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Cabbie's anti-cycling tweets backfire; Bora-Hansgrohe development rider killed while training; Pimlico Plumbers worker on phone at wheel; 12 hour TT record broken; Orlando Bloom's unorthodox cycling attire; Audi slammed for ad + more on live blog

Welcome to Monday's live blog. Jack Sexty is your blogger-in-chief today, with Simon MacMichael taking over later this evening. ...
UPDATED Mon, Aug 03, 2020 22:48
38

SUMMARY

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Cabbie's anti-cycling tweets backfire; Bora-Hansgrohe development rider killed while training; Pimlico Plumbers worker on phone at wheel; 12 hour TT record broken; Orlando Bloom's unorthodox cycling attire; Audi slammed for ad + more on live blogeuston road congestion screenshot - via Thomas the Taxi on twitter.PNG
03 August 2020, 19:48
Bora-Hansgrohe development rider, 17, killed on training ride

A 17-year-old rider for Bora-Hansgrohe's under-19 development team was killed while training with his team-mates when, according to the team's website, a driver failed to give way to the riders.

Jan Riedmann was taken to hospital in Würzburg by helicopter after the incident in Sugenheim on Saturday but died there yesterday, the team said.

03 August 2020, 14:45
Taxi driver's tweets featuring families cycling and a queue of cars backfire spectacularly

That is exactly what we want, replied almost 3,000 people to the owner of a Twitter account called 'Streets Back, Or Buy Us Out'. 

If that wasn't enough to make the account's owner slightly consider his viewpoint, he's struck again by posting a video of a large queue of cars on Euston Road - with no bicycles in sight - complaining that 'MAMIL's' say extra congestion is caused by car rather than cycle lanes... although the footage appears to clearly demonstrate that the motor vehicles are causing the congestion in this instance. Is @thomasthetaxi a cycle campaigner in disguise?

03 August 2020, 14:14
Cycling Mikey's latest catch: could driver really avoid prosecution despite using a phone at the wheel?

Mike Van Erp - aka Cycling Mikey - claimed that the driver of a Pimlico Plumbers vehicle who he caught using a phone could not be prosecuted, because there isn't actual evidence that he was communicating with the device. 

There is indeed a legal loophole that has been exploited in the past to get drivers off charges relating to mobile phone use. The BBC reported last year that Ramsey Barreto successfully appealed a guilty conviction for using his phone to film a crash in 2017, because his lawyers argued that the 51-year-old "wasn't using it to communicate." A spokesperson for Mr Barreto's law firm commented at the time: "We've been arguing that unless police can prove beyond reasonable doubt that what someone was doing was actually communicating, it wasn't an offence to be using a smartphone." 

High Court judges then complained that the law needed amending to account for the rise of smartphones, which of course do plenty more than communicate while being a dangerous distraction.

Grant Shapps promised an urgent review, saying that the law should also include browsing the internet and searching playlists while driving... but as far as we know, due to other events the changes haven't yet come to fruition. It means that the driver in the footage above would likely escape six penalty points and a £200 fine for "using a hand-held phone when driving" if it couldn't be proved he was communicating by browsing the website; although, on the lesser charge of 'not being in proper control of a motor vehicle' under the Road Traffic Act 1988 this would certainly qualify as an offence, netting anyone found guilty three penalty points and a £100 fine.

Funnily enough, the updated section on the gov.uk website now reads: "Section 41D is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 03 August 2020."

03 August 2020, 14:08
Confirmed: Joe Skipper lands new 12 hour TT record

Cycling Time Trials have confirmed the 32-year-old pro triathlete is the new record holder, with his effort rounded down to a provisional 325.5 miles. On the day he finished 19 miles ahead of Tom Thornely in second place, who covered 306.5 miles. The women's winner was Kim Barfoot-Brace of Bath CC, whose 272.7 mile effort means that Alice Lethbridge's 2018 record of 290 miles remains intact. 

