active travel manchester

Where you live

Plan your journey.

Our Greater Manchester journey planning tool can help you work out the best route for you to walk, cycle or wheel to your destination!

Discover cycling and walking routes near you

There are lots of resources available to help plan your next active travel journey. Explore a few options below:

On foot or by bike is best for local trips

A staggering 250 million car trips every year in Greater Manchester are less than one kilometre. That's a four minute bike ride or ten minutes on foot.

Reaching for the car keys every time you leave the house is a long-held habit for many but once you begin making more trips on foot or by bike, we think you’ll be excited by how great it can make you feel.

By walking or cycling, you can arrive with ease. You are not bound by car parking time limits so you are free to stay as long as you need, without having one eye on the time.

You will feel a lot healthier without the need for a gym membership. Did we mention that you can burn around 166 calories per half hour on foot and 308 calories per half hour on a bike? It will also help you feel happier. What's not to love?

Our tailored map shows how far you can get in 15 minutes on foot or by bike from your front door. It also shows the existing high-quality routes or Active Neighbourhoods that are complete so far near you.

Can’t find anything where you live yet? Check out our map showing what’s coming.

Before you reach for the car keys, think: "Could I walk or cycle this?"

30% of trips by car in Greater Manchester would take 4 minutes by bike or 10 minutes on foot. TfGM TRADS travel survey

Active Neighbourhoods

Reclaiming streets for those that live on them

Streets that prioritise the movement, health and safety of people over the movement of cars are not new. In fact, cul de sacs have been around in the UK for more than 100 years. Hundreds of thousands of people in Greater Manchester already live in areas where cars are not able to rat run down their streets. Places where people can cycle, scoot, wheel or walk safely and neighbours can stop to chat. But for hundreds of thousands of others, rat running is a very real problem that we want to do something about.

As part of our plans to create the UK’s largest cycling and walking network, we are creating new Active Neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester. See what’s planned where you live.

'Our own little Oasis'

Hafsa bought her house because it was located in a low traffic environment

Hafsa couldn't be happier that when she opens her front door there is no through traffic. She walks outside her front door without worrying about cars. She says it feels like a real community.

Hafsa, Moss Side

"we've been very fortunate to be at the end of what is now a cul de sac".

Ewan lives on a road in Stretford that is currently trialling a low traffic environment, using planters to stop cars being able to pass through. He says: "This road was infamous before for being a really bad rat run - cars coming up on to the pavement and going really fast. It wasn't very good for this little chap to be able to ride his bike. We've been very fortunate to be right at the end of what is now a cul de sac and we can now let him run free in the road. It's been really great, actually."

How can we help you?

Not ridden in years? Start here!

If you've not been on a bike for years, we can help get you get started with courses, access to bikes, trikes and more. But first: just get on and ride.

Want to ride more regularly?

Fix up your cycle, find great rides, build your confidence with courses and create chances to ride more often.

Ride all the time, for fun or to work

Find courses, tips and know-how to help you rule the road.

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• Driving and road transport
• Cycling and walking

Active travel: local authority toolkit

• Department for Transport

Updated 10 August 2022

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2022

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/active-travel-local-authority-toolkit/active-travel-local-authority-toolkit

Walking, wheeling and cycling are the least carbon-intensive ways to travel.

However, walking currently accounts for only 5% of the total distance travelled in England. Around 49% of trips in towns and cities under 5 miles were made by car in 2021, with around a quarter of all car trips in England less than 2 miles.

Many of these trips could be walked, wheeled or cycled, which would help to reduce the 68 megatons ( Mt ) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emitted from cars in 2019. This would benefit local economies, as well as improve people’s health.

More active travel will also make roads quieter, safer and more attractive for people to walk, wheel and cycle – a virtuous cycle.

As we decarbonise transport, making all cars, public transport and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) zero emission is part of the solution, but relying solely on zero emission road vehicles isn’t enough.

Road traffic, even on pre-COVID-19 trends, was predicted to grow by 22% from 2015 to 2035, much of it in cities where building new roads is physically difficult and disadvantages communities.

As set out in the second cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS2), the government wants walking, wheeling and cycling to be the natural first choice for shorter journeys or as part of longer journeys.

Local authorities can play an important role in increasing walking, wheeling and cycling. Through influencing planning and taking a wider, strategic view of travel infrastructure across their area, authorities can ensure that active travel infrastructure connects residents to services.

As local leaders, authorities have a wide sphere of influence and can lead by example in adopting, promoting and providing infrastructure to enable and encourage active travel with their staff.

Authorities can also work with local businesses, industrial estates and business improvement districts to design specific interventions and behaviour change programmes to enable active travel with their employees and customers.

The primary actions for local authorities are to:

• develop Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs)
• develop and implement Travel Demand Management Plans
• plan for and improve active travel infrastructure
• promote behaviour change to enable active travel

What active travel means

Active travel refers to modes of travel that involve a level of activity.

The term is often used interchangeably with walking and cycling, but active travel can also include trips made by wheelchair, mobility scooters, adapted cycles, e-cycles, scooters, as well as cycle sharing schemes (adapted from the definition in the Future of Mobility: urban strategy .

Wheels for Wellbeing explains that cycling includes a wide range of cycle types, including:

• recumbent tricycles
• cycles for 2 (tandem, side by side, wheelchair tandem and duet bikes)

Recent changes in active travel

The 2021 National Travel Survey found that the number of walking trips remained at a similar level to 2020, which is below the level seen in recent years prior to the pandemic. Whilst overall levels of walking have fallen in recent years, people are choosing to walk further, with walking trips of over a mile remaining higher than pre-pandemic years.

Cycling decreased back towards pre-pandemic levels, following a peak during 2020. The National Travel Survey reported that:

• 47% of people over 5 years had access to a pedal cycle, the same level as 2020
• less people (a decrease of 27%) cycled for part of their trip, and the average number of trips by cycle decreased by 27%
• following the peak of average miles cycled per person in 2020, average miles decreased by 37% in 2021 – bringing it back to pre-pandemic levels

Wave 5 of the National Travel Attitude Survey focused on cycling with:

• off-road and segregated cycle paths (55%), safer roads(53%) and well-maintained surfaces (49%) the most common measures that respondents said would encourage them to cycle more
• 64% supporting the creation of dedicated cycle lanes, at the expense of road space for cars

E-cycles are growing in popularity and make cycling accessible to more people, build users’ confidence and enable cycling in more challenging terrain.

The definition of e-cycle includes all electrically assisted pedal cycles, electric cycles, e-bikes and e-trikes.

E-cycles offer assistance only when the rider is pedalling and must comply with the electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) regulations .

To be classified as an EAPC and not treated as a motor vehicle, when used on roads, a cycle fitted with an electric motor must comply with the requirements of the EAPC Regulations 1983. Specifically:

• it must be fitted with pedals that are capable of propelling it
• the maximum continuous rated power of the electric motor must not exceed 250 watts
• electrical assistance must cut off when the vehicle reaches 15.5 miles an hour

Cycle sharing

Cycle sharing describes any setting where cycles can be borrowed by the public or an employee (for workplace schemes).

