News

Bicycle beaconisation's the name, high-tech victim blaming's the game

October 25, 2023

Everyone wants to stay safe on the roads. Unfortunately, there are wildly different ideas about how that's best achieved. Beaconisation is a digital version of the red flag they waved ahead of early cars* - except this time it's for cyclists. If you think fitting pedestrians and cyclists with transponders to prevent them being run over in...

Cycling

It's peak season for high-vis evangelism

October 24, 2023

We know it's counter-intuitive to make a case against day-glow tops for cyclists, but there's a reason criminals sometimes wear high vis to rob banks; fluorescent clothing's a perfect way to disappear. Countries committed to Vision Zero design safe systems rather than teach road safety for a reason. Things might be different if high-vis...

Cycling

Is my e-bike a bicycle or a motorcycle?

October 23, 2023

It's deeply unhelpful that the term e-bike has become a catch-all for both road-legal, electrically assisted bicycles and full-blown battery powered motorcycles. And as if the water isn't muddy enough, bikes in both camps can look similar, if not identical, to each other. Little wonder so many people are confused. UK law: Is my e-bike a...

What's the biggest thing you've carried by bicycle?

October 19, 2023

With the exception of child seats, few of us here in Britain use bicycles as a way of carrying stuff of any size. By contrast, cyclists elsewhere in the world are dab hands at lashing all manner of cargo to bog-standard bikes. Adding luggage racks makes things a whole lot easier - elevating the humble bicycle into a veritable workhorse. And...

Sock it to winter weather with fabulous footwear

October 18, 2023

As every year-round rider knows, there's no such thing as a 'cycling season' - it's just that sub-optimal weather conditions demand a little stoicism...and perhaps a pair of jaunty socks. Various technical features mean these socks by Defeet perform as well on sweaty feet as those wet from a rainy commute, but it's the colourful design that...

Cycling

Protest and pop-up zebra crossings

October 18, 2023

20mph limits only work if they're stuck to. A vocal minority of drivers have unusual ideas about why lower speeds in the areas people live, work and go to school are a bad idea, but what can be done to help those who are supportive of traffic calming measures? After all, everyone benefits from safer roads - however they travel. When The...

Is this the world's most exotic DIY folding e-bike?

October 13, 2023

Not content with slashing the weight of his Brompton to a featherlight 7.1KG, retired engineer Derek Cranage once again beat the folder specialists at their own game by producing his own battery-powered version. And what a bike it is. All but the main frame has been replaced with lightweight parts - many of which Derek fabricated himself...

Cycling

Darkness kills and sunshine saves

October 13, 2023

The UK has already tried year-round BST - once during the war to maximise daylight working hours, and again between 1968-1971. The most recent trial saw an 11 per cent reduction in road traffic deaths and injuries thanks to lighter evenings, but was ended following pressure from the farming lobby and its objections to darker mornings in the...

Cycling

EU says no to compulsory e-bike insurance

October 13, 2023

Electric bicycles in Europe will not require mandatory motor insurance after the European Court of Justice ruled e-bikes (EAPCs) are not motor vehicles. According to a panel of five judges, e-bikes cannot be considered motor vehicles under EU law because they are not 'propelled exclusively by means of mechanical power'. As a result,...

Cycling

Let's hear it for noise cameras

October 12, 2023

New York is the latest city to fight back against the racket caused by cars and motorbikes fitted illegal aftermarket exhausts. Streets in Manhattan have been equipped with British-made SoundVue noise detectors that are triggered by 85 decibels from any source at least 15 metres away. Under New York's Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust...

Driving