Must be undercover cyclists...commuter catches five drivers jumping red light; Christ on a bike; Thieves raid storage — 15 bikes stolen; No Van Aert at CX Worlds reaction; Pain cave playlist; Infra plans; Tackling cycle crime + more on the live blog

Alternative calendar racer and all-round long-distance extraordinaire Lachlan Morton has been handed a contract extension with EF Education-Nippo. Morton and Alex Howes had initially not been included on the team's registered rider list submitted to the UCI, but have now been confirmed.

"It’s a dynamic, fun, interesting, and very high potential roster of riders. his has the potential to be the strongest roster we’ve ever had," team boss Jonathan Vaughters said. He also asked for suggestions...

Moving onward, question for all of you: What record/adventure would you like to see Lachlan attempt in 2022?

— Jonathan Vaughters (@Vaughters) January 6, 2022

Race around Ireland (with a Guinness every few KMs) and crossing the Atlantic on a pedalo are the early front runners...never trust Twitter with a serious question... 

A driver in a small black car expertly passed me today on my ride out.

Just before a double bend.

I cycled up the road, turned the corner and discovered this...#cycling pic.twitter.com/X4GA9q1UmA

— Mark (@TheBossnME) January 5, 2022

The last thing Mark expected after this textbook pass was to find the driver...well, I'll let you find out...no spoilers... 

I know the back story to this, so I'll do a short thread on it.

Nobody comes out of it looking good, except @KarenGee3, who's been giving @CumbriaCC constructive feedback on this scheme until, as my Dad would say, she's blue in the face. Not that it does much good.

(1\n) https://t.co/X7jLoJJm4l

— Jon Owen (@anotherJon) December 28, 2021

 'No cycling' signs have been painted on the Shap Road pavement in Kendal over Christmas, prompting a Green Party activist to call for "better, safer options". The move followed complaints from residents using the pavement which, according to the Westmorland Gazette, is "often boxed in by parked cars".

Local resident and Green Party member Jon Owen spoke to the local paper about the problem of putting in obstacles to sustainable travel without providing safe alternatives. Owen explained using the pavement is the "least worst" option for getting children safely to school. He also shared this informative thread outlining the issue...

Here's another street view, looking North, with the site of the southerly of the two new 'No Cycling' markings circled in green.

From the resident's POV, having people on cycles fly past their front gate along the narrow pavement is a nuisance and a hazard. I get that.
(6/n) pic.twitter.com/vjN38kZJVl

— Jon Owen (@anotherJon) December 28, 2021

Dog(ma) news? No, not a new Pinarello model...just some unhappy dog walkers from Crawley...

The Crawley and Horley Observer was on the front line today in Tilgate Park, talking to punters about the proposed restrictions and fixed penalty notices to owners who haven't got their pooch on a lead. I'm sure some of you will point out it's the lead that often causes those on two wheels the most trouble...but, that's not what we're here for...

Cue the whataboutery...

"If dog owners get fined, so should runners and cyclists," one told the local news site.

"It’s ridiculous to be honest with you. We’ve been coming up here since 1973. I’ve been told to put the dog on the lead when the runners have been coming up here. I refuse to do it. I said I’ve been coming up here for a long time, you’ve only been here for 5 years. They say my dog’s lead will trip them over. My dog’s insured, the runners are insured and it’s their problem if they injure themselves." *Chef's kiss* 10/10 ranting...

Putting my turbo playlist together.

Glenn Frey - The Heat Is On
Tina Turner - Steamy Windows
Eminem - 'Till I Collapse

And what else...?#PainCavePlaylist #GoZwift

— Wiggle (@Wiggle_Sport) January 5, 2022

Do your worst...

Just don't go full Chris Froome...last year the four-time Tour winner shared his playlist on Strava and got a fully justified roasting... Call Me Maybe, Jessie J, The Wanted, Uptown Funk, Olly Murs and the Sugababes...that's one way to make your ears hurt more than your legs...

An extension to Cycleway 9 has been put forward by Transport for London. The plans would see the existing segregated infrastructure (seen above) extended between Brentford and Hounslow, including new and improved pedestrian crossings.

A consultation is open until Tuesday 16 February and the plans in full include: 4.1km of protected cycleway along Hounslow High Street, London Road and Brentford High Street.

A new signalised junction and improved pedestrian crossings are also part of the plans.

"We’ve seen a massive increase in people walking and cycling in the past few years," London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman said.

"We are working closely with boroughs like Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham to help transform roads and make sure there is enough space for people to walk and cycle around the capital safely. If TfL secures a long-term financial deal with the Government which allows this cycleway extension to go ahead, pedestrians and cyclists could see huge benefits."

The Peterborough Telegraph reports thieves raided shelters outside a block of flats, unscrewing railings to take 15 bikes. The thefts took place at community bike shelters along St Edmunds Walk and Eagles Way.

One resident said neighbours had chased the culprits and recovered as many bikes as they could before the thieves fled the scene.

Another told the local news website: "There’s not even a working light in the car park, so there definitely won’t be any CCTV of it happening. You really can’t have anything, it’s so unfair."

Christ on a bike! pic.twitter.com/QzFKCBRsQ8

— Victoria 🎀 (@vickyallover) January 5, 2022

He rode for 40 days and 40 nights to complete the Strava challenge, Everesting Mount Sinai each day...

I forget whence I stole this. pic.twitter.com/zumilnvdFy

— Jon Roach (@FourT4) January 5, 2022

Like these bloody cyclists dressed as drivers. pic.twitter.com/BwV0dgaPsM

— Greg Shickle (@GregShickle) January 5, 2022

It's one of, if not the most common sentence we hear uttered by people bashing cyclists, normally when we're discussing an issue of road safety completely unrelated..."what about all the cyclists who don't stop at red lights?" 

Well, those pesky cyclists have gone undercover. Five drivers, including a London cabbie, and one person on a bike, are seen rushing through this temporary traffic light on red. 

CyclingMikey got involved suggesting Greg reports the video for a likely prosecution.

Others debated whether the lights had been stuck on red for a while...

Um, they were working, there's a red light showing. If you mean they were stuck then that's not a defence, still 3 points and a fine.

— Gareth (@GarethM79) January 6, 2022

Now, we're assuming Greg isn't still stood waiting for the lights to change, and eventually got the green light he was waiting for...but here's what the relevant section of the Highway Code says:

 You MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing. Only go forward when the traffic lights are green if there is room for you to clear the junction safely or you are taking up a position to turn right. If the traffic lights are not working, treat the situation as you would an unmarked junction and proceed with great care.

> Highway Code changes aimed at protecting cyclists to become law next month

Greg replied to one driver saying they had stuck to the Highway Code's guidance...

Loving how they proceeded with caution.

Interesting how this really upset you. The idea that drivers jump red lights too.

— Greg Shickle (@GregShickle) January 6, 2022