Cycle sharing schemes can be an effective way to re-engage people in cycling – in CoMoUK’s 2021 bike share report nearly half of the 4,000 respondents said that joining a scheme was a catalyst to them cycling for the first time in at least a year, and 24% of them had not cycled for 5 years or more.

CoMoUK offers more information and guidance on cycle sharing schemes and identifies different scheme types:

• public – growing rapidly, these can include e-cycles. They integrate well with other modes of transport and are established in Belfast, Brighton, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool and London and smaller locations such as Hereford, Guildford, and Stirling. Existing schemes in the UK can be found on CoMoUK’s map
• station-based – cycles are located at train stations and at various points across the town or city, at staffed or unstaffed hubs, docking stations or in a geo-fenced area. Some can be returned to any dock and others must be returned to the starting location
• free-floating – where cycles can be left anywhere within the urban boundary, often with guidance on not causing obstructions when parking
• cycle libraries – allow users to rent cycles for short periods and include cycle hubs in community locations (such as libraries and sports centres)
• peer-to-peer – where owners rent their cycle out for a fee
• pool cycles – generally housed at workplaces or community locations and borrowed by members of staff or the community. These schemes may share public facilities such as cycle storage

Implementing active travel: cycle sharing in Scotland

In 2020, the grant programme Paths for All, Smarter Choices, Smarter Places , in Edinburgh and Glasgow, worked to increase the uptake of cycle-sharing. This generated almost 18,000 new users and a 38% increase in trips in 3 months.

Users reported an improvement in their physical and mental health, and 10% went on to buy their own cycle. Further details are available from CoMoUK .

The benefits of active travel

Encouraging mode shift to walking, wheeling and cycling is one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing transport emissions, as outlined in the transport decarbonisation plan.

Walking, wheeling and cycling can decrease congestion, air and noise pollution, and both are linked to health and economic benefits.

Friends of the Earth produced a briefing on the role and benefits of segregated cycleways and e-cycles in urban areas. They report that improvements could deliver benefits for health, carbon and local economies, and make recommendations to maximise the effectiveness of funding.

Carbon emissions and air pollution

Sustrans, the national travel charity, estimates that 28,000 to 36,000 early deaths occur each year in the UK due to air pollution worsening heart and lung disease. They report that 80% of roadside nitrogen dioxide ( NO2 ) pollution is from road transport where limits are being broken.

As more of our short journeys (48% of all trips in urban towns and cities are under 2 miles) are walked or cycled, the carbon, air quality, noise and congestion benefits will be complemented by significant improvements in public health and wellbeing.

It is estimated that active travel can deliver between 1 MtCO2e and 6 MtCO2e savings from 2020 to 2050 in the transport decarbonisation plan.

In cycle share schemes, an average of 53kg of CO2e are saved per cycle share user each year according to CoMoUK’s 2021 bike share report .

Active travel can reduce the proportion of people driving children to school by up to 33%. Through projects such as the Big Pedal , 8.5 million car miles could be saved, resulting in a decrease of 2,500 tCO2e and reductions in NO2 levels.

Future active travel spending is expected to deliver £20 million to £100 million savings from air quality improvements as well as providing opportunities to improve green space and biodiversity.

Physical health

Physical inactivity costs the NHS up to £1 billion each year , with additional indirect costs of £8.2 billion according to a report by the Department for Transport ( DfT ) in 2014 on the economic benefits of walking and cycling . This report also highlights a link between adult obesity levels and travel behaviour as countries with the highest levels of cycling and walking generally have the lowest obesity rates.

In Growing Cycle Use , the Local Government Association ( LGA ) reports that if cycling rates were elevated to London levels across other UK cities, this would avoid at least 34,000 incidences of 8 life-threatening conditions between 2017 and 2040.

Regular commuting by cycle is linked to a lower risk of cancer or heart disease compared to other forms of transport. This may be partly due to cyclists and walkers being exposed to less air pollution than drivers and passengers inside vehicles on the same routes.

In the 2021 bike share report , CoMoUK found that 20% of cycle share scheme users said that if formed ‘all’ or a ‘major part’ of the physical activity they undertook.

Sustrans identifies further health benefits: a 3-mile commute will achieve recommended levels of activity each week.

The Energy Saving Trust reports that walking strengthens muscles, lungs, bones and joints.

Physical activity has also been shown to reduce incidences of heart disease, asthma, diabetes and cancer , as well as benefiting those with bad backs.

Mental health

Exercise can protect against anxiety and depression, according to the NHS . Any exercise is beneficial but exercising outdoors can have additional benefits.

Research in the British Medical Journal suggests that exercise can also help reduce stress . Guidance from the UK Chief Medical Officers’ on physical activity suggests that 30 minutes of moderate activity per day almost halve the odds of experiencing depression .

Gear Change states that completing 20 minutes of exercise each day cuts the risk of depression by 31% and increases worker productivity.

Economic benefits

Increasing active travel will reduce road congestion, particularly at peak times, leading to increased productivity and improved movement of goods and services. Sustrans estimates that congestion costs £10 billion per year in 2009 in urban areas, and that this cost could rise to £22 billion by 2025.

Living Streets’ Pedestrian Pound report outlined a range of economic benefits of walking, including that well-planned walking improvements can lead to a 40% increase in shopping footfall.

The LGA highlights how, after a Canadian council reallocated high street parking as bike lanes or cycle parking for a year, businesses benefitted from increased footfall (20% increase), spend (16% increase) and increased frequency of return visits (13% increase).

The Transport decarbonisation plan states that cycle manufacture, distribution, retail and sales contribute £0.8 billion per year to the economy and support around 22,000 jobs.

For organisations

As an employer, promoting active travel can help with corporate social responsibility, reduce the impact of business traffic (including commuting) locally and reduce demand for parking spaces.

Active travel can also improve the health and wellbeing of staff, increase productivity and motivation, and aid the recruitment and retention of skilled workers. More information is available on the Sustrans website .

Actions for local authorities

Local authorities are well placed to plan and provide space for inclusive active travel infrastructure and accompanying behavioural change programmes. For Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and combined authorities, doing so is part of their responsibilities on highways and road safety.

The LGA , as part of their decarbonising transport series, produced guidance on how authorities can grow cycle use. They note that measures will be most effective if implemented as part of a comprehensive active travel plan, integrated with wider transport, climate and housing strategies.

The final evaluation report of the Cycle City Ambition programme makes suggestions for local policymakers and practitioners on the most effective ways to increase active travel. It found that improving infrastructure is effective in increasing cycling and improving health equity, but requires significant investment and may take some time for impacts to be fully realised.

Sustrans can assist local authorities to develop active travel policy and guidance. It can also help promote active travel and provide feedback on walking and cycling schemes. Its website has sections for professionals, policy, and a resource library to enable authorities to make the case for active travel.

Living Streets can offer specialist advice and support for local authorities on enabling walking, including school and community engagement and infrastructure design.

Wheels for Wellbeing is a national charity that supports disabled people to access and enjoy cycling. As part of its Infrastructure for All campaign , it has highlighted the most significant barriers to cycling for disabled cyclists, including inaccessible cycling infrastructure and inadequate facilities to secure adapted cycles.

