Cycle campaigners plan ‘go-slow’ protest along busy York road at rush hour

Cyclists are set to slow down York’s already sluggish rush-hour traffic to highlight the lack of dedicated lanes for bike users.

York Cycle Campaign is leading a ‘go-slow’ protest ride along Bootham tomorrow (Wednesday) at 5.30pm.

Held on the eve of Clean Air Day, the ride aims to push the council to deliver on safer cycling routes a year after it received Emergency Active Travel money from the government to do just that.

In a letter to the council, the campaign says: “It is now nearly a year since the council was awarded over £850,000 of Government funding for active travel schemes in York and yet very few of the proposed schemes are in place.

“In particular we are greatly concerned by your failure to install safe segregated cycle infrastructure along Shipton Road and Bootham.

“We understand that detailed designs have been drawn up and that the main hurdle preventing the segregated cycle lanes from being installed is the reluctance of council transport engineers to sign off the design.

“We have been informed that the reasons given for not signing off the design are minor and appear to be based on poorly researched and biased media reports.

“Segregated cycle infrastructure along Bootham and Shipton Road would be transformational for the people of York, giving them real choice in how they travel, whilst significantly helping to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.”

‘No choice but to drive’

The protest ride also aims to highlight cycling as a sustainable, pollution free way to travel around the city and help York achieve its ambition to be a carbon net-zero city by 2030.

“Currently I feel I have no choice but to drive in many areas of York when I travel with my children, because the roads are too dangerous for cycling.

“I’d far prefer to cycle and would willingly do so if safe cycle lanes were installed,” says Kate Ravilious, co-chair of York Cycle Campaign.

People who want to join the ride are being asked to sign up on Eventbrite to enable a track and trace system to be put in place, and to wear masks during the ride unless exempt, as an extra precaution.

The campaign says: “Riders are encouraged to decorate their bikes and themselves with ribbons, banners, or signs, with the aim to create a colourful, fun and friendly atmosphere showcasing the diversity of cyclists in the city.

“The route will be accessible and relatively short, travelling from the Clifton Green meeting point down Bootham, over Lendal Bridge, past York Railway Station and on to Millennium Bridge via Bishopthorpe Road.”