- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
news
Cop suspended for punching cyclist wrongly accused of theft; AA chief says cyclists shouldn't "pretend they’re in Tour de France"; Nail traps buried on trail; £5m cycling infra boost for Manchester; 'Priapic cyclist' spotted + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Police car flashing lights (CC licensed by Lee Haywood)06 May 2020, 15:16
West Midlands Police officer who repeatedly punched cyclist has been suspended
The footage was widely shared on social media earlier this week, with Birmingham Live reporting that the officer repeatedly punched and kicked the 44-year-old black male after accusing him of stealing a bike - it's now emerged that the officer has been suspended, after this incident on 20th April came the day before he was filmed kicking a 15-year-old boy in the head.
The man in the video claims that he is entirely innocent, and that he was riding his bike to get his daily exercise during the pandemic. He says his bike is grey and that the stolen bike was black, and that officers say they recovered the stolen bike elsewhere.
A Birmingham community activist has lodged a formal complaint on the cyclist's behalf, accusing the officer of racial discrimination, assault, false imprisonment and use of excessive and unjustified force: “This man was only guilty of riding his bicycle to take part in exercise, which he has been told he can do", said Desmond Jaddoo.
The Metro reports that the officer has now been suspended, and is also being investigated for the incident with the teenage boy. A spokesperson for West Midands Police said: "A complaint was received after the officer stopped a teenager on 21 April in Melbourne Avenue, Newtown. In the ensuing incident it is alleged that the officer used unnecessary force in striking and kicking the young person. A further complaint was received which involves the same officer.
"It relates to a prior incident on 20 April in Frederick Road, Aston, where two officers stopped a man they suspected was on a stolen bicycle. The man was detained and it’s alleged the officer assaulted the man before he was released with no further action."
06 May 2020, 15:08
Brompton launch virtual in-store service
It's something we've seen Ribble do already, and now Brompton customers can browse bikes via a new video call service. Staff at the Brompton Junction store in London's Westfield will guide through anything the customer wants to know and offer advice, which Brompton say is particularly useful during the pandemic. Staff will only be able to hear customers and not see them to protect privacy.
06 May 2020, 14:52
Manchester to get up to £5 million of emergency funding as part of active travel plans
Greater Manchester's local authorities have launched the 'Safe Streets Save Lives' campaign to support social distancing during coronavirus lockdown and recovery, with pop-up infrastructure and temporary measures prioritised to enable safe essentials travel and exercise. Up to £5 million of emergency funding is promised from the Mayor Andy Burnham's Mayor's Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund.
Transport for Greater Manchester say that while traffic volume has dropped by around 60% during the pandemic, cycling and walking now accounts for up to 33% of journeys during the lockdown.
Greater Manchester's Cycling and Walking Commissioner Chris Boardman commented: “Like any successful response to a crisis, people must be the priority. And fortunately, the data is unambiguous; during lockdown more and more residents across Greater Manchester are turning to walking and cycling for essential journeys and exercise. So, in order give people the space they need to keep safe, the only real question was ‘how soon can we act?’
“If we don’t take steps to enable people to keep traveling actively, we risk a huge spike in car use as measures are eased. Not only is it the right thing to do to protect people now, but it’s vital to meet our clean air goals and protect our NHS long term.”
06 May 2020, 14:43
Schwalbe launch e-bike specific inner tube
Yep, that's right... this tube has extra wall thickness which Schwalbe says retains air for longer, meaning riders of heavier e-bikes needn't pump their tyres so often. Full story on eBikeTips.
06 May 2020, 13:05
AA president says lockdown "isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France"
Edmund King made the comments after a survey by the AA found that people think the behaviour of drivers and cyclists has 'got worse' since the lockdown. The Evening Standard reports that the poll of more than 19,700 drivers revealed that 25% feel drivers and cyclists were both behaving worse.
King said: “Less traffic doesn’t mean that drivers should start drag-racing at traffic lights, dangerously overtaking others or ignoring the speed limits.
“Drivers should also leave a wide ‘social distance’ when overtaking cyclists. Equally, this isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France and ignore mini-roundabouts and stop signs.”
The Standard report that the Metropolitan Police enforced 800 speeding offences last week, more than three times the number during the same period last year. One driver caught doing 93mph in a 30mph zone, and 34 drivers in total were caught doing over 100mph.
