A two-wheeled protest for safer cycling across the city has been postponed until after the Queen’s funeral. The Big Ride for Safer Cycling was due to take place on Saturday 17 September, two days before the late monarch is laid to rest.
But the family-friendly event – which is expected to attract hundreds of cyclists, and will finish with a picnic at College Green – will now take place on Sunday 2 October, starting at the slightly later time of 12pm.
Setting off from Brunswick Square, riders will head north towards The Arches before turning around and going south via The Bearpit, finishing at College Green. The family-friendly event will be “a celebration of cycling, but with a serious message about cycling safety”, organisers say.
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Participants are encouraged to dress in bright colours, decorate their bikes and play music while they ride. A map of the route can be found on the Facebook event. Anyone thinking of attending – as either a participant or a volunteer – is asked to complete a short online form, so organisers have some idea of how many participants to expect.
The death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced on the afternoon of Thursday 8 September, just hours after royal doctors placed her under “medical supervision” due to concerns over her health. She will lie in state at Westminster Hall between Wednesday 14 September until Monday 19 September, when her funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey.
Other local events affected by the proceedings include football fixtures this Saturday, when Bristol City were due to face Preston North End at Ashton Gate in the Championship and Bristol Rovers were set to travel to face MK Dons at Stadium MK in League One.
The Barclays Women's Championship has also postponed games this weekend, including Bristol City's game at London City Lionesses on Sunday. However, both rugby and cricket fixtures will still go ahead this weekend – including Bristol Bears’ fixture against Wasps RFC, scheduled for this Saturday.
Theatre performances in Bristol should go ahead as planned – although shows scheduled for the day of the royal funeral may be cancelled or rearranged. A message on the website of Bristol Old Vic reads: “In accordance with industry guidance, theatre performances will continue as planned, with the potential exception of the day of Her Majesty’s state funeral.
“Once the date of the state funeral has been announced by Buckingham Palace we will consider any changes required to our schedule. Bristol Old Vic remains open as normal at this time.”
A similar statement on the Bristol Hippodrome website reads: “Performances will be going ahead as planned. We are aware that the State Funeral for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II will take place on Monday 19th September.
“If you have a booking for this date, we will be in touch in due course.”
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