C-charge will pay for cycle network

Congestion charging road marking

Greater Manchester’s potential public transport revolution will not only bring trams into Rochdale, it will make it easier for people to get on their bike.

As part of the £3 billion Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) package, cyclists will benefit from safe, new cycle routes, secure storage at rail and Metro stations, and an innovative hire scheme.

The transport proposals will provide 125 miles of cycle lanes and 2,500 cycle parking spaces at 250 locations.

The hire initiative will be based on a Paris scheme and create a rental fleet of 4,000 bicycles available at 400 cycle racks around the city centre.

Anyone wanting to use them would register as a member and pay a weekly or annual subscription plus a small charge if they want to use the machine for more than 30 minutes.

Security codes and special design features would help to keep the bikes safe.

The proposals are intended to bring cycling into the mainstream of Greater Manchester’s transport, providing a better service for cyclists at tram stops, stations and interchanges.

The aim is to support a high-quality, attractive and healthy alternative to driving across either of the two congestion charging rings.

British Cycling chief executive, Peter King, said: “It is fantastic to see cycling being encouraged in Manchester.

“The TIF package should help to meet British Cycling and our leisure arm Everyday Cycling’s aims of getting more people to enjoy cycling more often.

“Bicycles are a great way of getting around and enjoying what Greater Manchester has to offer and the TIF package will make it an even better prospect.

“It is fun, environmentally friendly, keeps you fit and healthy and it does not cause congestion.

“All in all it’s a fantastic way to travel.”

A detailed review will be carried out of cycle routes in all the boroughs, working with councils and town centres outside the M60 to identify further improvement.

TIF will bring improvements to tram, train and bus networks but includes a road-pricing scheme in and out of Manchester that would charge some drivers up to £5 a day.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities has passed a resolution for a referendum on whether to go ahead with the TIF scheme at the end of the three- month consultation period, but details have yet to be agreed.