organisers that has taken place since the passing of Elizabeth II aged 96, with a number of children's events targeted for cancellation during the period of mourning such as Ironkids at Ironman Wales, the children's fun run at the Great North Run and this fair on Wimbledon Common... 

Of course, we've put a question in to Norwich City Council to get their side of the story on that now infamous bike rack... 

12 September 2022, 08:59
Christmas has come early for road.cc Liam
Liam procyclingstats

...because he now has a ProCyclingStats page! Liam will be looking to add to his other stellar results such as 36th at the Category 2 National Trophy Series Round 5 in Pembrey over this year's cyclocross season, do stay tuned... 

12 September 2022, 08:03

Invalid Scald ID.

Remco Evenepoel takes Vuelta red jersey, becoming first Belgian to win a Grand Tour in 44 years
Remco Evenepoel Vuelta 2022 (Wout Beel)
Wout Beel

Unbelievable as it is, it really is true that Evenepoel is the first Belgian for almost half a century to win one of cycling's Grand Tours. After some wobbles in the mountains the 22-year-old managed to hold on in style and finished over two minutes ahead of Enric Mas in second place. 

Of course Evenepoel had a lovely red Specialized Tarmac to mark the occasion, and did some classic poses with his teammates before rolling across the line... 

Can this lad win the Tour de France one day? We're still just glad he picked cycling over football... 

 

Jack Sexty

Jack has been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of the website including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named Editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master's degree in print journalism and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it's a long story). 

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39 comments

Avatar
Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

https://twitter.com/buntyhoven/status/1571143342901334017

//pbs.twimg.com/media/Fc3SizzXgAMtPkP?format=jpg&name=small)

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Hirsute | 2 years ago
1 like

Using your phone never did anyone any harm.

Cognitive distraction.

https://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/crime/silan-kaya-guilty-of-death-by-carel...

 

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Fignon's ghost | 2 years ago
2 likes

I bet the Norwich City Council meeting took less than a minute to vote in this ludicrous decision. It was heard said.
"Cyclists. Scum. Sub human scum"

Avatar
ktache | 2 years ago
3 likes

I know they cannot be used at the moment, but those Norwich cycle racks do look very nice.

Not just solid looking, which is always good, but far away from the standard Sheffield stand.

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Awavey | 2 years ago
6 likes

Remco wasnt the only rider winning a race in Madrid this weekend, whilst it might have been a touch predictable after stage 2, youd think Annemiek van Vleuten winning the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta would be worthy of mention, given she's won the womens equivalent of all 3 of the mens grand tour races this year (Giro, TdF & Vuelta).

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Jack Sexty replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
4 likes

You're absolutely correct, personal apologies here because I was heavily involved in running the blog today - as you might have noticed the news cycle (no pun intended) has taken us away from bike racing, coupled with staffing shortages this means our pro cycling coverage has been rather light these last few days. Van Vleuten's achievement should have been acknowledged and we'll aim to put this right tomorrow. 

Avatar
Awavey replied to Jack Sexty | 2 years ago
1 like

No need to apologise 1

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Awavey | 2 years ago
2 likes

I love the fact one of the twitter replies to the self styled anti-monarchist "act of defiance", is he locked his bike there, just to take the picture, then unlocked it and rode off again.

hardly Kett's Rebellion is it ?

Avatar
eburtthebike | 2 years ago
7 likes

The example of the gigantic pick up trucks demonstrates the utter failure of regulations to protect the vulnerable.  No vehicle with such poor forward, and presumably rear, visibility should be allowed on the road.

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andystow replied to eburtthebike | 2 years ago
7 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

The example of the gigantic pick up trucks demonstrates the utter failure of regulations to protect the vulnerable.  No vehicle with such poor forward, and presumably rear, visibility should be allowed on the road.

I recently noticed that almost all the large pickup trucks in the work parking lot (which is quite a large percent of the vehicles) are parked ready to pull forward out of the spot. I think it's because the drivers know they have such poor rear visibility that they don't want to back out of the spot. I should go get a photo.

We recently repaved and restriped the lot, and had to actually expand the land it took up, no because more spots were needed, but because someone in management has something stupid like a Ford F350 and wanted every single spot made larger.

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KDee replied to andystow | 2 years ago
9 likes

A lot of the (ahem) energy facilities I've been to require that you reverse park into spaces. IIRC, the Institue of Advanced Motorists also used to recommend reverse parking. Basically because you can't really see much when reversing. Better to accidentally ding someone's car than flatten a pedestrian...or something. 

Avatar
JustTryingToGet... replied to KDee | 2 years ago
8 likes
KDee wrote:

A lot of the (ahem) energy facilities I've been to require that you reverse park into spaces. IIRC, the Institue of Advanced Motorists also used to recommend reverse parking. Basically because you can't really see much when reversing. Better to accidentally ding someone's car than flatten a pedestrian...or something. 

Pet hate of mine is people who don't reverse in, drive forwards out. Everyone is safer, if you drive out. And a special place in hell for people who don't reverse in AND ensure that they have fuck all visability with a monstrosity of a hedge... because privacy is more important than anyone else's safety.

