There always seems to be something going on in Dorset when it comes to cycling and active travel, isn’t there?
The county – arguably more than anywhere else in the UK – has been at the forefront of a series of disputes surrounding active travel projects in recent times, as residents regularly voice their outrage at what they see as expensive and under-used cycling infrastructure making their lives worse.
Over the past year alone, we’ve seen hire bike company Beryl pull out of the east Dorset area after drivers claimed that the green bikes were “blighting our pavements”, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council accused of “eco-vandalism” for cutting down 10 trees to allow work to begin on a new cycleway in Poole, and the construction of a cycle lane in Ferndown blamed for two failing businesses.
That Ferndown cycle lane – which since its initial construction has seen opponents claim it does not represent “value for money”, that “not enough” cyclists are using it, and that more road space should be allocated to drivers because they are “the majority” – also found itself at the centre of a misinformation row in July, after unfounded rumours emerged on social media claiming that several trees will be cut down during the works, claims dismissed by the council as “factually incorrect and negative”.
And that’s not all. We’ve seen another cycle lane in Poole make national headlines after upset locals complained to the Daily Mail, Telegraph, and GB News that they had been “blocked” in their driveways by wands installed to segregate the route from traffic – and that they “can’t just reverse out fast anymore”.
We’ve also had a group of motorists threaten to launch a legal challenge against what they described as the council’s “totally undemocratic” decision to permanently close one of the entrances to Poole Park, to prevent rat-running motorists using it as a cut-through.
This campaign even featured claims that the council’s decision was part of a “sinister agenda” also involving the oft-mischaracterised 15-minute cities initiative, 20mph zones, and low traffic neighbourhoods.
And at the end of December, residents in Dorset backed a petition raising concerns about “excessive delays, disruption, and inconvenience” caused by “the construction of extremely expensive and obviously under-utilised cycle paths”.
The petition, calling for the Liberal Democrat and independent-run council to “reconsider their current local transport and infrastructure policies” has so far attracted over 2,700 signatures and was given a boost when the Mail published an article on the local anti-bike opposition with the headline: ‘Our council is causing traffic chaos and spending £120m to install 50 MILES of cycle lanes – despite the ones already there barely being used’.
However, the council responded to the petition by pointing out that “not everyone in our community has the option to drive” and that the works are designed to benefit all road users, not just cyclists.
Yes, all of that has really taken place in the last few months.
Of course, since it’s 2025 and all, many of these debates have been fought out on the petty battleground that is social media, where warring Facebook groups of active travel and motoring enthusiasts have taken turns chastising each other through the very modern medium of angry posts and sharing screenshots and links.
And this weekend was no different. On the ‘BCP and Dorset Motorists’ Facebook group – the source of the recent petition – one member, Dave, criticised BCP Council’s “Active Travel Plan” (his quotation marks, not mine), which he argued had led to the local authority “effectively forcing this on our communities with their ‘get on your bikes’ attitude”.
“How many of our councillors actually cycle to work?” he asked. “They all seem good at telling the community to do so.”
“I can imagine them driving into work. Looking around at the mess they have made,” replied James. “While waiting in a slow-moving traffic cue. Seeing nobody riding a bike or even a mobility scooter. And thinking, yeah! What an amazing job we’ve done here!”
Meanwhile, Geoff pointed out that “there are clearly some parties whose ideology is adamantly against drivers” and that “some people might think the Conservatives to be supportive of allowing a more balanced approach to traffic policy”.
He continued: “After all I believe most people would agree that a reasonable network of single lanes should be offered as long as they don’t restrict the amenity of other groups.
“But we saw that with Cllr Greene last time, he went too far in giving way to the nagging of the cycle cult lobbyists, which has empowered them to demand more and more.”
However, these claims that cycling is being “forced” on Dorset’s communities unsurprisingly received short shrift in that other BCP-based Facebook group, BH Active Travel (I swear, it’s like the Sharks and the Jets, but on Facebook groups, and about cycling).
In one post from the weekend, BH Active Travel member Robert sought out to “get one or two things straight” about active travel campaigners in the county, and the conspiracy theories spread about them.
“Nobody in this group has ever said that: ‘People will have to cycle everywhere’. Those who claim that is the policy of this group are lying,” he wrote.
“Nobody in this group has ever said that: ‘People will have to give up their cars’. Those who claim that is the policy of this group are lying.
“Nobody in this group has ever said that: ‘You will be forced to live in 15-minute cities and you won’t be able to leave without permission’. Those that claim that is the policy of this group are lying.”
> Why is the 15-minute city attracting so many conspiracy theories?
He continued: “This group exists to safeguard vulnerable road users from death and injuries on our roads and provide a safe environment for vulnerable road users to travel around our conurbation.
