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What does Tier 4 mean? British Cycling updates Covid-19 guidance; Bikes on the pavement vs 4x4 crashing into a playground; Danny MaCaskill in Rhyl; Cyclist (wisely) stops at green light; More inconsiderate parking + more on the live blog

Alex Bowden takes a rare and doubtless error-strewn turn on our live blog
UPDATED Tue, Dec 22, 2020 15:31
17
What does Tier 4 mean? British Cycling updates Covid-19 guidance; Bikes on the pavement vs 4x4 crashing into a playground; Danny MaCaskill in Rhyl; Cyclist (wisely) stops at green light; More inconsiderate parking + more on the live blogcoronavirus - cyclists rides past social distance warning
22 December 2020, 17:14
"Those are the REAL problems": London transport policy officer not sold on 'dangers' of bikes on pavements compared to crashed 4x4s

Will Bradley, whose role involves the promotion of active travel to support London's Deputy Mayor for Transport and its Cycling and Walking commissioner, made the comments after posting a photo of a smashed 4x4 outside a school in Hackney. Plenty of others were quick to point out that the image serves as a reminder to tell us what the real dangers are on the roads. 

The comments seem particularly pertinent following our coverage of Lord Blencathra's comments on yesterday's live blog. The Conservative life peer suggested that cyclists who block the pavement should face up to six months in prison or fines of up to £5,000. His brainwave was swiftly rebuked by the DFT's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Baroness Vere, who answered: "Her Majesty's Government have no current plans to consult on raising the penalties for cyclists and delivery drivers using heavyweight electric bicycles who ride on the pavement, or leave their bikes blocking the pavement."

22 December 2020, 16:58
Fake Chris Hoy news

Endorsed by Sir Chris himself.

22 December 2020, 14:55
What does Tier 4 mean? British Cycling updates Covid-19 guidance

Amongst other things, British Cycling has suspended all sanctioned activities in Tier 4 areas in England, with the exception of outdoor activities for under-18s and disabled people.

However, those living in Tier 4 areas can continue to cycle. They must either do this alone, with members of their household/bubble or with one person from outside their household/bubble.

22 December 2020, 15:31
22 December 2020, 14:12
Better signage needed on Cycleway 9?
22 December 2020, 15:13
22 December 2020, 13:25
road.cc journo (and his dog) papped by London's Walking & Cycling Commissioner

That fella there - that's Simon MacMichael, that is.

22 December 2020, 12:23
Syringe
MPCC unhappy with cycling's progress on corticosteroids and ketones

The MPCC – the Movement for Credible Cycling – has criticised the UCI’s slow progress on banning corticosteroids.

Often used to treat asthma and allergies, corticosteroids may be used in competition in nasal spray form, subject to thresholds, while tablets and intra-muscular injections are banned in competition unless a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) has been obtained.

Substances falling under the heading include triamcinolone, which Sir Bradley Wiggins was able to use under TUEs ahead of key races including the 2012 Tour de France, which he won.

In March 2019, UCI president David Lappartient said he was ‘hopeful’ a ban on corticosteroids would be introduced from the start of the season just gone.

This did not happen and there is still no certainty it will be introduced.

A spokesperson for the MPCC – members of which pledge not to use corticosteroids – commented: “For thirteen years now, the members of the movement have been annoyed to see that they have been on their own when it comes to committing to strict and transparent rules on cortisol levels.

“WADA’s Executive Committee recently decided to prohibit any injectable form of glucocorticosteroids usage starting 1st January 2022. This is a real step ahead, praised by MPCC on its whole. The movement will nevertheless keep on carrying cortisol tests in 2021 during the wait.”

The group has also spoken out about the use of ketones.

The group said: “The concerns of the members of the MPCC Board about the misuse of corticosteroids are as strong as the concerns about the usage, in clear sight, of ketones. On this subject, we can only observe baby steps ahead.

“UCI, through the voice of its Medical Director, confirmed to our movement that it advised not to use ketones: this is a good start.”

Ketones are not part of the UCI list of prohibited substances and methods, but MPCC members have  committed to not using them, arguing, “ketones can enhance performance but can also damage the health of the riders because of the potential side effects.”

22 December 2020, 11:01
Video: Danny MacAskill and Duncan Shaw take a trip the seaside

Feels like it's been a while since we had a Danny MacAskill video.

This latest one features a couple of other riders from his Drop and Roll live shows, which have obviously not been happening this year.

The video was shot over two days on Rhyl seafront.

22 December 2020, 10:55
A look at the new bike hub next to Kingston Station
22 December 2020, 10:13
That van's back in the former Kensington High Street cycle lane again

If you don't know, the background to this is that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea removed a segregated cycle lane because it was supposedly causing congestion, but all that's really happened is that now people are parking there.

This van is such a frequent presence it now has its own Twitter account.

 

 

22 December 2020, 10:09
One pound in every five spent on bicycles between January and October was spent on e-bikes
22 December 2020, 09:49
Cyclist (very wisely) stops at green light

This cyclist riding along Burdett Road in London this morning defied all the clichés about cyclists running red lights by stopping at a green on.

Can't say we blame him.

Without wishing to excuse the drivers, could the phasing of this set of lights perhaps also be tweaked a touch?

