GMCC News

Newsletter of the Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign

No. 4

Winter 2013

This newsletter comes at a time when GMCC has moved

up a gear, and is facing the challenges of making cycling
a mainstream activity in Manchester.
On this page, Joanna Long writes about the success of
the new membership initiative, pulling in 30 new members
each month. We also have a much improved diary, thanks
to the efforts of Pete Abel and Graeme Sherriff at Love
Your Bike. We are able to include many more events with
much less effort on my part. Graeme is also responsible
for the much improved GMCC logo. The new version both
looks much better and is properly scalable, so it is much
easier to use.
The photograph on the front cover was taken by Jonathan
Keenan. It shows people gathering for the start of the
#space4cycling demo back in September during the Tory
Party Conference. Jonathan tells the story of the event on
page 5 and the centre page photo, also by Jonathan,
shows the atmosphere at the end, while Vincent reports
from a Tory Party fringe event and the CycleNation
conference on page 4.

The more we are

the more we can do

There are also several items on cycle routes, local and

international on pages 8 & 9, whilst on page 1 0 Helen
ponders what it is to be a "proper cyclist" and Alex
launches his cycling for transport web site. Finally, my
latest traffic free cycle route map from Manchester to
Rochdale is on page 11 , held over from last time when I
ran out of room.

GMCC has a solid and loyal membership base but, over the
summer, we felt that we could do more to represent the
number of people who currently cycle in Manchester as well
as those who would cycle if the conditions were better.

Monday 1 0th February 201 4 will be the GMCC AGM. This

will be your opportunity to shape cycle campaigning in
Manchester for the coming year and take a role in the
organisation. So get active and involved, because
together we can make Greater Manchester a better place
for cycling.

By increasing our numbers we also increase our lobbying

power. The tide is turning in favour of cycling and we need
to ensure that our voice is heard and that Greater
Manchester doesn't just become good for cycling, it
becomes great for cycling.

Please send text and images for the Spring newsletter to

nl@gmcc.org.uk copy deadline will be Saturday 1 5th
February.
Mike Armstrong

So we've set ourselves the target of doubling our

membership every year for the next two years and, to kick
things off, we are currently offering a year's free
membership to GMCC.

Views expressed in this newsletter are not

necessarily those of GMCC....
This newsletter was created using Scribus, open source
desktop publishing software.

GMCC Contacts

Secretary
Deputy Sec
Membership
Treasurer
Media Officer
Newsletter
Social Sec.
Web Admin
Web Site
Twitter Acc

- Richard Alderson - richard@gmcc.org.uk

- Jonathan Fingland - jonathan@gmcc.org.uk
- Ted Lawson
- join@gmcc.org.uk
- Ted Lawson
- treasurer@gmcc.org.uk
- Vincent Walsh
- media@gmcc.org.uk
- Mike Armstrong - nl@gmcc.org.uk
- Rob Raikes
- contact@gmcc.org.uk
- www.gmcc.org.uk
- @GMcycling

Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign

c/o 68-70 Dickenson Road, Manchester M1 4 5HF

The membership drive got underway in September in order

to take advantage of the #space4cycling ride. Since we
were still figuring out a system for handling the expected
influx of new members, this had to be a 'soft launch' - letting
the message spread by word of mouth, the odd Tweet and
some wristbands.
Since then we have increased our membership by 45% on
last year; that's 30 new members per month since the
membership drive began.
This is a fantastic result for such a 'soft launch' and, now
that mechanisms are in place to deal with increasing
numbers of new members, we can start to do more.
There's a free membership ad above, so why not pass it on
to a friend, colleague or neighbour and suggest they join,
and tell them to pass the message on? If you have cycle
racks near your place of work, or live near some, give us a
shout (GMCC.communications@gmail.com) and we'll set
you up with flyers and wristbands to leave on bikes or any
place else you can think of.
Over to you

Joanna Long is a freelance writer and researcher and a

2

member of the GMCC Communications Group.

