Journalism and Cycling 2: the difficult second album

Grassey · 25-09-2020 09:53PM

shootermacg wrote:

It's wrecked my head for years. Some slow poke pushing up to the front, then getting in everyone's way. I really can't understand why they do it, and the same people do it every time.

You see it at running races too, despite everyone being asked to position themselves as to estimated finishing time, you always have a few sloggers in the front row with fast runners, blocking up everyone behind for the first bit... Its like a 'if I'm at the top I'll have more time to do X' mentality.

breezy1985 · 26-09-2020 06:26PM

CramCycle wrote: »

I find the bike one more rude than dangerous but in other ways hilarious. You sit into a queue at the lights and a cyclist of a certain age, sex and demeanour will inevitably just ride to the front, on either side and then you spend the next few minutes waiting for everyone to filter past them again. And everyone does, you must have to wonder the type of ego can take overtaking everyone as if they are faster and then have every single person from the unicycle to the commuter racer to the Penny Farthing overtake them in the next 200m. It is bizarre.

I do it all the time. The Limerick the traffic can be so backed up it makes the difference between going on the first green and going on the 4th. When it's just a few cars I don't bother and I won't stop beside a car with indicators on.

Edit. I just realized you mean bikes passing bikes

CramCycle · 26-09-2020 10:14PM

breezy1985 wrote: »

I do it all the time. The Limerick the traffic can be so backed up it makes the difference between going on the first green and going on the 4th. When it's just a few cars I don't bother and I won't stop beside a car with indicators on.

Edit. I just realized you mean bikes passing bikes

Sorry I didn't make that clearer. Other traffic it's on a case by case basis based on experience.

breezy1985 · 26-09-2020 10:28PM

CramCycle wrote: »

Sorry I didn't make that clearer. Other traffic it's on a case by case basis based on experience.

What annoys me especially when I was in London you would come across very show red light jumpers so ide pass them stop watch them pass me out and so on. If you are in such a hurry that you are breaking lights why go so slow. Often the culprits were also scoby lads who done that weird sitting back with hands in the pocket cycling so passing was an ordeal too

Seaswimmer · 27-09-2020 10:22AM

https://www.dlrcoco.ie/en/news/general-news-public-consultation-press-releases/public-engagement-new-safe-walking-and-cycling

DLR Council being progressive again. Proposed one way system for cars along Deansgrange Road with 2 way bicycle lane. Probably on the commute for some on here..

Overall a good move as it can be an awkward section on a bike..

Chiparus · 27-09-2020 12:23PM

breezy1985 wrote: »

What annoys me especially when I was in London you would come across very show red light jumpers so ide pass them stop watch them pass me out and so on. If you are in such a hurry that you are breaking lights why go so slow. Often the culprits were also scoby lads who done that weird sitting back with hands in the pocket cycling so passing was an ordeal too

Its about maintaining momentum, not necessarily being in a hurry.

Tell me how · 27-09-2020 06:03PM

Loved this footage from the Worlds.

https://twitter.com/UCI_cycling/status/1309858111931514880

Pros ability to keep their upper body still always impresses me.

breezy1985 · 27-09-2020 07:10PM

Tell me how wrote: »

Loved this footage from the Worlds.

https://twitter.com/UCI_cycling/status/1309858111931514880

Pros ability to keep their upper body still always impresses me.

I've never seen myself cycle and it would be interesting to know what my ride style is. In my head it feels like I throw the bike round like Alaphilippe but who knows

CramCycle · 27-09-2020 09:51PM

breezy1985 wrote: »

I've never seen myself cycle and it would be interesting to know what my ride style is. In my head it feels like I throw the bike round like Alaphilippe but who knows

In my head I am like a pro, upper body steady on the flats and like a mesmerising metronome on the climbs. In reality, having seen a video of myself, I am very much the middle aged no hoper many would suspect at first glance.

27-09-2020 10:11PM

God Anna van der Breggen is the picture of perfection on a bike I struggle to think of anyone who looks as good. They mentioned it in the commentary yesterday and it's one that sticks out in my mind, the strada bianche win when she soloed home. Face completely blank showing no effort and perfectly still on the bike.

