Congestion. Busted. Support more people to cycle

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With Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asking for a ‘Congestion Conversation’, Love Your Bike are inviting people to join one of the Bike Friday cycle rides on Friday 27th October to highlight that the bicycle is the ultimate congestion buster. [1]

It is estimated that 50% of journeys in Greater Manchester are less than 2km distance and 38% of these trips are made by cars [2]. Across the region over 80% of all car journeys are only transporting one person – the driver.

So it’s not surprising that in Greater Manchester “road transport accounts for 65% of nitrogen dioxide and 79% of particulate emissions. These dangerous emissions have been linked to serious health conditions including cancer, asthma, heart disease and dementia. The impact on the environment is also significant with road traffic responsible for almost a third of the city region’s carbon emissions.” [3]

Achieving the GM Combined Authority target of 10% of all journeys in Greater Manchester being made by bicycle by 2025 would go a long way to busting congestion.[4]

It is time for the GM Mayor, the 10 GM Combined Authority council leaders and national Government to step up to the plate and invest in creating a truly cycle-friendly City.

Catherine Thomson, from Manchester Friends of the Earth’s Love Your Bike campaign said: “We should celebrate and support the many thousands of people that already cycle in Greater Manchester. Imagine how bad congestion would be if every bike took the same space as a car !”

“We know that many people would like to cycle but they do not feel safe on our busy and congested roads. To get people from ages 8 to 80 cycling – we need to create a safe and convenient network of cycle routes.”

Love Your Bike is encouraging people to respond to Andy Burnham’s Congestion Conversation and show support for improved cycling, walking and sustainable and clean public transport services. [5]

ENDS

Photo opportunity:   See the ‘car-shaped bike’ make its way into the City Centre. Imagine how bad congestion would be if every bike took the same space as a car!   Location: Chorlton Library, 7.50am or Stevenson Square at approx 8.40am, Friday 27th October.  Contact Pet Abel: 07951 642858

CONTACTS FOR COMMENTS

Pete Abel, Love Your Bike campaign. Mobile: 07951 642858

Graeme Sherriff, Manchester Friends of the Earth, transport campaign co-ordinator. Mobile: 07948 405071

Notes to Editors:

[1] Let’s talk – our plan to tackle congestion in Greater Manchester.

[2] Transport for Greater Manchester 2040 Strategy, page 6.

[3] Page 6. Let’s talk – our plan to tackle congestion in Greater Manchester.

[4] Our aim is to increase the total number of journeys made by bike across the city region from 2% today to 10% by 2025, making it a mainstream, every day and aspirational form of transport.

[5] See Join in the ‘Congestion Conversation’ – Greater Manchester Consultation.

[6] Bike Friday provides a range of cycle rides into the City Centre from various locations into Manchester from various starting places around Greater Manchester and also works with companies and local authorities in Greater Manchester to promote cycling, improve cycle facilities and to encourage more people to continue cycling to school, work and for leisure all year round.

Whether you’re new to cycling, returning to your bike after a break, or cycle every day, join us on Bike Friday. We ride at a moderate pace and have experienced ride leaders. It is entirely law-abiding – we do not try to slow down the traffic. All welcome (bring a bike).

The Bike Friday cycle rides start at 8am from Chorlton Library, Levenshulme Station, Prestwich Pizza Express, , Stretford Mall and Withington Library and normally finish at approx 8.30am at Eastern Bloc, Stevenson Square, M1 1DN in the Northern Quarter. The Worsley, Middleton – Victoria Avenue East, Stockport/Heatons routes start earlier. See the website for details. The Bike Friday cycle rides take place on the morning of the last Friday of every month (except December). The rides go a moderate pace, have experienced ride leaders, are entirely law-abiding and can help people develop more confidence in their cycling abilities.

For details of the routes see: www.bikefriday.org or join the Bike Friday Facebook group www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99198337652

[7] Bike Friday is coordinated by Love Your Bike (Manchester Friends of the Earth) and Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign (GMCC)

Love Your Bike is an award winning Manchester based campaign aiming to promote cycling and help make it an even more attractive, accessible and fun way to get around. Co-ordinated by Manchester Friends of the Earth, the campaign works in partnership with other like-minded organisations. See www.loveyourbike.org