Greater Manchester Cycling Events Calendar

December 2013

from Love Your Bike

www.loveyourbike.org/cyclingcalendar

Sunday 1 st

8:00am - 2:00pm Chorlton Velo Sunday Runs - Truth hair

salon on Beech Road - www.chorltonvelo.co.uk
9:00am - 11 :00am & 11 :00am - 1 :00pm Learn to Ride
(Tameside) - Tameside Cycling Circuit, Richmond Street,
Ashton-under-Lyne

Tuesday 3rd

1 :00pm - 2:00pm Transport and the City, Cities@Manchester

Lunchtime Policy Seminar, Arthur Lewis Building

Wednesday 4th

Sunday 1 5th

8:00am - 2:00pm Chorlton Velo Sunday Runs - Truth hair salon

1 0:30am - 1 2:30pm Deck the Halls @ Park Bridge - Ashtonunder-Lyne Rugby Club

Wednesday 1 8th

6:00pm - 9:00pm Chorlton Velo Wed Runs - Truth hair salon

Sunday 22nd

8:00am - 2:00pm Chorlton Velo Sunday Runs - Truth hair salon

Friday 27th

6:00pm Manchester Critical Mass Bike Ride - Central Library

8:20am - 9:30am Monthly Cycle to Work rides (UMBUG)

2:00pm - 4:00pm Freewheeling adult cycle training Level 1 /
Level 2 - BikeRight!
5:30pm - 7:30pm Bicycle Maintenance Course (Openshaw,
Manchester) - BikeRight!
6:00pm - 9:00pm Chorlton Velo Wed Runs - Truth hair salon

January 2014
Saturday 11 th

Thursday 5th

Sunday 1 2th

1 0:00am - 2:00pm Manchester Velodrome Cycle Jumble National Cycling Centre

Saturday 7th

Monday 1 3th

5:00pm - 7:00pm Bicycle Maintenance Course (Manchester

City Centre) - City Tower Cycle Hub
1 0:00am - 1 2:00pm Bicycle Maintenance Course (Whitefield,
Bury) - Urban Cycle Centre, Philips Park
1 0:00am - 1 2:00pm Freewheeling adult cycle training Learn
to Ride - BikeRight!
1 0:00am - 1 2:00pm & 1 :00pm - 3:00pm Learn to Ride
(Salford) - All Hallows RC Business Enterprise and Sports
College
1 :00pm - 3:00pm Freewheeling adult cycle training Level 1 /
Level 2 - BikeRight!

Sunday 8th

1 0:00am - 1 2:00pm & 1 :00pm - 3:00pm Freewheeling adult

cycle training & Learn to Ride, Level 1 / Level 2 - BikeRight!
Openshaw

7:00pm - 9:00pm Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign

meeting - Friends Meeting House, Mount Street, Mcr.

Friday 24th

8:00am - 8:45am Bike Friday (various locations)

6:00pm Manchester Critical Mass Bike Ride - Central Library

Saturday 25th

11 :30am - 2:30pm round and round the airport - Brooklands

Roundabout

8:00am - 2:00pm Chorlton Velo Sunday Runs - Truth hair salon

1 0:00am - 2:00pm Urban Mystery (Chorlton Wanderers) Chorlton Water Park
1 0:00am - 1 2:00pm & 1 :00pm - 3:00pm Learn to Ride
(Bolton) - Queens Park (Bolton)

February 2014
Monday 1 0th

Monday 9th

Friday 28th

Tuesday 1 0th

March 2014
Sat 8th & Sun 9th

7:00pm - 9:00pm Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign

meeting - Friends Meeting House, Mount Street, Mcr.
5:45pm - 7:30pm - Manchester Cycle Forum - Room 31 2,
Manchester Town Hall

7:00pm - 9:00pm Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign

Annual General Meeting - Friends Meeting House, Mount
Street, Manchester - details to be confirmed
8:00am - 8:45am Bike Friday (various locations)
6:00pm Manchester Critical Mass Bike Ride - Central Library
.

Wednesday 11 th

1 0:00am - 4:00pm Bike and Triathlon Show (Manchester) Manchester Central

Thursday 1 2th

7:00pm - 9:00pm Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign

meeting - Friends Meeting House, Mount Street,
Manchester

5:30pm - 7:30pm Bicycle Maintenance Course (Openshaw,

Manchester) - BikeRight!
6:00pm - 9:00pm Chorlton Velo Wed Runs - Truth hair salon
5:00pm - 7:00pm Bicycle Maintenance Course (Manchester
City Centre) - City Tower Cycle Hub
6:00pm - 7:45pm Stockport Cycle User Group, technical subgroup meeting - Stockport Town Hall
6:00pm - 8:00pm What The Frack! & MERCI AGM - MERCi

Saturday 1 4th

1 0:00am - 1 :00pm Bespoke Cycle Recycling Auction Message Enterprise Centre, Lancaster Campus, Harper Rd,
Sharston, Manchester, M22 4RG.