It recommends that authorities looking to install or upgrade cycling infrastructure follow LTN 1/20 – Cycle Infrastructure Design Guidance or the London Cycling Design Standards inclusive cycle concept.

Wheels for Wellbeing has published a Guide to Inclusive Cycling that promotes best practice in designing inclusive cycling infrastructure.

Implementing active travel: Greater Manchester

Using funding from the Cycle Cities Ambition programme, Greater Manchester built 3 miles of cycle lanes along one of the city’s busiest bus routes in 2017 .

Infrastructure installed included a mix of on-road and fully segregated cycle lanes and shared-use paths, along with 26 bus stop bypass lanes for cyclists.

The cycling measures were planned as part of a holistic design to improve the environment and maximise opportunities for cycling, walking and improved bus travel along the corridor.

The overall scheme included widened footways and improved crossing facilities for pedestrians and the removal of general traffic from a section of the road at certain times of day, improving bus journey time reliability. Mitigation measures to address traffic displacement onto parallel routes were also introduced.

Surveys found that in 2018, cycling 2 miles from the city centre was up 85% against a 2015 baseline.

For 2018, analysis identified more than a million journeys along one section of the route, saving an estimated 873.5 tonnes of CO2 .

1. Develop a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) are part of the 2017 cycling and walking investment strategy .

Although not mandatory, their aim is to help authorities in England take a strategic approach to improving conditions for walking and cycling and ensure that consideration is given to walking and cycling within local planning and transport policies.

Developing an LCWIP will help an authority make a strong case for future investment in active travel infrastructure. DfT has produced guidance and tools on developing an LCWIP .

The main outputs from an LCWIP are a:

• mapped network plan for walking, wheeling and cycling that identifies preferred routes, current and future travel patterns, and core zones for further development
• prioritised programme of infrastructure improvements for future investment in the short, medium and long term that contributes towards meeting broader local goals
• report that sets out the underlying analysis, including the barriers and enablers for walking, wheeling and cycling, and provides a narrative to support the improvements identified

As of September 2020, 45 of the 46 local authorities that took part in the original DfT LCWIP pilot scheme had submitted an LCWIP.

Cycling measures, infrastructure and networks identified in an LCWIP should follow the best practice guidance in Local Transport Note 1/20 on delivering high-quality cycling infrastructure.

Authorities can ensure that new infrastructure is inclusive by following the Wheels for Wellbeing guidance .

Wave 5 of the National Travel Attitudes Survey identified safety as a major concern among those who would like to cycle more often. One action to boost cycling is to provide dedicated road space for cyclists. The development of a network of high-quality, segregated cycling infrastructure, through inclusion in LCWIPs, will encourage growth.

The LGA notes that a mixture of measures is needed alongside segregated infrastructure to develop safe cycling networks , including vehicle speed and volume management.

To support the development of LCWIPs, Sustrans produced a report addressing 9 misconceptions about implementing cycling infrastructure.

For each myth, it provides evidence and sample messages to support a communications campaign and make the case for increased investment in active travel.

On 6 July 2022, DfT published the second statutory Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS 2) , which covers the period between 2021 and 2025. The strategy includes new and updated objectives including:

• increasing levels of walking and walking to school
• doubling cycling
• increasing the proportion of journeys in towns and cities that are walked or cycled

It also sets out the funding in place to achieve these objectives.

2. Develop a Travel Demand Management Plan

LTAs in England can assist in encouraging active travel by developing a Travel Demand Management (TDM) plan.

These aim to manage pressure on a transport network under times of heightened demand and uncertainty. An effective TDM plan can contribute data to the development of an LCWIP, as well as strengthen the case for investment.

The DfT toolkit for LTAs on developing TDM plans , produced by Mott MacDonald, can be used to support LTAs in developing TDM plans following COVID-19.

The toolkit also allows authorities to manage other scenarios where there are pressures on the transport network or times of higher demand. The toolkit includes worked scenarios, a template action plan and sample questions to answer during the data-gathering exercise.

To be effective, TDM plans need:

• leadership, support and endorsement from all agencies within the LTA area
• clear identification of the problem and size of the challenge
• range of alternative travel options available
• strength of message to influence travel
• good communication channels to ensure messages reach their intended audience
• focused approach with audience and mode segmentation
• trust and credibility (from the audience) in the quality of information provided
• consistent message across all stakeholders built around the core narrative
• time and resources to implement the plan
• ability to track and monitor impacts

Implementing active travel: TDM in the West Midlands

Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM) developed a TDM programme , including a strategy and delivery plan, in August 2020, in anticipation of pupils returning to school following COVID-19 lockdowns.

TfWM worked with districts and transport operators to implement measures designed to avoid a mismatch between travel demand and supply. Travel planners undertook surveys to identify schools in need of support and produced a toolkit and supporting communications material.

Implementing active travel: TDM in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council developed a TDM plan to support modal shift from cars to active travel when schools returned from lockdown. It focused on behaviour change to raise awareness of transport options, particularly active travel and road safety.

A brand identity and core messaging were developed, along with a social media content plan to target specific demographics and signpost to resources such as Open North Yorkshire . Since then, 18% of trips have switched to non-car travel – 9% to active travel and 9% to public or school transport.

3. Plan for active travel

As planning and transport authorities, local authorities play a significant role in enabling residents to use active travel modes.

The government’s Transport decarbonisation plan contains a commitment to embed the transport decarbonisation principles in spatial planning and an ambition to make walking, cycling and public transport the first natural choice for journeys.

One of the commitments of Gear Change was the establishment of Active Travel England (ATE) . ATE launched as an executive agency in January 2022, with one of its stated objectives being to improve the provision of walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure.

ATE will be a statutory consultee in the spatial planning system, approve and inspect walking, wheeling and cycling schemes and support local authorities through the sharing of knowledge and good practice.

As the LGA reports, easy access to destinations such as employment, education, healthcare and leisure facilities, will encourage take-up , as will incorporating green routes, parks and water features into infrastructure. More direct and better connected routes and secure cycle parking at critical points to allow inter-modal journeys, help to extend the reach of cycling.

Sustrans’s Cycling for Everyone report looks at how to improve access to cycling and reduce inequality through improvements to governance, planning and decision-making. It includes recommendations on making cycling more inclusive encompassing scheme design, public engagement and user safety. Arup, Living Streets and Sustrans have also published a Walking for Everyone report, which provides information, advice and recommendations to make walking and wheeling more inclusive. Sustrans have also recently published the results of their Disabled Citizens’ Inquiry into active travel which provides a number of helpful recommendations for local authorities.

Implementing active travel: Levenshulme and Burnage Active Neighbourhood

Sustrans worked with Manchester City Council, Bespoke Transport Consulting, Transport for Greater Manchester and local community groups as part of the Bee Network to create the first ‘active neighbourhood’ in the Levenshulme and Burnage area of South Manchester. An active neighbourhood aims to prioritise the movement of people over motor traffic.

This scheme intends to create an Active ‘filtered’ Neighbourhood, using planters to reduce traffic in the area and encourage residents to use other forms of sustainable transport – particularly walking and cycling.

Consultations are currently underway and the scheme is expected to be completed by March 2022.

