News

A buyer’s guide to cycle insurance

December 24, 2016

The beauty of cycling is that it’s a simple pleasure – a bike can be bought for very little and you don’t need a licence or any specialist equipment. Unlike drivers, cyclists are not obliged to buy cycle insurance, but that’s not to say it isn’t a good idea to have it. At its most basic, cycle insurance protects against theft. In fact, if...

Cycling

Transport minister Chris Grayling knocks down cyclist

December 23, 2016

Last week was a long one for transport minister, Chris Grayling. Days after complaining to Cycling Weekly that cycle lanes in London “cause too much of a problem for road users”, he opened the door of his ministerial Land Rover into the path of a cyclist. Grayling sent regular cyclist Jaiqi Liu flying into a lamppost only yards from the...

Cycling

Moskito watch transforms into analogue bicycle speedo

December 23, 2016

A watch that doubles up as a smart handlebar-mounted computer has been launched by a group of Swiss cycling enthusiasts. [quote type="cycle_insurance"] The Moskito is an analogue tachometer that displays current speed, distance travelled and average speed. After your ride you can easily upload your data to Strava or Garmin Connect....

Cycling

Car emissions scandal: The next chapter

December 22, 2016

Mercedes has once again topped the list of Europe’s car fuel economy cheats, according to a report by transport lobby group T&E. The worst offenders are the Mercedes A and E class which guzzle an average of 56 per cent more fuel on the road than is claimed in the sales brochure. Car emissions scandal Fuel efficiency tests are carried...

Driving

Air Lever: Perfect puncture protection

December 22, 2016

Punctures are an unfortunate fact of life on two wheels, so anything that makes them easier to fix is just fine by us. The Air Lever claims to be the first combined CO2 inflator and tyre lever. The diminutive size of the Air Lever kit means you can carry a spare tube and everything required to quickly replace it at the side of the road in a...

Cycling

Biodiesel: Hidden cost of motoring

December 22, 2016

The production and use of biodiesel produces less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels. Well, that’s the theory, and it's the reason the diesel you fill your car with contains around 5 per cent of the stuff. However, the calculation of how much carbon dioxide produced by burning the fuel in your car is a complex process that's dependent on how...

Driving

Back on a Bike 2016

December 16, 2016

A YouGov poll we commissioned reveals that 93% of Brits know how to cycle, but more than half have not turned a pedal in more than a year. Almost one in three has not ridden a bike in a decade or more. Back on a Bike is our answer. It's the name of our outreach programme to promote cycling to people of all ages. This year we are proud to...

Cycling

Fastest electric car recharge quicker than filling up with petrol

December 15, 2016

New supercapacitor technology developed by Surrey University promises to make electric cars quicker to recharge than conventional cars take to fill with petrol. Supercapacitors can accept and deliver a charge much faster than batteries, and tolerate many more charge and discharge cycles than rechargeable batteries. These qualities plus...

Driving

Cycling socks that stay fresh for 14 days

December 15, 2016

They promise to be the stocking filler that cycle commuters everywhere will be hoping for: New high-tech socks that remain odour free after being worn for 14 days straight. Human sweat comprises a mixture of water and salt (99%) and compounds of sugars and lipids (1%). When sweat is mixed with textiles, it creates a moist and warm...

Cycling

The Upside: Universal roof rack for bicycles

December 13, 2016

A new design of universal bike rack promises to save you time, space and fuel. The Upside Rack fits to bog standard roof bars and can accommodate almost every type of bike. It can be fitted and removed in seconds, which means it is easily shared and doesn't need to be left in place on the car between rides. [quote type="cycle_insurance"]...

Cycling