If you happen to live in Bristol or are very familiar with the city, you'll know this is peak Bristol... as residents can now get wine delivered to themselves or friends/family who need their spirits raised by a young businesswoman dressed as a grape, who cycles up to their doorways before dismounting and singing them a 'Grape-O-Gram' while playing a ukulele.
Claudia Collins told Bristol 24/7: “With everything being so serious and isolating I felt like this silly idea was needed now more than ever.
“The first cycle down Wells Road dressed as a bunch of grapes made me feel very silly, but I have got used to it now and sometimes forget. Hopefully if I carry on doing this for a while, I will learn more than two chords and make a more three-dimensional grape costume!”
Customers can order a Grape-O-Gram via Ms Collins'Instagram or Facebook pages, telling her what type of wine they require, a name and address of the recipient and some words for the song. In return, she promises "a thoughtful lovely message from a loved one sang badly by a lady dressed as a bunch of grapes, playing only two chords on a green ukulele."
Obeying both the government’s instructions to vote in person today and avoid public transport, I’ve cycled to Parliament for the first time. It took me just over an hour from New Malden to Westminster. #cycletoworkpic.twitter.com/oe9pKfyfR0
— Sarah Olney (@sarahjolney1) June 2, 2020
The controversial decision by Jacob Rees-Mogg to abandon online parliament and make MP's form a huge queue to vote in person has left those who are able to attend being told to avoid public transport, while still having to go to parliament to cast votes. It means the Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park Sarah Olney cycled from her home in New Malden to get to Westminster, arguably one positive thing that has come out of this furore...
Ok, so these people are looting bikes from @TrekBikes These are not people from protest! Police came in 2 min and left the bike shop open, so another people came in and stole all other bikes. #nycprotestspic.twitter.com/oMSMP0FxkD
— Tania Khodakivska (@TKhodakivska) June 1, 2020
After the death George Floyd last week - who died from asphyxia due to pressure applied to his neck and back from police officer Derek Chauvin according to a new private post-mortem - mass protests have sprung up in cities across the US. While many have largely been peaceful, civil unrest and scenes of looting have also been captured by citizens. Tania Khodakivska, who uploaded footage of a Trek store being looted in New York, said: "these are not people from (the) protest".
Bicycle Therapy in Philadelphia took to Facebook on Sunday to denounce the vandalism and looting they had suffered while showing support for the protest movement, saying: "We understand that more violent crimes are being done in this country than our break-in and that we are past due for change. However destroying small family-owned businesses isn’t the solution. Let’s stand together in protest not tear each other apart."
Some bike industry brands have come out to show their support for the protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, including SRAM and Le Col, with many retailers participating in 'Blackout Tuesday' by suspending promotional activities to reflect on George Floyd's death.
I’m a bit baffled by the temporary street changes in central London. Little use for pedestrians. Bad for cyclists. pic.twitter.com/csawOv4cb1
— Geoff Barraclough (@w9maidavale) June 2, 2020
Maida Vale Councillor Geoff Barraclough spotted the curious roadblocks in Piccadilly and Regent Street, which don't appear to be of much use to cyclists or pedestrians.
And this is an unexpected hazard if you’re cycling north up Regent Street. pic.twitter.com/vT31kTi5RH
— Geoff Barraclough (@w9maidavale) June 2, 2020
Are some of the temporary street measures put in place during the pandemic doing more harm than good?
Bookman's rechargeable Block lights look really handy for getting you noticed by other road users, whether that's on urban streets at night, or when you're out and about in daylight.
Each light is tiny, measuring just 35 x 23 x 14mm and weighing 12g, so you can easily tuck them away in a pocket until required.
You can run the front light at either full power – 50 lumens – or at 25%, and you can also choose between steady and blinking modes.
The runtime in steady mode at full power is 1:30 hours, rising to 25 hours at the lower setting in blinking mode.
The rear light is 18 lumens at full power, and it'll run for about 1:30 hours in steady mode. Again, you can switch to 25% power and/or blinking mode, and the maximum runtime (low power, blinking) is 25 hours.
The Bookman lights are about as simple as you can imagine: one LED per light with a stretchy band keeping each one in place on your handlebar or seatpost. A curved rubber pad on one side of the light helps hold it there.
The lights are water resistant and the lithium ion battery will recharge from flat in two hours via the micro-USB cable that's included in the pack.
There's not enough power here for showing the way on unlit roads but the Block lights can help get you noticed on urban streets, especially as a supplementary light in flashing mode, and they're a useful back-up option if your main lights run out of juice halfway home, for example.
They're also good daytime running lights, surprisingly noticeable even on a bright day.
Should cyclists use daytime running lights? + 8 of the best front and rear daytime cycling lights
Each Block light, available in black and white versions, is priced €19.90 (about £17.75).
Head to https://bookman.se/ for more info.
Our Sprint Coaches have had to get creative when it comes to socially distant standing starts... 👇
🎥 @KevinDStewartpic.twitter.com/nYy4QEYjN7
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) June 1, 2020
British Cycling say they have had to get creative to ensure social distancing is still maintained while their track cyclists get back into the swing of training on the velodrome.
We're appealing for witnesses following a double fatal collision in High Wycombe.
It happened at approximately 6.30pm yesterday on the A40 Wycombe Road near to the junction of Old Dashwood Hill between a grey VW Golf R and two male cyclists.
📞 101 quoting URN 1111 (1/6) pic.twitter.com/ynK6IyrNgx
— TVP Roads Policing (@tvprp) June 2, 2020
The two cyclists, aged 52 and 56, were sadly both pronounce dead at the scene on the A40 Wycombe Road in High Wycombe last night - full story to follow.
SUPER TUESDAY: From today EVERYONE can cycle in Richmond Park again! Remember:
✔️You can only ride before 10am & after 4pm weekdays
✔️No cycling between Roehampton & Kingston gates
✔️Watch your speed when passing pedestrians or other cyclists & leave a 2m gap
✔️Stay safe!— RichmondParkCyclists (@RichmondPkCycle) June 2, 2020
The Royal Parks partially lifted a ban on cycling in London's Richmond Park this morning, allowing cyclists to ride in the park before 10am and after 4pm on weekdays, and on the condition that cyclists keep 2m gaps between themselves and others. Some of the first cyclists (other than commuting NHS staff and under 12's) to ride through the park since the ban in late March have been uploading footage to social media.
Welcome back Rick and thanks for sharing. Good to see. Take care. https://t.co/VhPHQWSEp1
— The Royal Parks (@theroyalparks) June 2, 2020
Some sections are still closed to cyclists, such as the park roads on the eastern side of the park around Priory Lane and Broomfield Hill; and with some allegedly already spotted flouting that rule this morning, some cyclists are urging people to stick to the rules to ensure the Royal Parks don't impose another outright ban.
Richmond Park is open to cycling on certain roads at certain times, yet people still can’t seem to read the signs or realise the barriers mean no cycling on that road! As a fellow cyclist, please follow the rules before they shut the park completely to cycling! #cyclinglifepic.twitter.com/8DPjy4BOcm
— Marsha (@Marsha_RGA) June 2, 2020
Devon County Council have relented and are allowing cycles to deliver to recycling centres today. Hopefully I helped them reach this decision quickly 😇😇😇@ExeterCycling@roadccpic.twitter.com/EwOYdrrF9t
— Caspar Hughes (@countcaspargh) June 2, 2020
Caspar Hughes questioned the decision to turn him away and only allow those in motor vehicles to use the ECC Recycling Centre in Exeter last week - and it appears this may have led to change, with vehicle restrictions being eased today to allow pedal cycles and bikes with trailers "with social distancing in place".