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Highway Code changes: “Cycling in the UK is doomed,” says pro; Road safety and the media: are Highway Code news articles designed to inform or anger readers?; Wave or no wave; Road racing is back; Roche for 007? + more on the live blog

It’s Monday and the sun is shining (at least where I am) – so why not grab a coffee and join Ryan Mallon for the first live blog of the week?

SUMMARY

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24 January 2022, 17:31
Road safety and the media: your reaction

Today’s discussion of the new Highway Code changes has certainly fired up a lively debate in the comments and in our inbox, tangential chats about leg shaving aside (that’s for another day…).

While this is a debate that will certainly rumble on, here is a selection of some of your thoughts so far:

Those that oppose the changes to the Highway Code now: what exactly were they doing when the consultation was going on? If somebody is suggesting that Cycling UK have hijacked the agenda, how did they let that happen? They must have been fast asleep. I haven't heard anybody say, "I opposed these changes at the consultation stage". If you didn't oppose it at the correct stage, then jog on.

The Surrey police comment nails it, as always.  A safe overtake will generally mean crossing the centre line. Which is why it is irrelevant if cyclists are in a row, two abreast or riding in the middle of the road.  If you can't see clearly to overtake then don't do it. The only person putting anyone in danger is the driver who decides to overtake when they can't see that the way ahead is clear.  I don't know why people find this complicated.

I have been having a look at the new Highway Code rules themselves rather than just reading the press.  A lot of the changes seem to be common sense, revolving around being aware of other road users. They do, however, seem to be ‘urban centric’ and have not really been thought out with respect to country lanes.

I live on the Kent No. 1 cycle route, and as such we get a fair number of cyclists, particularly at weekends. The lanes where I am are single track with passing places. No footpaths and plenty of potholes. There are typically high hedges on both sides of the road, and lots of tight, blind bends.  Most of the time it is impossible to overtake cyclists safely because the road is simply not wide enough unless they stop at one of the passing places, as we do in cars. Cycling at any speed down the middle of these lanes, particularly approaching bends, is potentially suicidal, since just out of sight could be a tractor, a delivery truck taking up the whole road, horses, or indeed other cyclists. Nonetheless, we often see, and quite often barely miss, cyclists two or three abreast doing just that.

I'm naturally risk averse. When I first started cycling, whenever I came in to conflict with other road users I would check the highway code along with other advice (e.g. Bikeability). The conclusion was always the same: I can't change what other road users do, I can only affect my own behaviour. Largely, that meant staying away from shared use paths and, importantly, taking greater control of the lane - riding in primary (especially when the highway code recommends that drivers don't overtake) and moving in to position early when approaching junctions. If this pisses some drivers off they only have their own behaviour to blame.

With the changes to the Highway Code that comes into effect next week, I believe too much responsibility is placed on the motorist. Cyclists and pedestrians don't have to abide by the highway code or even understand it. Let's level up to playing field a bit, get all road users – this includes cyclist – to take a test so that they understand when they are breaking the law. For instance,a motorist can only overtake a cyclist if there is about 2 metres clearance, but a cyclist can undertake close enough to knock your wing mirror.

Come on let's have a level playing field where we are all responsible, and if you are going to fine the motorist, fine cyclists and pedestrians alike.

This is health and safety gone mad. I'd like to see the results of the Risk Assessments carried out on these new rules.

Jake Stewart is wrong, and cycling in the UK is moving in the right direction; slowly, almost imperceptibly, but things are changing, which is why the old guard petrol heads feel threatened. 

We have to keep the pressure up by challenging politicians to actually implement those nice shiny policies they've approved, not just leave them gathering dust on the shelves.  If you don't already do it, get in touch with your local campaign group to find out how you can help and email your councillors and MP demanding resources for cycling.

I disagree, cycling in the UK is not moving in the right direction, in my experience anyway.  Close passes are now so frequent I am gradually finding quieter and quieter roads for my road bike, or riding my mtb off road more and more. When my buddies go out at the weekend, if they choose Saturday instead of Sunday, I'll decline. If they choose Saturday PM instead of AM, I'll decline. None of them commute though, so none of them ride at the "worst" time of the day.  And this is rural Sussex, not central London or any other big city.

