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MIDNIGHT DEADLINE to reply to Highway Code consultation; "Nobody who lives in London needs an SUV" - Twitter debate rages as Keir Starmer hits cyclist; Council accused of hypocrisy over cycleway + more on the live blog

Tuesday's live blog with Dan Alexander during the day and Simon MacMichael taking over in the evening...
27 October 2020, 16:53
Final chance to support Cycling UK's proposed Highway Code changes

Midnight tonight is the deadline for you to have your say and support Cycling UK's campaign to help the Highway Code better protect cyclists.

Cycling UK have been involved in pre-consultation with the Department for Transport and have suggested 10 key changes to the Highway Code.

These changes include better protection for cyclists in cases of close passes and giving priority to road users travelling straight at unsignalled left turns.

More than 15,000 people have already contributed to the campaign with suggestions and comments about the current Highway Code and the deadline for any further input is midnight tonight.

27 October 2020, 16:29
Michael Woods wins stage 7 of La Vuelta a Espana
27 October 2020, 16:11
"Nobody who lives in London needs an SUV"

The news that Keir Starmer was involved in a collision with a cyclist on Sunday has sparked much debate on social media.

Top of the pile was Ash Sarkar, who recieved hundreds of replies to her tweet stating that SUVs should be outlawed for being "obnoxious".

27 October 2020, 15:37
Decisive moments at La Vuelta
Vuelta stage 7

We're on the final climb of the day in Spain... Dorian Gaodon (AG2R) is about to be caught by the the breakaway.

Ineos are raising the pace back in the peloton.

27 October 2020, 15:28
First Japanese cyclist arrested for reckless riding and road rage

A Japanese man has become the first cyclist to be arrested under the revised  'Road Traffic Law' for reckless riding and road rage.

Akihiko Narushima was arrested after interfering with drivers as seen in the video above. 

Narushima can be seen deliberately swerving towards cars up to four times.

The 33-year-old was then arrested later in the day after allegedly grabbing a car driver’s relative who cautioned him about his reckless riding.

27 October 2020, 15:00
Dangerous break at La Vuelta

It's stage seven in Spain and seemingly half the race is in the breakaway.

Alejandro Valverde is the best-placed rider on GC up the road, three minutes behind race leader Richard Carapaz.

The Movistar veteran is joined by around 35 riders including Jumbo-Visma duo Sepp Kuss and George Bennett.

27 October 2020, 14:36
Sussex Police aim to educate cyclists instead of issuing fines
2020 XLC Comp Light Set - rear 2.jpg

Sussex Police have announced a scheme to improve safety by educating cyclists about bike lights.

The operation will run from1 November to 31 January and will involve police officers educating cyclists rather than issuing fixed penalty notices.

PCSO Richard Moorey explained the scheme: "If a member of public is seen riding a cycle during the hours of darkness whilst the operation is on, they will been given the opportunity to purchase a set of bike lights, and bring their bike into the police station to show the lights have been purchased and fitted."

"This will mean no further action will be taken and no fixed penalty notice will be issued.”

27 October 2020, 11:11
Sussex Police worker hits pedestrian while cycling on pavement

Incidents between pedestrians and cyclists remain thankfully very rare with just 2% of cases in which pedestrians sustained serious injuries involving cyclists, compared to 81% that involved drivers of cars.

The police worker in this video collided with a 73-year-old man while cycling on the pavement in Worthing leaving John Wilson with facial injuries.

Sussex Police confirmed the cyclist worked for their force and their 'Professional Standards Department' would investigate the case to determine if there was any need for disciplinary action.

Speaking to The Argus, Wilson believes he is "lucky to be alive."

"I was whacked straight in the face, I hit the ground. I’m very annoyed at watching the video as I’m a human being with a terminal illness and I think he thought of me like a piece of dirt.

“It’s his attitude. I hit the floor and he did not ring an ambulance – a neighbour had to ring an ambulance.”

Of collisions with pedestrians that resulted in death, just 1% were involved with cyclists. Incidents between car drivers and pedestrians were the leading cause of pedestrian deaths, accounting for 68% of cases.

27 October 2020, 12:39
North Tyneside Council face backlash over plans to remove 'Sunrise Cycleway'

North Tyneside Council faced criticism on Twitter for promoting their new fleet of electric cargo bikes in a video shot on the segregated 'Sunrise Cycleway' that runs from Whitley Bay to Tynemouth.

