Letter to local paper smashes ‘Lycra-clad’ cyclists myth; public wants end to Royal Parks rat-running; Peloton loses $50m in 3 months; Hackney school blames 'previous administration' for bike vs car parking blunder + more on live blog

As posted over on our FB page 2 years ago.
This is class...!! pic.twitter.com/dcikinKCts

— Stayin' Alive at 1.5 (@SafeCyclingEire) November 4, 2019

A poorly maintained cyclepath is sometimes worse, and more dangerous, than none at all. A resident hit this large ridge in the path while cycling into the sun and went over the handlebars. Luckily he is just bruised and battered, but the problem remains. pic.twitter.com/45ItQQ1Y7q

— Bicester Bike User Group (@BicesterBug) November 5, 2019

The pricey spin bike brand most actual cyclists love to hate have announced that their revenue increased by 103% year-on-year in its first quarter since going public - and while they now boast 560,000 subscribers and a member base of 1.6 million, they still reported a net loss of $49.8 million in the quarter. Peloton also spent a huge $77.6 million on sales and marketing in that period, compared to just $17.4 million on research and development for their products. 

Peloton rolled out a 30 day trial period offer they have called 'Home Trial' during the quarter, which could explain an increase in users. A positive is that Peloton's retention rate for annual subscribers is high at 94% - although at 40 quid a month not including the bike, you'd think even the most affluent Peloton owners would be inclined to persevere...  

Statement on bike racks and parking: The picture circulated showing bike racks outside the school grounds was taken prior to July 2017 when the site also housed students from the primary school. They were subsequently moved inside the secondary school grounds. Pictured here. pic.twitter.com/OqgxTlq2QJ

— Hackney New School (@hackneynewsch) November 6, 2019

Hackney New School have now responded to accusations that they took away bicycle racks for students and replaced them with three car parking spaces. The school say teachers are not authorised to use the spaces, and their current administration can't offer an explanation as to why they were put there. The school have posted photos of cycling racks they have elsewhere on site, with over 100 available to students. The full statement reads:

"The picture circulated showing bike racks outside the school grounds was taken prior to July 2017 when the site also housed students from the primary school. They were subsequently moved inside the secondary school grounds.

"As this was a decision taken by the previous administration prior to July 2019 we are unable to offer further explanation. We currently have over 100 cycle racks available to students which are close to full most school days.

"We have been made aware that the current arrangement, put in place by the previous administration, may be in breach of our planning condition. We will work with the council to ensure any issues are quickly rectified.

"Staff are not currently permitted to park in these spaces. A sign has also been put up to discourage unauthorised motorist."

Councillor Jon Burke replied to the school on Twitter to say he will "be in touch", as the parking spaces breach planning conditions. 

With all-season gravel and adventure bikes, and even most road bikes being so versatile nowadays, are dedicated winter and summer bike still a thing? Take part in our poll...

Remember this photo? The cyclist name is Juli Briskman. She was later fired from her job for flipping off Trump.

Tonight she won her race for a seat on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in Virginia, unseated eight-year incumbent Republican Suzanne Volpe. pic.twitter.com/WPvKkA8bAF

— Race Radio (@TheRaceRadio) November 6, 2019

Juli Briskman decided to run for local office in Virginia as a Democratic candidate off the back of her notoriety as the woman who was sacked for 'flipping off' Donald Trump's motorcade... and it's paid off, as she won the seat on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in Virginia that has been held by a Republican for eight years. She got 54% of the vote while Republican candidate Suzanne Volpe got 46%. 

Here she is with our Loudoun @MomsDemand tonight pic.twitter.com/LbT9xn7xPA

— ECoppage (@ecoppage) November 6, 2019

Stranger things have happened - arguably including Trump's own unpredictable rise to power - but the fact that Briskman will now be able to stick a metaphorical finger up to Trump's government through policies after losing her job for doing so in real life is quite an extraordinary twist of fate. Briskman says she is "looking forward to representing friends and neighbours" in the Tweet below.  

Looking forward to representing my friends & neighbors in #Algonkian District who backed me up today! So proud that we were able to #FlipLoudpun #FlipVA #LOCO219 Thank you Loudoun! https://t.co/vRcDUih1AP

— Juli Briskman (@julibriskman) November 6, 2019

This is pretty disgraceful and goes against everything @hackneycouncil is trying to achieve on air quality and active travel. It's also exactly the kind of problem that occurs when local authorities don't run schools. I'll be taking this up immediately. https://t.co/yAL885jrlg

— Cllr Jon Burke (@jonburkeUK) November 5, 2019

Councillor Job Burke was scathing in his assessment of Hackney New School's decision to remove a row of bike parking spaces for pupils with three car parking spaces, saying they go against the school's planning condition and need to be removed. 

I make that 15 bikes removed to make space for three cars. well done https://t.co/VGEYm9EyoB

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) November 5, 2019

Update - the parking of cars on the Downham Road frontage appears to be in breach of the school's planning condition. Planning Enforcement will now progress with enforcement investigations. @RantyHighwayman

— Cllr Jon Burke (@jonburkeUK) November 5, 2019

Replying to numerous comments on Twitter, including one from Chris Boardman, Burke says the Free School's actions "goes against everything Hackney Council is trying to achieve on active travel, road safety, and air quality." 

Indeed, Hackney Council have received praise in recent months for their clean air policies, including the implementation of eight 'School Streets' that ban cars from streets outside schools during the morning and afternoon rush hours. 

We still are yet to get a statement back from the school, and they haven't answered any criticism on social media despite being tagged in hundreds of comments on Twitter. 

That’s a ‘Matchless’ badge on the battery. Matchless is an ex British motorcycle manufacturer. So maybe another new brand coming to the market?

— Pete Jennings (@petejenningsbhp) November 6, 2019

We thought we'd found our winner when Katy Moon over on our Twitter page identified Schwarzenegger's bike as a modified version of Fantic's Seven Days Living - but now Pete Jennings' eagle eyes have identified that the livery on the battery is from British motorcycle brand Matchless London... which if anything deepens the mystery, but top sleuthing Pete! 

Arnie was snapped riding the bike during his meeting with 17-year-old environmental activist Greta Thunberg in Santa Monica on Monday - read more about their ride over on eBikeTips. 

With Cornwall announced as part of the route in early September, naturally its neighbouring county of Devon has now followed in announcing that they will host stage two of the Tour of Britain in 2020. The stage will start in the new community of Sherford in the South Hams and finish in the city of Exeter.

The 2020 edition of the Tour of Britain will be its 17th running, and the 11th time Devon has featured. It will takes place between Sunday 6th and Sunday 13th September.