But how many times does a news article about cycling descend into a slanging match about road tax and red lights?  Why do ALL drivers seem to think it is they alone who pay for roads?

It's good that Jake Stewart is speaking up.

The same people who abuse us and put us in danger when we ride bikes very likely cheer on British racing cyclists. So if the British riders speak up, they can make a difference.

I take an optimistic view and all this publicity will at least make drivers more likely to think about cyclists.

Oh, and turns out waving is still a fundamental part of cycling culture. Just not in cities, and especially not in Oxford... 

24 January 2022, 17:01
Bike Deliveries: "Saving money, stress and planet!"

A win-win indeed. Not sure about the headwear though... 

24 January 2022, 16:42
New cycling infrastructure on its way

While we all have our heads turned by Mr Loophole and Mike ‘grow your own concrete’ Graham spouting on about how the Highway Code changes will wreak havoc on our roads, there have been plenty of positive developments this month in the world of cycling infrastructure.

Last week, City of York Council approved a £1.4 million plan to improve cycling, walking and bus use on the busy Tadcaster Road. The project includes introducing some “light” segregation to the cycle path and widening the footpath and bike path at one section of the road.

In Exeter, a temporary no-entry zone which helped form a pop-up cycle route has been made permanent. A section of Dryden Road was made available for cyclists only in 2020 as part of the council’s bid to provide safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists in the early stages of the pandemic. Together with similar measures on three other roads – all of which have since been made permanent – the no-entry zone created a two-and-a-half mile cross-city cycle route in Exeter.

Councillors in Slough have also improved the permanent installation of a bus and cycle lane along the A4, again introduced as a temporary measure during the pandemic. A decision is also due soon on the creation of a £10 million cycle ‘superhighway’ alongside the A4, which the council hopes will improve cycle safety, ease off traffic on the busy road, decrease air pollution, and encourage more residents to take up cycling.

24 January 2022, 16:00
Van der Poel Stage 2 (A.S.O. Charly Lopez)
MVDP “just sitting at home on the couch”

Remember Zwift’s slogan about emulating Mathieu van der Poel? Well for once, that goal seems a lot more achievable at the moment.

The Dutch superstar is currently recovering from a back injury – reportedly sustained from switching between road and mountain biking last year – and has been told to rest by doctors, putting his spring classics campaign in jeopardy.

His father and fellow Tour of Flanders winner Adri van der Poel told VTM Nieuws yesterday: "He's doing okay. He can ride again when he is pain free, but right now he's just sitting at home on the couch.”

Same, Mathieu, same…

24 January 2022, 14:24
Highway Code changes: an open letter to journalists

As we’ve seen already over the weekend and this morning, the upcoming changes to the Highway Code have shone an important light on how the press reports on aspects of road safety and how the relationship between different road users is portrayed in the media.

Last night cycling blogger Sarah Berry penned an open letter to journalists, calling on them to use their power responsibly when informing readers about the revisions to the Highway code and road safety in general.

In the letter, which can be viewed in full on Patreon, Sarah writes:

The time when I would feel safer on the roads was just days away and now the media was doing its part in making sure everyone knew about [the changes] and understood them. And then I read the headlines.

"New Highway Code rule will find drivers £1,000 for opening door with wrong hand".

"Highway Code overhaul that tells cyclists to pedal in the middle of the road".

Instead of seeing this for what it was; updated guidance on how to save lives and keep people safe on the roads, media giants were purposefully misrepresenting the Highway Code changes in ways designed to most outrage drivers. These articles weren't designed to inform, they were designed to anger -- and now I'm terrified they're going to do just that.

So that's why I'm writing this open letter right now, to you, to the journalists across the country trying to spice up what they see is a boring and obligatory story about road rule changes coming this weekend.

