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'People on their bikes should be left alone': Lord Blunkett dismisses Sky News question about police stopping cyclists; TfL to create 2,000 new cycle parking spaces in London; Penny farthing sales double; More car-free city centres + more on the live blog

It's Wednesday and Dan Alexander is here to take you through the middle of the week on the live blog...
13 January 2021, 17:06
Mark Cavendish says relationship with Specialized helped unlocked Deceuninck-QuickStep return

Speaking at a virtual press conference from Deceuninck-Quickstep's training camp, Cavendish explained how his relationship with the bike brand and team boss Patrick Lefevere helped secure his return to the team. 

"I have an incredible relationship with the sponsors, with the staff, with the riders, and obviously with Specialized," Cavendish explained. "I helped develop the Venge. It’s a bike that was made for me, it’s a bike that proved was the best bike for me to win on. I know because of all that, that I can talk about the products as sponsors do.

"It went the same as most contracts go-between riders and teams. You speak, you sign a contract, you race. It’s pretty much the same with most cyclists. When I left the team in 2015, I kept a really close relationship with Patrick. For me, he’s someone I take inspiration for as a leader, I took advice from him and have thought ‘what would Patrick do in this situation?’ I’m happy I could maintain that relationship because I know if you ever leave this team, it’s hard to get back again."

Cavendish revealed that following his interview at Gent-Wevelgem he started to receive offers from teams, but that Quick-Step was the only place he wanted to ride.

"Straight away that same day I started to receive communication from teams. But I think ultimately there was really only one place I wanted to go", said Cavendish.  

"Like I keep saying, I spent the best part of my career with this team, and I tried something else, and in hindsight and you know, I wish I would have stayed to my whole career I guess.

He added: "Even if I’m not winning, I can still add something to the team, I did that last time I was here and the team did the same for me. I was the happiest in my previous spell with the team and having the opportunity to be here again is a dream.”

13 January 2021, 16:20
New LTN in south London funded by an urban health charity with links to two local hospitals

This new LTN in Brunswick Park, near Camberwell in London, has been funded by the Guy's and St Thomas' Charity. The independent urban health foundation works with Guy's and St Thomas' hospital and their Foundation trust to improve health in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark...

13 January 2021, 15:27
Plenty of positivity about Lord Blunkett's message on Sky News

Unsurprisingly there's been plenty of love for Lord Blunkett's answer on Sky News earlier...

On Facebook, Ed Gibbons wrote: "Hit the nail on the head. Solo cycling has zero contact with others. Just make sure you're self-sufficient and able to repair your bike if you have any problems on the road. Would be good to see more people out exercising when health is such a key topic right now." 

Andy Bell added: "Wow. A sensible response. Hallelujah!"

13 January 2021, 14:41
Deceuninck-QuickStep take cafe stops to the next level
13 January 2021, 13:51
Penny farthing sales double since the pandemic began
penny farthing in hyde park may 2020 - credit Simon MacMichael.PNG

The Independent reports that penny farthing sales experienced a revival in 2020 with demand more than doubling since the pandemic began. In recent months they have been selling out faster than manufacturers can produce them. UDC Penny Farthings, Britain's biggest retailer of the bikes, says they sell one every day in the UK. Jeremy Vine is a famous penny farthing fan and was pictured taking his out for a ride on the new Cycleway 9 cycle lane in Chiswick over the weekend.

The owner of UDC Penny Farthings, Roger Davies told The Independent: "The vast majority of people wanting them – around 95 per cent – are middle-aged men, though there are a few women. Vine is typical of the market.

"Since the pandemic, people have had time to think about their lives and what they do and taken on challenges they had always wanted to, and we’ve seen a lot of interest. It’s a very aspirational item – a lot of buyers have dreamed of them since childhood. And they are harder work than normal bikes, so excellent for staying fit."

13 January 2021, 13:22
Record 146mph winds recorded on Mont Ventoux...but all is not as it seems

Rumours of 235km/h winds at the top of Mont Ventoux surfaced on Twitter last night with amateur cyclists everywhere considering launching a KOM attempt (wind direction dependent of course). However, the fun was short-lived as the Twitter account of the observatory that perches at the top of The Bald Mountain's quickly revealed the high recording was in fact due to a deactivated anemometer causing overestimated readings.

