The force has spoken, folks. After the whirlwind caused by a social media post by Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team about criticising cyclists for not adherring to the speed limit, when it doesn't apply to them, was picked and ripped apart, they have responded to our request for a comment.
A Devon & Cornwall Police spokesperson told road.cc:
"Legislation does not require cyclists to adhere to the speed limit, although riders must not cycle in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner.
"Our officers are always mindful of road safety. As part of this, we ask cyclists to consider the impact the speed at which they are travelling could have on themselves - and those around them - in the event of a collision. This includes whether they would be able to sufficiently slow down or stop quickly enough should a hazard present itself, especially in built-up areas.
"On this occasion, road safety advice was given to a group of cyclists and no offences were recorded.
"This engagement - which carried a road safety, not speed enforcement, message - was received positively by the group. The speed limit was provided to give context in terms of what other road users would be expected to adhere to."
Hmm, fair play, if no offences were recorded and the message was received allegedly received positively by the group. But that makes one wonder, was the social media post just a poorly worded misadventure into the cyclists' speed-limit policing territory, or was that a genuine mistake by the team unaware of the Highway Code.
Either way, here's some reaction from the road.cc readers:
IanMK: "Educate and inform," Totally agree. Why not start with drivers? In fact, why not start with the drivers that respond incorrectly to your twitter feed? If they don't know this section of the highway code I suspect they'll be equally ignorant on other parts of it - like protecting vulnerable road users.
levestane: A bicycle can only decelerate at about half the rate of a typical car [somewhere in Bicycle Science]. There are quite a few hazards here (driveways, pedestrian crossing, junctions, poor visibility...). I'd probably be going slower, but that's just me.
Legin: Not unreasonable by the Police there; just becasue you are not breaking the law doesn't mean you should go do it.
Hopefully the conversation went, "I know the speed limit doesn't apply to you but don't be a ****ing bunch of ****holes as you know riding like this will wind the residents and other road users up; plus it may earn you a much more serious injury if you crash. Thank you and enjoy your ride."
IanMSpencer: Myself, happy to exceed speed limits on a bike, typically on a downhill into a village where the speed limit is away from the built up area, but cyclists should cycle at a speed they can stop in, be it junctions, bends or other obstructions, so advice about excess speed in a built up area is appropriate.
Strangely, one place I seek to exceed the speed limit for my own safety is in a 20mph, yet over 20 is not sufficient for motorists to get frustrated and "need" to overtake, mainly because many believe that 20 is a war on motorists therefore does not apply (which also there excuses overtaking into oncoming traffic, and past obstructions and close passing... and holding up the cyclists you've passed).
EddyBerckx: Tbh I got no problems with police giving them friendly words of advice - without threats and so on, and WITHOUT putting it on social media where the predicable happens. Going into a village at speed is not cool regardless of what you drive / ride.
But honestly, cars never stick to 30mph when they have the choice of going faster and 37-39 is pretty much the minimum default speed they'll do without thinking.
NickSprink: I'll stick my neck out and say it may not be illegal to do 40 in a 30 zone on a bike, but is it sensible? Would a pedestrian for example be expecting a bike to approach that fast? By definition a 30 zone is a high risk zone, for all road users.
I believe that is was the police meant by offering "words of advice".
Bus operator Go-Ahead London apologised for the incident and said the driver had been identified and "dealt with formally, in accordance with our company's disciplinary procedure"...
Not a poll on YouGov on speed-limit on cyclists, please!
I noticed this has been picked up by @YouGov so one of their daily questions now is about cyclists and speed limits. I sometimes wonder if there’s ever been a cohort of people who enjoy exercise that have ever been so vilified. pic.twitter.com/apbtuqHYeC
— Steve Fry (@stevefry) September 4, 2023
Copying from the road.cc live blog now, are we YouGov?? Anyway, go vote on our poll!
Ah well, it's that time of the year again, the mandatory police force getting something so wrong about cyclists that we have no option left but to cover it.
This time, it's Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team, who wrote last evening: "Cyclists, please be mindful of your speeds and just how this will effect you in the event of a collision. This group today on Dartmoor observed travelling at near 40mph on a 30mph restricted road. All stopped and offered appropriate words of advice".
