Manchester makes a Beeline for bikes – aims to create UK’s largest cycling network
28 Jun 2018 . BY Tom Walker
The ‘Beelines’ network will be the largest joined-up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK
It’s not really about people using bikes and walking – it’s about making better places to live – Chris Boardman
Officials in Manchester have revealed plans to create a city-wide cycling and walking network made up of more than 1,000 miles of routes – including 75 miles of Dutch-style segregated bike lanes.
The ‘Beelines’ network – named after Manchester’s civic symbol of the worker bee – will be the largest joined-up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK.
Developed in partnership by the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities and Olympic champion cyclist Chris Boardman, the proposals also include plans for 25 ‘filtered neighbourhoods’, where priority will be given to the movement of people.
The filtered districts will also include more public spaces to sit, play and socialise.
Published today, the plans carry a cost of around £500m and are the first stage of a planned £1.5bn investment in the city's transport infrastructure.
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, has earmarked £160m of the government’s Transforming Cities fund to the project’s first four years.
The grants mean that the total spend on cycling and walking in Greater Manchester is equivalent to around £15 per head – a level only seen in cities such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam, where cycling and walking make up 25 per cent of all journeys.
The plans have been driven by Boardman, who was appointed the region’s walking and cycling commissioner in 2017.
“I’ve been massively impressed by the political will of all of Greater Manchester’s 10 authorities to come together to make this plan a reality," Boardman said.
“It’s not really about people using bikes and walking – it’s about making better places to live and work by giving people a real choice about how they travel. In doing so, we’ll make the city -region healthier and more prosperous.
“We’ve seen from other global cities that these methods work and the benefits are there for all to see – we simply can't afford to be left behind.
“So now the hard work begins and we’ll be working closely with all local authorities and partners to deliver this plan as urgently as possible.”
The plans are now subject to formal approval by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which will consider the proposals on Friday 29 June.
“Greater Manchester has a long history of doing innovative things and our approach to Beelines is no different," said Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
“This proposal is bold and I make no apology for that. If we’re to cut congestion and clean up our air, decisive action is needed. I want to make Greater Manchester one of the top 10 places in the world to live and it’s action of this sort which will help to deliver that promise.
“I’ve no doubt that Chris Boardman and the 10 local authorities which make up Greater Manchester will do us proud and make journeys on foot or by bike the first choice for local trips."
"We summarise what we do in two words – functional art," says Gian Luca Innocenzi, CEO and
founder of MyEquilibria, which specialises in high-end outdoor exercise equipment.
Cryotherapy supplier Art of Cryo has created a new 12-person walkthrough cryotherapy chamber
at Cryo Center Coolzone Madeira, claimed to be the largest cold therapy treatment experience
in the world.
Egym has introduced Open Mode on its Smart Strength machines, enabling them to be used as a
replacement for traditional weights on the fitness floor, rather than solely as circuit-based
machines.
Myzone has announced the launch of MZ-Open, an access function that enables Myzone gym users
to experience all the benefits of Myzone’s world-renowned heart rate training biome through
their pre-owned Apple or Android smartwatch.
PerformX Live, the premier business of fitness event, has announced Dr Jonathan Leary,
founder
and CEO of Remedy Place, as the headliner for its 2024 event.
Elevate, the premier event in the physical activity, fitness, sports therapy and performance
sector, is thrilled to announce that registrations for its 2024 conference are now live –
and the response has been nothing short of exceptional.
Cardiff-based gym design and installation company, Absolute Performance, has been awarded
the contract to design, supply and install three gyms for Team GB for the 2024 games in
Paris.
As Third Space unveiled its latest club in Wimbledon at the end of 2023 as part of its growth
development into suburban, residential locations, it also revealed a new state of the art
Reformer Pilates studio at the new site in response to members seeking a low-impact, full-
body workout for all abilities.
Developed for the world of medicine, tailored to the needs of modern fitness studios. The
seca TRU seamlessly provides medical expertise for health-focused training with a clinically
validated body composition analysis meeting the health and fitness industry's evolving
demands.
Manchester makes a Beeline for bikes – aims to create UK’s largest cycling network
28 Jun 2018 . BY Tom Walker
The ‘Beelines’ network will be the largest joined-up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK
It’s not really about people using bikes and walking – it’s about making better places to live – Chris Boardman
Officials in Manchester have revealed plans to create a city-wide cycling and walking network made up of more than 1,000 miles of routes – including 75 miles of Dutch-style segregated bike lanes.
The ‘Beelines’ network – named after Manchester’s civic symbol of the worker bee – will be the largest joined-up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK.
Developed in partnership by the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities and Olympic champion cyclist Chris Boardman, the proposals also include plans for 25 ‘filtered neighbourhoods’, where priority will be given to the movement of people.
The filtered districts will also include more public spaces to sit, play and socialise.
Published today, the plans carry a cost of around £500m and are the first stage of a planned £1.5bn investment in the city's transport infrastructure.
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, has earmarked £160m of the government’s Transforming Cities fund to the project’s first four years.
The grants mean that the total spend on cycling and walking in Greater Manchester is equivalent to around £15 per head – a level only seen in cities such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam, where cycling and walking make up 25 per cent of all journeys.
The plans have been driven by Boardman, who was appointed the region’s walking and cycling commissioner in 2017.
“I’ve been massively impressed by the political will of all of Greater Manchester’s 10 authorities to come together to make this plan a reality," Boardman said.
“It’s not really about people using bikes and walking – it’s about making better places to live and work by giving people a real choice about how they travel. In doing so, we’ll make the city -region healthier and more prosperous.
“We’ve seen from other global cities that these methods work and the benefits are there for all to see – we simply can't afford to be left behind.
“So now the hard work begins and we’ll be working closely with all local authorities and partners to deliver this plan as urgently as possible.”
The plans are now subject to formal approval by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which will consider the proposals on Friday 29 June.
“Greater Manchester has a long history of doing innovative things and our approach to Beelines is no different," said Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
“This proposal is bold and I make no apology for that. If we’re to cut congestion and clean up our air, decisive action is needed. I want to make Greater Manchester one of the top 10 places in the world to live and it’s action of this sort which will help to deliver that promise.
“I’ve no doubt that Chris Boardman and the 10 local authorities which make up Greater Manchester will do us proud and make journeys on foot or by bike the first choice for local trips."
"We summarise what we do in two words – functional art," says Gian Luca Innocenzi, CEO and
founder of MyEquilibria, which specialises in high-end outdoor exercise equipment.
Egym has introduced Open Mode on its Smart Strength machines, enabling them to be used as a
replacement for traditional weights on the fitness floor, rather than solely as circuit-based
machines.
Myzone has announced the launch of MZ-Open, an access function that enables Myzone gym users
to experience all the benefits of Myzone’s world-renowned heart rate training biome through
their pre-owned Apple or Android smartwatch.
Cardiff-based gym design and installation company, Absolute Performance, has been awarded
the contract to design, supply and install three gyms for Team GB for the 2024 games in
Paris.
As Third Space unveiled its latest club in Wimbledon at the end of 2023 as part of its growth
development into suburban, residential locations, it also revealed a new state of the art
Reformer Pilates studio at the new site in response to members seeking a low-impact, full-
body workout for all abilities.