Local residents and cyclists pointed out the hypocrisy of the council celebrating the infrastructure to promote the cargo bikes while also having no plan to keep the segregated cycleway beyond a temporary measure.

Dozens of local doctors and other NHS staff have backed the campaign to keep the segregated cycleway permanently and the petition currently has more than 5,000 signatures. 

Councillor Sarah Day said: “It is great news that we have secured this funding for a fleet of new e-Cargo bikes – we are leading by example in shifting towards greener and more sustainable forms of transport."

Cycleway users have been left disappointed that the council's commitment to more sustainable forms of transport will not stretch to keeping the segregated lane open permanently.

27 October 2020, 12:16
Behind the scenes of Giro third week

Team Sunweb have released this behind the scenes look at their third week at the Giro d'Italia.

It would ultimately end in disappointment for the team with Jai Hindley losing the Maglia Rosa to Tao Geoghegen Hart on the final stage.

Wilco Kelderman rounded out the podium with Sunweb in second and third.

27 October 2020, 10:42
Zero positive COVID-19 tests at the Vuelta

All 684 COVID-19 tests at La Vuelta a Espana were negative during the first week of the race.

The riders and staff were tested on Monday's rest day with the action resuming this afternoon on stage seven from Vitoria-Gasteiz to Villanueva de Valdegovia.

27 October 2020, 10:14
£162 frame pump
Rapha

Rapha are no strangers to expensive cycling products and their latest release is no exception. 

The collaboration with SILCA will set you back an eye-watering £162 with the smaller IMPERO mini-pump costing £115.

27 October 2020, 09:36
Reaction to Keir Starmer collision with cyclist

Thankfully the cyclist involved in the collision with Keir Starmer on Sunday suffered just a minor injury to his arm and was taken to hospital as a "precaution".

The incident has prompted some to speculate about Jeremy Corbyn's movements on Sunday lunchtime...

27 October 2020, 10:02
Questionable kit choices

Probably not one for your Sunday cafe ride...

Questionable cycling kit
27 October 2020, 09:49
If you missed Chris Boardman on Desert Island Discs
chris boardman at boardman performance centre

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000ntrq

Chris Boardman received plenty of praise for his appearance on Desert Island Discs and his music choices which include a Freddie Mercury song about the city he won Olympic gold in.

27 October 2020, 09:22
OneWandsworth deny condoning moving the pedestrian
27 October 2020, 08:57
Anti-LTN group in hot water for condoning moving injured pedestrian to improve 'traffic flow'

OneWandsworth, an anti-LTN group, have faced widespread criticism for suggesting it was necessary to move an injured pedestrian to improve 'traffic flow'.

Many have pointed out that the injured pedestrian should not have been moved in any case to prioritise traffic flow.

Jessica Nilsson replied: "This post is extremely distasteful for so many reasons - please consider taking it down. Moved with potential spine or other injuries and what you mention is traffic flow (even though the accident was due to motor vehicle traffic in the first place)?"

Another added: "No one had to move anyone. People chose to risk someone's life by moving them to allow traffic to flow."

The controversy over the incident stemmed from OneWandsworth claiming the ambulance and police vehicles attending the scene were slowed down due to the new segregated cycle lane which has been installed on the A24.

In the video the ambulance can be seen reversing to avoid congestion.

Dan joined road.cc in 2020, and spent most of his first year (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. At the start of 2022 he took on the role of news editor. Before joining road.cc, Dan wrote about various sports, including football and boxing for the Daily Express, and covered the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Part of the generation inspired by the 2012 Olympics, Dan has been 'enjoying' life on two wheels ever since and spends his weekends making bonk-induced trips to the petrol stations of the south of England.

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61 comments

Avatar
ktache | 3 years ago
0 likes

I caught the Chris Boardan desert island discs this morning, quite lovely it was and less anti cycling than eBurts BBC normally is.  I was a bit disappointed that they don't play all of the song, though it is Radio 4, more talking and less music.

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Zigster | 3 years ago
1 like

The pavement cyclist was going far too fast so no question he is at fault as he shouldn't have been on the pavement in the first place (though one can see why he might not have been keen on the very unwelcoming road).

But the pedestrian walked into him rather than the cyclist hitting the pedestrian. If the pedestrian had walked out of a shop without looking and banged into a mobility scooter or a pushchair would he also have been complaining that he had been treated like a piece of dirt? If he walked into someone older and more frail than him, who would he want to blame them?

