Slip, slide and ride pic.twitter.com/kfpLm6yQbu
— Cyclocross Social (@Cyclocrosss) December 16, 2022
And it’s even madder than I imagined it would be…
The cycling roundabout is officially fully complete pic.twitter.com/mE6ZRnpm6L
— Harry Gray (@HarryHamishGray) December 16, 2022
And yes absolutely no body is using it correctly pic.twitter.com/B3gAkVdZBB
— Harry Gray (@HarryHamishGray) December 16, 2022
A roundabout with a give way ON it?
It appears to get worse the more I see it develop.
— M Austerfield (@AusterfieldM) December 16, 2022
Just needs a set of traffic lights to complete it 🚦
— Bill Hulley (@billhulley) December 16, 2022
> Magic roundabout or tragic roundabout? New "novelty" cycling roundabout hasn't gone down well
It’s Friday, so we’re going to kick things off on the blog this morning by returning to an old favourite – Bristol’s infamous Park Row “protected” cycle lane.
Back in September 2021, road.cc reader and Bristol resident brooksby pointed out that the three-foot high plastic orange cylinders installed by Bristol City Council to protect cyclists on the pop-up bike lane in Park Row were, surprisingly, not quite up to the job.
According to brooksby, the easily detachable cones were being constantly being removed by careless (or destructive) motorists, with some even ending up far from the bike lane they were installed to ‘protect’.
The Great Plastic Wand Burial Ground (credit: brooksby)
Earlier this year, the council decided to act by replacing the orange cones with more permanent, sturdier looking models.
Well, at least those wands seemed more permanent… Until you witnessed this horror film-like scene of utter wand devastation, featured on the live blog in August:
‘Excellent’ Bristol cycling infrastructure latest: pic.twitter.com/AZFtuAWTc4
— Benjamin Nathan (@foxbenbath) August 17, 2022
And now, in the run-up to Christmas, I regret to inform you folks, that the motorists are at it again.
In the comments section of the blog, brooksby shared these harrowing images from yesterday lunchtime:
Those poor wands...
“Blimey – it’s like the aftermath of a battle in Harry Potter world – broken wands everywhere,” fellow road.cc reader chrisonatrike wrote.
“I think the problem with the Park Row cycle lane is that they didn’t make it long enough,” brooksby argues.
“There’s enough room before it’s protected for cars to go on there at each end ‘for loading’ and then they ‘accidentally’ knock down a wand so the next time someone parks a bit further, then they knock one down, so people can park a bit further, and so on…
“And as long as they haven’t knowingly knocked one down people seem to think that they can just park there (despite the painted cycle symbols and signage).”
Following the revelation that even the ‘permanent’ cycle lane wands can’t stop drivers parking wherever they like, in October Bristol City Council announced that it will install new, segregated cycle lanes on Park Row, along with upgraded bus stops, to “make it easier to walk and cycle in the area”.
As long as someone tells the drivers first...
Scotland is “leading the way on active travel in the UK”, Cycling UK has claimed, after the Scottish government yesterday committed to increasing its funding for ‘active and sustainable travel’ to a record £196.5m in its budget for 2023/24.
That’s a £46.5m increase on the pot previously set aside for cycling and walking, and means that 5.6 percent of the overall transport budget at Holyrood will be spent on active and sustainable travel.
However, it still falls short of the Scottish government’s commitment to spend at least £320m, or 10 percent of the total transport budget, on active travel by 2024/25.
The use of the term ‘active and sustainable travel’ in yesterday’s announcement has also proved frustrating for cycling and walking campaigners, who have argued that it obfuscates the amount of money set to be spent on those specific activities compared to previous years.
In his speech to parliament yesterday, SNP Deputy First Minister John Swinney said that “decarbonising transport remains one of the key challenges we face in reaching Net Zero” and that the government would “invest nearly £200 million in active and sustainable travel”.
> Scotland’s active travel minister criticised – for not wearing a helmet while cycling
The news has been welcomed by charity Cycling UK, who have described the Scottish government’s new active travel budget as “a welcome increase in investment at this time of financial pressure”.
“As a low-cost form of transport, cycling can help to ease the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on people’s lives,” says Jim Densham, Cycling UK’s campaigns and policy manager for Scotland.
“We know that investing in cycling is incredibly good value for money, as it brings so many benefits for people’s health, the environment, local economies, and for liveable neighbourhoods.
“It’s good to see Scotland leading the way on active travel in the UK and taking steps towards much bigger spending that has been promised for coming years.
