"That's a human being" - Chris Boardman slams Sainsbury's response to close pass video

Supermarket operator Sainsbury’s has come under heavy criticism on social media after it tweeted a response to a video showing one of its delivery lorries making an extremely close pass on a cyclist in which it said the driver had done nothing wrong since he had remained in his own lane.

The footage, taken in London on a camera mounted on the bike’s handlebars, shows the rider entering a non-mandatory cycle lane. As the cyclist reaches a pinch point created by a traffic island, the driver of the Sainsbury’s lorry overtakes, leaving inches to spare.

The video was originally uploaded to YouTube on 29 March by user CBL. It gained wider attention yesterday when a link to it was tweeted from the account @HackneyCyclist and caught the eye of Chris Boardman.

I don't normally retweet this stuff but watch the video and then I'll show you @sainsburys response. https://t.co/yM5NTYTdbv

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) April 5, 2017

The British Cycling policy advisor, whose mother Carol was killed last year when she was hit by a pick-up truck while riding through a roundabout, then tweeted his reaction to Sainsbury’s initial response on Twitter.

THATS A HUMAN BEING @sainsburys how about if it was one of your kids, would you feel the same? https://t.co/miZWZ3rUHj

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) April 5, 2017

Besides condemning the driver’s actions, Twitter users replying to Boardman’s tweet described Sainsbury’s response as “disgraceful” and “shameful.” Sainsbury’s has this morning said that the issue is being investigated.

@GlasgowCT Sorry to those who felt this issue wasn't being taken seriously. Safety is taken seriously and we’re investigating. Ryan

— Sainsbury's (@sainsburys) April 6, 2017

Discussion of the incident on Twitter also focused on the inadequacy of the cycling infrastructure, with this tweet from James Hayden reflecting a view shared by many.

@Chris_Boardman @sainsburys These cycles lanes are worse than none. Encourage and validate close passing. There use must be stopped. I just ride on the dotted line.

— James Hayden (@JamesMarkHayden) April 5, 2017

In 2015, Boardman teamed up with cycling journalist and author Carlton Reid and driving instructor Blaine Walsh for a video showing motorists how to pass cyclists safety, in line with instructions given in the Highway Code.

> Video: Chris Boardman demonstrating safe overtaking of cyclists

The previous year, at an event attended by then Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Sainsbury’s unveiled a new lorry to deliver to its outlets in London that it said incorporated features to improve cyclist safety.

> Sainsbury's unveils safer lorry as Boris Johnson launches consultation

But in June last year, BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, who commutes by bike in London, said that large signs on the back of Sainsbury’s lorries warning cyclists not to pass the vehicle on the inside were responsible for “increasing general fear of cycling."

> Sainsbury's truck cyclist warning increases "fear of cycling"

It won’t have gone unnoticed that in this case, it was the actions of the driver, not the cyclist, that led to the rider being put in danger.