'Mr Loophole' lawyer is back with another anti-cycling rant; MotoGP pro Aleix Espargaró shares brutal 300km ride on Strava; BTP Cheshire slammed for cycle safety pics; Burst pipe turns cycle lane into 'log flume' + more on the live blog

The car-free roads of lockdown were a gift to cyclists. Many people ride their bikes in a safe and responsible way. But, as I write in @cheshirelife, unfortunately there were some who proved to be a danger to pedestrians as they cycled at top speed along empty roads. #cycling pic.twitter.com/RDRxvKXqj2

— Nick Freeman (@TheMrLoophole) June 28, 2020

Nick Freeman - nicknamed 'Mr Loophole' for his history of getting clients such as David Beckham and Jeremy Clarkson off the hook for motoring offences - is once again trotting out his calls for cyclists to wear high-vis jackets "stamped with a registration number" and hold compulsory insurance, this time in a magazine about rural life in Cheshire. It's safe to say it didn't go down very well on social media...

Oh, do put a sock in it. And @cheshirelife - what on earth are you doing giving print space to this tedious self-publicist, whose entire career is based on making the roads *more* dangerous for everyone?

— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) June 28, 2020

@cheshirelife Shame on you for publishing this dribble, will never buy your magazine again. What about all those cars speeding through are roads/lanes, that is ok?

— mberryphotography (@martin_berry) June 28, 2020

David Beckham 76 in a 50
Frank Lampard 86 in a 50
Joe Cole 105mph

You got them + others off lightly. Cyclists though, very dangerous

— ChrisMT09 (@NI_Cyclist) June 28, 2020

In the article, Nutsford resident Freeman claims he was out on a walk with a friend's young son, when the boy was almost hit by a cyclist. He says this "was no isolated incident", and suggests that his high-vis registration tabard and insurance idea would solve the problem so cyclists can be identified (because of course, 100% of drivers are licenced and insured, Mr Freeman). His tweet describing cyclists as doing "top speed" has also caused confusion, and Freeman is yet to clarify his comments. Cheshire Life are yet to comment and have today shared the article again, saying that it "caused quite the stir over the weekend."

Over the years, Freeman has made repeated claims for cyclists and pedestrians to wear high-vis, while continuing to defend law-breaking and even killer motorists. In 2014, Freeman argued that his client Simon Martins - who ran over and killed rabbi Hyman Steinberg in Salford back in 2012 - may have avoided the collision if Mr Steinberg was wearing reflective clothing. He's also said that cyclists should be forced to use designated cycle lanes, and in 2015 urged motorists to "fight back" against cyclists using headcams to film dangerous driving. 

Thanks @OneTrafford and @OfficialTfGM pic.twitter.com/RyLHTJdiOT

— Deborah (@UrmstonDeb) June 29, 2020

That's the kind of message we can get behind. 

The new £10 million scheme set to launch in spring 2021 will see a fleet of 1,500 docked hire bikes hit the streets of Manchester, and TfGM say they are now looking for a company to run it. This will replace Mobike (above) who pulled out of Manchester in 2018 citing high levels of theft and vandalism. 

Greater Manchester's Cycling and Walking Commissioner Chris Boardman commented: “A third of households across Greater Manchester don’t have access to a car and almost 75% don’t have access to a bicycle, limiting their travel options. GM bike hire will make bikes more accessible and convenient and deliver a viable travel option by providing public bikes within 500 metres of 100,000 households.

“This isn’t just about bikes, it’s about a holistic approach to sustainable transport which is exactly what the Mayor’s ‘Our Network’ plan aims to deliver, tying together public transport and active travel options to make a better place for everyone to live.”

Esto seria un buen APOCALIPSIS no @Eganbernal ?? 😅🤙 pic.twitter.com/BXsCzgfOr7

— Aleix Espargaró (@AleixEspargaro) June 28, 2020

We were sceptical when the Spaniard first tagged Egan Bernal into the Twitter post above, wondering if the 300km (186 mile) ride completed at an average speed of 32.3km/h (over 20mph) was in some way motorbike-assisted... but after doing some snooping on Espargaró's Strava account, it appears very likely that the brutal ride was genuine and pedal-assisted.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Que pu** animalada de entreno!!! 🤙 - 9h15m / 300km / +3600mt / 137ppm / 238w NP - Ruta espectacular hasta Francia subiendo Col du Madeloc (Durisimo) con una compañia inmejorable @stgraucyclingteam ! Que pasada de dia!

A post shared by Aleix 41 (@aleixespargaro) on Jun 28, 2020 at 11:46am PDT

The Strava upload (accompanied by a sweary caption in Spanish) and picture on his Instagram account seem to suggest it was a group ride, with Espargaró averaging 225 watts over the nine hours and 21 minutes he was in the saddle. Will we see the 30-year-old switching from motor to pedal cycle racing in the future? On this evidence, it's certainly a possibility. 

