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Taxi driver's pop-up bike lane conspiracy theory; Anti pavement cycling vigilante SLAMMED; Tour of Britain 'postponed' until 2021; New Armstrong documentary; Pop-up bike lane on Park Lane; Extreme speeding in London now up by 172% + more

Today's live blog with Alex Bowden (daytime) and Simon MacMichael (evening)...
14 May 2020, 16:22
Shapps
Transport secretary Grant Shapps announces £1.7bn for local roads

Potholes and that.

Last year the Asphalt Industry Alliance calculated that £9.79bn would need to be spent over the next decade to fully remedy the nation’s pothole problem.

14 May 2020, 15:57
Wiggo's current look
14 May 2020, 15:52
Anybody else find this photo really unnerving?

Okay, they say it's closed to traffic and you can see for miles, but we still can't help feeling anxious about this. It just seems so vulnerable.

Cycling the new highway... not open for cars yet 😊 from r/bicycling

The poster says the road's just outside Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia.

14 May 2020, 15:31
85km within 2km of home
14 May 2020, 15:00
RIP Diny Verhoeven

“No, it was not a triumph - but it was beautiful,” said her husband, Ad, about taking her to the crematorium this week.

14 May 2020, 14:42
Swytch reveal they have 100,000 people on waiting list for their new conversion kit, due to a boom in demand during the pandemic
Swytch eBike Kit Bike

Swytch Technology have revealed that they're battling to keep up with demand for their e-bike conversion kit, with 100,000 people on the waiting list for the latest version. Full story over on eBikeTips

14 May 2020, 14:31
Extreme speeding in London now up by 172%

Last week the Met Police urged drivers to slow down after catching a driver doing 110mph in a 30mph zone.

At that point, Superintendent Andy Cox from Scotland Yard’s traffic teams said that 'extreme speeding' was up by 142%.

The latest figures reveal it's now up by 172%.

14 May 2020, 13:45
Garmin announces Connect Courses API
Garmin-connect-logo-1

Garmin has announced a software update that should make it easier to get routes from third-party apps onto your head unit.

The previous system for getting a route from an app like Strava was a bit of a mess. You either had to convert the route into a Garmin route on the Connect software, or export the GPX/TCX file from Strava and then manually drag it into the NewFiles folder via a desktop. How very 2005.

There was the Strava Routes Garmin Connect IQ app, but this was never fantastic.

  1. Head to your Garmin Connect account
  2. Scroll down to Strava and tick courses.
  3. That’s it, job done.

Now, your Strava routes will automatically appear in your Garmin Connect courses section. You can then send the route from your phone to your Garmin.

14 May 2020, 13:52
Trailer: Into the Rift, The Story of the Atlas Mountain Race

Into the Rift is an in-depth look at the first edition of the PEdALED Atlas Mountain Race in Morocco.

It's available on YouTube from May 20.

You can find it here.

14 May 2020, 13:04
Taxi driver's pop-up bike lane conspiracy theory

Did you know the pop-up bike lane conspiracy theory?

We didn't. We look forward to seeing whether it catches on.

14 May 2020, 12:53
When even physical barriers have no impact on motorists
14 May 2020, 11:21
Manchester bike lane's been on a diet

'Ooh my, aren't you looking slim.'

And a bit further down the road...

14 May 2020, 10:58
Bath woman who has been confronting pavement cyclists criticised for (a) being wrong and (b) failing to abide by social distancing guidelines

A Bath woman who has been confronting cyclists riding on pavements has been criticised for her "ill-informed" views and for failing to abide by social distancing guidelines.

Last month Julie Trollope wrote to the Bath Chronicle saying she felt the police should act against the "menace" of cyclists riding on pavements during the coronavirus lockdown.

"Do these people not know the rules for cyclists which state, ‘You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement’?” she asked. “What could be clearer than that?

She was subsequently photographed stopping cyclists and telling them to stop riding on pavements.

Adam Reynolds, chairman of Walk Ride Bath, has written to the newspaper in response pointing out that according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council guidance, "considerate" cyclists can in fact ride on the pavement.

“Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, so sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required'."

