Richard Branson says elbow and body padding 'is a must' after bike crash - but also concedes he was holding the handlebars 'wrong'

British businessman has added elbow and hip body armour to his kit list, as well as adjusting his grip on the bar

Two images of Richard Branson, one with a cut elbow, and the other in elbow pads
(Image credit: Instagram / Richard Branson)

Billionaire businessman Richard Branson has vowed to wear elbow and body padding when cycling after he crashed his bike and injured himself in the British Virgin Islands. 

The Virgin founder hit a pothole on a ride and “crashed hard”, he said. He suffered a hematoma on his hip and road rash grazing to his arm, but did not break any bones. 

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Tom Davidson
Senior News Writer

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.

An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.