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Footage of cyclist hit on roundabout leads to 'debate' on social media; Cancellara keeps Paris-Roubaix cobbles in sauna; XR planning pop-up cycle lane smash-and-grab; Manchester bike lanes removed?; Londoners filmed on packed buses + more on the live blog

Welcome to Wednesday's live blog, with Jack Sexty in charge and Simon MacMichael adding some pearls of wisdom later this evening...
UPDATED Thu, May 14, 2020 00:11
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Footage of cyclist hit on roundabout leads to 'debate' on social media; Cancellara keeps Paris-Roubaix cobbles in sauna; XR planning pop-up cycle lane smash-and-grab; Manchester bike lanes removed?; Londoners filmed on packed buses + more on the live bloghull cyclist hit by van may 2020 screenshot.PNG
13 May 2020, 16:00
Footage of cyclist hit by a van on roundabout emerges... and some people actually think it's the cyclist's fault

It's worrying enough that the driver who hit the cyclist has a licence, but some of the comments about it on social media make for rather worrying reading... 

hull comments 1.PNG
hull comments 2.PNG

This also prompted a tabloid newspaper to publish an article online with "who is in the wrong?" in the headline; but it's perhaps a relief that amongst the 800-plus comments on that article, the large majority identify that the driver of the van was clearly at fault. 

If you know of anyone who is unsure if they need to give way on a roundabout or not, please direct them towards this section of The Highway Code. 

13 May 2020, 15:39
Chris Froome heads back out for a ride

Monaco-based Froome has decided to venture out again now that the France and the Principality have relaxed their lockdown to allow outdoor exercise. Will he be going for a fifth Tour on the 29th August as is scheduled in the UCI's calendar? We won't hold our breath...

13 May 2020, 15:25
SRAM introduces wide-range gearing for Force eTap AXS groupset
SRAM_Force_eTap_AXS_Wide_groupset_Fitted_Chainset.JPG

It's wireless, 12-speed Force but with more hill-friendly gears - read all about the launch here and our full review here.  

13 May 2020, 13:51
Jacob Rees-Mogg heads back to work
13 May 2020, 13:36
Fabian Cancellara reveals that he keeps his three Paris-Roubaix cobbles... in his sauna

Spartacus told CNN Sport that he keeps the cobblestone 'trophies' he won for Paris-Roubaix victories in 2006, 2010 and 2013 in his sauna. What with them being cobblestones of course there's no chance of them melting, and he explained further: 

"It's different from all the others because it's flat and these cobbles are not easy, they are really rough and that's maybe why they are in the sauna, because there's a lot of sweat in those races."

Cancellara also said that he does believe bike racing can go ahead without fans if COVID-19 means that is necessary to restart the season:

"When a sports athlete is in his tunnel of concentration, sometimes he doesn't even see or hear fans because he is so in the mode of concentration that energy is only for that. 

"And if you go to the podium and there are no fans, of course it looks strange but everyone knows the situation."
 

13 May 2020, 15:23
Brompton sales are booming
13 May 2020, 13:12
It's official: Zwift doesn't count

Wise words from Her Majesty.

13 May 2020, 12:10
Bristol latest city to announce major cycling and walking improvements

Bristol 24/7 report that mayor Marvin Rees will today announce plans to 'radically alter' travel in the city, with new cycle lanes installed on numerous busy city centre roads, including the usually traffic-choked Stokes Croft. Cycling improvements will also be coming to Lewins Mead, the Clifton Triangle, Marlborough Street and Park Row, with numerous other areas getting widened pavements. 

Sustrans' Jon Usher told Bristol 24/7: “We’re delighted to see a comprehensive package of measures being brought forward. The council has worked swiftly in challenging circumstances to ensure people can continue to get around safely on foot and by bike as restrictions are lifted.

“These interventions are essential to help people access work and local shops safely, kick-starting our economic recovery. We congratulate the council for these actions that will help people to leave the car at home.”​

13 May 2020, 11:50
Transport for Greater Manchester accused of removing cycle lanes

As TfGM announced that bike journeys have increased by 42%, numerous images on social media have surfaced of cycle lanes that appear to be getting removed

It's unclear who gave instructions for road blocks to be placed in the lanes, as TfGM replied to the tweet above saying they will raise the issue, and have asked for the locations of where the removals appear to be happening. 