“The policy decisions are made by the relevant authorities, and they may or may not ask for the opinions of the group.”
“It’s the standard straw man, put up something untrue so they can castigate you for it,” agreed Malcolm.
“I would normally say ‘ill-informed’, rather than ‘lying’, it’s less confrontational,” noted Luke. “To me, it’s a campaign for personal choice, the motor-centric policies of the last 50 years have in many ways removed the option to safely walk or cycle short distances in our towns and cities. I would say we are campaigning to be given back that choice.”
“We drive cars, ride bikes, catch buses, trains scoot, wheel and walk amongst you and we’re not trying to take away your cars. I don’t know how much clearer we can be,” agreed Russell.
Robert gave being clear a good go in a follow-up post, writing: “I’m thoroughly fed up with the blatant lies being told, by proper grown-ups, about this group. Either they should provide proof of their claims or STFU. It’s like being in a school playground.”
To be fair, the vast majority of school playgrounds feature more nuanced and reasoned arguments than most Facebook groups…
Lidl-Trek’s Jonathan Milan’s blistering start to 2025 continued today on the opening stage of the UAE Tour, where the big, powerful Italian sprinter needed all of that power to snap the legs of Jasper Philipsen (who was ultimately relegated for a late flick near the line) on the steep ramp to the line at Liwa Palace.
During a tough, chaotic final kilometre, which saw the out-and-out sprinters mingle with lighter, punchier types like Lennert van Eetvelt, Oscar Onley, and Tadej Pogačar (more on him in a moment), Milan timed his sprint to perfection, launching off the world champion’s wheel, head bobbing in trademark relentless fashion all the way to the line.
Philipsen briefly looked like he was capable of overhauling the Italian, but ultimately was forced to pull the pin, darting across the road in exhaustion and frustration and into the path of the fast-finishing Finn Fisher-Black (try saying that after a few beers), leading to the Belgian’s relegation.
“I’m brutally tired! The heat, the temperature, the last 700m was so tough, tougher than I was thinking. It was an intense day,” a visibly drained Milan said after the stage.
“At the beginning it was a bit quiet, with a headwind, but then there were some echelons. I have to thank my guys, they controlled the race and supported me, and left me in the perfect position to do the last 200m in the best way I could – so I’m super happy about it, but very tired now. Tomorrow we’ll try to defend the leader’s jersey, but until then I’ll try to rest as much as possible.”
Meanwhile, Tadej Pogačar enjoyed a lively first day of term, as the world champion was almost involved in a disastrous touch of wheels in the final 10km, which saw his UAE Team Emirates’ colleague Juan Sebastián Molano hit a pebbly central reservation hard.
Undeterred, Pogačar decided to get stuck in during the final sprint to the line, launching early from the front – in, if we didn’t know any better, what looked like a finely executed lead-out for his old mate Philipsen – before drifting back to take tenth.
There’s never a quiet day in Pogi land – and with a 12km time trial coming up tomorrow, today’s (albeit brief) show of strength and more importantly intent will leave a few of the world champion’s GC rivals quaking in their skinsuits already.
It may be the driest city in Australia, but it turns out Adelaide’s cycling tunnels are still doing their best to mimic their pommie cousins in the UK – by doubling up as free, outdoor swimming pools:
(Credit: Rob Carter)
Following hot on the heels of a potential new SRAM Force groupset in the early rounds of not-very-inconspicuous cycling product leaks for 2025 is this new helmet being worn by Pierre de Froidmont of the Orbea Factory Team, which appears to have a Fizik logo on one of the vents if you look closely. Fizik has never produced a helmet, so this would be a first for the brand primarily concerned with cyclists' feet and bums.
Although the lid is being used at an XC race, visually there's no indication it's mountain bike-specific, as there is some aero shaping to the silhouette. There is plenty of venting though, so we'd guess it's going to be an all-rounder. There's also a yellow MIPS logo on the back, suggesting Fizik (we assume Fizik, because it says Fizik on it) has opted to go for the helmet safety technology purported to reduce rotational impact injuries to the head.
Of course we've no more information to go off just yet, and a spokesperson for Fizik had this to say: "An official announcement will follow soon."
That's a bit more than a straight up 'no comment', so we'll look forward to receiving full details on this mysterious new helmet soon...
It’s been on the cards for a while, but this morning it was finally made official – Geraint Thomas, one of the lynchpins of British cycling’s success during that golden, grand tour-dominating 2010s, is set to retire at the end of this season.
In an Instagram post, the 2018 Tour de France winner, who had indicated back in 2023 that his current contract with the Ineos Grenadiers would be his last, said he “thought it was time we made it official”.