Bizarrely, drivers who took part in the AA's survey were also asked how they feel about the 'behaviour' of pedestrians, and 25% said they feel that pedestrians are 'behaving better' than before the pandemic. As if to provide a damning snapshot of the reported worsening in driving behaviour, shocking footage was widely shared yesterday of a Birmingham man forced to stand in front of a car at a pedestrian crossing to stop the driver from running over his children.
06 May 2020, 13:02
SPOILER: no
06 May 2020, 12:41
Someone claims to have spotted a priapic cyclist in London
Just seen a lad in cycle shorts not able to walk straight then I realise he's got such a massive lob on he can't walk properly - absolutely massive like a proper foot-long cob - he looks like a tripod - it's making Egyptian tomb furniture in his pants
— Melanie 'Isolation Karen' Princess (@MeLadyFreshness) May 5, 2020
And it wouldn't be the first time a cyclist's appendage has landed them in trouble... that time when a Dublin man sustained a seven-week erection after crash-landing on his bike's top tube for example, and who can forget the man who was chucked out of the World Naked Bike Ride in Canterbury for getting 'overexcited'? We're having a hard time racking our brains for more examples from the archives, but do let us know if we've missed any...
06 May 2020, 12:34
Prime Minister promises "new golden age of cycling"
"A new golden age of cycling "sounds good. Now fund it and make the roads safe. @theJeremyVine pic.twitter.com/tjSq161y8f
— nalladrah (@nalladrah) May 6, 2020
This is referring to new plans set to be announced by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps later today, as already mentioned by British Cycling - full story to follow.
06 May 2020, 12:55
The Council leader's response hasn't gone down particularly well...
06 May 2020, 10:49
This 'Ritchey Rider' isn't 50 quid
We believe the bike in the picture is the brand new Ritchey Outback, and the photo of the pedals is from bikepacking.com - just in case anyone genuinely thought this was some unbelievable bargain. We've reported it to Facebook...
06 May 2020, 10:34
In our latest NMOTD instalment, it's a cyclist in the wrong
06 May 2020, 10:31
British Cycling say "exciting announcements on cycling and walking" are coming later today
Keep your eyes peeled for a few exciting announcements on cycling and walking today, starting with some great work from @MayorofLondon and @willnorman 🚲🚶
Find out more ⬇️ https://t.co/uYHWMhVnpH
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) May 6, 2020
Once again London's Streetspace plan is mentioned, but we're hoping this will be something along the lines of funding boosts for the whole country.
06 May 2020, 12:33
Super fancy!
06 May 2020, 09:56
Nail traps buried under the soil on trail in the north-east
Janclare Miller told Teesside Live that her husband Paul found numerous wooden boards with nails sticking out of them hidden under the soil on a trail in East Cleveland, and was left stranded after both his tyres were punctured. Mr Miller first went straight home after getting picked up by his wife, but discovered the boards after going back when he thought the damage to his tyres was too severe to have been an accident. The incident has been reported to the police.
Mrs Miller continued: "Since we put it on Facebook we have heard it's not the first time it's happened.
"It's scary to think they could be anywhere. A lot of people walk their dogs and ride horses there so they need to be careful.
"The NHS is busy enough as it is without idiots doing this sort of thing. It's shocking."
Like the traps left in Regent's Park yesterday evening, this undoubtedly looks like a deliberate attempt to injure cyclists, runners or walkers in the area, and some have suggested it's once again the actions of individuals twisting their version of the lockdown guidance to a shocking and dangerous extreme.
Looks like the Mail, Express etc have succeeded in their campaign of stirring up hatred against cyclists & runners & walkers & dogs. https://t.co/HcOZa7Ge9q
— paul gannon (@paulgannonbike) May 5, 2020
06 May 2020, 10:26
Another 50km of emergency bike lanes for Paris
Ce matin avec mon équipe rue de Rivoli et rue Saint-Antoine pour préparer le plan de circulation vélo prévu dans le cadre du déconfinement : 50 km de voies seront progressivement dédiés aux cyclistes à partir du 11 mai. #Transports #Paris pic.twitter.com/sEtuSS4zrL
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) May 6, 2020
Mayor Anne Hidalgo already had expansive plans for a comprehensive cycle network around Paris, and they've been quick to dedicate street space for cyclists and pedestrians during the lockdown; another 50km will be ready to go by Monday.
