Three Golden Opportunities for Chris Boardman as Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner… Part #1

Highlighting a new British Medical Journal study (showing cycle commuters enjoy a 41% lower risk of dying overall compared to those using a car or public transport), ITV Sport’s Ned Boulting sparked a Twitter debate on the merits of cycling.
Chris Boardman was quick to join the online conversation. His contribution is timely. Shortly, Boardman will become Greater Manchester’s first Cycling and Walking Commissioner.
The weight of expectation of Britain’s cycling folk rests on Boardman’s shoulders. Some are pessimistic, but other contributors to the ‘Boulting debate’ spoke of their deeply felt hopes.
They long for the creation of a ‘bright spot’, a city to show the way for the whole of Britain.
Demonstrating that mass everyday cycling can make our cities and towns cleaner, healthier, calmer, safer, and more prosperous. The Copenhagenization of Britain’s urban spaces.
I’m one of those optimistic cycling advocates willing Chris to succeed.
Over the remainder of this week, I’ll write a series of short blogs with some ideas that will hopefully be of value to Chris Boardman:
Part #2 will cover the crucial importance of embracing the vision of Mayor Andy Burnham, Chris’ new political master, without becoming mired in the potentially bureaucratic and siloed “get people moving” agenda.
In part #3, I’ll urge Chris to re-imagine one of his most celebrated roles. As Head of British Cycling’s ‘Secret Squirrel Club’, Boardman led a network of academic and industry experts that transformed the fortunes of the GB Olympic cycling team. Now facing his biggest career challenge, Chris should create a ‘Not So Secret Squirrel Club’ to access some of the brightest and best that the country has to offer.
Part #4 will point towards initiatives in other countries that provide key insights to transform cycling and walking in Britain. But not just the ‘usual suspects’ of our near-neighbours in Holland and Denmark. Instead, some unexpected ‘bright spots’ in that other ‘car-centric’ English-speaking nation, the good ol’ US of A.
I hope that you’ll join me for the ‘ride’. Hopefully Chris Boardman might tag along too…