Levenshulme and Burnage Active Neighbourhood is now being managed by Manchester City Council.

4. Develop a behaviour change programme for active travel

Authorities can stimulate a shift to active travel for short journeys through effective communication, design and implementation of behaviour change interventions.

As local leaders, planning authorities, transport authorities and employers, authorities can demonstrate best practice by modelling approaches to increase walking, wheeling and cycling and promote the benefits of embedding active travel within staff engagement and carbon reduction plans.

Active Travel behaviour change interventions could include (but are not limited to):

• cycle and e-cycle hire schemes
• business grants to provide facilities or equipment
• travel planning
• cycling skills courses (for children, adults and families)
• walking and cycling engagement events
• school-focused initiatives
• measures to improve cycle security
• measures to tackle inclusion and accessibility barriers

Evidence shows that it is more effective to develop behaviour change and infrastructure projects together, rather than in isolation.

Developing and implementing a programme of behaviour change initiatives for staff and residents will enable use of new infrastructure and reduce reliance on cars.

Growing Cycle Use suggests that local authorities should embed cycling in local culture through integration into school, workplaces and towns.

Designing inclusive approaches that take advantage of, and build on, existing programmes that have high value for money, such as Living Streets’ Walk to School Outreach and Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival , and engaging with national events, such as Bike Week or Walk to School week, can drive uptake. Initiatives targeted at school-age children especially would help to create a local active travel culture from an early age.

Implementing active travel: gamification to encourage active travel

Research by Cardiff Metropolitan University has highlighted the benefit of combining infrastructure for active travel with novel behaviour change techniques. Beat the Street is an active travel engagement platform that encourages players to use active travel to move around their area, swiping their cards at consecutive locations to earn points.

Evaluation conducted by researchers on levels of active travel before and after intervention found that the number of players doing less than 30 minutes of activity per week decreased by 7% and those reporting more than 150 minutes of activity increased by 13%. The study also reported 53% fewer cars and vans in the morning commute and 33% fewer cars in the afternoon.

For further information on Beat the Street, contact [email protected] .

Cycle training

Providing cycle training for staff and residents can enable greater uptake of cycling through increasing confidence and skill of participants.

The national standard for cycle training describes the skills and understanding needed to cycle safely and responsibly and to enable others to cycle. Any cycle training to support safe cycling on the road should be based on the national standard.

Bikeability cycle training is the DfT -approved and funded method of delivering national standard training. It is a practical training programme, enabling trainees to cycle safely and confidently on today’s roads and learn basic cycle maintenance skills. It must be delivered by trained and registered instructors, registered and quality assured by the Bikeability Trust .

Your local authority may have an in-house team of registered Bikeability instructors or hold a contract with an independent training provider. Contracts are usually managed by road safety, active or sustainable travel teams.

Outside London, DfT provides funding to local highway authorities to deliver Bikeability in schools and the community. Grants for Bikeability training are managed by the Bikeability Trust.

In London, cycle training is funded by Transport for London (TfL) and the boroughs. Scotland and Wales have separate arrangements.

In some circumstances, DfT -funded Bikeability is managed and arranged via a school games organiser ( SGO ) host school, rather than by the local authority. The list of SGOs in receipt of Bikeability grants is available on the Bikeability website.

While Bikeability is primarily associated with children and the majority of Bikeability training is delivered through the school’s programme, the scheme also includes modules aimed at adults and family groups.

Since the programme started in 2007, more than 3 million children have received Bikeability training, and DfT and the Bikeability Trust are working together to develop plans so that every child and adult can take up an offer of training.

Promoting active travel to work

Authorities can lead by example by promoting active travel to their staff and working with local businesses to promote active travel to employees.

Research carried out by the behavioural insights team ( BIT ), working with DfT , sets out to develop policy options to convert high levels of cycling during the COVID-19 pandemic into more long-term travel habits .

The A Moment of Change: Guidance for local authorities on promoting an active return to work focuses on the cycle to work policy option from the BIT research, and provides a comprehensive toolkit to support local authorities in the design, implementation and evaluation of behaviour change programmes that promote an active return to work.

It covers developing, funding and choosing a model for a behaviour change programme, as well as suggested initiatives, case study examples of different interventions and resources to help build a business case and important messages.

Suggested actions from the guidance include:

• ensure your policies support and promote active travel where appropriate
• undertake a travel survey to find out how your staff currently travel and the barriers to active travel or public transport use
• consider developing staff travel plans to identify practical lower-carbon commuting options
• provide safe and secure cycle storage at your offices
• provide e-cycle charging to encourage those with a slightly longer commute to cycle
• provide access to showers for those who choose to run or cycle in. This can be in your office, or at a nearby leisure centre
• appoint an active travel champion. They could organise a bike buddy scheme, coordinate participation in active travel challenges or organise bike maintenance sessions
• sign up to a cycle to work scheme, such as Cyclescheme or the Green Commute Initiative . These are a form of employee benefits that allow staff to purchase cycles and accessories at a reduced cost, which is reclaimed through an employee’s pay

See the Sustrans website for more suggestions.

Tools and funding

Numerous tools from government and research bodies are available to assist local authorities in planning, implementing and assessing active travel infrastructure. They include:

• Active Travel Portal brings together information for local authorities, including case studies, links to documents, policies and research
• Healthy Streets Design Check : published by DfT to support authorities in applying LTN1/20 guidance. The tool measures existing streets and proposed designs to determine how healthy they are
• Propensity to Cycle : a strategic planning tool to help transport planners and policymakers prioritise investments and interventions to promote cycling
• Cycling Infrastructure Prioritisation Toolkit : a collection of tools that provides an evidence base for prioritising infrastructure to promote cycling
• Place-Based Carbon Calculator : estimates a per capita carbon footprint for each lower layer super output area (LSOA), as well as showing roughly 15-minute travel times using different modes
• Active Travel Toolbox : a collection of guides, tools and case studies to help local authorities deliver walking and cycling schemes in their area
• Active Mode Appraisal Toolkit : a spreadsheet-based tool for assessing the overall benefits of walking and cycling interventions. DfT has produced guidance on its use
• The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) published an introductory guide to 20-minute neighbourhoods for local authorities in March 2021

Active Travel Portal has a guide to the funding options available to local authorities, including annual allocations that can support active travel, as well as competitive funds.

The UK government’s capability fund was announced in January 2023 and allocated revenue funding to all local authorities (outside London) to enable more walking and cycling in their local areas through developing LTN 1/20 compliant infrastructure plans and undertaking behaviour change activity.

Guidance issued to all authorities as part of the capability fund allocation highlights the need to monitor and evaluate the impact of schemes delivered through the fund. Authorities are required to report their progress and share the findings of their evaluation with Active Travel England.

The capability fund has been followed by a capital grants fund , allocated to authorities based on the quality of the plans developed.

Funding for Bikeability Cycle training in schools and the community in England (outside London) is available from DfT and training is delivered by Bikeability.

Local authorities agree their funding allocation and training activities with the Bikeability Trust at the start of the calendar year.

Any local authority wishing to discuss their allocation should contact the Bikeability Trust in the first instance.

