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Council list ‘too many cyclists’ with fly-tipping + speeding as pandemic 'challenge'; Rail worker stops theft and reunites cyclist with bike; Bollards installed to stop pavement drivers; British Cycling correct cycle licence poll + more on the live blog

Welcome to Wednesday's live blog, with Jack Sexty in charge and Simon MacMichael contributing later this evening...
01 July 2020, 15:48
Hart Council respond to complaints over 'to many cyclists' survey question

After receiving further backlash on social media, Hart District Council have now said it wasn't their intention "to single out or offend cyclists". They claim cyclists were included in the list of pandemic 'challenges' faced by residents because of a lack of sufficient infrastructure to accommodate it, and that they want to rectify this. 

01 July 2020, 14:40
Council list 'too many cyclists' alongside fly-tipping and speeding in survey question on challenges residents faced during the pandemic
hart council too many cyclists screenshot - via Paul Tatam.PNG

A road.cc reader said he was "less than amused" with one of the questions included in a survey from Hart District Council about the community's recovery from the pandemic, which appears to suggests 'too many cyclists' is as high up the list as bonfires, fly-tipping and speeding drivers when it comes to things that peeved residents.

Question 11 of the survey (screenshotted above) lists "bonfires, increased fly-tipping, cars speeding, more noise, too many cyclists" as suggestions for 'challenges' that residents may have faced during their time in lockdown. The road.cc reader who sent it to us also commented: "It appears that from Hart Council's perspective, being a cyclist is now akin to an environmental crime such as noise or fly tipping."

01 July 2020, 15:44
British Cycling 'correct' cycling licence poll

The latest one from the Jeremy Vine On 5 Twitter account (we think we know which way its presenter would vote) has been altered by British Cycling, who continued: "We should be making cycling easier rather than more difficult."

01 July 2020, 15:10
Your daily "Why don't cyclists use the cycle path?"

Looks appealing...

01 July 2020, 13:51
Cyclist berated for not having a licence plate or high-vis... by a police officer

We've had plenty of positive policing news today, and it's a shame it must be balanced out with this bizarre incident. Full story/some sort of analysis to follow...

01 July 2020, 13:05
Pavement-mounting drivers update: extra blockades now installed to prevent motorists ignoring pop-up infrastructure in Lewisham

Our story yesterday about drivers in Lewisham ignoring planters deployed to close a road to through traffic has reached a positive conclusion, with a bollard and extra blockades added to stop more drivers using the pavement to get around them. The Met Police also attended this morning and fined any motorists caught driving on the footpath.

Lewisham Councillor Sophie McGeever - who said yesterday that there was "no excuse" for the drivers' behaviour - has thanked Superintendent Andy Cox and officers who attended to curb the illegal curb-mounting. 

As ever, the World Bollard Association have approved of the changes...

01 July 2020, 12:29
Alpkit - the outdoor store behind Sonder bikes - have crowdfunded £1.5 million in under an hour
Sonder-Alpkit-2020-bikes-full-suspension-titanium-custom-gearbox-105

The outdoor specialists surpassed their £750k target in just eight minutes and took another 44 minutes to reach their cap of £1.5 million on the CrowdCube investment platform, gaining an extra 1,380 shareholders. They will use the investment to open new stores and support Alpkit sustainability programmes, at a time where their like for like sales were reported as up by over 50% in the past 12 weeks. 

CEO and Co-Founder, David Hanney commented: “This is an exciting time for Alpkit and we’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support from our customers. For a long time, they've been asking us whether it would be possible to invest in Alpkit and we've always wanted to extend our ownership and deepen our relationship with our customers. So when we looked to add financial strength to our growth plans, we wanted to involve them ahead of other financial institutions. The response has been incredible and we know we wouldn’t be in this position today without their loyal support."

01 July 2020, 12:28
It's time to say thanks to turbos for getting us through the lockdown
turbo trainer meme - source unknown.JPG

Source unknown...

