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"An everyday occurrence": Driver pulls out on cyclist in very relatable clip; DIY cycle lane pops up after council removes segregated infra; G's Cycling Trust; BathLive readers LOVE active travel; Alt Tour film; Strange kit release + more on the live blog

It's Tuesday live blog time! Dan Alexander is the man behind the keyboard for today's action...
Tue, Oct 26, 2021 09:04
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SUMMARY

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"An everyday occurrence": Driver pulls out on cyclist in very relatable clip; DIY cycle lane pops up after council removes segregated infra; G's Cycling Trust; BathLive readers LOVE active travel; Alt Tour film; Strange kit release + more on the live blogDriver pulls out on cyclist (Screenshot via CycleGaz)
26 October 2021, 16:08
26 October 2021, 15:29
How many mates to reel in Filippo Ganna?

A lot...

26 October 2021, 13:57
All too relatable...reader reaction to a very familiar driver pulling out video

Time for some reaction to our main blog story of the day...it's all a bit déjà vu isn't it? You're riding along, approach a left turn, see driver waiting, driver starts to edge forward, 'surely not' you think, 'yep, they're coming out', BRAKE...

Andrew Potts suggested this and the left hook are all-time classics for the 'bad driving cyclists see' hall of fame. No arguments from me, although I'd love to add the must get in front overtake approaching a red light/stationary traffic that always ends with you rolling past laughing...

Rob Taylor thinks there's more to it, "I’m convinced it’s not just a case of I didn’t see you (no excuses for that) but one of...'its only a bike...they can stop and he/she isn’t going fast.' Not appreciating you could so easily be doing 25mph. Perceived speed for some drivers seems relative to mass."

Graham Black championed the trusty air horn for situations like this...

On Facebook, David Kelly commented: "It’s sadly an almost everyday occurrence stuff like that."

Of course, some said the cyclist shouldn't have been riding so fast...Stew Elliott mic-dropped that idea with this: "What I'm getting from the responses is a bunch of people who regularly moan that cyclists are slow and hold up traffic also think cyclists go too fast." Funny that.

26 October 2021, 13:40
New shades from Rudy Project
2021 Rudy Project Deltabeat

Rudy Project has just launched its new Deltabeat sunglasses which are now made with a bio-based polyamide frame material that’s called Rilsan Clear. 

Rudy Project says this new material developed by Arkema has the same properties of Grilamid TR90 which is commonly used for sport sunnies. “Rilsan Clear’s key properties are lightness, chemical and fatigue resistance, flexibility and easy processability which make this material extremely durable, resistant and perfectly suitable for sports use,” claims Rudy Project.

 Rilsan Clear is made from the oil of castor beans grown in the Gujarat region of India. “The beans are crushed to produce castor oil and the oil is further refined during several steps to produce the primary bio-based raw material in the polymer,” Rudy Project explains.

The Deltabeats are Rudy Projects’ sunnies with a large wraparound lens for maximum coverage and also include the brands’ head grip geometry that’s designed to optimise the fit for different faces. Vents are also included on the temples, frame and lenses to minimise the risk of fogging. We’ll get one in for review and you know our thoughts soon…

2021 Rudy Project Deltabeat
26 October 2021, 13:22
But cyclists...
26 October 2021, 13:09
Raleigh launches national competition: Vintage MK2 Raleigh Chopper and limited edition T-shirts designed by Johnny Vaughan, Pete McKee and Kid30 up for grabs
Raleigh competition

Raleigh has a competition where one lucky winner will get their hands on a pristine vintage MK2 Raleigh Chopper. Working in partnership with World Bicycle Relief, entrants can also win a collection of limited edition T-shirts and prints. All proceeds will go towards World Bicycle Relief's work providing bikes to those living in poverty within developing rural areas.

The MK2 probably needs no introduction, it's an iconic bike that Raleigh says, "transports many riders back to a time of fun and exploration from their childhood". Anyone here still a proud Chopper owner? Entries are £5 via the brand's crowdfunder...

26 October 2021, 13:09
26 October 2021, 12:31
DIY painted cycle lane pops up on Old Shoreham Road...just a month after council removes segregated infrastructure

Old Shoreham Road has a new cycle lane today, it's a little bit wonky (and not council-approved) but it's there...

The DIY painted lane appeared on the same road where the council removed a protected cycle route last month. Images of the new lane spread on social media, and show it painted sporadically along both sides of the road. In response, the council promised to remove the paintwork and warned the public "not to put unauthorised lining on any roads."

