Comment & Analysis: I started writing a straight-up news report on how the National Transport Authority was intervening in a planned road safety campaign planned by Dublin City Council. From what councillors were saying, it seemed undemocratic. The National Transport Authority had overstepped and impinged on the councils remit. But it wasnt that simple. While listening to the last North Central Area Committee meeting ahead of the election, it seemed like there was a clear attack on local Government. One after another, nearly all councillors who spoke were disappointed, outraged, or on the verge of it.The debate got a bit carried away because of a mix of issues, including a report to councillors from the councils active travel section which might have been clearer and the interpretation of that by the first few speakers.An issue that really doesnt help calmer debate is the recurring (and, it seems, growing) issue that has dogged too many debates that different councillors have had in Dublin and beyond being unable to stay on topic.Of course, with any debate or discussion, things stray off course, but with transport issues it seems discussions have to be all or nothing. For example, anytime cycling is mentioned, councillors start mentioning all the issues they have with cycling infrastructure, or anytime the NTA is mentioned, they start to list all the issues they have with the NTA or their projects.The topic at hand was a safety campaign. But anybody listening was treated to opinions on BusConnects and bus stops this, in particular, is a toxic issue to try to debate while youre supposed to be focusing on something else.Why? Bus stop rationalisationis continuously claimed to be a matter-of-fact anti-public transport measure when its the opposite (see here). Rationalisation can go too far, as this website argued about the Clontarf route project. Thankfully, it was corrected, but that doesnt mean all attempts at bus stop rationalisationare a bad thing. Thats why soundbites and treating the issue in black-and-white terms can make things worse.Cllr Damian OFarrell (independent), who isnt running again, also used the debate to have maybe one of his last shots as a councillor to attack cycle paths at bus stops, an arrangement which has unfortunately been given the name of bus stop bypasses. Cllr OFarrell wants cyclists to be told to use their bells. Bells are one of those things that cyclists are dammed if they do and dammed if they dont some pedestrians love them being used, and others see it as the worst sign of aggression.Cllr OFarrell will say that hes all for cycling, and maybe hell say that this article is misrepresenting him. But his focus on bus stops is a tactic imported from the UK saying cycling is great and objecting to a key element. For those interested in reading more, a Transport for London review of cycle paths at bus stops cuts through the scaremongering. Last year, at a time when road deaths (the vast majority involving car drivers) have been increasing significantly over the last few years, Cllr OFarrell launched a motion focused on cycling behaviour. Given the context of increasing road deaths, the motion was made a bit more reasonable by Cllr Alison Gilliland (Labour), who suggested an amendment to broaden the motion out, and that was agreed to by the area councillors. If we take Cllr OFarrells intentions at face value and, I have to be honest, Im finding that hard after how he has misrepresented things around the city centre transport plan he should be glad that Cllr Gilliland helped allow the motion to be something other than just targeting cyclists. But he still sounded disgruntled about it at last weeks meeting. After recent displays of verbal forcefulness towards council officials and the Lord Mayor related to the City Centre Transport Plan, Cllr OFarrell also made an unreal claim that the NTA doesnt have any respect for pedestrians as if its because they are so beholden to cyclists. In reality, its a bit more complicated, including the fact that the draft BusConnects designs were heavily influenced by the scaremongering about bus stops. Some will say: If it followed scaremongering, why does it have so many compromised, including bus stop boarders where theres no separate bus platform space like there is in bus stop bypass? Its too long to go into detail here, but its part of the unintended consequences that make things worse.The NTA is not flawless this website has plenty of articles criticising it, especially on BusConencts, and straight-up reporting on shortcomings it is responsible for. But the transport authority has become a boogeyman for councillors. Its a bit like how some politicians nationally all too often blame Dublin or Europe as