About 100 people participated in a very lively Bikes Not Bombs action early this morning, blocking traffic on the main ring-road in Sheffield during morning rush-hour. Carrying banners saying ‘No Blood for Oil’ ‘Don’t Attack Iraq’ and ‘90% of the casualties of war are civilians’ cyclists and pedestrians (explicitly non-oil using transport) gathered at Devonshire Green at 7.30am and went at a slow pace along the ring road, around, and around, and around, and around, one of the roundabouts, back up the ring road, around, and around, another of the roundabouts, finishing up at the university for a protest against Boeing (who are sponsoring a new aerospace unit within the engineering department).

While some of the activists came dressed for carnival, others were in distinctly witchy outfits. And others (inc some of those who were going to jobs immediately after) looked much more sober.

Despite the event being pretty advertised ahead of time (posters all over town, press releases going out, web info easily available) there was virtually no police presence. The first cop turned up about half way through the action, was joined by another fifteen minutes later, and by the time we got to the last roundabout there was a single squad car.

While some motorists were a bit arsey about being late for work – trying to plough their way through and shouting really intelligent obscenities, most were not that fussed and almost all took leaflets.

Radio Sheffield (the local BBC station here) sent down a reporter who was pretty sympathetic and sent back live reports every 25 minutes or so for the best part of two hours.

The only casualty was one activist’s bike – hit by a four-by-four, but luckily we got his licence number and (oh the police do have their uses!) I have a feeling that he was reported on the spot!