Monday 1 0th

Sunday 23rd

6:00am - 3:00pm The Manchester Cycle (Sainsbury's Sport

Relief Cycle) - Manchester United Football Ground
9:30am - 3:00pm The Manchester Family Cycle (Sainsbury's
Sport Relief Cycle) - Manchester United Football Ground
Details may vary from the above, please check web site for
more events and up to date information, and add your events
at www.loveyourbike.org/cyclingcalendar

Get Tories Cycling

....with a full stomach
Vincent Walsh reports from the Conservative Party Conference

Tories eat well, as I discovered at a Bridgewater Hall lunchtime meeting

- part of the conference Transport Hub. This fringe event was chaired
by Philip Pank, transport correspondent for The Times which launched
Cities Fit for Cycling campaign following a serious injury to their
reporter Mary Bowers. Last year deaths of all road users fell but cycling
fatalities increased by 1 0 percent - admittedly from a low base. While
welcoming the government's announcement in August of 1 60m for
cycling Philip noted the annual roads budget exceeds 1 .3 billion. And
so the panel.......

National progress,
local opportunities
CycleNation Conference, 5 October 2013

Yes, very male, white and middle aged but fewer

beards than usual amongst the six women and
seventy men at the annual gathering of cycle
campaigners in Leeds Civic Hall.
The air of optimism reflected the announcement of
the CCAG millions in August. But there was a
sombre element that much of the recent success
was a consequence of the Times campaign Cities
Fit for Cycling launched early in 201 2 after their
journalist Mary Bowers was struck by a lorry. She
remains in a coma like CTC councillor John
Radford across Millennium Square in Leeds
General Infirmary. Earlier in the week a Scottish
court had refused to increase the sentence for the
driver who killed cyclist Audrey Fyfe. More work for
the CTC Road Justice campaign which is lobbying
hard for more severe sentencing when the
prosecution of careless and dangerous drivers is
reviewed by Parliament in the New Year.

Sarah Wollaston is MP for Totnes, member of the All Party

Parliamentary Cycling Group and a former GP. She highlighted the
public health benefits of active travel and warned against scaring
parents with the small relative risks of cycling. Dr Sarah wants
investment of 1 0 per head per annum - small in comparison with the
billions planned for HS2.

Roger Geffen, CTC Campaigns & Policy Director

described our glass as "1 0% full - rather than 90%
empty" Infrastructure is not enough - there must
also be traffic restraint. 201 2 was a pivotal year,
"We lost Cycling England, gained the Olympic
bounce and ended with the All Party Parliamentary
Cycling Group report Get Britain Cycling and
subsequent debate attended by 1 00 MPs on 2
September." Norman Baker served us well as
Transport Minister (before being re-shuffled to the
Home Office) and in 201 4 Le Tour (de France) is
coming to Yorkshire.

As head of PR for the Freight Traffic Association, Michael Webb was

Daniel in the lion's den. More bikes and fewer cars on the road smooth
the passage of his freight and FTA staff are encouraged to cycle to
work. Although admitting HGVs are responsible for serious accidents
Michael was not keen on Boris's Safer Lorry 200 Charge. FTA member
Cemex Changing Places scheme increases understanding between
lorry drives and cyclists. He supports 20 mph limits for promoting more
reliable delivery times as well as more cycling - a view shared by all the
panellists.

Carlton Reid is always good value. At the

Birmingham Cycle CityExpo conference he
analysed why Stevenage New Town failed as a
1 960's new (Cycling) Town. Here he looked forward
(only 1 5 years) to a future of driver-less cars which
would recognise and avoid cyclists. Read more at
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bikeblog/201 3/oct/11 /driver-less-cars-coming-bike-blog
and http://www.roadswerenotbuiltforcars.com/

Jonathan Bray, Director, Pteg Support Unit believes it was a mistake to

I workshopped with CTC Policy & Campaign's Coordinator, Chris Peck, Mobilising the Cycling Vote
ahead of Council and Euro elections next year and
the 201 5 general election. Chris urged us to
maintain the momentum of Get Britain Cycling by
building up trust with politicians and officers and
developing a clear vision such as Bristol's Freedom
to Ride www.bristolcyclingmanifesto.org.uk
Of
course Greater Manchester already has:
http://www.manchesterfoe.org.uk/loveyourbike/cycli
ngmanifesto/

abolish Cycling England but now cycling is moving from the margins to
the mainstream of transport thinking. The momentum outside London
needs to be maintained for greater revenue and capital spending. More
people want to live in smarter car-free cities.
Sustrans policy director Jason Torrance is encouraged that 24
organisations came together to Get Britain Cycling.
Between courses discussion continued: a Cheshire councillor
celebrated decluttered shared space and urged us all to try the magic
roundabout at Poynton, bike manufacturers should de-lycrify the image
of cyclists, transport engineers need better cycling education.
Comparisons were made with our continental neighbours: Berlin is
delightful, in Paris HGVs are banned between 07 00 and 1 9 00hrs.
Across Europe strict liability laws protect vulnerable road users. Back
home Boris and TfL were not universally lauded with criticism of his
super highways.

