Cycling finds an unlikely champion in Top Gear presenter

The safety of cycling, its pitfalls to the cyclist and pedestrians is commented on almost daily in national media these days. Though the Tour de France has now whizzed by for another year, one look at Britain’s roads tells us that pedal power has never been more popular.

But it still comes as a surprise that one man defending cyclists against those who dislike the influx of cyclists to UK roads is Top Gear presenter James May.

While his co-worker and petrol-head-in-chief, Jeremy Clarkson, remains predictably hostile towards cycling, May has revealed a softening philosophy on Britain’s recent vogue for lycra-associated transportation. He admits to cycling himself from time to time, and is said to own three bikes, including a fold-away bike for short journeys around his London home.

As well as dismissing the notion cyclists should pay road tax, May agreed with many cyclists that Britain’s roads are unfit to support increasing users, calling on an upgraded infrastructure and greater investment.

Speaking in support of The Times’ Cities Safe for Cycling campaign, he said: ‘We need to get rid of road sectarianism. Car drivers supposedly hate cyclists, cyclists hate taxi drivers, taxi drivers hate motorcyclists, bus drivers hate lorries. I just think if everybody was a little bit more pragmatic, that would do more for safety.’

‘I’m all for bicycles in cities. We use bicycles to go around locally and also for fun occasionally. Typically, our bike rides would be three or four miles. I go to the shops on it.’

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