Matthew Brennan calls for independent cycling safety body

British cyclist Matthew Brennan has called for the establishment of an independent safety body to hold cycling organizations, including the UCI, accountable. Brennan described the current state of rider safety as “disgraceful” and “shocking,” arguing that meaningful changes have not been implemented following the death of nineteen-year-old Finlay Tarling.

Tarling died on August 14 after colliding with a non-race vehicle that entered the course during the Volta a Portugal. Brennan noted that despite such tragedies, issues like unauthorized vehicles on race courses persist, citing a recent incident in Germany where a rider had to swerve to avoid a public car during the Sauerlandrundfahrt.

Brennan suggested that an independent organization should enforce strict rules to ensure rider safety is prioritized over external factors like television scheduling. While the UCI established the ‘SafeR’ body in 2023 to recommend measures such as rider airbags and handlebar restrictions, Brennan argues that more robust oversight is required to prevent future fatalities.