Cyclist's tearful video on close pass drivers; Cambridge's new Dutch-style roundabout; Motor nutters try to equate LTN protest with civil rights movement; Boardman: "Be a YIMBY and choose cycling"; Dowsett negative for coronavirus + more on live blog

 

 

 

 

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Posting this in the hope that it might get the message out and make at least a few motorists think. I appreciate that a lot of you who follow me are cyclists and may have experienced similar. Thanks for your kind words and messages ❤️ . . ‪My name is Debbie. I am a mum, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a niece and a friend. ‬ . To the car driver who came so close passing me today, brushing my arm sending my bike into a wobble at 25+ mph. . You didn’t look back or slow down to check I was ok so just wanted to let you know that I somehow stayed upright. . ‪But what if I hadn’t? What if I’d been thrown in front of the 3 other cars that were behind you? ‬ . ‪I don’t think you saw my back light, bright kit or me at all. I think you just saw another cyclist on the road. . How was your Sunday? I’m trying really hard not to let you ruin mine.

A post shared by Debbie Bradley (@duathlongirluk) on Jul 26, 2020 at 10:22am PDT

Debbie Bradley took to Instagram "in the hope that it might get the message out and make at least a few motorists think", after claiming to have suffered from a number of frightening close passes on a training ride in the West Midlands. 

She said: “I’m trying really hard not to cry.

“I’ve done two hours and ten minutes, and I reckon I’ve nearly been taken about ten times.

“I just don’t understand what’s wrong with drivers. There’s nothing coming the other way, I’m on my own. How can you not pass wide?

“It’s just ridiculous. It just puts me off riding my bike and I’m going home, and I’m bloody going to jump on Zwift for the last couple of hours. It’s ridiculous.

“Yeah so shit day, shit ride. But I suppose at least I’m going to get home in one piece."

Ms Bradley claims one of the close passes she suffered sent her "bike into a wobble" at speeds of over 25mph. Numerous people have supported her for sharing the post, with one saying: "It’s fine for Boris Johnson to claim this is the year of the bicycle, but we need to educate the motorists? Stay safe." 

Another tagged in Chris Boardman and British Cycling, saying: "Show this to the powers that be, drivers need educating/punishing now. Why should we be made to feel this way when we are simply trying to ride our bikes?"

A recent survey from Green Flag found that a third of drivers believe they are being more patient with cyclists since lockdown, and 36% of cyclists also said they'd noticed 'increased patience and respect'. Posts such as the one above, though, show there is still a long way to go. 

This explainer video explains pretty clearly how the roundabouts are designed to work, ahead of the opening of the first Dutch-style roundabout at Fendon Road/Queen Edith’s Way in Cambridge this Friday. 

It has an outer ring for cyclists, in a contrasting red surface, to give them equal
priority with pedestrians over oncoming vehicles. Cambridgeshire County Council said in a press release: "The old roundabout was perceived by many people to be dangerous to cycle around, and residents also reported feeling unsafe when walking in the area due to a lack of pedestrian crossings. Public consultations showed the majority who responded were in favour of improvements.

"The roundabout has been designed to encourage motorists to drive at a slower speed, so it is hoped that by enhancing safety at the roundabout, more people will walk and cycle in the area."

The consultation document includes a number of changes that could have a significant effect if they are followed up with legislation. The alterations being proposed are: 

- "Introducing a hierarchy of road users which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others."

- "Clarifying existing rules on pedestrian priority on pavements, to advise that drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road,
providing guidance on cyclist priority at junctions to advise drivers to give priority to cyclists at junctions when travelling straight ahead."

"Establishing guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists and horse riders." 

Full story with analysis to follow. 

Today's announcement from @10DowningStreet is a great start, but for us to really succeed we need to hear more from people saying yes to better health, cleaner air and safer streets - and less from the NIMBYs standing in the way.

Be a YIMBY and #ChooseCycling👍 pic.twitter.com/f59N0ZGsyA

— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) July 28, 2020

With his British Cycling Policy Adviser hat on, Boardman explains why public support for low traffic neighbourhoods, cycle lanes and better public transport is going to be so important going forward. 

@FartingDan is it people on bikes or people who are walking you think need insurance, helmets and lights? Why? Because you said so? Are you one of those NIMBYs by any chance?

— Sonja harper (@sharper50) July 28, 2020

Unfortunately some inevitable 'road tax', insurance and helmet comments popped up under British Cycling's post; but as Boardman explains in the video, new YouGov research released by the Bike is Best campaign has found that there are 6.5 people in support of local measures to enable cycling for every 1 against, so plenty of people replied with more thoughtful takes. 

Small piece on my withdrawal from the Vuelt Burgos today. Thank you to the race, @YallaIsraelSUN and @UCI_cycling for keeping us safe during these mad times. pic.twitter.com/x4Xqry4BPB

— Alex Dowsett (@alexdowsett) July 28, 2020

Dowsett took the precaution after coming into contact with Israel Start-Up Nation teammate Itamar Einhorn at the team hotel, who himself withdrew because he had come into contact with Omer Goldstein, who had returned a positive test on Monday. Dowsett said it was a "big disappointment" that he couldn't start the five-day stage race yesterday, but thanked his team and the UCI for keeping riders safe.

We’re going to make it easier than ever to cycle around, with new cycle routes and vouchers for bike repairs.

Together we can reduce the pollution and noise on our streets, and move towards a cleaner, greener Britain. pic.twitter.com/lcxbYmpt9z

— Boris Johnson #StayAlert (@BorisJohnson) July 28, 2020

The PM headed to the East Midlands to plug the government's £2 billion cycling strategy and £50 bike vouchers (the latter of which is reportedly having a few teething problems), with some obligatory footage of Johnson going for a spin with some local cyclists.  

Have the government got this one right, or are there (pot)holes in their plans? Let us know your thoughts as always. 

Cette femme avait tout compris !

(1920's) pic.twitter.com/TWPYkKhIcQ

— David Guénel (@davidguenel) July 28, 2020