“Why are you giving cyclists a heads up? You wouldn’t notify motorists”: Drivers respond to police enforcement operation “targeting anti-social cycling”; Why does Britain have a national bike mechanic shortage? + more on the live blog

It’s that time of the year again, when police forces around the country launch targeted operations – coupled with the obligatory social media post outlining their endeavour – aiming to clamp down on “anti-social cycling” and other, presumably more minor, traffic offences.

Back in February 2022, Safer Transport Team officers in Hackney, working towards London’s Operation Zero bid to eliminate road deaths, fined 18 cyclists in the space of 90 minutes for jumping red lights (prompting some cyclists in the comments to ask if a similar operation had been carried out focusing on phone drivers).

And last September, Police Scotland said a ‘Vulnerable Road User’ initiative led to four cyclists fined in Edinburgh for riding through red lights, while police in Salisbury were told to “grow up” after preventing commuter cyclists from riding against a one-way system during a targeted operation in December.

> “Grow up”: Police criticised for targeting “incredibly dangerous” cyclists riding against one-way system

Now it’s the turn of officers in the City of London Police to brave the cold and frosty conditions this morning and target law-breaking, anti-social cyclists.

“We’re down at Bank Junction hosting a joint enforcement operation targeting anti-social cycling and traffic offences,” the force’s social media account tweeted this morning.

“We’re also offering free cycle marking, alongside crime prevention advice too.”

Good morning

We're down at Bank Junction hosting a joint enforcement operation targeting anti-social cycling & traffic offences

We're also offering free cycle marking, alongside crime prevention advice too

197CP pic.twitter.com/urtFhMGFeV

— City Police Officers (@CityPoliceCops) January 9, 2024

However, while similar operations have been fiercely criticised by cyclists in the past, this pre-emptive tweet hasn’t gone down too well with some motorists.

“Why are you giving cyclists a heads up? You wouldn’t notify motorists of your intentions,” said an account belonging to a drone operator (apparently).

“Maybe because cyclists don’t kill 1,800 people annually?” Leigh pithily responded.

Meanwhile, Sandra asked the officers to also attend to Moorgate junction, which she described as “like Wacky Races crossing there some days!”

“Jeremy Vine will be off on one,” Jason chipped in, with the by-now obligatory mention of the Vinester.

And The Edge (not the U2 guitarist with the two chords, I presume) wrote: “Careful now, you'll trigger the cycling lobby.”

Does this blog story count as being triggered?

Meanwhile, down in the comments section of this blog, road.cc reader brooksby was perplexed by this morning’s assertion by our grumbling motorist that “you wouldn’t notify motorists” about upcoming police enforcement operations.

“Is that a joke?” brooksby asked. “Does that person know that in pretty much every ‘local’ ‘news’ paper, they have an article on the Monday telling motorists where the police mobile speed cameras are going to be for the next week??”

Meanwhile, NickSprink chipped in: “Big news yesterday on the BBC and elsewhere about police in Wales starting to enforce the new 20mph limit, does that not count as a ‘heads up’?”

“Don’t a number of police forces advertise that mobile speed cameras will be out this week/weekend?” asked Hirsute.

“They literally put up signs warning drivers there are speed cameras, and paint the speed cameras bright yellow so they are easy to see,” wrote Steve K, hammering home the point.

“Strange. Every Christmas there are well publicised police operations targeting drink drivers,” noted Capt Sisko. “The authorities go to great expenditure to warn drivers there may be speed cameras ahead or unmarked police cars patrolling.

“Then there are the constant ‘Operation XYZ’ that my local rag publishes to say the police will be running in the next two weeks and will be targeting assorted motoring offenses or the notices saying there’s a court order against ‘car cruising’ in this area.

“Yet all that advanced warning of targeting anti-social driving doesn’t seem to register with these cycle haters does it?”

Apparently not…

Virtual indoor training app Rouvy has stepped up into the WorldTour this week by announcing a new technical partnership with Lidl-Trek. As well as racking up the indoor training miles on the app, Lidl-Trek’s riders will also be able to take advantage of Rouvy’s real-world riding environment to prepare for races.

While we’re used to seeing riders peer at blurry Google images or staff videos as they pin their numbers on before races, Lidl-Trek’s riders now have the opportunity to adopt what Rouvy calls “an increasingly meticulous approach to racing” by virtually riding the routes beforehand.

So, prepare for a bus full of pros lined up on their turbo trainers in sprint train formation as they recce the final 3km before signing on every morning at the Tour…

“We’re absolutely thrilled to embark on this groundbreaking partnership with Lidl-Trek,” Rouvy’s product experience director Antonin Parma said in a statement.

“At Rouvy, we pride ourselves on bringing the most realistic cycling experience to our users, and this collaboration takes it to a new level. By meticulously recording the Tour Down Under routes in Australia, we've provided Lidl-Trek with unparalleled training opportunities on authentic terrains.

“Throughout the year, we'll be adding an array of famous cycling routes, including UCI race courses, Spring Classics, and iconic Grand Tour courses like La Vuelta.”

“At the moment we’re dropping our little Google Maps man and walking some of the roads, so to have the roads filmed and readily available to ride will really help,” Lidl-Trek’s British star Elynor Backstedt added.