Cyclists, please be mindful of your speeds and just how this will effect you in the event of a collision. This group today on Dartmoor observed travelling at near 40mph on a 30mph restricted road. All stopped and offered appropriate words of advice 🚴♀️ 🚴♀️ 7163 & #MPS6758JONESpic.twitter.com/5oX0hFpEj2
— Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team 🚔 (@DC_RPT) September 3, 2023
There's not much I can say about this post, other than reminding the roads policing team that the speed limit doesn't legally apply to cyclists, because there's no, once again, legal requirement for a speedometer on an piece of equipment not powered by a motor.
In fact, Rule 124 of the Highway Code sets limits for various vehicles, which MUST be complied with, and in which bicycles are not included.
Further, Rule 125 also says that "inappropriate speeds are also intimidating, deterring people from walking, cycling or riding horses", and drivers should reduce their speed when "sharing the road with pedestrians, particularly children, older adults or disabled people, cyclists and horse riders, horse drawn vehicles and motorcyclists".
Hmm, 22 months on, do we need another survey to tell us how many drivers are still unaware of the Highway Code?
> Over half of UK drivers still confused by Highway Code change, shows survey
And just as you'd expect, the tweet was the perfect hunting ground for the pitchfork-weilding anti-cycling brigade, lambasting not only the cyclists in the video — who at least in my opinion seem to be well-experienced and riding safely, and were most likely going down a descent — but all cyclists, bringing up discussions like license plates, speedometers, and harsher police action towards "speed-limit disobeying" cyclists.
Mike van Erp, the London cyclist and cycling safety advocate, better known by his alter-ego Cycling Mikey, caught whiff of this police post and replied to several tweets, saying that the cyclists weren't breaking the law and that "that’s probably quite reasonable when a bicycle weighs maybe 10kg and an average car 1.5-2 tonnes".
They weren’t breaking the law. The speed limit doesn’t apply to cyclists. That’s probably quite reasonable when a bicycle weighs maybe 10kg and an average car 1.5-2 tonnes.
— CyclingMikey the Unspeakable (@MikeyCycling) September 3, 2023
They weren’t breaking the law. The speed limit doesn’t apply to cyclists. That’s probably quite reasonable when a bicycle weighs maybe 10kg and an average car 1.5-2 tonnes.
— CyclingMikey the Unspeakable (@MikeyCycling) September 3, 2023
They weren’t breaking the law. The speed limit doesn’t apply to cyclists. That’s probably quite reasonable when a bicycle weighs maybe 10kg and an average car 1.5-2 tonnes.
— CyclingMikey the Unspeakable (@MikeyCycling) September 3, 2023
More cyclists jumped in to criticise the police's tweet, remarking that this was doing nothing but "stoking more anti-cycling sentiments" and "giving motorists even more encouragement to treat anyone on a bicycle as a second class citizen".
Could you point me in the direction of any law they have broken,which meant you felt the need to stop them? I'm sure you're aware speed limits don't apply to cyclists.
Congratulations for stirring more hate to cyclists. I would've asked to speak to you superior if you stopped me.— Jonathan Hutchinson (@JJHutch82) September 3, 2023
Great work Devon and Cornwall roads police in giving motorists even more encouragement to treat anyone on a bicycle as a second class citizen.
I have been driven at, on my bike deliberately as "punishment" likely over one hundred times.
You really win the jobsworth award. https://t.co/p3I9L351kTpic.twitter.com/fW12VwyCbN
— Rob has gone to Threads. (@RobL_L) September 4, 2023
Some quick kinetic energy calculations might be of help here...
Just for context, at 40mph they each have similar kinetic energy as a moped at 30mph.
And that also comes with longer braking distance, and less time for anyone to react. 🤷♂️ https://t.co/2erqhoLeFnpic.twitter.com/sIWjNCPPbY
— 🚲 Cycle Calm 🛵 (@CycleCalm) September 4, 2023
Another person pointed out that the police, while themselves going past the speed limit in their cars, failed to use the blue lights and the two-tone siren.