In 2016, the Tour de France summit finish at Mont Ventoux was shortened due to 100km/h winds. That of course meant thousands of fans cramming onto the lower slopes and congestion for the riders and motorbikes accompanying the race... The moto couldn't get through, Richie Porte crashed into the moto, Chris Froome crashed into Porte and one of the most memorable images in recent cycling history was born...Run, Chris, Run!

13 January 2021, 12:10
Egan Bernal's getting on a bit...

24 today... 

13 January 2021, 11:37
Deliveroo to expand to 100 new towns and cities this year
face mask - deliveroo x cambridge face mask 4.PNG

Deliveroo hopes to serve almost two-thirds of the UK's population by expanding to 100 new locations in 2021. The takeaway delivery app has seen a surge in popularity during the pandemic due to restaurants being forced to shut their doors. Sky News reports that although the full list of new locations hasn't been announced, it will include Yeovil, East Kilbride, King's Lynn, Scarborough, Llanelli and Exmouth.

Thanks to the increase in demand in 2020, Deliveroo said it created work for an additional 25,000 riders, taking its overall number to more than 50,000.

13 January 2021, 11:22
TfL to create 2,000 new cycle parking spaces in London
tfl cycle parking walthamstow station

Transport for London (TfL) will install 2,000 new cycle parking spaces in the capital as part of a new £1 million boost for cycling infrastructure. Recent data from TfL showed that walking and cycling accounted for half of all journeys between April and June, compared to 29% before the pandemic. The first 900 spaces will be built on routes that have been upgraded or created as part of the Streetspace initiative. A further 1,100 spaces will use a mix of: on-street cycle parking, residential cycle hangars and cycle hubs at stations. In Merton, Sutton and Kingston the plan is to create more than 500 cycle parking spaces across 37 schools.

"Safe and secure parking is key to enabling many more Londoners to cycle," London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman said. "I’m delighted that up to 2,000 more spaces are set to be created across our city in the coming months. We know that a lot of people have started cycling as a way to get a bit of exercise over the past nine months, and secure bike parking means these trips can also double up for shopping for necessities or other essential journeys."

13 January 2021, 10:38
Dublin active travel infrastructure to be made permanent
13 January 2021, 09:43
'People on their bikes should be left alone': Lord Blunkett dismisses Sky News question about police stopping cyclists

The former Home Secretary, Lord Blunkett, dismissed a question during a Sky News interview that asked whether police should be stopping cyclists to ask how far they'd cycled. To a question asked at 3:30 in the video above, Lord Blunkett said: "I think people on their bikes should be left alone. They're not interfering with anyone else, they're breathing fresh air and they're not going to infect you. I couldn't give a damn how far Boris Johnson goes on his bike — I care a great deal about whether he's actually running the country properly."

 In an earlier answer he also said: "If they're clearly not putting others at risk, even if they're on their bike seven miles away from home, then leave them alone. That isn't the issue."

Since the PM was accused by some of breaking lockdown guidance, although no law was broken, there has been much debate about whether the guidance and laws are clear enough. Yesterday, road.cc news editor Simon MacMichael wrote a piece suggesting that the real story about Boris Johnson’s bike ride is that it highlights confusion over lockdown rules.

13 January 2021, 08:50
Brighton residents call for car-free city centre
Brighton Preston Street (via Google Street View)

The Argus reports that creating a car-free city centre and prioritising cyclists over cars are two of the proposals that have been put forward to the city council's first Climate Assembly as part of their drive to become carbon neutral by 2030. Also on the ten-point list is the creation of healthier, low traffic or pedestrianised communities (LTNs) and introducing mobility hubs where people can access cycle hire.

The proposals were suggested by a group of 50 randomly selected residents who have been tasked with learning about climate issues, debating them and making recommendations to the council. A reader poll conducted by the Argus found that 67% supported the proposed measures.

Green party councillor and council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty said: "Today, we are extremely proud to share the feedback from the city’s first climate assembly. Given that later this year our country hosts the next UN climate talks our timing could not be better.

"With a whole third of our city’s toxic emissions coming from transport, residents have been clear that we must take action and support our city to make changes. We now have less than nine years to play our full part in bringing down toxic emissions, and the assembly has helped us keep a sharp focus on the challenges ahead."

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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46 comments

Avatar
David9694 | 3 years ago
0 likes

If there were any brain cells in the LTDA, they would be well and truly fried by the new cycle parking.  This LBC late night presenter Cristo is a bit of anti-cycling rallying point at the mo - the taxi men and Fair Fuel so far. 

