Good Samaritan gives free bikes as Christmas presents after flooding heartbreak, + more festive cheer; Bike lanes "complete waste of money" says Royston Smith; Cycling Infra World Cup; Man who hit cyclist on stolen motorbike jailed + more on the live blog

What’s better than pizza after a good day of wrenching or riding? The Park Tool PZT-2... it’s a bicycle and a pizza cutter! An excellent gift for your favorite hard-to-buy-for cyclist.🍕 Grab one today at your local Park Tool dealer or online. https://t.co/0ZqCgpMyT0 pic.twitter.com/p5hkp7jWKa

— Park Tool (@parktool) December 24, 2020

As noted in our 'Don't buy me this' Christmas gift guide, there's a chance you've already got a few in the draw from previous Christmasses... but in any case, this is a taseful advert and there's no denying it's an above-average pizza cutter. On the subject, what are they cutting here? Looks like an extra large fruit shortcake biscuit to me, which isn't a bad thing. 

A man who hit and almost killed a cyclist while driving a stolen motorbike on the wrong side of the road has been jailed for two years and 11 months, reports the Manchester Evening News. 

20-year-old Konnor Harvey, who was disqualified from driving and uninsured at the time of the incident on August bank holiday of this year, was travelling 'at speed' on the stolen Suzuki GSXR motorbike in Lees, Oldham, and overtook a number of cars on the wrong side of the road. He smashed into a 54-year-old male cyclist, who went over his handlebars and landed on the pavement. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries and spent nine weeks recovering in hospital, while Harvey, who skidded along the road after the impact and hit a road sign, was arrested when he was discharged from hospital. 

Harvey pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing serious injury whilst disqualified, using a motor vehicle in a public place without third party insurance, driving whilst disqualified, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Detective Sergeant Diana Dyer-Barron, of Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a shocking incident which demonstrated the complete disregard Harvey had for law-abiding road users who have a legal right to be on our roads; he doesn’t and I’m satisfied that today’s verdict will keep it that way for a while to come.

"Konnor Harvey is extremely fortunate that he wasn’t here today facing a jail term for causing an innocent man’s death, as this collision was so serious that the victim who suffered due to Harvey’s reckless actions was almost killed.

“I would like to pay my best wishes and respects to the victim of this incident as he continues his recovery from injuries suffered on that horrendous day. Hopefully today's conclusion is a further step towards some closure for him.”

These cycle lanes were and are a complete waste of money. They have not, for the most part, increased the take up of cycling and as far as I am aware have encouraged not a single driver out of their car https://t.co/T4QXOqn8dV

— Royston Smith MP (@Royston_Smith) December 23, 2020

Quoting an article in the Daily Echo about the cost of a temporary cycle lane, the Conservative MP for Southampton Itchen claims the lane hasn't encouraged any drivers out of their cars 'as far as he is aware'. It's fair to say not everyone agrees with him...

I wouldn’t be too proud to be completely unaware about what’s going on in your own constituency. Sounds like you need to get out on a bike a bit more and meet the people you represent..

— Craig mitchell (@craigymitchell) December 23, 2020

"a complete waste of money"
"for the most part"
"as far as I am aware"

Some excellent well researched peer-reviewed forensic data right there.
How much are the good people of your constituenc paying you for this inspiring representation?

— Just Julian (surname: Block)🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@Scribemole) December 23, 2020

Encouraged me to use the bike more. And the group of friends I know who now are regular cyclists.

— Rosanna (@rosanna_newey) December 23, 2020

Smith has a somewhat contradictory history when it comes to his musings on cycling and cycle lanes, saying back in 2017 that although money set aside for cycling should be diverted elsewhere, he believes that cyclists should be forced to ride in dedicated cycle lanes. After trying out an e-bike in September, Smith said: "Improvements in battery technology means that e-bikes and e-scooters should be promoted as a practical means of travel as I have advocated in Parliament. Dedicated cycle lanes, such as Bursledon Road are a far more sensible approach than halving road capacity overnight with no consultation to install bus and cycle lanes which choke the city with congestion!"

It doesn't seem like Smith has changed his tune, or worked out how to fund the cycle lanes he advocates for without spending any cash yet...

Driving home for Christmas? Not so fast.