Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Bicycle Infrastructure

A Thousand Cyclists Hold “Die-in” to Demand Safer Streets in London

One thousand cyclists held a "die-in" in front of London's transportation offices on Friday to dramatize the dangers faced by the city's cyclists. Image: ##https://twitter.com/MeredithFrost/status/407286714835955712/photo/1## Meredith Frost/ABC##
One thousand cyclists held a "die-in" in front of London's transportation offices on Friday to protest dangerous streets. Image: ##https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202473548224113&set=gm.1376030189314556&type=1&theater##Rory Jackson via ABC##
One thousand cyclists held a "die-in" in front of London's transportation offices on Friday to dramatize the dangers faced by the city's cyclists. Image: ##https://twitter.com/MeredithFrost/status/407286714835955712/photo/1## Meredith Frost/ABC##

In a potent demonstration for safer streets, 1,000 Londoners staged a "die-in" with their bikes in front of the city's transportation offices Friday. ABC producer Meredith Frost shared the above image, taken during the 15 minute demonstration. It has been going viral on the Internet. The original photo was taken by a member of the public and given to the Stop Killing Cyclists protest group.

Demands for safer streets have gained urgency in London following the death of six cyclists in a two-week period. Organizers are demanding 10 percent of the city's transportation funds for safe bike infrastructure.

"We want a real budget, at the moment we're getting crumbs," organizer Donnachadh McCarthy told the BBC. "We want an integrated cycling network in London within five years and we want a say at the top table."

The die-in tactic has some detractors, who think it will scare people from cycling and obscure evidence that cycling has recently become safer in London. But the BBC points out that similarly blunt and aggressive protests were key to the success of the 1970s-era safe streets movement in the Netherlands. They have also been used, with some success, to demand better infrastructure in American cities such as San Diego.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

‘We’re Not Copenhagen’ Is No Excuse Not to Build a Great Biking And Walking City

A team of researchers identified eight under-the-radar cities leading the local active transportation revolution — and a menu of strategies that other communities can and should steal.

June 30, 2025

Monday’s Headlines, Ranked

New reports rank the best cities for biking and the best complete streets policies. Plus, the robotaxi wars have begun.

June 30, 2025

Washington State Is About To Have the First Pro-‘Woonerf’ Law in America

Washington state is making it legal for cities to have people-centered streets in a first-in-the-nation law.

June 30, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Are Doomed

Philadelphia transit is falling off the fiscal cliff, with other major cities not far behind. And the effects of service cuts on their economies could be brutal.

June 27, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Why We Need ‘Universal Basic Mobility’

In a very special podcast, we’re joined by the great Madeline Brozen of UCLA to talk about how guaranteed transit lowers people's stress.

June 26, 2025
See all posts