One unimpressed local told the Argus, "Honestly, we were shocked and appalled that someone had gone to such lengths to reverse the decision that was finally democratically made after 16 months. This is an illegal act of vandalism that needs to be dealt with by the police..."

Old Shoreham Road made headlines here at road.cc when a group of parents set up a school bike train in response to the council's decision to remove the infrastructure. Ben Kelly, a founder of the train and parent at a local school said: "It’s one hundred percent in response to the bike lane being taken out.

"Using that road is a lot more dangerous when you don’t have a cycle lane there. Cars whiz past at speed and in volume. It was not a nice journey in comparison. We thought we’d do a bike train to get safety in numbers, what we basically do is ride two abreast, take up the whole lane and cars can then drive around us."

26 October 2021, 12:24
26 October 2021, 11:21
Say goodbye to stinky kit...Muc-Off launches Anti-Odour spray
Muc-Off Anti-Odour spray

Aiming to solve one of the biggest issues of digging deep in-the-saddle - stinky kit - Muc-Off has launched its Anti-Odour spray (£11.99 for a 250ml bottle). The bicycle care brand is venturing into rider care with a spray that it says helps increase the longevity of kit and is perfect for using while away on riding trips to help protect your kit when it’s repeatedly used and can’t be easily washed.

The spray uses Silverplus tech which, according to Muc-Off, works by releasing the silver element in the formula onto the fabric to keep riders’ kit smelling fresh for longer. “The silver releases positive ions to attach to the negative ions of bacteria, which prevents the dreaded odour-causing bacteria from developing,” says Muc-Off. “It’s ideal for removing odour from helmet liners, body armour, shoe lining, gloves, pads, boots, shoes, synthetic fibre or any other textiles that come into contact with your skin and start to smell over time.”

Muc-Off says it’ll provide freshness for up to ten washes before another spray treatment is needed, and is suitable to use on leather, suede, cotton, polycotton, softshell, technical fabrics and synthetics. 

Brands are increasingly introducing products to increase the longevity of kit to reduce the environmental impact. Wondering how to make more eco-friendly choices when it comes to your cycle clothing? You can find out more over here.

26 October 2021, 11:14
Deceuninck-Quick-Step mark the off-season with a day out on the tractor

Believe it or not the only Quick-Step rider here is Yves Lampaert. At first we thought Tim Declercq was looking well, turns out that's an actual John Deere.

26 October 2021, 10:28
Mamnick raises eyebrows with this bizarre kit release

In the market for biathlon kit? Probably not. But Sheffield-based cycling clothing company Mamnick raised eyebrows with this interesting kit release photo...as well as the brand's no nonsense approach to dealing with unhappy replies...

I don't really know what to say about this. You can make up your own mind...

26 October 2021, 09:38
Rapha Gone Racing: Behind the scenes of Lachlan Morton's Alt Tour

As always with the EF Education-Nippo x Rapha collabs there's a great behind the scenes film documenting the trip. Lachlan Morton's Alt Tour film is worth the wait. We spent most of July just watching his little avatar zipping across France on the tracker, now you can actually see what it was like slogging away day after day...in his sandals. Well worth a watch...

26 October 2021, 09:02
BathLive readers LOVE active travel

70 comments under this. Get comfy, grab the popcorn, we're going in...

Scotty Turner got the ball rolling: "Oh that plonker again, anti car cycalist(sic)"

Chris Dunn rather menacingly added: "Car owners are voters and you don't want to be upsetting them." 

Stuart Pike may have the solution though..."Unless they flatten all the hills out, it's all rubbish." Right, lads. Get that roller out and flatten some of those hills for us...

In fairness, a few people pointed out the need to make public transport more reliable and accessible, including Vanessa Roberts: "Our bus service to Bath is diabolical and the train isn't much better. I prefer to use the park and ride when I can as parking prices are high."

Any locals want to have their say? 

26 October 2021, 08:42
Geraint Thomas launches Cycling Trust aiming to get young people cycling

 G has set up the Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust (GTCT) so that "every young person can enjoy the spirit of cycling by participating in cycling regardless of their individual circumstances." Through grant funding and a support programme, the trust wants to encourage more youngsters to ride bikes, while also tackling the affordability issue that many face when buying and maintaining their bicycle.

On the sport side of things the GTCT has pledged to develop a network of community volunteer mentors, and more widely it will work with other cycling organisations and local cycling clubs and schools to support young people who want to cycle.