Dear Fair Fuel re: " the most heavily taxed motorist in the world" - given that cars appear to be getting bigger, more numerous and are being used for more trips, often quite short, I'm really not sure what point you're trying to make. And if motoring did get cheaper, there'd be even more cars, more jams and no-one would get anywhere. Or am I missing something? 

Finally, I wanted to share a snip from today's Galibier email - it's full stream ahead in the EU, it would seem. 
 

 

 

 

 

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PRSboy | 3 years ago
2 likes

My father has an original penny farthing tucked away at the end of their garage.  It looks a long way up and I've never had the courage to have a go!  Perhaps I should... any tips?  Starting off looks problematic.

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David9694 replied to PRSboy | 3 years ago
0 likes

Starting, stopping, turning, spare parts. 
 

serious question - are they road legal these days?

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Sriracha replied to PRSboy | 3 years ago
1 like
PRSboy wrote:

It looks a long way up

The real problem is, it's a lot further on the way down.

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brooksby | 3 years ago
5 likes

"Penny farthing sales double since the pandemic began"

So, they sold two?

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Bob F replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
1 like

Tuppence ha'penny then?

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Jenova20 | 3 years ago
2 likes

Good point from Blunkett.

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PRSboy | 3 years ago
1 like

I've always liked David Blunkett.  I like him even more now.

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Hirsute | 3 years ago
0 likes

Perhaps I better not mention my last trip to Brighton involved a car and using the hotel's car park. I did have 2 bikes on the roof though !

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Sriracha | 3 years ago
21 likes

Wow, Lord Blunkett, whoda' thunk it? Cut the Sky guy down to size and preached the message - It doesn't matter a jot how far anyone cycles, so leave 'em alone. And on yer bike mate!

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lifeonabike | 3 years ago
17 likes

Re Brighton and the 'what about the disabled' issue that is often raised.

Well, the motorists who say this are just pissed that they won't have disabled parking spaces to illegally use anymore. Tough titties!

 

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eburtthebike | 3 years ago
19 likes

This was reported on a fb page, with the usual howls of protest from the usual suspects "all the local businesses will close, what about the disabled...."  etc, etc.

I pointed out that in places where this has been done, local businesses thrive, but I couldn't better this response about the disabled:

"Gavin Bottomley
When any possible restriction on motoring comes up people suddenly get very concerned about the disabled when the rest of the time they don't give s**t about them !"

Thanks Gavin.
 

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Sriracha replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
9 likes

On my rides I frequently come across a local club member (I'm not a member) on her recumbent e-trike. She is able to walk also, with difficulty. Of course being in a recumbent is a risk with traffic all above, so the trike is festooned with lights and flags. I'd imagine things would be a lot better for her without the traffic.

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Awavey replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
1 like

One of my concerns with ideas like this is they never take account that places like Brighton are as much about visitors as they are residents. If I'm visiting Brighton for business or leisure chances are high I'd be billeted in a hotel in the city centre and that I'll have had to drive to get there from another distant part of the UK,so what's going to be the solution to deal with that or the estimated 11million other visitors to Brighton, a gigantic park & ride on the south downs ?

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OldRidgeback replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
11 likes

When I visit Brighton I try not to take the car as it's not a great place to drive or park. I usually take the train. Actually, a protected parking facility on the edge of the city would be really useful.

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jmcc500 replied to OldRidgeback | 3 years ago
3 likes

There is a park and ride at the Withdean Stadium, right at the bottom of the A23, which is ideal for those who want to use their cars but will be inconvenienced by Brighton going car free.

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Sriracha replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
7 likes
Awavey wrote:

One of my concerns with ideas like this is they never take account that places like Brighton are as much about visitors as they are residents. If I'm visiting Brighton for business or leisure chances are high I'd be billeted in a hotel in the city centre and that I'll have had to drive to get there from another distant part of the UK,so what's going to be the solution to deal with that or the estimated 11million other visitors to Brighton, a gigantic park & ride on the south downs ?

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Derk Davies replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
4 likes

Although I like the SMP seat the lack of chainstays, bent crank and invisable rear mech concern me.

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mdavidford replied to Derk Davies | 3 years ago
0 likes

i think it does have chainstays - they're just extremely thin. And connected to the chainring instead of the bottom bracket for some reason.

There seems to be an awful lot of slack in the chain as well.

