Mayor Dr Nik Johnson paid an emotional and heartfelt tribute to cyclist Mike Gough of Huntingdon who died in a crash on Saturday. “It is always shocking when people leave this world and particularly in such tragic circumstances,” he said. “I am very much aware that the community of Huntingdon is grieving, and I include myself in that.”
Dr Johnson spoke at the beginning of Wednesday’s board meeting of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. Mr Gough, 65, died last Saturday in George Street, Huntingdon, after a collision involving a Ford Transit.
The Mayor began his tribute by apologising “if I am coming across as somewhat flat and not my usual self because I’m going to talk about something relatively quite personal but I think it’s also quite personal for the people of Huntingdon town but so I think for Cambridgeshire.
“Mike was a character, a bit larger than life but he was someone I had come across who really cared about his community along with his wife Hazel.
“I spoke to Hazel last night to ensure that she was happy for me to speak about Mike.
“He was well known, and he really cared about his community, and he campaigned for the hospital.
“But he’s more probably better known for his stance and his campaigning alongside many in this local area through the Huntingdon Walking and Cycling Group and for his passion for cycling.
“Unfortunately, over the weekend only 100 yards or so from this actual place where we’re sitting (the meeting was at Pathfinder House, Huntingdon) so it feels very raw from that point of view. He was in a collision with a van and a trailer and did not survive
“All I want to say, and I asked again for Hazel’s permission about that, is that he was a huge advocate for the benefits of cycling and of active travel of safe spaces on our roads and on our pavements, not just in the local area but across Europe.
“I would like to put it on public record that he inspired me to be interested in cycling
“He will be sorely missed.
“We have a commitment within the Combined Authority working with our partners to improve road safety to be an exemplar for the region.
“We are part of Vision Zero and his tragic death will not be forgotten, and it will be used time and time again to influence me and hopefully all of you to get to a better place in terms of road safety for our local area.”
John Morris, Leader of Hunts Walking & Cycling Group, said: “Mike was one of the nicest, most generous, kind-hearted gentlemen I have ever had the privilege to call my friend.
“He was part of our group from the very first meeting and campaigned tirelessly for safer streets.
“Only last week, he was calling for a safer route between Huntingdon and St Ives following the death of Denise Hinds on the A1123. We are heartbroken and will miss him dearly.”
“Mike Gough was forever championing the importance of road safety for human beings who use pedal cycles as a means of transport, both locally and nationally.
“The final post from Mike on his Facebook page a few days before he was killed is so poignant.”
In it Mr Gough had posted on his personal Facebook page ‘sadly another one’ after Denise Hind, 63, from Sparrowhawk Way, Hartford, died from her injuries following a crash with a white lorry on the A1123 – the Huntingdon to St Ives road.
One member of the Huntingdon Walking and Cycling group commented that “Mike Gough was the man who fixed and serviced our bikes in Huntingdon.
“This is his final Facebook post from Friday. He was hit by a white Transit van on Saturday and killed. Please give cyclists space. Our lives depend on it.”
Mr Gough’s family released a tribute that began “we would like to share the importance of wearing a helmet and giving cyclists enough room on the roads.
“Mike was taken from us doing something he loved and was so passionate about. He will always be remembered”.
The driver of the van involved in the crash with Mr Hough, a 73-year-old man from Huntingdon, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.
He has since been bailed to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station on 16 June.
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who saw the vehicles in the moments leading up to the incident. They would also like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time with dash cam footage.
Anyone with information should report online or call 101 quoting incident 231 of 16 March.
In further tributes today Camcycle, Hunts Walking & Cycling Group issued a joint statement saying that those who “knew and loved the cycling advocate and mechanic Mike Gough are devastated to hear of his death.
“Mike was the owner of Roadies Cycles in Hartford, Huntingdonshire, and much-loved by the community.
“He had an encyclopedic knowledge of all things cycling from policy to sport and was an expert mechanic, tackling everything from school holiday tune-ups to bespoke racing bike builds.
“One of the founder members of Hunts Walking & Cycling group, he was an enthusiastic advocate for more cycle infrastructure and safer streets and enjoyed sharing his love of cycling with others at cycle events and on local social rides. He also had fans across the country thanks to his enthusiastic posts as @RoadiesCycles on X/Twitter.”
Anna Williams, Head of Campaigns & Engagement at Camcycle, said: “It is heart breaking when anyone is killed while cycling and so much more devastating when it is a friend. Our thoughts are with all those who knew and loved Mike.
“We are grateful for all the work he did in Huntingdonshire enabling and encouraging others to cycle through his business and volunteering.
“We’ll continue to support those who want to see a safer cycle network in the district in memory of Mike and to ensure that no more families are left suffering after tragic incidents like this.”
