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"Staggering": Police superintendent says "risk is too great" for officers to carry out close pass op; British everesting record smashed; Urán doesn't use a power meter; Locals report few changes after Wandsworth LTN reversal + more on the live blog

Welcome to Monday's live blog, with Jack Sexty providing your updates throughout the day...
Mon, Sep 14, 2020 09:52
35

SUMMARY

"Staggering": Police superintendent says "risk is too great" for officers to carry out close pass op; British everesting record smashed; Urán doesn't use a power meter; Locals report few changes after Wandsworth LTN reversal + more on the live blogclose pass 2.PNG
14 September 2020, 14:50
Hundreds ask West Mercia police superintendent for clarification over comments on cancellation of Close Pass Op

Supt Brighton has said her short statement was taken out of context; but many are struggling to see how the comments could be be perceived in another way, other than taking it as an admission that officers wil be put in unnecessary danger if they carry out a Close Pass Operation by cycling on the roads. 

Supt Brighton reiterated: "I would rather explain in person as the H & S rationale is too lengthy for social media."

14 September 2020, 13:44
"I cannot deliberately put officers at risk": West Mercia Police superintendent gives shocking reason for calling off close pass operation

Supt Steph Brighton, a policing commander based in South Worcestershire, gave the remarkable reason for calling off her force's Operation Close Pass, in which plain-clothes police officers on bikes attempt to catch drivers who are passing too close to them. 

She said: "Officer safety is my priority and a health and safety assessment by a specialist who has spoken to other forces has determined the risk is too great. I cannot deliberately put officers at risk."

Although the tweet has been taken to mean that Supt Brighton has deemed the roads too unsafe for her officers to cycle on, she now claims that her words have been "taken out of context". She added: "This is exactly why I have suggested a meeting rather than attempt to explain using very few words on Twitter. The roads are not unsafe... the proposed operation was when there are other ways to tackle it for the safety and benefit of all."

It's unclear if this means the operation will go ahead when changes have been made, or if nothing of the sort will happen at all. West Mercia's neighbouring force West Midlands Police is often praised for their award-winning Operation Close Pass scheme, that has since been adopted by other forces across the UK. 

After road.cc and other organisations requested more clarification, Supt Brighton says she is willing to explain in more detail via a telephone meeting and won't be publishing a statement - we'll update as and when we get more details. 

14 September 2020, 16:19
Simon Yates wins Tirreno–Adriatico

It's been a good day for GB overall, with Lizzy Banks also winning stage 4 of the Giro Rosa. 

14 September 2020, 14:58
45-year-old sets new British everesting record, which is also the fifth-fastest attempt of all time
british everesting record - via facebook.PNG

Training around work and family life, Phil Stonelake has now had his attempt ratified by Hells 500 and is the new British record holder for the everesting challenge. His time was a staggering 7hrs 44 mins, which is also the fifth-fastest in the world and the fastest ever time for a veteran. The overall record is held by Irishman Ronan Mc Laughlin, who took over 20 minutes off Alberto Contador's previous mark to finish in 7:04:41 back in July. 

Crowcombe on Monday 7 September. A big day on the hill rep production line. New British Everesting and world veteran’s...

Posted by Phil Stonelake on Sunday, September 13, 2020

Mr Stonelake completed the required 8,848m on Crowcombe Hill in Somerset, using a modified Focus Izalco with the big chainring removed.

He added: "I’m just an amateur with a full time job and family life, but it shows if you use your head as well as your body normal people can achieve things that are up there with the professionals. If it hadn’t started raining at the halfway mark it would have been nudging up to Lachlan Morton’s time." 

Chapeau, Phil!

14 September 2020, 14:36
Footage captures moment attempted robbery of a cyclist is foiled in South Africa

Using a car as a weapon is never a good thing, but some on social media are saying that this is one of the few examples where it could be justified. At the beginning of the clip, the cyclist is knocked off his bike by one of the three people in the road, in an attack that looks like a robbery. He then runs towards the attacker, before a white 4x4 drives at one of the other attackers at speed, who then flees. 