scapegoats.Cllr Deirdre Heney (Fianna Fil) also mentioned a few issues unconnected to the discussion. Including talking about the NTA in one breath and then in the next, in a very roundabout way, mentioning an incident where a motorist crashed into a temporary traffic light outside a school during rush hour on the part of the Clontarf route, a Dublin City Council project. There were so many different issues Cllr Heney jammed into what she said it was impressive. Cllr Heney then goes on to say that it is not a national issue for the NTA but a Dublin issue. It is as if everything that happens within Dublin City Councils boundaries is different to South Dublin, DLR or the urban parts of DLR. This is key in terms of funding any awareness campaign, but Ill explain more later.At this stage, I must remind myself that this discussion was about a proposed behavioural change campaign. Councillors should rightly express frustration that successive national Governments have undermined their authority. But trying to lump so many issues together is not helpful. Nor is acting like the NTA is a boogeyman.But then Cllr Heney finally gave the game away. She said that the councillors had just wanted to acknowledge vulnerable people using our streets. From the way she was talking before this, it was clear she wasnt including cyclists as vulnerable road users but rather cyclists as the target of Cllr OFarrells original motion.Some background here: Last November, IrishCycle.com reported how Cllr Heney wanted children to use substandard leaf-filled cycle tracks.I mean, its one thing to expect school children to use the sub-standard cycle track over some of the widest footpaths in Dublin as Patricia Roe (Social Democrats) did in 2022. But its totally worse to put down a motion on the issue while the cycle track is filled with leaves.Then, in December, Cllr Heney parroted misinformation from residents against the Griffith Avenue cycle track and claimed nobody uses it. This was countered by a number of fellow councillors and data.The context of Cllr OFarrell, Cllr Heney, and Cllr Roes stances is listening to whispers from anti-cycling residents and others who are disgruntled. They are not alone in their area in starting to listen to these voices, but they have parroted nonsense more than others.At this point, I can imagine that Cllr OFarrell is drafting a tweet to tell me that I dont care about cyclists running over little old ladies. So, just to be clear: Cyclists are not perfect; everybody, from schoolchildren to adults, can make mistakes or be clueless or be dangerous. All road users can.But once councillors start sounding like Facebook comments (in terms of no cyclists using a cycle track etc), its hard not to take what they are saying with a truckload of salt.At the meeting last week, the debate was nearly rounded off by Cllr Daryl Barron (Fianna Fil) who said there was a lack of respect towards councillors because the NTA were apparently taking over the councils plan, and Cllr Michel MacDonncha (Sinn Fin) said the NTA needed to butt out and that they had exceeded their remit.Then, at the end of the discussion, we get a few key bits of context that the whole debate was missing.John Gilligan, an official with the active travel office of Dublin City Council, actually confirms that the NTA had not vetoed anything.He also said that the council wanted to give priority to an information campaign being developed for the Clontarf to City Centre route. This is key because some of that campaign concerns side road junctions that are already open and the Dublin style junctions that are soon to be opened more fully.As a side note, its worth mentioning: Early in the debate, Cllr Donna Cooney (Green Party) raised the issue of a person who died recently when cycling in a collision involving a taxi driver, Gilligan was the only person to express condolences to the family, After Gilligan spoke, Cllr Heney and Cllr Gilliland mentioned funding and said theyd be happy to accept NTA funding.So, councillors talked like the NTA was a boogeyman but the reality was quite different: The NTA had not vetoed anything, the council went ahead with planning an information campaign with no funding allocated for it (councillors and the council have their own budgets, not just NTA funding), and officials (rightly) viewed safety-critical issues on a new project as a high priority over than whether somebody uses a bell or not.

With seven World Championship titles across two-discipline to his name, Mathieu van der Poel will head to Paris later this summer in an attempt to add an Olympic Games gold medal to his already impressive palmares.With the Dutch team getting the right to pick three riders for men's elite Olympic ro...