Because it's not boring to me. The last thing I need is angrier drivers on the road, because the ones out there right now are already so pissed off about my presence that they do things that make me fear for my life almost every time I go out for a ride. Whether it's the van that passes too fast and too close, or the taxi speeding just inches behind my back wheel, or the woman who isn't watching where she's going and hurls abuse at me through her window for almost ruining her life by making her a murderer. There is too much anger out there already, I can't handle any more.

And before you ask me why I ride a bike in the first place if it makes me feel so unsafe, stop and ask yourself if you'd ask yourself the same kind of question to a woman afraid of walking home alone at night.

I want to feel excited and hopeful about the changes to the Highway Code again. But if you keep doing what you're doing, the roads will become more dangerous for people like me this weekend. You have so much power in your hands, please use it responsibly. 

24 January 2022, 13:11
Radio, Radio

The debate over the upcoming changes to the Highway Code looks set to rumble on throughout the week, this morning graduating from Twitter to the always nuanced and insightful world of radio and television.

The BBC has earned some plaudits for its balanced handling of this rather touchy subject:

Meanwhile, on LBC…

In the written press, Peter Walker’s article in the Graun dispelling the common myths around the new changes also serves as a perfect antidote to the “reports” found in the Mail and Times over the weekend. 

24 January 2022, 12:46
The name’s Roche, Nicolas Roche

As many of you will remember, I’ve been avidly fallowing Nicolas Roche’s progress on the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars (so you don’t have to, although I’d highly recommend it).

Well last night the former Sky and BMC rider showed as much fight and spirit in the ballroom as he did on steep Spanish mountains during his career. His Viennese Waltz scored a much-improved 16 out of 30 from the judges which, combined with the viewer vote, was enough to secure his place in next Sunday’s show.

Whatever you think of his frame and foot placement, it must be said that Roche looked impossibly cool in a double-breasted suit, prompting Bora-Hansgrohe’s Irish champion Ryan Mullen to throw the retired pro’s hat in the ring for a certain upcoming vacancy in the spy world:

Mullen could be on to something here. Surely the time is right for a cycling James Bond? Ditch the car chases and give him a Colnago, it would be perfect.

I can see it now – Nicolas Roche stars as 007 in “No Time to Ride”, “The Man with the Golden Crank”, “On Sir Brailsford’s Secret Service”, “From the Vuelta With Love”, “The Worlds is Not Enough”…

Now what’s the phone number for Eon Productions?

24 January 2022, 11:49
“Luckily I can go to work by bike!”

 With diesel prices in Belgium soaring, Iljo Keisse has a simple solution.

This morning, the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl veteran tweeted: “175€ for a full tank… Luckily I can go to work by bike!”

I wonder how much it would cost to fill up Keisse's teammate, "El Tractor" Tim Declercq?

24 January 2022, 11:32
Road racing is back!

It’s been a long, cold winter and we’ve managed to survive on weekly doses of cyclo-cross and drawn-out teaser videos for new kits, but the moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived – professional road racing has returned to Europe!

In yesterday’s Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana, the first European road race of the 2022 season, Eolo-Kometa’s Giovanni Lonardi won a chaotic, crash-marred sprint ahead of Amaury Capiot and Chris Lawless. Ah, it’s still only January but I can smell the cobbles and frites already…

Meanwhile back on the ‘cross field, Tom Pidcock continued his preparation for this weekend’s world championships, finishing third in an epic, hard-fought duel with Lars van der Haar, Michael Vanthourenhout and eventual winner Eli Iserbyt.

According to reports, Pidcock trained for three hours on Saturday morning before taking on the weekend’s racing double-header in Hamme and Hoogerheide. Sunday’s showdown in Fayetteville should be interesting…

24 January 2022, 10:46
To wave or not to wave?

This tweet, posted last night by former individual pursuit world champion and current Ribble Weldtite DS Colin Sturgess, raised that age-old question of cycling etiquette: should all cyclists wave at each other when they pass?

Some of the replies to Colin’s tweet seemed to suggest (and I’m paraphrasing here) that Britain’s moral decline as a nation over the last decade is intrinsically linked to fewer cyclists greeting each other on the roads.

Now, full disclosure: I’m what’s known as an “overly enthusiastic waver” when out on the bike, and I feel a touch disgruntled if another cyclist blanks me (but I’m learning to live with it, okay?).