Particularly in the current times where keeping distance from other people is important, is it too much to ask that people don't stride out of shops without checking the pavement is clear of other people?

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pedestrian-pete replied to Zigster | 3 years ago
2 likes

Zigster wrote:

 (though one can see why he might not have been keen on the very unwelcoming road).

Then he should have been pushing his bike along the pavement, and maybe nobody would have got hurt.

Zigster wrote:

If the pedestrian had walked out of a shop without looking

You don't know that the pedestrian didn't look. Maybe they looked through the shop window and saw the pavement was clear and walked out, not expecting there to be an idiot cycling illegally on the pavement.

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Captain Badger replied to Zigster | 3 years ago
1 like

Zigster wrote:

But the pedestrian walked into him rather than the cyclist hitting the pedestrian. If the pedestrian had walked out of a shop without looking and banged into a mobility scooter or a pushchair would he also have been complaining that he had been treated like a piece of dirt?

Should someone walk out and bump into another it's a case of "watch where you're going" and nothing more. Certainly not a black eye (unless things get heated)

Those driving mobility scoots have a duty of care too, and driving at a speed likely to knock someone over would be irresponsible.

It is clear in the video that the rider is going too fast, and his actions resulted in injury to someone else. That is the circumstance at hand.

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Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes
Quote:

Of collisions with pedestrians that resulted in death, just 1% were involved with cyclists. Incidents between car drivers and pedestrians were the leading cause of pedestrian deaths, accounting for 68% of cases.

You trot out these figures as if they convey some meaning. However without comparing the relative numbers of bicycles versus motor vehicles at large, they are meaningless. It's no different than saying that far fewer injuries are caused by motorists driving V8s compared to 4-cylinder cars, with the implication that V8 drivers are therefore not part of the problem.

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eburtthebike replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
8 likes

Sriracha wrote:
Quote:

Of collisions with pedestrians that resulted in death, just 1% were involved with cyclists. Incidents between car drivers and pedestrians were the leading cause of pedestrian deaths, accounting for 68% of cases.

You trot out these figures as if they convey some meaning. However without comparing the relative numbers of bicycles versus motor vehicles at large, they are meaningless. It's no different than saying that far fewer injuries are caused by motorists driving V8s compared to 4-cylinder cars, with the implication that V8 drivers are therefore not part of the problem.

There are many and various ways of displaying data, some more informative and accurate than others.  Using a pie chart of miles travelled isn't particularly helpful when a large segment of those miles is travelled by motor vehicles on motorways from which pedestrians are banned, skewing the data against cyclists.  A fairer comparison would be urban miles for motor vehicles and bicycles, the places where pedestrians are actually at risk.

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wycombewheeler replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
3 likes

Sriracha wrote:
Quote:

Of collisions with pedestrians that resulted in death, just 1% were involved with cyclists. Incidents between car drivers and pedestrians were the leading cause of pedestrian deaths, accounting for 68% of cases.

You trot out these figures as if they convey some meaning. However without comparing the relative numbers of bicycles versus motor vehicles at large, they are meaningless. It's no different than saying that far fewer injuries are caused by motorists driving V8s compared to 4-cylinder cars, with the implication that V8 drivers are therefore not part of the problem.

can you provide the same chart but with miles in urban environments where collissions with pedestrians take place?

Your argument seems to be that cars cause 68% of deaths but 77% of miles travelled while cyclists are 1% and 1% therefore if all cyclists switched to cars safety would increase. 

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Captain Badger replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
4 likes

Sriracha wrote:
Quote:

Of collisions with pedestrians that resulted in death, just 1% were involved with cyclists. Incidents between car drivers and pedestrians were the leading cause of pedestrian deaths, accounting for 68% of cases.

You trot out these figures as if they convey some meaning. However without comparing the relative numbers of bicycles versus motor vehicles at large, they are meaningless. It's no different than saying that far fewer injuries are caused by motorists driving V8s compared to 4-cylinder cars, with the implication that V8 drivers are therefore not part of the problem.

Indeed. relatively few casualties on motorways with massive amounts of miles driven. Strike that out to include only roads used by all and we'd get a fairer picture still.

