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Anti-LTN Tory accused of hypocrisy over support for al fresco dining scheme; TikTok star in hot water for riding with pet dog strapped on his back; Polite bike thief told where to go; Jeremy Vine vs cabby; TTs back on next month + more on the live blog

It's Wednesday and Dan Alexander is here to take you through the middle of the week on the live blog...
Wed, Feb 24, 2021 08:49
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Anti-LTN Tory accused of hypocrisy over support for al fresco dining scheme; TikTok star in hot water for riding with pet dog strapped on his back; Polite bike thief told where to go; Jeremy Vine vs cabby; TTs back on next month + more on the live blogCrystal Palace LTN (YouTube)
24 February 2021, 17:18
Teams revealed for inaugural women's Paris-Roubaix
24 February 2021, 16:54
Giro d'Italia route announced

After several flase starts, the Giro d'Italia route has been released. Eyes were immediately drawn to another summit finish at the fearsome Zoncolan and a mountain stage featuring gravel roads and a finish up a ski slope...Insert jokes about Primož Roglič...

The route stays in the north and centre of Italy, avoiding the south completely and has the usual foray into the high mountains. After an opening day TT in Turin, stage six sees the first summit finish of the race. There are more gravel roads on stage 11, before the Zoncolan comes on stage 14. Stage 15 takes the riders out of Italy for a day of racing in neighbouring Slovenia ahead of the first of two stages in the final week at serious altitude.

Stage 16 takes in the triple-header of Passo Fedaia, Pordoi and Giau, all north of 2,000m. The race ends with a battle royale mountain stage before one final time trial in Milan. Roll on May...

24 February 2021, 16:23
24 February 2021, 16:12
Anti-LTN Tory accused of hypocrisy over support for al fresco dining scheme

Tony Devenish made a name for himself on this site before Christmas when he stood on Kensington High Street to film a video with Conservative MP Felicity Buchan calling for the bike lane is ripped out. The London Assembly Member for Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster has also raised concerns about LTNs in the past and shared an article claiming that the schemes direct traffic from affluent areas to poorer neighbourhoods.

Today he has been accused of hypocrisy for praising Westminster Council's announcement that they'll be running an al fresco dining scheme from April 12. The scheme will allow businesses to move seating and tables into closed roads to continue to serve customers throughout the summer months. 

Adam Tranter suggested "the manufactured culture war appears to have a hidden clause that you can close roads for eating."

24 February 2021, 15:39
Appeal to find stolen van

Mick Ives' van was stolen from the driveway of his house some time between 11:45am and 7pm on Sunday February 21. Mick uses the van to support Coventry cycling team, Team Jewson M.I.Racing and it has Jewson branding on both sides. It's a blue Ford transit 350L with registration plate BL67 BZY. Any sightings or information should be directed to Warwickshire Police on 02476 483432 quoting the crime investigation number 23/6355/21.

24 February 2021, 15:04
24 February 2021, 14:47
Count down the days: Cycling Time Trials back in action on March 29
time trial club tt - 1.JPG

Some good news on the horizon for any competitive types reading this. Cycling Time Trials are resuming their Type A (open) and Type B (club) events in England on 29 March, barring any changes to the government roadmap of course. For full info on what the roadmap means for cycling, check out our comprehensive review of Boris Johnson's announcement...

24 February 2021, 14:31
Sam Bennett wins sprint stage at UAE Tour

Excuse the late UAE Tour update. I was out on the roads this lunchtime riding considerably slower than today's stage winner Sam Bennett. The Irishman bagged his first of the season from a bunch sprint ahead of Jumbo-Visma's David Dekker and Lotto Soudal's Caleb Ewan. It was a much quieter day in the saddle for the peloton compared to Sunday's sprint stage with no crosswind dramas. Hopefully, RTÉ will pick up on Bennett's victory. On Monday the Irish broadcaster said Bennett went another stage without challenging. That stage was an individual time trial... Yesterday they said Bennett failed to pick up any points...It was a summit finish...I guess today it'll be a shock win for Bennett in the sprint. 

24 February 2021, 13:44
TikTok star accused of "abuse" for cycling with pet dog on his back

TikTok star Brodie That Dood has 1.4 million followers on the platform but faced a social media backlash after posting a video of him riding his sharp-looking Trek while carrying his dog on his back. Citics have said it's abuse and puts his dog in danger, others wanted to know why he wasn't wearing a helmet?

Karlito Sanchez commented: "Good cyclists still fall, aren’t you afraid to hurt your fluffy boy?" Makeyaownhustle called it the "dumbest thing I've seen today."