13 May 2020, 12:23
Both new pieces are designed for warm-weather urban riding
13 May 2020, 15:28
13 May 2020, 10:51
Cars in pop-up cycle lanes: it didn't take long

Hopefully the driver of this vehicle is dealt with accordingly.

13 May 2020, 10:15
Extinction Rebellion set to make their own pop-up cycle lanes this weekend, saying government's plans don't go far enough

Armed with chalk, spray paint and even toilet plungers to separate out cycle lanes (we've heard this one before), the climate activists say they will take to the streets to make their own bike lanes and extra space for pedestrians this weekend to bring about the "radical change" that is needed. 

XR's Caspar Hughes told I News: “We need to be highlighting to local authorities which are doing nothing that they have just got weeks now to prepare city and town centres to make it safe for people to get out and [remain] physically distanced.

“We need to highlight the depth of the problem. Virtually every town and street with any public facility - whether that is a shop or a pub or a library - will need to be changed to allow people to walk and physically distance safely.”

It's unclear how local authorities plan to respond if the action goes ahead, but a spokesperson for London's Mayor Sadiq Khan said that their Streetspace plan is already working on making the streets safer for cyclists, and that "any unofficial action could jeopardise this and put people in danger.”

13 May 2020, 09:28
Basso release ‘Reflect’ edition of the Diamante SV
Basso Diamante SV Edit-2

Jack really liked Basso’s Diamante SV frameset when he reviewed it and the Italian brand has just announced a new opal white colour “in an effort to add light and allow reflection in what is undoubtedly a dark period.”

Basso has created the paint scheme to match “the pseudo-chromatic optical effect” of the opal gemstone. Basso says that “the internal structure of both the mineral and the Basso developed paint technique diffract light, creating a ‘play-of-colour’ that discretely shows the entire spectrum of coloured light, depending on the angle of reflection. Such a resemblance to the precious mineral comes from not only the Basso developed paint but also the technique with which is applied.

Basso Diamante SV Edit-1

To create this colour, Basso used “five separate layers of different paints and different application techniques coated with a specifically developed transparent layer that protects the integrity of the colour while not inhibiting the light’s diffraction.”

If you like shiny things too, head to basso.com

13 May 2020, 08:57
Anger over government's mixed messaging as Londoners filmed head back to work on packed buses

While the government have advised those returning to work to cycle and walk where possible, as Grant Shapps put it yesterday, many people were seen piling onto buses and tubes in the capital this morning... but with large portions of London and other cities in the UK still badly lacking cycling infrastructure, and the message to return to work perhaps overriding the part about commuting safely, it's been argued that many don't have a choice. 

If the government are serious about the public avoiding public transport as they return to work, arguably they need to do better.

13 May 2020, 08:45
Liverpool unveil ambitious plans for vast post-coronavirus cycling and walking network

The Mayor of the city has announced plans for up to 100km of pop-up cycling infrastructure, more 20mph zones and increased pedestrianisation. The two major corridors set to get temporary cycle lanes are Sefton Park Perimeter and West Derby Road Route. 

Mayor Joe Anderson told The Liverpool Echo: “The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted our way of life beyond imagination but the challenges it has presented has also provided us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to reimagine how we use and travel within our cities.

“We are already doing much to alter how people use Liverpool city centre but we must now go further than we ever dreamed possible and use our highways network in a way which balances the needs of our economy, our health and our environment.

“This £2m programme for temporary cycle lanes and part-pedestrianisation is just one step on the long road to recovery but hopefully it will provide businesses and their workforce strong alternatives if they don’t want to use public transport and don’t have access to a car.”

13 May 2020, 07:01
Exercise rules change in England: what will you be doing with your 'unlimited exercise'?

The new guidelines now allow you to ride with one person from outside your household... will that change anything for you? Read our Q+A on what's changed for cyclists to make sure you're up to speed. 

13 May 2020, 08:30
"Don't be this guy", say Avon and Somerset Police as close pass shocker is captured on camera

The south west police force posted this to remind drivers of their responsibilities when passing cyclists... perhaps a hefty fine and points would be nice to go along with that 'reminder' in the post though?

13 May 2020, 12:24

Can't see the comments? Click here. 

