A new Wythenshawe cycle hub hopes to encourage Greater Manchester residents to take up active travel. Quadrant Transport looks at why the introduction of the cycle hub is so important.
Constructed by Manchester City Council’s construction partner Equans, the cycle hub is now open for residents to use and aims to encourage active travel. The new space, located around the existing athletics track area of the park, includes a pump track, a learn-to-ride area, a mountain bike skills zone, woodland trails, and a family trail.
Residents Will Be Motivated To Learn To Cycle
It is hoped by the council that the new hub will encourage Greater Manchester residents to get on their bikes and allow people to practice cycling in a safe, traffic-free environment.
Cycling will be further encouraged by the ability for people to book cycling lessons with trained instructors and see free access to the cycling facilities.
In addition to this, the construction of the hub aims to motivate more residents to learn how to cycle, to choose cycling as their mode of transport and to encourage people to take advantage of the cycle routes and e-bikes in and around the city.
Robert Pickering, Lead Cycling Delivery Manager for the Northwest at British Cycling, said: “British Cycling, through its Sport England funded Places to Ride programme, has been working closely with Manchester City Council to develop brand new and exciting range of cycling facilities at Wythenshawe Park, Manchester.
“As well as over 3 miles of cycling trails through the park, a new mountain bike skills area, learn to ride area and BMX pump track have been constructed offering the community fantastic opportunities to go cycling in the city.”
For many years, British Cycling has been in partnership with Manchester City Council and the development of these facilities demonstrate the close working relationship between the two organisations for the benefit of the people of Manchester.
Seeing More Cycling In And Around Manchester Is The Aim
Wythenshawe Park has benefited from a £1.55 million revamp thanks to Manchester City Council and Sport England’s Places 2 Ride Fund delivered in conjunction with British Cycling.
Councillor John Hacking, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, said: “I’m pleased that Wythenshawe Cycle Hub has been completed and is ready for residents to enjoy.
“This is a great investment on behalf of Manchester City Council and Sport England, through the Places to Ride programme. I’d like to thank British Cycling, Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for their investment and all those at EQUANS for their hard work on this project.
“The council are dedicated to encouraging more cycling in and around Manchester and Wythenshawe Cycling Hub is a great way to encourage residents to hop on their bikes and improve their confidence cycling in a safe, traffic-free environment.”
The completion of the cycle hub will benefit residents all over Manchester of all ages. I’d encourage all residents to get on their bikes and head down!
From the Places 2 Ride Fund, the park has received an award offer of £500k from the Places 2 Ride programme, which is being delivered through a partnership of British Cycling, Sport England and the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Through the Parks Development Programme, this funding has been matched by the council to develop the chosen area of the park into a Cycle Hub and improve the surrounding facilities.