Jaminlou got straight to the point with his reply: "What an excuse. This is psychopathic. Putting your dog in unreasonable danger. Abuser." Justagirlwithideas added: "This looks so unsafe. You aren’t wearing your helmet and what happens if you crash or someone hits you... your dog can’t protect herself/himself. It’s your responsibility to do that. This is cute but I am worried about your dog."

In a reply video, the social media star doubled down, using Britney Spears' 'Oops!...I did it again' to hit back at the comments...

24 February 2021, 12:04
"Devastated" family of Tony Parsons appeal for information over cyclist's death
Anthony Parsons (picture via Police Scotland).PNG

Tony Parsons' family say they were "devastated" by the news that the cyclist's body was found three years after he went missing and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. Two men were arrested in connection with his disappearance at the start of the year but have since been released. 

Parsons went missing during a charity bike ride in September 2017 and was last seen outside the Bridge of Orchy Hotel at around 23:30. He continued south on the A82 but there were no further sightings. His remains were found in a remote area near the A82 in January 2021 and Police have distributed flyers and posters in nearby Tyndrum. In a statement issued through Police Scotland, the cyclist's son Mike said the last three years had been "incredibly hard".

"We always hoped there would be a positive outcome and have now been left devastated by my dad's death," he said. "I know we cannot get closure until we find out who did this and why it happened, so I would ask anyone who may have even the smallest piece of information to please speak to the police and help us get the answers and closure we need."

24 February 2021, 11:52
Proposals received for Hammersmith ferry service
Hammersmith Bridge (copyright Simon MacMichael)

City Cruises and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers have submitted their proposals to Transport for London for operating a ferry service to transport cyclists and pedestrians across the Thames while Hammersmith Bridge is repaired. The service is expected to carry around 800 passengers an hour and will run from 06:00-22:00 on weekdays, with an off-peak service at weekends. Fares are expected to match buses from £1.55.

The news comes as TfL says it is working with other members of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce to agree a long-term solution for reopening the bridge to road users. £16.7 million has been spent by TfL on investigations, feasibility, design monitoring and early works. A further £4 million has been committed to repair work.

24 February 2021, 10:54
Pair get £900 fine for cycling in town centre
grimsby town centre - wikimedia commons

Two people caught cycling in Grimsby town centre have been fined more than £450 each by North East Lincolnshire Council. The Lincolnite reports they appeared in court after failing to pay fines for cycling in a pedestrianised area of Victoria Street. Their £100 fixed penalty notice was bumped up to a £200 fine, £226 costs and £34 victim surcharge.

More than 40 people have been prosecuted for cycling in a prohibited zone since the council announced a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the area in November. Councillor Ron Shepherd said: "We will fine you if you put other people at risk by cycling in Grimsby’s pedestrian zone. Those who choose not to pay the £100 fixed penalty notice, find themselves facing a larger bill in court. I’m grateful to the courts for supporting our stance.

“Shoppers, businesses and people working in the town centre often complain about nuisance cycling in the town centre. There’s no need to cycle in the pedestrian area – Bethlehem Street and Osborne Street are literally a few metres away and run parallel to it."

24 February 2021, 10:36
24 February 2021, 10:05
"Boss, can I get this bike?": Polite bike thief wearing face mask told where to go

It was nice of this would-be thief to ask before trying to nab a bike...Adhering to Covid regs too by wearing a face mask, what a stand-up young person...

The person who sent this video suggested the thief tries stealing a bike they can reach the pedals on next time...Approaching the cyclist, the child asks where he's from to get him to stop before a fairly uncommitted effort at getting the bike. "Nah, you're alright," before riding away at a leisurely pace adds to the comedy scene.

"If only he had cleats and was 6'3 he could have ridden it. Oh and knew what fixed is! He would have crashed it five meters away," our cyclist joked. He added that he saw the child with a group of adults who shouted to him before the youngster was sent in moments later...

24 February 2021, 09:32
Campaign to save disused railways for future active travel routes
Jaapston Bridge (Credit Allan Ogg)

More than 10,000 people have signed a petition objecting to Highways England's plans to demolish 100 disused railway bridges. Campaigners say the bridges could form future rail or active travel routes. Highways England intends to demolish up to 480 between now and 2030 with 115 bridges and tunnels already marked for phase one of the project. 

An appraisal by The HRE Group, an alliance of engineers, cycling campaigners and greenway developers, found that roughly a third of the structures are already proposed for reuse as new cycle paths, reopened railways or heritage lines. Further information obtained through Freedom of Information Acts found that 55 (48%) of the bridges have not failed their assessments and 24 (21%) are regarded as fit for purpose.