“Yes, this will be my last year in the peloton,” the 38-year-old said. “It’s not been a bad run, eh? Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine being a pro for 19 years. There’ll be lots of time to reflect but, before then, I’ve got some big races to prep for.”
One of those races is, of course, the Tour de France, where Thomas says he’ll be playing a supporting role and maybe aiming for a stage win, despite his remarkable late career run of grand tour podium finishes, which saw him follow up his third place at the 2022 Tour, behind Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar, with an excruciatingly close second at the 2023 Giro d’Italia and another third in Italy last year.
(Zac Williams/SWpix.com)
Thomas also confirmed he plans to bow out in style at the Tour of Britain in September, which – while the route is currently still up in the air – could end in Cardiff, a fitting homecoming the Ineos rider said would be “epic”.
But in an interview with BBC Breakfast today, the Welsh star – who’s also won Paris-Nice, the Tour de Suisse, the Critérium du Dauphiné, the Tour de Romandie, E3 Harelbeke (during his classic-hunting days), and two Olympic golds and three world titles in the team pursuit on the track – admitted he’s already started to reflect on his glittering two decades in the bunch.
“Since I was a kid I dreamt of riding the Tour and being part of the Olympics and winning was obviously a dream as well, but to achieve that was just nuts,” he said.
“I think now the decision is official, you do start to reflect because when you’re in it, it’s just one thing after the next, year after year, so you don’t really appreciate it.
“I guess at the time you enjoy it, but I don’t think you sit back and reflect and think, so there will be a bit of that this year.”
(ASO/Alex Broadway)
Looking back at his career, Thomas said winning his first Olympic gold in Beijing was “massive”, but admitted winning the Tour in 2018 “changed my life”.
“I was in Alcatraz and some dude recognised me. I think that’s when you know it went up a level,” the former Barloworld rider said.
“The yellow jersey is iconic. You go anywhere in the world and people will know the yellow jersey, how it signifies cycling and its history. So to be a part of that history and to win it, I just pinch myself.”
So, what’s next after retirement? A ramping up of his podcast duties? More media commitments? A managerial role with Ineos?
(Zac Williams/SWpix.com)
“Having options is always good,” Thomas told BBC Breakfast. “I need a purpose. Since I was about 17 or 18, I’ve always been working towards a goal.
“To not be working towards anything would be nice for maybe a month, then I’ll just go crazy, so I’ll definitely have to have some goals.
“I want to do an Ironman. I only run two or three times a year, so that’s something that needs a bit of work! It’s about challenging myself in different ways.”
"[But] being around more and not missing events, birthdays, weddings, parties, or whatever. I’m looking forward to that side of things.”
And what about following in the wheel tracks (or heel leads) of another recently retired star of the 2010s, Peter Sagan, and signing up for Strictly Come Dancing?
“I reckon the fitness would be the only thing I’ve got. I wouldn't back myself,” the 38-year-old says of his chances of taking part in the celebrity dancing programme.
“Although my parents-in-law tell me ‘please don't do it, you’ll make a fool of yourself, and that makes me want to do it!
“That would be the biggest challenge of my life for sure. Maybe I’ve got the hips for it.”
Come on Geraint, you know you want to…
The tributes are starting to pour in for Geraint Thomas, after the 2018 Tour de France winner announced that this season would be his last in the peloton.
“On behalf of British Cycling, I would like to congratulate Geraint on a stellar career, one that has shown what is possible within such a gruelling and captivating sport for those who have the grit and determination to succeed at the highest level,” British Cycling’s performance director Stephen Park said in a statement.
(Zac Williams/SWpix.com)
“His 2018 Tour de France win will go down in history as the first time a Welshman has achieved the prestigious and hard-fought accolade. We will all be cheering him on over the coming months as he competes in his final season and look forward to bidding him farewell as he makes Septembers’ Tour of Britain his final race.
“Representing the Great Britain Cycling Team, we have seen him win rainbow jerseys on the track as a young rider, as well as two Olympic gold medals, and being part of teams who have broken multiple world records. He has also represented his home nation of Wales to the highest level, bringing home four Commonwealth Games medals as a result.
“What stands out about Geraint as a sportsperson is his passion for the sport and how he holds himself as a fantastic role model to the next generation of pro cyclists. His pride in the jersey and unwavering commitment to being the best version of himself are qualities we want to instil in every member of our team.
“G has been a key figurehead in every team he’s been a part of over the years and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats. We wish him the very best of luck in his final season in the peloton and in whatever the future holds.”
In these times of economic strife, we thought it was only right that we pull together a whole bunch of features, guides, videos and reviews to help you work on your own bike... not that we wouldn't recommend a trip to the bike shop for those big jobs that require very specific tools, but there are plenty of ways to save yourself time and money by learning your way around your bike.
