Christmas nearing and Kensington High Street's (now-former) cycle lane in the spotlight... it's like December 2020 all over again!
If you're just hearing about all this for the first time, here's a little 20-second recap (for a more detailed run-down, check out Ryan's report)...
Back in, you guessed it, December 2020 the lanes were ripped out by Kensington and Chelsea council just seven weeks into an 18 month trial due to complaints from motorists and London Assembly Tory Tony Devenish that the lane — which was used by up to 3,000 riders a day, including children from local schools — was causing congestion.
> PM Boris Johnson 'ballistic' over scrapping of Kensington High Street cycle lane
As you can see from Jeremy Vine's video earlier this week, the congestion has simply disappeared since the cycling infrastructure was removed...
In the week of the judicial review of the @RBKC decision to chuck its £370k cycle lane in the bin after less than 2 months, I cycled down High Street Kensington this morning just to check the council had, as promised, "made the road safer and flow better"
@betterstreetskcpic.twitter.com/ArkhQYeWLH— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) December 6, 2022
Anyway, the Royal Borough (they're a Royal Borough, don't you know) is due at the Royal Courts of Justice today for a judicial review over the decision to remove the cycle lane, something we'll bring you more on once we have it...
> Motor traffic journey times increase after Kensington cycle lanes removed
In the meantime enjoy another of Vine's videos of the pristine natural beauty of the High Street...
You couldn't pay for this stuff. In the week of the Judicial Review of the @RBKC Council decision to rip out its cycle lane after ten minutes, the sexy W8 HUX car is back, illegally using the left lane as a car park.@betterstreetskc@willnorman@laurencyclist@mikeycyclingpic.twitter.com/aJDMFjEumS
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) December 8, 2022
How many watts could you hold for four minutes? 8.5w/kg? No, neither can Eddy Hoole according to Zwift who have banned the South African from racing for six months...
A little bit of rain won't stop Egan Bernal from training 💪💦
(via @Eganbernal) pic.twitter.com/xxT4dYjfUq
— Eurosport (@eurosport) December 8, 2022
If you missed yesterday's blog?
> "Morning ride": Egan Bernal casually taps out 270km training ride at 38.5kph…
Thoughts?
Oh, and while we're at it...
> Christmas gifts for discerning cyclists 2022 — what to buy for the awkward cyclist in your life
Maybe Pointless would be worth tuning in from the saddle, definitely The Chase, I'm afraid Tenable is way down the daytime game show rankings in my humblest opinion...
It’s here! #ITVX Now you can indulge yourself and watch more of me on #Tenable, anytime or anywhere you like! On the train, on the loo on the bus, On yer bike! I’m kidding. Please Do NOT Watch Tenable whilst cycling. You might miss one of my puns. 😂https://t.co/oOx4tfTnz8pic.twitter.com/kU11qOgAmU
— Warwick Davis (@WarwickADavis) December 8, 2022
⚠️Helmet row⚠️
4 cyclists stopped and spoken in regards to various matters including lack of lights and protective headwear
6 roadside breath tests conducted - all negative result
— Edinburgh North East Police (@EdinPolNE) December 8, 2022
We should probably clarify there are other tweets in the thread talking about conducting traffic checks as part of the festive drink drive operations, the breath tests weren't — we don't think — conducted on cyclists without helmets...
Anyway, this post went down predictably well...
What law were you enforcing when stopping people cycling and talking about 'protective headwear'?
— Just Another Cyclist (@justacwab) December 8, 2022
I would tell you to get in the sea for telling people to wear helmets. You have absolutely no clue as to what makes cycling safety if you're promoting helmets. You should be promoting infrastructure and 3rd party video reporting. pic.twitter.com/p0LT8cjoXy
— CyclingMikey (@MikeyCycling) December 8, 2022
Fair dues on the headgear. It's very cold so a woolly hat is probably essential to prevent frost-nip on their ears.
— Macc Active Traveller (@lkchdschh) December 8, 2022
Anyone got any snow this morning? If so we've got just thing for you...
" El gran invento de un ciclista para no caerse con la bicicleta en la nieve" Le quitó la rueda delantera a la bici y le acopló un esquí. "Que talento de ciclista, se le acabaron los problemas".😱😂😂👍 pic.twitter.com/zOVVLH97n2
— ⚡Maza⚡ (@MazaCiclismo) December 7, 2022
> Christmas gifts for discerning cyclists 2022 — what to buy for the awkward cyclist in your life
Alternatively, if money really is no object... go get the Campagnolo €1,950 gold-plated corkscrew.
The Local reports that many shared apartment complexes across France will have to come up with ways to offer secure bike parking from next year when a new law comes into effect.
All buildings with car parking options will be required to offer secure bicycle parking too. Cycling has been on the rise in France, with an 11 per cent increase during the first nine months of 2022 compared with the first nine months of 2021, and is up 33 per cent compared with the same period in 2019.
> Paris to become '100 per cent cycling city' within next four years
Some have said the new law does not go far enough though as it only applies to buildings with car parking spaces, while there are concerns about another exemption which means buildings will not need to provide cycle storage if the area where they would is 'inaccessible' for cyclists. For example, if the car park is underground and accessed by a ramp deemed dangerous for cyclists.
Four years after the 2019 edition, won by triple stage winner Mathieu van der Poel, ended in Manchester, the 2023 Tour of Britain will be back in 0161...
The Tour of Britain returns to Greater Manchester! 🐝
The region, and home of British Cycling, will host the @TourofBritain Grand Départ on Sunday 3 September next year 🇬🇧🚴#TourOfBritainpic.twitter.com/Gz7poKGmax
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) December 8, 2022
And a certain former Premier League referee is well up for it...
Awesome 👏🏻
— Chris Foy (@MrChrisFoy) December 8, 2022
Maybe we need to add a ref to our footballers who cycle team?
Can confirm my finger have defrosted...
Commute vibes... pic.twitter.com/3Bs5nmRBiP
— Rich Mitch (@rich_mitch) December 8, 2022
Still, plenty of people getting after it despite the cold...
Winter has finally come to #Birmingham, let's hope the snow forecast doesn't keep me from cycling to the lab #VernalisationTime🥶🌨 pic.twitter.com/zRgTlUoick
— Rory Osborne (@ROsborne_93) December 8, 2022
Whoever writes the "you can't cycle in winter" memo hasn't managed to reach these people. London cycling is year-round. pic.twitter.com/MggVlrnQrS
— Drew White (@drewsnx) December 8, 2022
> How to beat winter — Tips, tricks and clothing advice for making the most of riding through winter
> How should you layer up for winter cycling? Top tips for riding in cold weather
> Winter cycling: 11 questions you always wanted to ask, answered
And for me...
> Best winter cycling gloves 2022 — keep your hands warm and dry