The vile footage was captured by cyclist Kara McCurdy, who said she was riding on a new bike lane in Queens on Wednesday when she was nearly hit by the driver of a white BMW. That allege incident or any other exchanges were not filmed, but the footage shows the driver spitting in the direction of McCurdy as he pulls away.
She told NBC News: "I'm standing on my new nice green bike path and this guy just tried to hit me.
"Because this is like in a middle of a pandemic, it's always disgusting to be spat on, but then you have to think about the health and safety side of it.
"Great, now I'm home and I can't bring my bike inside. I have to wipe it down and clean it. The minute I get inside, I have to take a shower."
Is this the coolest, yet most useless bike ever? EF Pro Cycling's collaboration with Palace Skateboards just keeps giving and giving, and now the Bristol-based artist who painted the frame Doktor Bobby has added some flat bars to a SystemSix aero road bike just to mash with your mind a bit more. How about adding some panniers with ducks painted on them?
I am delighted to announce that today I became the first bicycle mayor of Birmingham. I look forward to driving my three main priorities forward over the next two years. @BhamCityCouncil@birmingham_live@BrumLeader@WaseemZaffar@JackDromeyMP@andy4wmpic.twitter.com/ddtJp6qQce
— Chris Coyle (@bikemayorbrum) October 2, 2020
Chris Coyle says his main objectives are to "improve health and wellbeing through cycling, "deliver many cycling-based community projects" and "help to improve cycling infrastructure and make cycling the safest and most enjoyable transport option". He has been welcomed into the role by Coventry's bicycle mayor Adam Tranter among others.
Look forward to working with you, Chris. Hope Coventry and Birmingham can become two great cycling cities.
— Adam Tranter (@adamtranter) October 2, 2020
Fantastic news. We look forward to working with you 👍🏼 Let's do this!!!
— Sustrans W Midlands (@SustransWMids) October 2, 2020
Me getting a little overwhelmed earlier at the sight of safety WANDS, suddenly, from nowhere, in what has been one of the most anti-cycling boroughs in London, @RBKCpic.twitter.com/BZXoc8DeYN
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) October 2, 2020
After his namesake of no relation Sarah Vine claimed earlier that a new cycle lane on Kensington High Street was increasing car journey times, the presenter has posted a video of him excitedly trying out one of the new lanes in Kensington and Chelsea, which he has previously described as "one of the most anti-cycling boroughs in London".
Perhaps expecting a backlash from some followers, Vine answered a few of them by commenting:
"Those who say “they spend all this money and cyclists don't use them” —
1. London’s roads need to be MUCH safer to get people onto bikes
2. There may need five times more infrastructure to reach that tipping point.
3. Photographing an empty cycle lane while you sit in a traffic jam just makes you look silly — and it's illegal
4. Those of us who cycle want it to be as safe for us as for those who drive 4x4s. It's not much to ask."
Meanwhile, Sarah Vine has since accused Sadiq Khan and Transport for London of turning the capital "into a giant car park", to which we'll repeat that the government have issued its own statutory guidance on reallocating road space in response to COVID-19. In June, we also reported that £22 million of funding for emergency cycling and walking schemes to be allocated by TfL was paid for by central Government.
Ms Gilmore says her intentions have been misjudged in our earlier mention of her boat sale, and that all funds would go towards women's cycling if a new buyer is found.
She told road.cc: "I am trying to raise funds for women’s cycling & cyclists in need during a tough period - for many in our sport. Any profit potentially gained from selling the Atomic boat would go towards supporting women’s cycling/cyclists.
"Only the closest people to me would know that there is nothing I wouldn’t give or do to support women’s cycling. Supporting women’s cycling is my deepest passion in life."
The new cycle lane on high street Kensington has turned a five minute car journey into half an hour minimum. Traffic fumes and furious van drivers. I cycle that route every day. No need for it whatsoever. But now when I do it I can hardly breathe. Thanks for nothing @SadiqKhan
— Sarah Vine (@WestminsterWAG) October 2, 2020
I'll leave it to your namesake to demonstrate what things used to be like in HSK...https://t.co/Aj9pDnfC7a
— Robert Jenrick Parody (@Robert_Jenrick) October 2, 2020
The new experimental cycle lane that Vine is referring to is in its first phase of completion, with a number of wands erected to segregate cyclists from motor traffic on the notoriously busy road in central London. As you can see above, her namesake of no relation Jeremy Vine had plenty to say about the safety of the road before the cycle lane was installed.