What do you think? Does waving to your fellow cyclist instil a sense of community, or is it just another old-fashioned and outdated tradition that belongs with only wearing white socks and making sure the arms of your sunglasses sit outside your helmet straps?

24 January 2022, 09:46
“Cycling in the UK is doomed” – Groupama-FDJ rider Jake Stewart responds to critics of Highway Code changes

Revisions to the Highway Code, aimed at protecting the most vulnerable road users, finally come into force this week.

However, as we reported yesterday, the mainstream media’s coverage of the new rules has, shall we say, lacked a certain degree of accuracy.

> Highway Code changes: ‘What about cyclists, or do the rules not apply to them?’

For example, Mail Online – that bastion of fair and impartial reporting, especially when it comes to cyclists – told its readers that one new rule “tells cyclists to pedal in the middle of the road”, when in fact it simply provides advice about road positioning in certain situations such as on quiet roads, in slow-moving traffic, or when approaching a junction.

The misrepresentation of that particular change to the Highway Code prompted the following tweet from a political polling account:

While over 55% of the nearly 5,000 respondents supported the changes, some of the replies were depressingly familiar:

For Groupama-FDJ pro Jake Stewart, these responses summed up “why cycling in the UK is doomed.”

The Coventry-born rider, who finished second in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad during his first full professional season last year, tweeted: “Daily I have to make the decision to put my life in the hands of people like this...just to do my job. Too many have to make that decision to ride their bike for fun/get around. Society is broken.”

With “cyclists” currently trending on Twitter – take a look if want your blood pressure to rise uncontrollably – it’s hard to argue with Jake.

After obtaining a PhD, lecturing, and hosting a history podcast at Queen’s University Belfast, Ryan joined road.cc in December 2021 and since then has kept the site’s readers and listeners informed and enthralled (well at least occasionally) on news, the live blog, and the road.cc Podcast. After boarding a wrong bus at the world championships and ruining a good pair of jeans at the cyclocross, he now serves as road.cc’s senior news writer. Before his foray into cycling journalism, he wallowed in the equally pitiless world of academia, where he wrote a book about Victorian politics and droned on about cycling and bikes to classes of bored students (while taking every chance he could get to talk about cycling in print or on the radio). He can be found riding his bike very slowly around the narrow, scenic country lanes of Co. Down.

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88 comments

Avatar
ktache replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
4 likes

I get this sometimes too, it's nice and shows awareness in the driver, and a smaller number who deliberately edge into my path, I suppose at least they are using their mirrors and not staring at their phones, I just nip down the other side where they have of course made more room.

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Steve K | 2 years ago
12 likes
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chrisonabike replied to Steve K | 2 years ago
5 likes

Just read this - anyone tempted to respond to tedious whataboutery needs only point to this article - it's got it covered!

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EddyBerckx | 2 years ago
21 likes

55% support of the new HC changes - despite all the lies and misinformation spread by the usual suspects.

People, THIS IS A MASSIVE FUCKING WIN!!!  

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eburtthebike | 2 years ago
14 likes

Jake Stewart is wrong, and cycling in the UK is moving in the right direction; slowly, almost imperceptibly, but things are changing, which is why the old guard petrol heads feel threatened. 

We have to keep the pressure up by challenging politicians to actually implement those nice shiny policies they've approved, not just leave them gathering dust on the shelves.  If you don't already do it, get in touch with your local campaign group to find out how you can help and email your councillors and MP demanding resources for cycling.

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Daveyraveygravey replied to eburtthebike | 2 years ago
4 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

Jake Stewart is wrong, and cycling in the UK is moving in the right direction; slowly, almost imperceptibly, but things are changing, which is why the old guard petrol heads feel threatened. 

We have to keep the pressure up by challenging politicians to actually implement those nice shiny policies they've approved, not just leave them gathering dust on the shelves.  If you don't already do it, get in touch with your local campaign group to find out how you can help and email your councillors and MP demanding resources for cycling.