06 May 2020, 09:45
Plans for helping Londoners cycle around the city in video form
As we prepare for the next phase of lockdown, we’re exploring new ways to help Londoners to cycle around our city 🚴
Right now we’re planning to create temporary cycle lanes to make cycling easier, which has the added benefit of easing the burden on our public transport system. pic.twitter.com/kY5UEDUstT
— Mayor of London (gov.uk/coronavirus) (@MayorofLondon) May 5, 2020
Despite The Beeb forgetting to suggest cycling in their travel suggestions article mentioned below, yesterday they explored what it will take to get more people cycling around the capital when people return to work.
06 May 2020, 09:35
BBC 'travel alternatives' article makes no mention of cycling or walking
68% of UK journeys are under five miles. Distances that can be walked or cycled.
So perhaps active travel should be listed as one of the 'best alternatives'...
https://t.co/Wt1R8mZd9e— Living Streets (@livingstreets) May 5, 2020
With public transport set to be greatly reduced to maintain some social distancing, the article asks the question of how people will get around when the lockdown lifts; and although the BBC quote Professor Tony Travers who says that "a sudden and radical change in road use" is needed if we're all to get around on bikes and scooters, the alternative travel suggestions don't include cycling or walking. Instead, electric scooters (which aren't currently legal on British roads), taxis, cars and drone taxis.
06 May 2020, 08:21
Cyclists discover nails and drawing pins on the road in Regent's Park Outer Circle
Several reports of a large amount of nails / tacks being place on the Outer Circle in an attack on cyclists. Almost certainly a response to the un-necessary negative press we have been subject to recently. @MPSRoyal_Parks @RossLydall @HamandHigh @theroyalparks @NewJournal pic.twitter.com/hbX8vhB0dz
— RegentsParkCyclists (@RPcyclists) May 6, 2020
@RPcyclists a warning to those out, someone has tipped a tub load of pins in the Park road and many people will now struggling with punctures. What dreadful behaviour. pic.twitter.com/wNmBiDSGVi
— Kate Laing (@Kate_Laing) May 5, 2020
The Regent's Park Cyclists group have blamed negative press coverage from the media for what looks to be an attempt at vigilante action to prevent cyclists from using the road around Regent's Park in Central London.
A Facebook post from a member of the London Cycling Facebook Group first fell victim to the traps yesterday, saying: "Someone decided to drop a box of pins on the outer loop of Regent’s Park outside the London Business School. Myself and 10+ others got punctures (I had 5 in my tyres).
"I saw the police as I was walking out of the park and let them know - they have said they will log it and would go and take a look. I picked them up with another victim - hopefully we got them all but watch out."
It's not the first report of 'vigilante' action since the pandemic started, with numerous signs reported in towns and villages to deter cyclists from passing through, believing that they could spread the virus. We also reported that drawing pins had been spread across a popular South London cycle route on 19th April, in what looked to be a deliberate attempt to target cyclists.
06 May 2020, 07:13
Euston Road and Park Lane in London to get temporary cycle lanes
Annoucement that two major roads to get temporary cycle lanes in London.
Whilst this is to be applauded, provision on local high streets (many controlled by the local councils) is more likely to give people the confidence to cycle for everyday journeys to school and work. https://t.co/18f9htt4ni
— APPGCW (@allpartycycling) May 6, 2020
The All Party Cycling Group say they also want to see provisions on local high streets, but nevertheless welcome the changes. This is all part of the Streetspace plans announced by Will Norman recently.
06 May 2020, 10:04
Can't see the comments? Click here
Jack has been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of the website including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named Editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master's degree in print journalism and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it's a long story).
Add new comment
80 comments
MattieKempy
|
4 years ago
0 likes
'Someone claims to have spotted a priapic cyclist in London'
I'm intrigued how this story isn't subject to outrage in the same way an inappropriate Twitter comment discussing the female genitalia would be?
I'm even slightly concerned about typing the words 'camel' and 'toe' in case someone says it's sexist or objectifying women.
Please don't think I'm a misogynist! I'm married and I have two young daughters. All of the women in my immediate family ride bikes. I'm just highlighting double standards, that's all!
'Someone claims to have spotted a priapic cyclist in London'
I'm intrigued how this story isn't subject to outrage in the same way an inappropriate Twitter comment discussing the female genitalia would be?
I'm even slightly concerned about typing the words 'camel' and 'toe' in case someone says it's sexist or objectifying women.
Please don't think I'm a misogynist! I'm married and I have two young daughters. All of the women in my immediate family ride bikes. I'm just highlighting double standards, that's all!
