Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign

Today, the Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign submitted its response to the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority’s consultation, on proposals for cross-city bus services.

See: GMITA’s cross-city bus consultation page

We are broadly in favour of the proposals, particularly where cyclists would also benefit. We are most pleased about plans to turn the Oxford Road route through the university area into a road for buses, taxis and cycles only. In other areas, there are few benefits for cyclists, and we are concerned about the lack of detail in the plans at the moment.

We have also drafted a document, outlining options for cycling infrastructure along Oxford Road, and we encourage Manchester City Council and others to lead the way in Britain, and go for a high-quality, high-speed cycle route, segregated from other traffic.

Both documents are available here to download:

Main consultation response

Paper on options for cycling infrastructure through Oxford Road university area

The latest (December) issue of the GMCC’s Cycle Carriage News (pdf) has now been published. It includes:

• Sheffield’s “Bikes on Tram” World Record
• Metrolink Cycle Carriage - Decision Imminent
• Focus on Canada Cycle Carriage

The latest (November) issue of the GMCC’s Cycle Carriage News (pdf) has now been published. It includes:

• Bikes On Trams - Down Under (Austrialian cycle carriage
• Metrolink’s New Trams - Built for Bikes
• Article on Velostrail by Dave Holladay

GMCC is now offering a pilot of adult cycle training, with sessions to be delivered on a one-to-one basis, or occasionally in groups of no more than three – by nationally accredited Bikeability instructors.

“The perceived risk from the traffic on today’s roads puts a lot of people off cycling on them ……… it might feel less safe today but it isn’t. You’re actually safer now than you would have been in those halcyon days of 1950 when there were far fewer drivers ……………….. dense traffic tends to be slower traffic, and heavily-used urban roads can be quite safe for cycling so long as you ride sensibly and assertively. Assertiveness is key. You don’t have to get out of the way for the traffic: you are the traffic ………………….. If you hide in the gutter and ride submissively, you’re less safe than if you’re out there in the traffic stream, integrating with other road users.”

(The CTC Guide to Family Cycling, Chapter 6)

The above quotes are all about the new national cycle training scheme – Bikeability (http://www.bikeability.org.uk/) – cycling proficiency for the 21^st Century.

Whether you’re an experienced commuter just needing to brush-up on your riding techniques or would like to increase your confidence cycling with traffic, or anywhere in between, GMCC’s training is right for you. We will tailor our sessions to suit your needs.

All we ask in return is that you make a small contribution (£10) equal to a year’s membership of GMCC and give us some feedback post training, which we would like to use to promote the benefits of adult cycle training. You will also gain the benefits of GMCC membership for a year.

To get started, all you need to do is complete our simple application form, e-mail it to training[at]gmcc.org.uk and we will be in touch.

Please click here to download the application form.

The latest (October) issue of the GMCC’s Cycle Carriage News (pdf) has now been published. It includes:

• GMCC Writes to the GMITA
• Increased Capacity on Metrolink - Barrier to Cycle Carriage removed
• Cycle Ramps to Inaccessible Platforms

The latest (September) issue of the GMCC’s Cycle Carriage News (pdf) has now been published. It includes:

• Edinburgh Allows Bikes On Trams (beating Manchester)
• Oldham Loop Line Replacement Buses - Cyclists Not Considered
• Altrincham Line Gets More Useless Lockers

The latest (August) issue of the GMCC’s Cycle Carriage News (pdf) has now been published. It includes:

• 1 Million Residents Missing Out On Metrolink Expansion
• Oldham Loop Line Replacement Buses - Will Cyclists Lose Out?
• Cycle Carriage On UK Buses

Greater Manchester is bidding for £29 million from the government to encourage people to leave the car at home and get on their bikes instead. Read more here.

Sunday 2nd August 2009 sees Sky, British Cycling and Manchester City Council teaming up, to bring fellow Mancunians the chance to dig out their bikes and enjoy a fun day of cycling around a traffic free 11.5K city centre route.

Full details are here.

The latest (July) issue of the GMCC’s Cycle Carriage News (pdf) has now been published. It includes:

• Manchester’s New Trams - Can Carry Bikes
• Cycle Carriage on Trams - 19th Century Style
• Focus on Flexity Swift Trams