 

I disagree, cycling in the UK is not moving in the right direction, in my experience anyway.  Close passes are now so frequent I am gradually finding quieter and quieter roads for my road bike, or riding my mtb off road more and more.  When my buddies go out at the weekend, if they choose Saturday instead of Sunday, I'll decline.  If they choose Saturday PM instead of AM, I'll decline.  None of them commute though, so none of them ride at the "worst" time of the day.  And this is rural Sussex, not central London or any other big city.

To me, close passing is the single biggest issue cyclists face.  There is NO excuse for anybody to close pass anyone else - it even pisses me off when another cyclist does it to me! - and it makes me more and more intolerant to it.

The amount of traffic has doubled in the last 30 years.  Cars themselves (and I guess vans and minibuses) are getting bigger and bigger - the average car in 2020 weighed 1900kg!

But how many times does a news article about cycling descend into a slanging match about road tax and red lights?  Why do ALL drivers seem to think it is them alone that pays for roads?

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Surreyrider replied to Daveyraveygravey | 2 years ago
4 likes

Got to agree with this. Plenty of words (announcements about things like active travel). Not a lot of action. Close passes are numerous on any ride in Surrey and to that you can add tailgating in an intimidatory way and simply squeezing past to deliberately push towards the gutter. The problem is there is little consequence for actions. Surrey Police are as bad as the rest despite this website's fixation with their 'road cops' Twitter feed. 

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Ride On | 2 years ago
5 likes

I take an optimistic view and all this publicity will at least make drivers more likely to think about cyclists.

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Captain Badger | 2 years ago
12 likes

I'm just waiting for some misogynistic racist toe rag who pretends that they've ever been on a bike at all since the age of 7 to deliberately conflate a lane and a road in a vain and obtuse effort to pretend that another bunch of lying toerags somehow for once might be telling the truth.

Oh....

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ride2smile replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
8 likes

No it doesn't. 

New Rule 72 Road positioning. When riding on the roads, there are two basic road positions you should adopt, depending on the situation.

1. Ride in the centre of your lane, to make yourself as clearly visible as possible, in the following situations:

• on quiet roads or streets – if a faster vehicle comes up behind you, move to the left to enable them to overtake, if you can do so safely

• in slower-moving traffic - when the traffic around you starts to flow more freely, move over to the left if you can do so safely so that faster vehicles behind you can overtake

• at the approach to junctions or road narrowings where it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake you

2. When riding on busy roads, with vehicles moving faster than you, allow them to overtake where it is safe to do so whilst keeping at least 0.5 metres away, and further where it is safer, from the kerb edge. Remember that traffic on most dual carriageways moves quickly. Take extra care crossing slip roads.

The issue for me with the above is that many motorists will interpret the rule as 'I'm faster than you so you have to move over to the left" and will decide themselves what is safe. So pretty much what happens now.

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ride2smile replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
8 likes

You wrote - "But that is precisely what the new rules do say" - it precisely isn't.

How things are expressed is open to interpretation. Preciseness isn't. My interpretation of middle of the lane is very different to middle of the road.

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chrisonabike replied to ride2smile | 2 years ago
9 likes

sjplake wrote:

You wrote - "But that is precisely what the new rules do say" - it precisely isn't.

How things are expressed is open to interpretation. Preciseness isn't. My interpretation of middle of the lane is very different to middle of the road.

Amen. "You're in the middle of the bloody road!" "No, I'm in the middle of the lane."

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eburtthebike replied to ride2smile | 2 years ago
1 like

sjplake wrote:

Preciseness isn't.

[pedant on] Precision [pedant off]

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hawkinspeter replied to eburtthebike | 2 years ago
6 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

sjplake wrote:

Preciseness isn't.

[pedant on] Precision [pedant off]

"Preciseness" is a perfectly cromulent word though I'd agree that precision is probably a better choice. Are you that Grammarly that I keep seeing youtube ads for?

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chrisonabike replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
3 likes

https://www.bikeability.org.uk/

https://www.cycling.scot/bikeability-scotland

But wait - all that training but we don't provide somewhere convenient which feels safe for these young people to ride?  Maybe that's why they don't keep riding!

