In the news

footage now in of the devastation caused by the kent earthquake

oh the humanity, expect appeals for donations of crocs / birkenstoffs, quinoa and prosecco to cover the news media over the next few days

normally i'd steer clear of fat-shaming dickbaggery merely because a) it's the lowest sort of ad-hominem gotnuthinism and b) it diverts attention from the individual in question's myriad actual failings, but this pic is lols.

bloody immigrants...

nice Arosa though.

More on the Jeremiah Duggan inquest--unfortunately a somewhat disappointing verdict, albeit one the family still hope to be able to use.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/jeremiah-duggan-inquest-london-student-found-dead-in-germany-could-have-died-fleeing-farright-group-10268117.html

Story I hadn't heard about until you posted a few days ago, Oliver. Hope the full story comes out as some point. The LaRouchians were a strange group who I'd come across on university campuses in North America, but haven't really thought of since moving over here.

http://mrmoliver.co.uk/WESTMINSTER-WUNDERKAMMER

Feeling optimistic about Ireland.

not so, poor andy burnham

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andy-burnham-claims-rent-for-flat-moments-away-from-another-he-already-owns-10273311.html

the change of parliamentary rules made me do it

Lazy journalism by the BBC on now:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05vy4kk

Call You and Yours: Do you think it's time to ask cyclists to take a test before they're allowed on the roads?

Clickbait cunts.

I'm all for it.

Test, tax and insure cyclists.

And then have strict liability, lifetime bans and mandatory custodial sentences for road accidents that result in serious injury or death.

The more I see these "FORCE CYCLISTS TO TAKE A TEST BEFORE THEY CAN CYCLE" clickbait things, the more I'm starting to agree with them, tbh.

I really like the idea of armies of well-trained cyclists riding right in the middle of the lane with red-faced drivers in 4x4s stuck behind them who have suddenly learned that the national standard for cycling has fuck all to do with their desire to not see cyclists anywhere on the road.

And what TW said.

Ditto.

Obviously I would expect a full car licence to cover a bike just like it does a moped.

Tax should be no higher than a small Diesel engined bmw. So nil.

Insurance is covered by BC/CTC/LCC membership.

So a lot of us are already there. I'll carry on riding like a twat.

I'll carry on riding like a twat.

I might even be tempted to call myself a Professional Rider. Because I have a license and a qualification.

One of the callers made a great point, the rules are already there for cyclists and drivers. They just aren't enforced.

Just like how black cab drivers call themselves professional drivers.

I'd marry Chris Boardman if it was legal.

It's not legal to marry someone against their will.

Jogger struck by cyclist dies:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-32883520#?utm_medium=twitter

Looks like we have pesky cyclists to blame for deflation - well the word anyway.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-32874157

A two tier system perhaps?

A licensed cyclist will have (improved) access to insurance etc, and will carry a camera at all times. The small-ish license plate/sticker I'd put on the front and back would be there to tell drivers that "yes, I know what the fuck I am doing, and yes I'll stay here in the primary position thank you very much".

But in the interest of easing traffic congestion, improving public health etc etc the general public should still be allowed to jump on a bike willy nilly with no training or license.

Anyone seen this?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3097257/Cyclist-crashes-bus-zooming-red-traffic-light-brakes-fail.html

Shit Fixie skidders etc.

'It's a fixie bike so when the front brake failed the only way I could slow down was to push back hard on the pedals - it's almost like trying to pedal backwards but when you're travelling at that speed you can't do that. That's why it looks like I'm still pedalling.'

Two braks aren't deth.