03 August 2020, 13:57
More space for cycling = more space for everyone, says British Cycling

The graphic serves to highlight how giving space to cyclists and pedestrians most definitely doesn't mean reducing space for cars, despite what some service companies and radio presenters would have you believe...

03 August 2020, 13:44
First ever British Gravel Championships to go ahead in September
FFWD Drift Gravel Wheels 1

One of the main hurdles Brits face when jumping on the gravel bandwagon is that we simply don't have much gravel... but we're told there is enough in Suffolk's Kings Forest for the King's Cup Gravel Festival to host the inaugural British Gravel Championships between 25-27 September. 

Promising a "unique event", there will be multiple categories for all abilities as well as the Championships themselves, including a Gravel Fondo, a team relay and family riding events. Director Tom Caldwell commented: "We’re thrilled to be hosting the first-ever British Gravel Championships at the King’s Cup Gravel Festival. This will be a truly exciting event, which will see all abilities of riders taking on various events throughout the weekend. Not only will those riders who like to ride on gravel and off-road terrains be able to ride alongside thousands of other riders but we’ll also get to see some top amateur riders race for the British title and jersey."

To pandemic-proof the event as much as possible, participants simply register for free and pay later if the event goes ahead as planned. If the situation changes and it has to be moved, the organisers say there are contingency plans in place to move the event to October or 2021. 

Pre-registration has just launched today, click here for more details. 

03 August 2020, 14:05
Full story as promised.
03 August 2020, 13:30
Gran Trittico Lombardo: wet

As well as the riders themselves, coverage of the race on Eurosport 2 is also currently being interrupted by the poor weather. Riders in action include Vincenzo Nibali, Greg Van Avermaet and Gianni Moscon. 

03 August 2020, 13:11
Audi score spectacular own goal with latest advert

The post advertising Audi's ​RS 4 has attracted hundreds of (mostly negative) comments, with many noting that the photo of a child leaning on the car's grille is a perfect example of how the car's design is flawed. One commented: "Nice that you show how easily children can be killed by your cars."

Audi have replied to the Twitter thread, saying: "We hear you and let’s get this straight: We care for children. The Audi RS 4 is a family car with more than thirty driver assistance systems including an emergency break system. That’s why we showcased it with various family members for the campaign.

"We hoped we could convey these messages, showing that even for the weakest traffic participants it is possible to relaxingly lean on the RS technology. That was a mistake! Audi never intended to hurt anyone’s feelings. 

"We sincerely apologise for this insensitive image and ensure that it will not be used in future. We will also immediately examine internally, how this campaign has been created and if control mechanisms failed in this case."

03 August 2020, 11:56
Orlando Bloom joins cycling boom: but his attire has raised some eyebrows

The Hollywood star was papped riding around Malibu at the weekend, aboard a bike from boutique Czech brand Festka according to the Daily Mail. 

Cycling Twitter is a little concerned about his choice of outfit, with the 43-year-old opting for (what looks to be) compressive arm sleeves and a tank top instead of the traditional jersey. Bloom has also allegedly committed one of the cardinal cycling snob sins of putting the arms of his shades inside his helmet straps; although he is commended for wearing white socks that appear to be of an acceptable length. 

We'll echo the sentiment of the comment above: he's riding his bike, which is always a good thing. 

03 August 2020, 11:42
Cardiff tops 'unsafe for cycling' list... despite being named 'best cycling city' in another survey last month
Cycle Parking in Cardiff Bay (picture via Visit Cardiff).jpg

Is Cardiff very bad and very good for cycling all at once? Insurance firm Cycleplan have recently found that the Welsh capital is the city where most cyclists feel unsafe, with 71% reporting that they feel Cardiff is unsafe for cycling. This is despite a survey published by Komoot just three weeks ago suggesting that Cardiff is the UK's top city for cycling, scoring an average of 3.12 out of 5 on a range of factors. Furthermore, research compiled by comparison site MoneySupermarket in June found that Cardiff is Britain's bike theft capital, with 183 bikes nicked per 100,000 residents. 

