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Greater Manchester – Time to move up a gear on Cycling

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On Friday 31st October, Love Your Bike are inviting people to join one of the Bike Friday ‘cycle to work’ rides [1] to support the updated ‘Getting Moving: A Manifesto for Cycling In Greater Manchester’.

The manifesto is supported by over 15 Greater Manchester based organisations and businesses including: British Cycling [2], CTC, Edinburgh Bike Co-operative, Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign, and Wagl (Manchester Cycle Deliveries). [3]

The cycling vision is that by 2020, 20% of all journeys less than 5 miles will be made by bike in Greater Manchester.

With zero emissions, active travel (walking and cycling) will be core to Greater Manchester’s ambitious climate change targets and to tackling the area’s air quality issues. It will boost quality of life and wellbeing for our residents, providing an accessible and affordable means for people of all ages to get around independently, easily and con­veniently and to stay healthy and active. Employers will also benefit from a healthier workforce, lower congestion and reduced car parking costs.

To achieve this vision, Greater Manchester needs to see the following:

  • Political leadership and governance that facilitate the transition to a cycling city.
  • High standards of design to enable all people to cycle confidently and safely.
  • Sustained promotion of cycling as a mode of transport.
  • Safe cycling and safe driving through facilitation and enforcement.
  • Integration of cycling with other modes of transport.

The Cycling Manifesto also sets out 6 design principles that all cycling infrastructure in Greater Manchester should meet: Safety, Coherence, Directness, Comfort, Attractiveness and Adaptability.

Dr Graeme Sherriff from Love Your Bike said: “Cycling can help people save money, get exercise and feel healthier. Our manifesto for cycling highlights how Greater Manchester can develop a bold cycling strategy to encourage and support more people to cycle, more often.”

Love Your Bike will also be submitting a proposal asking Manchester City Council to support the creation of a Greater Manchester Active Travel Fund to provide long-term funding to achieve the vision of making Manchester a world-class cycling city.

Photo opportunity: Friday 31st October, 8.40am. Supporters will be displaying the key demands of the manifesto for cycling on large banners. Location: Albert Square, Manchester City Centre. Contact: Graeme Sherriff. Tel:07948 405071

ENDS

CONTACTS FOR COMMENTS

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

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

Notes to Editors:

[1] The Bike Friday cycle rides start at 8am from Blackley (superstore on Victoria Avenue East), Chorlton Library, Levenshulme Station, Prestwich Pizza Express, Stockport Mersey Square (start time 7.45am), Stretford Mall, Withington Library and Worsley Monton (start time 7:40am) and normally finish at approx 8.30am by Easton Bloc Café, Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. 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. Bike Friday is part of the Love Your Bike Campaign. For details of the routes see: www.bikefriday.org or join the Bike Friday Facebook group www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99198337652

[2] “Manchester is already recognised as one of the top international cities for cycling as a sport. The National Cycling Centre in Sportcity is the home of governing body British Cycling and the world class velodrome track and new indoor BMX Centre provide the facilities for our record breaking Olympic cycling team including Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton. We now need to step up a gear and create a truly world class cycling environment for everyone.” (British Cycling comment).

[3] The ‘Getting Moving: A Manifesto for Cycling In Greater Manchester will be available at www.loveyourbike.org/manifesto 9am Thursday 30th October.

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

[5] 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

In December, Love Your Bike group were winners of the 2011 Be Proud “Green Futures” award for their pioneering work encouraging people across Manchester to live a healthier and more environmentally friendly lifestyle by leaving their cars at home.