Not every new wheelset has to be made of ultralight carbon, or be super expensive. DT Swiss latest aluminum F1900 Classic gravity mountain bike wheels are aluminum. They are not light over 2 kilos, in fact. And they only cost 500. But these are wheels built to survive the brutal abuse of downhill and freeride mountain biking. And they feature some slick but simple new tech to ward off pinch flats, and even reduce rim impact damageDT Swiss F1900 Classic affordable alloy gravity bike wheels(Photos/DT Swiss)Get ready to huck to flat and send it into some killer rock gardens! DT Swiss has a new affordable aluminum gravity mountain bike wheelset, specifically developed to survive life in the bikepark or DH track. They feature a new alloy rim extrusion with a tweaked profile to resist getting deformed in an impact and to keep from pinching your tires. Because no one likes bending their rims or flatting tires. Plus, the use proven spokes and hubs, so you dont worry and just ride lap after lap.Increased Rim Impact Resistance & Pinch Flat Resistance, too!Based on DTs latest FR 541 DH rim these F1900 Classic wheels get their own slightly heavier and cheaper sleeved & eyeletted F572 rim that share the same refined bead hook shapes (660g sleeved 29 F572 vs. 605g welded 29 FR541).Instead of sloping the sidewall in to resist the outward forces of the tires bead, the new rim gets a straighter sidewall that actually kicks out a bit at the top. The first result is that the new wider top to the bead is more resistant to hard impacts from rocks and roots, better at distributing impact forces into the body of the rim to increase strength & durability for gravity riding.The second benefit is that this wider flared top of the bead hook also significantly increases pinch flat resistance. With a greater area to spread the pinching load and improve angle of orientation, theres simply less contact stress when the tire folds against the rim in an intense impact. So fewer damaged or flat tires!Built-tough DT spokes & hubsThe new affordable alloy gravity wheels also benefit from proven cold-forged double-butted DT Swiss Competition spokes. Light and strong to stand up to repeated abuse. And those get laced into DT 370 hubs. Now that DTs fourth-tier hub gets upgraded to Ratchet LN internals (vs. the old pawls), theyre actually tougher than ever. In fact, the Ratchet LN solution is even stronger than the more premium 359 Ratchet hubs, because these keep the slightly heavier, unmachined axles that are actually more durable in the end.Tech SpecsWheelsizes: 27.5, 29, or a Mullet combinationThru-axles: front 15x110mm Boost, 12x110mm Boost; rear 12x148mm Boost, 12x150mm DH & 12x157mm Super BoostHub type: 370 Classic drilled high flange for J-bend spokesFreehub: 18T Ratchet LN with heavy-duty axleAvailable bodies: Shimano HG, Shimano MicroSpline & SRAM XDDisc brake type: IS 6-boltRim type: 30mm internal hooked tubeless aluminum rimOverall rim dimensions: 35mm wide external x 20mm deepSpokes: DT Competition 28 front x 32 rear, with Pro Lock alloy nipplesWeight (claimed): 27.5 from 2188g, 29 from 2222gMax system weight: 140kg (rider+bike)ASTM class: 5 for DH and bikepark useDT Swiss F1900 wheels Pricing & availabilityThe new DT Swiss F1900 Classic wheelsets sell for $650 / 500 now for the pair. Both 27.5 and 29 F1900s are available, with plenty of freehub and axle options, too. Regular DT Swiss dealers should be able to mix and match front and rear wheel setups regarding thru-axle spacing and wheelsizes to get exactly what you need to fit your existing gravity bike.DTSwiss.comThe post DT Swiss Alloy F1900 DH MTB Wheels Promise Extra Affordable Gravity Durability appeared first on Bikerumor.

You may remember my Sea Otter Classic coverage a few weeks ago where I teased Haro Bikes new Buzzard gravel race bike. Well, now I have all the racey details for you here. Haro has undergone a complete brand and product reboot.This reboot brings us some new bike models. I am currently reviewing the Saguaro 1, one of Haros new mountain bike offerings that launched late last year. Along with the new mountain bike offerings, they also have two new drop bar offerings. Both of these UCI-approved bikes lean towards racing, the Rivette road bike which we learned about here, and the new Buzzard gravel bike which we are learning about.Buzzard Gravel BikeHaro says that the Buzzard Gravel bike is race-oriented, and adventure-outfitted. For some of you when you ride, speed and efficiency are important, and for some, its the dirt road off to the side, that calls out to be explored. The