Learn ways to stay safe when out cycling with todays #DailyActivity & don't forget to add a splash of colour to the posters #ConnectingUsTogether @CheshireSSYP@ActiveTravelCre @SoTCityCouncil @CheshireEast @StaffsPolice @cheshirepolice @PoliceCrewe @bikeregister @StaffsUniPolice pic.twitter.com/6ckWMzPJey

— BTP Cheshire (@BTPCheshire) June 27, 2020

Made even more strange by the fact that BTP Cheshire are responsible for policing railways, the post includes two images that appear to be copied from a cycling safety group based in either the US or Canada, judging from the language used. The first advises cyclists to always wear a helmet "even if you are only going a few blocks", and the second says that cyclists should "get off (your) bike and walk it across busy corners."

Seems to be aimed at:
a) Children and,
b) Americans

Rules, procedures and laws are different between UK and US so there could be better options available.

— Roads Policing Unit (RPU) - Surrey Police - UK (@SurreyRoadCops) June 28, 2020

Stick to your stated remit then, as you seem to know little about cycling.
“BTP Cheshire@BTPCheshire
We're the local team for policing railways in Cheshire & North Staffs area.”

— Peter Smith (@Pinarello_Pete) June 27, 2020

Delete this tweet. Yours, a Bikeability instructor. pic.twitter.com/uXJoKPD5bS

— FastOrFarCoaching (@FastOrFar) June 27, 2020

This is pitiful nonsense which also goes against the National Standard of Cycle Training advice that Bikeability Instructors, like myself, give to trainee riders.

This is not in your remit or useful.

— Dom the Tea Drinker 🏴‍☠️🇪🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇭🇰 (@Tdr1nka) June 28, 2020

Neither of these recommendations are legally required or even advisable in the UK according to numerous people who have replied, including Surrey's Road Policing Unit and Bikeability instructors. 

Was BTP Cheshire's account hacked by a misinformed cycle safety advocate from overseas at the weekend? They've yet to provide an explanation or remove the offending tweet and are still receiving negative replies, but we'll keep an eye out for updates nevertheless...

Félicitations to @Anne_Hidalgo and her re-election as Mayor of Paris! We think your mission to boost pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is simply "super!" #paris #hidalgo pic.twitter.com/HkaIVvmQOK

— ONO (@ono_motion) June 29, 2020

Campaigning largely on her mission to improve cycling and walking infrastructure, Socialist Party politician Hidalgo swept to victory by polling just under half of all votes cast. Hidalgo's vision for Paris includes a cycle path on every street in the city, removing 60% of on-street car parking and ensuring all residents are within a 15 minute walk of local amenities. 

This is an excellent point. Next-day cargo bike deliveries exempt from extra charges, incentivises the industry to invest in clean, local delivery as it gives them a competitive advantage. https://t.co/CbinVP31ah

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) June 29, 2020

The Times report that the government's scientific advisers have recommended a mandatory charge for online deliveries - similar to the successful plastic bag charge - to “encourage more sustainable behaviour” amid a rise in delivery vans on UK roads. The report from the Department for Transport also noted that a culture of free next-day deliveries had lead to “unnecessary over-ordering”, including some customers taking advantage of free returns with some larger online retailers. 

Deliveries by e-cargo bike are in their infancy in the UK, but Chris Boardman notes that this could be a big opportunity for retailers to "invest in clean, local delivery as it gives them a competitive advantage."

One of the most notable examples of e-cargo delivery successes are Pedal Me of London, who say they're ready to step in to provide more sustainable deliveries for larger companies to replace the increasing number of polluting vans on Britain's roads.

The Ludlow-based kids bike brand Islabikes say that they stopped all paid activity on Facebook in November 2019, because "Facebook’s values were incompatible with their own." This is in support of the Stop Hate for Profit campaign. 

Founder Isla Rowntree said in a statement: “We owe it to our children to support an environment where they are safe, on and offline. Just as we need safer cycling infrastructure, we need safe spaces online for children too.” 

Islabikes say they will encourage other businesses to join the campaign to stop all advertising on Facebook-owned platforms such as Instagram for the month of July, and ideally "until the social media behemoth take meaningful action."

Been singing in the rain all weekend? Here's what you missed... 

Fire service called out for DIY e-bike fire

Cyclist chases after runaway dog as it dodges Mexico City traffic

Man arrested following Camden assault on cyclist

French probe into mechanical doping shelved after no evidence found

Black teen on charity ride ‘grabbed from bike’ by Met police officer

Government tells councils to show more ambition with cycling plans

Near Miss of the Day 431: High speed close pass by driver of Polish-registered lorry

Southampton MP complains of City Council "taking out lanes" – says pop-up cycle lanes worsen congestion