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Why do moany people on the internet hate police keeping cyclists safe? Close pass operation met with usual complaints; Ben Healy plays down Amstel drafting controversy; Tour of Britain stage finishes announced + more on the live blog

Happy Friday! The weekend is just around the corner, Dan Alexander will be bringing it home with your final live blog of the week

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21 April 2023, 08:01
Why do moany people on the internet hate police keeping cyclists safe? Close pass operation met with usual complaints

You know how these work by now... police force attempts to educate road users and those online on how to not put cyclists in danger... post gets hijacked by comments along the lines of 'but what about *insert thing Brenda from location x hates about cyclists*'... we all get our bingo cards out to despair at the mindset of some people who use the roads...

We're in Norfolk for today's anti-cycling bingo where the county's constabulary informed the public about its recent close pass operation, "proactively working to reduce the dangers caused by motorists who choose to drive too closely to cyclists".

Officers on bicycles are equipped with action camera devices to secure and record evidence of driving offences. If an offence has occurred, it is reported to uniformed officers on motorcycles who are deployed within the operation area.

A motorcycle officer then sets out to stop the offending vehicle and provided the offence was not so serious as to warrant immediate enforcement action (e.g., drink-driving or dangerous driving), they are offered the opportunity to be escorted back to the engagement site for an educational input.

If the driver of the offending vehicle declined the offer of an educational input, they would then be issued with a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) for consideration of the offences of either careless driving or driving without due care and attention.

The educational input aims to make the driver aware of why their manner of driving was careless or inconsiderate, inform them of the typical hazards faced by cyclists and the use of a 'Pass Mat' which highlights the spacing that should be used for cyclists, with 1.5metres being the recommended overtaking clearance.

On this occasion, 19 drivers received educational engagement with a further five issued with TORs for a variety of offences including passing cyclists in a dangerous manner and use of their mobile phone.

Fair enough? Ermmm not in the eyes of this lot... markers at the ready, it's comments time...(All presented in their original form, of course)...

"That’s really good and thank u. However, when will the police start to tackle the cyclists who but the motorists at harm, ie no lights on the roads in pitch black conditions, holding a phone meaning using one hand to cycle, putting people at risk as they think zebra crossing and crossing in general don’t matter to them? Easy to blame the motorists but I suspect it’s not about safety it’s more about u can make money out of a motorist!"  Really strong start here, great ranting, good variation on the usual red light-jumping example...

"I've now lost count of how many cyclists I see without lights or even high visibility clothing after twilight, and that's on busy main roads as well as country lanes. Maybe it's time to repeat the slogan 'BE SAFE - BE SEEN' ?" Another strong entry, love the use of capitals...

"Hmm, no reflectors, no lights at night, cycling the wrong way into oncoming traffic, not obeying traffic lights and signs, using a mobile device whilst cycling etc etc….  [🤣] . Maybe you should issue a few fixed penalty’s." Elite moan per word count here...

"Get them to use the paths that have been made for them  [👍]" Short and not so sweet, an old favourite

"Would be nice to see education to cyclists as well - some of them swerve all over the road - and when they're in large groups straggling down a windy country road they rarely leave gaps large enough for a car to pull into - I can be patient but it reaches the limit doing 8mph uphill with no chance of overtaking because there's a line of 5837364 cyclists all over." Five million eight hundred thousand three hundred and sixty four cyclists in a Norfolk lane? Blimey, Rachel, that is outrageous...

"How about educating the cyclists on how to use the roads seeing as they don't have any kind of license or training??" The one we've all been waiting for, a brief road tax mention tagged on the end could have made this perfect, but I guess it's always good to have something to strive for.

Wait a minute... what's this? No, it can't be... "It's all about cyclists they are not able to look out for themselves.They don't have to take a test .They don't have to have insurance, they can basically do as they like they are above the law. Don't even pay road tax." 10/10.

21 April 2023, 16:17
Have a good weekend
Tadej Pogačar drains his beer at the 2023 Amstel Gold Race (Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

We'll see you back on the live blog next week...

