This year, Sustrans have taken on the Cycle Sunday event and alongside key members of the Cycle Sunday group, will be bringing you lots of great activities run by partners from across Bristol.
The Cycle Sunday group are a proactive bunch of families in North Bristol who want their children to grow up fit and healthy. They want them to confidently use a sustainable form of transport and to learn how to ride bicycles on the road in a way that is safe for them and everyone else. At present in this area, the Downs is a wonderful untapped resource.
Back in August 2014, they asked the Downs Committee to grant permission for a series of three Sunday morning road closures on Circular Road during Bristol Green Capital 2015. Initially they were turned down because at the time, the committee felt that closing the road “wasn’t worth the disruption for just a few families”.
The Cycle Sunday group were curious about the nature of the disruption that closing Circular Road might cause so monitored the Downs’ users on four Sunday mornings during September and October 2014. They found that 31% of people were travelling by car; the other 69% were walking, running or cycling. They also thought that many more families would be interested, so set up an online petition. It received 1,000 signatures in the first 48 hours and now has over 4,500.
The Downs committee unanimously voted to allow a pilot closure in April 2015.
The group have been actively supported by Life Cycle UK, Sustrans, Travel West, Better by Bike, British Cycling, Bristol Cycling Development Squad, Wheels for All, Bristol Public Health, CTC (The National Cycling Charity), The Bristol Cycling Campaign, and Playing Out.
Back in August 2014, they asked the Downs Committee to grant permission for a series of three Sunday morning road closures on Circular Road during Bristol Green Capital 2015. Initially they were turned down because at the time, the committee felt that closing the road “wasn’t worth the disruption for just a few families”.
The Cycle Sunday group were curious about the nature of the disruption that closing Circular Road might cause so monitored the Downs’ users on four Sunday mornings during September and October 2014. They found that 31% of people were travelling by car; the other 69% were walking, running or cycling. They also thought that many more families would be interested, so set up an online petition. It received 1,000 signatures in the first 48 hours and now has over 4,500.
The Downs committee unanimously voted to allow a pilot closure in April 2015.
The group have been actively supported by Life Cycle UK, Sustrans, Travel West, Better by Bike, British Cycling, Bristol Cycling Development Squad, Wheels for All, Bristol Public Health, CTC (The National Cycling Charity), The Bristol Cycling Campaign, and Playing Out.