Latest news with #cyclists
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Cattle cull forces route change for Tour de France stage 19
The route of Friday's stage 19 of the Tour de France has been altered due to the culling of cows taking place in the Col des Saisies area. The discovery of a contagious disease among cattle meant the route has been shortened from 129.9km to 95km with two climbs – the 11.3km Cote d'Hery-sur-Ugine and the 13.7km Col des Saisies – removed. An outbreak of nodular dermatitis meant the affected herd must be culled and race organisers took the decision to divert the route in light of 'distress' among the farmers concerned. In a statement ahead of Friday's stage, Tour organisers said: 'The discovery of an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis affecting cattle in a herd located specifically in the Col des Saisies has necessitated the culling of the animals. READ MORE 'In light of the distress experienced by the affected farmers and in order to preserve the smooth running of the race, it has been decided, in agreement with the relevant authorities, to modify the route of Stage 19 (Albertville–La Plagne) and to avoid the ascent to the Col des Saisies. 'The ceremonial start will take place as planned at the exit of Albertville. After a 7km parade, riders will head towards the D925, where the official start will be given. 'The race will then rejoin the original route shortly before Beaufort (at 52.4km on the original schedule). 'Due to this change, which notably bypasses the Col des Saisies, the stage will now cover a total distance of 95km instead of the originally planned 129.9km.' During Thursday's stage 18, Tadej Pogacar conquered his demons on the Col de la Loze to stretch his advantage in yellow as Ben O'Connor wrapped up the stage win. Ireland's Ben Healy finished the stage in 17th, nine minutes 28 seconds behind O'Connor, retaining ninth in the GC.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Controversial Kings Heath low traffic scheme set for expansion
Birmingham City Council is pushing ahead with the second phase of a divisive Kings Heath traffic scheme, with new 20mph speed limits and one-way streets suburb's Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) has previously split opinion, with restrictions banning through traffic on certain streets proving particularly council said it wanted to reduce traffic in residential neighbourhoods to try to make it safer for people to walk and it also acknowledged the scheme had been "controversial" and there were "strong feelings both in favour and against." So far, so-called modal filters have been introduced to the west of Kings Heath High Street and a section of York Road has been proposed second phase of the scheme would deliver the "planned full expansion" to the east of the High Street and into south would also mitigate the displacement of traffic caused by the "previous partial implementation of the scheme".According to a council report, the second phase would be split into four packages:Revision and consolidation of the temporary measures located mostly to the west of the High measures to the east of the High Street including new modal filters, one-way streets, and traffic calming.20mph speed limit across the project area, including all boundary roads, and traffic calming measures along Coldbath of a bus gate on Addison Road and reinstatement of the right turn from Vicarage Road onto A435 Alcester Road. 'Strong opinions' At a meeting on Tuesday, cabinet members at the Labour-run council agreed to approve the full business case for the first two MacDonald, an NHS doctor appointed road safety commissioner by West Midlands mayor Richard Parker, welcomed the leader at Birmingham City Council, Sharon Thompson added "I think everybody is broadly in agreement that to do nothing is not an option."But the Birmingham Conservative Group said it would scrap the LTN in Kings Heath if it took control of the council, saying the scheme made it harder for many residents to visit high street cabinet member for transport, Majid Mahmood, acknowledged the project had "sparked strong opinions", adding that was why the council had "held seven rounds of consultation, listened to feedback and crucially made changes to the design." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
More than 100 cyclists set off on ride to remember murdered MP Jo Cox
More than 100 cyclists have set off on a 290-mile bike ride in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox. Cheered on by Mrs Cox's parents and sister, MP Kim Leadbeater, the group gathered at Princess Mary Athletics Stadium, in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, on Wednesday morning to follow her journey to London in the tenth Jo Cox Way event. The annual ride aims to keep alive the legacy of the Batley and Spen Labour MP – who was killed by a far-right terrorist in June 2016 – by championing the causes she was passionate about. This year's ride marks the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage, with riders wearing the purple, white and green colours of the suffragettes. They left the stadium just after 9.30am to cheers from crowds, including Ms Leadbeater, now the MP for Spen Valley. She said: 'Jo was a passionate campaigner for gender equality so it's wonderful to see nearly 60 women riding this year and showing that cycling really is for everyone. 'It's a tough challenge but a brilliant five days – everything Jo would have loved. 'It's also a great way to meet people from different walks of life and to celebrate that we have 'more in common', as Jo said in her maiden speech in Parliament 10 years ago. ' Cycling has so many physical and mental health benefits and also helps combat loneliness and isolation, causes which Jo cared about deeply. 'My mum, dad and I wish all the cyclists the very best of luck on their epic journey.' The cyclists are due to arrive in Buxton in Derbyshire on Wednesday evening and will reach Flat Iron Square in London on Sunday, following Jo Cox's journey from growing up in the Spen Valley to representing the area in Westminster. Ken Avery, from Liversedge, 76, who has terminal cancer, is taking part. His daughter rode alongside him as he left the stadium on Wednesday morning, and his son will ride with him in London. He said: 'I think they're both proud of me because I'm doing something that I enjoy and it's keeping me fit and healthy.' The youngest rider this year is 21, and the oldest, Kath Lyons from Skipton, celebrates her 80th birthday a month after the ride. She said: 'You see so much hatred on social media these days, people hide behind it. I'm doing the Jo Cox Way again to remind myself what Jo stood for – it's more relevant now than when she said it.' To learn more about The Jo Cox Foundation visit and to donate visit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
