News / cycling
‘Pop-up cycle lanes’ painted by Extinction Rebellion activists
Five kilometres of new cycle lanes across Bristol have been painted overnight by Extinction Rebellion activists.
Roads included Church Road, Stapleton Road, Wells Road, Ashley Hill Road, West Street, Gloucester Road and Fishponds Road have been targeted in the chalk paint.
Activists say that the new cycle lanes are needed along these key arterial routes into the city centre as more people return to work, and believe that despite promises Bristol is being too slow to act compared to other cities.
Extinction Rebellion Bristol’s Zoe Jones said that the city council’s current proposals “are far too limited”.
She said: “The more people we have cycling, the better the air quality in Bristol.
Pop-up cycle lanes being painted on Parson Street in Bedminster – photo by Jennifer Stevenson
“We already know that air pollution significantly shortens lives in the areas of the city most heavily affected. We now know that it has also been a leading risk factor for Covid-19 mortality.
“Much of Bristol’s current provision for cyclists is on pavements and routes shared with pedestrians.
“We urgently need these cycle lanes to keep active travellers away from public transport and leave space on buses for people who are unable to walk or cycle.”
Main photo by Jennifer Stevenson
Read more: Call for council to create wider pavements and expanded cycle lanes
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
