A 17-year-old rider for Bora-Hansgrohe's under-19 development team was killed while training with his team-mates when, according to the team's website, a driver failed to give way to the riders.
Jan Riedmann was taken to hospital in Würzburg by helicopter after the incident in Sugenheim on Saturday but died there yesterday, the team said.
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Jan Riedmann, a rider from our U19 squad, Team Auto Eder Bayern, after a tragic accident this weekend.
Our sincere condolences to Jan's family & friends.
In honour of Jan, our riders will wear ribbons at Milan-San Remo. pic.twitter.com/cFQNOiXVyH
— BORA – hansgrohe (@BORAhansgrohe) August 3, 2020
Is this what we really want to see on the morning school run ???? pic.twitter.com/5zJOm37321
— Streets Back, Or Buy Us Out (@thomasthetaxi) July 31, 2020
There we go, mate. Fixed it for you. Don't mention it. 👍 https://t.co/4aYwH9bY7q
— Cllr Jon Burke (@jonburkeUK) August 1, 2020
Yes please! And even better: If we build protected cycle lanes children can cycle to school independently (just like the "good old days")!!! pic.twitter.com/B3w2TbwYSW
— Toby Edwards (@IsSaddleThereIs) July 31, 2020
Absolutely wonderful, yes. No pollution, safe, healthy, friendly, for humans not machines.
What I can't understand is how you got to a place where you think this is a bad thing. 🤷♀️
— Elisabeth Anderson (@velobetty) August 1, 2020
That is exactly what we want, replied almost 3,000 people to the owner of a Twitter account called 'Streets Back, Or Buy Us Out'.
I see that the MAMIL’s are now claiming that it’s not the cycle lanes causing the extra congestion on Euston Road
They are saying it’s the cars
Well they would say that wouldn’t they 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/2vAy9zBAiR— Streets Back, Or Buy Us Out (@thomasthetaxi) August 3, 2020
Seeing a lot of private vehicles there. Let’s hope they are not holding up emergency services or people who have no alternative than using a car.
— Kevin Clarke (@Kurako76) August 3, 2020
I'm loving your undercover pro-cycling posts. Very effective.
— Aoin kitzle mich da drunter Douglas (@aoindouglas) August 3, 2020
You’ve quite literally shown us a video of cars causing congestion.
— Matt Woods (@MatthewPWoods) August 3, 2020
If that wasn't enough to make the account's owner slightly consider his viewpoint, he's struck again by posting a video of a large queue of cars on Euston Road - with no bicycles in sight - complaining that 'MAMIL's' say extra congestion is caused by car rather than cycle lanes... although the footage appears to clearly demonstrate that the motor vehicles are causing the congestion in this instance. Is @thomasthetaxi a cycle campaigner in disguise?
He's very lucky he was scrolling through pictures, rather than browsing online or messaging, so not enough evidence to prosecute under the current and very out of date laws. Otherwise his insurance would likely double at next renewal after a conviction.
— ⚫ CyclingMikey aka Bike Gandalf 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇿🇼 (@MikeyCycling) August 1, 2020
Mike Van Erp - aka Cycling Mikey - claimed that the driver of a Pimlico Plumbers vehicle who he caught using a phone could not be prosecuted, because there isn't actual evidence that he was communicating with the device.
There is indeed a legal loophole that has been exploited in the past to get drivers off charges relating to mobile phone use. The BBC reported last year that Ramsey Barreto successfully appealed a guilty conviction for using his phone to film a crash in 2017, because his lawyers argued that the 51-year-old "wasn't using it to communicate." A spokesperson for Mr Barreto's law firm commented at the time: "We've been arguing that unless police can prove beyond reasonable doubt that what someone was doing was actually communicating, it wasn't an offence to be using a smartphone."
High Court judges then complained that the law needed amending to account for the rise of smartphones, which of course do plenty more than communicate while being a dangerous distraction.
Grant Shapps promised an urgent review, saying that the law should also include browsing the internet and searching playlists while driving... but as far as we know, due to other events the changes haven't yet come to fruition. It means that the driver in the footage above would likely escape six penalty points and a £200 fine for "using a hand-held phone when driving" if it couldn't be proved he was communicating by browsing the website; although, on the lesser charge of 'not being in proper control of a motor vehicle' under theRoad Traffic Act 1988 this would certainly qualify as an offence, netting anyone found guilty three penalty points and a £100 fine.
Funnily enough, the updated section on the gov.uk website now reads: "Section 41D is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 03 August 2020."
Cycling Time Trials have confirmed the 32-year-old pro triathlete is the new record holder, with his effort rounded down to a provisional 325.5 miles. On the day he finished 19 miles ahead of Tom Thornely in second place, who covered 306.5 miles. The women's winner was Kim Barfoot-Brace of Bath CC, whose 272.7 mile effort means that Alice Lethbridge's 2018 record of 290 miles remains intact.
