"Problem is there's no consistency": Reaction to near miss shocker; Even professional cyclists forget to unclip sometimes; US cyclist to receive $300,000 settlement after riding into wire strung across trail; But cyclists... + more on the live blog

Team GB track star Katie Archibald has criticised the International Olympic Committee's transgender policies, and believes they let down both female cyclists and trans athletes.

Archibald won gold in Tokyo and said the policy lets female athletes down by underplaying biology, but also leaves trans athletes, such as Emily Bridges, facing the full scrutiny of the media, fans and fellow competitors.

In a statement later shared by Laura Kenny too, Archibald said: "It is my opinion that the international governing bodies of several sports have let down transgender athletes, in particular transgender women, with their inclusion policies.

"These policies have put the athletes, their involvement in sport, and their personal lives under intense scrutiny when all the athletes have done is follow the rules and enter a category they were encouraged to enter.

"I feel let down by the International Olympic Committee who tell me there should be no assumed advantage for an athlete with a gender identity different to their sex. I read this and hear that my world titles, my Olympic medals, and the champions jerseys I have at home, were all won in a category of people who simply don’t try as hard as the men. That losing to male androgenisation is not about biology, but mindset. They are wrong.

"The retained advantage of people who have gone through male puberty in strength, stamina and physique, with or without testosterone suppression, has been well-documented.

"Cycling’s global governing body, by its president’s own admission, knows this. But they chose to delay action until it became sadly personal for one rider. That wasn’t fair."

I couldn’t agree more - well said, well written, thank you @_katiearchibaldhttps://t.co/k4sNlYI9of

— Dame Laura Kenny (@LauraKenny31) April 22, 2022

Meanwhile drivers like this just get a "warning letter"@SussexRoadsPol. He wasn't even looking where he was going, his head looking right down the side streets. Luckily due to the junction, there was room for me not to be hit by this dangerous driver. @BrightonHoveCC wands plz pic.twitter.com/gQkHYfswKY

— Jerk McSerk (@JMcserk) April 22, 2022

"If anyone thinks this is an acceptable manner of driving, let this be your warning," was how the police responded to the video which made our Near Miss of the Day 752. The driver received a fine of £417 and had their licence endorsed with five penalty points.

> Near Miss of the Day 752: “If anyone thinks this is an acceptable manner of driving, let this be your warning,” say police

But what about your comments?

carlosdsanchez said: "Problem is that there is no consistency to the action taken by police for dangerous driving around cyclists. Over the past four years of sending in video footage, the action taken has swung wildly from everything I sent being given a NIP, then to no further action, then back to NIP and now only warning letters. Apparently it's down to the discretion of the officer viewing the footage as to what action to take, so even if the footage falls within the standard the CPS would prosecute, you won't necessarily get a worthwhile result."

peted76 added: "Wow, for once a decent result!"

hirsute hoped this will "be a standard for the rest of the country", to which stonojnr replied: "It needs to be, because there will be other police forces who will think that was acceptable driving, and would not pursue it as South Yorkshire have."

As with any of our stories that attract a lot of eyeballs, there were plenty of Facebook comments from presumably non-road.cc regulars saying they didn't see anything wrong. However, Jules Walker commented: "No need to be that far over their lane whilst the cyclists pass the parked car. Nice to see the correct action being taken."

Having said the disagreeing comments are mainly not from our regular readers, one came from our Facebook 'top fan' (now there's something to aspire to...) who said: "I'm going to be controversial here, it's the cars right of way and the cyclist can't pass the parked car safely (allowing space to avoid being doored) without going into the opposite carriageway. The cyclists should have stopped/slowed down/anticipated. The only issue with the car is the speed (and maybe that they're not keeping as far left as they could)."

What do you reckon?

This is the standad of pro cycling I can achieve!

— Laird of Langtoun. (@LangtounL) April 22, 2022

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Urška Žigart (@urskazigart)

Yesterday on the blog we shared the Belgian media report that Tadej Pogačar had returned home to Slovenia with his fiancé, and Team BikeExchange pro, Urška Žigart due to a family emergency.

Last night, Žigart shared the sad news on her Instagram: "Life is not fair sometimes. It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I share with you this news today. My mom was my best friend and the most important person in my life. This is a very hard time for me and my family as we experience this loss and I kindly ask you for some privacy. Thank you for all the messages and support."