At the finale CycleNation Chair Andre Curtis

admitted "I am not a cyclist" (next we will learn the
Pope is not a catholic) before announcing that Bike
Week 201 4 is still seeking a sponsor. Perhaps the
two comments are connected.

After pudding MP Sarah looked forward to the parliamentary review of

sentencing guidelines for road traffic offences (due early in 201 4).

A good day as ever, spirits lifted by kindred spirits

who had travelled much further than across the
Pennines.

Vincent Walsh is the GMCC media officer and co-ordinates 20's Plenty

Vincent Walsh

for Manchester

Space for Cycling

On Monday 30th September GMCC pulled off something it
may have once have only dreamt of. 500 cyclists gathered to
make a spectacular point to our political leaders that what we
want is Space for Cycling. Not in some distant future but now.
This is how it came about and a little about what it means.
One sunny afternoon a couple of GMCC members sat
following the coverage of Parliaments response to the All
Party Parliamentary Cycling Group recommendations. Dry as
this may sound there was some interesting stuff said and lots
of politicians queuing up to tell us all about their new found
love for cycling. All lovely but nothing inside compared to the
news about what was happening outside. 5000 cyclists had
turned up to show parliament, and the people of London, just
how strongly they felt it was time for change. There was
something in the air, people had started to believe that there
may be a real chance for change and that turning out on the
streets in numbers would help make it happen.
London Cycling Campaign had come up with the usefully self
explanatory catchphrase, Space for Cycling ( or
#space4cycling ), as a general call to arms. A call for better
infrastructure and provision of space so people can cycle in
safety and in ever increasing numbers. Summed up on their
web site with two bullet points:
protected space for cycling on main roads, including
segregated tracks and cyclist-specific traffic lights
reduced risk to cycling on minor roads, such as removing
through motor traffic and 20mph speed limits.

They organised the phenomenal ride on Parliament that had

MPs leaving the Commons to witness the cycle past and
even had an ever reluctant national media feeling the urge to
report.
As the GMCC Twitter team posted general reports and
support, our hive mind ground into action. A few days later it
was realised that Manchester would be the next location
where (part of) the national government would be gathered in
one place; for the Conservative Party Conference 201 3. It
would be an important chance to make the statement that this
wasnt just a London phenomenon and that people all over
the UK are demanding the same things for cyclists. Now there
was just a couple of weeks to organise something.
The decision was to get as many cyclists as we could to meet
at St Peters Square and form a procession of bikes out and
around the perimeter of the conference venue then continue
around parts of central Manchester and back, to make a
visible statement and to hand in the first part of an online
petition outlining the demands.
Credit for the bulk of the ensuing work must go in the main to
Jonathan F, who pulled together many of the strings needed
to make any event work. The mechanics of liaising, meeting,
researching, ordering, buying, informing and general admin
are essential but dont make great reading. Just understand
its time consuming.
Due to time constraints the only real medium available to get
the message out immediately was Twitter, with Facebook
making a late but valuable contribution. Flyers arrived with
only a day or so to go but some made their way under the
saddles of unsuspecting commuter and student bikes or got
handed out around the freshers fairs. Cyclists at traffic lights
and families in parks were accosted and handed a leaflet or