More space for cycling means more space for everyone 👍
#ChooseCyclingpic.twitter.com/R7Q3WceEIN— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) August 3, 2020
The graphic serves to highlight how giving space to cyclists and pedestrians most definitely doesn't mean reducing space for cars, despite what some service companies and radio presenters would have you believe...
One of the main hurdles Brits face when jumping on the gravel bandwagon is that we simply don't have much gravel... but we're told there is enough in Suffolk's Kings Forest for the King's Cup Gravel Festival to host the inaugural British Gravel Championships between 25-27 September.
Promising a "unique event", there will be multiple categories for all abilities as well as the Championships themselves, including a Gravel Fondo, a team relay and family riding events. Director Tom Caldwell commented: "We’re thrilled to be hosting the first-ever British Gravel Championships at the King’s Cup Gravel Festival. This will be a truly exciting event, which will see all abilities of riders taking on various events throughout the weekend. Not only will those riders who like to ride on gravel and off-road terrains be able to ride alongside thousands of other riders but we’ll also get to see some top amateur riders race for the British title and jersey."
To pandemic-proof the event as much as possible, participants simply register for free and pay later if the event goes ahead as planned. If the situation changes and it has to be moved, the organisers say there are contingency plans in place to move the event to October or 2021.
Pre-registration has just launched today, click here for more details.
Describe the feeling of these riders in one GIF😅👇#GranTritticoLombardopic.twitter.com/wf0RGbJt9A
— Astana Pro Team (@AstanaTeam) August 3, 2020
Mood #GranTritticoLombardopic.twitter.com/UnAIKN4yHo
— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) August 3, 2020
As well as the riders themselves, coverage of the race on Eurosport 2 is also currently being interrupted by the poor weather. Riders in action include Vincenzo Nibali, Greg Van Avermaet and Gianni Moscon.
With a top speed of 174mph this car should be illegal based on how many kids it will likely kill through both speed and contributory pollution. Instead you want to sell this car USING A CHILD? Probably Audi's lowest moment
— HRM Safe Cities for Everyone (@safe_hrm) August 2, 2020
The post advertising Audi's RS 4 has attracted hundreds of (mostly negative) comments, with many noting that the photo of a child leaning on the car's grille is a perfect example of how the car's design is flawed. One commented: "Nice that you show how easily children can be killed by your cars."
Audi have replied to the Twitter thread, saying: "We hear you and let’s get this straight: We care for children. The Audi RS 4 is a family car with more than thirty driver assistance systems including an emergency break system. That’s why we showcased it with various family members for the campaign.
"We hoped we could convey these messages, showing that even for the weakest traffic participants it is possible to relaxingly lean on the RS technology. That was a mistake! Audi never intended to hurt anyone’s feelings.
"We sincerely apologise for this insensitive image and ensure that it will not be used in future. We will also immediately examine internally, how this campaign has been created and if control mechanisms failed in this case."
It's great that Orlando Bloom is cycling, but... 😳 pic.twitter.com/Mt6jgIzaSw
— Felix Lowe (@saddleblaze) August 3, 2020
The Hollywood star was papped riding around Malibu at the weekend, aboard a bike from boutique Czech brand Festka according to the Daily Mail.
Naw. That's how you even it out after you've been wearing a jersey.
— Colin Lynch (@FormerTTchamp) August 3, 2020
Shocking, looks very much like the arms of his shades might be inside the helmet straps.
— Edward Qualtrough (@QedwardRobert) August 3, 2020
Cycling Twitter is a little concerned about his choice of outfit, with the 43-year-old opting for (what looks to be) compressive arm sleeves and a tank top instead of the traditional jersey. Bloom has also allegedly committed one of the cardinal cycling snob sins of putting the arms of his shades inside his helmet straps; although he is commended for wearing white socks that appear to be of an acceptable length.
"As long as you're riding a bike you're doing it right. As long as..."pic.twitter.com/2d2RYsgL5Y
— al barcheski, jr (@alchemistbbc) August 3, 2020
We'll echo the sentiment of the comment above: he's riding his bike, which is always a good thing.
Is Cardiff very bad and very good for cycling all at once? Insurance firm Cycleplan have recently found that the Welsh capital is the city where most cyclists feel unsafe, with 71% reporting that they feel Cardiff is unsafe for cycling. This is despite a survey published by Komoot just three weeks ago suggesting that Cardiff is the UK's top city for cycling, scoring an average of 3.12 out of 5 on a range of factors. Furthermore, research compiled by comparison site MoneySupermarket in June found that Cardiff is Britain's bike theft capital, with 183 bikes nicked per 100,000 residents.
