'There are more people killed by lightning and cows than cyclists' - Chris Boardman on proposed anti-dangerous cycling laws
The National Active Travel Commissioner - and former Olympian - was one critic of the government's priorities
Chris Boardman has pointed out that "more people are killed by lightning and cows than cyclists" as he spoke about the UK government's proposed new anti-dangerous cycling laws.
The former Olympic gold medal-winner and Hour Record holder, now National Active Travel Commissioner, said: "Everybody should obey the laws of the road, but I'm frustrated that the focus on something that is so good for society and joyous is in such a negative way."
On Wednesday, an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill was introduced, which said people who "kill or seriously injure because of dangerous cycling" could be charged with the same penalties faced by drivers and motorcyclists.
The government’s proposal creates the offence of 'causing death by dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling, and causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate cycling’.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast on Thursday, Boardman said: "My mother was crushed to death by a driver. That day, there were four other people [killed by drivers], and the day after, there was another five people, and so on.
"Yesterday, there was a young boy killed in Birmingham while he was walking. Then there'll another four. Today, there will be another five. There are more people killed by lightning and cows than cyclists.
"Everybody should obey the laws of the road, but I'm frustrated that the focus on something that is so good for society and joyous is in such a negative way. I'd rather be sitting here talking about how do we save five lives a day. 30,000 people are killed or seriously injured on our roads every year, and less than three of those are involving cyclists.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"There's no question that if everyone faces penalties for their behaviour on their road and has a duty to look after others. The point is what impact will it have when its in the same realm as lightning as cows. I don't have any problem with it, but there's other things I'd like to be talking about."
He is not alone in his criticism of the government's priorities. Adam Tranter, the former Cycling and Walking Commissioner for the West Midlands, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that it was an "incredibly strange use of government time and resource given how rare it'll need to be used".
He wrote: "It is a proposal based on fear not evidence. Those working in road safety will be perplexed given England does not even have a road safety strategy (one of few developed countries not to) and many responses on topics that would save lives are still sat on ministers’ desks."
Tranter also listed things the government could do - some of which they have pledged to before - which they haven't. These include: new laws for hit and run offenders; a full review of motoring offences and penalties; a pavement parking consultation review; establishing a Road Crash Investigation Bureau; and clarifying the difference between careless and dangerous driving.
Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, wrote: "I have no problems with a law on death by dangerous cycling – everyone must obey the rules of the road. But in 2022, 1760+ people were killed on UK roads – three involved someone being hit by a bike. What’s the government plan for stopping five people being killed a day by motor vehicles?"
According to Cycling UK, "cycles are involved in just 2% of pedestrian casualties reported to and by the police. The rest, 98%, are hit by motor vehicles."
"Last night, the government announced a knee jerk plan to do part of a job badly, Duncan Dollimore, the head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said. "Ten years ago, government ministers recognised that road traffic laws weren’t effective in reducing irresponsible behaviour on our streets and promised a full review of traffic offences and penalties, which still hasn't materialised.
"Having done nothing to address these much wider problems with road traffic laws, the government wants to legislate on one piece of the puzzle without having thought through how this will work more broadly - including how it plans to deal with e-scooters and other forms of micro mobility, or what other road traffic offences need to be changed.
"If the government is serious about making our roads safer for everyone, it should revisit the wider review it promised ten years ago."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling, he's happy. Before joining CW in 2021 he spent two years writing for Procycling. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds.
Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to riding bikes.
-
Premium products at mid-range prices: up to 60% off fancy cycling accessories this Cyber Monday brings them into the realms of affordability
These Cyber Monday discounts make these top-tier products from Kask, Silca, and Muc-Off viable purchases for the rest of us
By Joe Baker Published
-
I've found the safest road bike helmet on the market for just £27 thanks to this Cyber Monday deal
According to a leading independent study this year, the Specialized Align MIPS is incredibly effective, and thanks to this deal, it's affordable too
By Joe Baker Published
-
'I was bullied at school, cycling filled a gap': Chris Boardman on his career and beyond, 30 years after his first Tour de France win
Legendary time trialist tells Cycling Weekly about his first bike, copying Graeme Obree, and his passion for active travel
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Hope for better bike infrastructure as Active Travel England to be consulted on new housing estates
Organisation will help deliver cycling infrastructure on all future large planning applications
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mike Burrows: the designer who influenced the bikes we ride today
A legendary bike designer and innovator, Burrows created the Lotus 108 ridden by Chris Boardman at the 1992 Olympics
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Chris Boardman becomes the first commissioner of Active Travel England
Former cyclist will head up the new cycling and walking body, which is responsible for £5.5 million investment in active travel schemes
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We have never seen anything like this before': Chris Boardman says UK Government coronavirus cycling boost shouldn't be underestimated
The UK Government yesterday unveiled plans to boost cycling as a means to tackle the coronavirus
By Jonny Long Published
-
Chris Boardman calls on government to help fund ‘revolutionary’ cycling network for Manchester
Chris Boardman has called on the government to help fund a “revolutionary” cycle network for Manchester that could give a huge boost to cyclists in the city.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
‘It’s dressed up prejudice’: Chris Boardman criticises Channel 5 show that asks if cyclists are the scourge of the streets
A Channel 5 show asking if cyclists are the scourge of the streets has been branded “dressed up prejudice” by cycling campaigner and former Olympian Chris Boardman.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Driver pleads guilty to causing death of Chris Boardman’s mother
A pick-up truck driver has admitted causing the death of Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman’s mother.
By Alex Ballinger Published