More than 100 cyclists set off on ride to remember murdered MP Jo Cox
More than 100 cyclists have set off on a 290-mile bike ride in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox. Cheered on by Mrs Cox's parents and sister, MP Kim Leadbeater, the group gathered at Princess Mary Athletics Stadium, in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, on Wednesday morning to follow her journey to London in the tenth Jo Cox Way event. The annual ride aims to keep alive the legacy of the Batley and Spen Labour MP – who was killed by a far-right terrorist in June 2016 – by championing the causes she was passionate about. This year's ride marks the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage, with riders wearing the purple, white and green colours of the suffragettes. They left the stadium just after 9.30am to cheers from crowds, including Ms Leadbeater, now the MP for Spen Valley. She said: 'Jo was a passionate campaigner for gender equality so it's wonderful to see nearly 60 women riding this year and showing that cycling really is for everyone. 'It's a tough challenge but a brilliant five days – everything Jo would have loved. 'It's also a great way to meet people from different walks of life and to celebrate that we have 'more in common', as Jo said in her maiden speech in Parliament 10 years ago. 'Cycling has so many physical and mental health benefits and also helps combat loneliness and isolation, causes which Jo cared about deeply. 'My mum, dad and I wish all the cyclists the very best of luck on their epic journey.' The cyclists are due to arrive in Buxton in Derbyshire on Wednesday evening and will reach Flat Iron Square in London on Sunday, following Jo Cox's journey from growing up in the Spen Valley to representing the area in Westminster. Ken Avery, from Liversedge, 76, who has terminal cancer, is taking part. His daughter rode alongside him as he left the stadium on Wednesday morning, and his son will ride with him in London. He said: 'I think they're both proud of me because I'm doing something that I enjoy and it's keeping me fit and healthy.' The youngest rider this year is 21, and the oldest, Kath Lyons from Skipton, celebrates her 80th birthday a month after the ride. She said: 'You see so much hatred on social media these days, people hide behind it. I'm doing the Jo Cox Way again to remind myself what Jo stood for – it's more relevant now than when she said it.' To learn more about The Jo Cox Foundation visit and to donate visit
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Travel + Leisure
3 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This 3,700-mile Trail Will Connect Washington State to Washington, D.C.—and 2,000 Miles Are Already Open to Travelers
The Great American Rail-Trail is a 3,700-mile car-free route that will eventually span from Washington, D.C., to Washington state, connecting 12 states. Over 2,000 miles of the trail are already open, offering walkers and cyclists a scenic, traffic-free way to travel, commute, and explore the outdoors. The project is expected to boost local economies and provide safe, sustainable transportation for millions of Americans. Imagine crossing the country not by highway or interstate, but on a scenic, car-free path built for walkers and cyclists. A trail where the hum of traffic is replaced by birdsong and the crunch of gravel, where you can set out for a morning jog, a bike ride to a neighboring town, or—if you're ambitious—a journey from coast to coast. That's the vision behind the Great American Rail Trail, an ambitious project that's already more than halfway complete. Spanning over 2,000 miles of open trail and eventually stretching 3,700 miles from Washington, D.C., to Washington state, the route stitches together a patchwork of rail-trails, greenways, historic paths, and multi-use trails that span across 12 states. At first glance, it might seem like a novelty—a feather in the national cap—but its potential impact is significant. According to project estimates on the Great American Rail Trail's website, the trail could generate more than $229 million in annual visitor spending, create over $100 million in labor income, and bring in nearly $23 million in new tax revenue. Perhaps even more importantly, it will give the tens of millions of people living along the route a safe, accessible way to connect with nature, commute between communities, and explore their own backyards—all without a car. The number of people impacted by the Rail Trail is even more significant when you zoom out and consider those who live within 50 miles of the route—or the tourists from other parts of the country or the world who will be able to enjoy the cross-country pathway. 'The Great American Rail-Trail has come to represent the potential of active transportation infrastructure that connects the nation,' said Ryan Chao, president of the Rails to Trails Conservancy, the organization that oversees the rail trail project, in a May 2024 press release that celebrated the rail-trail's fifth anniversary. 'It magnifies the opportunity for connected trail systems to deliver economic potential, quality of life, and safe mobility to millions of Americans.' Since the project's inception in May 2019, around 125 miles have been added to the patchwork of existing public-use trails. The full trail won't be finished for several decades. The Great American Rail-Trail is a signature project of Rails to Trails Conservancy, the largest trails organization in the U.S. The ambitious route wouldn't be possible without local, on-the-ground support from communities across the nation, trail organizations, and, of course, trail builders. To see what parts of the Great American Rail-Trail are currently open and accessible to walkers and bikers, check out the organization's interactive map, which shows open, existing trails along with the route's planned segments.