Some thought the attack didn't look like a robbery, with one commenting: "Doesn't look like an attempted robbery, more like punks who are assholes being punks. The cyclist didn't stand for that crap good for him, and thanks to those who stopped."

14 September 2020, 14:25
The Tour de France rest day couldn't come soon enough

There are some sore legs, arms, bones and everything else within the peloton today, none more so than those belonging to Sunweb's Nicholas Roche. 

14 September 2020, 12:43
Rigoberto Urán doesn't use a power meter or heart rate monitor, according to manager Jonathan Vaughters

While his teammate and Colombian compatriot Sergio Higuita has crashed out, Urán rides on fuelled by nothing other than "bananas and an old skool hurt rate monitor” according to Vaughters. 

Urán currently sits in third on the general classification, with Vaughters adding: "Old man Uran in third overall. Man, this sport... It doesn’t let you stay happy for very long. You win, you’re high, and then you get slapped back down to the ground. And then old man Uran pulls off something you’d never expect. Highs and lows. Guess that’s why the race is 3 weeks."

A rather harsh nickname for the 33-year-old, but we're guessing it's all in jest... 

rigoberto uran drafted by local in colombia - via rigoberto uran on instagram.PNG

If you think Rigo's approach is old-fashioned, it's nothing compared to the farmer filmed drafting him during a training ride back in June. The man, wearing a backpack and dressed in baggy clothes and work boots, reportedly kept up with Urán at speeds of 45km/h, and the clip went viral. 

He was later identified as 54-year-old flower farmer Iván Dario, who was gifted a new Cannondale and cycling gear at Urán's bike shop for his efforts. After checking his power numbers on Zwift, Dario commented: "It was an honour to be able to talk to Rigo, and he even invited me to take part in a virtual race. He is very humble and says hello to everyone. I am a huge fan of him and his achievements."

14 September 2020, 12:39
Tour de France: Bob Jungels apologises for move that was blamed for Sergio Higuita's abandon

Higuita abandoned in tears yesterday following the crash, in which Jungels took out his front wheel while attempting to form a breakaway on stage 15. Higuita got back on his bike, only to crash again and leave the race with a suspected broken hand. 

Jungels said: "I sincerely want to apologize to Sergio Higuita and @EFprocycling for my move at the beginning of the race.

"It was not my intention to cause this crash but I am absolutely at fault and I hope that Sergio is okay given the circumstances."

EF Pro Cycling manager Jonathan Vaughters has now confirmed that Higuita's hand isn't broken, and thanked Jungels for the apology. 

14 September 2020, 12:29
Ridulous speeds and power numbers from Tirreno–Adriatico stage 8 time trial

Filippo Ganna has set the quickest time so far on the 10.1km course, completing it in 10mins 42secs at an average speed of around 56km/h. For the final 2km, he averaged 580 watts and 57km/h.

Currently the Hour Record holder Victor Campenaerts is in 2nd, and Rohan Dennis is third. 

14 September 2020, 11:58
Government publish full details on 'Rule of Six', confirming that organised sporting events are unaffected
Cheshire Cat Sportive (picture credit britishcycling.org_.uk)

Although the government said that the new rules were created to "simplify and strengthen the rules on social gatherings", of course confusion arose over what they would mean in a number of circumstances, and what the exemptions were. One example we were unsure about - plus British Cycling and Cycling UK when we asked them - were if cycling events such as sportives would be affected, because such events involve gatherings of groups much larger than six.   

As the official document on the 'rule of six' is now published, it all but confirms that any sporting event organised in a certified 'Covid-secure' way still has the green light. Here is the relevant part of the guidance regarding the list of exemptions: 

"Organised sport or exercise classes or licensed outdoor physical activity. This does not include informal sport or fitness activity with family or friends - this must be limited to a group of six."

Elite sporting competition or training is also unaffected. What it does definitely mean is that informal rides where the group is larger than six are off. Those caught flouting the rules risk £100 fines, doubling for further breaches up to a maximum of £3,200. 