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Active Travel

Advice to help you make more journeys on foot or by bike

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Whether it’s a trip to the shops, the daily commute or the school run, Transport for Greater Manchester’s active travel website has plenty of advice to help you make more journeys on foot or by bike. It’s also the place for the latest news on Greater Manchester’s ambitious plans for the UK’s largest cycling and walking network.

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Greater Manchester publishes Clean Air Plan, with over £120m secured to support vehicle upgrades

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To make a big change, we must all take small actions. Becoming greener and making an impact is easier than you might think. We have put together a range of blogs, articles, toolkits and checklists to help you make a start.

Although we set out with a simple mission to reduce plastic waste, we’ve quickly realised that it’s just one piece in the sustainability puzzle. One of the biggest, but most easily attainable actions we can achieve is to look at where our goods come from and reduce the carbon footprint needed to get a product from manufacturer to consumer. Many of the products we stock are made by local, independent manufactures, who provide us with a wide range of things from reusable face wipes, wax food wraps, face coverings, soap bars, plant pots, kitchen cloths/sponges and butty bags.

Carl from Lentils and Lather

Our aim is to start changing the habits of families in Greater Manchester by getting them to ‘borrow’ rather than ‘buy’ brand new toys. We’re making sure that toys can be reused again and again by children who need and want them – and they are not just sitting in a cupboard or under someone’s bed.

Kim from That Toy Thing

The best part of upcycling is that old furniture is often better made than the equivalent flat-packed furniture we get today and with a little bit of time, love and care, you can create a completely unique piece of furniture for your home that no one else will have. I also love that these pieces of furniture have a history of their own and through transforming and updating them we can breathe a new lease of life into them.

Hannah from Tread Softly

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is providing a further boost to the ambitions of the Great Manchester Wetlands Partnership to create a thriving, inspirational and connected landscape. It supports the recovery of wildlife through habitat creation and improvement as well as community recovery through providing opportunities for local people to develop skills, knowledge and beneficial connections to their local natural environment.

Jo Kennedy, Coordinator of the Great Manchester Wetlands Partnership

The reason I signed up to the Green Homes Grant scheme was two-fold, selfishly the measures will add value to the properties and make them more valuable in the future. But more importantly it benefits the tenants, keeping them warmer and prevents problems like damp and condensation. Ultimately measures like external wall insulations should keep tenants happier and ensure they remain in the house for longer.

Neil, Rochdale property owner

We used to think we didn’t have enough time to shop on our local market because we were working; how wrong we were?  We discovered it is an amazing place to shop for plastic free. We swapped tea bags for tea leaves and coffee jars for beans which we buy from The Market Grounds on Ashton Market – well worth a visit as the homemade cakes are delicious. All the stall holders have been amazing, not one of them minds us taking our containers to be filled with meat from the butchers. We get our bread, cheese, fruit and veg from the market too.

Julie from Ashton-under-Lyne

Although becoming carbon neutral is important to our organisation, it’s a lot of work for a small team to put the measures into place. The Journey to Net Zero course has given me practical, step-by-step advice that has made it easy for me to lay the foundations for our organisation to be able to take action and achieve our goal of becoming carbon neutral.

Kat Mulhall, Events Manager at Victoria Baths Trust in Manchester

The Business Growth Hub has given us focus and extra knowledge. They’ve helped us form the base to grow sustainably and work efficiently as a team while making us conscious of our environmental impact as a business.

Ollie Birchall, Founder of Nutri Bar

I’ve not really been a cyclist throughout my life, more of a runner to be honest. And certainly not commuted. But I just thought if I’m going to change, surely now is the moment to change. I’m feeling the personal benefits of doing it. You just feel better when you come into work. It clears your head. There are benefits of cutting congestion, cleaning up the air. Everyone benefits when people cycle.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester

We think our water fountain is INCREDIBLE, it’s the perfect place for people to ‘refill’ and help themselves to any of the free edibles we’ve got growing in Market Place. We’re so grateful to all the organisations that helped make this happen. Alongside the plastic free motion that was passed by council and helped us achieve our first Surfers Against Sewage objective and in turn our Plastic Free Community status, it shows real commitment in reducing plastic waste and supporting our community.

Pete Fillery, Plastic Free Rammy and Incredible Edible Ramsbottom

I guess I’ve always been what you would call a conscious consumer. I’ve always detested plastic bags, all of my skin care products at home are plastic-free, vegan, and sustainable. My toothbrush is made of bamboo, there’s no plastic anywhere in the house. Everything in the salon has to be vegan – that was the first rule for me. We started with one brand of haircare products that was vegan, organic, and Fairtrade, but the distributor in the UK was wrapping all of the deliveries in plastic, and it felt really needless, so we ditched them.

Rachael, Gronn eco-salon in Bury

Kat mulhall, victoria baths trust, manchester, join our community.

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If you missed it last week, work is underway on our Local Nature Recovery Strategy! Find out more here 👇 #GMGreenCity twitter.com/GMGreenCity/st…

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Work has begun on our new Local Nature Recovery Strategy 💚 Find out more about the strategy and how it will develop here: bit.ly/3PDMYJ7 #GMGreenCity pic.twitter.com/EyN0pIFBKv

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been allocated around £250,000 to develop its Local Nature Recovery Strategy over the next two years, building on the city-region’s successful pilot 🌿🐞🦋 Find out more here: lnkd.in/eJ58TgiN #GMGreenCity pic.twitter.com/ieBjyE4bdU

Are you ready for the #SingleUsePlastic ban? From October 2023 a ban will be implemented on the supply of a range of single-use plastics like: 🍽 plates 🥣 bowls 🍴 cutlery Find out what this means for your business: gmgreencity.com/singleuseplas… #PlasticFreeGM pic.twitter.com/kijCYZt3XF

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Funding in manchester

View funding opportunities below.

Manchester Active Support

Manchester Active can help you discover, access and apply for funding for a variety of purposes.   We can also help support funding bids that suit your needs.   If you have any queries concerning funding opportunities in Manchester, or how we can help, please contact [email protected]

Social Prescribing Fund

What is this fund? The Manchester Social Prescribing Development Fund is funded by the Manchester Integrated Care Partnership in partnership with Manchester City Council and is administered by the Big Life group. The fund aims to support new and established groups and organisations to build capacity and deliver projects to support a social prescribing offer to Manchester residents over the age of 16 and upwards. The fund will support clients in reducing social isolation, improving or help with managing their health and wellbeing.   What funding is available? You can apply for up to £3,000 of funding for your project. Use of the funding is restricted and is awarded to groups and organisations that can fill the gaps in current social prescribing provision.   How to apply Contact the Social Prescribing Development Fund Grants Officer, at [email protected] to express your interest in the funding. If your project meets an identified need, you will be invited to meet with a Grants Officer to discuss your project in more detail. The Grants Officer will outline the next steps, timescales and discuss expected monitoring of outcomes. If you wish to proceed, you will be invited to complete an application form. Find out more information and apply here

Manchester Local Care Organisation is a pioneering public sector organisation that provides your NHS community health services and adult social care services in Manchester. Part NHS and part local authority, they work as one team across traditional organisational boundaries to this. Find out more information here

We Love MCR Fund

Manchester's Rising Stars Fund - We Love MCR's unique new Fund gives young Mancunians a helping hand to take opportunities which would otherwise be out of their reach. With 40% of young people growing up in households classified as "in poverty" in Manchester, far too many ambitions are snuffed out before young people even get to start to fulfil them.   For people who have identified their next steps to success in work, qualifications or entrepreneurship, we can provide vital funds to support these ambitions!   If you're a young, ambitious Mancunian who needs some help, or you work with young people and want to guide them to future success, click here to discover how the Rising Stars Fund could help.

