The former Olympic champion hopes to win a different race, all for the public good and improving transport options for all
It is a Sherlock Holmes evening in south Manchester. There is a deep fog on an already black night, perfect for tail-coated villains to dart between the wheelie bins. But in a primary school hall the lights are on and a public meeting is taking place about a proposed local cycle route. There are a couple of councillors, engineers, 180 or so members of the public – the irate and the enthusiastic – and a world-record breaking and Olympic winning cyclist: Chris Boardman.
The microphone does not work, there are tetchy complaints about a phone vote and low-level tension plonks down in the corner. Boardman, here in his role as Manchester’s cycling and walking tsar seems unfazed. He perches on the table, sticks a hand in his pocket and starts to speak. He is confident, blunt – and hackles visibly settle.
Written by Tanya Aldred
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/jan/13/chris-boardman-cycle-road-plan-manchester under the title “Boardman shows path to break cycle of Manchester’s car commuter hell | Tanya Aldred”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