an excitable sales pitch. There were so many ways to

contact people but so little time to do it, and it was being
made up as we went along.
Eventually it was time to just sit back and hope that more
than just a few pressganged family members and a passing
postman were there on the night. The stress was building;
WHAT IF NO ONE SHOWS UP!
Cycling into St Peters Square was a huge relief. There was
already a very respectable crowd with 20 minutes to go. By
6:30 the Square was packed full with an excited buzz and a
boggling array of cycling humanity. All were represented;
from hipsters on fixies to campaigners on recumbents,
roadies in lycra and kids in costumes. Bikes that looked fit
to carry a medium sized army were fitted with sound
systems and ran next to superlight racers that looked like
they could waft away on a light breeze. Kids were weaving
about grinning or falling asleep in their seats whilst adults
chatted and tried to work out if they knew each other
through Twitter. Coffee Cranks were serving emergency
brews, a mobile mechanic fixed bikes whilst kids in a
monster cargo bike vied for cameras attention. Even the
main police contact came by bike.
It was a delight to see support from so many people, from
so many backgrounds and with such varied interests in the
simple bicycle. All with a common goal; to call out to the
powers that be for better, safer space for cycling. To create
a country where travel by bike for any reason should be
second nature and available to everyone.
The police did a great job and the blue lights added to the
general spectacle as the procession wound its way around
central Manchester. Trams were held up and cars made to
wait for the wide and very long cavalcade of bikes.
A special mention must also go to the team of volunteer
marshalls, many of whom had cut their teeth on Critical
Mass rides on the same roads. They cheerfully made sure
everyone felt safe and looked after, closing off side roads
and keeping riders on track.
A great deal was learnt on days leading up to the event and
much more on the night. We have proved capable and it
was declared a huge success by everyone who was there.
Without doubt Greater Manchester should be able to raise
considerably bigger crowd of people. With a little more
time, GMCCs newly honed experience and a few useful
additions to the program, we should be able to increase
participation and improve the experience for another one.
But like insurance, lets hope it will not be necessary
which of course it will be.
GMCC are forming an events working group to coordinate
the lessons learnt and pool talent for future events. If you
are interested in being involved (any level of involvement is
fine) please make yourself known.
You can find out more about LCC and their campaign here:
http://lcc.org.uk/pages/space-for-cycling
GMCC Twitter Account: @GMcycling

Jonathan Keenan is a freelance photographer, pottering

cyclist & mountain biker. Scratching a retro road bike itch.
@JonathanKeenan

The photographs on the front cover and the centre

pages, over, are both Jonathan Keenan

Vincent Goes Dutch.........and glimpses Paradise

In August my family including two 9 year olds boarded the Hull train
with our bikes at Manchester Piccadilly to catch the overnight ferry to
Rotterdam. We woke up the following morning in cycling heaven - aka
the Netherlands. The moment our tyres touched Dutch soil a (usually)
segregated cycle lane carried us from Den Haag to Amsterdam,
Arnhem and Dordrecht sleeping at Stayokay (YHA) hostels, all very
cycle friendly with storage and sometimes a resident mechanic.
In the Netherlands cycling is normal and natural involving all ages
both self-propelled or being carried in a range of contraptions and
extensions. Helmets and lycra are rare - and usually a means of
identifying Brit tourists. Motorists defer to cyclists at most junctions.
The Dutch have invested in infrastructure over decades (current
annual level 24 per head) but two measures make a real difference on all one way streets there are contra-flow cycle lanes and 30kph
(1 8.5mph) is the default speed limit in residential areas.
Bikes are very visible, mobile - and static. All public buildings, offices,
stations, shopping and housing developments are provided with generous
parking , generally of the wheel grabbing type but Sheffield stands are
increasing.
Our ten day circuit
was aided by Dutch
Railways which are
cheap - flat rate
child fare of 2.50.
Rolling stock varies
in accessibility, for
some there are
steep steps from
platform to carriage
level. Cycle carriage is allowed outside weekday peak commuter times
on daily payment of a 6 Dagkaart fiets binnenland . Places cannot be
reserved but trains are so frequent that it does not matter.
Is there anything amiss in paradise? Yes, just get used to sharing your
cycle path with mopeds. A small price to pay for living in Cycletopia.

Vincent Walsh is the GMCC media officer and co-ordinates 20's Plenty for Manchester

Broadheath kisses goodbye

to unloved bike barriers
Way back in 2007 expectations were high that the National Trust
would enable the delivery of a sustainable estate within Trafford in
Broadheath Altrincham. However, successive announcements and
disappointments put paid to this: chief amongst these were the
installation of a hotch-potch of barriers on the estate's cycle network.
The worst of which were kissing gates only big enough for a riderless
BMX.
GMCC, local disability groups and local cyclists got together to
protest to the authorities, the developers and the National Trusts
Dunham Massey Estate. The campaign included: a press release;
photo opportunities with the free delivery newspapers; and, letters to
the MEN and local rags. The latest salvo was a series of letters and
comments celebrating British Cycling's decision to choose the
Trafford College, which is connected the cycle path network, as a
partner to develop cycle coaching.
http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/1 0485650.Trafford_C
ollege_joins_forces_with_British_Cycling/
CTCs now defunct clearthattrail web page was useful to locate
obstructions. Fortunately, the cyclestreets web site with its photomap
has taken its place and is proving valuable to cycle campaigners.
8