On 11th September, British Cycling also said that all activities permitted in their Way Forward document could continue, "because of the measures in place to reduce the risk of Covid-19."

Happy riding... in groups of six or less and socially distanced of course!

14 September 2020, 10:26
Two CCC riders pull out of Tirreno–Adriatico due to "suspected positive" COVID-19 cases
CCC team - via twitter.PNG

With the threat of the virus continuing to hang over the professional peloton as racing resumes, CCC Team have been forced to withdraw Lukasz Wlsniowski and Szymon Sajnok from their Tirreno–Adriatico squad with suspected coronavirus cases. 

A statement said: "Wiśniowski withdrew from stage seven after developing mild symptoms during the stage and underwent a rapid test on Sunday evening which indicated a positive result. Wiśniowski will undergo a PCR test to confirm the result.

"As per CCC Team’s Covid-19 policy, Wiśniowski’s roommate Szymon Sajnok has automatically been withdrawn from racing and will also undergo a PCR test."

All other members of the team and staff underwent rapid testing twice on Sunday evening and Monday morning, with CCC reporting that all these tests came back negative. It means that five remaining CCC riders will line up for the eighth and final stage, a 10.1km individual time trial.    

Unlike the Tour de France, RCS Sport - the organisers of the Tirreno–Adriatico and Giro D'Italia - are not enforcing the "two strikes and you're out rule" with coronavirus cases like the Tour de France, instead just asking that those who test positive should immediately isolate. 

The Giro's race director Mauro Vegni told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I’ll test them, I'll check them, but I won’t send the team home. I think that’s correct and respectful towards people who don’t have anything to hide in such a situation.

"Those who test positive certainly aren't bandits. Obviously I will try to protect them from a health point of view, but I’m not going to invalidate the work of a team that has been preparing for a year for a big event.”

14 September 2020, 09:53
AG2R La Mondiale will ride BMC bikes when they become AG2R Citroën Team next year
2021 bmc ag2r switzerland announcement.PNG

AG2R are currently riding Eddy Merckx bikes, but will be supplied by the Swiss brand BMC in 2021 through to 2023. BMC's CEO David Zurcher said: “We are delighted to announce that the riders of the AG2R Citroën Team will be riding our bikes from 2021 onwards.

“We strongly believe that with the Teammachine SLR01 and the Timemachine Road, we have the best bikes to help the team reach their high goals.” 

The team's big new signing Greg Van Avermaet also said the chance to ride BMC again was part of his decision to transfer, commenting: “I’ve won Paris-Roubaix, the Rio Olympics and all my major victories on the BMC Teammachine SLR01 and I have such fond memories of my time on BMC bikes. The AG2R Citroën Team project was very attractive to me for various reasons and the chance to ride BMC again eventually made my decision an easy one to take.”

14 September 2020, 10:55
road.cc Towers is currently a 1930's French film set

It's not every day the BBC's blockbuster Christmas drama is filmed outside your office, but that's what we're working alongside today. Unfortunately one scene had to be retaken because road.cc Liam was wheeling a Merida Reacto past the set in the background... 

14 September 2020, 09:35
Look launch their first ever flat pedals, including one with integrated lighting
2020 Look Geocity flat pedals.PNG

As the creators of the original clipless pedal, it's taken Look nearly 40 years to go back to basics and make their first flats. Aimed more at commuting and light trail pootling, they've been made in partnership with Vibram to offer plenty of grip, and are available in numerous funky colours. 

2020 Look Geocity vision flat pedals.PNG

The models available are the Geo City Grip Vision (€119.90), the Geo City Grip (€59.90) the Trail Grip (€59.90) and the Geo City (€29.90). The Geo City Grip Vision also comes equipped with four adjustable LED lights, that are USB rechargeable and last up to 20 hours at a time. 

They should be available to buy via UK retailers soon, and you can find out more over on Look's website. 