Cardiff: a city of cycling contradictions? 

03 August 2020, 11:17
Breaking: Danish Tour de France Grand Depart moved to 2022

The media in Denmark is reporting that the Grand Depart in Copenhagen that was set for the 2021 edition of the race has been moved back to 2022 - full story to follow. 

03 August 2020, 09:05
Pimlico Plumbers worker caught using phone at the wheel by Cycling Mikey

Charlie Mullins, the boss of one of Britain's largest independent plumbing companies, made cycling headlines last week when he tasked his PR staff with producing a poster saying that cyclists were "taking f**king liberties", including an additional blog post that originally complained about "cycle fascists" and cycle lanes holding up traffic. He's also made other headlines over the weekend for sacking some of his furloughed staff which is another story entirely, but today it's back to cycling as prolific camera cyclist Mike Van Erp - otherwise known as Cycling Mikey - appears to have caught one of Mullins' workers using a phone at the wheel. 

According to Van Erp, the driver in the Pimlico Plumbers vehicle was scrolling through the website of luxury fashion house Balenciaga, and added: "He's very lucky he was scrolling through pictures, rather than browsing online or messaging, so not enough evidence to prosecute under the current and very out of date laws. Otherwise his insurance would likely double at next renewal after a conviction."

This morning Pimlico Plumbers have replied, saying they will hold a disciplinary meeting with the engineer in question. On the question of whether the driver was committing a prosecutable offence? More on that soon...

03 August 2020, 11:04
Cyclist "deliberately" reversed over by driver in Fleetwood
Police tape (CC licensed by freefotouk on Flickr)

Lancashire Police are appealing for information as part of an attempted murder investigation, after a cyclist was left seriously injured after reportedly being deliberately knocked down and then reversed over by a driver in Fleetwood. 

The police appeal says that a man in his 20's was cycling on the pavement at around 1.35pm on 2nd August, when he was hit by a Peugeot 206. The driver then reversed over him and left the scene, leaving the cyclist with serious arm and leg injuries. Following enquiries, a man in his 20's was arrested in connection with the incident. 

Detective Chief Inspector Alisa Wilson of Blackpool Police commented: "We have launched an investigation after a cyclist was seriously injured in Fleetwood today.

"Our enquiries suggest a man was deliberately targeted and we are appealing for information.

"While we have made an arrest we are particularly keen to speak to any witnesses. Furthermore if you have dash cam footage of the incident, or CCTV which shows the area, please come forward and contact us immediately."

03 August 2020, 10:04
Ride Your Socks Off
Join us at 7pm tonight on Zwift!

We're back on Zwift tonight at 7pm for another chance to win some socks! It's a category D week so the pace won't be too hot, and the route is Watopia's Waistband which is pretty flat. Should be well under an hour! Come and join us.

https://www.zwift.com/events/view/983776

 

03 August 2020, 08:45
Joe Skipper breaks 12 hour time trial record, reportedly riding 326 miles

At the British 12 Hour Time Trial Championships yesterday, the triathlete claims to have completed 326 miles (524.5km) over the 12 hour period, which would give a monstrous average speed of 27.1mph (43.7km/h). Data from Wahoo Elemnt Live Track shows a ride of 342 miles, but the duration is 12:39:24, meaning that this presumably includes a warm-up and cool-down. If the effort is confirmed by Cycling Time Trials, this would better the previous mark of 321.44 miles set by Adam Duggleby in 2018 by almost five miles. 

Skipper thought he'd broken the record and won the British title last year with a 325 mile ride, but the effort wasn't recognised after he reportedly made a wrong turn during the ride. 

The women's 12 hour record is held by Alice Lethbridge, who completed 290.07 miles in 2018 to better her 2017 record by almost five miles - the 2017 record came 50 years after the previous mark set by the legendary Beryl Burton. 

Cycling Time Trials have not published the official 2020 results yet, but we'll update when we have the full details. 