Cycle Touring in the USA

We often view the USA as a car dominated country whose public
transport system is a long way behind Europe. You would therefore
think it is an awful place for cycling and bike provision. Youll be
surprised however that cycling in the USA in certain respects has
lessons to offer us. I can say this with some authority as I cycled
from New York City to San Francisco in the summer of 201 2. My first
surprise was trying to get out of JFK Airport to Downtown NYC. This
initially seemed impossible until you discover you can take bikes on
the subway. No complex rules apply just a statement saying it might
be a good idea to avoid peak times and to respect other passengers.
Can you imagine that on Manchesters trams or the London
Underground?
The next surprise was in New York City itself. My way out of the City
on a Sunday started with a superb segregated bike lane down the
west side of Manhattan Island. It was rammed with cyclists, roller
bladders and even a couple of bike sound systems. The authorities
appear to have taken out a whole section of road for this. A bold
move but a point in case of Build it and they will come.
My route across the USA was mainly on road. These were generally quiet routes but drivers were far more courteous than you
find here. The other thing about US roads is there is very often a hard shoulder even on the smaller roads. Defined by a solid
white line which vehicles dont cross, you in effect get a cycle lanes almost everywhere. Another surprise were Stop Lines at
junctions. Drivers have to stop even if there is no traffic on the main road. This is vigorously enforced by the police. Another
great feature for pedestrians is where there is a footway crossing the junction the Stop Line is behind this. Genius! Why do we
only get this at traffic lights with crossings? Every now and again Ill travel on an off road route like an old railway or canal path.
The difference to the UK was startling. The route surface was consistent and good along the whole length. Dont get me wrong, I
love my 1 0 mile trip down NCN6 but there are 4-5 type of surfacing whereas in the US you get 1 00 miles of the same near
perfect surface.
Given all of this I would still rather live with UK bike infrastructure rather than US, as apart from a few US cities bike
infrastructure is generally nonexistent to poor. Where the US scores really well is with bike activism. Remember it was San
Francisco that came up with Critical Mass in 1 992. If you visit Portland, Oregon you will visit a city with bike revolution in
progress. They dont have the fancy Dutch infrastructure but cycling is integral to the economy. Most businesses go out of their
way to cater for cyclist and it is here that youll see an expanding bike sub culture. Whether it is Freak Bikes or the monthly
Zoo Bombing session, Portland is pushing the boundaries of cycling. So dont dismiss the USA as a cycling backwater. If you
want to know more about what we can learn from the USA take the time to read the report by group of UK Architects who cycled
across the continent in 201 3. www.portlandtoportland.org

Nigel Blandford is a Bury based Bioenergy Specialist, regular cycle commuter and touring cyclist, Twitter: MCR Bike Commuter
Despite resistance from a few local residents and a local councillor
early success was achieved with the National Trust and developers
compiling a questionnaire for the inhabitants of the 700 dwelling
estate and other local people to vote on various alternatives.
Retention of barriers, modified barriers and complete removal were
the main options. Results were processed and the decision was
made to modify the barriers to improve access, this option included
the removal of the kissing gates. Unfortunately, no date was
announced for the access to be improved. The cycle forum and
letters to the press were useful vehicles to ensure the agreed action
was not forgotten.
Very recently and without any fanfare the last and most notorious
barriers, the kissing gates, have been removed. As a compromise it is
expected that a chicane will be installed but in the mean time there is
no sign of the feared motorcycle abuse. Further, less fundamental
improvements are required such as the posting of more no
motorcycling signs and the monitoring of any abuse.
http://www.cyclestreets.net/photomap/tags/stamfordbrook/
It is hoped that we can muster Trafford cyclists to celebrate this
achievement with a local ride to local venues using the cycle network.
May be even a ride to the local Bike and Go hire scheme if that gets
going in time. If your interested in this ride please contact us via
contact@gmcc.org.uk.