14 September 2020, 09:20
Christina Murray, who was attempting the LEJOG record, has been forced to abandon with "niggling injury"

Time trial specialist Christina Murray, who is in the British Army Cycling union, had covered over 400 miles in 24 hours before being forced to abandon this morning. An update on the Twitter account for the attempt said: "Good morning all. Unfortunately, it’s with heavy hearts that we have to report that Christina has abandoned her attempt due to a niggling injury that just wouldn’t go away. A valiant and inspirational effort I’m sure you’ll all agree. Thank you all for your overwhelming support."

It means the current records of 52hrs, 45mins, 11secs set by Lynne Taylor in 2002 and 43hrs, 25mins, 13secs by Michael Broadwith in 2018 still stand. 

14 September 2020, 08:53
Amazingly, Tooting's roads still appear to be heaving after the removal of LTNs

In an incredibly twist, it seems that it's the traffic that is causing the traffic in the London Borough of Wandsworth, even after the removal of some controversial planters and cycle lanes in the area that resulted in protests over the weekend. 

Those who campaigned for their removal don't appear to have commented on the scenes, but some are reporting better traffic flow on Trinity Road in Tooting. 

14 September 2020, 08:47
"No excuses": Egan Bernal at a loss to explain under par Tour de France performance so far

It looks like the Colombian's defence of the yellow jersey is already far out of his reach, as he lost huge chunks of time to overall leader Primoz Roglic and stage 15 winner Tadej Pogacar. 

Bernal commented after the stage: “I was not going well from the first climb to be honest, I was almost dropped there, I was suffering from the first climb. I told the team I was not good, but then I was trying to fight until the final and give my best. 

“It’s difficult to say how I felt, the feeling was that I was empty - I had no power. When the other riders did a big acceleration, I couldn’t go too hard to follow, but then I recovered really quickly, but my body couldn’t react as normal.

“I’m the number one and I tried to give my best, but finally there were riders who were stronger than me.

"Even if I start the last climb with the other GC riders I felt I would be dropped, I wanted to give my best, not just for me, but for the team and for the respect I have for the race. 

“Theres no excuses, I tried to fuel my body in the best way possible, but I don’t know, I didn’t have the legs. The other riders have been stronger than me and we have to accept that.”

Jack Sexty

Jack has been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of the website including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named Editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master's degree in print journalism and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it's a long story). 

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35 comments

Avatar
Crazyhorse | 4 years ago
0 likes

45-year-old sets new British everesting record. Chapeau to Phil Stonelake. Crowecombe Hill is pretty hardcore - even riding it once is quite a challenge for most, but this dude did it 58 (FIFTY EIGHT) times!! And at some pace by the sound of it... laugh

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Simon E replied to Crazyhorse | 4 years ago
0 likes

7 hours 44 is quite incredible, especially for an amateur with a full-time job, family etc.

Phil is raising money for author Michael Morpurgo's charity Farms for City Children.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/phil-stonelakeeveresting

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brooksby | 4 years ago
0 likes

Road congestion levels in outer London higher than before lockdown

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/15/road-congestion-leve...

Quote:

Road traffic congestion in outer London is now far higher than it was last year as people have gone back into their cars after lockdown, according to new data.

Congestion climbed above 2019 levels in August, and has increased to nearly a fifth on average above last year, in roads outside the capital’s central congestion charging zone, even while it has dropped sharply in the centre of the city.

The most congested day so far was Monday 7 September, when congestion stood at 153% of 2019 levels. That coincided with many schools returning to the classroom, and followed government messages pressing people to return to the office rather than continue to work from home, as millions of office workers have been doing.

Congestion within the central charging zone stood at just over half the levels of 2019, though this is still a substantial increase on the deserted streets seen in spring when the lockdown was biting. Congestion fell to just 6% of the 2019 average on its lowest day, in early May.

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bobrayner | 4 years ago
0 likes

I really want to like bike lights integrated in pedals, but in this case both the forward- and rear-facing lights are the same colour (understandable in a symmetric flat pedal), and the legalistic folk would want a red rear light. Plus, in practice, much of the light's coverage will be obscured by your shoe or your wheel. So it seems to be more like a Kickstarter product than something from the seasoned experts at Look.