Our Manchester "Conversations to Cash' Fund

The Our Manchester VCS Grants Programme is our largest grants programme for the voluntary and community sector (£2.4m per year).  The purpose of this grant programme is to support and invest in a healthy and thriving local voluntary sector, so that it can continue to support Manchester’s residents and focus on what the sector excels at in addressing some of the city’s highest priorities.    The fund is primarily aimed at supporting groups that work with adults and that address one or more of the following aims:   - Addressing inequalities and building inclusion  - Promoting communities’ health and wellbeing - Tackling poverty  - Organisations funded through this programme will receive funding from April 2023 to March 2026, as reported at Communities and Equalities Scrutiny on 7th March 2023.  Find out more here

MACC Fund / Involvement

Find the funding that you need - Macc have developed a new funding search engine that acts as a straight forward FREE service using information that can help voluntary, community, social enterprise sector organisations like yours to find suitable funding.    By becoming a member of Macc you will gain access to our free funding portal of funding opportunities   Find out more here

Neighbourhood Investment Fund

We are supporting local people by encouraging groups to apply to the Neighbourhood Investment Fund (NIF). These are funds available to communities to make their neighbourhoods better places to live.     £20,000 of NIF is available to every area (ward) in Manchester each year -?to help groups carry out events and initiatives that benefit local people and are environmentally sustainable.    The fund is open to established groups, voluntary groups and other community groups, as well as groups of residents working together for the first time. School Parent Teacher Associations can also apply if they have the support of local residents, parents and the project benefits the wider community as well as the school.  Find out more information here

GLL Sports Foundation

Calling all Manchester athletes! The GLL Sport Foundation funding window for 2024/2025 is now open.    The Foundation is the largest independent support programme for talented young athletes in the UK. Last year 83 Manchester based athletes aged between 8 and 56 years old were successful in their application, with representation from a great range of sports including Taekwondo, Para Swimming, Athletics, Triathlon, Water Polo, Boxing, Cycling and Basketball.    If you or somebody you know could benefit from support, apply now here Applications are open until 20 February 2024.

EA Sporting Champions

The Sporting Champions scheme from Everyone Active gives talented athletes the opportunity to make use of training support and mentoring sessions to further their burgeoning careers.   Launched in 2016, the Sporting Champions scheme has been responsible for more than £1 million worth of support to over 1,000 athletes across a huge variety of disciplines; from wheelchair basketballers and swimmers to artistic gymnasts and figure skaters.   From a total of 30 Sporting Champions competing at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, our athletes achieved a combined five gold, two silver and three bronze medals.   The programme has been designed to assist this country’s next generation of superstar athletes in making the most of their natural talents.   As an Everyone Active Sporting Champion, you’ll benefit from access to FREE training facilities at any of our 200-plus sports centres located all over the country, as well as to mentoring days throughout the year. These days are hosted by performance experts, including sporting superstars such as Colin Jackson CBE, Lauren Steadman MBE and Lutalo Muhammad, distributing their wisdom and knowledge, as well as encouraging the sharing of ideas between you, the athletes.   If this sounds like a programme you’d be interested in joining and you’re a UK athlete who is looking to achieve your full potential, find out more here  

Greater Manchester Police Investing in our Community Fund

Greater Manchester Police are using the money recovered from criminals and distributed to police forces nationally through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS), to be re-invested into communities across Greater Manchester.   Non-profit organisations which benefit a large number of people, can apply for a maximum of £20,000 to fund 12 months’ activities which pledge to support GMP’s objectives to fight, prevent and reduce crime; keep people safe; and care for victims.   More informatino on how to apply can be found here

ACTIVE TRAVEL GRANTS Transport for Greater Manchester are pleased to announce a new £535k grants programme, funded through the Department for Transport and Active Travel England Capability and Ambition Fund, that will support Greater Manchester's active travel mission.    Grants of up to £15,000 are available to small independent businesses, VCFSE sector organisations, community groups, schools and more. The grants can be used to buy accessible/ adaptive cycles, purchase cargo bikes and trailers and to deliver sustainable local initiatives or projects.     Full guidance documentation and an application form can be downloaded here or requested by emailing [email protected]   The application deadline is on Friday 21 July 2023.  Bike libraries are local hubs that will allow people to borrow a bicycle, like a book, to try out. They aim to boost access to cycles and give people a chance to give cycling a go. BIKE LIBRARIES Bike libraries are generally based in the heart of a community, within easy reach by foot, in places such as community centres, schools, village halls or local business premises.   Our bike libraries support similar schemes that are available in Greater Manchester, helping create local hubs where bikes are donated, fixed up and used. Interested in setting up your own Bike Library? Find out more infomation here

Greater Manchester Moving Fund

Funding opportunities provided by Greater Manchester Moving are available to support getting people across Greater Manchester moving.   Visit their website here to find a number of local, national and self-funding opportunities to support you.

Sport England

Each year Sport England invest more than £250 million of National Lottery and public money to help people play sport and take part in physical activity.   We know that applying to one of our funds for the first time can seem a little daunting, but Sport England have provided a detailed page to guide you to the appropriate fund and explain exactly what you need to do.   Find out more here

Conversations 2 Cash

The latest Ageing Better image library collection offers a realistic response to the poor representation of women aged 50 and over in adverts, film and on TV.    The need for better representation is highlighted by a new survey the Centre has carried out jointly, which reveals nearly nine in ten (88%) women say the over 50s are represented poorly.    The vibrant and dynamic images of six women with limited to no experience in the industry are the latest addition to Ageing Better’s image library which can use for free for a wide range of uses.   There are many more images for people to use, go to the website to download images of your choice: https://ageingbetter.resourcespace.com/pages/home.php

Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation

The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation    The Foundation provides grants for charities and good causes located within 25 miles of a Skipton Building Society branch.   They support projects that benefit local communities in areas such as health, homes, skills development, and employment. The maximum grant request is up to £6000 and application are reviewed quarterly.    The deadline for this quarter is the 1st of February 2024.   To find out more information click here

Access Group

The Access Group Foundation are providing grants for organisations who work to mitigate the digital divide by offering support by way of data, devices, or learning to disadvantaged and vulnerable people.   Grant amount ranges from £25,000 to £100,000.   To find out more information visit here

Warm Spaces

Warm Spaces Campaign in partnership with the Good Things Foundation aims to turn poverty and isolation into a sense of warmth and local connection by creating spaces crafted by and for the community.   Warm Welcome supports thousands of local groups across the UK to become and run a warm space. Any space that is warm, welcoming and safe can register to become one on the Warm Spaces website and they can receive support in order to be able to do so.   To find out more click here

Friends Provident Foundation

Friends Provident Foundation are providing grant opportunities of up to £10,000 through their Small Grants Programme. The programme seeks to support under-resourced or newer entrants to economic systems change work to develop their ideas for a 4D economy.   This is a rolling programme so applications are welcome at anytime.   For more information, view here

Miller Homes

Miller Homes is offering grants of up to £2,000 through their Community Fund for community organisations. Grants are available for projects that centre on improving the lives of people in their community. This fund focuses on causes that are linked to education, promoting well-being and the environment and encourage participation in sport.   Grant amounts range from £500 - £2500   The deadline for applications is Wednesday 24 April 2024   For more information, see here .

