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'People on their bikes should be left alone': Lord Blunkett dismisses Sky News question about police stopping cyclists; TfL to create 2,000 new cycle parking spaces in London; Penny farthing sales double; More car-free city centres + more on the live blog

It's Wednesday and Dan Alexander is here to take you through the middle of the week on the live blog...
Wed, Jan 13, 2021 09:03
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'People on their bikes should be left alone': Lord Blunkett dismisses Sky News question about police stopping cyclists; TfL to create 2,000 new cycle parking spaces in London; Penny farthing sales double; More car-free city centres + more on the live blogLord Blunkett (Sky News)
13 January 2021, 17:06
Mark Cavendish says relationship with Specialized helped unlocked Deceuninck-QuickStep return

Speaking at a virtual press conference from Deceuninck-Quickstep's training camp, Cavendish explained how his relationship with the bike brand and team boss Patrick Lefevere helped secure his return to the team. 

"I have an incredible relationship with the sponsors, with the staff, with the riders, and obviously with Specialized," Cavendish explained. "I helped develop the Venge. It’s a bike that was made for me, it’s a bike that proved was the best bike for me to win on. I know because of all that, that I can talk about the products as sponsors do.

"It went the same as most contracts go-between riders and teams. You speak, you sign a contract, you race. It’s pretty much the same with most cyclists. When I left the team in 2015, I kept a really close relationship with Patrick. For me, he’s someone I take inspiration for as a leader, I took advice from him and have thought ‘what would Patrick do in this situation?’ I’m happy I could maintain that relationship because I know if you ever leave this team, it’s hard to get back again."

Cavendish revealed that following his interview at Gent-Wevelgem he started to receive offers from teams, but that Quick-Step was the only place he wanted to ride.

"Straight away that same day I started to receive communication from teams. But I think ultimately there was really only one place I wanted to go", said Cavendish.  

"Like I keep saying, I spent the best part of my career with this team, and I tried something else, and in hindsight and you know, I wish I would have stayed to my whole career I guess.

He added: "Even if I’m not winning, I can still add something to the team, I did that last time I was here and the team did the same for me. I was the happiest in my previous spell with the team and having the opportunity to be here again is a dream.”

13 January 2021, 16:20
New LTN in south London funded by an urban health charity with links to two local hospitals

This new LTN in Brunswick Park, near Camberwell in London, has been funded by the Guy's and St Thomas' Charity. The independent urban health foundation works with Guy's and St Thomas' hospital and their Foundation trust to improve health in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark...

13 January 2021, 16:01
13 January 2021, 15:27
Plenty of positivity about Lord Blunkett's message on Sky News

Unsurprisingly there's been plenty of love for Lord Blunkett's answer on Sky News earlier...

On Facebook, Ed Gibbons wrote: "Hit the nail on the head. Solo cycling has zero contact with others. Just make sure you're self-sufficient and able to repair your bike if you have any problems on the road. Would be good to see more people out exercising when health is such a key topic right now." 

Andy Bell added: "Wow. A sensible response. Hallelujah!"

13 January 2021, 14:41
Deceuninck-QuickStep take cafe stops to the next level
13 January 2021, 13:51
Penny farthing sales double since the pandemic began
penny farthing in hyde park may 2020 - credit Simon MacMichael.PNG

The Independent reports that penny farthing sales experienced a revival in 2020 with demand more than doubling since the pandemic began. In recent months they have been selling out faster than manufacturers can produce them. UDC Penny Farthings, Britain's biggest retailer of the bikes, says they sell one every day in the UK. Jeremy Vine is a famous penny farthing fan and was pictured taking his out for a ride on the new Cycleway 9 cycle lane in Chiswick over the weekend.

The owner of UDC Penny Farthings, Roger Davies told The Independent: "The vast majority of people wanting them – around 95 per cent – are middle-aged men, though there are a few women. Vine is typical of the market.

"Since the pandemic, people have had time to think about their lives and what they do and taken on challenges they had always wanted to, and we’ve seen a lot of interest. It’s a very aspirational item – a lot of buyers have dreamed of them since childhood. And they are harder work than normal bikes, so excellent for staying fit."

13 January 2021, 13:22
Record 146mph winds recorded on Mont Ventoux...but all is not as it seems

Rumours of 235km/h winds at the top of Mont Ventoux surfaced on Twitter last night with amateur cyclists everywhere considering launching a KOM attempt (wind direction dependent of course). However, the fun was short-lived as the Twitter account of the observatory that perches at the top of The Bald Mountain's quickly revealed the high recording was in fact due to a deactivated anemometer causing overestimated readings.

In 2016, the Tour de France summit finish at Mont Ventoux was shortened due to 100km/h winds. That of course meant thousands of fans cramming onto the lower slopes and congestion for the riders and motorbikes accompanying the race... The moto couldn't get through, Richie Porte crashed into the moto, Chris Froome crashed into Porte and one of the most memorable images in recent cycling history was born...Run, Chris, Run!

