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Wed 1 Apr, 12:01 am UTC

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Roof for popular bike path

By Jeff Jones

The Bath-Bristol bike path will be completely covered, according to leaked plans from UK sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

The ambitious project, which will surely be a hit with cycle commuters, was announced on Wednesday. It will involve covering around 13 miles of the track with hard weatherproof plastic which will be held up by metal poles.

It will cost in the region of £20 million, which represents most of the cash given to Bristol in recognition of its 'cycling city' status.

Commuters have greeted the news with optimism. Matt Woodman, from Warmley, told BikeRadar: "On average it rains three days out of every four in this part of the country. My commute can be quite brutal at times, but this will actually make it enjoyable."

The path was converted from an old railway track by Sustrans between 1979 and 1986. But despite its incredible usefulness and environmental friendliness, it has had to withstand various development proposals over the years. 

Using part of it for a bus lane and building 'cycle houses' that back onto it but use some of its land are some of the latest insane schemes.

Even as the plans to roof the path were announced, BikeRadar learned that Bristol City Council is pushing to build an entire suburb on top of the path, complete with rail and bus infrastructure and a drive-through Tesco store. But pro-path campaigners say they will not be fooled.

User Comments

There are 17 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 comments

  • And it was almost subtle up 'til the last paragraph... ;)

  • most expensive rain coat I've ever heard of - what a stupid idea and complete waste of money

  • Oh - I guess it was the 1st of April yesterday

  • it must be a april fool's joke!

    Aye kinda makes sense to increase commuting but better ways to use 20 million and its not exactly environmentally friendly?

  • Could have been funny...until the last 2 paragraphs.

  • I think it would be a good idea if it were true. Where I live (wokingham) alot of people commute to Bracknell to work as there is big offices for Dell, HP etc. I always thought a covered path would actually be a very viable option for the commute, as its only 5 or 6 miles, so well within the range of most people, and once in Bracknell, there's loads of cycle paths everywhere.

    Also, theres plenty of ways in which the cover could be made green, including green roof, solar panelling etc. Maybe one day eh?

  • We in the bristol cycling campaign recognise it is an attempt to mislead the city

    1. to stick us underground where buses can run over us

    2. to mislead people into thinking you can cycle round this city without waterproofs.

    Copenhagen and amsterdam cyclists may ride round in fur coats, but it is cold and windy there. here it is warm and damp and waterproof top with waterproof shorts and gore-tex boots are a practical year round option. They are also useful walking round the city. rather than try and adopt continental clothing, we should get used to getting wet, and get out there.

    see also: http://bristolcars.blogspot.com/

  • tedious

  • "development proposals" comber greenway has been having the same problem with the bus way wantd by the government. the site isnt tk anymore its now http://www.combergreenway.co.uk/

  • cycle city is probably the worst thing thats happened to Bristol in temrs of cycling..the council and sustrans are both of the mark when it comes to anything benefiting the majority of bike users in Bristol

  • Lets give the council the benefit of the doubt and say that they are tyring to help with this roof.

    Unfortunately, they plainly forgot to actually consult with any cyclists or cycling groups and the result is packed full of the usual stupidity that we have all come to expect of local authorities.

    When will they ever actually do something that is as simple and practical as the act of cycling itself?

  • ^^^^ EPIC HUMOUR AND DATE RECOGNITION FAIL.

  • All I can say is what a ridiculous idea, and ask what planet these people from Sustrans are on?

  • I can never work out if people are April Fooling in pretending to believe an April Fool....

  • Oh good god, how can you not read that on April 1st and not see it's a complete load of fabricated twaddle for April Fools Day? Can't believe some commenters have seriously fallen for it. Look at the last word of the article. And not it doesn't say 'gullible'

  • good one. i was reading this article and thinking nnnnooooooooo.

    then i got to the last 2 paragraphs and thought huh. then i checked the date of the article.

    good to see a sense of humour is still alive and well!

  • APRIL FOOLS! THINK THEY GOT YOU GOOD N PROPER ;-)

  • 1

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