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Speeding driver who appeared to use phone behind the wheel complains about kids cycling on the pavement; Sadiq Khan gets his jab...in a Rapha tee; Supreme Court ruling may affect Deliveroo; Tao takes a knee; Aero talk with Dowsett + more on the live blog

It's Friday and Dan Alexander is taking you through to the weekend on the live blog...
Fri, Feb 19, 2021 08:58
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Speeding driver who appeared to use phone behind the wheel complains about kids cycling on the pavement; Sadiq Khan gets his jab...in a Rapha tee; Supreme Court ruling may affect Deliveroo; Tao takes a knee; Aero talk with Dowsett + more on the live blogDriver using phone complains about cyclists (via Twitter Croydon Cycling Campaign)
19 February 2021, 14:38
"You couldn't make this up": Your thoughts on speeding driver who appeared to use phone behind the wheel complaining about kids cycling on the pavement

No shortage of opinions on the painfully ironic story this morning about the speeding driver who appeared to be on their phone behind the wheel while complaining about kids cycling on the pavement. As many have pointed out, what exactly did the driver want, the kids to be riding on the road in front of him? Others have said there isn't an LTN near where the incident happened but there may soon be a cycle lane...Worth keeping our eyes peeled for that.

In the comments under this live blog, Philh68 made an interesting comparison to riding laws out in Australia: "Speeding driver using their phone, just as well those kids were on the pavement. As an Aussie I find that it being an issue in the UK quite bizarre - here (NSW) children may ride on pavements until 16 years old. The sky hasn't fallen down."

19 February 2021, 17:09
19 February 2021, 16:42
Sadiq Khan gets his jab while wearing a Rapha tee
Sadiq Khan Rapha tee

We knew Sadiq Khan was pro-cycling from his support for cycling infrastructure in the capital, but here's another reminder. The Mayor of London sported a Rapha Technical Tee at his vaccination appointment today. It's important to look your best on a day out to the vaccine centre so a smart choice from the mayor.

He's not the only famous face who's been rocking some Rapha this week. On Monday's blog Kevin Hart was out posting pics on Instagram of him riding his bike in some sharp new gear. Nice to see as we head into the weekend.

19 February 2021, 16:29
British Cycling updates criteria for elite status during the pandemic
British Cycling logo

British Cycling has updated its conditions for an athlete being able to claim elite status to continue to access facilities and travel during the pandemic. Last month British Cycling were criticised for holding a 90-man track meet at Manchester Velodrome. To qualify for elite status riders must be earning a living, more than £13,500, from competing in the sport or be representing Team GB or a UCI licensed team. Junior riders are unable to claim elite status, except those riders in the elite development pathway with the Great Britain Cycling Team.

Under new Department for Culture, Media and Sport rules, announced last Thursday, elite athletes will only be allowed to leave the country for international competition or for training for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

19 February 2021, 15:32
19 February 2021, 15:14
Bauke Mollema wins stage one of Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var

No television pictures today so we'll just have to guess how Trek-Segafredo's Bauke Mollema won the opening stage in the South of France. Reports of a crash for Tao Geoghegan Hart who made it back on and worked for the team. Geraint Thomas and Dan Martin were both in that front group, three seconds behind stage winner Mollema and one second behind Greg Van Avermaet and Valentin Madouas who were second and third. There's another tough uphill finish tomorrow when the race will be back on our TV screens.

19 February 2021, 09:47
Speeding driver complains about kids cycling on the pavement... while appearing to film them on a mobile while driving

If you're going to moan about children cycling on the pavement it's probably best not to film from what appears to be the driver's seat...The video, from a Twitter account that has since been deleted, asked why kids were riding on pavements and not in LTNs. Unfortunately there were plenty of people on hand to question this logic, as the person who uploaded the footage was accused of filming it while driving. The car's speedometer was also shown accelerating to 24mph in a 20mph zone.

Some have said the deleted account claimed to be a licensed taxi driver, but this point has been disputed by other cab drivers who say it doesn't look like one of their vehicles. Others have argued it is filmed by a passenger, but the video appears to start and end with the phone on the right-hand side of the vehicle...

19 February 2021, 14:32
19 February 2021, 13:59
You have no authority here: Handforth Parish Council cycling kits are a thing
Handforth Parish Council cycling kits (via Primal)

Maybe Jackie Weaver would like to get out on the bike to get away from the squabbling of the Handforth Parish Council meetings? Primal has released these for preorder with £10 from every sale going to the NSPCC Charity. At £65 a pop you're going to have to be a pretty big fan of viral memes to rep this on your local lanes but maybe you just want to remind your riding mates they have no authority over which route you do or where you stop for coffee...