21 April 2023, 16:11
From the mailbox...

An email from a road.cc reader to round off the live blog for another week...

Dear road.cc

Many thanks for all your close pass actions (even if this is a little depressing). I would like to propose that car drivers that fall foul of highway code standards regarding cycling should have to do a cycling proficiency test, or a group cycle ride.  They may not be so keen to advocate cyclists riding on unmaintained cycle lanes if they had to cycle themselves. Cycling is one of the opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint.  So should be encouraged by everyone to provide a better environment for the next generation.

Best regards
George

21 April 2023, 14:52
British riders win three stages, GC, points and youth classification at Tour of the Alps

A quarter of the top 20 on GC at Tour of the Alps hail from Great Britain, with Tao Geoghegan Hart winning the race ahead of Hugh Carthy. Youth classification winner Max Poole of DSM was 11th, while Geraint Thomas and Mark Donovan were 15th and 20th respectively. Geoghegan Hart also took the points classification, while EF Education-EasyPost's Simon Carr was the winner on the final stage to top off a cracking week for the Brits...

21 April 2023, 13:46
Making La Redoute look easy (+ heartwarming bottle chucking)
21 April 2023, 13:35
Cyclist dies after falling 90 feet while mountain biking on Peak District moorland
21 April 2023, 13:18
Maintenance moaning

Anybody else spend their lunch break mangling a brake cable thanks to not tightening their cable cutters? Oh, right, yep, only me... I love bike maintenance... especially when it involves threading budget cables at risk of fraying (because you haven't cut them well) through shifters. Sorry, needed to get that out there... rant over. Cable fitted. Rear brake back to how it should be. 

21 April 2023, 11:49
road.cc at The Cycle Show: Reilly's new Reflex gravel bike and a Cannondale SystemSix with Fat Creations finish

We're at The Cycle Show today... Editor Jack is on the ground snapping some of the most eye-catching bikes on show...

Eye-catching? This Cannondale SystemSix with Fat Creations finish is certainly that...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by road.cc (@road.cc)

Or how about this slightly more understated new Reilly Reflex gravel bike which is grabbing plenty of attention at the Ally Pally?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by road.cc (@road.cc)

Head over to our Instagram for more of the highlights... 

21 April 2023, 10:22
Jumbo-Visma used AI to master nutrition during last year's Tour de France
Vingegaard Cervelo S5 Tour de France Yellow Bike A.S.O. Charly Lopez

[A.S.O/Charly López]

Six stages and the yellow jersey was Jumbo-Visma's impressive haul at last year's Tour, success aided by AI it has now been revealed. New Scientist spoke to Maastricht University's Kristian van Kuijk who told them all about working with the Dutch WorldTour squad to unlock their nutrition strategy, using machine learning and mathematical modelling to plan diets.

Jumbo-Visma Tour de France Jonas Vingegaard Wout van Aert Sepp Kuss Tiesj Benoot Christophe Laporte (A.S.O. / Pauline Ballet)

[A.S.O. / Pauline Ballet]

Race data, including biological and power stats, race profiles and weather were used to predict future energy requirements. To prove its effectiveness the AI model was tested alongside team coaches, both were asked to estimate calorie requirements for various athletes from stages of the 2019 Tour and Giro. The result? On a score of 0 to 1, coaches averaged a score of 0.55 while the machine-learned model averaged 0.82.

The computer says no... resting from carb cramming...

21 April 2023, 09:57
The collab nobody asked for... Taco Bell cycling collection
Taco Bell x State Bicycle Co. (State Bicycle Co.)

Possibly the biggest news from the cycling world yesterday (how did we possibly miss it?)... Taco Bell and State Bicycle Co. has teamed up to release a bike, plus there's a collection of cycling clothing and accessories... is this the cycling equivalent of when Greggs and Primark started doing merch?

The Klunker Bike is "a retro-inspired mashup of a beach cruiser, mountain bike and BMX, perfect for biking to grab tacos at Taco Bell" and comes with a Taco Bell x State Bicycle Co. custom frame bag, yours for $420...

There are also grips, bar ends, jerseys, bib shorts, t-shirts and handlebar bags... so much to choose from...

