“Very, very few people can break the speed limit on a bike”: James May slams Mr Loophole’s call for clampdown on ‘speeding’ cyclists, claiming problem is with illegal e-motorbikes and “nothing to do with cycling”

James May, the former *Top Gear* presenter, has publicly dismissed calls for a clampdown on ‘speeding’ cyclists, specifically targeting lawyer Nick Freeman, known as ‘Mr Loophole’. May stated that reaching 30mph on a bicycle on flat terrain is "Tour de France stuff" and that the real issue lies with illegal e-motorbikes, not conventional cycling. His comments, reported by *road.cc*, directly challenge the narrative that cyclists routinely break speed limits, arguing such campaigns unfairly demonise the cycling community.

This intervention from a prominent public figure like May is significant, given the ongoing debate surrounding cycling infrastructure, road safety, and public perception in the UK. Nick Freeman’s long-standing advocacy for stricter regulations on cyclists, including mandatory insurance and registration, often frames cyclists as a hazard. May’s counter-argument highlights the physical limitations of human-powered cycling versus the capabilities of unregulated electric vehicles, shifting the focus from perceived cyclist recklessness to the distinct problem of illegal e-motorbikes.

May’s pragmatic assessment cuts through the usual rhetoric, reminding us that the average cyclist is more concerned with arriving safely than setting land speed records. It's a welcome dose of reality in a conversation often fuelled by misconception and misplaced anger.