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News release: Vote for Cycling!

On Friday 28th April, Manchester Friends of the Earth are encouraging people across Greater Manchester to ‘Vote for Cycling’ when casting their vote in the Mayor election on Thursday 4th May.

To become a world class cycling city, Greater Manchester needs to provide consistent, long term investment in walking and cycling to deliver a safe and protected cycle network that connects communities across the region.

To encourage the new Greater Manchester Mayor to make increase investment in cycling one of their key priorities the campaigners have highlighted this deman in an email action to all GM mayoral candidates.

The email action calls on the Mayor to:  “Make active travel more accessible, and safe. Start by establishing a GM active travel fund of at least 20 pounds per person per year to provide consistent, long term investment in walking and cycling across Greater Manchester.”  [1]

The Bike Life Greater Manchester report highlighted that 80% of people wanted cycling to be safer and 75% wanted more investment in cycling. [2]

Catherine Thomson, Manchester Friends of the Earth sustainable transport campaigner said:  If Greater Manchester wants to become a world-class cycling city and meet its target of 10% of all journeys to be made by bicycle by 2025  – it is time to up our game and invest in delivering the safe cycling routes that people need.”

Making cycling easier and more pleasant is an ideal way to help people save on travel costs, lose weight, become healthier and more active. [3] More people cycling will also help tackle transport congestion, improve air quality and reduce C02 emissions.

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. Bike Friday is part of the Love Your Bike campaign. [4]

ENDS

CONTACTS FOR COMMENTS

Pete Abel, Manchester Friends of the Earth, Mobile: 07951 642858

Dr Graeme Sherriff, Manchester Friends of the Earth,  Mobile: 07948 405071.

Notes to Editors:

[1] Manchester Friends of the Earth Mayoral email action : Please ask the candidates to support our 12 key asks for a greener, cleaner, healthier region.

[2] Bike Life Report 2015. 75% of people in Greater Manchester want to see more money spent on cycling.

[3] A recent study found that regular cycling cut the risk of death from any cause by 41%, the incidence of cancer by 45% and heart disease by 46%. BBC News

[4] 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 Stevenson Square, M1 in the Northern Quarter. The Worsley, Middleton – Victoria Avenue East, Stockport Plaza, Mersey Square routes start earlier. See the website for details. The BikeFriday 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

[5] 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

[6]  Manchester Friends of the Earth is an award-winning environmental campaign group, raising awareness and lobbying for policy changes at a local, regional, national and international level. The group consists entirely of volunteers, and its campaigns are funded by membership fees and individual donations. Up-to-date information is available on the group’s website: www.manchesterfoe.org.uk. Manchester Friends of the Earth is a Licensed Local Group of Friends of the Earth, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. www.foe.co.uk

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