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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60 comments

Avatar
Rome73 | 4 years ago
4 likes

One of the issues in London (and likely elsewhere) is cycle parking. There is a severe lack of parking for cycles both residential and at destination. This is the biggest impediment to cycling (after perceived 'danger') Local authorities need to be resourced so they can install more secure cycle parking. It is impossible to drive to work in central London (no parking, congestion charge, CPZ) But it is almost as difficult to cycle - because unless the place of work provides secure parking there are limited places to leave a cycle. Theft and vandalism of course are a huge issue with cycles locked on the street. So whilst there is all this positive talk of extra bike lanes and increased modal share there is no discussion about where these bikes will be 'parked' in the long term. 

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Sriracha replied to Rome73 | 4 years ago
3 likes

100%. Unless you can park the bike it can never be used for more than leisure.

E-bikes have been the answer for many venturing back onto a bike after years of sloth. But these things are expensive. I see people using them for leisure rides and feeling virtuous, but risk parking them outside the supermarket and have the paintwork scratched, or worse? That anxiety is real.

I can only guess at how much goes into car parking when a supermarket is on the drawing board, and I'll bet that a tiny fraction of a percent of that goes into cycle parking. Lidl just weld some wheel benders to the trolley cages - that's it.

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pockstone replied to Rome73 | 4 years ago
1 like

I seem to remember a plan to turn a bloody big Crossrail-related hole in Finsbury Park into cycle parking. Refused I think because it would attract cyclists.

With thinking like that, the golden age is a long way away.

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ktache | 4 years ago
0 likes

For the Daily Mail of course it would have been the cyclist fault, how dare he get in the way of an important motorist, and delay their urgent journey.

And they were obviously not following the advice to "Be Aware"

The people on the bus, would it really have been easy or even possible to secure a bicycle between Sunday, and Monday, I mean Wednesday morning?  Sorry, bit confused.  Or get one they managed to dig up fixed, bike shops being very busy at the moment, and spares almost impossible to source.  Or get a big enough lock, this being Laaandan...

I popped into Goring train station as part of my slightly longer and further ride today (nice to see some other roads, different woods and fields) and the trains from and to London were deserted.  The ones stopping that I could see into, I could count the people on one hand.  I left at about 5ish and the car park was completely empty.  Didn't seem to me that the car parking commuters of Goring were being made to go into work.

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ktache replied to ktache | 4 years ago
6 likes

Boris's hobby crafting once more

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Rome73 replied to ktache | 4 years ago
2 likes

And what's more the van driver was busy on the phone at the time of the collision - speaking to his next customer. So the cyclist delayed a worker from 'getting Britain moving again' The traitor. 

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Judge dreadful | 4 years ago
1 like

On the subject of the van and bike accident, although legally the van driver got it wrong, there is a possible excuse for what looks at first to be another dozy moton not paying attention, and flattening a vulnerable road user. There's a phenomenon known as constant bearing, reducing range blindness. Essentially the angle of approach, and relative speeds of the van and bike, means that the bike appears as a stationary object in the field of vision, of the van driver. The human brain does something peculiar in such a situation. In order to not use more energy than necessary, the brain starts to 'target acquire' and actually ignores seemingly, or actually stationary objects. The eyes look, the brain sees. It's quite possible, that the van driver really didn't see the cyclist first nor last, and the collision was a huge shock. It's a case of the oft repeated "where the hell did he appear from". It works both ways, I've ridden in front of vehicles I didn't see, for the same reason. I've never had a big off, because of it though, and it's never caused me to hit, or be hit by a driver.

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roubaixcobbles replied to Judge dreadful | 4 years ago
9 likes

All sounds very clever. I'm not that clever so I'll stick with total moron drove straight onto a roundabout without stopping and hit a cyclist wearing a fluorescent orange jacket, if that's OK.

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Hirsute replied to Judge dreadful | 4 years ago
6 likes

In this instance, the approach speed was rather rapid considering the vehicle filming was overtaken, so even if the case, the situation was created by the poor approach.

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Sriracha replied to Judge dreadful | 4 years ago
2 likes

Constant bearing? So let's take the case of a constant bearing of 12 o'clock from the van, incoming. You're saying that it would be difficult for the van driver to notice a car heading at him straight between the eyes, head on? Or does this only work for bikes?

