Press Releases
02 July 2008
Safer cycling and bikes for hire
Cyclists across Greater Manchester are set to benefit from safe, new cycle routes, secure storage at rail and Metro stations and an innovative bike hire scheme in the city centre as a part of the £3 billion Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) package for the city-region.
Greater Manchester’s future transport proposals will deliver 200km of new cycle lanes, 2,500 new secure cycle parking spaces at 250 new locations and a bike hire scheme which will see a rental fleet of 4,000 bicycles available in the city centre.
The proposals are intended to bring cycling into the mainstream of Manchester’s transport, providing a better service for cyclists at tram stops, railway stations and new interchanges., and supporting a high-quality, attractive and healthy alternative to driving across either of the two the charging rings.
British Cycling Chief Executive, Peter King, said: "It is fantastic to see cycling being actively 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.
"Bikes are a great way of getting around and enjoying Greater Manchester 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."
The city centre would also see a bike hire scheme introduced modelled on the ‘Velib’ scheme currently operating successfully in Paris. The bike hire programme would be made up of a rental fleet of about 4,000 bikes based at 400 cycle racks around the city centre.
Anyone wanting to use one of these bikes would simply register as a member and pay a weekly or annual subscription plus a small charge if they wished to use the bike for more than half an hour. Security codes and special design features would help keep the bikes safe.
A detailed review will also be carried out of local cycle routes in all the districts, working with local councils, and town centres outside the M60 to identify further improvement works and underpin the proposals contained within the TIF package. These improvements would be developed through local research and delivered through Local Transport Plan funding.
Further information on the GM Future Transport proposals can be found on www.gmfuturetransport.com.
-ends-
Notes to Editors
The recent Department for Transport announcement confirms up to £3 billion of funding will be available for transport improvements in Greater Manchester. This comprises Government grants of £1.5 billion, £1.2 billion of local funding supported by future revenue from a limited peak time only congestion charge and £0.1 billion of third party contributions. The DFT has also confirmed that it will fund extra railway rolling stock for the city-region.
The Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) is a central Government fund that supports "innovative solutions to congestion problems, involving demand management measures". Local Authorities across England bid for this fund.
The Greater Manchester bid has been submitted by AGMA (the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) and The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority
British Cycling is the national governing body for cycling in the UK. See www.britishcycling.org.uk for more information.
For further information about this release please contact:
Dan McMullan
T: 0161 817 4200
M: 07799 667 416
E: dan.mcmullan@connectpoint.co.uk
For further information about British Cycling please contact:
Richard Truman
T: 0161 274 2080