Gordon Masterton is chair of the Institution of Civil Engineers' Panel for Historical Engineering Works. He explained that the bridges and tunnels could play a key part in transitioning to a greener future. "Disused railways offer unique opportunities; many have already been repurposed through iconic active travel routes, enjoyed by millions of people every year," Masterton said. "The value of existing infrastructure must be recognised as we evolve to greener modes of transport. Walking and cycling greatly benefit our health, wellbeing and the environment, and we need to build on the uptake seen during the first lockdown by creating more safe space."

24 February 2021, 08:35
Jeremy Vine gives black cab driver benefit of the doubt

Jeremy Vine's left this one up to us to decide if the taxi driver was in the wrong here. Clearly the broadcaster had right of way, although it sounds like he has some sympathy for the driver considering the road Jeremy came out of is one-way, except for the cycle lane which had roadworks. On the other hand, Vine also showed a picture of the sign telling drivers to give way to oncoming cyclists... certainly not the worst London cycling clip he's shared...Two weeks ago he shared this clip of a driver blaring his horn as he passed, only to get stopped at the next set of lights...Or how about the motorist driving in the Hyde Park cycle lane...

Some have even suggested that Jeremy was in the wrong for cycling up a one-way street when the cycle lane is closed. That point has been rebutted by Vine who says the sign in the video shows the lane is still open...Have a watch, have a read and make your own minds up...

Dan Alexander

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.

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74 comments

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to ChrisB200SX | 3 years ago
2 likes

There are multiple videos of the dog riding with its head out the sunroof or window of the car on the timelines. It seems to be happy there as well. I don't have a Gram account to check the comments to see if the same animal abuse claims are made then or not. 

Then you have the skateboarding and surfing dogs normally shown as feel good news items at the end of the news programmes. Do people make similar comments then?

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OnYerBike | 3 years ago
9 likes

RE guy with dog:

Dog looks pretty happy if you ask me. Yes there is a risk of an accident but there always is, and it's tiny. People take their dogs in cars all the time - they could crash too. People also take their dogs for walks, often off-lead - that strikes me as when dogs are most likely to be injured, and yet people are very rarely up in arms about it (admittedly there have been a handful of stories on here recently highlighting the risks to both the dogs themselves as well as other people and wildlife resulting from improperly controlled dogs).

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Awavey | 3 years ago
1 like

I want to know what that sign on the road the taxi driver came from says, as Id bet it just says the road ahead is closed,not closed to all but cyclists, so pay closer attention to any oncoming cyclists and be prepared to give way, I know lot of words to put on a sign, but "Road Ahead Closed" does often lead you to conclude there wont be anything coming towards you, and the give way sign Vine highlights I dont think is a valid instructional sign anyway, wheres the taxi driver supposed to stop to give way, in the box junction ? at the line for the junction ? in the no-mans land between both ?

it seems a mess of a junction at the best of times, and I dont think Id ride it at the moment assuming cars would expect me to be there and give way to me. Id certainly have been more prepared to stop in that case than Vine. Be better if they temporarily phased the lights so only one direction could move at a time.

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OnYerBike replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
9 likes

As to where the driver should have waited, how is it any different to any other junction where right-turning vehicles have to wait for oncoming traffic? Indeed, that is the one situation where you are explicitly allowed to wait in a box junction (provided the exit is clear once there is no oncoming traffic). If the exit isn't clear, then wait behind the traffic lights.

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Awavey replied to OnYerBike | 3 years ago
0 likes

well its different in this case, because normally on a junction like this you dont conflict with the turning traffic, youd have a clear path straight through unimpeded on the left. But here you are coming in from the right at an angle to ride across the front of them and their turning circle to rejoin the cycle lane.

and that alters the point where the taxi or any vehicle needs to stop, and where the driver needs to decide to stop,which then becomes a well who got here first debate, who crossed which line first.

all of which can be avoided yes if the taxi had stopped, but this is central London people dont drive or behave like that on those roads, or if you as the rider go Im going to assume no-ones going to give way how this is currently setup and just ride accordingly to the hazards as they are presented in front of me

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Captain Badger replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
8 likes

Awavey wrote:

.... wheres the taxi driver supposed to stop to give way, in the box junction ? at the line for the junction ? in the no-mans land between both ?

....

"I knew you had priority, and I saw you, but I didn't know where to wait so I thought it'd be best to run you over...."