For more Primal kit why not check out the road.cc shop where we've got our own stash...

19 February 2021, 13:16
Colourised footage of the 1948 Olympic Road Race

 

19 February 2021, 12:18
Historic Supreme Court ruling may have ramifications for Deliveroo

Uber has lost its lengthy legal fight in the Supreme Court, meaning their drivers should be classed as workers not third-party contractors and should be entitled to basic employment protections including minimum wage and holiday pay. The outcome has been heralded as "historic" by the GMB union and lawyers believe the ruling will have ramifications for Deliveroo and other workers in the gig economy. Uber's argument that drivers were contractors not workers was dismissed unanimously by seven justices.

Unions have argued that the model used by Uber and other firms is exploitative and Sky News reports that today's victory could lead to drivers claiming compensation running into the thousands of pounds. Uber has already argued the ruling will only apply to a small number of their drivers.

 In March, the IGWB trade union accused Deliveroo of "PR spin" over "unworkable" coronavirus hardship fund for riders.

19 February 2021, 14:32
19 February 2021, 11:37
Plenty of love for Tao this morning

Tao's pledge to sponsor an U23 rider to increase diversity in cycling has gone down well with road.cc readers and the wider cycling community. On Facebook, Fergal Dolan replied to our story saying: "He can't even be on that big a contract so that's likely a proper sacrifice." Eric Willock added: "Not just a great cyclist but a brilliant person."

Nick Bell said: "Great to see a rider at the highest level looking to improve diversity and inclusivity." 

19 February 2021, 11:00
Alex Dowsett gives the bike review Factor probably wishes Chris Froome had done

All anyone took from Chris Froome's review of the Israel Start-Up Nation Factor Ostro VAM was that he doesn't like disc brakes...Nobody remembers that he was quite impressed by the bike after a decade on Pinarellos at Sky/Ineos. Step up Alex Dowsett to let the people know how good a bike it really is. 

In a detailed ten minute breakdown of the set up and aero gains it offers Dowsett explained: "If I didn't think a bike was very good I just wouldn't do a YouTube video on it because I don't have to do this. But this is a very exciting bike and I think in the WorldTour there's been a couple of teams where people look at their bike and say 'that is a significant advantage' and I now look at this and believe that we are on terms with the best teams and possibly even ahead. I love it."

For a closer look at the Factor Ostro VAM from one of our team, check out our Bike at Bedtime from the other week... 

19 February 2021, 09:32
Get the sun cream ready...
BBC weather screenshot

Chuck the arm warmers away and get the sun cream ready. Summer's here! Looking like a lovely weekend to get out on the bike if you can dodge the showers. After the minus temperatures of the last few weeks, 16 degrees is going to feel like heaven...

19 February 2021, 08:44
Tao Geoghegan Hart takes the knee and pledges to sponsor an U23 rider to increase diversity in cycling

Tao Geoghegan Hart has pledged to support diversity in cycling by sponsoring an U23 rider at his former team Hagens Berman Axeon. In a post on Instagram the Giro d'Italia champion took the knee, a symbol that racial inequality won't be tolerated, and promised to do more to follow in the footsteps of sportspeople like Billie Jean King and Marcus Rashford who have used their platform to improve other people's lives.

Tao wrote: "Cycling has a problem with diversity and inclusivity. This is a fact. It is not unique within sport, but we must face it head on all the same. I feel cycling has not done enough during this past year. Furthermore, I have not done enough. But what good are words without action?

"With this in mind, I will be taking action with Hagens Berman Axeon by sponsoring an under-23 rider to race with the team this summer. I hope this can be the beginning of a joint effort to increase racial diversity within the amazing sport of cycling. I will work with Axel Merckx and his team in the coming months to identify, coach and mentor the person, and athlete, to join the team on August 1st.

"This is just a photo taken in London last month, however it is also an expression of my desire to be part of change. Part of the future. I don’t have all the answers but I do know that I want live in a world that fights for social justice. A world that shares all the good that we have."

In the past months Tao has also been vocal in his support for cycling infrastructure in London and had the CS1 cycleway that runs through his home borough of Hackney renamed Tao's Route to honour his Giro victory. The 25-year-old kicks off his 2021 season today at Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var in the South of France.

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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32 comments

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Seagull2 replied to EddyBerckx | 3 years ago
6 likes

I am not a fan of the team sponsor  he rides for, nor the team boss, but to see Tao  use his platform and influence in this way is heart-warming to say the least 

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HarrogateSpa replied to Seagull2 | 3 years ago
1 like

I agree. Tao GH and Tom Pidcock are clearly decent and thoughtful people, which makes it all the more disappointing that they have such a huge blindspot over being paid to promote one of the world's biggest polluters.

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