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wycombewheeler replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
0 likes

mdavidford wrote:

i think it does have chainstays - they're just extremely thin. And connected to the chainring instead of the bottom bracket for some reason.

There seems to be an awful lot of slack in the chain as well.

Drawn by someone who has seen bikes, but is not looking at one while they dra. The forks also look suspect as they are curved and have the axle in front of the fork centreline. Either is normally sufficient to get the wheel in front of the headset axis. 

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Sriracha replied to Derk Davies | 3 years ago
0 likes
Derk Davies wrote:

Although I like the SMP seat the lack of chainstays, bent crank and invisable rear mech concern me.

"Compliance" innit, and "deadspot elimination", they were ahead of their time!

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pockstone replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes

Ahhh! 'deadspot elimination'! That must be the reason for the eccentric rear wheel.

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Awavey replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like

Trains are great, I like travelling by train, I dont argue against the need for HS2 for instance, but I recognise they dont suit or fulfill everyones needs, either by convenience,timings or costs and its foolish to pretend they currently do.

Next time I want to go to Brighton on holiday I'd like to take my bike to ride around that part of the world,but it would be a total nightmare trying to get a bike and luggage there by train.

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HarrogateSpa replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
4 likes

the need for HS2

Ha ha.

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eburtthebike replied to HarrogateSpa | 3 years ago
0 likes

HarrogateSpa wrote:

the need for HS2

Ha ha.

The very definition of cognitive dissonance.

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iandusud replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
2 likes

Awavey wrote:

Trains are great, I like travelling by train, I dont argue against the need for HS2 for instance, but I recognise they dont suit or fulfill everyones needs, either by convenience,timings or costs and its foolish to pretend they currently do. Next time I want to go to Brighton on holiday I'd like to take my bike to ride around that part of the world,but it would be a total nightmare trying to get a bike and luggage there by train.

^This. Trains currently are not designed to carry bikes, which is a huge frustration for me. My wife and I have taken the step of going car-less after over 40 years of car ownership. We are very happy to cycle for all local journeys and would love to go further afield with our tandem or solo bikes using trains. It's an utter nightmare. Many years ago when the term "active travel" didn't exist, yet alone was officially encouraged, we could just turn up at a station with our bikes, or a tandem, and put it in the guards van. Now, with all the awareness of global warming, it is increasingly difficult to take bikes on trains and it is a juggling act of different operators' policies, what rolling stock they're running on a particular service, which can vary from day to day. Oh how I wish the railways were re-nationalised and we had a government that would impose the provision of "proper" accommodation of bicycles.

As for HS2, I'm all for investing in the rail network but we should be investing it in better local services IMO.

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Jetmans Dad replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
6 likes

Awavey wrote:

One of my concerns with ideas like this is they never take account that places like Brighton are as much about visitors as they are residents. If I'm visiting Brighton for business or leisure chances are high I'd be billeted in a hotel in the city centre and that I'll have had to drive to get there from another distant part of the UK,so what's going to be the solution to deal with that or the estimated 11million other visitors to Brighton, a gigantic park & ride on the south downs ?

I would suggest York is as dependent on visitors as much as Brighton is. The way they dealt with it was to put a Park and Ride on each of the main routes into the city. It is now literally decades since I even attempted to drive my car into York. 

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Awavey replied to Jetmans Dad | 3 years ago
1 like

But are they long term park & rides like airport car parks, or just catering for day trippers ?

The problem is banning the cars and not providing the something to fill the gap that enables people to move around as easily, and it bugs me people dont get that part.

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HarrogateSpa replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

No one will stop you driving. Maybe you won't be able to drive right to your hotel door - never mind.

We can't have everything, sometimes it's either or. We know that cars everywhere prevents people having other options, because most people are too scared of traffic to ride in it.

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Simon E replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

Awavey wrote:

The problem is banning the cars and not providing the something to fill the gap that enables people to move around as easily, and it bugs me people dont get that part.

You've surely noticed that the whole point of preventing cars from accessing city centre streets is that those places are then safer, cleaner, quieter and available for pedestrian and cycle access.

Places like Brighton, York and Edinburgh won't stop vehicles entering the entire city, that's not realistic but closing specific areas is a strategic way to open up those areas for people.

If, instead of embracing the change and enjoying its benefits you want to carry on driving into the middle of cities simply because that's what you've done previously without consideration for anyone else, and don't want to change your habits, then you are definitely part of the problem.

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