Active travel group calls for ‘ambitious plan’ as borough is rated worst for cycling in Greater Manchester

Rochdale has been rated as the worst borough for cycling in Greater Manchester, leading to calls for local leaders to do more.

US-based PeopleForBikes scores the ‘cyclability’ of various towns and cities in a bid to highlight the best and provide insights into how others can be improved.

Ratings draw from two key factors: the quality of the cycling network in a borough (network score) and community perceptions of cycling (community score).

Whereas Manchester leads the way in the city region – recording an average overall score of 43.4 – Rochdale could only muster a disappointing 24.5.

Top-scoring boroughs have lower speed limits (20 mph), and fewer motor vehicle lanes on roads that connect neighbourhoods – helping them rate as ‘low stress’ for cyclists.

For a borough to score highly, it must have good connections to neighbouring boroughs via protected bike lanes or off-street paths, including bridges to avoid busy road junctions.

Campaigners Walk Ride Rochdale acknowledges the council has taken steps in the right direction, which may not be reflected in the rating.

These include the Bee Network cycle lane in Castleton and its soon-to-be-consulted-on extension, as well as the now paused ‘Active Neighbourhood’ trial in Milkstone and Deeplish.

A spokesperson said: “Rochdale council is making changes to reduce antisocial driving, supporting all generations to feel safer and encouraging cycling and walking. This will help people develop sustainable lifestyle behaviours, and help reduce health inequality across Rochdale.”

But the group believes ‘more can be done’.

“Pollution and resulting illness disproportionately affect people living along key commuter routes like the A58, who are less likely to drive themselves as Rochdale has below average car ownership,” the spokesperson added.

“Other boroughs in Greater Manchester have shown what is possible. While we accept that developing walking and cycling schemes takes time, we would like to see an ambitious and credible plan for a strategic cycling network throughout the borough.”

The group adds that national studies ‘repeatedly show’ that many car journeys are short enough to be easily walked or cycled – and a lack of safe, connected bike lanes is the biggest barrier to changing people’s travel habits.

Rochdale council says that it is not clear what information PeopleForBikes is using or how many people were surveyed – but points to ‘a number of schemes which are boosting cycling in the borough’.

A spokesperson said: “The £14.7m beelines project in Castleton is one of the most ambitious cycling schemes in Greater Manchester, creating a cycle lane and substantial public realm and pathway improvements, from Castleton into Rochdale town centre.

“Phase one of this project is already on site and we’ll be consulting on phase two soon.”

They continued: “In addition, we’ve invested more than £200,000 on cycling and walking facilities in St Leonard’s Street, Middleton.

“Also in Middleton, we’re installing a new walking and cycling crossing outside Bowlee Primary School and we’ve created new shared spaces as part of the new junction 19 development at South Heywood.”

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporting Service