Calls for more cycle lanes in Manchester
A new report has revealed what we really think about cycling...
A new report has found the majority of people in Manchester would like to see more cycle lanes in the city - even if it meant less space for cars.
Bike Life, the UK’s biggest assessment of cycling in cities, has revealed four out of five people in Greater Manchester want more protected bike routes to make cycling safer.
1,100 people were surveyed throughout the city - with more than two-thirds agreeing that more cycling would make Manchester a better place to live and work.
Even people who said they never ride a bike were still overwhelmingly in support of the segregated routes.
Rosslyn Colderley, Sustrans Director for England (North), said. “The Bike Life report is the voice of people throughout Greater Manchester. It clearly shows that most people living in the city region think cycling is a good thing and are far more supportive of bold and ambitious plans for cycling than decision-makers often think.
“The new Wilmslow Road Cycleway has been incredibly popular and we know people want more dedicated space like this for cycling, even when this means taking space away from cars.”
“This is an exciting time for the city region as we look at new approaches to transport, health and environment. Mayor Andy Burnham has made a clear commitment to funding cycling at the kind of levels we see in London and Scotland.
“Creating streets designed for people, not motor vehicles, to help more people walk or cycle is the key to keeping Greater Manchester moving and improving our health and economic vitality.”
Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester's first Cycling and Walking Commissioner, said: “Evidence has shown us time and again that the world’s happiest and healthiest cities all have high cycling rates in common. It’s no coincidence, cycling really is the silver bullet.
“More people using bikes instead of cars, would address so many of the problems our urban centres face – health, congestion, air quality, social inclusion…you name it, more cycling will have a positive impact on it.
“Greater Manchester is determined to become one of the most attractive city regions in the world and, in pursing that aim, it’s great to see the vast majority of our residents want us to prioritise making cycling a safe an attractive thing for them to do.”