Jeremy Vine hits back at senior cop "appalled" by behaviour of cyclists without helmets; Lucky cyclists narrowly avoid being struck by lightning; Alaphilippe to skip Olympics; Women's Tour de France; Help a community bike project + more on the live blog

The Bristol Bike Project is raising money to renovate its home in Easton and create a new community workshop. The much-loved community project has moved out of their old premises at Hamilton House to take on a new building in Easton. So far they have raised £20,000 of the £35,000 target which will help ensure the new premesis is well-equipped and ready to "feel welcoming and accesible for everyone in the community".

Founded in 2008, The Bristol Bike Project has benefitted more than 2,000 people through their 'earn a bike' scheme. In pre-Covid times, the workshop was packed out with programmes teaching bike maintenance as well as operating as a bike shop.

Sean was reffered by Bristol Drugs Project in 2010 and has been a volunteer at the Bristol Bike Project ever since. "Finding the Project was such an important part of my recovery," he said. "The bike keeps me clean. But the best thing about this place is that it is immediately welcoming. Anyone who has been an addict will know just how important it is to be accepted in that way."

Here's a link to their crowdfunder...

Safe cycling infastructure Aussie style pic.twitter.com/dEd3I3IS4L

— 3gears (@ibikeAdel) May 14, 2021

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Julian Alaphilippe (@alafpolak)

On paper the course for the Olympic Games road race looked bang on for Julian Alaphilippe to have a great shot at adding a medal to his ever growing trophy cabinet. However, the world champ has ruled himself out of selection, preffering to target other late season goals...

On Instagram he wrote: "After having thought for a long time, in agreement with the coach of the France team and my team Deceuninck-Quick-Step, not to be a candidate for selection for the next Tokyo Olympics. It’s a personal and well thought out decision.

"End-of-season objectives have been defined and in this sense choices must be made. I would be very proud to wear the France team jersey for the next world championships. Of course, I wish the best for the team that will be fielded on this occasion."

Alaphilippe's next big goal is the Tour de France in July and the Critérium du Dauphiné before that in June. The opening stage of the Tour finishes up a short, sharp climb in Brittany, opening the door to a third yellow jersey in as many years... 

Giro: Stage 7 -- Good news! The Isle of Man's Mark Christian has made the three man break that is gaining time (4 mins and growing) on the peloton. With him are Simon Pellaud and Umberto Marengo... pic.twitter.com/2mHD1tTCUH

— VeloUK Cycling Mag (@AussieLarry) May 14, 2021

We’ve launched a cargo bike delivery service in our hometown of Ludlow! During the initial 8-month trial, we will deliver goods from local businesses to their customers.https://t.co/7Ioa87hrIT pic.twitter.com/HXaMbju69F

— Islabikes (@Islabikes) May 13, 2021

Islabikes has taken a step into the cargo bike market by launching an eight-month trial delivering goods for businesses and clients in Ludlow. During the trial the service will be free to local businesses wanting to deliver small goods around the town. The bike manufacturer hopes that if successful the service will expand permanently and be a template for other small towns.

The benefits of cargo bikes are obvious with them replacing polluting delivery vehicles negotiating narrow urban streets. Cargo bikes are non-polluting in terms of noise and carbon emissions and offer a sustainable alternative to vans and lorries.

Matt Baynham, head of sustainability at Islabikes, added: “With more home deliveries than ever, and more vans clogging our streets, we are keen to improve air quality and reduce congestion in our home town”.

🇮🇹 #Giro

⚠️ MEDICAL UPDATE ⚠️

After crashing in stage 6, and following further medical assesment this morning, sadly @pozzovivod has been forced to withdraw from the @giroditalia.

🎙️"I went above the limit just to finish yesterday."

🎥 FIGHTER#BicyclesChangeLives pic.twitter.com/Svn7DF9mmF

— Team Qhubeka ASSOS (@QhubekaAssos) May 14, 2021

Team Qhubeka Assos leader Domenico Pozzovivo has withdrawn from the Giro d'Italia ahead of stage seven after suffering a fall on yesterday's stage. The climber, who finished fifth in 2018, crashed and came home more than 20 minutes behind stage winner Gino Mäder. Pozzovivo injured his left arm in the fall and after speaking to his team doctor, he has decided to withdraw. 

The 38-year-old's team should get another shot at a stage victory later today with their sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo. Stage seven is a little bit lumpy but should still favour the quick men. Nizzolo was narrowly beaten by Caleb Ewan on Wednesday, his 11th second place at the Giro...could today finally be the day he goes one better?

Raiders Gravel is a new "uniquely Scottish" four-day gravel stage race in Galloway Forest Park and Southern Ayrshire's UNESCO Biosphere. The inaugural edition will be held between 7-10 October 2021 and will see riders compete in teams of two over three gravel stages. An all-inclusive event, entries cost £375 per person which includes three meals a day, a camping pitch and all the good stuff that goes with taking part in a mass-participation stage race: GPS rider tracking, professionally managed routes, bike washes and Bioracer leaders jerseys...

Malcolm Smith, Golazo Cycling director said: "we’re stoked to bring this incredibly unique event to the stunning region around the Galloway Forest Park. As a gravel enthusiast myself, I was blown away by the wilderness and scenery here in Galloway. Paired with some of the best gravel tracks in the UK, riders are in for an unforgettable time in the South of Scotland."

For context...

🚫 81% of drivers exceed the speed limit in 20mph zones.
🚫 53% exceed the speed limit in 30mph zones.
🚫 In 2019, 570 pedestrians & cyclists were killed by motor vehicles.

I'm not sure 'protect yourself because our society won't' is the right message here. https://t.co/nEA8OnumLf

— Jon Burke FRSA (@jonburkeUK) May 13, 2021

Jeremy Vine has hit back at a City of London Police superintendent who yesterday said he was "appalled by the behaviour of some cyclists", particularly the ones "without a helmet". The broadcaster, who regularly shares footage of his own experiences of poor driving on London's roads, asked the superintendent to: "please think about this carefully. People who cycle need your protection, not condemnation for not wearing the protective gear you want to see them in. The danger they face is from law-breaking drivers. They pose very little danger themselves."

Superintendent James Morgan had tweeted his disgust at the behaviour of cyclists, claiming they had been "endangering themselves, other road users and pedestrians" and that he was "shocked to see so many without a helmet; or, worse, a helmet clipped to their backpack!"

The superintendent's tweet has been widely criticised by the cycling community but Morgan doubled down and offered this explanation...

If that offends you - you have my apologies.

Cyclists are the most vulnerable road users in my Force area, and we'll do everything we can to reduce the risk to them. That includes seeking to change this sort of behaviour, as well as dangerous behaviour of other road users.

— Superintendent James Morgan (@CityPoliceJM) May 13, 2021

CyclingMikey was one of the many people to challenge the superintendent...

Just stop this helmet promotion nonsense. If you really cared about cycling safety, you'd get more segregated cycle lanes everywhere, and you'd actually get drivers prosecuted as a result of third party video evidence like the Met do. Real safety comes from infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/Rxa1nFvXjh

— Fully Vaccinated CyclingMikey. 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇿🇼 (@MikeyCycling) May 13, 2021

Since almost five times more pedestrians than cyclists were killed by cars in 2019, I'm just wondering if I need to wear helmet next time I walk up Threadneedle Street? Wouldn't want anyone being shocked by my failure prevent drivers from killing me...

— Jon Burke FRSA (@jonburkeUK) May 13, 2021