THERE was two-wheeled ‘civil disobedience’ on the streets of Leamington and Warwick as campaigning cyclists took to the roads.
Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists organised the critical mass cycle on Saturday to highlight the need for more cycle friendly roads in the area.
Traffic slowed as riders pedalled the 8km circular route along the Emscote Road into Warwick, before returning to Leamington and heading down the Parade.
The route was carefully chosen as statistics show there have been more than 80 accidents involving cyclists on the same roads in just over a decade.
The Red Brigade – a Bristol-based street performing group known as the ‘Invisible Circus’ – also made an appearance at the event. Members dress head to toe in crimson and paint their faces white to resemble statues and often mime in slow-motion or perform tableaux during XR demonstrations.
The global XR movement brought London to a standstill in October by obstructing traffic en masse for ten days in a bid to highlight climate change. Activists shut down areas around Parliament and the Bank of England, and targeted London City Airport and Government departments. Nearly 2,000 people were arrested during the protests.