26 October 2021, 07:38
"An everyday occurrence": Driver pulls out on cyclist in very relatable clip

I'd wager if you're here reading road.cc and you've been riding bikes for any sustained period of time, then you'll be familiar with this manoeuvre. CycleGaz certainly has, he's even nailed down his cheery "Ohhh, thank you for looking. Thank you, really appreciate it" and ride on...

Presumably, the driver here didn't even consider the thought of a cyclist rolling up the bike lane on the inside of the stationary cars. Maybe it's a clip to highlight how paint on the road doesn't help keep cyclists safe, but I'd say it's mainly just a very relatable piece of bad driving.

Anyway, even if there was a segregated lane it might not have helped...remember this vid from Cork's new South Mall cycle path? One local rider took a spin down the new lane, only to narrowly avoid a triple collision with two drivers pulling into it without seeing him.

As is the way with Twitter, not everyone agreed the driver was at fault in the CycleGaz video...two accounts (both related to London taxi drivers) took issue. Our old 'friends' at Taxileaks blamed Gaz for riding like he's in a velodrome and took issue with the rider pressing his head unit afterwards too...that's a new one for the bingo cards.

It's a return to form for the self-proclaimed 'London's no1 Taxi news website/blog' which was last seen on the live blog arguing with Jeremy Vine about cyclists needing registration plates. The advice from fellow cyclists was more sympathetic...one person recommended rechargeable air horns, another the advice "assume that every single driver will ignore your right of way and pull out on you"...

Got to love a WTF hand too...

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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134 comments

Avatar
peted76 | 3 years ago
3 likes

No f++ks given by Mamnick I see. While I applaud their couldn't care less attitude and witty repartee, I can't help but wonder what this yorkshire based brand was thinking giving a model a pretend sub machine gun to show off their wares. I can only think that they were thinking that an 'action man' theme (as in the toys) might be a fitting brand angle. But then again.. that's clearly where the thought process rather abrutly ended. 

OR.. maybe they are starting a yorkshire based gang who are gonna cycle around Sheffield in expensive jerseys firing BB guns in pedal-by shootings. whilst shouting 'bang! bang! bang! .... I'd sort of like to see that, I think it might work well in Sheffield.

 

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Gimpl replied to peted76 | 3 years ago
4 likes

I will admit that I'm actually a bit scared of guns, I've not had much exposure to them over the years.

Having said that, only on Sunday, after three close passes in a short stretch of road, I was thinking how nice it would be to have a handgun mounted on the handlebars to shoot out those fuckers wheels!!

Maybe Mamnick are onto something! yes

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chrisonabike replied to Gimpl | 3 years ago
5 likes

Guns don't kill people, cyclists do:

 

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wycombewheeler replied to peted76 | 3 years ago
0 likes

peted76 wrote:

No f++ks given by Mamnick I see. While I applaud their couldn't care less attitude and witty repartee, I can't help but wonder what this yorkshire based brand was thinking giving a model a pretend sub machine gun to show off their wares. I can only think that they were thinking that an 'action man' theme (as in the toys) might be a fitting brand angle. But then again.. that's clearly where the thought process rather abrutly ended. 

OR.. maybe they are starting a yorkshire based gang who are gonna cycle around Sheffield in expensive jerseys firing BB guns in pedal-by shootings. whilst shouting 'bang! bang! bang! .... I'd sort of like to see that, I think it might work well in Sheffield.

 

maybe they were thinking all publicity is good publicity and engaging in guerilla marketing. After all I had never heard of them before and now I have.

Personally I was more put off by their 70s sci fi styling than the presence of a gun.

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peted76 replied to wycombewheeler | 3 years ago
1 like

I can't believe you've never heard of Mamnick.. where have you been all these years..  they are famous for selling stainless steel chip forks! 

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Rich_cb replied to peted76 | 3 years ago
2 likes

Their response to the Twitter mob has definitely sent them up in my estimation.

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PRSboy | 3 years ago
5 likes

Well that new Mamnick rig looks like just the job for dealing with bikejackers...

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Ride On | 3 years ago
14 likes

On a positive note; Cyclegaz was making awesome progress on his commute compared to the drivers stuck in traffic. A great ad for cycle commuting.😁

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anke | 3 years ago
2 likes

Poor driving by the white car. But the situation was not very clear for anyone (cross-roads, congestian, pedestrian crossing), and the difference in speed made the situation hard to predict for the frustrated and stressed (they all are) driver. The driver slowly pulled out before the bike was close enough to be seen well - in traffic that moved so slowly and chaotically that the driver had to focus on things happening nearby. After getting going, the driver probably had to focus on the car in front, which might have stopped at any time. So, no excuses for the white cars -- but many reasons for expecting its driver to make a mistake in a confusing situation.

