"Hi-vis distracts from the real issues on our roads," says makers of bike camera warning signs; "Tedious" number plate debate follows former Met chief's comments; Friday Facebook Fancy; A front light with a difference; Mythbusting + more on the live blog

You may already be familiar with the work of PassPixi, the makers of the magnetic bike camera warning signs which aim to dissuade anyone tempted to do something dangerous around the wearer. After all, the looming stick of potential penalty points and a fine through the post is almost certainly more effective than whatever the carrot I'm now struggling to identify is in this analogy.

In fact, through our Near Miss of the Day series we've covered this 'in the wild'...

> Near Miss of the Day 538: Close pass driver hangs back when they realise they are being filmed

In that case our Warwickshire reader had one of the patches displayed, the front and rear camera footage showing a motorist about to perform a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre before, presumably spotting the PassPixi logo, thinking better of it and holding back until it was safer to pass.

Anyway, rambling context done, onto this...

Hi-vis distracts… from the real issues on our roads #cycling pic.twitter.com/ATUOJyADwL

— PassPixi (@PassPixi) November 23, 2023

It would be interesting to see the respective treatment this rider got with and without the little camera sign. The hi-vis question always pops up again at this time of year, the dark nights and shortening afternoons prompting (often admittedly well-meaning) road safety groups, local authorities or police forces to urge using hi-vis clothing as a cyclist. Don't worry pedestrians, you've not been forgotten...

What about pedestrians? pic.twitter.com/J9WN6ZMLIm

— The Sign Minister (@thesignminister) November 23, 2023

> Police ask pedestrians to wear hi-vis following spate of road deaths in Scotland

Other police forces, notably the Surrey Roads Policing Unit's famous social media account, prefer to point out the main causes of road danger should be prioritised, not forcing personal protective equipment on more vulnerable road users...

How have you turned this into a discussion about high viz?

We have cars covered in it and big flashy lights and drivers STILL don’t see us. pic.twitter.com/e4PF8v7uqu

— Roads Policing - Surrey Police - UK (@SurreyRoadCops) June 26, 2020

A point made in PassPixi's original post, where they say it "distracts from the real issues on the road". To many a reply disagreeing, they added to the discussion with this video this morning...

Hi-vis doing a tremendous job of keeping a rider safe #cycling pic.twitter.com/QS7JeG5RRB

— PassPixi (@PassPixi) November 24, 2023

A familiar tale for any of us (regardless of what you're wearing)...

Check out PassPixi here...

What do we have here?

 Laurens De Plus and Tom Pidcock took a trip to Troyes to recon the route for next year's ninth stage of the Tour de France, a 14-gravel sector lumpy ride through the vineyards. Maybe not quite as toasty in November, but at least you're not a four-time Tour de France winner demoted to role of Geraint Thomas' mechanic.

How many pros does it take to pump up my tyres? 🤷‍♂️🤣💅 pic.twitter.com/6TLPZFOHr6

— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) November 24, 2023

> Best Black Friday cycling deals live blog: Proviz BIKE jackets from £40, LifeLine turbo trainer down to 15 QUID,30-piece Draper Allen key set for £12.49, Vitus ZX-1 with SRAM Rival just £1999,99, 50% off everything at Altura, Le Col savings + more

Only kidding. Anyway, hope your Black Friday is going better than Halfords' social media admin's...

More like racing to return them due to faults

— Kie M (@kie_morgan3) November 24, 2023

there’s some rusty tat on facebook marketplace but for not much money at all you can acquire a rare collectible, it’s also the worst bike ever produced. it won’t rust though pic.twitter.com/sP1e4B3fRE

— Jo Burt (@VecchioJo) November 24, 2023

enlighted pic.twitter.com/ofVoia5lzm

— OriginCycling (@OriginCycling) November 20, 2023

That's one for the Beam Test 2024...

> road.cc front bike lights Beam Test 2023 — our big Beam Comparison Engine is live to help you choose the best front light for your riding

Sometimes when asked by a friend or family member about how pro cycling works, you'll end up explaining how teams carry the name of whoever is paying the bills but, since cycling's still relatively small business in the wider sporting picture, we end up with the world's best competing as a moving billboard for caffeine shampoo or Belgian laminate flooring. 

Add another chapter to that great book...

We are delighted to confirm our new partnership agreements with Visma and Lease a Bike!

Managing director Richard Plugge: "This is another big step forward, ensuring that we have the resources to further develop and improve as a team."

— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) November 24, 2023

The all-conquering and relentless winners, Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert, Marianne Vos and Co. part of the terrifying and ruthless victory-collecting machine that is... *checks notes*... Team Visma | Lease a Bike...

Out goes the supermarket, in comes the bike hire provider. Crack out the bad jokes when one of their stars ends up grabbing a neutral service bike in a moment of crisis...

In all seriousness here are the comments from Lease a Bike's managing director Ward Matser on the deal... "Lease a Bike's mission is to inspire people to go biking. For sports, for commuting and in everyday life. What better way to spread this message than through an extremely inspiring cycling team? We want to encourage people to live healthier and more sustainable lives and see Team Visma | Lease a Bike as a way to contribute to this.

"We are already successful in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Austria and we are expanding to other countries in Europe and to the USA. We believe in innovation, developing talent and doing things a little better every day. A vision we share with the cycling team."

No greenwashing accusations today... (and by pro cycling's not so glittering standards, that'll do for me)...