What do we have here?
Had hoped this *segregated* cycle lane would make commuting by bike safer… pic.twitter.com/Xg8KqlvTuz
— TheLeedsCyclist (@TheLeedsCyclist) January 23, 2024
The Leeds Cyclist "had hoped this protected cycle lane would make commuting by bike safer"... we've dropped them a message to try to get to the bottom of this one because at first glance it's quite tricky to get your head around what exactly has led to the driver of a BMW being where they were.
> London cyclist films bike lane motorist driving straight at oncoming riders
After many a year of hearing words to the effect of 'we pay all that money for those bike lanes and the cyclists don't even use them', this made us chuckle...
They provide roads for cars and then the bloody drivers don't use them.
— Amos Hart (@AmosHart10) January 23, 2024
We're hoping the truth is closer to: person makes genuine mistake and then proceeds with caution to exit situation safely for everyone involved. The near-reversing seemingly oblivious to The Leeds Cyclist behind them doesn't fill us with hope, admittedly.
"Didn't see them drive in," they told us. "The cyclist in high-vis was in conversation with the car driver when I approached. Only thing that was said to me was a shout of 'sorry' when I shouted 'woah' as the driver reversed the vehicle towards me without looking."
A couple of years back Transport for London said it would be fining motorists caught driving in mandatory cycle lanes, one previously unpunished very high-profile case seeing presenter and pro-cycling voice Jeremy Vine film a motorist seemingly taking a protected cycle lane shortcut through Hyde Park after mounting the kerb at the traffic lights.
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> Jeremy Vine films motorist driving down Hyde Park cycle path
Let's hope The Leeds Cyclist's incident was a genuine mistake... (even if a slightly worrying one at that)...
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[Zac Williams/SWpix.com]
French sprinter Arnaud Démare enjoyed plenty of success in the blue, red and white of Groupama-FDJ over the years — during his 12 and a half years with the team he won more than 90 times, including Milan-San Remo, eight stages of the Giro and two stages of the Tour.
However, speaking to France3, he has told of feeling "betrayed" and "angry and disheartened" last season when he was abruptly released from his contract and joined Arkea-B&B Hotels in August.
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"My feelings of anger are still present, also my incomprehension," he said. "I've always been a pro, I've always valued the team. I felt betrayed and not recognised for everything I may have contributed."
In response, team boss Marc Madiot told Cyclingnews' Alasdair Fotheringham: "I don't wish to make any comment but I maintain what I said in the past. Arnaud is a great rider and I would have liked things to have worked out differently. I bear no grudges."
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> Prolific thief jailed for seven months for stealing bike from railway station
PAIN.
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Couple of smug steel bike owners in the comments on this one saying this has never happened to them. Most have questioned if that seatpost is too far out, but still...
Other less helpful replies included:
"If you can't fix it with duct tape, you haven't used enough duct tape..."
"Wouldn't have happened with rim brakes."
"I don't see an issue duct tape can't fix..."
Remind me never to share any cycling misfortune on the Roadbike Cycling Facebook page...
Winter miles, summer smiles... although not sure Tenerife counts as winter, to be honest. Bit chilly was it? Only 19°C and a bit overcast. Either way, just shy of 5,000m of climbing is a monster day in anyone's book.