‘Absurd’: British Cycling faces backlash after announcing partnership with Shell

An Extinction Rebellion protestor outside Shell's offices in London last year. British Cycling’s tie-up with the oil giant has been labelled ‘ethically abominable.’ Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

British Cycling is facing a backlash from environmental groups and its members after announcing a major new partnership with the oil giant Shell. The governing body claimed it would “help our organisation and sport take important steps towards net zero”.

Critics used social media to ask whether it was April Fool’s Day and the mood was captured by one respondent who wrote: “Partnering a fossil fuel company as an accelerant to your path to net zero? Is this satire?”