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Consultations and surveys Active travel strategy public engagement

This consultation is now closed.

Manchester City Council want to make walking, wheeling, and cycling more accessible and easier for everyone throughout the city. The strategy covers the whole city, ensuring that residents and visitors can get to where they want to go and can feel confident whilst travelling.

We already know from our previous consultations on active travel schemes and the City Centre Transport Strategy, that one of the biggest barriers to people walking, wheeling or cycling is the perception of safety, for example whilst using roads shared with motor vehicles or crossing busy roads and junction.

Walking, wheeling and cycling - which we collectively call ‘active travel’ - can take cars off the road, improve air quality, improve the vitality of local shops and neighbourhoods and help people feel healthier. We want to make sure that we are prioritising the right measures that will deliver improvements to Manchester for all our neighbourhoods and that our residents want to see.

So we want to hear from you, because nobody understands the local network better the people who regularly use it.

Measures to support active travel can come in a range of forms, from protected space for cycling to widened pavements and safer side road crossings. With some already being put in place, as we have begun constructing protected cycle lanes, active neighbourhoods and improved crossings in some areas, and are developing plans for more. We want to make sure that what we build in the future makes sense and forms a network that can serve the whole city, and for that we need your input.

Have your say

To tackle these obstacles and to make active travel better, we need your help to develop our understanding and to plan an active travel network that works for Manchester. Click on 'Have Your Say' to complete a short survey and make your comments and suggestions on our interactive map.

Alternatively you can email your comments to  [email protected]

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Greater Manchester publishes first Active Travel Design Guide

• Post author By Anthony
• Post date 28th April 2021

Transport for Greater Manchester and the region’s Combined Authority have completed an important step in the implementation of their Bee Network walking and cycling plans, publishing an Active Travel Design Guide that sets out the key rules for designing future schemes in its ten boroughs.

The document is 27 pages (PDF) of perfect bedtime reading for anyone who dreams of protected cycle lanes, well-lit walking routes and Cycle Optimised Protected Signal (CYCLOPS) junctions. Which is all of us who like getting around without a car, right?

So far only an “interim” guide, it references several existing publications, but notably the Department for Transport’s surprisingly excellent LTN 1/20 . If you’re not up to speed, that’s a local transport note document published last year which sets out the new standards for cycling infrastructure design, now quoted endlessly by cycle geeks.

The Greater Manchester design guide spurs from this slightly to focus on both cycling and walking, with 18 “key issues” including width of facilities, surface quality, gradients and even things like headroom on cycle facilities that can otherwise be overlooked.

Including pedestrians means that clear guidelines are also set out for dedicated walking facilities, such as the width: 2 metres or 1.4 metres as an absolute minimum where necessary, in case you’re wondering. In fact, “a width of less than 1.4m will not permit use by a double buggy user and is unacceptable on the Bee Network,” it says. Nice one.

It’s also wonderfully clear that, while we use “pedestrians” and “cyclists”, we’re actually talking about huge sub-sets of users within each of those (from wheelchair and pram users to tricycles and cargo bikes), and that new schemes need to be completely inclusive.

The tone is simple and frank, which is good since all ten councils need to follow these guidelines if they’re to receive funding for future schemes. (That’s an important point too, because Stockport for one when presented with LTN 1/20 guidelines have countered by quoting back a line contained within that, ultimately “local authorities are responsible for setting design standards for their roads”. Ie. they can ignore the whole damn thing if they want to.)

Lighting is one point where the Bee Network seems to want to put itself a cut above your average right of way, even stating “off-road Beeways should also be provided with full ambient lighting, ideally to the same standards referenced above.” It goes on to state in sensitive areas this could mean low-level bollards or solar studs in the path.

The one issue where some have noticed the guide stumbles a bit is with that old favourite: access control barriers on traffic free routes.

LTN 1/20 states quite fiercely “access control measures, such as chicane barriers and dismount signs, should not be used.”

Greater Manchester’s guide on the other hand wavers to say that, actually, they can be used but “must have clear, specific, local justification agreed through the Cycling and Walking Design Review Panel.”

“Acceptable solutions will usually either use bollards or offset barriers/gates with sufficient clearance to permit use by all legitimate users.” (The sufficient clearance apparently being just 1.5 metres.)

So, while awful a-frames, k-frames and kissing gates are all outlawed, we may yet see a Bee Network filled with frustrating pinch-point chicanes — sorry, “offset barriers” — when actually, a humble bollard or two would do.

And a new Active Travel website, too

Transport for Greater Manchester have also launched a new, dedicated website for active travel . Along with tips on how to start walking and cycling, it provides a good single resource for all the many Bee Network schemes.

A complete map and dedicated pages for each project give a brief overview with links to the local council websites for plans and further updates. This information used to be quite scattered and hard to get an overview on, so it’s a very welcome improvement.

One thing notably missing, however, is a link to TfGM’s really useful online cycling maps . They don’t seem to be referenced anywhere and, given the online version hasn’t been updated since 2019 , let’s hope they’ve not fallen by the wayside altogether.

Bee Network buses, trams and trains?

It was reported recently by WalkRideGM that Andy Burnham “plans to rebrand” the whole of Greater Manchester’s public transport network as the “Bee Network” if he wins the upcoming mayoral election.

This likely follows on from the welcome decision to progress with taking back control of the region’s buses , which included a teasing video showing bumble-bee yellow buses — and cycle hire docks.

But then, what is the cycling and walking network? It’s already been through one rebrand, after the original Beelines name was dropped due to a trademark issue . TfGM do now own the use of “Beeways” , which is a rather nice, succinct alternative, so perhaps we could see that brought into widespread use.

• Places Greater Manchester , Manchester , Stockport , Tameside
• Tags Bee Network , Guidance , Route Design , Transport for Greater Manchester , Websites

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About Peaks & Puddles

Hello, I'm Anthony. I started Peaks & Puddles to chart the ups and downs of cycling and walking the edges of the Peak District around Buxton, Macclesfield and Stockport, and to help more people explore this brilliant landscape between town and country. Find out more about me and Peaks & Puddles here .

