Get cycling to work in National Bike Week

Bike Week logo

It’s National Bike Week (16 – 24 June), and Transport for Greater Manchester is encouraging commuters to make cycling part of their daily trip to work.

Cycling is a great way to commute, whether you make your whole journey by bike, or cycle to your usual bus or train station or Metrolink stop.

TfGM’s cycle team will be out and about at public transport interchanges across Greater Manchester throughout National Bike Week, offering commuters advice and information on cycling as part of its Greater Manchester Commuter Cycle Project – as well as telling them about TfGM’s free cycle training.

The training is free, takes place wherever and whenever is convenient for you, and includes tips and tricks for building your confidence, dealing with real-life situations on the road and cycling safely and responsibly. It’s ideal for beginners as well as those who just want to brush up on existing cycling skills.

The cycle team will be at the following Metrolink stops and bus interchanges:

Monday 18 June: Sale

Tuesday 19 June: Piccadilly Gardens and Chorlton

Wednesday 20 June: MediaCityUK

Thursday 21 June: Bury and Stockport

Friday 22 June: Altrincham

TfGM also has a brand-new website devoted entirely to cycling in Greater Manchester. Visit www.tfgm.com/cycling and you’ll find plenty of information on cycling events, route maps, cycle training booking forms. There are also top tips on maintaining your bike, safety and security and, for those who have never cycled to work or whose bike has been gathering cobwebs in the shed for years, getting started from scratch.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “Last year we received £4.9 million of DfT funding for our Greater Manchester Commuter Cycle Project to help people get to work by bike.

“Some of that funding will go towards special cycle hubs at locations across Greater Manchester, which will provide excellent facilities for cyclists including secure lockers, changing rooms and showers – but we’ve also got lots of other initiatives underway.

“Our new cycling website is an excellent resource for anyone considering cycling to work or simply cycling for fun, and our free cycle training programme is now up and running.

“Our recent free bike healthchecks, to which people could bring their bikes for simple repairs and routine maintenance, proved highly successful, and the TfGM Cycle Challenge we ran with CTC, the national cycling charity, saw Greater Manchester businesses competing to get nearly 2,200 staff commuting by bike during May and June.

“There’s no better time to get cycling to work than National Bike Week, so we hope people will find time for a chat with our cycle team or visit www.tfgm.com/cycling for advice on getting started.”