Because it's not attacking an individual and naming them on a public forum, it's just a really crude way of describing erect male genitalia - for all we know the person who tweeted it might not even have been telling the truth. If the tweet had have named the individual and invited the rest of social media to join in, there's no way we'd have posted it and we certainly wouldn't have found it funny.
ktache
|
4 years ago
4 likes
During my hourish mandated exercise ride today I pulled a large thorn out of the rear tyre, the twig it was attached to was making an annoying sound when it hit the seat stays, biggish one, jet of air, rotated down and it seemed to seal. I rode on and cannot find where it might have been now.
I will stick in another oz of Orange Enduance Seal later tonight.
I think that my low pressure 3 inch knobblies might just withstand a tack attack, I hope so. There have been many thorn holes in both the tyres, and no lasting damage (I hope, I'm still going to uses them) and an anchovie fix that's as good as permenant (as far as I can be bothered anyway).
I very much doubt if I could withstand the mounted nail booby traps though. I carry a spare tube and a couple of tyre boots and I have 4 small anchovies from my first fix kit. And a mini pump. Who knows how much damage those nails would do. I dread getting the bead off the rim in the outdoors if I ever need to fit the tube.
Even when I rode tubes, I would always carry a spare tube and a pack of Park quick patches, and the tyre boots, which have fixed some slashes and a destroyed sidewall in the past. Another tube and a full repair kit at work, with a mini track pump, or an extra tube and the mini track pump if I was doing a long day ride.
Well done Paul for going back and finding the traps, and i'm glad it only got your tyres. Could have been nasty if you'd come off. It could have been a runner, walker or a child with those in their feet. Or a poor little dog, or worse a horse with perhaps a terrible outcome from it's reaction for the rider.
Only one spare tyre might not be enough. Cars generally only have one spare wheel, or only one can of "stuff". You cannot fully prepare for these forms of sabotage.
We are not doing a transcontinental ride here, it's a quick hourish ride.
Rick_Rude
|
4 years ago
2 likes
What a bizarre 'news' story. Attention seeking twitter user makes up bizarre story about cyclist with a foot long John Thomas. I clicked on the link and it's like some James Joyce rambling of thoughts every hour. Is this what we've become? Is this your average twitter user?
crazy-legs
|
4 years ago
12 likes
Equally, this isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France
The sunny weather has brought out an awful lot of people making essential journeys in convertible Astons, Ferraris, Mercs and Lambos recently (might be because I live not far from Alderley Edge / Wilmslow / Knutsford and there's a lot of bored footballers and WAGs around the place with nothing better to do than to take the supercar out).
And if they're allowed to pretend to be in the Monte Carlo rally then I demand to be allowed to pretend I'm in the Tour de France.
Equally, this isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France
The sunny weather has brought out an awful lot of people making essential journeys in convertible Astons, Ferraris, Mercs and Lambos recently (might be because I live not far from Alderley Edge / Wilmslow / Knutsford and there's a lot of bored footballers and WAGs around the place with nothing better to do than to take the supercar out).
And if they're allowed to pretend to be in the Monte Carlo rally then I demand to be allowed to pretend I'm in the Tour de France.
I think his point was that no, the motorists should not be dicks, and neither should cyclists. The exact opposite of what you say.
Not sure where I said it's ok for people on 2 wheels to behave like dicks - maybe you could point it out to me?
However, I say again there is no equivalence. A driver being a dick stands a very real chance of killing someone. A rider, well not so much.
If all AA man can bring to the discussion surrounding driving standards during a pandemic is " yeah but... cyclists.. tour de France.... stop signs..." I'd expect him to at least make some kind of coherent argument as to his contibution's relevance. If not he can, y'know, stay in his lane.
So we are back to the argument that it is ok for cyclists to be dicks because car drivers?
No, merely pointing out that there is lots of evidence that drivers are breaking the law and putting other people's lives at risk, and precious little evidence that cyclists are doing anything illegal. With more power comes more responsibility, something drivers, and Edmund King should acknowledge.
Equally, this isn’t a time for cyclists to pretend they’re in the Tour de France
The sunny weather has brought out an awful lot of people making essential journeys in convertible Astons, Ferraris, Mercs and Lambos recently (might be because I live not far from Alderley Edge / Wilmslow / Knutsford and there's a lot of bored footballers and WAGs around the place with nothing better to do than to take the supercar out).
And if they're allowed to pretend to be in the Monte Carlo rally then I demand to be allowed to pretend I'm in the Tour de France.