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brooksby replied to bobrayner | 4 years ago
2 likes

You'd think lights integrated with a pedal would be amber... 

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Mungecrundle replied to bobrayner | 4 years ago
2 likes

As pedals are left / right specific, a simple "which way up" detector in each pedal could set the front and rear facing led colour.

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Sriracha replied to bobrayner | 4 years ago
0 likes

The legalistic folk would actually want reflectors in the pedals, not lights instead. They'd be right too.

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roadrunner23 | 4 years ago
4 likes

Sounds like the supers been given a bit of a telling off 

https://twitter.com/WMerciaPolice/status/1305531742506364929

Operation Close Pass back on 

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wtjs replied to roadrunner23 | 4 years ago
0 likes

 

Sounds like the supers been given a bit of a telling off 

Operation Close Pass back on 

I think your interpretation is correct. She should have realised she was going to get a pasting for that nonsense. What they might do now is 'not try very hard'

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eburtthebike | 4 years ago
2 likes

I'm going for a new Ever-resting record.  So far I've ridden zero miles, done zero climbing, but I've achieved 100% resting figures.  Should I be writing to the Guinness book of records?

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captain_slog | 4 years ago
0 likes

I like the film set. Did any of you guys get cameos? I'm thinking Big Dave as a gendarme and VecchioJo as Jean-Paul Sartre: 'L'enfer ... c'est les autos.'

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Kapelmuur | 4 years ago
4 likes

Re disturbing a film set, I rode into the middle of a scene being shot in Great Budworth a few years back.

The show was 'Our Zoo' and I rode around a corner to be confronted by a flock of penguins, a camel, a crowd of extras in 1920's costume and an irate director.

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Rome73 replied to Kapelmuur | 4 years ago
9 likes

I worked as a film runner as a lad. On a  film shoot for the BBC in Piccadilly Circus (the area had been closed off for the day) as the crew were filming an intimate scene between two leads, I decided to start loading one of the vans parked around the corner and obvioulsy off camera. But the alarm went off. And I couldn't work out how to turn it off. So i panicked and thought the best thing would be to drive off. So I did, with the alarm still blaring. They showed me the rushes later. Two characters in period costume, with bewildered expressions as a silver van, alarm blaring, shoots past in the background. I didn't work for that particular production company again. 

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brooksby replied to Rome73 | 4 years ago
0 likes

A TV company filmed scenes for a drama series in my office building a few years ago.  My abiding memory was the lead actor sulking because we didn't have a wifi network available for him to use...

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Dingaling | 4 years ago
2 likes

Well, I don't know who's worse, this muppet of a superintendant or the person who thought she was fit to be promoted to that rank. Beggars belief and will go a long way to support a lot of people in the mysoginistic views. Extending her views on maintaining officer safety precludes them from tackling any type of violent crime so if you live in Worcs and a burglar is threatening you, you're on yer own. Tool up appropriately.

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visionset | 4 years ago
6 likes

West Mercia have backtracked now, and apparently are now doing close pass operation.  You'd love to be a fly on the wall eh!

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leqin | 4 years ago
4 likes

If the H&S rationale is too lengthy for social media then why did you post the damned thing on Twitter.

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to leqin | 4 years ago
4 likes

Has she not heard of links to PDFs, web pages, TwitLonger and lots of other ways of doing links to longer documents. 

However, I also want to know who the consultant is they got in to state how dangerous this is? It isn't Georgina Wager is it?

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eburtthebike | 4 years ago
8 likes

"...Supt Brighton says she is willing to explain in more details via a telephone meeting and won't be publishing a statement....."

If a serving police officer is unable to explain their policy decisions clearly, succinctly and in a logical fashion, perhaps it's time they found another job?

If she proposed some other method of tackling this issue, then her attitude might be acceptable, but merely evading the problem is most definitely not acceptable.  I hope someone has contacted the Police and Crime Commissioner for the area, and expressed very forthrightly their indignation and lack of confidence in the Superintendent.  It's her job to protect the public, if she doesn't want to do it, them maybe something a bit easier might suit her better.

