Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods).

This report provides an overview of Manchester’s bid to become ACES European Capital of Cycling for 2024. If successful, Manchester will become the first ever ACES European Capital of Cycling and this will enable the city to further prioritise cycling plans, infrastructure and policy across the city to benefit our citizens.

The committee considered a report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) which provided an overview and sought the committee’s endorsement to the Executive of Manchester’s bid to become ACES European Capital of Cycling for 2024.

Key points and themes within the report included:

• Providing an introduction and background;
• The content of Manchester’s bid, which was joint between Manchester City Council, MCRactive, TfGM, British Cycling, Marketing Manchester and GLL;
• The commitments made by partners for 2024, should Manchester’s bid be successful;
• The communications plan, including a bespoke campaign brand; and
• The outcomes and legacy should Manchester’s bid be successful.

Key points and queries that arose from the committee’s discussion included:

• Noting the great facilities for cycling within Manchester, including the National Cycling Centre and indoor BMX track;
• Whether any activities would be undertaken to widen access to cycling to certain communities such as LGBTQ+ and ethnic minorities;
• The stigma around young people on bicycles and antisocial behaviour;
• The impact of illegal parking and flooding on cycling infrastructure, and how this would be addressed;
• Whether the proposed commitments would still be achieved if Manchester’s bid was unsuccessful;
• The activities and events that would be held in 2024 should Manchester be successful in its bid;
• Whether new walking and cycling routes were part of scheduled works already or if these were dependent on a successful bid;
• Current issues with the Bee Bike cycle hire scheme; and
• Expressing hope that Manchester’s bid to become European Capital of Cycling 2024 was successful.

The Executive Member for Environment and Transport explained that the Council had been approached by ACES Europe to submit a bid to become European Capital of Cycling for 2024 as a result of the Council’s investment in cycling with partners. She explained that Manchester was home to the British Cycling and the Great Britain Cycling team at the recently refurbished National Cycling Centre. She stated that the Council had received investment of £70 million in recent years to deliver high-quality cycling infrastructure on highways and there was a strong network of volunteers, partners and local groups which worked to expand cycling participation through Bikeability courses, cycling coaching in schools and inclusive cycling programmes and events. She highlighted that Manchester’s bid aligned closely with the Manchester Active Travel Strategy and investment plan, Making Manchester Fairer and the Manchester Sport and Physical Activity Strategy. She explained that, if successful in its bid, the Council aimed to achieve a long-lasting legacy for cycling in Manchester and to transform and enhance the city’s cycling offer.

The Director of Neighbourhood Delivery explained that all members had received a copy of the bid document which was submitted to ACES Europe in August 2023 and that a follow-up delegation had visited Manchester in September to look at different examples of cycling within the city. He stated that the bid consortium included representatives from the Council, British Cycling, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), MCR Active, Marketing Manchester, GLL and Cycling UK and community and voluntary organisations had also been involved in the bid process. He explained the benefits that being accredited would bring, such as cycling development, raising the profile of Manchester, community engagement and wellbeing, business opportunities and potential access to new funding, opportunity to share best practice with other European cities and extensive media and PR opportunities. He stated that the Council hoped to learn the outcome of the bid in December and that, if successful, a detailed programme of actions would be developed with partners.

The Chair invited the Lead Member for Active Travel to make representations on this item. She emphasised the health benefits of cycling and stated that this bid would be a great opportunity for residents to recognise the growing network of cycling infrastructure in the city and to be inspired to take up cycling.

In response to members’ queries, the Director of Neighbourhood Delivery recognised that there were some barriers to cycling within certain communities and that there was a stigma around young people on bicycles engaging in antisocial behaviour. He highlighted the significant investment into cycling infrastructure and explained that the Council would work with partners to expand community-focused initiatives in 2024, including making cycling an integral part of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme. Members were advised that there were links with LGBTQ+ and ethnic minority communities already and that this could be explored further in the delivery plan.

The Active Travel Lead (Infrastructure and Environment) acknowledged issues with the Bee Bikes GM cycle hire scheme and advised the committee that a recovery plan had been developed with TfGM and was having a positive effect with an increase in the number of bikes available. He stated that there would also be changes to the cycle docking stations and locking mechanisms to reduce the risk of theft and damage.

The Director of Neighbourhood Delivery also noted that issues regarding traffic enforcement in cycle lanes had been raised by members. He stated that the Council would continue to monitor hotspot areas and that this would form part of a long-term plan to change behaviour. The Council would continue to undertake enforcement against lane contraventions and keep lanes clean. 

The Interim Lead for Leisure, Events and Specialist Markets stated that the key areas of focus for activity in 2024 were highlighted in the bid document and explained that the Council had a strong collaborative engagement with cycling stakeholders on both a community and a professional basis which would continue should the bid be unsuccessful. She stated that targeted work would be undertaken with key priority areas and recognised that the bid would be utilised as a catalyst to undertake further work. The Council continued to invest in cycling infrastructure, including a dedicated sweeper for cycle lanes.

Emphasis would also be placed on lifestyle changes during 2024 with a range of schemes and campaigns, including New Years resolutions, bike maintenance and building confidence on bicycles. The committee was also assured that there would be a citywide campaign and that all wards would have a programme of activities.

In response to a query regarding whether new walking and cycling routes were part of scheduled works already or if these were dependent on a successful bid, the Active Travel Lead (Infrastructure and Environment) stated that the major highways scheme in Ancoats and New Cross were part of the Victoria North Eastern Gateway development. It was further clarified that no additional capital funding would be received with the accolade of European Capital of Cycling but that it would enhance the Council’s ability to promote highways schemes and the opportunities they could provide. 

In closing the item, the Chair thanked officers for their work wished them luck with the bid.

Decision:

That the committee endorses the recommendation to the Executive for Manchester’s bid to become ACES European Capital of Cycling for 2024.