Who said cyclists don't get pulled up for riding on the pavement...
Even though, I only did this to reduce the delays for those travelling behind (who'd be unable to pass me for 3/4 of a mile, due to the roadworks) it buttered no parsnips with this PC. pic.twitter.com/kqwCeOCyzb
— Your Average Joe (@FrankleyMan) March 22, 2022
The Highway Code is extremely clear about cycling on the pavement: 'Rule 64: You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement'. That's informed by the Highway Act:
If any person shall wilfully ride upon any footpath or causeway by the side of any road made or set apart for the use or accommodation of foot passengers [...] every person so offending in any of the cases aforesaid shall for each and every such offence forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding over and above the damages occasioned thereby.
So, legally at least, the answer to our question 'did he do anything wrong?' is clear — by the letter of the law, yes.
But many have expressed sympathy for this rider, saying it was all a bit 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'...
Stay on the road and you'll have a string of irate drivers crawling behind as you pass through the roadworks. That's assuming you can even make it to the other end without the light turning green and sending oncoming traffic your way. Use the pavement...well, that didn't end well here...
These lane closures with temporary lights are far from ideal for those on two wheels, and, from personal experience often leave me weaving past cones, onto the closed lane, to let motorists through before sprinting to make it through in time...maybe we should all just be more assertive and use the lane as normal?
In this case the rider didn't even have the option to cross onto the closed side due to the barriers, leaving them with the pavement predicament. Do you get out of the way of traffic by using the footway? Legally, no. But I'm sure more than a few of us would have done the exact same thing here...
What do we reckon?
It's a no win situation. The cyclist gets it in the neck either way.
Given how drivers have reacted in the passed along that stretch, I didn't think whose you'd followed me up the hill would be too pleased to sit behind me for even longer, so... but that's not how Mr PC saw it.
— Your Average Joe (@FrankleyMan) March 22, 2022
Obviously bikes shouldn't cycle on busy pavements, but when the footpath is clearly empty like this it seems daft to kick up a stink about it. IF a pedestrian appeared, 99% of cyclists would stop, dismount and give way (or go back on the road (you'd hope so anyway).
— You Park Like a C*nt (@YPLAC) March 23, 2022
Urgh. What was the outcome? That looks like a no win siutation for you, no matter which choice you made (other than to magically disappear or float above everyone)
— TallTim 🇺🇦 (@TallestTim) March 23, 2022
Zéfal has some new bags out, including the 27-litre Urban Backpack for "daily cycling trips". It features an attachment to be carried on a rear rack and can fit a 15-inch laptop. Zéfal says it is "durable and practical" and has plenty of storage options including exterior front pocket with a waterproof zip. The straps allow users to carry a D-lock and there is an elastic rain cover stored under the bag.
The Urban Backpack costs €99.95.
Zéfal also has an Urban Messenger bag with 11-litres of storage space, which will also fit a 15-inch laptop, and has been designed for use on and off the bike. Slightly smaller (and lighter) than the backpack, the obvious drawback is less storage space. But that's only a drawback if you need an extra 16L of storage.
The Urban Messenger is slightly cheaper too, costing €69.95.
In 💯 days Tour de France will kick off here in Denmark with exciting 3️⃣ stages.
And do you know who is excited? Hint: He is part of the Royal Family in Denmark, and he loves the Tour de France; H.R.H Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark! 👑
#tdf2022@LeTourpic.twitter.com/8cNpdNk3vp— Grand Départ Copenhagen Denmark 2022 🇩🇰 (@letourdk) March 23, 2022
100 days to go until the start of the Tour...
More importantly that means the next 100 days will be filled with classics, cobbles, Ardennes, stage races, pink jerseys, Italian mountains and more...
Matej Mohorič's Bahrain Victorious teammate Jack Haig isn't so sure dropper posts will catch on and become a regular sight in the pro peloton, despite the Slovenian's dropper-assisted daredevil Poggio descent helping him win Milan-San Remo.
"They're awesome... for mountain biking," Haig told Cycling Weekly. "I have one on all of my mountain bikes and I think they revolutionised mountain biking, but I think for road cycling there are not many races that have a situation like Milan-San Remo where the race can be won on a downhill, so I’m not sure you’ll start seeing many people use them in many races.