21 April 2023, 09:22
"If I'd caught Pogačar, I think he would have been a hard man to beat": Ben Healy plays down Amstel drafting controversy

Cycling loves a good controversy to get worked up about. Last weekend, it was Amstel Gold Race's director getting a little too close to the action, fans, team bosses and journalists suggesting race winner Tadej Pogačar got a little help from the car...

Tadej Pogacar receives a helping hand from the race director's car at Amstel Gold, 2023 (GCN)

> "Amstel is also available on draft": Controversy erupts over Amstel Gold Race car slipstream, as Tadej Pogačar says vehicle was "too close"

EF Education-EasyPost's team boss Jonathan Vaughters was one of those most vocal in their criticism, while former UCI president Brian Cookson said it was "inexplicable and unacceptable". But what does the man most affected think? EF's breakout star, Irishman Ben Healy, finished second behind Pogačar but told Sticky Bottle he doesn't think it made much difference to the result.

"I don't think so. If I'd caught Pogačar, I think he would have been a hard man to beat. He definitely was holding something in reserve after he dropped me and Pidcock," Healy said.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the cycling world this spring (even if Ryan will tell you he's been around for ages) winning a stage of Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali and GP Industria & Artigianato before taking his form to the big time, racking up two second-place finishes at Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold. A second Monument appearance of his career looms at Liège–Bastogne–Liège before a maiden Grand Tour in May. A Giro stage win would bring the house down...

21 April 2023, 08:56
More experts, fewer conspiracy theorists on active travel TV shows please
21 April 2023, 08:46
Is the Tour of Britain coming to a town near you? Stage finishes announced
Tour of Britain 2022 (SWpix.com)

The remaining four stage finishes for this year's Tour of Britain have been announced...

Stage two on Monday 4 September will finish in the now Hollywood destination of Wrexham, while the following day heads back north to the East Riding of Yorkshire market town of Beverley. After a dip into Nottinghamshire on Wednesday (one of the three already announced stages) Thursday's stage five finishes in Felixstowe before stage six will be decided in Harlow.

Manchester and South Wales are the destinations for the first and last stage, with full profiles and routes to follow "in the coming weeks".

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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75 comments

Avatar
Mungecrundle replied to giff77 | 1 year ago
0 likes

That seems more like bad attitude rather than poor eyesight inspired shitty driving.

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Mungecrundle replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
6 likes

I agree that, as a driver, I want to see cyclists and pedestrians using the road, at the maximum possible distance so that I can work to the maximum margin of safety for the least amount of effort. However, I also recognise that it is 100% my sole responsibility to drive such that I can stop within the minimum distance I can see to be clear.

As a cyclist of the non naked variety I have no problem putting on an outer garment that has the attribute of being conspicuous.

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eburtthebike replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
6 likes

Still misconstruing everything possible, I see.

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ShutTheFrontDawes replied to eburtthebike | 1 year ago
2 likes
eburtthebike wrote:

Still misconstruing everything possible, I see.

Hardly misconstruing your sarcastic, dismissive comments, am I.

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perce replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
4 likes

Calling people hard of thinking. How is that not sarcastic and dismissive?

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Hirsute replied to perce | 1 year ago
5 likes

I don't think it's sarcastic!
Poster has a track record of being offensive and dismissive.

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ShutTheFrontDawes replied to perce | 1 year ago
1 like
perce wrote:

Calling people hard of thinking. How is that not sarcastic and dismissive?

If you don't realise that being conspicuous helps reduce the risk of being hit by the world's poor drivers (and there's a lot of them about), then you are hard of thinking. That is the polite version. It's not rude to call a spade a spade.

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perce replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
8 likes

Yes it is.

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ShutTheFrontDawes replied to perce | 1 year ago
1 like

What do you prefer to be called? 'Intellectually challenged'? 'Academically intolerant', perhaps? Perhaps a classic like 'a slice of bread short of a club sandwich'?

I'm happy to be flexible to mitigate your delicate sensibilities.