Richard Alderson is a regular cyclist and Cycling Instructor and is

currently the Secretary of GMCC Twitter: @cyclinstructor

The Improper Cyclist

I've been cycling for so many years now that I can't remember a
time when I couldn't ride a bike. Growing up, I lived in a city where
nearly every family had bicycles. Parents would ride their children
to school, either with a toddler in a carry seat, or following
discreetly behind as a safety marshal for their offspring. As soon
as they were old enough and it was affordable (if there wasn't one
to be handed down), daughters and sons were given a bike.
Rarely would it be new. It'd be bought on the cheap from a
neighbour, or still second hand but a bit more expensively from the
local cycle shop. The likes of Choppers and Grifters (am I
showing my age here?) were statement presents for very special
birthdays, usually bought via a Christmas club or in instalments
from mail order catalogues. Pinching bikes isn't a new trend,
though (some things never change). Chances were, if you
couldn't afford to lose it, you couldn't afford to have one. So most
kids made do with whatever they got and spruced them up with
stickers and the like. Better to have an old-fashioned looking thing
than to have once been a Chopper rider having to walk
everywhere. It all sounds a bit 'Four Yorkshiremen' recounting it
now!
My sister taught me how to ride a bike. She'd hold on to the
saddle and then let go when she thought I'd got my balance. Her
holding on became briefer as my confidence grew, and distance
covered became giddily far. The fallings off, injuries and tears set
me in good stead. No matter how big a scrape or the discomfort
of having TCP applied neat to a grit-filled bleeding wound, one
always had to get back on. (As an adult, the embarrassment of
falling off can be as bad as an injury. The quick rush to get up and
pretend it never happened probably makes any topple look funny.)
Sometimes, though, I still don't feel like a 'proper' cyclist. I'm not
like the ones who whizz everywhere and can tell you about things
like pedal cadence. Or the ones who'll do a 70 mile round trip to
visit friends for the evening. Or the ones who can stay upright on
the velodrome track and set world records. Or the ones who don't
understand why bikes would go on trams anyway (wouldn't you
just pedal the whole distance?) Or the ones who cycle round
Europe twice in a fortnight on their summer holiday. The list
seems endless. I'm not like the ones I admire. I'm not even great
at the maintenance side (more to do with knowing the limits of my
patience than laziness or incompetence - why spend hours trying
to fix a puncture, trapping fingers and cursing, when you can pay a
fiver to somebody in a shop and have it back in minutes?), but still
make sure my bike runs smoothly.

Cycling for Transport

Not long ago I was chatting to a cycle trainer friend, in
one of Manchester's pubs, who was bemoaning the bikes
that children rode to school on. Saddles ridiculously low,
gears that didn't work and a lock, if there was one,
dangling from the bars. The parents don't know they are
buying unsuitable bikes, my friend said, as they aren't
cyclists themselves. They just go with the first one the
child chooses.
How would those parents know? Drive a car, instead of
riding a bike, and you simply wouldn't know which bikes
are suitable for everyday transport. One lost generation
and the knowledge is forgotten. Almost.
As an adult utility cyclist for the last twenty years, I am
unusual. My friends have been telling me this for a while.
I am unusual in one particular regard when it comes to
cycling: I have sought knowledge about bikes. In fact, I
have spent far too much of my life time figuring out which
components and accessories make a bike practical for
commuting and shopping, learning the fun way what can
go wrong with them. A good way to capture that
information was to make a website.
Answering the questions people are afraid to ask,
www.cyclingfortransport.com is a resource for those
who want to make cycling their main mode of transport.
As well as information on the benefits of different
components, the site offers practical tips on what to pack
for a commute, which clothing makes long journeys more
comfortable and how to store bikes at home. Much of it is
stuff people wouldn't ask a 'bike expert' for, but might
research using the web.
The site was published in October and is due to be
illustrated early next year. It tweets as @usefulbikes.

Alex Bailey is a writer and teacher based in Bury. He

writes about mobility, sustainability and education

Then I think, even when I'm not cycling, I am a cyclist. We all are.
It's a state of mind, a precious part of life. It isn't all about the
timed focus of a commute to and from work. Nor is it all about
speed, competing, prizes, of looking good. It's about sharing
pleasure and other people's triumphs, too. Over the summer, my
boss, who usually drives, cycled nine miles in to work and back
home on the fine days. (And there were a lot of them!) I could
see how happy she was to share her adventure and achievement
with me. She recognised a fellow cyclist; one who loves
journeying on two wheels. One who hasn't forgotten the joy of
going out for a bike ride, just for the sake of it. Other colleagues
have started conversations telling me how they'd like to cycle in to
work, before giving reasons why they don't. I smile and say,
'You're already thinking about it...one day you could make it
happen.'
So, if you doubt yourself, remember - every cyclist is a 'proper'
cyclist. No special clothing is necessary. No out of this world
journeys are mandatory. Us bikers are kindred spirits. Just keep
getting on your bike, and enjoy it. It's infectious. It's child's play, it
really is.

