Manchester is cock-a-hoop at being chosen as the
first European Capital of Cycling in 2024 by ACES Europe. It is in recognition
of Manchester’s promotion of sport and
physical activity as a means of improving quality of life in the community.
ACES is based on Brussels and works in partnership
with UNESCO, the United Nations Education and Scientific and cultural
organisation.
In a nutshell, the organisation
is championing transport initiatives, such as Manchester’s, which tackle today’s most
pressing community needs.
It is something other towns and cities need to copy, for it demonstrates how to create safer traffic conditions which will enable people to cycle and walk instead of driving local journeys.
The award celebrates the growing Bee Network of
cycling and walking routes across Greater Manchester, which has 1,800 route
miles planned in a bid to reduce car dependency.
It is a few years since I featured Greater
Manchester’s plans for cycling lanes and routes, with photographs of the first
of the new Cyclops junctions,
featuring traffic signalled controls for cyclists, pedestrians and motor
traffic.
 |
| Cycle lane into Manchester featuring digital cycle counter display on Oxford road, Rusholme. |
The whole brilliant idea is the brainchild of former
Olympic champion Chris Boardman during his tenure as Cycling Tsar, working with
Mayor Andy Burnham. Many of the designs are based on Dutch methods, which are
among the best.
Their plans won favour with councils and local
residents across the Greater Manchester area, especially for those without
access to a car and those who would prefer to get about under their own steam.
Greater Manchester has paid
tribute to the many partners in their quest including
British Cycling, Marketing Manchester, Cycling UK, Manchester Active and
TfGM, as well as volunteers.
They plan mile after mile of new cycleway to be built from the Velodrome
and across the city.
The aim is to help build local cycling clubs in a move to provide access
to all branches of the sport, from utility cycling to sport and leisure.
This will certainly boost the confidence of the cycling
movement in the face of depressing news of a 5 per cent drop in cycling in
England last year, as reported by the European Federation of Cyclists.
Further concern was caused by the government
slashing funding for its Active Travel Policy, plus what is now believed to have
been shit-stirring for political gain, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for
an end to 20mph speed limits and vowing to allow drivers into low-traffic
neighbourhoods. He cannot do this for legal reasons, I read recently.
The Manchester award is a much needed boost,
recognising their commitment to cycling in the face of government indifference.
The development plans involve all 10 towns comprising Greater Manchester. They include Trafford, Bolton, Bury, and City
of Salford - which I understand is doing a particularly good job laying down
cycle lanes.
Although I have no details of exactly how many miles of cycle lanes and routes have so far been built across the Greater Manchester towns, Salford provides a good example of the progress being made
with a number of routes/cycle lanes in place and others planned, as indeed do other councils across Greater Manchester.
Duncan Dollimore, Head of Campaigns at Cycling UK, is impressed. He told me: "What I can say from my own experience of Greater Manchester, is that you’re now seeing good infrastructure – in some places. I think it would be fair to say that not all of the infra (sic) is fully connected yet – so you ride along a superb protected cycle lane, but at some point it comes to an end without connecting to where you want to go. That said, it’s easy to criticise that, but a start has definitely been made.
"There are more bike hire schemes, more cycle parking – and as a visitor to the city who knew it well years ago, I’d say it’s definitely going in the right direction."
1.
Roe Green
Loopline:
This route, built on a former railway line, connects various neighbourhoods
including Roe Green, Little Hulton, and Walkden.
2.
Linnyshaw
Loopline:
Another former railway line transformed into a cycle path, linking Linnyshaw to
other parts of Salford.
3.
Tyldesley
Loopline:
A pleasant route for cyclists and pedestrians, running through Tyldesley and
beyond.
4.
Ellenbrook
Loopline:
Enjoy the wildlife and scenic views along this loopline, which passes through
Ellenbrook and beyond.
5.
Port
Salford Greenway:
Connecting Salford Quays to Irlam, this greenway provides a traffic-free path
for cyclists.
The busiest
cycle route, says Manchester, is the 8-mile Fallowfield
Loop along a former railway line. This connects Chorlton-cum-Hardy,
Fallowfield, Levenshulme, and Gorton and ideal for commuters and leisure
cyclists.