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perce replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
8 likes

I don't know really - I think intellectually challenged is a bit much, I do the Times crossword most days. I'd say a bit daft perhaps. But not rude.

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Simon E replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
7 likes

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:

I'm happy to be flexible to mitigate your delicate sensibilities.

You don't need to be 'flexible' (I can't quite figure out what that means in this context). But your posts, at least some of them, might be taken more seriously if you weren't so rude.

Rudeness like this is underpinned by a form of misplaced arrogance (isn't arrogance always misplaced?), which I've found over the years invariably means you don't know half as much as you want others to believe. If you choose to insult people repeatedly for no apparent reason, even after it is pointed out as such, then your opinions are worthless. In plain English: you come across as a real wanker.

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ShutTheFrontDawes replied to Simon E | 1 year ago
1 like

I'm happy to come across that way to people who refuse to admit obvious and basic truths. Like putting on conspicuous clothing makes you easier to see from further away, putting an object which is designed to reduce head injury on your head reduces the chance of head injury, that a accelerating a heavy wheel requires less force than a lighter wheel (I even gave my workings and references to relevant text books in that case) or that 1 is not 100% less than 2 (that one was only yesterday wasn't it Rendel).

The only question I ask myself is why I engage in such 'discussion' in the first place.

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Simon E replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
6 likes

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:

I'm happy to come across that way to people who refuse to admit obvious and basic truths anyone that doesn't agree with me.

I have amended your statement for accuracy.

I'll know not to even begin reading your posts in future. I will have no difficulty in finding a better way to waste my time. Wanker.

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ShutTheFrontDawes replied to Simon E | 1 year ago
0 likes
Simon E wrote:

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:

I'm happy to come across that way to people who refuse to admit obvious and basic truths anyone that doesn't agree with me.

I have amended your statement for accuracy.

I'll know not to even begin reading your posts in future. I will have no difficulty in finding a better way to waste my time. Wanker.

That's probably for the best. If you're too obtuse to understand basic facts, you shouldn't waste your time.

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Rendel Harris replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
5 likes

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:

1 is not 100% less than 2 (that one was only yesterday wasn't it Rendel).

It was only yesterday that I tried to explain to you that difference between 1 and 2 (1) is 100% of 1, as indeed it is, and that the difference between 1 and 50 (49) is 4900% of 1, as indeed it is, yes.

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:

The only question I ask myself is why I engage in such 'discussion' in the first place.

Got me knackered, it just seems to get you enraged and annoys everyone else. I should go for a nice bike ride if I were you, it's a great way of getting a wee bit of perspective on things.

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Clem Fandango replied to perce | 1 year ago
1 like

I agree

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Clem Fandango replied to perce | 1 year ago
1 like

I agree

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perce replied to Clem Fandango | 1 year ago
1 like

Well I should think so too!

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eburtthebike replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
4 likes

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:
perce wrote:

Calling people hard of thinking. How is that not sarcastic and dismissive?

If you don't realise that being conspicuous helps reduce the risk of being hit by the world's poor drivers (and there's a lot of them about), then you are hard of thinking.

If only!  The data shows that conspicuity has no effect on being hit by drivers who aren't looking.

I await your miscontrued response with barely concealed delight*.

 

 

*Exaggeration for effect: there is no concealed delight, nor any approximation of such an outcome: not even the conception of a reflection of an imagined picture of disappointment.

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ShutTheFrontDawes replied to eburtthebike | 1 year ago
0 likes

Firstly "no effect on drivers who aren't looking" is not the same thing as "no effect". Plainly a driver with their eyes shut is not going to see a cyclist whether they're wearing high Viz or not.

I'm noticing a trend with your comments along the lines of "But it doesn't work in the case of X, so there's no point in bothering." Helmets and high speed collisions being another example.

Perhaps you could share the data you're talking about.

Cycling weekly has a good summary of the effectiveness of high Viz.
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/what-is-the-evidence-that...

It helps.

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chrisonabike replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
3 likes

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:
perce wrote:

Calling people hard of thinking. How is that not sarcastic and dismissive?

