The quiet roads led to a significant rise in the number of people cycling, as exercise, leisure, but also as a means of getting about. For many. cycling became a regular part of lockdown life.
Weston Pier sunset
Streets of Bristol, first national lockdown
Virtually traffic-free streets afforded cyclists the luxury to appreciate their surroundings more. Jami West captured these images of Bristol in the early weeks of the first national lockdown whilst out cycling.
How did triathletes adapt when government advice was that only one form of outdoor exercise was permitted per day? One answer was to switch to indoor cycling, as Ironman Andy Heyes did. “Thank goodness for Zwift – 81 miles this week indoor cycling + 37 miles outside run in the sun”.
Cycling indoor & outdoor, North Somerset
In response to the reduction in traffic, new infrastructure was put in place throughout Bristol city centre with the aim of making cycling safer for all. Bristol Cycling caught and commented on many of these transformations and advocated for extending these and making them permanent.
Journalist Martin Booth recorded the new experience of cycling safely through some of Bristol’s busiest streets with his children.
For a moment, cycling looked like it might become the new norm for moving around the city.