13 January 2021, 13:14
13 January 2021, 12:10
Egan Bernal's getting on a bit...

24 today... 

13 January 2021, 11:37
Deliveroo to expand to 100 new towns and cities this year
face mask - deliveroo x cambridge face mask 4.PNG

Deliveroo hopes to serve almost two-thirds of the UK's population by expanding to 100 new locations in 2021. The takeaway delivery app has seen a surge in popularity during the pandemic due to restaurants being forced to shut their doors. Sky News reports that although the full list of new locations hasn't been announced, it will include Yeovil, East Kilbride, King's Lynn, Scarborough, Llanelli and Exmouth.

Thanks to the increase in demand in 2020, Deliveroo said it created work for an additional 25,000 riders, taking its overall number to more than 50,000.

13 January 2021, 11:22
TfL to create 2,000 new cycle parking spaces in London
tfl cycle parking walthamstow station

Transport for London (TfL) will install 2,000 new cycle parking spaces in the capital as part of a new £1 million boost for cycling infrastructure. Recent data from TfL showed that walking and cycling accounted for half of all journeys between April and June, compared to 29% before the pandemic. The first 900 spaces will be built on routes that have been upgraded or created as part of the Streetspace initiative. A further 1,100 spaces will use a mix of: on-street cycle parking, residential cycle hangars and cycle hubs at stations. In Merton, Sutton and Kingston the plan is to create more than 500 cycle parking spaces across 37 schools.

"Safe and secure parking is key to enabling many more Londoners to cycle," London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman said. "I’m delighted that up to 2,000 more spaces are set to be created across our city in the coming months. We know that a lot of people have started cycling as a way to get a bit of exercise over the past nine months, and secure bike parking means these trips can also double up for shopping for necessities or other essential journeys."

13 January 2021, 10:38
Dublin active travel infrastructure to be made permanent
13 January 2021, 10:09
13 January 2021, 09:43
'People on their bikes should be left alone': Lord Blunkett dismisses Sky News question about police stopping cyclists

The former Home Secretary, Lord Blunkett, dismissed a question during a Sky News interview that asked whether police should be stopping cyclists to ask how far they'd cycled. To a question asked at 3:30 in the video above, Lord Blunkett said: "I think people on their bikes should be left alone. They're not interfering with anyone else, they're breathing fresh air and they're not going to infect you. I couldn't give a damn how far Boris Johnson goes on his bike — I care a great deal about whether he's actually running the country properly."

 In an earlier answer he also said: "If they're clearly not putting others at risk, even if they're on their bike seven miles away from home, then leave them alone. That isn't the issue."

Since the PM was accused by some of breaking lockdown guidance, although no law was broken, there has been much debate about whether the guidance and laws are clear enough. Yesterday, road.cc news editor Simon MacMichael wrote a piece suggesting that the real story about Boris Johnson’s bike ride is that it highlights confusion over lockdown rules.

13 January 2021, 08:50
Brighton residents call for car-free city centre
Brighton Preston Street (via Google Street View)

The Argus reports that creating a car-free city centre and prioritising cyclists over cars are two of the proposals that have been put forward to the city council's first Climate Assembly as part of their drive to become carbon neutral by 2030. Also on the ten-point list is the creation of healthier, low traffic or pedestrianised communities (LTNs) and introducing mobility hubs where people can access cycle hire.

The proposals were suggested by a group of 50 randomly selected residents who have been tasked with learning about climate issues, debating them and making recommendations to the council. A reader poll conducted by the Argus found that 67% supported the proposed measures.

Green party councillor and council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty said: "Today, we are extremely proud to share the feedback from the city’s first climate assembly. Given that later this year our country hosts the next UN climate talks our timing could not be better.

"With a whole third of our city’s toxic emissions coming from transport, residents have been clear that we must take action and support our city to make changes. We now have less than nine years to play our full part in bringing down toxic emissions, and the assembly has helped us keep a sharp focus on the challenges ahead."

Dan Alexander

Dan is the road.cc news editor and joined in 2020 having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Dan has been at road.cc for four years and mainly writes news and tech articles as well as the occasional feature. He has hopefully kept you entertained on the live blog too.

Never fast enough to take things on the bike too seriously, when he's not working you'll find him exploring the south of England by two wheels at a leisurely weekend pace, or enjoying his favourite Scottish roads when visiting family. Sometimes he'll even load up the bags and ride up the whole way, he's a bit strange like that.

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46 comments

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Awavey replied to Simon E | 3 years ago
1 like

I raise my concern that maybe this idea hasnt been wholly thought through properly,which it hasnt,and that somehow automatically pigeonholes me in your view, as someone not willing to embrace change and that Im part of the problem ?

well youll win over lots of people who arent on board with it by taking that line with them for sure.

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Achtervolger replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

Yes, you've hit the nail on the head. You are, indeed, part of the problem. Take your car and your sense of entitlement and f*** off.