“However, it is frustrating that a change in language makes it difficult to make a precise comparison to the previous budget. We want Government to provide an exact figure for spending on active travel, and to provide a more detailed breakdown of their budgets.”
So, what’s been going on in the comments section today, I hear you cry? Well, Dave Gorman, I’ll tell you…
Welcome to Bristol, cycling city..... https://t.co/LH04Ki48ZQ
— Jim's Wheels https://mastodon.online/@jimswheels (@JimsWheels) December 16, 2022
First up, there’s been plenty of chat about Bristol’s ‘protected’ cycle lanes. road.cc reader Benji 326 reckons that the carnage on Park Row illustrates that “protecting cycle lanes with a few upright sticks is clearly not enough.
“Take a tip from cities with correct cycling infrastructure, Seattle for example. Raised kerbs between cycle lane and traffic, bright green tarmac to denote lane, with the additional uprights if they’re desperate… Better cycling infrastructure is beneficial for all, leaders need to realise this.”
Meanwhile, ShutTheFrontDawes wrote: “Calling Bristol City Council's approach to protected cycle lanes 'half-assed' would be generous.
“No solid white lines, no red tarmac, no physical protection (and no, these boards don't count. They are designed to fold over at the base if hit – they are literally designed to provide zero protection) and no parking enforcement.”
So, how can we improve on these flimsy – and obviously easily removed – wands? Well, cdamian had a suggestion: “They just need to replace one or two with strong metal ones that look the same as the current ones. Maybe also swap them around every couple of weeks.”
So, as the little onion pointed out, basically installing the motoring equivalent of this:
Flex post, flex post, flex post, flex post, flex post, flex post, BOLLARD.#WorldBollardAssociation
pic.twitter.com/5mN4lPvdTs— World Bollard Association™ (@WorldBollard) August 17, 2022
Onto the Scottish government’s active travel budget now which – though praised by Cycling UK (with a few caveats) – hasn’t gone down quite as well with our readers.
“I'm not knocking the increase in Scottish government’s active travel spend,” says Safety. “However I am disappointed that Cycling UK failed to highlight that Polis Scotland are one of only two forces in the UK that are still refusing to introduce a camera footage portal. Not only that but the proposed budget for discussion on a potential possibility of a trial is now under threat due to cuts elsewhere.
“To my mind this is a no brainer cost effective way to make drivers think twice about their behaviour to all other road users not just cyclists. But the powers that be are hell bent on preventing its introduction. Why?”
Chrisonatrike added: “I was pleased when the notion of allocating a ‘reasonable’ sum of the transport budget for active travel appeared. This is remarkable for the UK.
“Let's keep our Alans on though – it's a sensible amount to propose but ‘up to ten percent in two years’ time’ is not saying ‘prioritising’.
“Especially when – after more than a quarter century of ‘encouragement’ – ‘active travel’ is arguably further from the start line than before.”
Just under three months since giving birth, Lizzie Deignan is eyeing up her return to the peloton, telling fans on Instagram that her “conservative plan” at the moment is to resume racing in May.
After winning the inaugural women’s Paris-Roubaix in October 2021, the Trek-Segafredo rider spent the whole of this season on maternity leave, as she expected the arrival of her second child Shea, who was born in late September.
During a Q&A session with fans on Instagram, the former world champion was asked about the prospect of once again teaming up with reigning Paris-Roubaix champion and fellow Trek-Segafredo rider Elisa Longo Borghini – and whether their partnership could be rekindled on the cobbles of northern France next April.
However, Deignan is sceptical about her chances of making it to the start line of the ‘Hell of the North’.
“Conservative plan is to start racing in May, so no Roubaix nest year,” she wrote. “But you never know, April is a few months off”.
When asked how having her second child and preparing to return to elite competition compared to the first time she resumed racing after giving birth to her daughter, Orla, Deignan said: “So far I would say recovery has taken longer this time around. Shea was a much harder baby to carry so did a lot less fitness in pregnancy, and we seem to have been fighting [illness] as a family since he was born!”
Cycling near home a bit ago I had an Audi 4WD wait patiently behind me for ages till it was safe to pass, and then overtake really slowly and carefully. Should I report it as stolen?
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) December 16, 2022
[for any outraged Audi owners in the mentions: it was a joke. Not *all* Audis are badly driven. Probably no more than 90%]
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) December 16, 2022
Alex Porter, the Australian track rider who was the victim of a nasty crash at last year’s Tokyo Olympics after his handlebars snapped during qualifying for the men’s team pursuit, has announced that he is retiring from cycling.
