Countdown to Carmageddon: Park Lane Cycleway almost finished, pop-up cycle lanes planned for Westminster; Prom Wars: Merseyside Edition; Radical alternative to Strava; More on Rod Liddle's "piano wire at neck height" column + more

Last week we reported how Bournemouth council leader Vikki Slade had warned cyclists they had “one more weekend” to prove they could ride responsibly on the town’s seafront path or face a ban.

She has since said that the council has no plans to ban cyclists from the prom “at this stage” but will continue to monitor the situation.

The Liverpool Echo reports on a similar story from the Wirral, where a number of local residents near North Parade, Hoylake, have complained that cyclists have been “taking over” the front during the lockdown.

“My partner drove along the front and was faced with 10 cyclists coming towards him and not in a rush to move out of the way,” complained one on Facebook.

“I’ve never seen it like this and that’s a long long time of knowing the prom,” said another. “Can’t have cyclists at speed with kids and elderly people. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Councillor Andrew Gardner, who represents Hoylake and Meols, said the last seven weeks had seen a “big increase” in the number of cyclists on North Parade.

He said many didn’t appear to realise it was a one way road, adding, “I have received reports from more than 30 households of near misses and collisions.”

North Parade is one way from the Kings Gap to Hoyle Road but there is a shared use path on the prom for both cyclists and pedestrians to travel in both directions.

Local cyclist Chris Malkin said that some were being criticised for riding on the prom, including the footpath section on the south side of the new RNLI station.

“This is a designated cycle route, part of the Wirral Circular Trail and cyclists are entitled to use it in both directions,” he said. “I suspect many local pedestrians are unaware of this.”

A Wirral Council spokesperson said: “We are currently reviewing locations where it may be appropriate to introduce measures identified within the Government announcement.

"But we would ask all road users to be considerate to others during this time and remind people it is essential that we follow the usual highway rules to ensure we all remain safe.”

Over half a million adults are now cycling on a weekly basis, up 260,000 on the same time last year.

✅ Improved physical health
✅ Improved mental health
✅ Good for the environment
✅ Reduced traffic congestion
✅ Good for society

Read More ➡️ https://t.co/bh8QX6ycfA pic.twitter.com/emrWZBSTNe

— Cycling Ireland (@CyclingIreland) May 28, 2020

Work on a number of planned segregated cycling routes in Leeds has been brought forward in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Work on a 1.3km route on Claypit Lane between Chapeltown Road and Woodhouse Lane has begun, while in the south of the city, a new 3km segregated route between Elland Road Park and Ride and the city centre will be started in the summer.

The existing segregated cycle route on Dewsbury Road will also be extended with a 1.5km section of new route between Garnet Road and Beeston Ring Road.

The schemes are being delivered as part of the Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme.

Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development, also said that the Combined Authority would be working with councils to make more road space available to people travelling by bike and on foot.

“During these difficult times, we’re working hard to make walking and cycling more attractive and natural everyday choices for exercising and commuting,” she said.

“We’re delighted we are bringing the construction phase of these schemes forward for new segregated cycle routes south of the city connecting Beeston, Holbeck, Hunslet and the city centre, as well as important work on Clay Pit Lane and Meanwood Road. Every new piece of segregated cycleway in Leeds gets us nearer to the 500 miles of cycle network we are aiming to deliver across the city.

“In this Covid-19 recovery phase, Leeds is creating many more new routes which offer improved safety for people who walk and cycle, offering convenience and championing health and wellbeing for our residents.

“Alongside improved segregated cycleways the scheme will improve the environment for pedestrians. This work funded through CityConnect will improve environmental sustainability, better air quality and reduce pollution of all types in and around Leeds. We look forward to seeing the schemes completed later this year.”

Anyone looking for a @Strava alternative?!

We’re bringing back these ‘YOMP’ pads.

£4 annual subscription, free set of crayons 🖍 pic.twitter.com/2cQIXMbgVC

— Mamnick™ (@Mamnick) May 27, 2020

British Cycling, Rowing and Athletics are teaming up with Blue Peter to cycle, row and run the distance between the Blue Peter studio in Salford and the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo in just 30 days.

Starting today, the ‘Train Your Way to Tokyo’ challenge will see Blue Peter presenter Lindsey Russell join forces with athletes from the three GB squads to cover the 9,448km distance – an average of 314km per day – completed either inside the home or outdoors within current government guidance.

Russell said: “Though I’ve completed many Blue Peter challenges, I’ve never taken on a multisport challenge quite like this. It’s daunting but I can’t wait to train with these incredible athletes and hopefully show what can be achieved by working together, all from our own homes.”

Reigning Olympic and world champion Elinor Barker will mentor Russell for the cycling part, with other members of the Great Britain Cycling Team, including Dame Sarah Storey and Neah Evans, counting their kilometres covered in training over the 30 day period towards Lindsey’s total.

Barker said: “I’m enjoying being part of the Train Your way to Tokyo challenge with Blue Peter and already in our first week, myself and my Great Britain Cycling Team teammates have clocked up a good number of kilometres in training to help Lindsey on her way. Hopefully, we will help to inspire the audience to take up more activity themselves especially as we’re in this difficult period of lockdown.”

The group effort runs until June 16, with the final film being shown on Blue Peter on June 18 (5.30pm) on CBBC and on iPlayer.

Yea, but do they do 'indoor' gravel shorts?

— Justin Belcher (@justin_belcher) May 28, 2020

‘Gravel-specific’ clothing has actually been a thing for a couple of years now.

Rapha launched their explore collection in March 2018 following 'the world's first gravel-specific shorts' courtesy of Pedal ED.

French cycling apparel brand Café du Cycliste launched their gravel range later that same year. 

Over the weekend, Rod Liddle said the notion of stretching piano wire at neck height across roads used by cyclists was “tempting”.

Yesterday, the Sunday Times said the column was “not intended to be taken seriously” – the exact phrase that Cycling UK said yesterday would be an “inappropriate” defence of it.

Ned Boulting apparently got the same response after he wrote to complain about the column.

I suppose this standard reply means the @thesundaytimes won't be printing my letter, which was rather what I thought would happen. Bit disappointed nonetheless. https://t.co/H3VENDZndI pic.twitter.com/mVv5oEwrJq

— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) May 28, 2020

The ITV cycling commentator had said: “When I ride, I am both tolerant and vulnerable and I believe most people are, most of the time. So, when Mr Liddle jokingly calls for the garrotting of cyclists, he is playing the simplest, basest game of appealing to the lowest common denominator.

“It would be funny, were it funny. It would be fair, were it fair. And it would be right, were it right.

“It would be harmless were it not tediously dangerous. Apart from that, I can find no fault with it.

“Have a word, will you?”

Pretty sure we've run this at least once before, but hey-ho.

An old Bicycle ad during the influenza pandemic. from r/bicycling