And then, the bike had to stop anyway at the pedestrian's crossing - so no kinetic energy was wasted for slowing down for the white car. If roles were swapped (white car on main road, bike pulling in from side road), we might have even considered this a mild case of "must get in front". Stretching things, you might also argue that the white car actually "shielded" the pedestrian crossing from the bike traffic...

In summary: Yep, white car did someting slightly, stupid, a little ignorant and potentially dangerous, but in a highly confusing situation. The cyclist responded correctly by adjusting the speed (he had to stop at the pedestrian's crossing anyway), and things were resolved.

In the end, this is how we have to deal with confusing situations in traffic.

The rider probably learned to be even more carful in such confusing situations, the driver probably learned to watch out more for (unexpected) cyclists.

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eburtthebike replied to anke | 3 years ago
29 likes

anke wrote:

In summary: Yep, white car did someting slightly, stupid, a little ignorant and potentially dangerous, but in a highly confusing situation.

Two things; the car did nothing, it was the driver, and if you find that situation confusing, you shouldn't be on the road in any kind of vehicle, and probably not as a pedestrian.

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anke replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
2 likes

"Two things; the car did nothing, it was the driver," reading a post in it's entirety before answering might help, "and if you find that situation" post "confusing", up to the summary, "you shouldn't be on the road" a forum "in any kind of vehicle" role, "and probably not as a pedestrian"  poster."   3

Edit - last line removed.

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Rendel Harris replied to anke | 3 years ago
14 likes

anke wrote:

"Two things; the car did nothing, it was the driver," reading a post in it's entirety before answering might help, "and if you find that situation" post "confusing", up to the summary, "you shouldn't be on the road" a forum "in any kind of vehicle" role, "and probably not as a pedestrian"  poster."   3

To everybody else: apologies for responding to a troll.

We're well off for trolls round this neighbourhood but eburt isn't one of them (despite the fact that we frequently disagree!), and nothing in his response justifies such an accusation. Ironically, in fact, your rather desperate attempt to be clever in response is far more trollish than anything he said.

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eburtthebike replied to Rendel Harris | 3 years ago
15 likes

Rendel Harris wrote:

We're well off for trolls round this neighbourhood but eburt isn't one of them (despite the fact that we frequently disagree!)

No we don't.

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stomec replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
7 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

Rendel Harris wrote:

We're well off for trolls round this neighbourhood but eburt isn't one of them (despite the fact that we frequently disagree!)

No we don't.

Thats not a disagreement, it's just contradiction!

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to stomec | 3 years ago
12 likes

stomec wrote:

eburtthebike wrote:

Rendel Harris wrote:

We're well off for trolls round this neighbourhood but eburt isn't one of them (despite the fact that we frequently disagree!)

No we don't.

Thats not a disagreement, it's just contradiction!

Is this the full half hour argument or just the five minutes?

Avatar
stomec replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
4 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

stomec wrote:

eburtthebike wrote:

Rendel Harris wrote:

We're well off for trolls round this neighbourhood but eburt isn't one of them (despite the fact that we frequently disagree!)

No we don't.

Thats not a disagreement, it's just contradiction!

Is this the full half hour argument or just the five minutes?

I'm just arguing in my spare time 

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Rendel Harris replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
9 likes

 The great Eddie Mair at his first job interview for Scottish radio: interviewer, looking at his application: "I see it says here you enjoy a good argument?" Eddie: "No it doesn't." He got the job!

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Hirsute replied to anke | 3 years ago
18 likes

If the driver found that situation confusing, then the answer is to stop driving.

You obviously didn't read the twitter comments which said the driver did not look. That is not being confused, that is being incompetent.

"Stretching things, you might also argue that the white car actually "shielded" the pedestrian crossing from the bike traffic..."

Sorry, are you channeling the resident troll?

"The rider probably learned to be even more carful in such confusing situations"

Pretty bloody sure CycleGaz has a rather high level of hazard perception given the videos he posts and is very carful (sic).

"the driver probably learned to watch out more for (unexpected) cyclists."

Yeah, who would expect a cyclist in a cycle lane ?

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anke replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
1 like

Many simple answers that won't be of help for anyone.

