BBC under fire over programme about "how best to share" the roads, titled... "Should cyclists stay in their lane?"; Cycling campaigns urge government to "hold their nerve" on 20mph speed limits + more on the live blog

For those of you who weren't able to tune in, BBC Radio 4's AntiSocial episode looking at cycling (and questionably titled "Should cyclists stay in their lane?") at least delivered on its promise to avoid being a slanging match, the at-length format and calm discussion instantly improving the usual 'five-minute no holds barred shouting contest' for cycling-related discussions on TV or radio. 

Lauren O'Brien represented the cycling side of the discussion, earning praise from those who listened for her patient explanations about why a cyclist might not use a cycle lane, how cycling could be made safer and various other topics. One listener concluding she "pretty much had a monopoly on being reasonable in that discussion".

The show also heard from James Woudhuysen, a journalist and visiting professor at London South Bank University. Among other things, he urged for greater Highway Code knowledge and viewing all road users in a more humanising way, rather than through respective transport tribes. Admittedly, those points came around plenty of unchallenged "war on the motorist" claims, an assertion that "snooping" camera cyclists are "very dangerous for the whole fabric of society", comments about empty cycle lanes, and a bizarre anecdote about having "nearly been run over by lots of women in very tight Lycra [... but] nobody complains about their testosterone".

That last one earned pushback from host Adam Fleming about why what they were wearing is relevant. Again, in fairness, Fleming was quick to question some of the claims made and the show was interspersed with a lawyer explaining the 2022 changes to the Highway Code, an academic giving a history of cycling in Britain, and stats from a producer. There was certainly far more work and research than your standard Good Morning Britain or Talk TV cycling segment that we're all too familiar with by now, but did it go far enough? Here's some of the early reaction...

I thought you did very well and was disappointed that your debating partner was allowed to get away with generalisations, straw man arguments and untruths without challenge.
I think if @adamfleming wants to have these type of people on he should be prepared to challenge them.

— Cllr Liam Calvert 💚 (@LiamCalvert) April 19, 2024

 noblecyclist: "Please challenge this guy when he mentions the fictitious 'war on cars'. There is no war on cars."

> 'The War on the Motorist' deconstructed — looking at the truth behind the myths

Plenty of discussion around the multiple minutes spent questioning why cyclists might not use a cycle lane...

Ian Cumming: "Why might I not be in a cycle lane? It may be strewn with litter, obstacles, or busy with slower cyclists and/or pedestrians. Given that I ride at 20-30mph and sometimes faster — the road seems like the safest and most considerate place for me to be."

#BBCAntisocial @adamfleming
Why don't cyclists use cycle lanes? pic.twitter.com/zXWDEwuDXr

— Drew (@drewsnx) April 19, 2024

Not great feedback for guest selection (although we're yet to see a complaint about one of the guests... no prizes for guessing)

Chris Whear: "Who is the guy, James? He is arrogant and biased. As a driver of over 50 years the last 10 have seen terrible driving standards and rage from car drivers (and some other groups) towards all road users. If he doesn't see that they [cyclists] are vulnerable there's no hope!!"

#bbcAntisocial
This man is ridiculous.

— Bjbrightwell (@bjbrightwell) April 19, 2024

And before I forget, a bit more reaction to that title, cycling campaigner Ruth Mayorcas calling it "utterly disgraceful".

"Every day my life is at risk from drivers who simply do not understand cycling as utility/modus operandi — and this simply compounds it," she said. "Why don't you get some lived experience @simontulett (one of the show's producers) and come cycle with me?" 

Anyone get a chance to listen in? What were your thoughts? Better than the usual 'broadcast media does cycling' fare, but what did you think? The full episode is available here...

We're sensing a good ol' caption contest...

As part of Milan Design Week, Bianchi has offered the cycling world (or those in striking distance of the Italian city, at least) an "unprecedented experience" to view its Specialissima RC road bike in holgraphic form through the power of the Apple Vision Pro headset.

Bianchi says it allows viewers to see a visualisation of the complete bicycle in 3D, "even exploding into its components set in the physical space where the visitor is located". On a completely tangental non-cycling point, if anyone fancies a Friday laugh, look up that time Ronnie O'Sullivan tried to play virtual reality pool with a headset like that. You can't lean on the table, Ronnie, it doesn't exist. Anyway, back to cycling...

"Bianchi's vision is constantly focused on the future and seeks to integrate the most innovative technologies," explained Claudio Masnata, marketing and communications manager at Bianchi. "Thanks to the collaboration with Zampediverse in this experiment, we can reduce the boundary between physical and digital spaces by offering an experience that didn't exist before and by laying the groundwork for new product presentation methods."