• Active Travel
• Bonded Rubber Mulch
• Resin Bound Gravel
• Artificial Grass

Outdoor Surfacing Painting

• Thermoplastic Markings
• Active Travel Funding
• The Benefits of Active Travel
• Exploring Different Types of Active Travel
• What is Active Travel in the UK?
• Cost of Active Travel
• Tips for Staying Safe While Active Traveling
• What is Active Travel Funding?
• Where is Active Travel England Based?
• Types of Walkway Markings for Active Travel
• Cycle Routes for Active Travel
• The Environmental Impact of Active Travel
• What is the Active Travel Act in England?
• Safety Considerations for Active Travel
• Examples of Active Travel
• What is the Active Travel Directory?
• What is the Active Travel England Travel Plan?
• The Mental and Physical Benefits of Active Travel

Active Travel Funding in Greater Manchester

The government announced that local authorities could bid directly for a range of active travel funding based on how they encourage proposed schemes.

Local authorities focusing on active travel in Greater Manchester can receive funding from the government to maintain these changes. These are done to encourage behavioural change across the nation, and several partners are offering to fund for active travel schemes.

The active travel fund is part of a larger government behaviour change plan to promote new forms of transport in specific communities.

Active transport like cycling or walking is encouraged across the country, and this fund is available to make it possible in more places across the nation.

This guide shares what you need to know about the active travel fund and whether your county council is eligible.

ENQUIRE TODAY

Active Travel Funding refers to financial resources allocated by governments or organisations to support and invest in projects, initiatives, and infrastructure that promote and encourage active travel modes, primarily walking and cycling.

This funding is aimed at improving the conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, enhancing safety, and creating more sustainable and healthier transportation options.

Active travel funding is typically part of broader efforts to reduce dependence on motorised vehicles, address traffic congestion, improve public health, and mitigate environmental impacts.

Key aspects of Active Travel Funding include:

Infrastructure Development: Funding is often used to develop and improve infrastructure that supports active travel, including the construction of dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian pathways, bike-sharing systems, bike racks, crosswalks, and other facilities.

Safety Measures: Investments are made in safety enhancements, such as traffic calming measures, improved signage, pedestrian signals, well-marked crosswalks, and measures to separate cyclists and pedestrians from motorised traffic.

Education and Promotion: Part of the funding may be allocated to educational campaigns and initiatives that promote active travel, raise awareness about its benefits, and encourage individuals to choose walking and cycling for their daily transportation needs.

Research and Planning: Funding may support research, data collection, and planning efforts to identify areas with high potential for active travel, assess existing infrastructure, and develop strategies for its improvement.

Community Engagement: Involving local communities in the planning and decision-making process is an important component. Funding can support community engagement efforts to ensure that projects align with the needs and preferences of residents.

Environmental Considerations: Active Travel Funding may be tied to environmental goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing urban sustainability by reducing car dependency.

Accessibility: Ensuring that active travel infrastructure is accessible to people of all abilities is a priority. Funding may be used to implement accessibility features like curb cuts, ramps, and tactile paving.

Evaluation and Monitoring: Ongoing evaluation and monitoring of active travel projects are crucial to assess their effectiveness and make necessary improvements. Funding may support these evaluation efforts.

Active Travel Funding can come from various sources, including national and regional government budgets, grants, public-private partnerships, and special programs dedicated to promoting sustainable transportation.

The allocation of funds often depends on government policies and priorities related to transportation, public health, and environmental sustainability.

The specific initiatives and projects funded by Active Travel Funding can vary widely from one location to another, as they are tailored to the needs and objectives of the community or region receiving the funding.

Fund Active Travel Greater Manchester

Following the unprecedented amount of walking and cycling done in local authorities through the pandemic, the government wants to encourage more of this positive behaviour.

This is why the UK government is working to grant local authorities funding as part of the active travel fund, an initiative to keep Britain moving.

The Greater Manchester funding package is one of many behaviour change projects the government is working on and is designed to encourage community groups across the country to partake in active travel for their everyday journeys.

Active Travel Grants Greater Manchester

The active travel grant will work to promote active travel by funding walking infrastructure plans, cycle parking, and other cycling facilities across the nation in any interested local authority.

With the Active Travel Fund, local authorities can reallocate road space for walking and cycling, and there have been three schemes to date:

Tranche 1: Supported the installation of temporary projects during the pandemic, such as for social distancing needs

Tranche 2: Supported the creation of longer-term projects

Tranche 3: Intends to fund the creation of longer-term projects in a bid to encourage cycling and walking in low-traffic neighbourhoods across the country.

We are currently working with the third instalment of this fund, with grants already being awarded to local authorities across the nation to support long-term projects. More locations are yet to receive funding, and this scheme will continue until the end of 2022.

What Funding is Available to Local Authorities?

In the third Active Travel fund tranche, which is currently running, the government wants to continue encouraging innovative projects to improve the safety of walking and cycling in any local area.

There is now more money available which can be used for longer-term projects in Greater Manchester and aims at setting permanent change in regions across the country about how residents travel, moving the public towards more active methods.

Following the success of the first round during the pandemic and supporting the construction of accessible lanes for cyclists and walking infrastructure, the Active Travel Fund continues to support the development of more cycling and walking lanes.

The fund will be used in all new schemes that improve safety for more people who want to cycle or walk in their local area, such as creating cycle paths.

This will be given to local transport authorities to support the construction of any cycling and walking infrastructure, including developing detailed design plans and any other project phase.

Money given as part of this fund must be used to support projects that encourage local cycling and walking, as it aims to get all kinds of community groups active and away from public transport or personal vehicles.

Active travel schemes are designed to encourage residents across the nation to undertake more local journeys by foot or bike instead of relying on public transport. To do this, there must be safe cycle and footpaths, which cost a lot to develop.

The fund is part of an overall larger initiative offered by the government related to behavioural change, which we have already seen being offered out.

In early 2022, the Department of Transport confirmed that there would be another phase of the funding scheme following locations that had already begun working on new transport ideas to support social distancing during the pandemic.

Now money is being offered to support longer-term schemes, encouraging the development of permanent cycle and foot paths across the nation.

With this scheme, cyclists in Greater Manchester can travel safely through towns thanks to bike paths, and there are other options for residents to travel locally whether they cycle or walk.

Other Services We Offer:

Rubber Mulch Active Travel Surfacing

Rhino Pave Surfacing for Active Travel

Resin Bound Gravel Active Travel

Artificial Grass for Active Travel

Thermoplastic Markings for Active Travel

Wetpour for Active Travel

The Active Travel fund is open to any county council working towards the behaviour change scheme, as outlined by the government. A large part of this scheme is encouraging active transport, such as cycling or walking locally instead of driving.

Under this scheme, a fund is available to support the development of cycling and footpaths, infrastructures and road space which can ensure these options are safe for residents.

This fund started during the pandemic to support temporary cycle lanes and footpaths, and now the third part of the scheme is to be rolled out for longer-term projects.

Towns are producing cycling and walking infrastructure projects to support the locals' needs and move towards a healthier future.

These potential schemes now have a longer timeline thanks to this additional funding, meaning there will be better chances to cycle or walk locally from here on out.

Contact local authorities to see whether you can apply for this fund and how it will improve your area.

Searches Associated with Funding for Active Travel

Active Travel England

Active Travel Funding 2024

Emergency Active Travel Fund

Active Travel Guidance

Department for Transport

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• Active Travel in Greater Manchester
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• Thermoplastic Markings in Greater Manchester
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