Vine says "thanks for nothing @SadiqKhan", suggesting London's mayor is to blame for increasing congestion; however it should be noted that Vine's husband is Michael Gove MP, whose government specifically called for local councils to create safer walking and cycling routes in response to the pandemic. The Kensington High Street cycle lane was installed after an agreement between the council and Transport for London.
Councillor Johnny Thalassites, the Conservative Lead member for Transport at Kensington and Chelsea council, said of the new cycle route: “More people are choosing active travel to get around after the coronavirus pandemic and this experimental route will give residents, commuters and visitors another option for travelling safely through Kensington and Chelsea.
“It’s been fantastic to see how the local economy has adapted to welcome customers back safely. Kensington High Street is home to great parks, museums, shops, bars and restaurants and I hope this new cycle route encourages more people to stop off and enjoy the borough.”
Introducing world TT champion @GannaFilippo's new @Pinarello_com BOLIDE TT 🌈⏱️🤩 pic.twitter.com/el8KAYFk4i
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) October 2, 2020
In the battle of the OTT world champ edition bikes, for us Ineos and Pinarello have certainly topped Quick-Step and Specialized with this iridescent gold Bolide TT machine.
We were a bit confused by the 'Top Ganna' comment on the top tube, but just underneath the stem it becomes clear that it's a play on the title of that film starring that Tom Cruise bloke. Aesthetically divisive kit and equipment seem to be all the rage at the moment, and like EF Pro Cycling's new kit Ganna's bike is getting some very mixed feedback...
Do you guys have covid cos you appear to have lost your sense of taste
— Jácķ (@Jack_WJB) October 2, 2020
That's horrid
— Cycling Cartel (@CyclingCartel) October 2, 2020
They do say that you can’t buy taste
— It’s me, Lee (@lee_langthorne) October 2, 2020
— Willy (@willynot36) October 2, 2020
Speaking on the Cyclingnews Podcast, the 39-year-old Lotto Soudal rider says he will switch to Ironman triathlons after the Giro: "I’m going to change sports", said Hansen.
"I did one last year and I’ve always wanted to go into Ironman after cycling, so it’s always something that I wanted to do but I’ve enjoyed cycling so much that I kept continuing but as I’m getting older I know that I’m running out of years.
"I did Ironman Florida last year for the experience and I really enjoyed it. I was considering making the switch this year but I did another year (of road racing) but this was always in the works and around March I made the final decision.”
Hansen's Ironman debut in Florida was an impressive one despite little specific training, as he finished eighth place in the 35-39 age group in a time of 9:05:54. The Australian is also an engineer, so competed using a crazy bar set-up he made four days before the race, and a pair of his own Hanseeno brand one-piece carbon shoes.
Friends, you might remember I used to race this boat on Wednesday nights in Sydney Harbour - & win of course! 😉 Could you please help me sell it by retweeting? 😢 All details here: https://t.co/cmx9rL9hTX#FundsForCycling#ToughTimes#Sacrificespic.twitter.com/ifqNlgxqNw
— Rochelle Gilmore (@RochelleGilmore) October 2, 2020
We're not sure if the former Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling manager is being a bit tongue-in-cheek here or not, but in any case her racing yacht, named 'ATOMIC', is available for a less hard-up boating fan for 190,000 Aus dollars (about £105,000).
Anyone else being forced to part with their yacht because of financial strife? Sending you our thoughts and prayers...
Not made of sugar... pic.twitter.com/DMSJdbEexV
— Cycle Islington (@CycleIslington) October 2, 2020
Cycle Islington are here to remind us fair weather cyclists that we're not made of sugar.
The Dutchman was in a coma immediately after the crash at the Tour of Poland, and has been left with a long list of injuries that will still require further operations and a lot of recovery time.