Helen Reagan is a south Manchester based writer who cycles for

pleasure, leisure, and plain old journeying

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Photo by Mike Armstrong

Manchester to Rochdale on the Rochdale Canal

A (mostly) traffic free cycle route, roughly 12 miles in length.

This route from New Islington in

Manchester to the edge of Rochdale and
beyond to Hollingworth Lake is almost
entirely traffic-free. It runs along the tow
path of the Rochdale Canal. It is
designated as National Cycle Network
Route 66.
However, this path is not without it's
difficulties and dangers. The surface is
very variable with several sets of steps
and some very uneven cobbled parts.
It is not suitable for small-wheeled bikes
and is best travelled using a mountain
bike or a robust hybrid or tourer. With the
steps and narrow sections it is difficult for
a tricycle or towing a trailer.

Holingworth Lake was built to supply the canal with

water, and if you keep going beyond the lake, a few
miles further along is the canal summit and
watershed which marks the boundary with Yorkshire.
At 600 feet (1 83 m) above sea level, one of the
highest canal sumits in the country.

Mike Armstrong is the writer of the blog

Mad Cycle Lanes of Manchester and enjoys

cycling without traffic, when he can...

Mapping data from Open Street Map

http://www.openstreetmap.org

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Bike Shop Discounts

All these shops offer 5% or 10% discounts to GMCC members on production of a

valid membership card.

A1 Cycle Spares (01 61 998 2882) 41 4-41 6 Palatine Rd, Northenden

A6 Cycle Warehouse (01 61 248 5400) 752-762 Stockport Rd, Longsight
Altrincham Bike Shak (01 61 929 9355) 1 0 Oakfield Trading Estate, Oakfield Rd,
Altrincham

Sale Moor Car & Cycle (01 61 969 1 81 8) 1 74 Northenden Rd, Sale M33 2SR
Bicycle Doctor (01 61 224 1 303) 68-70 Dickenson Rd, Rusholme
Biking Factory Shop (01 61 773 21 25) 424 Bury New Rd, Prestwich
Coffee Cranks Cooperative (07599 088 81 6) Central and South Manchester
Devereux Cycles (01 61 973 5234) 45 Green Lane, Sale
Eddie McGrath Cycles (01 61 748 2733) 31 Station, Urmston
Harry Hall Cycles (01 61 236 5699) 67 Whitworth St, Manchester
Keep Pedalling (01 61 222 601 5) 23 Hilton Street M1 1 EL
Ken Fosters Cycle Logic (01 61 881 71 60) 374-376 Barlow Moor Rd,

Chorlton-cum-Hardy
Lane End Cycles (01 61 431 0777) 5 Lane End Rd, Burnage, M1 9 1 WA
Manchester Cycle Exchange (01 61 748 2532) 1 Brook Terrace, Barton Rd,
Davyhulme
NW Mountain Bike Centre (01 61 428 3311 ) 249 Stockport Rd, Cheadle
Popup Bikes (01 61 839 0709) Arch 5 Corporation St. M4 4DG
revolveMCR mobile cycle repairs (07939 062 600) South and Central Manchester
Skidmores Cycles (01 61 624 591 2) 37 Union St, Oldham
Withington Cycles (01 61 445 3492) 26 Burton Rd, Withington
Every effort is made to ensure the details here are correct but no responsibility can
be accepted for errors.

About GMCC
Greater Manchester Cycling
Campaign is a voluntary group
working to make cycling in Greater
Manchester quicker, safer, easier and
more enjoyable.
Less than 2% of journeys in Greater
Manchester are by bicycle because
many people who would like to cycle
are intimidated by the quantity and
speed of motorised traffic. GMCC is
campaigning to change this.
Our aim is to increase cycle use in
Greater Manchester by ensuring that
cycling is promoted as a cheap,
healthy, sustainable transport choice
within local authority strategies,
schemes and programmes for all
types of trips including, commuting,
shopping and leisure.
Meetings to organise campaigns are
held on the second Monday of every
month at the Friends Meeting House,
Mount St, Manchester M2 5NS, close
to Manchester Town Hall, starting at
7.00pm. There is bicycle parking at
the side of the building. At 9pm the
group usually head to The
Waterhouse, 67-71 Princess Street.
Everyone is welcome, members and
non-members alike.

Join Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign Today

To celebrate the Velocity 2025
funding success we're offering
new members their first year of
GMCC membership for free.
Just fill out this form, and post it to
Greater Manchester Cycling
Campaign
c/o
68-70 Dickenson Road
Manchester
M1 4 5HF

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