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Hirsute replied to Achtervolger | 3 years ago
2 likes

Yes awavey the renowned petrol head and anti cyclist.
Makes you almost pine for soctwati - don't think even he stooped to telling people to f off.

Best to have a binary debate and no scope for any nuance or implementation issues.

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Achtervolger replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
0 likes

I'd take an honest F**k off over Socrati's mealy-mouthed, wheedling, needling, BS any day of the week. Why Awavey's belief that his desire to drive to Brighton to enjoy cycling around it takes precedence over the desire of the city's inhabitants not to choke on traffic fumes is beyond me. How on earth did we get to the point where even people that enjoy and value cycling think it's their right to drive their super-sized metal box to another part of the country to ride their bike? Be the change you want to see - don't drive.

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Mungecrundle replied to Achtervolger | 3 years ago
1 like

Perfectly reasonable, legal and practical to use a car when appropriate and usually at less cost than public transport. Perfectly reasonable to ask about arrangements for travel by car to places with restrictions.

The answer might well be, "Don't" but I suspect the more pragmatic approach will be arrangements for drop off of guests at hotels then remote parking or access during certain hours. The car free area is likely to be restricted to the city centre and most likely no great hardship to anyone who can walk a short distance with provision for those who cannot.

I can suggest looking at Tenby as an example of how to create a pedestrian friendly and thriving tourist town.

In 20 years time I expect to see a very high percentage of "clean at point of use" electric cars which also have the welcome ability to feck off and park themselves having dropped you off where you want to go.

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Hirsute replied to Achtervolger | 3 years ago
0 likes

In this binary world then how does the following work:

The weekly shop

Deliveries

Domestic plumbing, heating, electricty repairs

Domestic appliance repairs

Taxis

Blue Badge Holders

What do existing Residents do with their car ?

Hotels - deliveries, maintenance

B&B, AirBNB - having built up an economy with significant tourism how do these work?

In your binary world I take it you still will allow an ambulance to get through ? Or will it be 'sorry for your loss, but we all have to make sacrifices'?

 

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mdavidford replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
0 likes

Not condoning the previous comment, but SophisCyclist did resort to telling people to 'f* off' or 'f* that' on a couple of occasions when their usual sophistry failed them in the face of people clearly demonstrating what transparent nonsense it was.

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Achtervolger replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

"The problem is banning the cars". No it isn't. It's the solution. I don't give a tinker's cuss if it means you can't move around as easily. How on earth does your desire to get around easily outweigh the desire of myself and others not to breathe in the pollution produced by your ton of metal, not to put up with its noise, not to have our children's development impaired by its fumes? Not to mention having to avoid being run over by you. You selfish so and so!

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MattieKempy replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
2 likes

Awavey wrote:

One of my concerns with ideas like this is they never take account that places like Brighton are as much about visitors as they are residents. If I'm visiting Brighton for business or leisure chances are high I'd be billeted in a hotel in the city centre and that I'll have had to drive to get there from another distant part of the UK,so what's going to be the solution to deal with that or the estimated 11million other visitors to Brighton, a gigantic park & ride on the south downs ?

You poor thing. Walk, maybe? I'm sure it wouldn't be an insurmountable issue. In any case, the traffic going into Brighton along the A23 is usually an enourmous pain in the @ss anyway, so closing the city centre off would be a boon.

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David9694 replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
1 like

You're asking the wrong forum .

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Awavey replied to David9694 | 3 years ago
0 likes

very true 1

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David9694 replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

Duplicate

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oceandweller replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

"If I'm visiting Brighton for business or leisure chances are high I'd be billeted in a hotel in the city centre and that I'll have had to drive to get there from another distant part of the UK,so what's going to be the solution to deal with that or the estimated 11million other visitors to Brighton"

Ummm, trains?

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socrati non-cyclist replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

Siena? Venice? Doesn't seem to be a problem for the millions of visitors to those places does it?

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Sriracha replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
3 likes
eburtthebike wrote:

This was reported on a fb page, with the usual howls of protest from the usual suspects "all the local businesses will close, what about the disabled...."  etc, etc.

In the unlikely event that you are not familiar with it, there is loads of evidence here:
https://cyclingfallacies.com/en/3/shopkeepers-rely-on-people-driving

https://cyclingfallacies.com/en/6/people-with-physical-disabilities-can’t-cycle

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eburtthebike replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like

Sriracha wrote:
eburtthebike wrote:

This was reported on a fb page, with the usual howls of protest from the usual suspects "all the local businesses will close, what about the disabled...."  etc, etc.

In the unlikely event that you are not familiar with it, there is loads of evidence here: https://cyclingfallacies.com/en/3/shopkeepers-rely-on-people-driving https://cyclingfallacies.com/en/6/people-with-physical-disabilities-can’t-cycle

Muchly useful; thanks.

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