Buzzard is ready for either. It comes with in-frame downtube storage, and 18 mounts to accommodate racks, fenders, and panniers for those multi-day rides. Its UDH compatible, has internal routing, and can fit tires up to 45c in the rear.GeometryIt comes in four different spec levels Buzzard Carbon Top Shelf, Carbon 1, Carbon 2, and Carbon 3.Lets jump in and see what these levels offer. Buzzard Carbon Top ShelfRetail: $6799Built on a lightweight carbon frame and fork, the Top Shelf Buzzard is specd for the most efficient combination of both speed and technical performance. Buzzard Carbon Top ShelfFeaturesHaro Buzzard Carbon Frame, including in-frame storage, and internal headtube routingHaro Buzzard Fork, Full Carbon, tapered steerer tubeSRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x groupset with RockShox Reverb AXS dropper, size-specific cranksSRAM Force Hydraulic Disc Brakes with 160mm RotorsFSA Carbon SL-K AGX i25 tubeless wheelsetVittoria Terreno Dry G2.2 TNT 45-622 IC Graphene 120TPI 700x45c (max tire width 45c)Includes Tubeless Valves, Tape and SealantHeadset for internal routing, and size-specific bar width and stem lengthRockShox Reverb AXS dropper post with 75mm dropDesigned around a Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)Sizes: 48cm, 51cm, 54cm, 56cm, and 59cmColors: Semi-gloss Slate Blue Black Fade/White and Gloss Jet Black and Grey/CopperTop Shelf SpecsBuzzard Carbon 1Retail: $4749Built on a lightweight carbon frame and fork, the Top Shelf Buzzard is specd for the most efficient combination of both speed and technical performance.Buzzard Carbon 1FeaturesHaro Buzzard Carbon Frame, including in-frame storage, and internal headtube routingHaro Buzzard Fork, Full Carbon, tapered steerer tubeSRAM Rival ETAP AXS 2x groupset with size-specific cranksSRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc Brakes with 160mm RotorsFSA Carbon SL-K AGX i25 tubeless wheelsetIncludes Tubeless Valves, Tape and SealantVittoria Terreno Dry G2.0 TNT 45-622 IC Graphene 120TPI 700x45c (max tire width 45c)Includes Tubeless Valves, Tape and SealantHeadset for internal routing, and size-specific bar width and stem lengthDesigned around a Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)Sizes: 48cm, 51cm, 54cm, 56cm, and 59cmColors: Semi-gloss Slate Blue Black Fade/White and Gloss Jet Black and Grey/CopperCarbon 1 SpecsBuzzard Carbon 2Retail: $3999Considered the sweet spot of the Buzzard family, the Buzzard Carbon 2 fits the bill for a performance gravel bike. With a SRAM Apex electronic groupset, an FSA SC30 AGX carbon tubeless wheelset, and the Vittoria Terreno Dry gravel tires, its everything you need to hit any road, anywhere.Buzzard Carbon 2FeaturesHaro Buzzard Carbon Frame, including in-frame storage, and internal headtube routingHaro Buzzard Fork, Full Carbon, tapered steerer tubeSRAM Apex XPLR AXS 1x groupset with size-specific cranksSRAM Apex Hydraulic Disc Brakes with 160mm RotorsFSA Carbon SL-K AGX i23 tubeless wheelsetIncludes Tubeless Valves, Tape and SealantVittoria Terreno Dry G2.0 TNT 45-622 IC Graphene 120TPI 700x45c (max tire width 45c)Includes Tubeless Valves, Tape and SealantHeadset for internal routing, and size-specific bar width and stem lengthDesigned around a Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)Sizes: 48cm, 51cm, 54cm, 56cm, and 59cmColors: Semi-gloss Slate Blue Black Fade/White and Gloss Jet Black and Grey/CopperCarbon 2 SpecsBuzzard Carbon 3Retail: $2999Ready to explore beyond the pavement, the Buzzard 3 will let you wander without breaking the bank. Built with a Shimano GRX group, Vision Team Aero Gravel alloy tubeless wheels, and Vittoria Terreno Dry gravel tires, it will get you in the gravel groove.Buzzard Carbon 3FeaturesHaro Buzzard Carbon Frame, including in-frame storage, and internal headtube routingHaro Buzzard Fork, Full Carbon, tapered steerer tubeShimano GRX 111 groupset with size-specific cranksShimano GRX Hydraulic Disc Brakes with 160mm RotorsVision Team Aero Gravel alloy tubeless wheelsetIncludes Tubeless Valves, Tape and SealantVittoria Terreno Dry G2.0 TNT 45-622 IC Graphene 120TPI 700x45c (max tire width 45c)Includes Tubeless Valves, Tape and SealantHeadset for internal routing, and size-specific bar width and stem lengthDesigned around a Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)Sizes: 48cm, 51cm, 54cm, 56cm, and 59cmColors: Semi-gloss Slate Blue Black Fade/White and Gloss Jet Black and Grey/CopperCarbon 3 SpecsHaroBikes.comThe post Haro Bikes Swoops In and Drops The New Buzzard Gravel Race Bike appeared first on Bikerumor.

