MP's bizarre LTN argument including calling proponent "bourgeoisie and woke"; MoD investigating security guard filmed threatening teenage cyclist; Van driver punishment pass; Sagan sprints to Giro win; DJ Froome; Bike lane bulletin + more on the live blog

He's going to be given a notice of intended prosecution for careless driving and some other offense involving noise(?). 'Careless' feels under-sold, but the range of potential penalties for it seem to be quite broad. 🤞 he finds the top end of them.

— Matt (@matthewdbooth) May 17, 2021

Here is what Matt had to say after his phone call with Warwickshire Police this morning... 

The Ministry of Defence is investigating a security guard at the oil fuel depot near Faslane who was reportedly filmed threatening a teenage cyclist. The oil depot is run by the Oil and Pipelines Agency, a public corporation of the Ministry of Defence. According to the Helensburgh Advertiser, who broke the story and has seen the full video, the security guard can be heard telling the 18-year-old cyclist, "when I’m out in my car you’re going to come off that f***ing bike."

Alex Sidney told the local news outlet he had been riding in the area on May 7 when he stopped to drink some water on the public road which runs next to the depot. A security guard then approached him and can be heard in the video telling the cyclist to "f**k off" and asking "why you being a c**k? Have you got nothing better to do with your f***ing time?"

Alex is silent throughout the video, while the guard continues to verbally abuse him, saying: "You’re just an arsehole eh? A f***ing waster in life. If I had my way, you wouldn’t be sitting up on that f***ing bike. When I’m out in my car, you’re going to come off that f***ing bike."

In a separate video, also seen by the Advertiser, the guard tells the young cyclist to "give me a pose" and calls him a "f***ing c*** s***er".

Alex explained that the threats did not bother him..."I’m not bothered by the remarks, but my main worry is that they are paid to be professional, and if they are not doing that, and instead are verbally abusing people, then that might not be the right line of work for them.

"I was on a bike ride and pulled into a lay-by for a water break, next to one of the closed gates to the oil fuel depot. The guard came out and started shouting at me. I was always on public land but he seemed to think it was MoD property, despite having asked police later, who confirmed that it was public.

"I was never blocking any entrances or causing any disruption to work or traffic so I don’t see what the issue was. I had just stopped for a few minutes to catch my breath, but evidently this guard was already in a bad place and wanted to take out his frustration on somebody."

An MoD spokesperson confirmed the incident is currently being investigated.

Fancy a coffee on the go as you commute to the office or nip about town? Bookman thinks it has the perfect accessory for that...a coffee cup holder for your handlebars. After all, trying to stick a takeaway cup in your bottle cages is asking for a burnt calf and a messy down tube. It uses a spring steel construction to clamp down, keeping your brew secure as you negotiate bumps and potholes and can be flipped to a smaller or larger size depending on how much caffeine you need today.

We normally prefer to take five at a coffee shop, and at £25 it certainly is not cheap, but these could be good for delivery riders who need to keep moving...could you see yourself using one of these?

Cycling Industry News reports that Stolen Ride, the community-focused project tackling cycle theft in the capital has partnered with secure bike parking provider Bike-Drop. Bike-Drop opened three locations last year, on Regent Street, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly which allow riders to leave their bikes at a 'valet-style' secure parking facility.

Each drop has e-bike charging facilities, free puncture repairs and space for maintenance and servicing, as well as coffee and food to go. Richard Cantle, founder of Stolen Ride explained the partnership. "I’m pleased to partner and start collaborating with Bike-Drop," he said. "They offer a new and unique cycle parking solution and have ambitious plans which will be very exciting to see unfold.

"After all, everyone just wants to cycle, park their bike and know that it will be there when they get back. But, also, Bike-drop adds to the end-to-end experience of cycling in London, with valet-style parking and other high-end personal touches. The new partnership brings with it a special discount to the Stolen Ride community to enjoy."

Chairwoman of Cyclox, Dr Alison Hill and co-chairs of the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel, Brenda Boardman and Simon Pratt, have written an open letter to the city's newly elected county councillors...

Dear County Councillor,

Congratulations on your election to Oxfordshire County Council.  

The Coalition of Healthy Streets and Active Travel (CoHSAT) is a group of voluntary and campaigning organisations working across Oxfordshire to create attractive, accessible and people-friendly streets. We want to see a future where everyone is able to walk and cycle for everyday trips on quiet streets and in liveable neighbourhoods, and where no-one has to own a car because there is always an alternative form of transport. 

In the run up to the election we invited you to support our manifesto and commit to putting walking and cycling at the heart of your plans for a fairer, healthier future. We are so grateful to the many of you who contributed. You may well have influenced voters who want to see active travel and public transport prioritised and nurtured. 

Our manifesto asks are:

Ring-fence at least 10% of the total transport budget for active travel
Create 15-minute neighbourhoods
Prioritise disadvantaged communities in transport policy and investment
Take immediate action to make local transport zero-carbon and improve air quality to WHO standards
Apply the sustainable transport hierarchy to all transport and planning policy 
Ensure that car-dependency is reduced in existing developments and new developments 
Expand the Strategic Active Travel Network 
Provide a comprehensive system of zero-emission public transport services, particularly in rural areas.
Reduce private car trips across the county 
Ensure all road improvement projects make streets safe, not just safer 
Progressively reduce public and private car parking spaces in town and city centres 
Oppose any major road expansion

The county council has 63 councillors and already the majority of you have supported the first ten of these measures. This majority should increase when those of you who haven’t yet completed our survey, decide to do so.  So this gives us hope that the new council will be transformative and brave. If we have to have more houses, this has to be achieved while decreasing the amount of traffic on the roads. 

As we recover from the pandemic, we can’t return to the old patterns of travel. Change is imperative and your election, and a new administration, are a pivotal moment for Oxfordshire. We are looking to you to support a transport system that works for everyone, is fair, healthy and minimises carbon emissions. Given the urgency of the climate emergency, we want to see a commitment to zero carbon in Oxfordshire by 2040 and a coherent set of policies to deliver this. Transport is a major contributor to carbon emissions, as well as creating air pollution and congestion, so the future has to be investment in cycling, walking and public transport.  

Given the weight of support, we are looking to you and the new administration to sign up to this manifesto for active travel and liveable streets. Now you are in a position to influence policy in your council, we urge you to press for the necessary changes that will enable the delivery of these commitments – commitments that you gave. We will work alongside you in ensuring that delivery.

Yours sincerely,

Brenda Boardman and Simon Pratt Co-chairs of the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel

Holy moly. 😱
Matej Mohoric getting a different view of the Giro d’Italia. #Giro #Giro2021 pic.twitter.com/tRSlfSkUJ5

— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) May 16, 2021

Matej Mohorič abandoned the Giro d'Italia after this frightening crash on stage nine. The Slovenian was taken to Avezzano Hospital and diagnosed with a concussion and polytrauma. He stayed with Bahrain Victorious at their hotel last night where he was monitored by the team doctor.

"I'm okay," Mohorič said last night. "My bike and helmet took the most of the impact and I was super lucky. No broken bones, minor concussion and no headache at the moment. I am monitored by our medical staff."

Mohorič is the second rider Bahrain Victorious lost during the opening week of the race. On Wednesday, Mikel Landa was forced to abandon with a broken collarbone and ribs after a crash involving a race marshal.