This is Duncan Blinkhorn....
I took this photo of a portrait of him in Churchill Square, Brighton. Looks like a nice bloke, doesn't he? He probably is, to be honest. He is, however, responsible for something abhorrent, illegal, irritating and just downright dangerous.
I'm talking about the Brighton "Bike Train" which leaves the Level every morning and cycles, en mass, up the Lewes Road to the Universities. In principle, it sounds like a great idea! A large group of friends taking to their push bikes in a green initiative helping to save the planet and getting fit in the process.
It's not.
It takes place at 8:30 am on one of the busiest roads in the city. Thousands of cars, buses, bikes and lorries jostle for position on this dual carriageway to be faced with this....
At their website (biketrain.org where, incidentally, the above photo was taken from) they give a long list of safety advice...
"STAY SAFE: Staying two abreast is best, recommended in the Highway Code, as this minimises the risk from the outer lane of traffic."
I count at least four abreast in the above picture, seven abreast waiting at the traffic lights in this picture from their website:
"STAY LEGAL: We will stop at red lights. Please ride with care and attention."
I have yet to see the "Bike train" stop at a red light they can sneak through, be it pedestrian crossings or the t-junction at Moulsecoomb way.
Also, on the subject of legal, does the bike train possess a PRS certificate or broadcast licence to play their loud, obnoxious music and, while we're on the subject, exactly where did Mr. Blinkhorn get the metal traffic sign that he's converted to say "! Bike train"?
"STAY SAFE: If possible, wear hi-vis or colourful clothing"
Just like Duncan's not doing in any picture of the Bike train, preferring instead his dark green easily-blend-with-the-scenery jacket...
Basically, I think the whole thing is dangerous and misguided. How can the bike train even think it's doing the environment a favour by adding 10 - 15 minutes a day onto people's journey times, slowly moving at a walking pace in a 30 mph single carriageway because they can't get past some numpties on bikes?
It's a massive accident waiting to happen, whether that be as a result of an idiot cyclist falling off and taking the rest of the "train" with them, or just some frustrated motorist going psycho on their ass and driving a lorry through the middle of them.
I'm all for green initiatives and, if people want to cycle then great!
Just obey the law, ride in single file and let those of us who have better things to do with our mornings get to work!
