The architect who broke a world speed record on his bicycle said designing the machine on which he topped 174mph was no different from designing a building.

Neil Campbell likened his collaboration with the bike builder to an architect working with an engineer and said he used many of the skills from his day job.

“It’s project management, health and safety, risk awareness, programming, dealing with consultants and design. It’s just the same whether you are designing a building or a bike,” he said.

Campbell, who works for ADP Architecture in Colchester, made headlines around the world when he set a new world record of 174.34mph at the weekend after being released from behind a speeding Porsche Cayenne on a North Yorkshire airfield.

In an interview with BD on his way home – while prosaically stuck in traffic on the M62 – he revealed the record was nearly scuppered by weather and technical issues, including one attempt when his rear wheel locked and nearly sent him flying.

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