He added: "This police discretion is applied across multiple aspects of road use, for example, breaking the speed limit is illegal, but by discretion, a fine with points is not issued until a certain level of speeding has occurred, not when you exceed the speed limit by 1 mile.

"Considerate cycling on pavements is similarly allowed through the discretion of the police.”

He continued: "It is with some concern that Bath Chronicle’s Richard Mills felt the need to follow Julie Trollope’s letter by writing two articles on her behaviour while she was ‘papped’ by a photographer, showing her getting in the face of people cycling on pavements during a strict lockdown where 2m social distancing should be adhered to.”

He finished by pointing out that despite the apparent emptiness of the roads, there were still very obvious dangers.

"A final point that needs to be made, that despite how empty the roads may appear, all this has done is make drivers more reckless with some areas of the country reporting an 8 fold increase in speeding.

"In fact the number of cyclists that have died on our roads involving collisions with drivers is 12 during lockdown, when it was only 6 for the same period last year."

14 May 2020, 10:11
Tour of Britain 'postponed' for a year

The Tour of Britain, which was due to take place from September 6 to 13, has been postponed for a year.

Organisers said that the COVID-19 pandemic makes continuing with the planning and organisation of the 2020 race impractical.

You could argue it's been cancelled, not postponed, but they'll use the same route and venues when they run the race in 2021, so you can see the logic behind calling it a postponement.

A spokesperson said: “We pride ourselves on the Tour of Britain being the biggest and most prestigious cycle race in the UK, attracting over 1.5 million spectators to the roadside and inspiring many thousands of people of all ages to get on their bikes and to cycle more.

“Holding the Tour of Britain behind closed doors or with extensive social distancing rules would not only be immensely impractical, but would rob our venues and spectators of these opportunities and go against everything that cycling, as a free-to-spectate and accessible event, stands for.

“By moving this year’s planned route to September 2021 our venues and partners will be able to enjoy a full 12-month build up to the race and once conditions allow we look forward to engaging communities across all eight stages, from Penzance to Aberdeen, which we are sure will make the 2021 Tour of Britain a wonderful occasion for all and part of our continued pledge to make Britain a great cycling nation.

“In the meantime we will be working with our local authority partners to explore the ways in which the Tour of Britain and its planned venues can still be celebrated this September and look forward to announcing those plans in due course.”

The provisional dates for the 2021 Tour of Britain are September 5 to 12.

14 May 2020, 09:35
The Bristol Bike Project on Women's Hour

In today’s Woman’s Hour Corona Diaries, Krysia Williams talks about the beauty of cycling in lockdown, and how the Bristol Bike Project – the co-operative where she works that repairs and rehomes bikes and also teaches people how to fix them – has been supporting key workers in moving around the city.

You can listen again here. (The segment's right at the end.)

 

14 May 2020, 09:31
We haven't watched The Last Dance yet

Are we alone? It's just that it's about basketball and therefore fairly low down the list.

14 May 2020, 08:52
“I’m gonna tell you my truth” – there’s a new Lance Armstrong documentary

ESPN 30 for 30 is doing a Lance Armstrong episode.

“I’m gonna tell you… my truth.”

Here’s the trailer.

It’s being broadcast on ESPN on May 24.

14 May 2020, 08:44
Connor Swift's solo Tour de Yorkshire

2018 National Road Race champion Connor Swift is apparently riding - and filming - the Tour de Yorkshire on his tod.

The team support/roadside fans deserve a nod too.

14 May 2020, 08:42
Pop-up bike lane on Park Lane

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.

Add new comment

55 comments

Avatar
JuJu | 4 years ago
0 likes

The picture of "cycling on the highway" makes me nervous too, because the bike is laid down on the drive side.
Brrrrr, poor rear dérailleur. 

Avatar
Organon | 4 years ago
1 like

Strava Art: should have been a crisp zen like circle, luckily there is no 2km rule here.

Shapps: looks old.

Froome: pretty weird to hear all the transfer talk in cycling and F1 when there is no actual sport, and 2020 might be a total wipe out.

Pavement lady: as we all know here, pavement cyclist is illegal, yes, but only prosecuted for Dangerous or Furious riding. I bet she wouldn't stop some like herself in a pink tabard.