If you don't realise that being conspicuous helps reduce the risk of being hit by the world's poor drivers (and there's a lot of them about), then you are hard of thinking. That is the polite version. It's not rude to call a spade a spade.

I think we're just bickering about "reduce risk by how much?" and "how certain are you of that?"  Bickering because my safety is ultimately my responsibility but that includes noting when others (crap / entitled / habitually too casual drivers and their defenders) want to discount my safety for their convenience.

Clearly being wildly conspicuous sometimes has zero effect (as someone here has posted).  Equally we all have anecdata of looking into the dark and seeing something shiny (even better if moving, like pedals).

Personally I apply extra visibility measures - but then I've already got plenty reflectives, lights which just come on when I ride etc.  Plus I'm a helpful type.  It also allows me to soothe myself mentally.  No idea what actual protective effect this has - between "it's obviously useful" to "touch wood".

Reflectives are one step up from helmets in that they can potentially help avoid a collision, but as usual I'm more interested in even more effective solutions which have other benefits.

Anyone got any evidence of what the risk reduction is and some measure of how certain that is?

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Rendel Harris replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
6 likes

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:

It's not rude to call a spade a spade.

Yes it is, even if what you're saying is true, it's pretty rude to call a fat person fat or an ugly person ugly even if they unquestionably are.

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ShutTheFrontDawes replied to Rendel Harris | 1 year ago
0 likes

It's rude to tell the truth when it's relevant to the discussion at hand?

You must go out of your way to be offended.

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Rendel Harris replied to ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
4 likes

ShutTheFrontDawes wrote:

It's rude to tell the truth when it's relevant to the discussion at hand?

How is calling someone stupid relevant to the discussion? If you think they're that stupid (which is only your opinion, not "truth") why are you bothering to argue with them? It took me a long while but I've finally realised that it's a waste of time to bother to argue with a couple of the very stupid right wingers on here because, as Richard Dawkins sagely remarked, if you argue with an idiot the best outcome you can hope for is to say you've won an argument with an idiot.

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Hirsute replied to Rendel Harris | 1 year ago
3 likes

I don't think Raab would agree !

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wycombewheeler | 1 year ago
6 likes

Quote:

"I've now lost count of how many cyclists I see without lights or even high visibility clothing after twilight, and that's on busy main roads as well as country lanes. Maybe it's time to repeat the slogan 'BE SAFE - BE SEEN' ?" Another strong entry, love the use of capitals...

Another driver completely lacking in self awareness

"What are you doing about all these cyclists I can see, that can't be seen?"

Are they boasting about their super human eyesight, or providing evidence that lights and hi vis are not quite as essential* as they would have us believe?

Still since the cyclists in question have clearly been seen, they should be safe by the drivers own admission

*I do not advocate riding without lights at night by anyone, and personally I may or may not ride with hi vis at night depending on mood.

 

Avatar
Hirsute | 1 year ago
1 like

Not sure why they went with tomatoes
"Police hunt for tomato-throwing attacker"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv2w3wnjd8ro
when apples were also thrown at people.
Although an unripe tomato at ~ 30 mph would be painful.
"The apparently unprovoked assaults happened in Eastbourne and Hastings in East Sussex."

Full face helmet required in this area.

Avatar
ShutTheFrontDawes replied to Hirsute | 1 year ago
2 likes
Hirsute wrote:

Full face helmet required in this area.

Victim-blamer.  3

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hawkinspeter replied to Hirsute | 1 year ago
4 likes

Hirsute wrote:

Not sure why they went with tomatoes "Police hunt for tomato-throwing attacker" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv2w3wnjd8ro when apples were also thrown at people. Although an unripe tomato at ~ 30 mph would be painful. "The apparently unprovoked assaults happened in Eastbourne and Hastings in East Sussex." Full face helmet required in this area.

Was it an in-cider informant?

Either way, I hope they ketchup with the culprits

Avatar
Adam Sutton | 1 year ago
9 likes

"Why do moany people on the internet hate police keeping cyclists safe? Close pass operation met with usual complaints"

It's twitter, what do you expect?!

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