TfGM sets out cycle ambitions

A network of separate cycle lanes and cycle-and-ride bike parks would be built if Transport for Greater Manchester's bid for funding from the Government's Cycle City Ambition Grant programme is successful.

Greater Manchester has bid to secure £20m towards cycling education and infrastructure programme.

Transport for Greater Manchester has drawn up a 12-year cycling strategy, called Velocity 2025, on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The aim is to make cycling mainstream cycling and increase the number of people cycling by 300% by 2025. If CCAG funds are awarded, TFGM says they would unlock further cycling investment for Velocity 2025 worth £150m to £200m from public and private partners over a ten-year period.

Velocity 2025 includes a new network of cycle routes, some integrated and some segregated from other road traffic linking employment centres, schools and leisure facilities. The destinations involved in the planned network include Ashton-under-Lyne, Prestwich, Manchester Airport, Stockport town centre, Media City UK and Wilmslow Road to East Didsbury.

Cycle-and-ride facilities would also be developed to help people connect with Metrolink and rail services from the outskirts of the regional centre.

There would also be a programme of cycling promotion and education inspired by the success achieved with similar initiatives in Germany and augmented by strong partnerships with organisations such as British Cycling, Sustrans, CTC and local cycle groups.

Nearly 6,000 people have already pledged their support for Greater Manchester's £20m bid in an online vote that went live on Thursday 25 April.

• Back the bid and find out more about Velocity 2025 at http://cycling.tfgm.com/velocity/