As per the highway code, speed limits apply to *motorised* vehicles only. What is more concerning here is the police exceeding the speed limit chasing down law-abiding citizens while not using blues and twos THEN tweeting about it inciting hatred against cyclists (see replies). https://t.co/RhV3Dik7q4
— Adam Reynolds (@awjre) September 4, 2023
Incidentally, two weeks ago, Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team were also clamping down on speeding drivers, catching a driver speeding at 61mph in a 30mph zone, just a few feet away from a child cyclist, with the police confirming that a prosecution will take place.
The team also said that it identifying 280 other instances of motorists speeding or using mobile phones in one hour.
Adrian Leisk, Head of Road Safety at Devon & Cornwall Police, said: "Our South Devon team identifying, yet again, that speeding drivers in Torbay are not expecting to be held to account."
Wahoo, after spending months in troubled waters, finally found some hope for its future in May this year, after a "significant" equity support from current and new investors, which brought a potential end to a troubling period for the brand, during which its credit rating was downgraded by leading agencies and 15 percent of its workforce was let go.
Now, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News has reported that it has come to a settlement agreement with Zwift over its legal action against the latter for alleged patent infringement over the Hub stationary trainer.
In October last year, Wahoo claimed that Zwift's new Hub smart trainer infringes three patents related to the brand's Kickr Core static trainer, the cheapest direct drive option in the Wahoo range. The court case could has the potential to result in an injunction on the Zwift Hub, preventing its sale in certain areas.
Wahoo had said: "By copying the KICKR CORE, Zwift has infringed three of Wahoo’s patents. By marketing a copy of Wahoo’s patent-protected device, Zwift has taken a shortcut that allows it to reap the benefit of Wahoo’s innovations, but without investing the time and money necessary to create Wahoo’s innovations.
"As a result, Wahoo is forced to file this action to stop Zwift’s infringement and to ensure Wahoo’s ability to continue its strong history of innovation."
Now, a court filing Thursday shows both sides are asking the court to dismiss Wahoo's patent suit against Zwift and any counterclaims, with each side to pay their own legal fees.
If you hadn't noticed... It's our 15th birthday!
Nothing to see but young cyclists, serving some mega sprints yesterday at Deansgate, where yesterday's stage one ended.
Great to see some young sprinters out on Deansgate today 🚴💨#TourOfBritain🔴🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/AXajgaMIwd
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) September 3, 2023
And then, British Cycling riders meeting the stars of the future before signing on today in Wrexham.
Great to see @BritishCycling riders meeting the stars of the future before signing on 👌🏻#TourOfBritain🔴🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/YR60kHGQJh
— The Tour of Britain 🇬🇧 (@TourofBritain) September 4, 2023
While the Tour of Britain kicked off yesterday, with another victory from the barnstorming Team Jumbo-Visma, Olav Kooij winning with a perfect leadout from Wout van Aert, who finished second himself, today's circuit in Wrexham has sent a few scratching their heads.
It’ll be a miracle if everyone makes it safely through this finish. #TourOfBritainpic.twitter.com/Ciwij7BpaP
— Benji Naesen (@BenjiNaesen) September 4, 2023
While the circuit is very narrow, with awkward barricade positioning and a mix of surfaces — a perfect recipe for disaster, do you think it allows for more technical intricacies and a refresh of team strategies than the same old, wide road bunch sprint finishes?
Being mentioned on @Iromg’s #PlankOfTheWeek is always an honour, but this was a bit painful to listen to
@IsabelOakeshott@THEJamesWhale@AlexSalmond@TalkTVpic.twitter.com/HuafUpcPFp— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) September 3, 2023
Remember Jeremy Vine's call for banning drivers from overtaking cyclists in cities from two weeks ago? Yep that's still going on TalkTV.
As Vine says, this was, indeed painful to listen to...
"I think bicycling is probably the worst thing for a big city. It causes more pollution, it causes more traffic chaos. Ban them"
Oh my, TalkTV... When will you learn?
We covered the Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team's cautioning to cyclists apparently "breaking the speed limit", and reported on the reaction from cyclists and non-cyclists as well this morning.
And as you'd expect, it is a heated topic and one that's dividing a lot of people, even cyclists. So where do you stand on this? Should speed limits apply to cyclists or not?
