Transport for Greater Manchester hope 10% of all journeys in the city will be by bike within nine years after launching the first phase of its £42million investment programme.
Cycle City at the new Broughton Cycleway is designed to change Manchester’s reputation when it comes to road safety – last year, a Guardian article described the city’s cycle routes as ‘totally inadequate’ and ‘designed by numbskulls’.
TfGM’s Cycle City is putting six new cycle routes in place to connect communities across Manchester with town and city centres.
In the first three months of 2016, the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads rose by 8% from 2015.
Councillor Roger Jones, Executive Lead Member for Transport and the City Region at Salford City Council, said: “Safe, continuous and well connected cycle routes are what are needed to encourage people to use bikes.
“We will continue to work together to develop new and innovative routes and facilities that people will use.”
Want the latest news, info & updates about cycling in Greater #Mcr? Sign up at: https://t.co/tLO96TRXlv #JustRide pic.twitter.com/VuXe0qgNuc
— TfGM (@OfficialTfGM) 2 September 2016
Broughton Cycleway is the longest of its kind: at 2 km, it features innovative traffic islands and reflective bollards to separate cyclists and traffic.
The programme is working in partnership with five local authorities – Manchester City, Salford City, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford councils – and is well on its way to reaching its target of 10% of journeys in Greater Manchester being by bike by 2025.
On the Broughton Cycleway alone, bike trips have increased by 77% since it opened, and the success looks set to continue.
Manchester has been bathing in the glory of Team GB’s success at the Rio Olympic Games last month: indeed the city’s velodrome was re-named as the ‘Medal Factory’ when every athlete came home with a medal.
But in a letter to the Prime Minister, even these athletes have called for greater investment in road cycling.
It looks like at long last, Transport for Greater Manchester have sat up and listened.
We’re delighted to launch not one but SIX new #cycle routes in GM today #GMCycleways https://t.co/2dfhHplWJT pic.twitter.com/ymOLywopWF
— TfGM (@OfficialTfGM) 1 September 2016
Image courtesy of TfGM via Twitter, with thanks.
