Cyclebag

Cyclebag was a cycling campaign group based in Bristol, UK, and active from 1977 until 1994 with a membership of several hundreds. It's activities were wide ranging, according to the interests and energies of the leading members, including surveying and even building cycle routes, organising mass bicycle rides, training novice cyclists and representing cyclists' interests with local and national government.

It will be best known for being the precursor of Sustrans, which grew out of the route building activities of Cyclebag under the direction of John Grimshaw. Sustrans became formally independent in about 1983. Cyclebag continued as a local cycling campaign with considerable success in influencing the policies and practices of the local authorities, particularly Avon County Council.

For much of its 17 year life, Cyclebag existed alongside other local cycling campaigns, notably the Bristol Cycling Campaign set up in direct competition. This resulted in competition for active supporters which meant that much of the burden of running Cyclebag fell on the voluntary secretary. This was not sustainable in the long term and it was agreed that Cyclebag should formally close in 1994. However the name lives on in Cyclebag East, an off-shoot organising local rides in east Bristol.