> UCI confirms Matej Mohorič’s Milan-San Remo-winning dropper post is within rules
"There are certain scenarios, like the weekend, where it’s beneficial but I’m not sure you'll start seeing it on every bike."
Astana-Qazaqstan's Joe Dombrowski took a break from Fire in the Booth prep to agree with Haig: "Personally I’m not sure I’d use one. It’d maybe be interesting to try in training and see how it feels. Maybe for a brief downhill section it’s faster, but I don’t think… I feel like you’d have to lower the saddle for it to have a significant impact on the descent, it’s not something you’d pedal around with for very long."
Ever wondered how Dutch golfers carry their clubs…? pic.twitter.com/PnahLqlAfU
— anna holligan 🎙 (@annaholligan) March 23, 2022
I'd pay good money to see this suggested at the AGM at Kingsknowe Golf Club in Edinburgh...
Last month, members started a petition urging the council to remove a recently installed cycle lane on the Lanark Road – so golfers can park their cars on it.
High pollution is forecast in London until Thursday. Please look after each other by walking, cycling and using public transport instead of using polluting car journeys if you can. https://t.co/p5rbRjfSVd
— Will Norman (@willnorman) March 22, 2022
Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to "please look after each other by walking, cycling, avoiding unnecessary car trips" as a high air pollution warning has been issued for the capital for the first time since August 2020.
Air pollution today over London v Oct 20. You can barely see Canary Wharf today. Both taken with the same iPhone pic.twitter.com/2xlBDIMKyx
— Rory McCarron (@CyclingLawLDN) March 23, 2022
The Mayor warned London is "importing pollution from the continent" alongside a build-up of local emissions, with forecasts showing the capital could see sustained import of particles on Wednesday.
The alert will be in place until Thursday at the earliest. Khan has warned of a crisis of "filthy air and gridlocked roads" unless London's car usage is reduced.
Zack Polanski, chair of the London Assembly environment committee, said: "We now have high pollution alerts and warnings, but we cannot just wring our hands and say to vulnerable people avoid going outside.
"It is unacceptable for anyone to fear going outside."
This morning's lane--splitting pole reminded us of this classic of the genre...dubbed the Danny MacAskill lane after the bike-bending skills required to use it...
As in today's case, we're led to believe the offending box is to be removed as part of the construction. Until then? Good luck...
You may have seen yesterday's story about the group of cyclists in the French city of Lyon who are so fed up with drivers parking badly, they've launched a competition to find the worst-parked car in their city...with bonus points for those in cycle lanes...
Who will win the Garé comme une merde? (That's parked like crap to you or I)...
CCTV footage from Friday night shows the moment a driver reversed into an opticians in Swansea. The jokes write themselves...
What a pol-arising cycle lane this is...
Council bosses say the route is yet to officially open, and the pole, present for temporary overhead lighting, will be sent packing in due course. By due course I mean next year when the entire development is completed.
Local cyclists on the other hand are a tiny bit baffled by the obstacle, and called for more "joined up thinking" between the local authority and lane users. Fair enough.
New Leith Walk cycle lane.@Edinburgh_CC Why?! pic.twitter.com/5MHnBM7riw
— Sean Gray (@SeanEGray) March 13, 2022
The bidirectional Leith Walk bike lane is part of the Trams to Newhaven extension project in the Scottish capital, with the pole sending riders off the cycleway and onto the adjacent pavement, something Ian Maxwell from Spokes says is "disappointing".
"We are disappointed with the way that the design seems to be making some very obvious blunders, it’s just not sensible," he said.
"The design of cycle routes is well-established and we’re very surprised the people that are doing this haven’t followed suit. There does seem to be a way of thinking that is very much along the lines of a tram route taking precedence and everything else following.
"We are seeing a fundamental shift in the way people in Edinburgh travel. I’m optimistic about the future because there are some quite nicely designed spaces, but at times it still seems a bit hit and miss."
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson told Edinburgh Live the temporary poles are absolutely necessary...
"Temporary poles provide necessary street lighting during construction and will be removed once the route is complete, as has always been planned. Overhead line poles will provide light in the permanent scheme but they are one of the last things to go in as part of the construction programme.
“The cycle lane is not yet open as the scheme is still under construction, and there is clear signage to notify the public of this."