You can wait behind the line

HWC176
You MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing. Only go forward when the traffic lights are green if there is room for you to clear the junction safely or you are taking up a position to turn right. If the traffic lights are not working, treat the situation as you would an unmarked junction and proceed with great care.

You can wait in a box junction when turning right...

HWC174
Box junctions. These have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road (download ‘Road markings’). You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping.

This is basic bloody stuff. There is no justification for the drivers actions. It was at best carelessness and inattention. At worst, "f*cking cyclists, shouldn't be on the road. I'll show 'im!"

 

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ktache replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
5 likes

The Taxierist should have at least been looking around, staring at the arse of the vehicle in front.

Drives for a living...

And Jeremy seemed to have enough ability not to get run over, didn't see any reaction to the professional motorist, let alone use of the taxi's inadequate brakes.

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pockstone replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
5 likes

The sign is unequivocal: 'Give way to oncoming cyclists'.(Or do you mean the square A-frame sign that we can only see the back of?)

It should be obvious to anyone approaching a crossroads and turning right that they should give way to oncoming traffic. The sign makes it absolutely clear.(Check the photo on Jeremy's twitter). Making a guess that the cycle lane is closed, or deciding that because the straight ahead lane is closed (as appears from the coned off approach lane) there will be no oncoming traffic, and blundering on regardless is not the best course of action.

Agreed it looks a mess.

 

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Awavey replied to pockstone | 3 years ago
1 like

the A frame sign, this other "give way" sign isnt part of these roadworks if its visible on streetmap, and so its not there to cater for these current specific circumstances, its there as a half hearted attempt to fit a contra flow cycle lane into a road & not make it a proper junction,with proper priorities and markings, because the only things the dominant flow of traffic have to give way to is cyclists, and so they stuff this rectangular sign up, which I dont believe is designed to be used for this particular use, and hope it covers their risk assessment.

should the taxi driver have given way, probably should have, am I surprised they didnt, not really, would i be bothered if in that situation that happened to me, actually no I wouldnt, so I file it in the category of interesting to debate over an espresso, but if thats the worst Ive got to contend with on a commute, so be it.

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pockstone replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

I'd guess that the A frame sign says 'road ahead closed', as you surmised. It presumably means if you're travelling down Gordon Square to Tavistock Square Gdns, then the junction is temporarily right turn only. It wouldn't mean '...and nothings coming the other way.'

'should the taxi driver have given way,' (?) Definitely.

He's turning right across the path of oncoming traffic. The 'give way to cyclists' sign shouldn't be needed in that situation, (It's probably there as belt'n'braces because of previous near misses or collisions.) but since it is there, there's really no excuse for the taxi driver (armed with 'the knowledge' and being a professional driver  who probably knows that junction like the back of his hand,) to be pulling a move like that.

I'm not sure what markings are missing. There's a stop line at every set of lights, and a yellow box. I suppose it could do with a pair of dashed lines to delineate the cyle path across the junction, with 'bike' markings to impress upon right turning traffic that there's a bike lane. 

Your last suggestion about phasing the lights ...Yes, but permanently, not just for the temporary road works. (Looking at street view again, there appears to be a right turn filter arrow on the lights at the corner of the hotel, I can't imagine that would have been lit at the same time as Jeremy's green light.)

 

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 3 years ago
20 likes

The taxi driver was doing the old 'follow the car in front' trick to avoid having to check that his way was clear and as he was turning right, he should have been looking out for other traffic. Just because a junction is confusing doesn't mean you just go through it without any caution or awareness of other traffic, if anything you should slow down and take extra care.

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Captain Badger | 3 years ago
6 likes

Re:Vine/Taxi

I can't even bear to look at twitter for fear of the ignorant comments

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Jenova20 replied to Captain Badger | 3 years ago
7 likes

Captain Badger wrote:

Re:Vine/Taxi

I can't even bear to look at twitter for fear of the ignorant comments

Twitter exists to amplify stupid, ignorant, racist people, in an echo chamber in my experience. It would be better for all society if it was shut down. The internet would become less toxic overnight.

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fwhite181 replied to Jenova20 | 3 years ago
7 likes

Most of the comments are actually surprisingly moderate. There's also the interesting fact that for the taxi they'd just driven past a sign explicitly saying 'give way to oncoming cycles' https://twitter.com/theJeremyVine/status/1364290038809378820/photo/1 

In my opinion Jeremy could have ridden more cautiously, but the driver was the one in error, especially since it seems that they made absolutely no attempt to check that the junction was clear before rolling into it. 

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