01 July 2020, 10:39
Cycling fans not impressed with Ineos 4x4

The Team Ineos account has now shared the news that their parent company has launched a new gas guzzler, and it's fair to say not everyone is thrilled...

01 July 2020, 10:46
Transport for London announce Euston Road pop-up cycle lane, with work set to begin this week
streetspace for london cycle lanes pop-up infra - via TfL

The latest major announcement as part of the mayor and TfL's Streetspace plan is a new temporary cycle lane on the busy Euston Road, that they say will "transform the key corridor for cycling" between an existing pop-up lane on Hampstead Road and Cycleway 6 on Midland Road/Judd Street. Construction will begin on Thursday, with lanes on either side of the road. 

While there will be consultations on many of London's new cycle lanes to make them permanent in the future, a hurdle for this one is that the road space allocated for it is already proposed to be used for the construction of the HS2 high speed railway network from late 2021 onwards. TfL say that if and when this happens, they will "work with local boroughs to develop alternative routes along side streets" when the lanes are removed. 

01 July 2020, 09:51
Police act to stop drivers mounting pavement to get around low traffic neighbourhood roadblocks in London

This morning, Superintendent Andy Cox said that officers were sent to the location in Lewisham to fine drivers who were going around the planters on the pavement, and later today the council will be installing new bollards - a result for those who were outraged by the footage above posted by BBC journalist Tom Edwards. 

01 July 2020, 09:28
More cycle-friendly signs spotted in Manchester

Transport for Greater Manchester are beaming out the words of encouragement to ensure the cycle boom continues. Recently Chris Boardman unveiled the UK's first CYCLOPS junction in the city, a design that protects people cycling and walking while actually improving journey times for drivers - full story here

01 July 2020, 09:07
Ineos unveil massive 4x4

Well at least they can't be accused of greenwashing in this instance...

01 July 2020, 08:30
"The world needs more Abduls": heartwarming tale of railway worker who waited four hours to reunite commuter with his bike after foiling a theft attempt

Some good news to start the morning, as the story of a railway worker is going viral after he waited four hours to reunite a commuter with his bike after stopping a thief from stealing it at Cannon Street Station. Abdul Muneeb reportedly saw Steve Farmer's bike being cut with bolt croppers, challenged the thief and then waited with the bike after his shift. When he spotted Mr Farmer, he asked him to dial in the code on his broken lock to prove it was his and then gave him his bike back. His employer Southeastern have been made aware:

Chapeau Mr Muneeb, we need more like you... 

01 July 2020, 08:14
Mitchelton-Scott part ways with GM Shayne Bannan following Manuela Fundación farce
Mitchelton-SCOTT Team and Pirelli 2020

Read into this what you will, but Mitchelton-Scott have this morning released a statement announcing a "management shake-up" in which Shayne Bannan - the general manager and founder of GreenEDGE Cycling (the team's default name when they don't have a headline sponsor) - has left alongside assistant Alvaro Crespi. Darach McQuaid will become the team's first chairman as a 'direct liaison' with the team's owner Gerry Ryan, and Brent Copeland will join as general manager after departing Bahrain-McLaren. 

Although Mitchelton-Scott haven't given any reasons, these changes have come suspiciously soon after a bizarre episode in which the team announced they would be known as Manuela Fundación for the rest of the year after signing a deal with a little known Spanish not-for-profit (we can only assume Bannan and Crespi were heavily involved). They got as far as unveiling a whole new purple strip, before suddenly announcing that the deal had fallen through on 18th June. Manuela Fundación still insist a deal was made - which GreenEDGE deny - so it's possible this saga is far from over. 

Arriving at road.cc in 2017 via 220 Triathlon Magazine, Jack dipped his toe in most jobs on the site and over at eBikeTips before being named the new editor of road.cc in 2020, much to his surprise. His cycling life began during his students days, when he cobbled together a few hundred quid off the back of a hard winter selling hats (long story) and bought his first road bike - a Trek 1.1 that was quickly relegated to winter steed, before it was sadly pinched a few years later. Creatively replacing it with a Trek 1.2, Jack mostly rides this bike around local cycle paths nowadays, but when he wants to get the racer out and be competitive his preferred events are time trials, sportives, triathlons and pogo sticking - the latter being another long story.  