03 August 2020, 09:31
A cocktail of improved safety, more comfort and better ventilation, claim Kask of the revamped Mojito lid
03 August 2020, 09:38
Our cycle repair scheme is better than yours, Scotland tells England
03 August 2020, 09:27
£700 to go faster, what would you buy?

It's a no-brainer. 

Jack Sexty

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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38 comments

Avatar
OnYerBike replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
2 likes

I'm slightly confused too, although I think I know what mickey was trying to get at (obligatory i am not a lawyer)

The offence (as currently written https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/2695/regulation/2/made) requires the telephone to be used for an "interactive communication function". If you're not using it in that manner, then that specific offence doesn't apply (as you say other offences could still apply). For example, if you were using your phone to take a photo, or scroll through photos already saved on your phone, then it wouldn't apply - in much the same way that there is no specific offence for using a handheld camera. 

That said, accessing the internet specifically is included as an "interactive communication function" and therefore scrolling through photos on their website would be covered.

There's also an argument that as modern smartphones are always connected to the internet - any photos you take are instantly uploaded etc - then you are always being provided with access to the internet and so any use would fall foul of the law. Although that might be harder to prove (you could argue flight mode was active).

Avatar
visionset replied to OnYerBike | 3 years ago
1 like

OnYerBike wrote:

You can claim what you like but it's a doddle to determine whether there was internet access

Avatar
Awavey replied to visionset | 3 years ago
0 likes

This came up before when someone took some video on their phone whilst driving and who wasnt prosecuted or found guilty in court for it, I believe because the wording of the law differed from the way the law was debated in parliament, so that its specifically only using the phone as a phone ie calling people,texting them that is covered by the not use a mobile phone when driving law.

Avatar
David9694 replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
0 likes

I thought an important point was about the driver holding the device? I thought I'd read that if the policeman sees you, that's enough, e.g. it's no good trying to demonstrate that your phone (one of thousands, of course) wasn't in use at the precise time. 

In the case of Mr Accident-photographer, didn't the police just bring the "wrong" charge? And didn't get around to bringing the "right"one?

The self-employed model is not uncommon - I guess for plumbers it's a brand to promote customer confidence, give you some network/ back-up and it's main function is as a taxi rank for jobs.  
FWIW, I'm currently in effect a zero hours contractor: no built-in sick pay, pension or leave, certainly no tax breaks (note, Mr Audi, a correct usage of this word) - but it has its rewards. 

 

Avatar
brooksby | 3 years ago
5 likes

One of the papers has reported this morning that Pimlico Plumbers has sacked any staff who have declined coming back into the office as furlough is wound down.

Clearly a lovely company to work for, with a friendly and tolerant MD... 

Avatar
the little onion replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
5 likes

Well, didn't they try to claim that they weren't 'staff', but were freelance contractors, in order to save them paying national insurance and the like? They lost that court case against HMRC.

 

The SportsDirect of toilets

Avatar
janusz0 replied to the little onion | 3 years ago
2 likes

the little onion wrote:

The SportsDirect of toilets

Thank you very much for that wonderful quote, it chimes nicely with "The Mike Ashley of <insert name of modern slave enterprise>"

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
1 like

First of all, the CEO looks and acts like a total wanker most of the time at the moment and I love how he "Supports the NHS" but I wonder how much tax avoidance he does personally.

However the Furlough scheme was setup to try to keep jobs of anyone who literally couldn't work during lockdown and for those companies who couldn't justify full staff during these times. If his firm is now back to full business then staff can't really be on furlough anymore. So if they refuse to come back (healthcare and other valid reasons not withstanding) then they pretty much are in a position where they can be sacked. I do wonder though why some have been sacked and some have taken voluntary redundacy. 

However the fact he is wanting Furlough to be ended for all because his business doesn't need it anymore shows what a C Nut he is. There are plenty that still need it at the moment. Surely he should pay back the government the money he claimed for his business if he is so much against it. 

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