Get Manchester cycling – time to show our ambition

Bike Friday logo

On Friday 26 April, Love Your Bike is inviting people to join one of the Bike Friday cycle
routes to show their support for the recommendations in the All Party Parliamentary
Cycling Group report 'Get Britain Cycling'.

The Get Britain Cycling report was published, following extensive public evidence from 
over 100 individuals and organisations, including cycling organisations, the Automobile
Association, and a wide range of government departments and ministers.

The key aim is to increase cycle use in Britain from less than 2 per cent of journeys in
2011, to 10 per cent of all journeys in 2025, and 25 per cent by 2050. The key
recommendations include:

• More of the transport budget should be spent on supporting cycling, at a rate initially set to at least £10 per person per year, and increasing as cycling levels increase 
• Cycling should be considered at an earlier stage in all planning decisions, whether transport schemes or new houses or businesses 
• More use should be made of segregated cycle lanes, learning from the Dutch experience 
• Urban speed limits should generally be reduced to 20 mph 
• Just as children learn to swim at school they should learn to ride a bike

With Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) putting the finishing touches to
Manchester's bid for £20 million Cycle City Ambition Grant funding, Love Your Bike is
calling on Manchester to match the ambition demonstrated in the 'Get Britain Cycling'
report and commit to a target of 10% of all journeys made by bicycle by 2025 and to
provide funding of at least £10 per person per year to achieve this level of cycling.

Graeme Sherriff, from Manchester Friends of the Earth's Love Your Bike campaign, said:
“If we are serious about Getting Manchester Cycling then it is time to show our ambition.

"Greater Manchester's bid needs to at least match the national targets for cycling and
commit the funding required to achieve this”.

Bike Friday provides a range of cycle rides into the City Centre from various locations into Manchester from various starting places around Greater Manchester and also works with companies and local authorities in Greater Manchester to promote cycling, improve cycle facilities and to encourage more people to continue cycling to school, work and for leisure all year round.

Normally, held on the last Friday of the month, most rides leave at 8am but check the
website as they vary depending on the distance from Manchester. Rides finish at the
Eastern Bloc coffee shop (5A Stevenson Square, M1 1DN), in Manchester City Centre.

Whether you're new to cycling, returning to your bike after a break, or cycle every day, join in on Bike Friday. Rides are at a moderate pace and have experienced ride leaders.