SUSTRANS CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF PIONEERING WORK BUILDING SAFE CYCLE ROUTES

SUSTRANS, the UK engineering charity which created the 10,000-mile National Cycle Network, celebrates its 30th anniversary on Saturday, July 7, with a party in Castle Park, Bristol. The pioneering transport group started out as CYCLEBAG ? British Action Group ? in 1977.

Sustrans founder John Grimshaw, its chief engineer and managing director, is a civil engineer who built roads and could not understand why cyclists and pedestrians needs were hardly ever considered.

He determined to do something about it.

Sustrans was created to provide cyclists and pedestrians with a transport network, which addressed their needs. Grimshaw first targeted disused railway lines for conversion to cycle and walking paths.

Their work has grown and extended to developing a network of quiet roads to link the traffic free routes.

Grimshaw's dream of a national network won Millennium lottery backing in 2000.

Sustrans also pioneered Safe Routes to Schools.

Saturday?s celebrations will include music, face painting, pedal powered machines, a bar and food stalls. Joining the party will be 150 riders who have completed the Sustrans Channel Challenge.

Art is on the agenda, too, with Rose Popay, fresh from performing at John?s Bikes on Walcot Street, Bath, looking for help in creating an interactive artwork.