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40 comments

Avatar
Rich_cb | 3 years ago
0 likes

Hart District Council is controlled by a coalition of Liberal Democrats and Independent Councillors.

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BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP | 3 years ago
1 like

The Telegraph poll and the Hart's Co poll kind of confirm that cycling as 'normal', safe transport is still a long, long way off. 

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eburtthebike | 3 years ago
4 likes

"Cyclist berated for not having a licence plate or high-vis... by a police officer."  She also seemed to think that helmets were mandatory.

With her complete ignorance of the law, I'd be tempted to think that the WPC was fake and on her way to a fancy dress party, but there was a whole posse.

Another case for Supt Andy Cox.

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Hirsute replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
0 likes

Did she actually say 'licence plate' because that bit of dialogue was very muffled.

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eburtthebike replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
4 likes

hirsute wrote:

Did she actually say 'licence plate' because that bit of dialogue was very muffled.

Yup.  "...not got a licence plate...."  is what I heard.

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Hirsute replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
1 like

Got it that time. It was another bit that was indistinct that I thought was the bit refered to.

The lad was a Mr Winston Codoogo of 55 Mercer Road.

 

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eburtthebike | 3 years ago
2 likes

I get the distinct impression that Hart Council aren't particularly in favour of bicycles.  Their vision for the future up to 2040 has pictures of cars, a helicopter and a narrow boat but not a single bicycle, and it only mentions them once, saying that they will be supplying hire bikes.

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Hirsute | 3 years ago
8 likes

"During the pandemic, cycling has increased but there's not always sufficient infrastructure to accommodate it. "

So why not write insufficient cycle provison then - the problem

not

too many cyclists - the problem

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rkemb replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
4 likes

Plenty of roads, I'm sure. Surely the problem is insufficient infrastructure for all the cars?

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Compact Corned Beef | 3 years ago
1 like

I'm slightly ashamed to admit I think the Grenadier looks.... really cool. Perhaps if I win the lottery I'll buy one to be my support car for a round-the-world bike ride.

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HarrogateSpa replied to Compact Corned Beef | 3 years ago
14 likes

I loathe all massive 4x4s.

They are too big for our roads & parking spaces, bad for the climate, bad for air quality, dangerous to vulnerable road users, and unless you're a farmer totally unnecessary.

People with money but no community spirit buy them because it makes them feel important.

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Velophaart_95 replied to HarrogateSpa | 3 years ago
7 likes

Used in their 'proper habitat' they are fine. Sadly, they're not used so much in the country in farms, etc 

Far too many of them are used on normal roads, were they're far too big, driven by people who can't handle/drive them. 

4x4s and SUVs are an absolute blight on modern roads....and more and more are being bought.

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Sriracha replied to HarrogateSpa | 3 years ago
1 like

It's built for going off-road, stupid, like these ones  3
https://mobile.twitter.com/bbctomedwards/status/1277974899768700935

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Panslanepaul replied to HarrogateSpa | 3 years ago
2 likes

HarrogateSpa wrote:

I loathe all massive 4x4s.

They are too big for our roads & parking spaces, bad for the climate, bad for air quality, dangerous to vulnerable road users, and unless you're a farmer totally unnecessary.

People with money but no community spirit buy them because it makes them feel important.

Oh dear, someone is a bit confused. If you are referring to massive SUVs, then none of them appeal to farmers, but if you mean double-cab pickups then they have a huge appeal beyond farming. All vehicles, not just motorised vehicles are dangerous to vulnerable road users and all motor vehicles are bad for the climate. Massive SUVs and double-cabs are all smaller than buses, large vans, lorries and the like which seem to fit onto our roads just fine, and my Volvo XC90 is shorter than the current V90 estate car, Audi A7 Ford Mondea (and numerous others) and fits nicely into my garage. As for your final statement I have both and don't need to feel important, just want to tow my caravan and carry my gear. Save your emotional energy, loathe something worth loathing. Like caravanners  1

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Hirsute replied to Panslanepaul | 3 years ago
1 like

You must have a very big garage then.