Groupama - FDJ's talented youngster Lenny Martinez continues to prove himself as the future of French cycling with his fifth victory of the season at Mercan'Tour Classic 2024 on Wednesday afternoon."This is really a tremendously tough race," the 20-year-old Frenchman, who is reportedly on his way o...

The Houses of the Oireachtas Commissions submission to the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, which voiced concerns about delaying TDs and Senators, contradicts their commitments to reducing emissions, according to the Dublin Commuter Coalition, a campaign group for better sustainable transport.The traffic plan is a Pathfinder project which is aimed at accelerating transport emissions reductions. The coverage of the submission was followed yesterday by an EPA warning that Ireland would miss its legally binding emissions targets.The Oireachtas Commission looks after the running of the Dil and the Seanad,the former of which declared a climate emergency in 2019. The Houses of the Oireachtas Commissions submission was published on the consultation page for the project earlier this year and was covered on the Business Post website on Monday.In the submission, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission said: At least 50% of the parliamentary community come each week from outside the capital. Deputies are required to perform dual roles of legislators and constituency representatives, and frequent travel into and out of Dublin city centre is a necessity, not an option. Working hours during sitting days are often unpredictable as there is a need for theHouses of the Oireachtas to respond to urgent developments across the community.It raised issues with three of the proposals: The planned bus gates on Bachelors Walk and Aston Quay, the pedestrian area at Lincoln Place and the ban on cars from turning left from Westland Row onto Pearse Street.The submission said: These three proposals are likely to adversely impact travel arrangements for Deputies and Senators who travel between Leinster House and areas to the north, northwest and west of Leinster House.Jason Cullen, chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition, said: The Dublin City Centre Transport Plan is an important re-alignment of transport priority within the Core City Centre. Reducing unnecessary through-traffic is essential to ensure people can get in and out of the City Centre in quick, and safe manner.The Dublin Commuter Coalition was deeply frustrated to see the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission publish an objection, which directly contradicts their own commitments to reducing emissions, and promote Smarter Travel, said Cullen.He said TDs and staff will retain access to their free car parking at Leinster House, while those using sustainable transport would see improvements.TDs have access to free parking within Leinster House, which will still be accessible for any members of the Oireachtas who must use a car for their journey. The many staff, guests and visitors of Government buildings who take public or active transport however, will have a far less congested, quicker, and safer daily journey thanks to the new Transport plan, he said.He added: Transport policy is formed, debated and agreed within the walls of the Oireachtas, so we would hope the Commission would be a leading voice in implementing that change in Dublin.When contacted this week about the submission, a spokesperson for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission said that it remains committed to its strategic goals including those goals which relate to sustainability.The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission as the Governing body of the national parliament deemed it appropriate to make a submission to the public consultation process. The interests of a national parliament are wide ranging and include multiple stakeholders, they said.The Oireachtas spokesperson added: Primarily, the Commission must ensure that the Houses are accessible to members, many of whom travel long distances and work late hours in order to ensure that legislation is processed. It is for this reason that the Commission commented on proposals to modify traffic flows on streets near Leinster House and on streets leading to national routes which are used by members of both houses.It is essential that consideration is also given to the need to facilitate access by all members and by the public, while also ensuring the safety and security of members.

E-bikes are supposed to be easy. This MTB ride almost killed me.The post First E-Bike Ride. Expectation vs. Reality appeared first on Bikerumor.

Are you looking for waterproof panniers for your bike commute or your bike tours? Ortlieb panniers might be right for you. They are loved by millions of bike commuters and bike tourers because they are completely waterproof and very spacious. In this post we feature and compare three of the best in Ortlieb's line-up of premium waterproof bike panniers.The post Ortlieb Bike Panniers Best for Touring and Commuting appeared first on Average Joe Cyclist.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Heylen Vastgoed Heistse Pijl was presented in Herentals. The race built entirely around the cobbled climbHeist-op-den-Berg will take place this Saturday and everyone's been wondering whether Visma | Lease a Bike leader Wout Van Aert would turn up to the race near his hom...

Roger Hammond has joined the team of Sports Directors of BORA hansgrohe. For the past two seasons, the 50-year-old Briton with rich racing experience, has been working for Ineos Grenadiers. Before his stint in the British team, he also guided teams such as Bahrain and Dimension Data. He will take...