How it could be - and hopefully how it will soon start looking more like in places in the UK who understand the benefits they stand to gain e.g. parts of Manchester:

https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/tag/children/

They do training over there too of course!

https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/new-traffic-test-app-for-dutch-children/

https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/bicycle-training-in-the-netherlands/

Why should we bother?

http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/search/label/campaigning%20for%20children

https://aseasyasridingabike.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/streets-safe-for-children/

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SimoninSpalding replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
15 likes

 

 

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Flintshire Boy replied to SimoninSpalding | 2 years ago
2 likes

Or, you could - oh, I dunno - engage brain, consider the points being made, and respond intelligently.

As an alternative to behaving like a seven year old.

(Maybe you are a seven year old).

 

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Captain Badger replied to Flintshire Boy | 2 years ago
11 likes

Flintshire Boy wrote:

Or, you could - oh, I dunno - engage brain, consider the points being made, and respond intelligently.

As an alternative to behaving like a seven year old.

(Maybe you are a seven year old).

 

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chrisonabike replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
4 likes

Leave this particular persona to Rendel maybe?

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Captain Badger replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
3 likes

chrisonatrike wrote:

Leave this particular persona to Rendel maybe?

Sorry Chris, I was forgetting myself....

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Rendel Harris replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
7 likes

chrisonatrike wrote:

Leave this particular persona to Rendel maybe?

Job's a gooden.

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Hirsute replied to Flintshire Boy | 2 years ago
4 likes

You replied to the wrong poster in error.

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Rendel Harris replied to Flintshire Boy | 2 years ago
8 likes

.

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TriTaxMan replied to Flintshire Boy | 2 years ago
9 likes

Flintshire Boy wrote:

Or, you could - oh, I dunno - engage brain, consider the points being made, and respond intelligently.

As an alternative to behaving like a seven year old.

(Maybe you are a seven year old).

Why should we engage with someone like your friend Nigel?  When he regularly posts completely contradictory statements.

I mean did you actually read his diatribes over the weekend..... berating a cyclist for riding in the road at 20mph in a 20mph speed limit for not cycling on the pavement because  "I'd (Garage at Large) argue that by riding in the manner displayed in the video, the cyclist hasn't displayed values of respect and decency." and "he has deliberately held up the firwoods driver."

Yet somehow today its "I'm also very concerned about the way that lawless idiots who cycle on pavements"

So which is it to be?  Should cyclists who are travelling at the speed limit be automatically deemed to not show respect to other road users or should they be lawless idiots who cycle at 20mph on the pavement?

Now Nigeywigey will try and say his comments over the weekend were in reference to a cycle lane that the cyclist wasn't using.  However, he continued to berate the cyclist even though multiple people pointed out that the cycle infrastructure he was alleging that the cyclist wasn't using didn't actually start until after the point in which the Firwoods driver had passed the cyclist.

So I agree with Simon that your buddy Nige is nothing but a troll

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SimoninSpalding replied to Flintshire Boy | 2 years ago
6 likes

When a valid point is made I respond in kind. In this case where someone insists a hue that reflects no photons actually reflects all photons I shall also respond in kind.

Have a nice day.yes

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HarrogateSpa | 2 years ago
10 likes

It's good that Jake Stewart is speaking up.

The same people who abuse us and put us in danger when we ride bikes very likely cheer on British racing cyclists. So if the British riders speak up, they can make a difference.

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Awavey replied to HarrogateSpa | 2 years ago
3 likes

I suspect the same people who abuse us on the road only cheer on TeamGB cyclists who go round in circles in a velodrome, and that's where most of them would like us riding instead of being in their way on the roads and they wouldnt have a clue who Jake Stewart was unless he was the new centre forward signing for Man Utd or Chelsea.

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SimoninSpalding replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
0 likes

Unfortunately I fear you give them too much credit for a logical train of thought, and linking "sport" (a thing what happens on the telly and should be cheered as long as there is a Union Flag or cross of St George on display) with hobbies and pass times that involve more activity than driving to the pub to watch aforementioned "sport".

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