A car driver who left his vehicle and violently threw a cyclist to the ground after an altercation in Edinburgh two years ago, a "violent and unprovoked attack" that resulted the bike rider sustaining a fractured skull and bleed on the brain, has avoided a prison sentence. Disturbing footage of Joseph Hedley, 39, grabbing 34-year-old cyclist Iain Brow by the throat and physically assaulting him in Edinburgh's Cowgate area on 20 September 2024 was widely shared on social media, resulting in a police appeal and a public outcry. This eventually led to Hedley turning himself in.In an earlier hearing during which Hedley admitted assaulting the victim to his severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told that Brown lost consciousness in the immediate aftermath of the attack, and he had to be rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. During this week's hearing, as reported on the BBC and elsewhere, Fiscal Depute Peter Finnon explained that the cyclist had suffered serious injuries including an acute bleed on the brain, a traumatic brain injury and a fractured skull and that the medics who attended the scene and treated him described his injuries to be "very much to the potential of danger to Mr Brown's life".Speaking to STV journalists after the hearing, Hedley claimed to be sorry for actions, but then shrugged his shoulders and said: He was blocking my way so I had to move him. He subsequently added: I didnt leave him for dead. He was kicking off."You broke his skull and drove away, the reporter says, to which Hedley simply replied: Yeah but that doesnt matter.The defendant's lawyer, Calum Turner, said Hedley had "not intended" to inflict serious injury on the cyclist, and that he had not driven since the incident. It was claimed that Brown had shouted at the and shone a bike light into the car, causing Hedley's partner, who was in the passenger seat, to suffer a "seizure".When handing down the sentence, Sheriff Fergus Thomson told the defendant he had inflicted "significant injuries", and explained that he was avoiding a custodial sentence "by the narrowest of margins".Instead Hedley received a two-year supervision order, and he will also be tagged and given a 12-month overnight home curfew, meaning he can't leave his place of residence between 7pm and 7am for the next year.Faith Currie, Procurator Fiscal for Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders, said: "This was a violent, sustained and unprovoked assault on an innocent member of the public who suffered serious injuries."The actions of Joseph Hedley were horrific and shocking and could easily have had more devastating consequences."

UAE Team Emirates - XRG's 97 victories in 2025 made history in professional cycling, by far beating the previous victories one team would achieve in a year. Whilst it didn't reach the same number - ending at 78- the Emirati team has conquered many of the sport's top titles in 2026 with the likes of...

Scottish rider Kate Richardson will form part of the inaugural Lidl-Trek Future Racing Women squad, it was announced on Wednesday.Along with nine other promising young riders from eight nations, the 24-year-old will be part of the new development team, which mirrors the existing men's version.Richardson, who rode for British UCI Continental team Handsling Alba Development Road Team in 2026, is a former British national circuit champion, and is a reigning European champion in the team pursuit on the track.This year, she won the Tour of the Reservoir on the road, part of British Cycling's National Road Series, while last year she won the Tour de Feminin in Czechia. She previously rode for Lifeplus Wahoo and Hess. Frank Schleck, the women's team manager at Lidl-Trek, said: "Our aim is to give young riders the time, support and opportunities they need to develop. The step up to the WorldTour is becoming more demanding, so we want to create a clear pathway where riders can learn, make mistakes and grow without the immediate pressure to deliver results."Now is the right time because women's cycling is growing, and our investment needs to extend beyond the WorldTour team. We also have a responsibility to help develop the next generation."The nine others are Chantal Pegolo and Matilda Rossignoli, of Italy, Austrians Tabea Huys and Liv Wenzel, Ane Zubeldia of Spain, Dane Olympia Norris-Mortensen, Messane Brutigam of Germany, and Americans Katherine Sarkisov and Ella Sabo.Previously, Lidl-Trek had integrated development riders in with its Women's WorldTour team, with Ava and Isabella Holmgren the most high-profile of these; the latter had a standout season, finishing eighth overall at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. British riders Harry Hudson and Seb Grindley were both part of the men's Future Racing squad this season."When selecting the riders, we looked beyond the results. Potential, attitude, a willingness to learn and what each rider could bring to the group were all important. We also want to support riders across different disciplines, because there is more than one route to becoming a successful road rider," Schleck added."The goal is to prepare them for the demands of professional cycling, both on and off the bike. Winning is part of that learning process, but success will also mean seeing riders gain confidence, take responsibility and eventually earn their place in the WorldTour."Lidl-Trek's Women's WorldTour team have signed four riders for 2027 so far, including former Tour winner Kasia Niewiadoma.

