‘The start of a new era’: British racers and YouTube stars back new on-board cameras rule
The footage has great potential, say Alec Briggs and Cameron Jeffers
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

British Cycling's new ruling on on-board cameras has been a long time coming for those in the country's racing scene.
On Tuesday, it was announced that riders will be allowed to record their own race footage, as long as they seek permission at least seven days before the event.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly, social media content creators Alec Briggs and Cameron Jeffers explained how on-board cameras will open up a realm of opportunities.
Since 2018, Tekkerz team founder Briggs has been a driving force in getting British Cycling to allow riders to capture their own footage. “I just knew the potential in it,” the 29-year-old said, “so I just kept hassling them.
“At the time, like 2019 or something, all the L39ION [of Los Angeles] guys were posting all their footage and I was just like man, it’s pissing me off. I was watching how successful that footage was and there was so much of that in the UK but they weren’t letting us do it.”
After a sequence of pushbacks, Briggs began using on-board cameras as part of a trial scheme last year and has since seen his content grow in popularity, with some videos amassing millions of online views. He now hopes to turn the footage into educational content for new riders starting out.
“I've been shooting loads of videos from this year, like crits and track and stuff," Briggs said, "and I'm going to upload them as full race videos with tutorials explaining for novice and newcomer riders how to put tactics into practice. You know, the theory behind it as well as how to utilise their own strengths and weaknesses and get round races.”
Like Briggs, Jeffers has been waiting a long time for British Cycling's latest announcement. The Ribble-Weldtite rider has previously fallen foul of the organisation's on-board camera restriction, having been fined and disqualified from a series of national events in 2019 for filming his races.
“The bank took a hit that season,” Jeffers laughed. “Now I can freely make videos from racing without the fear of getting fined."
Over the past six years, the 25-year-old has shared hundreds of race-day videos and vlogs on his YouTube channel. Today, he has over 125,000 subscribers, with his most popular video counting in excess of 1.5 million views.
Asked how cameras benefit those watching at home, Jeffers said: “When I have on-board footage in a crit, it shows we’re going 50km/h and I’m doing 400w and my heart rate’s up nearly 200bpm. It’s a lot more relatable, I think, than just seeing us on the side of the road or on the TV screen.
“I think people will be much more engaged with the sport, and hopefully it’ll help it grow," he added. “Hopefully it’s kind of the start of a new era of British Cycling, where they’re a lot more accommodating of new ways of thinking and the modern era.”
In a statement released by British Cycling on Tuesday, delivery director Dani Every said: “I’m really pleased that we’re now able to widen the opportunity for riders and event organisers to capture on-board footage in British Cycling events, helping to showcase the thrills of racing and taking the sport to new audiences.”
Riders hoping to capture footage during races will need to complete this online form (opens in new tab) a week prior the event.
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
Tom is one of Cycling Weekly's news and features writers. In 2020, he started The TT Podcast, covering both the men's and women's pelotons and featuring a number of 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.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
-
Pfeiffer Georgi wins Brugge-De Panne solo after aggressive race splits in crosswinds
Brit claims her first WorldTour win by out-foxing some of the fastest riders in the world
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Kaden Groves sprints to victory on stage four of the Volta a Catalunya
Australian takes first win for new Alpecin-Deceuninck team ahead of Bryan Coquard
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tough Redcar and Cleveland course for British National Championships
North East region also set to host round of the National Road Series
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'If in doubt, sit them out': British Cycling releases concussion guidance for riders
Anyone with even the mildest concussion symptoms will be advised to return to competition for at least 21 days
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Ribble launch all-new ‘Ribble Collective’ to support British privateer riders
Ribble cycles new project sees the brand provide backing to a diverse group of riders across all disciplines
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Lotus working on second generation of Olympic gold medal winning British Cycling bike
UK automotive engineering giant is joined by hi-spec engineering firm Renishaw
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
'Just don't wreck yourself' - Fred Wright on his GB track gamble and the Olympics
The Bahrain Victorious rider is set to compete at the European Track Championships next week
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'Chris Hoy said the British coaches may be kicking themselves’ - Britain’s lost track cycling champion
British-born Australian Matthew Richardson has fast become one of the world's best track sprinters
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
‘Joining WiV SunGod was a no brainer’: Colin Sturgess looking to kick on in pastures new in 2023
Highly experienced former professional Sturgess to join Tim Elverson-led WiV SunGod for 2023 season
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated