Reports: Extinction Rebellion plans protest at British Cycling AGM

Around 20 members of the environmental movement Extinction Rebellion (XR) are planning to protest at British Cycling's annual general meeting in Birmingham this Sunday, Cycling Weekly reports.

The group are protesting Shell's involvement in British Cycling. The oil and gas giant became an official partner of the governing body in 2022 with an eight-year sponsorship deal.

Cycling Weekly reports that XR are planning to set off smoke flares and hang a banner reading, 'Get Shell Out of British Cycling' outside the Edgbaston Park Hotel, the venue for the AGM.

Ahead of the protest, XR Midlands shared a press release with Cycling Weekly, which reportedly said the following:

"Extinction Rebellion Midlands is calling on all concerned citizens to tell British Cycling that Shell’s greenwash is not acceptable.

"We are not against British Cycling as an organisation. Many of us are keen cyclists who know that cycling is a key component of the shift to a cleaner, more sustainable transport system.

"This is why we’re stunned that British Cycling has accepted millions of pounds in sponsorship from Shell."

XR member Michael Bastow, a member of British Cycling, said: "We want them to know that the problem has not gone away and that we will keep up the protests until they stop taking blood money from Shell.

"This multinational corporation is one of the biggest contributors to climate breakdown and it is using British Cycling to greenwash its image. I can’t imagine what it’s like for our elite riders to have to race while wearing the Shell logo on their kit. They certainly can’t be proud of it."

In a statement shared with GCN, British Cycling's Head of Communications Thomas Turner said:

"We fully respect the right to safe and peaceful protest, and have continued to engage with our members and clubs through the first year of our partnership with Shell UK.

"We continue to make good progress on the shared ambitions of the partnership, including the growth of our successful Limitless disability and para-cycling programme."

Turner added that British Cycling is currently developing it's first sustainability strategy, which will be published in the new year.

The reports of the planned protest follow recent news that the four protesters who put a halt to the UCI World Championships men's road race walked free following trial. Of the four protesters, who were from climate action group This Is Rigged, three were acquitted, whilst one was fined, with the Sheriff stating that he "understood" why the protesters had caused the disruption.

GCN has reached out to Extinction Rebellion for comment.