Greater Manchester Metro Mayor candidates pledge to deliver Space for Cycling if elected

By Tom Guha
Thursday, 27 April 2017
Space for Cycling ride in Manchester (Credit: GMCC)
As the Metro Mayoral elections get closer, Greater Manchester is the third area to attract widespread support for Space for Cycling among the candidates.

As the race for Greater Manchester's first Metro Mayor gathers pace (with polling day on 4 May), four candidates have pledged to deliver high quality Space for Cycling if they are elected.

Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign, working with Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, asked all prospective candidates to sign up to three simple pledges, to:

1.    Plan and deliver a dedicated Greater Manchester-wide network of safe cycle infrastructure
2.    Develop a dedicated budget for cycling and walking within TfGM
3.    Work towards a highways network with zero road traffic fatalities or serious injuries

Cycling UK is working with local groups in each of the six Metro Mayor locations to encourage candidates to further pledge support for locally specific asks which would help to make cycling a safer and more convenient transport choice for shorter trips.

With hundreds of emails sent by Manchester residents to the candidates, the campaign saw positive responses come back to voters.

Sean Anstee (Conservative), said:

“Greater Manchester needs a transport system that works for everyone and cycling plays a key part in making that happen”.

Jane Brophy, (Lib Dem) said:

“Greater Manchester must become a place where cycling is a normal and safe way for large numbers of people to get around”.

Andy Burnham (Labour), said:

“Greater Manchester should be a place where everyone, regardless of age or economic circumstance, sees cycling as an accessible, safe and effective choice”.

Will Patterson, (Green), said:

“I'm keen to appoint a Walking and Cycling Champion for Greater Manchester to encourage behavioural change in the region; I'll also support campaigns in our schools for more young people to walk and cycle to school, with added backing for cycle safety training”.

The UKIP candidate has not responded.

Caroline Parker Holland, Cycling UK’s Cycling Development Officer for Manchester, said of the campaign: “Greater Manchester is very much the medals factory for cycling, with the velodrome at the heart of the city. However, the success of Team GB’s athletes is not yet mirrored on the city’s streets.

“Greater Manchester is the second most congested area of England and is afflicted by lethal air pollution. Creating sustainable transport options like cycling is crucial to tackling these issues head on. We are pleased that the candidates have recognised the benefits that cycling can have in Greater Manchester and we look forward to working with whoever is elected to make a success of their commitments”. 

This Saturday (29 April), Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign will be leading a Big Ride (and walk) from Platt Fields at 2pm to deliver a petition and letter to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Manchester City Council. The ride will be at a child-friendly pace and will return back to Platt Fields by 4pm.

You can take action at www.cyclinguk.org/votebike17

Notes to editors

Notes to Editors: 

  1. Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone. www.cyclinguk.org
  2. For more information on our campaign asks in Greater Manchester, including more detailed quotes from each candidate, see: https://www.cyclinguk.org/blog/tomguha/vote-bike-greater-manchester
  3. The Space for Cycling campaign is a campaign for better cycle infrastructure, so that anyone feels safe to cycle anywhere. It was created by the London Cycling Campaign in 2014 and has since been taken national by Cycling UK. For more information on the history of the campaign see https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/campaigns-guide/space-for-cycling-background
  4. Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign is the local cycle campaign for Greater Manchester: http://www.gmcc.org.uk/
  5. The Vote Bike campaign is a tactical campaign launched by Cycling UK in response to elections.
  6. To see more detailed video responses from each of the candidates, see:
    Sean Anstee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NN_zinA0BY
    Jane Brophy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1VCk4NN_tU
    Andy Burnham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxLxHDMzf8Y
  7. Under the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016, combined authorities are offered a selection of new powers on condition that they agree to be chaired by a directly elected Metro Mayor. For more information on Metro Mayors and their roles and responsibilities, see http://www.centreforcities.org/publication/everything-need-know-metro- mayors/#whois    

Press contact information

Cycling UK Press Office
Email: publicity@cyclinguk.org
Telephone: 0844-736-8453

Commitment to cycling Elections Space for Cycling

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