Like Cram I've seen myself on video cycling and it makes Froome and Dan Martin look good on their bike sin comparrison

Only 30 and she's retiring after next season.

Type 17 · 28-09-2020 09:11AM

This is required on this side of the Irish Sea too:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2020/sep/28/why-we-need-media-reporting-guidelines-for-road-safety

tomasrojo · 28-09-2020 09:19AM

Type 17 wrote: »

This is required on this side of the Irish Sea too:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2020/sep/28/why-we-need-media-reporting-guidelines-for-road-safety

Was just reading that. Very good. Hope it gets some traction. It's important.

Tombo2001 · 28-09-2020 12:35PM

tomasrojo wrote: »

Was just reading that. Very good. Hope it gets some traction. It's important.

Its a fair point - there are remarkable inconsistencies in the media, the one that galls me most is The Irish Times, with their right on champions of infrastructure on the one hand, and the routine bashing of cyclists on the other.

But the real damage in my view is done on Facebook and Twitter forums. Its remarkable how fractious this has become.

A new cycle lane has gone in on Griffith Avenue - the whingeing about it on the the local Drumcondra Social facebook page is off the charts. And its all the same type of punter in the 55-70 age bracket, or else portly young man who has just bought his first car.

magicbastarder · 28-09-2020 12:36PM

is it causing massive tailbacks on griffith avenue extension?

Tombo2001 · 28-09-2020 12:48PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

is it causing massive tailbacks on griffith avenue extension?

LOLS

The thing is though.....it COULD cause massive tailbacks, and thats enough for some people.

Re the above - I should distinguish between:
The out and out cyclist hater who revels in putting the boot in (yes these people are all drivers)

and

"I know there is a need for a safe cycle lane but just not here" (or here, or here, or here either.......).

Macy0161 · 28-09-2020 01:08PM

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Its a fair point - there are remarkable inconsistencies in the media, the one that galls me most is The Irish Times, with their right on champions of infrastructure on the one hand, and the routine bashing of cyclists on the other.

"Cyclist in collision with a car" is the standard reporting here (along with the "motorist was uninjured". I'd say that's the way they get the press releases though.

breezy1985 · 28-09-2020 01:37PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

"Cyclist in collision with a car" is the standard reporting here (along with the "motorist was uninjured". I'd say that's the way they get the press releases though.

I does read so different if it said "motorist in collision with bicycle" it completely changes the assumption of fault when you change who is mentioned first

breezy1985 · 28-09-2020 01:46PM

Tombo2001 wrote: »

LOLS

The thing is though.....it COULD cause massive tailbacks, and thats enough for some people.

Re the above - I should distinguish between:
The out and out cyclist hater who revels in putting the boot in (yes these people are all drivers)

and

"I know there is a need for a safe cycle lane but just not here" (or here, or here, or here either.......).

There is also the 3rd more insidious bicycle hater who is linking it to other as they call it "lefty snowflake politics" and some I have encountered don't even drive they just see us in with the vegans and the trans people in some stupid culture war.

Seaswimmer · 28-09-2020 02:56PM

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Its a fair point - there are remarkable inconsistencies in the media, the one that galls me most is The Irish Times, with their right on champions of infrastructure on the one hand, and the routine bashing of cyclists on the other.

But the real damage in my view is done on Facebook and Twitter forums. Its remarkable how fractious this has become.

A new cycle lane has gone in on Griffith Avenue - the whingeing about it on the the local Drumcondra Social facebook page is off the charts. And its all the same type of punter in the 55-70 age bracket, or else portly young man who has just bought his first car.

