A cycling group has revealed plans to “reclaim the streets” by shutting down the city centre to cars this summer.
Aberdeen Cycle Forum hope the demonstration would show what the city centre could be like without cars without noise and pollution.
The group has now launched a crowdfunder to help cover the cost of closing off the loop of Union Street, Union Terrace, Broad Street and Belmont Street on May 3.
As part of Aberdeen City Council’s 25-year masterplan, bosses are keen to close off more central areas to cars.
And in November, retailers including Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and Debenhams said they would back the partial pedestrianisation of Union Street, akin to the system in Broad Street where buses and cyclists are allowed.
EXCLUSIVE: Aberdeen retail bosses call for Union Street pedestrianisation
Rachel Martin, of Aberdeen Cycle Forum, last night welcomed their intervention and added a car would also have environmental benefits.
She said: “We wanted to do something different this year and that’s why we have rebranded it as ‘reclaim the streets’.
“We are hoping to attract much more people into the city centre and we hope to show people what a city centre without traffic can be like.
“I think it’s really great to see some businesses get behind the idea too.
“Union Street is dying and it’s clear there needs to be some action taken.
“And also less traffic clearly leads to fewer emissions which improves the air quality in the city centre and reduces the impact of climate change.”
To shut off the streets – which also include Schoolhill, Back Wynd and Little Belmont Street – the forum must raise £2,321 to cover the management of the closures.
Lord Provost Barney Crockett said said: “I’m always keen to see any kind of demonstration or protest as long as it is conducted within the law and that it is organised to minimise disruption to the city.”
If it goes ahead, the car-free event would run from 11am-1pm and would also include adult cycling lessons and bike checks.
As well as raising awareness of the pedestrianisation debate, the bike group also hope the event would put pressure on politicians to invest in more cycling infrastructure in Aberdeen.
To support Aberdeen Cycle Forum, search for Reclaim the Streets on JustGiving.
