Manchester schools given another £1m to increase cycling

£1m funding was announced for cycle facilities at ten of Manchester’s schools and colleges, to get more students, teachers and parents on bikes.

Manchester Communication Academy last week celebrated the launch of new cycling facilities, one of 11 schools and colleges across Greater Manchester already sharing an earlier £1m fund. The Academy now has a mountain bike pump track, more than 100 upgraded, covered bike parking spaces and 30 bikes and helmets for students.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM’s) Cycle Schools and Colleges fund has so far paid for more than 1,000 bike parking spaces at schools and colleges, and more than 350 bikes for training, after school clubs and student taster sessions.

Manchester consults on cleaner air and fewer pollution deaths

Councillor Chris Paul, TfGM Committee Cycling Champion, said: “We want to see a cultural shift towards cycling and young people have a key role to play.

“Our work with schools and colleges is really driving home the message that cycling is great fun, great for the family budget and good for Greater Manchester as a whole.

“We aim to see 10% of all journeys in the region made by bike by 2025 – reducing congestion and improving our environment. I’m sure the young people we’re working with right now will play a big part in helping us achieving that.

Martin Roberts, Assistant Principal – Community, Manchester Communication Academy, said: “It’s said that cycling helps to improve your concentration, health, happiness and fitness. What more could we want for our students and community than this opportunity which has been made possible through the Cycle Schools and Colleges project?

“It will be great to see the students benefiting from the new facilities and cycling training at our after school clubs, teaching them new skills and encouraging them to get out on their bikes.”

The Cycle Schools and Colleges project is part of the £42 million Cycle City programme led by TfGM with Department for Transport funding, which will see new and improved cycle routes introduced across Manchester.

As part of the Cycle City programme, adult cycle training is provided, and accreditation introduced for HGV drivers completing Safer Urban Driving courses.