Jeremy Vine's penny-farthing mishap; Close pass campaign met with barrage of anti-cyclist comments; Wiggo hails "next British star" Adam Yates; Good vs bad driving; Dangerous sprinting; Deceuninck-Sick-Step; LTN data; New rules + more on the live blog

Oh — make sure the mount is really well attached at the base. Otherwise the camera falls backwards, and then you do! This was an undignified dismount from a penny farthing.
10/ pic.twitter.com/uEq1l8Gn0i

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) March 27, 2021

There was almost an unfortunate incident in a London bike lane featuring Jeremy Vine this weekend. He got some pretty cool footage using his 360-degree camera though, so all worth it in the end. In their 140-year history I doubt anyone's crashed a penny-farthing because a camera got stuck in their spokes...

It's not the first time the broadcaster's eccentric other bike has made the live blog. Last May, he claimed to be the first person to ever ride down Park Lane on a penny-farthing...

Here's how the 360 footage should look...

And this is the final result, by the river in west London. Hope you enjoy. Happy Saturday!
9/ pic.twitter.com/M5yJyKgBLH

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) March 27, 2021

We've missed club rides ❤️️@ilkestoncc 🔶 were so excited about the return of organised club activity that they set off in the early hours of this morning 🌌 to become, quite possibly, 2021's first ever club ride in England! 👏#ChooseCycling pic.twitter.com/Hg29M3t3it

— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) March 29, 2021

As of today up to 15 people can take part in British Cycling-affiliated club rides and the rule of six is back in play for everyone else. Ilkeston CC marked it with this midnight club run, making the most of the news rules. How are you celebrating your freedom? A big Easter Weekend reunion with your old riding pals? And, out of interest, will any of you be taking part in a British Cycling-affiliated club ride with more than six people? We've heard concerns that some might not know that cyclists can meet in 15-person groups on these rides and mistake it for rule breaking...

What are your riding plans under the new rules?

I'll be riding on my own for now

I'll be sticking to the rule of six

I'll be doing British Cycling-affiliated club rides with more than six people

 

 

 

 

 

 

One reader got in touch over the weekend with these clips...One impressively competent pass from an Excelsior Coaches driver and one not so impressively competent aborted pass...

All the #MondayMotivation we need right here 😃 pic.twitter.com/tKXQfaY8ka

— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) March 29, 2021

Credit where it's due, this time last week Wiggo featured on the live blog when he told Eurosport he thought Ineos Grenadiers were "going to do something big" at the Volta a Catalunya. Indeed they did with a one-two-three on the podium yesterday. For this week's prediction, Wiggo suggested Yates could be the next British star of the sport.

"They made a statement with the team they selected," he told his Eurosport podcast. "Probably the icing on the cake [for Yates] was going to Ineos, really. It's the perfect team for him. Adam is the next British star and these are the early stages.
The objective was clear for this week and it was to go and win the race. It was an incredible performance, really."

Wiggo also said that he believed Geraint Thomas had secured his leadership for the Tour with his improved showing.

Gloucestershire Constabulary asking motorists to give people on bikes space shouldn't be too controversial, should it? Gloucestershire Constabulary asking motorists to give kids cycling to school space should be even less so...

However, the force's social media campaign quickly descended into cyclist-bashing in the comments. Helmets, no lights, no hi-vis, red light jumping, pavement riding, two abreast, riding in large groups, not using cycle lanes, 'road tax' and, of course, bicycle registrations...were the main objections raised here. I make that a full house.

For context, let's take a quick look at what Gloucestershire Constabulary said to prompt these complaints. "It's [Operation Close Pass] an initiative being rolled out by forces across the UK, including ourselves, to reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers not giving enough space to people riding bikes.

"Operation Close Pass is designed to proactively detect and educate drivers who pass too close to cyclists. It is also timely as 21 local schools have so far signed-up to take part in the ‘Big Pedal 2021’, the UK’s largest inter-school cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting challenge which aims to encourage active travel to and from school.

"Although the close pass scenario is not defined as a specific offence, the correct minimum passing distance is usually defined as 1.5 metres. Drivers seen passing cyclists within that space are liable to be stopped by police and spoken to on the spot. Anyone unreceptive to education will be cautioned for careless or dangerous driving and receive a court summons."

Fair enough? Here's what some of the people in the comments had to say...

"In the same way that dangerous drivers need to be taught this i hope that dangerous cyclists are also going to be given a lesson. Such as using lights, wearing a helmet, stopping at red lights & not riding in a cluster of cyclists so they can all have a good chat across the road making it impossible for other road users to get past. #equalrightsforall!!" Beth Staite's contributed.

Tim Hopkins added: "Going through lights jumping of pavements without looking over taking on the inside forming up twenty plus at a time during lockdown riding over twenty miles during lockdown when I couldn't take my motorbike out need I say any more nope because they are above the law."

At least Russ Brookes added some balance: "Ah it's time for a game of all cyclist's are evil and at fault for everything. Maybe if we all remembered we are all road users (weirdly enough I drive and cycle) and stop stereotyping and just treat everyone the same it might mean we get somewhere. You have good and bad road users what vehicle they use does not change that so stop getting on your high horses with the cliches."

More than 30 cycling and motoring groups have come together to demand Police Scotland creates a camera footage reporting system to make it easier to report and prosecute road crimes. Of the 45 UK police forces, 40 already use a system which allows people to upload camera footage and report incidents. Cycling UK data found that having a proper system can cut an average of 8 to12 hours of police time per case.

The AA, road safety charity Brake, the RAC and Cycling UK were among the coalition lobbying for improvement. In a letter the group says: "A camera footage system would be good news for all responsible road users and the police. The only bad news would be for irresponsible and law-breaking road users who would be more effectively held to account."

They emphasised a reporting system would help the Scottish Government meet their Vision Zero target for eliminating road deaths and serious injuries by 2050. Cyclists may still have concerns about how police forces deal with their footage once it has been submitted but some figures from Wales and Northumbria suggests reporting systems can be effective.

Between December 2019 and January 2021, Operation Snap in Wales saw the police take action against poor driving in 58 per cent of cases where footage was submitted. Northumbria Police says 77 per cent of submissions resulted in action being taken against drivers.