On to the day's biggest news story. Neighbours, the Australian soap which returned to screens last year, has horrified its viewers with an ongoing plot about a man who can't control his bowels when cycling. I hope you've finished your lunch...

Could Karl really be the serial pooper? 💩 pic.twitter.com/8ikQ5bYnfe

— Neighbours (@neighbours) April 18, 2024

Apparently the plot is inspired by the real-life "poo jogger" case that News.com.au claims gripped the country in 2018. Anyway, apparently someone is covering the lawns of Erinsborough and the community is shocked. Someone on the writing team's surely just a huge pro cycling fan, right?

The plot hasn't gone down well with Neighbours fans, the show inundated with comments about it being "disgusting".

"This is one of the very worst storylines Neighbours has ever run. Just disgusting," one said.

"This was funny the first time, but just gross now, as a Dr he would know the health implications of doing this in public places," another said.

thinking about this woman who recorded this as a workout on strava pic.twitter.com/i0Z2bjVI3C

— “paula” (@paularambles) April 19, 2024

A bizarre story next. Classics legend Tom Boonen has revealed how at the 2004 Tour of Qatar he got into (and out of) trouble due to some nude magazines at the airport. Speaking to Sporza's Wielerclub Wattage podcast, Boonen explained that due to dodgy hotel internet, he and his teammates often bought magazines of a certain genre at Brussels airport to keep them company when away from home.

"Before the flight to Qatar I bought a car magazine, the P-magazine, a Ché, a Playboy and some other booklets," Boonen said (we'll look past the strange amount of detail for a 20-year-old shopping haul). "When we landed in Qatar, we had to wait a while for the luggage. I had left my backpack with magazines with the teammates and was waiting at the baggage carousel.

"Nick Nuyens wouldn't have thought of anything better than taking one out of my backpack and leafing through it. I already had an idea that the customs officers were watching us. At a certain point I saw one of those customs officers say to a fellow customs officer: 'Those men are looking at a book and there are naked women in it'."

Threatened with punishment for the magazines, Boonen says it suddenly dawned on him that a mutually beneficial agreement could be found... "Those customs officers accepted those magazines and were very happy with them," he explained.

Cycling UK and Cardiff Cycle City have urged the government to stick with 20mph speed limits, after Transport Secretary Mark Harper yesterday said the speed limit zones should "only be used in the right places" and that "it must be frustrating for those Welsh drivers ignored by Labour and for Welsh taxpayers who have to pick up the bill".

That reaction came after Ken Skates, Wales' new transport minister, had suggested there will be "changes" on the default 20mph speed limit policy.

Gwenda Owen from Cycling UK said: "The Welsh Government's own survey showed that four out of five adults in Wales would support a 20mph speed limit in their neighbourhoods. Clearly the vast majority of people recognise slower speeds are good for communities, the environment and the wellbeing of children. It's also the right move to increase the appeal of healthier alternatives to driving.

> "Far more pleasant for walkers and cyclists": 20mph speed limit analysis hailed "astonishing", with drivers' journeys just 45 seconds longer

"Lower speeds save lives, and 20mph is a reasonable expectation where people live, work and play, not just outside schools and hospitals. The reality is, children, older people and other vulnerable groups aren't tethered to single stretches of road outside schools and hospitals. If we enable more people to travel by bike and foot, they need to feel safe doing so. Lower speed limits are an important part of creating towns and cities where people have real choices in the way they travel.

"Local authorities are able to make exceptions to the default 20mph in line with set criteria. However, we recognise that there have been differences in the way some councils have applied the criteria and welcome the review of the guidance. The Welsh Government did the right thing, rather than the easy thing, in introducing the 20mph default, and we're urging Ministers to hold their nerve for the good of Welsh communities."

Likewise, Cardiff Cycle City released a statement asking the Welsh Government to "stand firm on 20mph" and stating that the campaign was left "disappointed and alarmed" by Skates' assertion that there would be changes to the 20mph policy.

"In our view, there is no need to change the policy," a statement said. "Local authorities already have the power to adjust speed limits where appropriate. It appears that Mr Skates has succumbed to pressure from a tiny but vocal political minority. We hope that he will put people before politics and leave this popular and effective policy in place, safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all members of our communities."

Cardiff Cycle City statement in response to @KenSkatesMS recent announcement on the 20mph policy. pic.twitter.com/LQemrgfpOz

— Cardiff Cycle City | Dinas Feicio Caerdydd (@CdffCycleCity) April 18, 2024