Leading epidemiologist’s mask mishap as he wrongly claims Roglič “won a strenuous mountain time trial while wearing a mask”; Howard Cox pledges to "scrap" LTNs and 20mphs zones in London; sneezing advice + more on the live blog!

I've got a PSA for all you folks with allergies and hay fever. Speaking from experience, it can get pretty rubbish in the summers with all the pollen and grass giving you a runny and stuffy nose, itchy watery eyes and a horrible sore throat.

Airborne allergens expert, Max Wiseberg says: "Prevention is better than cure. So helping stop the pollen from getting into your body in the first place is a good strategy.

"Tie your hair up and wear a hat or cap when out cycling to prevent pollen particles being caught in your hair."

"Use an organic drug-free allergen barrier balm such as HayMax during your ride, which can be applied to the nostrils and bones of the eyes in the morning and throughout the day."

"Wear wraparound sunglasses when on a cycle ride to prevent pollen particles coming in contact with your eyes."

"Try to time your cycling so it’s not when pollen counts are highest, during the peak morning and evening periods. Pollen is released early in the morning then travels upwards as the air warms up. In the evening, as the air cools, it moves back down again and the pollen grains reach nose height. Symptoms are usually worst at these times, so avoid going outdoors then."

"Change your kit when you return home and wash your face or take a shower to wash away allergens so that they can’t cause a reaction. A cool compress will soothe sore eyes."

"Dry your kit indoors rather than on an outdoor clothes line to stop pollen being blown onto it by the outside wind."

"Stay hydrated and eat lots of fruit and vegetables to stay healthy and support your immune system."

"Shower at night before sleeping to remove pollen particles from your hair and body."

Boy are we kicking off the live blog with lots of misguided claims today!

This time it's Howard Cox, FairFuel UK co-founder and London mayor hopeful (the keyword being hopeful) has sworn that if he gets elected, he will scrap all ULEZ, along with all 20mph zones and low-traffic neighbourhoods.

I don't think he knows that the latter two are not something under the Mayor's control...

20mph zones do not reduce accidents. They are simply an anti-driver policy to screw drivers of hard earned cash. Clueless politicos cash grab at every opportunity. If I become Mayor of London along with ALL ULEZs not just the expansion, LTNs & 20mph zones, ALL will be scrapped https://t.co/SbmUPZcbBEpic.twitter.com/XqocaNFEYH

— Howard Cox (@HowardCCox) May 31, 2023

According to Cox, who came on GBNews yesterday to talk about speeding convictions, 20mph zones are nothing but a "cash grab" and "anti-driver" policy. And unsurprisingly, cyclists were enraged at these enraging comments.

Carefully worded claim there. I don’t know for sure if reduced speed limits reduces accidents though it would seem very likely. There is plenty of evidence though that reduced speed limits reduce injuries and fatalities. That alone makes them worth supporting doesn’t it?

— Havering Cyclists (@HaveringCyclist) June 1, 2023

You made the mistake of choosing 'zones' rather than 'limits'. In terms of London - "half of the 20mph zones which had been implemented in London found that they reduced injury accidents by about 42% and fatal or serious accidents by 53%"@RoSPAhttps://t.co/NDaI1WLvY2

— EastbourneEcoTransport (@EcoTransportEB) May 31, 2023

Hmm. pic.twitter.com/XKURxs8cAh

— sailbadthesinner (@LarcombePeter) May 31, 2023

Cox replied to a couple of the tweets under his post with: "There is sparse evidence that 20mph zones are reducing accidents. a study by Queen's University last year finding that, while speed limits, reduce traffic they do little to stop accidents."

However, Eastbourne Eco Transport was quick to point out this study which questioned the findings of The Queen's research, writing: "The Queen's research was around 'limits' not 'zones'. Many limitations for this small study in Belfast. "evidence from 20mph speed limit interventions involving much larger numbers of roads have revealed significant vehicle speed and casualty reductions"".

He's also tweeted that he's coming on TalkTV today at 9:45AM with allegedly another anti-cyclist rant. You bet I'll be tuning in so you don't have to.