Oxford Street has entered a new era, according to Transport for London, with one of Europes busiest shopping streets now pedestrianised.London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the changes to Oxford Street are momentous for the capital and said it would create a vibrant destination for Londoners and visitors.There has been talk of pedestrianising Oxford Street for decades. After so many false dawns, and now working with a Government who share the scale of my ambition, Im proud that were finally unlocking a new era for the street, he said.About half of the 1.2-mile road between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street is now permanently closed to traffic. That includes buses, cars, taxis and cycles.Cycling consternationThe exclusion of cycles from the stretch of road has, maybe unsurprisingly, led to consternation from those willing to stoke the debate around cycling etiquette and cycling advocates.The Standard jumped on the opportunity to highlight how cyclists were already breaking the rules. It went down to the newly pedestrianised street from 8am on Tuesday morning and counted 51 people cycling through the new gates and barriers.The publication then published an article asking why the Met Police or TfL werent fining any of the cyclists, ebike users and delivery riders travelling along the closed strip.While some may be unaware of the new restrictions, others were seen getting back on their bikes after being told by Transport for London (TfL) staff to dismount, The Standard wrote, before adding that the approach appears to be to provide advice and guidance rather than issuing fines.It is understood that dockless ebike operators Lime, Forest and Voi have geofenced the pedestrianised section of Oxford Street. If a rider attempts to travel through the area, the electric bike or scooter motor will shut down.Cyclists who ignore Oxford Streets restrictions could face a 160 fine, reduced to 80 if it's paid within 14 days, according to TfL.Yesterday, the transport body took to social media to remind cyclists of the new rules, sharing a picture of a sign that says Please walk your bike.Cycling is no longer permitted on the traffic-free section of Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. We will maintain an active presence of enforcement officers.You can continue your journey using the surrounding highway network and choose an alternative route from the nearby streets that remain open, TfL wrote on X.TfL advised that cyclists can find accessible routes through its London cycling map. Planning to cycle through the West End? Cycling is no longer permitted on the traffic-free section of Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. We will maintain an active presence of enforcement officers. You can continue your journey using the pic.twitter.com/F6YkBgIDnj TfL (@TfL) October 27, 2026 Parallel routes neededThe London Cycling Campaign (LCC) said on Monday that action should be taken to demand cycling routes parallel to Oxford Street.[T]hese changes are great news, despite them meaning cycling is now banned from Oxford Street itself.This is a massive win on moves to reclaim West End space from motor vehicles and make the nations iconic high street far better.Its the boldest thing the Mayor has done since ULEZ and its a real shift in the way we treat central London, LCC said in a statement.LCC said that the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street is very much what the Dutch would do but it added that unlike the Dutch, we dont have a low traffic central zone, and we dont have a viable and dense network of cycle routes that all connect already.The very real risk is that we dont end up with a much-needed broader low traffic west end, but a low cycling one instead.LCC said that inaction on the issue could lead to some people stopping cycling, flouting the ban or finding haphazard routes through Marylebone and Mayfair.The charity highlighted how Westminster Council has already started building cycle tracks on George Street, north of Oxford Street, but said that the cycleways need to be double the length.Even if Oxford Streets pedestrianisation happened overnight, the cycling infrastructure needed around the busy shopping strip will take longer to build.In the meantime, it seems Londons new bold project has become another flash point for debates around the capitals cycling boom. You may like: City of London Police launches Sin Bin for cyclists that jump red lights

Sebastian Putz will step up to the WorldTour with Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe in 2027 after spending two seasons with the German team's development squad. The 23-year-old Austrian will now have the opportunity to continue his progression within a setup committed to developing young talent and promot...