Avatar
Derk Davies replied to Organon | 4 years ago
0 likes

We had a 2km rule (now 5km). I managed 2 Everesting base camp rides and a 200km ride (as I can't do my RRTY) all within the 2km. yes Glad it's over now though.

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Gary's bike channel | 4 years ago
0 likes

i bet 90 percent of those ''pavements'' the lady is complaining about have been marked with a shared path sign.  Hate them.  Leave the pavements alone. 

Avatar
Crazyhorse | 4 years ago
9 likes

Re Trollope story. Adam Reynold's argument is misleading. The police do NOT make the law in this country, and it IS against the law to ride on pavements. The guidance referred to is (sensible) guidance on enforcement - it does not change the law which all UK residents are expected to observe (incl cyclists). It may not (rightly) be a priority for police action, but we should not be encouraging people to break the law (unless we are happy for motorists to do likewise?)  

Avatar
grumpyoldcyclist replied to Crazyhorse | 4 years ago
5 likes

You are correct to say the police do not make the law, but the article does not state they do. It states that they are allowed to use their discretion, as they do with speeding drivers. The article also particlarly references young people riding bikes who may be nervous about using roads. I don't cycle on pavements, but I don't criticise those that do as long as they are considerate. The woman in question would do far more good telling off motorists for driving on pavements where they block many for people who are trying to walk on them. I refer particularly to those with buggies, wheel chairs or those who are blind, who then end up being forced out onto the road.

Avatar
IanGlasgow replied to Crazyhorse | 4 years ago
2 likes

The police aren't making the law; they're following guidance from the Home Secretary who introduced the penalty and guidance that has been reissued by The Home Office since.

In much the same way that they follow Home Office guidance when enforcing other laws.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to IanGlasgow | 4 years ago
0 likes
inicholson wrote:

The police aren't making the law; they're following guidance from the Home Secretary who introduced the penalty and guidance that has been reissued by The Home Office since.

In much the same way that they follow Home Office guidance when enforcing other laws.

"Officers should only enforce the Health Protection Regulations – government guidance is not enforceable"
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/14/what-are-your-new-rights-d...

Avatar
John Smith replied to Sriracha | 4 years ago
0 likes

You are confusing two things there. Home Office guidence is not the same as govenment guidance on social distencing. Home Office guidence is the offical govenmental guidence to the police in how to interpret and enforce satute. Govenment guidence on social distencing is totaly unrelated to the Health Protection Regulations and is guidence to the general public on how to keep themselves safe. They are two very diffrent things.

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Sriracha replied to John Smith | 4 years ago
0 likes

I realise the different situations, but the principle remains the same, no government member can rule by fiat - they can not just "say" and it be the law. Neither can they interpret the law, that is for the courts. However, it is worrying the extent to which exactly that is becoming accepted custom & practice. The 2m thing is an excellent example of that.

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mdavidford replied to John Smith | 4 years ago
0 likes

It's also different in that one is guidance that would place extra restrictions on people's liberty, whereas the other is guidance that relieves restrictions on people's liberty - i.e. it's guidance on what not to enforce, rather than implying extra enforcement.

Avatar
Notbuilt2climb | 4 years ago
3 likes

I'm getting really frustrated with pedestrians walking down the middle of a road when the pavements are empty and then getting annoyed because I want to cycle down the road.

But then last week, I was cycling home and signalled my intention to turn right in to a side road.  I could see a lady on her bike cycling towards me along the pavement on the oppostie side of the ride with two young (maybe 5 or 6 yrs old) kids on their bikes behind her. She could clearly see I was coming down the road as she approached the turning.  She then looked behind her and would have seen a car signalling to turn left in to the same road I was turning right into.  Despite two road users wishing to turn, she made no effort to stop & carried on cycling across the road to the other pavement with her kids in tow.

And the number of runners/joggers who make no effort to look or stop before running across junctions is mind boggling.

Hopefully, we'll all be back to the good ol' days when only road cyclists were the dangerous ones (that's sarcasm btw), so rant over!!

 

Avatar
ktache replied to Notbuilt2climb | 4 years ago
11 likes

A little bit of a grey are with the pavement cyclists, but the runners/pedestrians have priority when crossing junctions, Rule 170 in the HC.