It's still the case that drivers as a group (of which I am one)  impose a disproportionate amount of mayhem on the populace at large thorugh collisions. That's not even accounting for deaths by pollution, and degradation to life quality through noise, restriction of movement and soaking up the public space, amongst other things.

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Sriracha replied to Captain Badger | 3 years ago
0 likes

Sure, I understand that you might want to compare only urban miles - but at least we need some basis of comparison.

Simply stating the raw figures with no comparison is misleading, probably deliberately so. And it finds receptive minds here; I constantly see arguments advanced here on the lines of, deal with the motorists first, they are the bigger problem because so few injuries are caused by cyclists compared to motorist. On the same basis you would ignore injuries by motorists in brown cars.

The case for cycling is good enough without appealing to a deceptive use of statistics. In fact, doing so can only be counterproductive.

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Captain Badger replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like

Sriracha wrote:

Sure, I understand that you might want to compare only urban miles - but at least we need some basis of comparison.

You are correct, we do. And I for one do not think there is a case to "ignore this until we have dealt with that". Concurrent activity is obviously possible with enough resource. In the case at hand, my view is that the rider was entirely at fault, and in addition, I believe Road's immediate "but this hardly ever happens" was unhelpful (I believe my comments on this thread attest to that view).

However, any suggestion that bikes are an equal risk as cars either in frequency of collisions, or outcomes of collisions when they do happen would need to be rigorously argued - extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence

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Sriracha replied to Captain Badger | 3 years ago
2 likes
Captain Badger wrote:

However, any suggestion that bikes are an equal risk as cars either in frequency of collisions, or outcomes of collisions when they do happen would need to be rigorously argued - extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence

And of course I never made any such claim. It just rankles with me when stats are used in a deliberately deceptive way. I'm quite sure that a mile cycled is less harmful on any measure than a mile driven, and I don't think that deceptive use of stats helps advance that argument.

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Captain Badger replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes

Sriracha wrote:

And of course I never made any such claim. It just rankles with me when stats are used in a deliberately deceptive way. I'm quite sure that a mile cycled is less harmful on any measure than a mile driven, and I don't think that deceptive use of stats helps advance that argument.

I think we can agree that it would be fascinating to see more nuanced breakdowns of teh stats than the usual tired old broadbrush.

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Gus T | 3 years ago
9 likes

I've just watched the police worker collision, as far as I can see he was cycling far to fast for the circumstances, forcing his way,at speed through the pedestrians at the start of the video, he then swerved towards the shops/houses whilst looking at his handlebars.  Seems to me to be a textbook example of an arrogant dick.

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NZ Vegan Rider replied to Gus T | 3 years ago
0 likes

Agreed ;-(

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pedestrian-pete replied to Gus T | 3 years ago
0 likes

Gus T wrote:

he was cycling far to fast for the circumstances, forcing his way,at speed through the pedestrians

He was cycling illegally on the pavement. No excuse for it.

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brooksby replied to pedestrian-pete | 3 years ago
2 likes

pedestrian-pete wrote:

Gus T wrote:

he was cycling far to fast for the circumstances, forcing his way,at speed through the pedestrians

He was cycling illegally on the pavement. No excuse for it.

Paul Boateng, Govt Minister, 1999:

"The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of the traffic, and who show consideration to other pavement users.

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

Oh - and, Mr First Post - go back to your bridge!  3

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pedestrian-pete replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

Paul Boateng, Govt Minister, 1999:

"The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of the traffic, and who show consideration to other pavement users.

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

There is no reason for adults to cycle on the pavement. Completely understand that there are sections of road that people may feel uncomfortable cycling along. In which case they could stop, get off their bike and push it along the pavement, and everybody is safe.

brooksby wrote:

Oh - and, Mr First Post - go back to your bridge!  3

Sorry... I don't understand... should my first post have been extolling the virtues of cycling? cheeky

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to pedestrian-pete | 3 years ago
1 like

I think reasons for adults cycling on pavements were covered in Brooksby's comment, quoting Paul Boateng. In addition, there seems to be cross-party agreement as this view was further endorsed by one Mr Goodwill in '14. The discretion mentioned would clearly allow action to be taken in this case, but also makes the "no excuse" opinion just that - an opinion.

Personally, I'm not about to start frothing and renew my Daily Heil subscription if I see a grown-up on a bike whilst on the pavement, provided they're being sensible.