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hawkinspeter | 4 years ago
4 likes

Surely if the West Mercia police just take responsibility for their own safety and share the road, they'll be fine.

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Hirsute | 4 years ago
2 likes

Does anyone here live in Worcester and fancies being a volunteer for the work?

Or if anyone lives in Worcester, you now know that every single close pass you submit will result in prosecution.

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AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
8 likes

Within the Tweet from the Superintendent, the Worcester Bike account has also tweeted out the requirements for Worc County Council when planning the cycle routes asked by the Governement.

No loss of Car Parking Spaces will be accepted.
No Loss of Road Space will be accepted.

So pretty much they are also saying the car is the main thing and eff anything else out there. 

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HoarseMann replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
3 likes

Quite shocking really.

I thought that maybe they don't have any officers who can actually ride a bike?! Or maybe all their officers are so unfit, to subject them to some physical exercise would be far too dangerous.

I guess all the bad'uns in Worc will be pleased that the cops there are a push-over. First sign of danger and it's back to the station for cake and kittens.

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brooksby replied to HoarseMann | 4 years ago
7 likes

Quote:

Supt Brighton reiterated: "I would rather explain in person as the H & S rationale is too lengthy for social media."

No, I don't think so.

I think a statement explaining this policy is the only way that she can stop looking quite so stupid as she does right now.

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Hirsute replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
9 likes

Surely all they need is a helmet, high viz and retro reflectives?

After all, they keep all other cyclists 100% safe.

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Awavey replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
1 like

I do have empathy for her position though, and certainly I agree social media is rubbish for conveying the detail required on this and isnt remotely helped by a free for all piling in on it.

the issue is youve got an independently produced risk assessment thats identified there is potential risk of injury to an officer engaged in this close pass operation, we dont know the extent of the risk or its details, maybe they are specific to the location they wanted to do this than a blanket ban risk, and it sounds like it might have suggested there are other, less risky, ways, to achieve the same goals.

but if you overuled that risk assessment or ignored it, and an officer is then hurt, maybe precisely in the way the risk assessment warned, well youve broken your duty of care to your employee, union lawyers would be all over that risk assessment and thats a slam dunk H&S prosecution that even the cps prosecutors assigned to most cycling cases would struggle to lose.

it might not be the message we want to hear,and it could certainly be communicated in a better way, but i cant see how they get around the risk assessment

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Hirsute replied to Awavey | 4 years ago
2 likes

But an assessment by someone may not be anything to do with h&s but simply an excuse not to do something. The h&s website has loads of examples of myth busting.

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Awavey replied to Hirsute | 4 years ago
0 likes

I think this will be the workers' health & safety regulations about how protecting employees from anything that may cause harm in the workplace environment, thats identified by a risk assessment the employer has carried out.

the key part is understanding what the risk assessment actually identifies as the risk, we are just guessing at the moment which probably isnt helping as we feel we accept the risks everytime we ride a bike on the road, but it could be a basic thing like theres no formal police training course on how to ride a bike with this equipment in traffic.

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Hirsute replied to Awavey | 4 years ago
0 likes

That's all back to front though.
You wouldn't plan an operation without that consideration, so if they had no training why would you announce the operation, then later cancel it? Additionally, I'd expect the operation to be signed off by a couple of people. I can't believe that could happen without a formal risk assessment.
Also other forces manage to put on such operations, so there seems no reason why this force can't.
Aside from all the others risks accepted as being part of the job of an officer.

(As a side note, had a ridiculous close pass on the way home).

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to Awavey | 4 years ago
2 likes

She hasn't cancelled opclosepass for that location, she has cancelled it full stop as per her tweet.

And I don't see what specific extra risk she sees that isn't present for any other law enforcement the Police take. Yes, there is a chance that her officers could be knocked off their bike when taking the operation. But there is also a chance the Police Motorcyclist could be knocked off their bike or the Police Car could crash. Yet you still see them out and about enforcing the law. Or don't they hold out much hope that the Police HiViz would make the cyclists visible and safer?

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