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BBC News e-bike segment provokes negative reaction due to “factual inaccuracies”

A recent BBC Breakfast segment has sparked backlash from the cycling community over its portrayal of e-bikes, with critics accusing the broadcaster of conflating legal e-bikes with illegal,...

9 Jul 2025, more…

Life Cycle launches Bikes Beyond Bars initiative at HMP Bullingdon

Bristol-based Cytech training provider and ACT member Life Cycle has launched its award-winning Bikes Beyond Bars programme at HMP Bullingdon, expanding a project that has already impacted lives...

7 Jul 2025, more…

Bike mechanic shortage in Europe sparks Shimano to launch investigation

Shimano has launched an urgent investigation into what it describes as a “critical” shortage of skilled bike mechanics across Europe, warning that the situation threatens to...

3 Jul 2025, more…

MPs urge crackdown as unsafe e-bikes and chargers found on Amazon and eBay

MPs have called on Amazon and eBay to tighten controls after e-bikes and chargers flagged as serious fire risks were found for sale on their platforms.

2 Jul 2025, more…

E-Bike Positive campaign gains national momentum amidst media coverage in 2025

The E-Bike Positive campaign has seen major success in the first half of 2025, with its message reaching nearly 8 million people across the UK through high-profile media coverage and growing...

25 Jun 2025, more…

Cytech Training Returns to Darlington as Activate Cycle Academy Reopens Workshop

Activate Cycle Academy has reopened its Cytech training facility in Darlington, offering a full range of courses from Home Mechanic up to Cytech Technical Three.
 

20 Jun 2025, more…

Beyond the discount: Restoring integrity to the cycle supply chain

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.

18 Jun 2025, more…

Study warns forceful cycle advocacy risks hindering bike lane progress

A new academic study has found that overzealous pro-cycling campaigners on social media may be inadvertently damaging the case for better cycling infrastructure across the UK.

11 Jun 2025, more…

Young adults leading the UK’s surge in e-bike popularity – but increased education on battery safety crucial, new research reveals

 To coincide with Bike Week (9-15 June) – the UK’s annual celebration of cycling – new research has revealed a clear shift amongst Gen Z and Millennials in their approach...

9 Jun 2025, more…

ACT Director among judging panel announced for BikeBiz Awards 2025

The judges for the BikeBiz Awards 2025, in association with Bikedesk, have been officially announced, with ACT Director Jonathan Harrison among the leading voices from all corners of the cycling...

3 Jun 2025, more…

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A third of drivers want cyclists banned from public highways, new research suggests

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A third of drivers want cyclists banned from public highways, new research suggests

Posted on 3 Nov 2022

New research has suggested as many as one in three drivers believe cyclists shouldn’t be allowed on public highways and should be confined to cycle paths.

The same number said they felt too much cash had been spent improving infrastructure for cyclists. Seven in ten of the drivers questioned said cyclists should have insurance. The findings come from an online survey of more than 12,000 UK motorists by data collection firm Yonder. The poll included some questions from the BBC’s Panorama programme as part of its programme Panorama Road Rage: Cars v Bikes, which is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001dj03/panorama-road-rage-cars-v-bikes

In January, the Department of Transport (DfT) unveiled controversial changes to the Highway Code which gave cyclists priority over drivers. It means drivers must give way to cyclists at junctions. Cyclists are also encouraged to ride in the middle of the road on certain roads to be more visible. Groups of cyclists should pedal two abreast under the changes, with overtaking motorists having to leave at least 5ft (1.5m) between the car and the closest bike.

Two cyclists

Grant Shapps, then transport secretary, suggested earlier this year that cyclists could be forced to have registration numbers, insurance and observe speed limits as part of a legal shake-up. He later appeared to backtrack, saying that he was ‘not attracted to the bureaucracy of registration plates’, adding: ‘That would go too far.’

A string of local councils across the UK have brought in schemes that aim to limit traffic from cars in favour of promoting cycling and walking.

In November 2020, the DfT announced an extra £175million in funding for councils in England to support cycling and walking schemes whilst saying eight out of ten consumers support lower car traffic.

Duncan Dollimore from Cycling UK told BBC Panorama that some people won’t get on a bike because of trouble with motorists.

‘There’s a whole group of people who would never go to work and swear or gesticulate at people, but occasionally they might do that behind the wheel of their car. It does prevent people from cycling. It puts people off,’ he said.

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