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Notbuilt2climb replied to ktache | 4 years ago
2 likes

Thanks, I'll update my behaviour for the runners/pedestrians!

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Hirsute replied to Notbuilt2climb | 4 years ago
2 likes

You are supposed to give way to pedestrians crossing the minor road. Whether the presence of 2 children stretches to 'pedestrian' is doubtful.

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Notbuilt2climb replied to Hirsute | 4 years ago
3 likes

I'll take back my rant on the runners/joggers.  I stand corrected.

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OnYerBike replied to Notbuilt2climb | 4 years ago
4 likes

Pedestrians already crossing the road have priority; however, they are also advised to stop and look before starting to cross (see Rule 7 & 8).

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Hirsute replied to Notbuilt2climb | 4 years ago
0 likes

They still need to look though ! So half your rant is justified.

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clayfit replied to Notbuilt2climb | 4 years ago
3 likes

Yep.  YTA. The vehicle turning into the side road has to give way.

Avatar
EK Spinner replied to clayfit | 4 years ago
1 like

read rule 170 carefully

"watch out for pedestrians crossing a road into which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way"

at what point do they start crossing? do they suddenly get priority as soon as one foot goes on the road, not the clearest if we get pedantic, thank goodness most of us use common sense no matter what mode of transport we are using

Avatar
Sriracha replied to EK Spinner | 4 years ago
5 likes

The way it seems to work us not common sense, it's might is right. I'm pretty sure few car drivers are aware that they should give way to pedestrians crossing the mouth of a side street they are turning into. As a pedestrian you feel you should not only be looking but also yielding to cars indicating to turn in - wait until it's safe to cross. This message is reinforced where there are those pathetic cycle lanes painted on to the pavement complete with give way markings at every side street.

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Rick_Rude replied to Notbuilt2climb | 4 years ago
0 likes

Pedestrians attempting to social distance now walk all over the road whenever it suits them. Oh look someone is on the same path 50m away.... I'll step into the road without looking.

I'm expecting more accidents now road traffic is ramping up.

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Hirsute replied to Rick_Rude | 4 years ago
0 likes

Yep, which is why I try and give more space to any pedestrians I pass. In normal times there are enough that step into the road without looking.

Avatar
brooksby | 4 years ago
4 likes

Just read through some of the Somerset Live articles about this and there are a lot of BTL comments alleging that this woman has *always* been very vocal and visible for being velophobic, and has only now decided to link it with the pandemic situation.

There is a definite irony in how close she's standing to the people she's telling off, mind...

Avatar
Hirsute replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
3 likes

She must come from Pill !!

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brooksby replied to Hirsute | 4 years ago
0 likes

hirsute wrote:

She must come from Pill !!

Maybe Pill is a state of mind...?

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
4 likes

brooksby wrote:

Just read through some of the Somerset Live articles about this and there are a lot of BTL comments alleging that this woman has *always* been very vocal and visible for being velophobic, and has only now decided to link it with the pandemic situation.

There is a definite irony in how close she's standing to the people she's telling off, mind...

And now there are two of her in North Yorkshire!  What's with old biddies and cyclists?  Are they so bitter and twisted that they just can't bear to see somebody who isn't as miserable as them, or do they think they're right all the time?

Avatar
brooksby replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
3 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

What's with old biddies and cyclists? 

They fought a war for us, or something, and need to show that they are Experienced and Educated.

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

Just read through some of the Somerset Live articles about this and there are a lot of BTL comments alleging that this woman has *always* been very vocal and visible for being velophobic, and has only now decided to link it with the pandemic situation.

There is a definite irony in how close she's standing to the people she's telling off, mind...

Doesn't make her wrong. Well, apart from the social distancing thing, but that's another matter. This forum is the first to stand on the difference between should and must in the HWC. This time it's a must; must not cycle on the pavement.

Avatar
Hirsute | 4 years ago
2 likes

No real reason for an adult not to use the roads though and when cycling on the road it is easier to keep away from people. I can see why pedestrians would object to unnecessary pavement cycling.

"In fact the number of cyclists that have died on our roads involving collisions with drivers is 12 during lockdown, when it was only 6 for the same period last year."

I hope the author isn't seriously putting that up as some sort of statisical 'proof'.

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