The 26-year-old, who has three world titles and a Commonwealth Games gold medal to his name in the team pursuit, said that stepping away from the sport is “the toughest decision of my life”, while AusCycling have confirmed that he will continue working with the federation as an official ambassador.
During the qualifying rounds for the team pursuit in Tokyo, the Aussie men were forced to take to the start line again after Porter’s titanium additive manufacture (3D printed) base bar from Bastion Cycles broke as he rode at the back of the quartet, causing him to smash into the boards of the velodrome.
> Aussie Olympic handlebar failure: inadequate spec and fatigue testing to blame
While Australia recovered to secure bronze in the event, behind winners Italy and silver medallists Denmark, a subsequent investigation into the crash found that it was caused by inadequate design specifications supplied to the manufacturer by the Australian team, as well as a failure to conduct adequate fatigue testing in the lead-up to use in competition.
Following the report, AusCycling apologised to Porter, who suffered a number of injuries in the spill, including friction burns to his face.
Announcing his retirement on social media today, the triple world champion said: “This has been the toughest decision of my life, but I have decided to retire from professional cycling.
“After the Tokyo Olympics, it is clear I need to put my health first and this means stepping away from the sport. I am grateful for all the joy it has brought to my life.
“I have an endless amount of people to thank, but I’ll start by acknowledging SASI and AUSCycling for giving me the chance to race my bike across the country, and then all over the world. My family and friends behind the scenes, it wouldn’t have been possible without you all, you have been there for the ups and downs of the sport.
“The Aussie Team Pursuit boys, Kell [O’Brien], Sam [Welsford], Leigh [Howard] and Luke [Plapp]. We have been through a great deal, but to have my last moment in the sport standing arm in arm on the podium with you guys regardless of what step is something I will treasure for the rest of my life.
“Finally, I’d like to thank my coach Tim Decker, your guidance took me from a kid who clip into a bike to an Olympic medallist, and for that I will be forever grateful. Your impact on my growth as a person is impossible to quantify, and I appreciate all of your leadership, guidance and support.
“I’m excited for what the next chapter will bring and one thing I know for sure is I’ll always love riding my bike!”
AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner praised Porter’s contribution to Australian cycling, saying in a statement: “We have the greatest admiration for Alex and his resilience, dedication and record of achievement.
“While we’re disappointed that we won’t see him riding in the national colours, his cycling journey is far from finished and we know that as an AusCycling Ambassador, he will be playing a key role in inspiring the next generation of riders and cyclists.”
An absolute stunner! @ellenvdijk’s new Speed Concept for 2023 🤩🌈 pic.twitter.com/yAGFMiYA7k
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) December 15, 2022
Now, that’s a world champion’s bike.
Time trial world champ Ellen van Dijk certainly hasn’t held back when it comes to marking her third year in the rainbow jersey, when she’ll be riding this extremely bling, super shiny Trek Speed Concept:
Excited to race this in 2023 is an understatement 🤩🤩🤩
My new Speed Concept for next year 🫶 pic.twitter.com/JG1Ml5K6iP
— Ellen van Dijk (@ellenvdijk) December 15, 2022
Some of the details 🫶 pic.twitter.com/1r88skZwFi
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) December 15, 2022
I think I may need a pair of sunglasses just to look at that bike…
A topical joke now (on a cycling live blog, who’d have thought it?), for those keeping up to date with the latest incoherent ramblings from our tunnel-loving friend Elon:
pls ignore the various accounts that track my bicycle
— David O'Doherty (@phlaimeaux) December 16, 2022
You mean Strava? 😏
— Chris Cox (@CoxyJindas) December 16, 2022
It’s fair to say that Quick-Step’s kits over the years have been somewhat hit and miss.
The cool, retro, clean 2010 and 2011 model sported by Tom Boonen, Sylvain Chavanel and co? A classic.
The weird, ‘is this really supposed to look like a blue wolf on a white background’ kit from two years ago? Not so much.
Cor Vos/SWpix.com
So, where does the 2023 iteration of the long-running Belgian team – which will be known as Soudal Quick-Step next year (that’ll take some getting used to) – rank on the cycling sartorial chart?
Check out in detail the new Soudal Quick-Step kit, which you can order here: https://t.co/LPD1VtUAdB
Photo: @BeelWoutpic.twitter.com/AWgXdbsHyt
— Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (@qst_alphavinyl) December 16, 2022
I have to say, I’m not a fan. It’s all a bit busy and Androni-like, especially on the sponsor-laden shoulders and sleeves. A solid if slightly disappointing 4/10.
