Chris Boardman enters safety debate after family member involved in 'close pass' (video)
Chris Boardman says there is no excuse for a lorry to pass a group of cyclists closely after his mother was reportedly involved in a 'close pass'
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Chris Boardman is a keen advocate of cycling safety, so when his mother was involved in a 'close pass' with an Aldi lorry on a Birkenhead North End Cycling Club club ride he entered a debate on Twitter about safe cycling procedure.
Twitter user @trucksimdriver messaged Boardman with a video of the BNECC ride to ask if the riders or the driver was in the wrong, with Aldi apparently claiming the pass was perfectly safe.
In the video, we see two riders ahead of the rider with the camera riding two abreast, with an HGV passing at some speed. We've seen closer passes by vehicles, but it still looked close enough - especially for such a large vehicle travelling at such speed - to cause distress.
>>> Watch: Chris Boardman explains how to safely overtake cyclists
Another Twitter user, @_NickWhite, agreed with the original poster that the truck was too close, but said the riders should have ridden in single file to mitigate the dangers.
Boardman, who has presented a video on why riders travel two abreast, responded saying it could have posed a bigger danger if the group.
Cycling Weekly has contacted Aldi for a response to the incident.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Was the truck passing too close? Should the riders have been riding single file? Let us know in the comments below.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
'The apparel industry is deeply broken': US apparel company Kitsbow to close
After Presca, Velofixen, Milltag and Machines for Freedom, Kitsbow is the latest cycling apparel company to announce its end of operations this year.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Computer company Acer is making an AI-powered bike and it’s got some wild features
Taiwanese hardware and electronics corporation, Acer, best known for its powerful laptop computers, appears to be diversifying its product offerings with the creation of a (super) smart e-bike
By Anne-Marije Rook • 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
-
Inside Boardman's new wind tunnel: affordable aero testing
“Chris Boardman’s new wind tunnel,” as it has become almost universally known, has its long-awaited opening on April 30. James Shrubsall got an exclusive tour from the man himself
By James Shrubsall • Published
-
Chris Boardman: 'Riding a bicycle or crossing a street shouldn’t require bravery'
Chris Boardman is presenting his plan to get more people cycling and walking to the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group on Wednesday
By Nigel Wynn • Published