Just your everyday road violence...a 4x4 just crashed into a kids playground in Hackney. But let’s keep arguing about parking and bikes on pavements yeh? Those are the REAL problems pic.twitter.com/wQuJon5XFG
— Will Bradley (@W_Bradley) December 22, 2020
Will Bradley, whose role involves the promotion of active travel to support London's Deputy Mayor for Transport and its Cycling and Walking commissioner, made the comments after posting a photo of a smashed 4x4 outside a school in Hackney. Plenty of others were quick to point out that the image serves as a reminder to tell us what the real dangers are on the roads.
We passed by that today. Absolutely shocking! What the hell kinda speed must they've been driving at!? Should never be allowed behind the wheel again.
— FB (@fraserb) December 22, 2020
We just came across it too. We were at the other end of BG. A car like that has no place on London’s roads let alone our playgrounds.
— Ben Addy (@BenjaminAddy) December 22, 2020
The comments seem particularly pertinent following our coverage of Lord Blencathra's comments on yesterday's live blog. The Conservative life peer suggested that cyclists who block the pavement should face up to six months in prison or fines of up to £5,000. His brainwave was swiftly rebuked by the DFT's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Baroness Vere, who answered: "Her Majesty's Government have no current plans to consult on raising the penalties for cyclists and delivery drivers using heavyweight electric bicycles who ride on the pavement, or leave their bikes blocking the pavement."
Oops, I did it again https://t.co/UFywDDqNWU
— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) December 22, 2020
Endorsed by Sir Chris himself.
Amongst other things, British Cycling has suspended all sanctioned activities in Tier 4 areas in England, with the exception of outdoor activities for under-18s and disabled people.
However, those living in Tier 4 areas can continue to cycle. They must either do this alone, with members of their household/bubble or with one person from outside their household/bubble.
We've updated our #Covid19 FAQs following the introduction of Tier 4 restrictions in England.
For more information on what this means for cycling events and activities, visit our website with the link below.
FAQs ➡ https://t.co/YwqN6mZ6SNpic.twitter.com/KnqNrWN7Zc
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) December 22, 2020
It's clearly not an isolated example either ... https://t.co/9g65Jos0VOpic.twitter.com/HVUWfam9kU
— Simon MacMichael (@simonmacmichael) December 22, 2020
That fella there - that's Simon MacMichael, that is.
Lovely to see the new Cycleway 9 in Chiswick being well used pic.twitter.com/68RgqyxRTl
— Will Norman (@willnorman) December 21, 2020
The MPCC – the Movement for Credible Cycling – has criticised the UCI’s slow progress on banning corticosteroids.
Often used to treat asthma and allergies, corticosteroids may be used in competition in nasal spray form, subject to thresholds, while tablets and intra-muscular injections are banned in competition unless a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) has been obtained.
Substances falling under the heading include triamcinolone, which Sir Bradley Wiggins was able to use under TUEs ahead of key races including the 2012 Tour de France, which he won.
In March 2019, UCI president David Lappartient said he was ‘hopeful’ a ban on corticosteroids would be introduced from the start of the season just gone.
This did not happen and there is still no certainty it will be introduced.
A spokesperson for the MPCC – members of which pledge not to use corticosteroids – commented: “For thirteen years now, the members of the movement have been annoyed to see that they have been on their own when it comes to committing to strict and transparent rules on cortisol levels.
“WADA’s Executive Committee recently decided to prohibit any injectable form of glucocorticosteroids usage starting 1st January 2022. This is a real step ahead, praised by MPCC on its whole. The movement will nevertheless keep on carrying cortisol tests in 2021 during the wait.”
The group has also spoken out about the use of ketones.
The group said: “The concerns of the members of the MPCC Board about the misuse of corticosteroids are as strong as the concerns about the usage, in clear sight, of ketones. On this subject, we can only observe baby steps ahead.
“UCI, through the voice of its Medical Director, confirmed to our movement that it advised not to use ketones: this is a good start.”
Ketones are not part of the UCI list of prohibited substances and methods, but MPCC members have committed to not using them, arguing, “ketones can enhance performance but can also damage the health of the riders because of the potential side effects.”
Feels like it's been a while since we had a Danny MacAskill video.
This latest one features a couple of other riders from his Drop and Roll live shows, which have obviously not been happening this year.
The video was shot over two days on Rhyl seafront.
Before recent restrictions, @RBKingston gave us a tour of the HUGE new bike storage hub nearing completion next to Kingston Station 🚆 It's been built as part of the Borough's #MiniHolland (or #GoCycle) programme funded by @TfL🚲🅿️🚲🅿️🚲🅿️ pic.twitter.com/jmFrWoq2vA
— Kingston Cycling Campaign (@KingstonCycling) December 22, 2020
You also get a great view of the new cycle and pedestrian bridge being finished off which will improve walking and cycling from the station to the Thames (& towards Ham). Both hub & bridge are in their final stages and due to open by end of January 🌉🚲🌳 #GoCycle#MiniHollandpic.twitter.com/NLGvXvIeOp
— Kingston Cycling Campaign (@KingstonCycling) December 22, 2020
If you don't know, the background to this is that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea removed a segregated cycle lane because it was supposedly causing congestion, but all that's really happened is that now people are parking there.
This van is such a frequent presence it now has its own Twitter account.
YES! pic.twitter.com/nc6bG2Mbym
— Is the van in the RBKC cycle lane still there? (@KensingtonVan) December 22, 2020
This cyclist riding along Burdett Road in London this morning defied all the clichés about cyclists running red lights by stopping at a green on.
Can't say we blame him.
Burdett Road at Mile End Road pic.twitter.com/0CuuNMrov1
— trafficgifs (@trafficgifs) December 22, 2020
Without wishing to excuse the drivers, could the phasing of this set of lights perhaps also be tweaked a touch?
Bad parking was a theme on yesterday's live blog.
Here's a particularly impressive example.
Bunny hop?
3 miles from the ocean. I decided that someone just hit a really good wave. pic.twitter.com/qmYcUuda8T
— Phil Gaimon (@philgaimon) December 21, 2020