You'll find everything we're publishing throughout the week on our Home Mechanics' Week 2025 tag page, and at the time of writing there's a freshly updated step-by-step guide to fitting tubeless tyres, plus a review of Topeak's E-Torqbar 1-10Nm. Tomorrow we'll be running a feature on which jobs are actually cheaper to do at home vs leaving it to the professionals with realistic cost break-downs (the results may surprise you etc etc), and we'll also be telling you how to build your own beginner's toolkit, how to bleed disc brakes and how to fix your shifting if it's gone a bit awry.
If any professional or highly experienced mechanics are reading this then you're probably not going to need our help, but feel free to contribute in the comments with bonus advice (or tell us why we've got it horribly wrong and this is actually the proper way to fix a chain/index gears/review a torque wrench etc).
Anyway, we hope you find our Home Mechanics' Week content informative!
The Tadej Pogačar-fronted UAE Tour gets underway this morning, I’m sure you’ll all be delighted to hear, from a solar farm:
#UAETour - The start will take place in a solar panel farm.
— La Flamme Rouge (@la-flamme-rouge.eu) February 17, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Modern cycling, everyone.
Another French stage race in February, another pro cycling safety discussion…
Just over a week after the Étoile de Bessèges was thrown into disarray when motorist after motorist found their way onto the course, prompting an exodus of teams worried about their safety, it’s the Tour de la Provence’s turn to face the wrath of cycling fans and pundits – for placing the finish line of an expected bunch sprint just 100m after a speed bump.
🏅🇮🇪Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) gana la Ultima Etapa del 🇫🇷Tour de la Provence 2025 🇫🇷
🏆🇩🇰Mads Pedersen (Lidl Trek) se Adjudica la General #TDLP2025#Ciclismopic.twitter.com/Dh0c7uZcf0— InfoCiclismo 🇪🇸 #ClasicaAlmeria (@infociclismoo) February 16, 2025
While Decathlon-AG2R’s Sam Bennett managed to navigate the curiously placed traffic-calming measure to bag his second win of the race and continue his impressive early-season form, his old Bora teammate Pascal Ackermann wasn’t so lucky, losing control as he hit the speed bump and bringing down several riders behind him.
Thankfully, the German sprinter escaped with just road rash and superficial wounds. The organisers, on the other hand, weren’t so lucky in the court of social media.
“Putting the finish 100m after a speed bump. Cycling just doesn’t help itself sometimes,” former pro-turned-GCN main man Dan Lloyd wrote on Twitter after the crash.
“We’d never get that past risk assessment for a regional or national B in the UK,” added Rob Warren. “I can’t fathom why anybody would think that is acceptable.”
> UCI considering use of “rider airbags” and gear restrictions to “enhance safety”
Meanwhile, everyone’s favourite banned sports director, Johan Bruyneel, couldn’t resist using the misguided Tour de la Provence finish to take a dig at the UCI and its new SafeR initiative.
“My opinion on this? A speed bump in the last stretch and so close to the finish line should never be allowed, ever,” the former US Postal boss wrote.
“We have to ask the question: who designs these courses? This isn’t rocket science, depending on the profile these courses have a reasonably predictable outcome. In this case, high probability for a bunch sprint, so a speed bump in the last few metres is almost a guaranteed disaster.
“So the first question really is: who designs the course? Next question is: who approves the course? I realise it’s not as simple of a process as we might think, but ultimately for me, the big problem lies with the UCI.
“Their president David Lappartient keeps pushing the news that riders; safety is one of their priorities, but whenever he has the opportunity he blames the riders’ behaviour for crashes and accidents. Sometimes that’s true, but many, many times there are circumstances that can be avoided, like today.
“Lappartient also keeps boasting about ‘SafeR’, what he calls an external and independent entity responsible for analysing the safety situations and making recommendations for improvements. I just want to take the opportunity here to remind everyone, including Lappartient himself, that ‘SafeR’ was initially an initiative of the teams.
“The teams came up with the idea of contracting an external and really independent organisation which was supposed to study the situations and work on improvements for riders safety. It is my understanding that Lappartient has listened to the teams’ proposal, but (and this happens often with sporting federations) turned it into his idea and forced the teams to let the UCI to do the talking.
“Now SafeR is working directly for the UCI and not for the teams and their riders. It is absolutely not independent and their reports are monitored and published by the UCI.”
He continued: “What the UCI does usually is punish either riders, DS or organisers for incidents in races. They prefer to punish small organisations, they will never punish ASO for example, even if sometimes in the TdF there are courses or finish stretches which could be a lot safer.
“Richard Plugge or any other team manager, tell me if I’m wrong.”
Come on, Johan, tell us what you really think. Although if we could have just one week without a safety controversy, that would be great, thanks…