22 December 2020, 09:17
Bit of a surprise development, this one
22 December 2020, 09:14
More inconsiderate parking

Bad parking was a theme on yesterday's live blog.

Here's a particularly impressive example.

Bunny hop?

Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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17 comments

Avatar
Rik Mayals unde... | 4 years ago
2 likes

Typo in the first story. That is not a 4X4, it is a Mercedes ML SUV. Purely a status symbol for selfish inconsiderate people. Put an ML on a lawn, it'll get stuck.

Avatar
David9694 | 4 years ago
1 like

Rose have pulled the plug [edit: not just bikes] on UK orders due to Brexit - report on Bike Radar. 

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PRSboy replied to David9694 | 4 years ago
3 likes

I thought they'd stopped UK orders a while ago, due to our preference for brake levers not wired the continental way.

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OnYerBike replied to PRSboy | 4 years ago
1 like

They had previously stopped selling complete bikes, but until now you could have bought parts/components/accessories through them still.

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AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
7 likes

Re: Van in the Cycle lane. 

On that picture and several others in the history of that account, Diplomatic Protection Vans are parked in that lane a lot. I wonder if they just congregate in a cafe there until one of the local Embassies deign they need protection / escorted travel. Of course as it is four wheels and not two, we don't get unrepentent drunk actors moaning. 

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useless replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
1 like

They have parking at the station just round the back of these shops - maybe they're worried about getting blocked in?

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Captain Badger | 4 years ago
20 likes

Road.cc wrote:

Cyclist (very wisely) stops at green light

Thank gods the rider had their wits about them, cos the professionally trained LGV drivers certainly f*ckin' didn't... This is what I believe is what really happens in the majority of cases that "the cyclist was trying to undertake when they were tragically killed"

Avatar
EK Spinner replied to Captain Badger | 4 years ago
5 likes

Tipper wagons ! Close Convoy ! what could possibly go wrong ?

Though I do wonder if the footage has been doctored, one of the wagons seems to merge with the transit van turning right into the same junction just as the clip ends

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mdavidford replied to EK Spinner | 4 years ago
3 likes

It seems like it's been sped up - the indicators on the lorries are flashing very fast, and the van accelerates at an unusual rate. It looks like the road is just about wide enough for both vehicles to turn into initially, but one of them would then have to concede the road once they reach the kerbed cycle lane a little way on.

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to mdavidford | 4 years ago
1 like

The title is traffic gifs which normally takes a few frames per second to fit into the gif (or in this case removes the stop motion part of the traffic cam).
 

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brooksby replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
0 likes

I would like to see another few seconds - did the HGV actually hit the silver van?

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mdavidford replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
1 like

I figured it was likely something to do with the conversion from the feed to a gif. I suspect if it was running at normal speed it would look less like the two have collided and merged, and more like the van has just barged its way in to the convoy.

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to mdavidford | 4 years ago
0 likes

It looks like there are two lanes and the van seeing 3 more lorrries all turning decided to enter the right one as the lorries would have been in the left. Silly driving there and another good reason that the cyclist stopped as if one of the lorries had allowed him through, the van probably would have taken him out. 

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Captain Badger replied to EK Spinner | 4 years ago
0 likes

EK Spinner wrote:

Tipper wagons ! Close Convoy ! what could possibly go wrong ?

Though I do wonder if the footage has been doctored, one of the wagons seems to merge with the transit van turning right into the same junction just as the clip ends

Really interesting point - there does seem to be space for 2 vehicles in the funnel, as long as one gives way. I know what you mean about the video though on a second look.

Here is a view from Mile End. The red arrow shows the path of the tippers the blue shows the van. I think the van is masked by the tipper, but one will have to let the other go as they approach the bridge

But we digress, my original point still stands. Riders undertaking, my arse....

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EddyBerckx replied to Captain Badger | 4 years ago
5 likes

Captain Badger wrote:

Road.cc wrote:

Cyclist (very wisely) stops at green light

Thank gods the rider had their wits about them, cos the professionally trained LGV drivers certainly f*ckin' didn't... This is what I believe is what really happens in the majority of cases that "the cyclist was trying to undertake when they were tragically killed"

 

Vast majority, I'd say. In fact I've seen cases where witnesses testified to this but the driver still got off because 'cyclists'

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to EddyBerckx | 4 years ago
3 likes

EddyBerckx wrote:

Captain Badger wrote:

Road.cc wrote:

Cyclist (very wisely) stops at green light

Thank gods the rider had their wits about them, cos the professionally trained LGV drivers certainly f*ckin' didn't... This is what I believe is what really happens in the majority of cases that "the cyclist was trying to undertake when they were tragically killed"

 

Vast majority, I'd say. In fact I've seen cases where witnesses testified to this but the driver still got off because 'cyclists'

Agreed.

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grOg replied to EddyBerckx | 4 years ago
0 likes

I'm not aware of the road rules in the U.K. but in Australia, heavy vehicles indicating to turn have right of way, with signs on the back stating that fact and can use more than one lane to execute the maneuvre; all vehicles going straight ahead, including cyclists in bike lanes, have to give way.

Note; in Australia, overtake means passing on either side of a vehicle travelling in the same direction.. the word undertake is not used.

https://www.nhvr.gov.au/files/202007-0849-vsb12-national-code-of-practic...

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