Bike Friday pushes for green light

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Friday 26th November, sees the last Bike Friday ‘led’ cycle rides of 2010 and cyclists will be converging on the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) main offices to lobby for active travel (walking and cycling) policies to be given a high priority in the next Local Transport Plan (LTP3). [1]

People in Greater Manchester are currently being asked for their opinions on the next Local Transport Plan (LTP3).[2] Next year will see the publication of the new Local Transport Plan and decisions being made that will affect transport provision across Greater Manchester over the next 15 years.

Bike Friday believes that walking and cycling should be given significantly more priority in the Local Transport Plan will be delivering that message in a letter to GMPTE that highlights key active travel priorities for Greater Manchester. These include the need for:

  • A coherent network of cycle routes across Greater Manchester, supported by an implementation programme of targeted, well-maintained, facilities, including consistent and continuous cycle lanes, advance stop lines/boxes and junction improvements, with the aim of making cycling a safe and attractive modal choice for journeys under 5 miles.
  • Integrating cycling with public transport, including allowing the carriage of cycles on Metrolink and express bus routes and secure & covered cycle parking at Metrolink stations, train stations and other public transport nodes.
  • Pedestrian and cycle zones, particularly in borough centres and district centres.
  • Provision of cycle training across all GM authorities icreasing the levels of children offered Bikeability training and establishing adult cycle training across Greater Manchester.
  • Encouraging all GM authorities to adopt the planning guidance for cycle infrastructure and parking contained in the Greater Manchester Police Cycle Parking Design Guidance (Design for Security).

Bike Friday also believes that programmes to encourage and support people to make more journeys by cycling and walking should be funded directly from local authority transport funding and should not be dependent on any future bids to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

Catherine Thomson, from Manchester Friends of the Earth said:

“To meet the challenges of climate change, Manchester needs to develop a
sustainable transport network. The majority of trips made in Greater Manchester are
below five miles making the ‘low carbon’ options of cycling and walking viable for
many people. The Local Transport Plan needs to give a higher priority to supporting
and encouraging more people to choose these ways of getting about our city”

Bike Friday combines a range of cycle rides into the City Centre from various locations as well as working 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. [3]

CONTACTS FOR COMMENTS

Graeme Sherriff, Manchester Friends of the Earth, transport campaign coordinator, Mobile: 07948 405071

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

[1] The Bike Friday cycle rides start at 8am from Chorlton Library, Levenshulme Station, Prestwich Pizza Express, Stretford Mall and Withington Library and finish at approx 8.30am at the Triangle, Corporation Street, City Centre. The Worsley ride starts at 7.40am. 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

[2] The deadline for the LTP3 consultation is 24th December 2010. Details ava[lable from www.gmpte.com/LTP3/introduction.cfm

[3] Bike Friday is part of the Love Your Bike Campaign. www.loveyourbike.org