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Flintshire Boy replied to anke | 3 years ago
0 likes

Well, that's many of the regular posters here on Road.cc for you.

No balance. Bikes always right. Cars always wrong.

Simps, eh?

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Hirsute replied to Flintshire Boy | 3 years ago
3 likes

See NMOTD 646

https://road.cc/content/news/nmotd-646-close-pass-ahead-roundabout-287227

Plenty of previous comments over the months where the cyclist has got flak for their roadcraft.

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brooksby replied to anke | 3 years ago
7 likes

But there was a cycle lane painted on the road.  Any qualified driver ought to be also checking that, not just looking at the stationary motor vehicles.  If they can't do that then perhaps they ought to consider using public transport instead?

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anke replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
1 like

Yes, using public transport would be good for almost all drivers. But we all have learned to act based on reflexes (you can't survive in traffic contemplating about everything you do) - and some of these reflexes require retraining. On the other hand, participants in traffic need to expect the mistakes by others to ensure that these mistakes have no irreversible consequences.

Regarding the cycle lane painted on the road: it's poorly painted, almost worn off and hardly visible on a read road. And as cyclists, we have learned to ignore some of them - the dangerous ones, the poor ones, the narrow ones, the dirty ones and the blocked ones. Foreseeing that a driver might also ignore a  cycle lane may be a life saver...

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hawkinspeter replied to anke | 3 years ago
7 likes

anke wrote:

Yes, using public transport would be good for almost all drivers. But we all have learned to act based on reflexes (you can't survive in traffic contemplating about everything you do) - and some of these reflexes require retraining. On the other hand, participants in traffic need to expect the mistakes by others to ensure that these mistakes have no irreversible consequences.

Regarding the cycle lane painted on the road: it's poorly painted, almost worn off and hardly visible on a read road. And as cyclists, we have learned to ignore some of them - the dangerous ones, the poor ones, the narrow ones, the dirty ones and the blocked ones. Foreseeing that a driver might also ignore a  cycle lane may be a life saver...

A driver acting just on reflexes is a danger to everyone. If you drive anything like that, then please stop immediately.

The cycle lane is irrelevant in this instance as the driver pulled out from a side road without sufficiently checking that it was safe to do so. Without a cycle lane, it would still be likely for a cyclist to be filtering and subsequently endangered by the motorist's rash and dangerous maneouvre.

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anke replied to hawkinspeter | 3 years ago
0 likes

A driver acting just on reflexes is a danger to everyone.

Why did you add the "JUST" to my statement? I never wrote about acting "JUST" on reflexes.

But coming back to the topic: People complained about the poor behaviour of the driver of the white car. I made a comment that this behaviour was poor, but should have been expected by the cyclist.

I believe that just complaining, amongst cyclists, won't help anyone. Learning from these videos, however, is a great way of improving our own cycling and our awarenes of potential dangers. And this is the spirit I'm writing in. 

But I'm not stopping anyone from complaining or whinging about a driver in video...

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TriTaxMan replied to anke | 3 years ago
3 likes

anke wrote:

I believe that just complaining, amongst cyclists, won't help anyone. Learning from these videos, however, is a great way of improving our own cycling and our awarenes of potential dangers. And this is the spirit I'm writing in. 

But I'm not stopping anyone from complaining or whinging about a driver in video...

No what you are doing is trying to justify the actions of the driver 

anke wrote:

They might have just looked too early - at a time suitable for the (almost) stationary cars but not for a moving bike.

Or is that not what you are doing..... I mean you are essentially saying is that their actions would have been acceptable had the cyclist not been there.

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anke replied to TriTaxMan | 3 years ago
0 likes

No what you are doing is trying to justify the actions of the driver 

I'm trying to understand WHY the driver has reacted in the WRONG way - not to justify the action.

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TriTaxMan replied to anke | 3 years ago
8 likes

anke wrote:

No what you are doing is trying to justify the actions of the driver 

I'm trying to understand WHY the driver has reacted in the WRONG way - not to justify the action.

It's really quite simple..... they were not paying attention

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anke replied to TriTaxMan | 3 years ago
0 likes

This is perhaps a little too simple - there's usually a reason for people to not pay due attention...

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Hirsute replied to anke | 3 years ago
5 likes

They are thinking about the football

They had an argument

They are tired

They are in a hurry

They are distracted by a child in the back seat

They are on a call

They are on drugs

You could come up with 100s of reasons - what will you do with the actual reason?

Unless your agenda is to try and blame the cyclist again.

 

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