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brooksby replied to pedestrian-pete | 3 years ago
1 like

pedestrian-pete wrote:

Sorry... I don't understand... should my first post have been extolling the virtues of cycling? cheeky

And you registered and joined the road.cc community because...?

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mdavidford replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
1 like

Possibly because a previous incarnation got 'vanished'?

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eburtthebike | 3 years ago
1 like

From North Tyneside Council's Transport Strategy:

"i.Improve safety, health and well-being outcomes and sustainability;"  and:

"More people are cycling; the proportion of North Tyneside residentswho cycle to work increased by 20% in the ten years to 2011.Cycling in the borough has trebled in the past decade" and:

"8i.How to improve safety, health, wellbeing and environmental sustainability; challenges include supporting healthy lifestyles and improving health through increased physical activity such as cycling and walking; ensuring that local air quality continues to meetgoodstandards; and meeting the challenge of climate change by supporting transport options which reduce carbon emissions, It is also important that travellers feel safe as they use our network"

Just like South Gloucestershire, these policies and strategies are decorative only, not, under any circumstances to actually be implemented.  I'll bet their sustainability, environment and health policies all speak glowingly about cycling too.

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didsthewinegeek | 3 years ago
0 likes

Quelle surprise a policeman breaking the law, riding on a pavement where there is a road to cycle on, Road traffic act 2005.

Whilst ignorance is not a defence, that should be doubly so for a policeman.

I see it far to often, people on bikes on pavements and the police letting them do so.

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Kendalred replied to didsthewinegeek | 3 years ago
6 likes

didsthewinegeek wrote:

Quelle surprise a policeman breaking the law, riding on a pavement where there is a road to cycle on, Road traffic act 2005. Whilst ignorance is not a defence, that should be doubly so for a policeman. I see it far to often, people on bikes on pavements and the police letting them do so.

A 'police worker', not a police officer. 

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Captain Badger replied to didsthewinegeek | 3 years ago
5 likes

didsthewinegeek wrote:

I see it far to often, people on bikes on pavements and the police letting them do so.

I believe that Paul Boateng gave the direction to use discretion back in 1999 when it was made an FPN offence. Robert Goodwill reiterated this request in 14

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Sriracha replied to Captain Badger | 3 years ago
2 likes
Captain Badger wrote:

didsthewinegeek wrote:

I see it far to often, people on bikes on pavements and the police letting them do so.

I believe that Paul Boateng gave the direction to use discretion back in 1999 when it was made an FPN offence. Robert Goodwill reiterated this request in 14

Yes, discretion. I take that to mean to not arrest every cyclist pootling quietly and with care along a pavement just because it's a pavement, but to use the legislation to target idiots like this one.

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Captain Badger replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like
Sriracha wrote:

]
Yes, discretion. I take that to mean to not arrest every cyclist pootling quietly and with care along a pavement just because it's a pavement, but to use the legislation to target idiots like this one.

I would concur

Avatar
markieteeee | 3 years ago
2 likes

A non-cycle based observation but nobody who stepped in to help the bloke on the pavement nor who decided to shift the injured person, to allow traffic to flow, thought to put on a mask on before doing so.

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David9694 replied to markieteeee | 3 years ago
0 likes

My understanding is you would only move a casualty if it was in their interests to do so, i.e. they were in real danger where they were. 

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brooksby | 3 years ago
2 likes

Quote:

"I’m very annoyed at watching the video as I’m a human being with a terminal illness and I think he thought of me like a piece of dirt.

Is he saying that someone should have been able to tell by sight that he had a terminal illness?

I thought modern etiquette is "don't ask, don't tell" (referencing all the no-masks-in-shops controversies now, and the disabled-seats-on-public-transport controversies pre-Covid).

And (added, edited) isn't it possible that the cyclist didn't go up and check on the bloke up-close-and-personal because of Covid rather than callousness?  Certainly (watching without sound) looks like he spoke to him.  Doesn't excuse not phoning for an ambulance, though, if that's the case.

And, and, when I'm leaving a doorway onto a pavement nowadays, I ALWAYS go out slowly and carefully and watch for people approaching (not pavement cyclists, admittedly, just folk).

Avatar
EddyBerckx | 3 years ago
9 likes

Guys, the anti LTN peeps have already been found out. The vast majority of people in the UK want LTN's and a small minority of trolls wont change that now - chill! - or write to your local council to support them if there is still debate in your area

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