Though that’s before we get to the colour. While Quick-Step have been wearing blue and white ever since Tulio Campagnolo invented the quick release, the 2023 peloton looks set to resemble a constantly moving river, as Groupama-FDJ, Astana, and now Israel-Premier Tech have all opted for blue so far, with the prospect of more to come from Movistar, Alpecin-Deceuninck, and BikeExchange.
Together, if we all really tried hard and thought of some colours, I think we could come up with a kit design that isn't blue
— Cillian Kelly (@irishpeloton) December 16, 2022
Well, at least it won’t be as bad as that time in the early 2010s when everyone and their granny was wearing black…
I’ve heard that golf may be the new cycling…
Don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone on earth more to the manor born, more like they were made to be a pro caddy, than Jacky Durand. https://t.co/FyiLT7UP26
— Daniel Friebe (@friebos) December 16, 2022
At least that’s the case for retired French pro Jacky Durand who, after years of relentlessly attacking the bunch, is instead spending this week telling someone else to attack the greens.
1992 Tour of Flanders winner Durand, who now commentates on races for Eurosport, has swapped the bike and microphone for the bib and bag full of clubs in his new role as caddy for Spanish golfer Hugo Esposito at the ongoing Mauritius Open.
Unfortunately for young Hugo, the underdog magic that saw Durand take three stages at the Tour de France doesn’t seem to be rubbing off on the fairways – the Madrid man, born to French parents, is currently five over after 14 holes so far today, leaving him ten over overall and in joint 148th.
Maybe don’t quit your day job just yet, Jacky.
Who doesn’t love #NewKitDay?! 🔥
We’ve gone for something a little different for 2023. Blue and white with a splash of new color, and our star and P monogram on the back to help us stand out!
Find out more about the inspiration behind our EKOÏ kit 👉 https://t.co/3I76htoi0Kpic.twitter.com/whGxuN8cko
— Israel – Premier Tech / Israel Cycling Academy (@IsraelPremTech) December 16, 2022
They may have dropped down to ProTeam division after ignominiously succumbing to cycling’s first ever WorldTour relegation battle, but Israel-Premier Tech are certainly stepping up a level when it comes to the sick threads they’ll be rocking in 2023 (in this humble writer’s opinion, of course. Your mileage for watered down psychedelica may vary).
Rather than taking inspiration from a Jimi Hendrix solo, Israel-Premier Tech’s manager Kjell Carlström says that the squad’s blue ‘change strip’ for this year’s Tour de France – worn with great aplomb by stage winners Simon Clarke and Hugo Houle – prompted the team to overhaul the rather mundane, business-like white jersey of recent years.
Hugo Houle on his way in blue to winning stage 16 of the 2022 Tour de France (Zac Williams/SWPix.com)
“When it came to designing our 2023 kit, we wanted to do something a little different,” Carlström said.
“Our Racing For Change kit at the Tour de France was a huge success and, in our opinion, one of the best kits in the peloton in recent years. So we figured, why not do something a bit different all season long.
Our core blue and white but with a twist!
Designed by @stycle_design. Produced by EKOÏ.
Bring on 2023 👊 pic.twitter.com/63EXBi1Hy2
— Israel – Premier Tech / Israel Cycling Academy (@IsraelPremTech) December 16, 2022
“Blue and white, the Israeli colours, are at the core of our identity. But, as we saw in 2022, there was a lot of blue and white in the peloton. So, we wanted to add some additional colour into the mix and create a fresh and modern look that stands out on the bike.
“Particularly on the back of the jersey, where we have replaced the team logo with the monogram of our star and P from Premier Tech so that we can be easily spotted on television. That’s our aim for 2023: stand out in the peloton when it comes to our kit design and the way we race.”
Do you love our 2023 look as much as we do?! 💙 pic.twitter.com/8n4cNPzirN
— Israel – Premier Tech Roland (@TeamIPTRoland) December 16, 2022
Well, it’s a thumbs up from me. What do you reckon?
The irony of Astana supremo and convicted blood doper Alexander Vinokourov sacking one of his star riders, Miguel Ángel López, for allegedly being linked to a shady doctor hasn’t been lost on many onlookers.
Including, it seems, one of Vino’s old Tour de France rivals (who you may have heard of):
Wait, Vino still around and in charge? JFC. https://t.co/varjWc7096
— Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) December 16, 2022
I hate it admit it, but Big Tex may have a point when it comes to professional cycling’s ex-doper redemption lottery…
Ach, it’s Friday…