The other day riding through Ashley & Mobberley I was passed by a Ferrari, an Aston Martin and two Bentleys inside a minute. No doubt all essential journeys...
Also the number of essential journeys, at least on the main roads around Royston, that need to be undertaken on high powered motorcycles and apparently requiring extreme acceleration.
Not to mention the divot in the noisy white Merc constantly cruising around town. Presumably looking for somewhere to get the broken exhaust and on/off accelerator fixed?🤔
The local paper today has an article about a biker who recently died. They have invited bikers of all sorts from anywhere to come to the home to give him a loud send off. Apparently it is ok as they will 'social distance'.
I'd have thought the sensible thing would be to wait until the restrictions have eased.
billymansell
|
4 years ago
6 likes
Johnson talking about this being the golden age of cycling.
Remember, last week he boasted our response to Covid-19 would be looked upon by other countries for its apparent success. How is that 'success' looking now?
We know Johnson is a populist who'll say whatever he thinks the audience want to hear. An actual plan for cycling should have been started weeks ago and any new govt proposal to cycling will likely be tokenistic at best and not a national commitment.
If anything, when we exit lockdown the roads are likely to be worse for cycling as many who previously commuted by public transport will drive to maintain social distancing.
If anything, when we exit lockdown the roads are likely to be worse for cycling as many who previously commuted by public transport will drive to maintain social distancing.
this is a really worrying new twist on "I'll be safe in my car".
oh look there's congestion - clearly someone should do something about this, and there's nowhere to park either - ditto.
Indeed, something I asked previously in one of the 'welsh' threads.
One of my friends advised me to get a spare wheel for my new (to me) car as often they don't come with one. His sister had hit a pothole and dented the rim and the wheel was useless and the sealant/inflator you get instead would not do anything for that. I think there may be a few potholes in the UK...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/52581213
there are 11% more vehicles on the road this week than in the second week of lockdown.
Meanwhile, the number of emergency callouts rose 18% over the same period.
Maybe motorists should be told to be self sufficient instead of this irrational targeting of cyclists
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/52581213 there are 11% more vehicles on the road this week than in the second week of lockdown. Meanwhile, the number of emergency callouts rose 18% over the same period. Maybe motorists should be told to be self sufficient instead of this irrational targeting of cyclists
You'd think with the apparent link between air pollution and worse outcomes for coronavirus victims, people would be very reluctant to drive anywhere unnecessarily, and those that do would be subjected to social pressures to stay at home and save lives.
Then again, maybe not.
this is a really worrying new twist on "I'll be safe in my car".
Our of interest, are motorists being advised to only drive as far from home as they could walk their car if they had a mechanical?
Motorists are being told (albeit not very vociferously and increasingly ignored) not to drive anywhere unless it's an essential journey.
The 'walking distance' guidance doesn't apply to essential journeys - only to cycling for exercise. I'm pretty sure driving is not considered an acceptable form of exercise.
Pages
Latest Comments
- johnsonmoog 2 hours 50 min ago
So, if Jamie needs 1000mg of sodium an hour, how many hydration tabs or elctrolyte mix does he need. I see SIS a hydration tab provides 798mg of...
- S.E. 3 hours 1 min ago
My guess is that they sell mainly on the German market - feel free to correct me. That might explain why they are not "pushing" their products,...
- ktache 3 hours 26 min ago
Now Emily Chappell really liked the Lezyne , I have the HV version, good, but I find the handle uncomfortable in use. I've often wondered about the...
- biking59boomer 2 hours 33 min ago
What about this one!? Taken in Cardiff Civic Centre 1939
- Muddy Ford 3 hours 36 min ago
Charlie Alliston got 18mths and is the reference case (because there are so few cases) for all campaigns by anti-cyclists that 'cyclists are not...
- belugabob 4 hours 38 min ago
My local football practice pitches (all weather, in a fenced off area, are regularly the scene of inconsiderate parking, with vehicles blocking the...
- chrisonabike 4 hours 55 min ago
Don't forget though "Englishman's home is his castle" - which includes my rights to grow a giant curtain wall of Leylandii to "protect my privacy"....
- Spangly Shiny 5 hours 3 min ago
Assos ASOS anyone?
- chrisonabike 5 hours 16 min ago
Replace them all with Bromptons and they'd take up zero space within days or even hours, as they are all relocated elsewhere. To eBay or possibly...
- Andrewbanshee 5 hours 48 min ago
Where I live we are experiencing a lot of housing development on small and large plots of land. These developers don't seem to have problems...