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Panslanepaul replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
0 likes

I do, yes, 6m wide, 7m long yes

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Awavey replied to Panslanepaul | 3 years ago
7 likes

But shorter or longer isnt the point,its the width imo, I seem to be plagued with meeting Ford Rangers at the moment on single track roads,not only do the damn things fill the whole width of the road up,so you have to push into a hedge or ditch to let them by,the driver looks at you as if you are the one causing the problems. Now fine if these were working vehicles,but they carry not a speck of dust,mud,dents,or even tools/materials in the back,they do appear to be bought by people compensating for something

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Panslanepaul replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

I was going on the remark about fitting into car park spaces where the standard is 2.4m x 4.8m, although I'm seeing more plans with 2.5m x 5m spaces. As for the width of various vehicles, you picked an odd one as it seems it's only the mirrors that make a Ranger particularly wide, and even that is still narrower than a Transit which is the last vehicle I encountered on a single track road. A current S-Max is as wide as my XC90, which underlines the point about singling out large SUVs.

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Hirsute replied to Panslanepaul | 3 years ago
0 likes

Height and weight more the issue

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HarrogateSpa replied to Panslanepaul | 3 years ago
2 likes

Oh dear, someone is a bit confused.

Yes, someone.

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Capt Sisko replied to HarrogateSpa | 3 years ago
0 likes

I presume you also loath the electric Tesla as they're actually bigger than the Grenadier (height aside) and all their models fulfil all the other criteria of your argument. Even the much vaunted Nissan Leaf is only 300mm shorter.

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brooksby replied to Compact Corned Beef | 3 years ago
3 likes

"Built on Purpose" - Do many complex motor vehicles get built by accident...?

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Captain Badger replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
9 likes

Oh no, the "accidents" come later....

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David9694 replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
1 like

Bad translation of the day, there. 

I have an insecure and small  (in more ways than one) personality - the other guys tease me; buying one of these rectify these deficiencies, render me An unconquerable king of the road and - bonus - my kids will be super-safe on the suburban school run. 

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HarrogateSpa replied to David9694 | 3 years ago
3 likes

And everyone else's kids will be less safe going to school. Incredibly selfish and totally unjustifiable.

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RobD replied to David9694 | 3 years ago
0 likes

Haven't most studies determined that SUVs/4x4s are actually less safe in accidents than an equivalent estate or saloon car?

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Jules59 replied to RobD | 3 years ago
0 likes

It depends upon the circumstances. Older "body on top of a rigid chassis" is good for low speed (low ratio gears engaged) off-roading - you can hit a rock etc and still drive away. But they are very poor, compared to monocoque designs, at absorbing the energy during high speed collisions so your get much more passenger injury.

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Drinfinity replied to Compact Corned Beef | 3 years ago
2 likes

I like the unashamed references to an 'iconic' design without ever mentioning how it can rove over land, although the bonnet is copied from Lego bonnet plate 45677. 
 

If I won the lottery I would set up a mountain bike guide and uplift service in Morocco's Anti-Atlas mountains with one.

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jollygoodvelo replied to Compact Corned Beef | 3 years ago
1 like

It's a product engineered for a specific market, British from the ground up (obviously using bought-in parts in places), and we should all hope it succeeds.

Now, that doesn't mean we should encourage everyone to buy one for the school run...

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HarrogateSpa replied to jollygoodvelo | 3 years ago
3 likes

Machine helps destroy planet - booo!

British machine helps destroy planet - hooraaay!

There's no point in saying that they're not for the school run, because you know that's where 99.9% of them will end up.

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