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Boardman delighted with positive response to safe overtaking clips

Two videos released last week on how to safely overtake cyclists have been supported by both cycling and motoring groups

Chris Boardman says he's delighted at the positive response to a video, released last week, educating motorists on how to overtake cyclists.

Boardman stars in two clips, titled Space and Side by Side, the former highlight the importance of rule 163 of the Highway Code, which states motorists should give cyclists the same amount of space as a car when overtaking.

In its first seven days online, Space has had more than 300,000 views, as well as receiving support from motoring and cycling groups, including president of the AA, Edmund King.

Boardman, British Cycling's Policy Advisor, said: “The response so far has been extremely encouraging. Our aim was to make people more aware of rule 163 of the Highway Code. The fact that over 300,000 people have already viewed the video online suggests that there is a genuine desire for a culture of mutual respect on our roads to thrive.

“Getting more people on their bikes will have a series of benefits for this country, and ensuring that the roads are safe places for cyclists is a crucial step towards this.”

SPACE from carltonreid on Vimeo.

Martin Key, campaigns manager for British Cycling, said: “We were very pleased to support the video, and are delighted to see the impact it has already made across the media and social media channels.

“It is good to see our attempts to raise awareness of the current rules and to encourage a culture of mutual respect on our roads is getting traction. However, it is also vital that this is combined with clear action from government in making our roads and junctions safer for everyone who uses them.

“This will begin with them delivering on the promise to publish a Cycling and Walking investment strategy, with a more joined up approach that recognises cycling as a clean, healthy, mainstream form of transport.”

Side by Side from carltonreid on Vimeo.

Carlton Reid, editor of the Bicycle Association’s BikeHub.co.uk and who directed the video, added: “It’s wonderful that the video has been so well viewed, so quickly. The next step is to make it into an official ‘public information film’ and for the Department for Transport to endorse it and make sure it becomes very widely distributed.”        

The videos were funded by the Bicycle Association, which represents the UK's bicycle industry, and British Cycling.

This week Boardman also voiced support for calls to allow UK cyclists to skip certain red lights, mimicking a move by Paris which has cut cycling collisions.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, he added: "If we change the rules and say it's ok for cyclists to do this, it makes it more appealing for people to ride bikes, because it's safer and quicker." 

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14 comments

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poppa | 8 years ago
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£1K a second on prime channels

 13

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pete666 | 8 years ago
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Perhaps I should get a cycling top with Highway Code Rule 163 printed on it?

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poppa | 8 years ago
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I wonder how much crowd-funded money it would take to put one of these adverts on TV, that would make some waves.

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WolfieSmith replied to poppa | 8 years ago
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Too expensive. £1K a second on prime channels. I've approached two community cinemas to see what the score is. If it's possible I will report back. In a dream world private cinemas might lead to Odeon and Vue. If our government had any balls they would have them showing this stuff for free already. Contact your MP?

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bobinski | 8 years ago
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Ta Carlton.

We are lucky to have 2 great advocates for cycling and its proper place on the road.

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gforce | 8 years ago
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They are already on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/o9pmw2ckQSU
https://youtu.be/OTGRQgw6PDA
I think they were uploaded there before vimeo.

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Carlton Reid replied to gforce | 8 years ago
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They were placed on Vimeo first, and the intitial plugs for them directed people to Vimeo.

However, they were soon also uploaded to YouTube – many sites prefer to embed YouTube. The YouTube versions started getting traction when embedded by The Guardian and motoring.co.uk

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Sub5orange | 8 years ago
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Just shared this video on the local group page of the area where I live in the hope that it will educate some road users that do not cycle.
maybe worth doing to spread the video beyond the cycling audience, but be prepared for the cyclists jumping red lights ripostes.

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mikroos | 8 years ago
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I just love how positive CBoardman is himself, not just campaigns promoted under his supervision. I've never seen him making any negative statement about any side of the conflict, just expressing his wishes of mutual respect. The language and communication he employs are just impressive. Chapeau, Sir!

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bobinski replied to mikroos | 8 years ago
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mikroos wrote:

I just love how positive CBoardman is himself, not just campaigns promoted under his supervision. I've never seen him making any negative statement about any side of the conflict, just expressing his wishes of mutual respect. The language and communication he employs are just impressive. Chapeau, Sir!

I absolutely agree. He is a first class communicator. Its a shame he doesn't head up one of our representative cycling bodies but i suspect not doing so gives him a certain media flexibility.
I agree also that these need to get onto you tube and we need to find a way to get them to go viral so they are picked up by national news networks. I am sending links to them to all i know.

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HarrogateSpa replied to mikroos | 8 years ago
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Quote:

I just love how positive CBoardman is himself

I'll look forward to you being equally positive in your future contributions.

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mikroos replied to HarrogateSpa | 8 years ago
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HarrogateSpa wrote:
Quote:

I just love how positive CBoardman is himself

I'll look forward to you being equally positive in your future contributions.

I'll do my best, I promise!

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ironmancole | 8 years ago
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This is great and yet again shame on government for allowing the situation to be where it currently is. Fact remains though that far too many motorists see cyclists as obstacles and are quite happy to express their attitudes with dangerous moves that remain unpunished and wholly ignored by all authorities supposedly there to act in the interests of ALL of us.

What we continue to see is the proven aggressor enjoying legal privilege and outright protection whilst the vulnerable continue paying with their lives.

Until government show any interest at all in balancing things out with a dedicated commitment to ensuring the reckless are cut out of the transport equation videos like this will remain interesting for the responsible but remain utterly useless to those it should actually be aimed at.

Drivers know when they're being dangerous but until society forces them with swift and uncompromising action to either behave or be removed for the safety of all nothing will change.

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Spiny | 8 years ago
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If you want coverage, youtube may be a better bet than Vimeo...

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