NEWS ALERT: Major metro-style network of more than 100km of pop-up cycle routes across Greater Manchester being urgently planned by leaders to help get thousands of workers in & out of Manchester during Covid19. Read on for more.. #SafeStreetsSaveLives Thread 1/14

Earlier this month, Liverpool announced more than 100km of pop-up cycle lanes, but Greater Manchester’s 116km radial scheme looks set to be even more ambitious & be boldest yet announced in UK. 2/14

Trafford leader @AndrewHWestern last week announced a 7 mile stretch of A56 would be dedicated to people on foot and bike to ensure those that usually rely on public transport and don’t have a car, have a means to access work in the regional centre - but.... 3/14

..it now emerged this is just one of 10 lanes that form part of a large radial network proposed to region’s 10 council leaders, which could deliver tens of thousands of key workers safely in & out of Manchester by bike safely each week. 4/14

Other routes being planned include the A6 from Stockport, which has no tram service into Manchester, A6 & A580 Salford, A56 Bury, A57 Tameside and A62 Oldham (see map). 5/14

With ppl being urged to walk or cycle if at all possible in order to avoid public transport & 1/3 of Greater Manchester residents without a car - plan for 10 #safestreets corridors seen as vital to support key workers & area’s successful recovery. 6/14

Is understood that the #SafeStreetsSaveLives proposal was put to the 10 GM leaders last week and boroughs are now actively working on installing corridors asap - ideally as soon as this Monday, 1 June, when primary schools in England told to begin reopening. 7/14

Routes have been planned using transport data, including this detailed analysis by gov advisor Dr Robin Lovelace of how 10 UK cities could unlock space for bikes https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/10-cities-where-pop-bike-lanes-could-benefit-millions-explore-maps 8/14

Routes will start at M60 & run at least to Inner Ring Road - not yet clear how will link into Manchester city centre - where so far funds spent expanding pavements for pedestrians but not yet announced any plans for cycle protection on roads. 9/14

Failing to provide bike access means the least-well off in the city region being denied safe travel - or forced to break distancing guidelines on public transport. Studies show number one reason people won’t cycle is fear of traffic hence pop-up protection plan. 10/14

Councils now have statutory duty to act after new Covid19 government guidance in early May stated they ‘should take measures to reallocate road space to people walking and cycling (.) as swiftly as possible, and in any event within weeks’. 11/14

GM has high cycling potential because of high population density & relatively short average trip distances: more than 200k ppl live within 3 miles of Manchester centre and c400k within 4 miles (c 20-30 mins on bike). 12/14

More than 100k ppl who live in the borough of Manchester also work there - and meanwhile 45% do not have access to a car or van, highest in GM and one of highest outside London (see image). 13/14

TfGM data shows 'active travel' is booming - with cycling up 42% in city region. This weekend @ManchesterCityCouncil began closing showpiece cycle route on Oxford Road (normally 5,000k bike journeys a day) in order to expand footways. 14/14