"Cyclists with cameras are grassing snitches... motorists with dash-cams are responsible citizens": BBC radio discussion looks at third-party reporting; "Long-overdue": Cyclists rejoice at plan for traffic-free Cheddar Gorge + more on the live blog

We got wind of BBC Radio 5 Live's Nicky Campbell hosting a segment during his Thursday show about reporting third-party helmet camera and dash-cam footage to the police so, naturally, thought we'd check it out and report back...

To our delight (and relief) there were some quite interesting and sensible points raised as listeners called and texted in, while Campbell spoke to Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase (the dash-cam brand behind the Nextbase reporting portal).

Introduced with an 'Accidental Partridge'-worthy Campbell scrambling to get through to his guest... "Hi Bryn, are you there for me, Bryn? For everyone? Ready to go? Bryn? Bring on Bryn! Are you there Bryn? HELLO! YAY!"... the presenter went on to read out a text from a listener, Ally in Newcastle: "Cyclists with cameras are grassing snitches... motorists with dash-cams are responsible citizens doing their civic duty. Symptomatic of all our transport policies really"

That's enough material for this entire blog post, to be honest. An interesting point. As per Nextbase's own figures, more than 33,500 videos were submitted to police via the National Dash Cam Safety Portal in 2023 up until the end of November, a 30 per cent increase on the same period in 2022, most apparently coming from dash-cams.

And yet, any length of time looking at the topic in the sewers of social media will find accusations of 'grassing' and 'snitching' labelled at cyclists who do so. Less so about the other road users who do the similar. In fact, camera cyclists' bad rap even reached the Britain's Got Talent stage in 2022 as comedian, and eventual winner, Axel Blake made it past the auditions with his cyclist bit, prompting judge Amanda Holden to weigh in on cyclists with cameras that are "asking for trouble". So, for starters, why? What is it about cyclists filming and reporting road offences which causes outrage when the majority of reports to the police come from cameras within vehicles?

Speaking on the wider third-party reporting point, Nextbase's head of safety said: "In five years over 100,000 offences have been reported and personally I've seen this making a real difference, enabling the police to take action on dangerous drivers. For me this people doing their civic duty. If you see a dangerous driver driving recklessly, almost causing a collision, then I think most people want to do something about that."

"The police are being inundated," came Campbell's reply...

"The police are actually finding this is saving time, the great thing about the portal is it was set up with the police and traditionally if you take a piece of footage to the police they would have to fill out a witness statement, take time to fill it out. With the system that's been set up that statement is taken automatically, so all they're asked to do is look at the footage. Is action required? Yes or no. If it is the witness statement is already there, ready to go.

> Here's what to do if you capture a near miss, close pass or collision on camera while cycling

"Actually, we calculated that over the last five years it saved an estimated 91 years of police time..."

Campbell reacted: "Oh, that's an extraordinary stat... an interesting interpretation of what some people are saying is just a mountain of extra stuff for police... but, it makes sense..."

"If you think about it," Nextbase's Brooker replied. "People have got phones and dash-cams. Evidence exists. Before this portal existed the police did have to go to people's houses to collect the data or people had to fill in a witness statement manually. That time is saved and it allows them to go and do other things."

The full episode is here, the discussion about cameras and third-party reporting coming just after the hour mark...

Langsett Cycles, the Sheffield bike shop that has been in business since 1890, has closed. In a post shared on Facebook this week, the 134-year-old bike shop's closure was announced.

The owners also run a cycle hire business in Mallorca called Mallorca Bike Hire and have recently expanded the business to add a sports bar to their offering (bike hire and sport in a pub... that's all I need, to be fair), with the time now coming to "dedicate more of our time in the sunshine with our family".

"It's no secret that times are currently challenging in the cycle trade, but they won't be like this forever, spring is just around the corner," the post said.

"I believe that cycling will continue to increase considerably in the future and cycle shops do have a future, the business is solvent so if anyone is interested in taking on this historic business moving forward please get in touch via email asap... it's a gift!"

> Turbans can reduce the risk of head injuries in cyclists but not "as effective as helmets", study finds

Voxpop: 15 minute cities pic.twitter.com/ZDZU7vIX2Z

— alistair green (@mralistairgreen) February 1, 2024

Must have been inspired by that comic who does the parody MP skits... you know, the one where he rattles off a known conspiracy theory about 15-minute cities while speaking in Parliament... ah, wait a second...

> Tory MP attacks 15-minute city concept with known conspiracy theory

In the week when the Tour of Britain  and Women's Tour disappeared off the UCI calendar the only positive news we've got for you comes from across the Irish Sea. Cycling Ireland has announced the Rás Tailteann and Rás na mBan races will enjoy increased funding for 2024. Wouldn't that be nice?

> How to save a bike race: Rás Tailteann organiser on keeping Ireland's biggest race alive, 'difficult second album syndrome', and why some races just mean more

The funding will be provided by the Department of Sport and with support from Sport Ireland and both races will receive an equal share of funding for the first time. Cycling Ireland thanked the relevant ministers and Department of Sport and Ireland for the support that, it says, "ensures the events take place in 2024".

Cycling Ireland Chief Executive Officer, James Quilligan, said: "Cycling Ireland is delighted to announce an increase in funding for the 2024 Rás Tailteann and Rás na mBan from the Department of Sport and Sport Ireland. Both races are led by an incredible group of volunteers, and we look forward to working with both as event partners in 2024.

> "It's like the world championship for Irish riders": Iconic Rás Tailteann stage race makes triumphant return

"The races are among the most important on the Irish calendar and showcase the very best of Irish cycling and have attracted many top international cyclists throughout their storied histories. We'd like to thank Minister Martin, Minister Byrne, the Department of Sport and Sport Ireland's support of the races."

Rás Tailteann Race Director, Ger Campbell, added: "All of us at Cairde Rás Tailteann are thrilled with the announcement of the increase in funding. With the costs involved in promoting the event it's a huge boost for the race. It will allow us to plan our budget earlier this year and put in place important structures to make the event even better. The Rás is hugely important to Ireland's sports calendar, and we look forward to the continued success for the event going forward. It's a huge boost for the event."

> Cyclists and pedestrians could enjoy traffic-free Cheddar Gorge once a month under new plan

This has gone down well with you lot...

alchemilla: "This is long- overdue. Good luck to them, I hope it works out and eventually gets extended. Cheddar Gorge is a site of special scientific interest with rare Cheddar Pinks growing there, and of course the goats and sheep. It's incredible that this magnificent location has been allowed to be ruined for visitors by the noise and fumes of vehicles for too long."

Rendel Harris: "Amen. Average speed cameras at top and bottom would be a good addition, I went there once early on a spring morning and it was paradise, once on a summer afternoon and it was crammed with idiots with supercars and hot hatches treating it like a rally track. Superbikes (the motorised kind) were pretty bad too."

don simon fbpe: "I'd like to see something like this in Eryri, particularly roads around Yr Wyddfa. Sounds like a great idea."

Robert Hardy: "Restricted to once a month I hope it doesn't become dominated by sport cyclists, families ambling along on their bikes, child seats and trailers amongst pedestrians at little more than walking pace presents a pleasant picture."