“And it’ll help the climbers be able to feel the climbs and different gradients, and also for sprint finishes, you can get more of a feel for how much a road is uphill/downhill, if there’s corners, and I think that’ll be a really big advantage for us.”

I’ll give it until March before we hear the first ‘X rides every Paris-Nice stage virtually after finish as a warm-down for extra training’ story…

Caption this 😁

Photo: @BeelWout pic.twitter.com/TOvhX49R3o

— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) January 9, 2024

Remco Evenepoel isn’t just spending his week in Calpe spinning the legs and watching Bingoal riders pass by, he’s also been busy confirming his race calendar for 2024 – which, you’ve already guessed, includes that much-rumoured and long-anticipated debut at the Tour de France – and meeting up with Soudal Quick-Step’s new signings, such as the mercurial, cult fan base-inspiring Spanish climber Mikel Landa.

It must be said, though I’m sure I’ll get used to it, seeing Landa sport the colours of Belgium’s premier cycling team feels like one of those glitches in the rider contract matrix the sport throws up every so often, like when spindly Spanish climber Carlos Barredo raced for Boonen-era Quick-Step, or Alex Dowsett and Annemiek van Vleuten’s stints at Movistar.

Time will tell, of course, if a touch of Landismo can be sprinkled over Remco’s yellow jersey hopes, or whether poor Mikel’s season will again be defined by its memeability… (yes, that’s a word. Probably).

📺 Bingoal fellas are having a speedy training ride, passing other cyclists left and right. Looking forward to the first races where the training pays off.pic.twitter.com/oHN4HjGAxO

— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) January 9, 2024

The Bingoal-WB boys certainly aren’t hanging about on their January training camp in Calpe, blowing by a certain former world champion like he was the kind of overly keen cyclo-tourist seemingly intent on following him everywhere he goes (seriously – has Remco ever been spotted in Spain without an amateur puffing and panting on his back wheel?).

> “Let them work and give them their space”: Remco Evenepoel tells amateur to stop following him during interval session

And you just know that slight head tilt and raise of the finger was code for ‘I’ll see you at the start line in Liège’…

Another classic of the ‘Your Bike Hates You’ genre here, courtesy of this East Sussex-based bike shop:

Today's component of shame.
This is what's left of the inside of a freehub body (the bit on the back wheel that the cogs sit on).
There's getting your money's worth, then there's bike abuse, then there's criminal damage, and then there's Martin.
This may take a while... pic.twitter.com/NeHtuZCtfW

— Mr Cycles (@MrCyclesSeaford) January 9, 2024

Ouch. Deary me, Martin…

Although, if I’m honest, I’d shudder to think what he’d make of my bikes at the moment. They’re still doing the job, aren’t they?

Preciso desse coletinho pic.twitter.com/3dE2Vt5WmE

— O País Do Ciclismo (@opaisdociclismo) January 9, 2024

Blimey, I’m not sure even the most devoted anti-cycling enthusiast – keen to pick apart any and all aspects of a rider’s attire – could find fault with this seemingly Tron-inspired example of night club-ready bike fashion, courtesy of safety garment manufacturer Gofluo.

Although I do know a fair few cyclists who would take umbrage against the use of those coveted rainbow bands – ‘But, but, but, have you actually won the world hi-vis championships?’

Another story to add to the relentlessly growing list of idiots caught cycling on motorways, as police in Hertfordshire pulled over a cyclist riding on the hard shoulder of the M25 at the weekend, before seizing the rider’s high-powered, illegal e-bike.

Hertfordshire Police said they were alerted to the rider at about 3.15pm on Sunday, stopping him at Potters Bar and taking his bike and reporting him.

Referring to the cyclist’s unrestricted bike, the police tweeted: “With a power output of over 250w and a maximum speed of 22mph it falls outside of EAPC regulations and cannot be ridden on our roads.”

In the UK, the maximum assisted speed legally allowed for an e-bike is 15.5mph.

RP21
This was found being ridden on the M25 motorway.
With a power output of over 250w and a maximum speed of 22mph it falls outside of EAPC regulations and cannot be ridden on our roads.
Vehicle seized, rider reported.
411729 41775
Potters Barhttps://t.co/ooEEwtRNl9 pic.twitter.com/f6BTZOPvhv

— BCH Road Policing Unit (@roadpoliceBCH) January 7, 2024

In a statement, Sgt Jamie Cooper, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit, added: “I would like to remind everyone that it is illegal and unsafe to ride any type of pedal cycle on the motorway.

“Some pedal cycles – like the one stopped by our officers – are also illegal on any road in the United Kingdom, due to them falling outside of the EAPC regulations.”

So remember folks, avoid the motorway for goodness’ sake (unless you’re Phil Gaimon riding on the permitted cycle hard shoulder of an American Interstate, annoying frothing motorists stuck in traffic, that is. Then it’s very much welcome.)

> Retired pro cyclist slams “homicidal maniacs on the road” after driver says he’d “ram” him for passing cars in traffic 

We’ll have more on a new bike mechanic apprenticeship scheme from retailer Go Outdoors, designed to address the “needs of the cycle trade” and the current “national bike mechanic shortage”, shortly.

But before then, do any of our live blog regulars work as mechanics or have bike shop experience?

If so, what do you reckon is behind the current shortage of bike mechanics across the UK? Is it as simple as the pay’s just not attractive enough? Or are other factors at play?

Let us know in the comments!