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brooksby replied to Judge dreadful | 4 years ago
1 like

https://beyondthekerb.org.uk/collision-course/

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Sriracha replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
2 likes
brooksby wrote:

https://beyondthekerb.org.uk/collision-course/

Thanks, great link, explains the geometry well. Interestingly, if you read far enough, it suggests a roundabout could be one solution to the constant bearing problem.

Another solution, it suggests, would be for the driver to look properly.

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mdavidford replied to Sriracha | 4 years ago
0 likes

From the comments:

Quote:

The problem with the proposed offset junction is that cars going from the road on the left to the road on the right could block the main road

Er, no - the problem is that far too many people think that that would be a problem.

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gmac101 | 4 years ago
7 likes

When I collided with a car on a roundabout the driver told me it was my fault as I could see he was coming on!  I'd managed to turn and we collided side on and my pedal had sliced his door panel.  Me and the bike were fine so I cycled off leaving him raving about my lack of foresight.  

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brooksby replied to gmac101 | 4 years ago
2 likes

It's worrying how many people are out there driving in the UK who genuinely don't appear to understand how you are supposed to use a roundabout...

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eburtthebike | 4 years ago
5 likes

For those of you wondering which tabloid asked who's fault the collision was, it was the Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8311279/Moment-cyclist-left-spr...

Fortunately, most of the respondents agree that it was the driver at fault.

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Mungecrundle replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
8 likes

I have no self respect either and also tracked it down to the DM.

Ye Gods! I'd sooner share the road with the van driver in the clip than with some of the DM mouthbreathers who quite clearly have no understanding of how roundabouts work or that drivers have any responsibility for the safety of other road users.

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Hirsute replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
2 likes

I can't bring myself to follow the link. I assume those who thought it wasn't the driver's fault felt it was just an accident.

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Sriracha replied to Hirsute | 4 years ago
3 likes
hirsute wrote:

I can't bring myself to follow the link. I assume those who thought it wasn't the driver's fault felt it was just an accident.

You're too charitable by far. Many thought it was actively the cyclist's fault, no mere accident. The cyclist cut across the van, and didn't indicate, etc.

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Simon E replied to Sriracha | 4 years ago
4 likes

Sriracha wrote:

Many thought it was actively the cyclist's fault, no mere accident. The cyclist cut across the van, and didn't indicate, etc.

I agree, and would rewrite the headline as:

"Footage of cyclist hit by a van on roundabout emerges... and some people actually want to think it's the cyclist's fault"

It suits their world view, helped by the Mail et al treating cyclists as an out-group, that the cyclist must be at fault. This is regardless of any supposed facts stated by others. It's an article of faith.

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brooksby replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
3 likes

I watched the video with the sound off, but in what world was this anything other than the fault of the van driver?? If they'd been looking properly before pulling out onto the roundabout then there would have been no collision. Except that there was, so they weren't.

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Sriracha replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
2 likes

The DM is definitely stirring things up by saying social media is divided - overwhelmingly the van driver is seen to be at fault. Of course there are still a significant minority who think the cyclist was at fault - maybe clips like this need to be in the driving theory test with the wrong answer leading to an instant fail.

For me the peach was:
"The cyclist came out of nowhere and cut right across the van, cyclist fault. No indication by the cyclist either."
Not sure if that was sarcasm - worrying!

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brooksby replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
1 like

Did we need to ask?

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Daddylonglegs | 4 years ago
0 likes

That BMW in the bike lane looks like Photoshop to me...

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crazy-legs | 4 years ago
0 likes

I find it amusing that TfGM have asked for the location of those cycle lane blockages. It is literally right outside their own office! (front of Manchester Piccadilly Station / back of TfGM offices).

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ktache | 4 years ago
4 likes

Well done Liverpool, good luck with it.

And as for the unfortunates on the bus, I doubt if the choice was between the Rolls, the Jag or an overcrowded method of public transport.

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CygnusX1 | 4 years ago
1 like

WRT the BMWankPanzer  parked in the cycle lane - its not a pop-up lane its the CS1 in London.

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Hirsute replied to CygnusX1 | 4 years ago
0 likes

I assumed it was being driven !

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brooksby | 4 years ago
0 likes

Lord!  Remember Extinction Rebellion? I wondered what had happened to them... 3

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Rome73 replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
0 likes

Extinction Rebellion is the child of Reclaim the Streets. 

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