Top 10 Unforgettable Moments of 2017

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The joy of cycling part 2

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I’ve blogged before about forgetting about all the trappings that we love to surround ourselves with and just getting out on the bike and riding for the sheer joy of it.  Today was one of those days.  I had planned a ride out on the road bike but, because of strong winds, decided on an hour’s ride along the seafront on my Giant Roam.  I had nothing planned and was just wearing shorts, t-shirt and shell jacket.

But you know how it is, after 5 minutes I had the great idea to photograph some of the places I would normally ride past.  And what was going to be an hour’s ride along the seafront turned into nearly four hours and 43 miles.  And that is what it is all about.  Just getting out on the bike for the sheer joy of cycling.

And here’s a short video of the ride:

And finally, Garmin Connect: https://www.relive.cc/view/965928651

 

Investing in cycling: in numbers

Lorries face London ban ‘to protect cyclists’

The headline for this article on the BBC news website is not quite correct as “The mayor’s office said that over the past two years HGVs were involved in 23% of pedestrian fatalities and 58% of cyclist deaths in London, despite accounting for just 4% of the miles driven in the city.”

It is very welcome nonetheless and will make my commute that bit safer.

Thousands of lorries could be banned from London to make the roads safer for cyclists, under plans proposed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

He wants a rating system from zero to five stars for heavy goods vehicles based on the driver’s level of vision from the cab.

The 35,000 zero star-rated HGVs currently operating in London would be banned by 2020 under the proposals.

The Road Haulage Association accused the mayor of “demonising lorries”.

More on this story and other news from London

Only those lorries with a rating of at least three stars would be allowed on London’s roads by 2024.

‘Further heartbreak’
Nine cyclists and 66 pedestrians were killed in the capital last year, according to Transport for London.

The mayor’s office said that over the past two years HGVs were involved in 23% of pedestrian fatalities and 58% of cyclist deaths in London, despite accounting for just 4% of the miles driven in the city.

Mr Khan claimed the scheme would result in many lorries being upgraded before the ban comes into place.

He said: “I’m not prepared to stand by and let dangerous lorries continue to cause further heartbreak and tragedy on London’s roads.

“The evidence is clear – HGVs have been directly involved in over half of cycling fatalities over the last two years, and we must take bold action to make our roads safer for both cyclists and pedestrians.”

But the Road Haulage Association’s chief executive Richard Burnett said that the “imposition of unnecessary rules on haulage firms is unfair”.

He said: “Demonising lorries, which keep the economy and shops going, is unfair. Lorries, including construction vehicles, play a vital part in the economic life of London.

“Without them the capital’s businesses would grind to a standstill.”

RELIVE your ride

Here’s a nice site that was launched fairly recently.  Simply connect Relive with your Strava account, go out for a ride and, after a while (which can be a few hours) you’ll receive an email with a link to a nice little video of your ride.

 

How to cycle 100 miles

Riding for 100miles, 160km or a century is a goal for many cyclists. Here’s the best way to go about it.

From Global Cycling Network

Motorists face prosecution for driving too close to cyclists

West Midlands Police target cycle ‘close pass’ drivers in UK policing first

From West Midlands Police website

Cycling groups have praised West Midlands Police for becoming the first force in the country to proactively target “close pass” drivers who endanger riders.

Rules of the road stipulate motorists should give cyclists at least the same space as vehicles when overtaking.

Anyone encroaching inside that safe passing distance − widely considered to be a minimum of 1.5 metres − runs the risk of being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.

Now West Midlands Police has launched an operation that sees officers saddle up on some of the region’s busiest routes − including Hagley, Pershore and Bristol Roads − looking out for motorists who put cyclists at risk.

Police pedallers will radio the details of close-pass drivers for in-car colleagues to intercept at a designated holding point.

Drivers will be offered a road-side educational input on safe overtaking but repeat offenders − or anyone deemed to have driven dangerously close to a cyclist − can expect to be prosecuted and taken to court.

West Midlands Police traffic officer and cyclist, PC Mark Hodson, said: “As a police force we must do our upmost to protect vulnerable road users and show that anyone who puts them in danger through poor driving will be dealt with.

“Cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces or obstacles like drain covers so it’s important to afford them plenty of room when overtaking.

“We know through our work with the Birmingham Cycle forum that close passing is the single biggest deterrent stopping more people from taking to their bikes.

“Some drivers get tunnel vision; they’re only focus is on getting from A to B as quickly as possible. They don’t pay any attention to vulnerable road users and we’ve attended some horrific scenes where cyclists have been wiped out by drivers who’ve not even seen them.

“Drivers need to consider that a cyclist they are overtaking could be a police officer − and if they don’t pass them safely they could be prosecuted.”

Between 2010 and 2014 there were 530 KSI crashes (killed or seriously injured) in the West Midlands involving bicycles; the vast majority (84 per cent) of those saw riders colliding with cars.

West Midlands Police ran four test days last month ahead of the close-pass clampdown launch during which 80 drivers were pulled over and took part in the road-side educational input and agreed to have their details taken.

Over the summer West Midlands Police has prosecuted 38 motorists for driving without due care and attention having either been spotted by officers committing close passes or through camera evidence supplied by cyclists.

David Cox, Chair of Trustees at cycling charity UK Cycling, said: “Close passes by motorists are hazardous for cyclists and extremely intimidating; this may be due to ignorance of the Highway Code and carelessness but sometimes it is done deliberately and aggressively.

“We are delighted that West Midlands Police is to actively target close pass drivers. They are the first UK police force to do so and it is a priority if the West Midlands is going to achieve the health, congestion and sustainability benefits of more active travel. The outcome will mean greater safety for everyone who cycles or would like to use a cycle for everyday trips.”

The 15-minute road-side educational input involves officers illustrating the dangers of close passing to drivers on a full-scale floor mat that will be rolled out in the holding area.

The mat has been funded and produced through Birmingham City Council’s Birmingham Cycle Revolution which wants to see 10 per cent of all journeys made in the city using pedal power by the year 2033.

Councillor Stewart Stacey, cabinet member for transport and roads, said: “This initiative is all about reminding drivers of the need to allow enough space when passing cyclists; the road mat allows drivers to experience the safe passing distance from a cyclist’s view.

“I want Birmingham’s roads to be safe for everyone to use… at the end of the day we all have a responsibility to help ensure this, whether we have two, three, four or more wheels.”

Cyclists and motorists can report offences of driving without due care and attention to the police − and provide video evidence − by completing a Standard of Driving Self-Reporting form at a police station.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “Anything that educates and, ultimately, prosecutes drivers who put cyclists in danger is to be welcomed.

“As a former Transport Minister, I made road safety one of the top priorities in my Police and Crime Plan and this scheme is an excellent example of what can be achieved.”