He said: "The past 2 months have been dominated by my recovery after my crash in the Tour of Poland. First of all, I had to recover from my brain contusion and other bruises/injuries for a long time. The wounds/scars on my face are healing up well.
"I would like to thank all the staff of the LUMC and in particular Dr. H. Locher and M. Hendriksma for the good care these past months. On October 8, I will undergo a second surgery to reconstruct my face/mouth. The surgery takes place at Radboud UMC Nijmegen and I am in the hands of Prof. Dr. S. Bergé and Prof. Dr. G. Meijer.
"The surgery involves placing bone, taken from my pelvic crest, in my upper and lower jaw, because a lot of bone is missing there. This bone will have to heal for several months. After that, another surgery will take place to put implants in my jaw so that I can get new teeth, as I lost them during my crash."
Statement from Trek-Segafredo and Quinn Simmons. pic.twitter.com/WvtK9htYWN
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) October 1, 2020
Despite numerous mainstream media outlets suggesting the 19-year-old was suspended, or even fired for supporting Donald Trump, Trek-Segafredo have clarified that it was his use of an emoji with a waving brown hand when replying to journalist José Been on Twitter that led to the suspension.
Simmons is yet to fully explain why he used the particular emoji, saying: "To those who found the colour of the emoji racist, I can promise that I did not mean for it to be interpreted in that way. I would like to apologize to everyone who found this offensive as I strongly stand against racism in any form."
His manager Luca Guercilena says the team "remain committed to helping Quinn as much as we can" and want him to "use this opportunity to grow as a person", all but clarifying that Simmons won't lose his job over the incident.
The only sad part about this is Mr. Simmons unapologetic apology. You have to pick that color of an emoji, it doesn’t populate by itself. That does make it a racist symbol at that point.
— Blair Spurgeon (@Whatmakesmemad) October 1, 2020
Still wondering how a white guy using a black skinned emoji was intended for anything other than trolling (at minimum) or outright racism.
— Eric Griffin (@grifocx) October 1, 2020
He wasn't suspended for supporting Trump. Another far more prominent pro cyclist was also shown to be a Trump supporter yesterday. She was not disciplined by her employer in any way, because she hasn't engaged in racist behavior. Hire a journalist who is familiar with the sport.
— ⚰️Halloween Jack🔨 (@LarzenB) October 1, 2020
On social media, some people suggest that Simmons' apology still doesn't explain why he used that particular emoji, while others are still suggesting that Trek-Segafredo disciplined him because he expressed support for Donald Trump, even though this isn't the case.
The Frenchman will ride this special edition Tarmac - that looks like it's been "dipped in Fruit Pastilles" according to our own Liam Cahill - for the next twelve months to mark his victory at the world champs road race.
Alaphilippe said: “I was already happy to be back again with my teammates and this great staff, but to have this bike waiting for me was a truly beautiful surprise. It’s a pleasure to receive this gem here at the hotel and know that it will be mine for a whole year, during which I intend to show it at the front of the races as much as possible. It’s really special, I love all those personal touches, and I want to thank Specialized for this, they did an amazing job."
Wait until you see the TT helmets..... pic.twitter.com/K7q2MgWjD8
— Jonathan Vaughters (@Vaughters) October 1, 2020
If you thought POC's Tempor Aero TT lid couldn't get any more 'different' looking... well the ones that will be used by EF Pro Cycling at the Giro will now have a duck on the back of them. It seems like even among those who think the new gear is terrible, EF Pro Cycling are to be commended for getting people talking about them and giving everyone a chuckle during tough times. Here's some of the best reactions on social media so far (and you can find the kit gallery here)...
You know what—It’s better to have your favourite cycling team club up with a weird London skateboard shop than an autocratic petrostate.
— Keir Plaice (@keirp) October 1, 2020
That is just brilliant, JV! The whole thing is brilliant! Chapeau to all of you at EF for storming the Bastille with this!
— Brad Fry (@rjabshf) October 2, 2020
I hope @EFprocycling will pull out the Flying V during the team time trial.
— OziGiants (@Gpage71) October 1, 2020
Brilliant. Such an antidote when everything is so serious these days
— Ronan McDonnell🇮🇪 (@inquisitioneu) October 1, 2020