Cardiff: a city of cycling contradictions?
Meddelelse fra Grand Départ Copenhagen Denmark 2021 I/S Via Ritzau: Tour de France starter i Danmark i 2022 https://t.co/22hm2Ib2TQ
— Pressemeddelelser Via Ritzau (@ViaRitzau) August 3, 2020
The media in Denmark is reporting that the Grand Depart in Copenhagen that was set for the 2021 edition of the race has been moved back to 2022 - full story to follow.
Hi Mikey, thank you for reporting this, we will be investigating and the Engineer will be being brought in for a disciplinary meeting.
Regards
Pimlico
— Pimlico (@PimlicoPlumbers) August 3, 2020
Charlie Mullins, the boss of one of Britain's largest independent plumbing companies, made cycling headlines last week when he tasked his PR staff with producing a poster saying that cyclists were "taking f**king liberties", including an additional blog post that originally complained about "cycle fascists" and cycle lanes holding up traffic. He's also made other headlines over the weekend for sacking some of his furloughed staff which is another story entirely, but today it's back to cycling as prolific camera cyclist Mike Van Erp - otherwise known as Cycling Mikey - appears to have caught one of Mullins' workers using a phone at the wheel.
According to Van Erp, the driver in the Pimlico Plumbers vehicle was scrolling through the website of luxury fashion house Balenciaga, and added: "He's very lucky he was scrolling through pictures, rather than browsing online or messaging, so not enough evidence to prosecute under the current and very out of date laws. Otherwise his insurance would likely double at next renewal after a conviction."
Hi Mikey, thank you for reporting this, we will be investigating and the Engineer will be being brought in for a disciplinary meeting.
Regards
Pimlico
— Pimlico (@PimlicoPlumbers) August 3, 2020
This morning Pimlico Plumbers have replied, saying they will hold a disciplinary meeting with the engineer in question. On the question of whether the driver was committing a prosecutable offence? More on that soon...
Lancashire Police are appealing for information as part of an attempted murder investigation, after a cyclist was left seriously injured after reportedly being deliberately knocked down and then reversed over by a driver in Fleetwood.
The police appeal says that a man in his 20's was cycling on the pavement at around 1.35pm on 2nd August, when he was hit by a Peugeot 206. The driver then reversed over him and left the scene, leaving the cyclist with serious arm and leg injuries. Following enquiries, a man in his 20's was arrested in connection with the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Alisa Wilson of Blackpool Police commented: "We have launched an investigation after a cyclist was seriously injured in Fleetwood today.
"Our enquiries suggest a man was deliberately targeted and we are appealing for information.
"While we have made an arrest we are particularly keen to speak to any witnesses. Furthermore if you have dash cam footage of the incident, or CCTV which shows the area, please come forward and contact us immediately."
We're back on Zwift tonight at 7pm for another chance to win some socks! It's a category D week so the pace won't be too hot, and the route is Watopia's Waistband which is pretty flat. Should be well under an hour! Come and join us.
https://www.zwift.com/events/view/983776
CC Breckland 12 hour complete, Provisional British record with 326 miles! 👍👌 https://t.co/P47sPoHBHi
— Joe Skipper (@Noaveragejoe88) August 2, 2020
At the British 12 Hour Time Trial Championships yesterday, the triathlete claims to have completed 326 miles (524.5km) over the 12 hour period, which would give a monstrous average speed of 27.1mph (43.7km/h). Data from Wahoo Elemnt Live Track shows a ride of 342 miles, but the duration is 12:39:24, meaning that this presumably includes a warm-up and cool-down. If the effort is confirmed by Cycling Time Trials, this would better the previous mark of 321.44 miles set by Adam Duggleby in 2018 by almost five miles.
Skipper thought he'd broken the record and won the British title last year with a 325 mile ride, but the effort wasn't recognised after he reportedly made a wrong turn during the ride.
The women's 12 hour record is held by Alice Lethbridge, who completed 290.07 miles in 2018 to better her 2017 record by almost five miles - the 2017 record came 50 years after the previous mark set by the legendary Beryl Burton.
Cycling Time Trials have not published the official 2020 results yet, but we'll update when we have the full details.
Engine
— George Bright (@halfrust) August 3, 2020
It's a no-brainer.
Enjoying cycling too much to read about cycling over the sun-soaked weekend? Here's what you missed...
Cycling club chairman complains of being held up by cyclists riding two abreast
North Wales Police to hand out brightly-coloured gilets to “less visible” cyclists
Rapha criticised over Pantani water bottle text’s links to eating disorders
Police appeal after three cyclists killed in Cleveland area in less than a fortnight
Near Miss of the Day 448: Transit van driver in very close pass