A mad old bint on a local site was going full on karen about children on the pavement outside her house. Apparently if they died because she was reversing blind over a pavement it was entirely their fault. Probably Nigel's old dear.

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andystow replied to andystow | 2 years ago
4 likes

More dumb trucks.

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andystow replied to andystow | 2 years ago
3 likes

Look at all this lovely space around my MINI!

(I had to drive instead of bike in today as I was running late.)

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ktache replied to andystow | 2 years ago
7 likes

You could fit at least 3 of the original minis in there.

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andystow replied to ktache | 2 years ago
7 likes

ktache wrote:

You could fit at least 3 of the original minis in there.

I'm fairly certain four would fit. More if you had a friend to help you stack them.

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IanMSpencer | 2 years ago
7 likes

Re: the Queen's cycling becoming popular comment.

When she rose to the throne, cycling wasn't so much popular as necessary - if you didn't catch a bus or train, you rode a bike (and may well have ridden a bike to catch a train). Car driving was for the minority, and with rationing was hardly encouraged, nor considered a right.

Different times.

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Awavey | 2 years ago
2 likes

Seems like Norwich city council have responded to the Telegraph at least 3

The signs have been updated.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/09/12/cyclists-bemused-council-clo...

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Hirsute | 2 years ago
10 likes

Meanwhile in Bracknell Forest

//pbs.twimg.com/media/FcYFpn6XwAEGnuR?format=jpg&name=small)

https://twitter.com/badgercyclist/status/1568947736032022528

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David9694 replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

My old fave, the list of driver excuses not to have to pay for parking. 

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Hirsute | 2 years ago
14 likes

I watched bits of that mikey video yesterday.

The cabbie starts off with calling him a grass and later calls the police to report mikey...

The police turn up - what a great use of resources.

The interesting bit was where one of the cops recognises Mikey's accent and they talk about gandalf corner where the cop says that is a dangerous spot.

Avatar
IanMSpencer replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
14 likes

Let us contemplate the motorist logic of bemoaning being grassed on for breaking the law, and then calling the police to complain about the totally legal action of someone planning to report them to the police.

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Slartibartfast replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

"Cyclists go through red lights though" from the fash 🙄

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M20MAMIL | 2 years ago
7 likes

https://twitter.com/chestercycling/status/1569230550984003585?s=46&t=ZA1...
 

this is a horrific one. Close pass a few centimetres away from child trailer

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Patrick9-32 replied to M20MAMIL | 2 years ago
9 likes

The only reasonable way to fix this is by implementing significant jail time and permenant driving bans for these infractions. Appealing to driver's moral compass is clearly never going to work. This person clearly believes their convenience to be more important that a child's life, you can't change the mind of someone so fundamentally broken to consider others over themselves but you might be able to make them change their behavior out of self preservation and fear of consequence. 

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eburtthebike replied to Patrick9-32 | 2 years ago
1 like

Patrick9-32 wrote:

The only reasonable way to fix this is by implementing significant jail time and permenant driving bans for these infractions.

Unlikely to fix the level of stupidity demonstrated; neutering would at least remove them from the gene pool.

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Slartibartfast replied to M20MAMIL | 2 years ago
1 like

Yeah, it being a child does fuck all to make people drive carefully. Had people close pass me on a cargo bike with a baby carrier clearly visible, and had drivers force me and my kids into the gutter by driving straight at us when we have right of way. Some people are just awful humans.

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srchar replied to Slartibartfast | 2 years ago
5 likes

I find that I get far more space from drivers when I'm on the cargo bike with the kids. Today, however, I experiened my first bit of abuse while riding it. I overtook stationary traffic that was queueing for a roundabout close to my kids' school. As I got to the front and pulled into primary, the driver in the lane next to mine said, "you should go and use that bloody cycle lane".

The cycle lane he was referring to was literally a mile away. There's nothing that you can do or say to these people. They're not all there.

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Slartibartfast replied to srchar | 2 years ago
3 likes

I found it was more pointless MGIFing around mini roundabouts. Pointless overtake to sit in front of you, repeat 5 times on the same stretch of road. I have a kiddyback tandem now and just ride very, very defensively. Generally people are better these days, especially if you make it physically impossible for them to overtake. I just don't even allow close passes to be an option on the school run.
The scariest moments have been when I've expected oncoming drivers to adhere to the fact we have right of way (parked cars on their side) and they've just driven straight at us with nowhere to go. Luckily there's only a tiny stretch of road that is necessary on the 15 minute ride to school, the rest of it can be done on segregated infrastructure or wide, quiet pavements.
Last close pass I had the driver leant out the window and shouted 'helmets!' at me and the 4 year old on the back of the bike (he'd had a tantrum and refused to put one on), as if that was the biggest risk to us and not his decision to squeeze past on a single lane road.

Avatar
IanMSpencer replied to Slartibartfast | 2 years ago
1 like

They probably meant "Take off your helmets" so that in court you would clearly be wholly responsible for the incident.

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