Don't get too depressed. There was recent work in Blackrock Co Dublin around pedestrianisation, one way Main Street, cycle lanes and reduced parking. The local Twitter and Facebook pages went into meltdown with very little support for the measures. However the official submissions to the council had 74% approval, 18% against. There seems to me to be little point in defending or justifying the new infrastructure on social media pages. We used to have to fight both the councils and local interests for better infrastructure. At least now the councils (mostly) are improving things. So let the Facebook/Twitter objectors fight with the local authorities (and each other) and you just get out there and enjoy the cycling.

https://www.dlrcoco.ie/en/news/general-news-public-notices/council-proceeding-phase-2-mobility-public-realm-works-blackrock

breezy1985 · 28-09-2020 03:18PM

Seaswimmer wrote: »

Don't get too depressed. There was recent work in Blackrock Co Dublin around pedestrianisation, one way Main Street, cycle lanes and reduced parking. The local Twitter and Facebook pages went into meltdown with very little support for the measures. However the official submissions to the council had 74% approval, 18% against. There seems to me to be little point in defending or justifying the new infrastructure on social media pages. We used to have to fight both the councils and local interests for better infrastructure. At least now the councils (mostly) are improving things. So let the Facebook/Twitter objectors fight with the local authorities (and each other) and you just get out there and enjoy the cycling.

https://www.dlrcoco.ie/en/news/general-news-public-notices/council-proceeding-phase-2-mobility-public-realm-works-blackrock

Had the same in Limerick on Catherine St. when a small section was tightened to 1 lane to make wider paths. Oh the lack of parking was gonna destroy the local business and the traffic would be longer than a meat queue in the USSR but after a while everyone forgot it was any different and now the street is packed with pedestrians and cafes and none of the long standing business have closed.

micar · 28-09-2020 05:38PM

Tombo2001 wrote: »

A new cycle lane has gone in on Griffith Avenue - the whingeing about it on the the local Drumcondra Social facebook page is off the charts. And its all the same type of punter in the 55-70 age bracket, or else portly young man who has just bought his first car.

I used the new cycle lane yesterday.....quite pleasant

I requested to join the Drumcondra Social for the craic

Seaswimmer · 28-09-2020 05:54PM

micar wrote: »

I used the new cycle lane yesterday.....quite pleasant

I requested to join the Drumcondra Social for the craic

Good luck.

I left the "You know your from Dun Laoghaire" group precisely because there was no craic or any kind of rational debate/discussion about the new infrastructure.

If anyone wants to see 1st hand the vitriol heaped on all things cycling in the DLR area have a look at that Facebook page..

magicbastarder · 28-09-2020 06:45PM

micar wrote: »

I requested to join the Drumcondra Social for the craic

So did I. First post I see after joining, 'whoever you are please stop dumping dog dirt on my bin', with a photo to accompany it. Wonderful.

28-09-2020 07:28PM

Seaswimmer wrote: »

Good luck.

I left the "You know your from Dun Laoghaire" group precisely because there was no craic or any kind of rational debate/discussion about the new infrastructure.

If anyone wants to see 1st hand the vitriol heaped on all things cycling in the DLR area have a look at that Facebook page..

God you weren't wrong every second or third post is about cycling.

Duckjob · 28-09-2020 11:15PM

CrimeCall on RTE just had a segment on cycling. Inadvertently caught footage of a cyclist just moseying along in a cycle lane almost being left hooked by a truck and then immediately after having a car turn right across his path.

Oh, and Sharon Nî Bheoleoin "can't believe" helmets aren't mandatory...

Thelonious Monk · 29-09-2020 09:06AM

Pat Kenny now talking about freeing up space for pedestrians and bicycles in cities, why am I listening, this is going to be painful...

Oymyakon · 29-09-2020 09:06AM

Here we go, Pat Kenny has Ciaran Cuffe on now talking about allocation of road space. "Do they greens just want to get rid of all the motorists Ciaran?"

magicbastarder · 29-09-2020 09:07AM

why do you do this to yourselves!

Thelonious Monk · 29-09-2020 09:09AM

The Luas is a really inefficient use of road space, yeah Pat...
Does Pat just want everything devoted to private cars?

Thelonious Monk · 29-09-2020 09:12AM

Jesus Christ... why does he care if taxis are allowed in bike lanes if not? It's scandalous that they're allowed use them anyway, especially when they've no passengers.

Journalism and Cycling 2: the difficult second album

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