BBC presenter’s “bet you all love cyclists” Tweet gets a response; 20MPH for Wales; "Watch out for dumb f*cks on bikes" fake road safety campaign hits headlines; Chicken in a basket… on a bike… wearing a helmet; Skoda women only cycling academy +lots more

Two professors in Scotland have outlined how they believe encouraging more people to cycle, walk and use public transport can dramatically improve the lives of people in cities through reducing air pollution and promoting healthier lifestyles.

Adrian Davis, professor of transport and health at the Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University and Professor Chris Oliver, a retired surgeon who was chair in Scotland for Cycling UK from 2012-14, shared their thoughts in a column for The Scotsman today following Edinburgh’s first car-free day last Sunday.

“With the declaration by Nicola Sturgeon of a ‘climate emergency’, we outline here why sustainable transport must be understood as critical in any strategy for Scotland to go ‘further and faster’ in tackling climate change,” they wrote, going on to describe transport as an “Achilles’ heel” in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

They cited a Sport England study that found that “town and city-wide active travel interventions are the most effective at increasing walking, cycling and overall physical activity,” as witnessed for example by the uptake of travelling by bike in three former Sustainable Towns, Peterborough, Darlington and Worcester/Redditch, which benefited from increased investment from 2004-09, with cycling and walking levels maintained in the ensuing years.

“The major mode share for sustainable travel across much of continental Europe is not culturally driven,” they continued. “It is because decade in, decade out funding has been at over £10 per head of population.

“In urban areas cycling could be a normal, everyday activity by 2040. The latest Sustrans Bike Life report predicts in Edinburgh alone, with adequate funding, that by 2040 just by more cycling, 47,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions would be saved annually, equivalent to the carbon footprint of 10,000 people,” they added.

You can read the full article here.

Skoda UK is launching an initiative that aims to provide an intensive training program for five female cyclists aged between 17 and 25. Applications close on May 24th and 50 riders will then be invited to a testing day on 10th of June at Lea Valley VeloPark undertaking four tests including a flying lap, a peak power test, a three-minute maximal test, and a 12-minute steady state challenge.

Five will then be selected and will get the chance to ride the 215Km Rheims stage of this year’s Tour de France in the company of the Donnons Des Elle Au Vélo J-1 cycling team - who will be riding the whole Tour a day ahead of the men’s race. They will also get an extended trial with Storey Racing – Dame Sarah’s professional team with the chance of securing a professional contract. 

“ŠKODA is a strong advocate for gender equality in professional cycling and I am proud to support them on their latest initiative,” said Storey. “The ŠKODA DSI Cycling Academy is about promoting women within our sport, creating opportunities and clearing a path to race on a professional level. I’d urge any woman who has a passion for the sport and a desire to succeed, to apply.”

To apply for the ŠKODA DSI Cycling Academy, head to: www.skoda.co.uk/discover/cycling-academy

The PSN Lightweight, Vichy and Check collections are now available, all Italian-made and all suitable for the summer months. The Lightweight jersey is £68, the Vichy is £70 for men's and £66 for women's and the Check is £68 for men's and £65 for the women's. There are also bib shorts and socks in the Vichy collection - head over to the La Passione website to take a took.    

What we learnt 5... You can ask people if they are happy to have their photo taken with your big sign. This is easy, fun and low-committment and results in nice photos! (Just remember to ask people if they are happy for their photo to be used.) pic.twitter.com/zhi1FGVg4G

— Pedals: Campaign for a Cycle-friendly Nottingham (@PedalsNottm) May 4, 2019

Cyclists have been protesting against new barriers scheduled to go up on the path in Rushcliffe, as they will prove restrictive to people with tricycles, adaptive bikes, e-bikes and cargo bikes. The idea is to prevent illegal motorcycling on the path, however opponents say it's not worth doing at the expense of others using the path perfectly legally. 

Matt Turner, the chair of the Pedals cycle campaign group, told Nottinghamshire Live: "If you take the approach of physically trying to block out these nuisance motorcycle riders, rather than catch the individuals involved, then you block out lots of other people too and you make a crucial part of the cycle network unusable. We are asking Rushcliffe Borough Council to reconsider."

UK bike brand Tern are going to give away five of their GSD e-cargo bikes to non-profit organisations, with applications being taken now and the winners announced in August. More over on eBikeTips. 

Not sure I’d want to use this bike box #londontraffic pic.twitter.com/ARPuyIgczd

— cyclistobservations (@cyclistobserve) May 7, 2019