Big Bike Ride & Streets Alive

Bristol came alive for European Car Free day on Saturday 20th September when at least some of the city was reclaimed for the people.

The BCC stall at Streets Alive

We were delighted that Cllr Anne White (wearing helmet on right of the photo) agreed to lead the Big Bike Ride. Anne is the new Lib Dem Cabinet member for Transport on the City Council. This brought us loads of positive coverage in the local papers. Anne cycles regularly, so we would hope that having someone who really understands cycling in charge of transport policy for the city will bring further improvements in cycle-provision and sustainable alternatives to the motor car.

The ride was a great success with a large turn-out from the general public - lots of family groups, BCC stewarding, Tom on his penny- farthing, and even a roller-blader. The same day BCC was also running its stall in the Streets Alive festival which pedestrianises the area around Com Street.

Preparing for the Big Bike Ride

If anyone hasn't been, Streets Alive is imaginative, fun, diverse, musical, al1y, and a wonderful way of enjoying this part of our city without the intrusion of the motor car. Can you imagine this sort of thing on an even larger scale? Well, elsewhere in Europe we hear that Brussels closed off the entire city centre inside the ring road for a huge fun fair plus free public transport for the whole day! It may be a while before Bristol catches up with these other continental cities, but at least we're making a good start.

Many thanks to Terry, Harry, Reg, Shawn, Michael, Stuart, Keith, Simon, David Burrows, Catherine, Janet, Chloe, Crash, Dave Duce, Marion, Adrian, Russ, Sue Walker, Julian, Pete Taylor, Fred for the loan of the Easton Community Centre mega-trailer, and NE I else I've forgotten.

If you'd like to help out with stalls in the future, then get in touch

Rowland