Some comments from Facebook: "Fling the dork disc to the moon", "Yes, should be kept on. Also make sure you email customer service for your free wheel reflectors you are entitled to."
Everybody taking the mickey out of the poor fella...
One normal day at the Vuelta, that's all I had asked for. Heck, it's not even a stage day!
But as this Vuelta seems to be going, even rest days give no respite. This time, it was a literal storm, which has stirred up the storm.
Riders, after the two days of back-breaking climbs in Valencia and Murcia, with Bora Hansgrohe's Lennard Kämna taking the win in Caravaca de la Cruz, were hoping for one day to sit back, relax, unwing, and regain energy and form for the coming two weeks. However, the weather had other ideas, with a torrential outpour accompanied by very, very frightening thunder and lightning, rained on their parade.
Vanwege noodweer kon ons vliegtuig niet in Valladolid landen maar op Madrid Barajas. Wel mooi de Vuelta met 11 etappes ingekort 🤪 pic.twitter.com/mNwtAaWZtM
— Jetse Bol (@JetseBol) September 3, 2023
Burgos BH's Dutch rider Jetse Bol joked: "Due to bad weather, our plane could not land in Valladolid but in Madrid Barajas. It's nice to shorten the Vuelta by 11 stages"
If Remco were on that plane/night transfer, we'd have heard about it from him (in coloful detail).
— Hanna Yanagisawa (@HannaYanagisawa) September 4, 2023
RadioCycling reported that one of the two chartered flights from Murcia to Valladolid, where tomorrow's stage will begin from, had to land in Madrid due to heavy rain, wind and a lightning storm. They were then transported three hours by bus to Valladolid, not arriving into hotels until just before 3am, with riders from DSM Firmenich, Lidl-Trek, Arkéa, Alpecin-Deceuninck, Burgos-BH and Lotto-Dstny affected.
The first flight - which departed Murcia only 15 minutes before the second one - did arrive safely in Valladolid, but they too were greeted with torrential rain and a lightning storm.
Now, Lidl-Trek's flat-maestro, who came third in the fourth stage of this Vuelta, Edward Theuns has tweeted to express his disappointment at the state of situations, saying that they didn't get any food after arriving at the hotel, and in times of weighing every gram and doing everything for recovery, "this is not really a moral booster".
Arrival at the hotel 3.15 in the night... no food untill that point... in times of weighing every gram and do everything for recovery, this is not really a moral booster😒 https://t.co/JAUiJWNJP9
— Edward Theuns (@EdwardTheuns) September 4, 2023
Petition for Netflix to start a series on the Vuelta?
To add to Theuns' woes, his team did have refreshments ready, but only at the wrong airport...
They did... but at the wrong airport 🙃
— Edward Theuns (@EdwardTheuns) September 4, 2023
Come on, surely they could have got something from you know, Lidl?
And then this video from the press officer for Soudal Quick-Step. You know I'm just waiting for some Remco reaction for the blog...
Welcome to Valladolid! pic.twitter.com/XutJBvqFjb
— Phil Lowe (@Lowe_Profile_) September 3, 2023
Give them a bloody break!
The Vuelta organizers this year #Lavuelta23pic.twitter.com/nbnrdwrGzP
— Cycling Memes (@Cycling_Memes1) September 3, 2023
Tough words from Matt Rendell below, but do you agree with him?
It doesn't take a genius to recognise that the Vuelta transfer was interrupted by the type of extreme weather our high emissions cause, but the race organisers' inability to create a race without an air transfer in the middle is pathetically complacent.
— Matt Rendell @mattrendell [at] indieweb.social (@mrendell) September 4, 2023
#LaVuelta23 has been so dramatic I really need the rest day. 😂
— Benji Naesen (@BenjiNaesen) September 4, 2023
Hate to remind anyone, but does anyone remember what happened on the Giro rest day?
While my weekend may or may not have been ruined by football, Vuelta a España gave us plenty of shockers and off-the-walls crazyness (those echelons!). But it wasn't just Vuelta, one bus driver from London decided to make headlines himself.
Oh, and with the newly refurbished velodrome, Manchester is looking to become the first 'European cycling capital' by 2024. How about that?
> Manchester Velodrome, the home of British Cycling, reopens after 2 years and a £27m refurbishment