A pilot scheme allowing bicycles on board Metrolink trams across Greater Manchester is now being drawn up, it's been revealed. The city region's new active travel commissioner, former Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, has revealed she's working with transport bosses and the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to devise a trial.
In a new mission statement on the benefits to all of cycling, walking and wheeling, designed to 'ensure' active travel is 'completely embedded' into a London-style transport system for Greater Manchester, Dame Sarah says a review of current policies surrounding mobility aids on trams is also now underway.
She says she wants to deliver a pilot scheme for 'trialling the carriage of bikes and non-standard cycles on trams', like tricycles, tandems and hand cycles, together with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). Currently, Metrolink regulations state cyclists can only take folding bikes on board trams if they are fully folded and covered. No other types of bike are allowed.
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Dame Sarah, from Eccles, Salford, says in a newly-published document setting out a refreshed 'travel strategy' for Greater Manchester: "I am already working with the Mayor, Transport Commissioner and TfGM to deliver a pilot scheme to allow cycles on the Metrolink system and have instigated a review into the current policies in place for those with mobility aids on trams."
She writes: "Local high streets continue to benefit from the greater footfall active travel supports and there is the continued imperative of providing solutions to support environmental targets. Not only that, the cost-of-living crisis means the need for affordable forms of transport and cost-effective ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle has never been greater.
"With all this in mind, now is the right time to revisit existing priorities and refresh the mission for Greater Manchester."
"I look forward to working with the Mayor, local authority leaders, Transport Commissioner and community groups to drive forward delivery of the active travel strategy and make this the best place in the country to walk, wheel and cycle."
Mayor Mr Burnham, who vociferously champions cycling and public transport, made a re-election manifesto pledge to hold pilot schemes for both bikes on trams and dogs - the latter of which was held successfully last year.
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Dame Sarah, Britain's most successful Paralympian, replaced former Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman as the region's active travel commissioner last year. Her active travel mission will go before councillors on Greater Manchester's Transport Committee on Friday.
She says: "My role is to work with stakeholders to find ways to make it safe and convenient for all people to travel actively for everyday trips, to connect areas and communities better across the city-region, as well as integrating active travel routes with public transport for seamless and efficient longer journeys."
The creation across Greater Manchester of the 'Bee Network' - the UK's largest cycling and walking network - is set to lead to the creation of 1,800 miles of protected space across the city region and is hoped to deliver a 350 per cent increase in cycling alone, alongside huge health and resulting financial benefits.
The report reveals almost 60 miles of routes were adopted into the network by May last year, with a cycle hire scheme also launched and 'bike library' plans announced.
Greater Manchester also has a target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2038, 12 years ahead of the national target. Dame Sarah's report, however, states there are still around 500 million journeys of less than three miles being driven in Greater Manchester each year.
"If 80 per cent of these journeys were walked, wheeled or cycled, it could save approximately 160,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions," it went on. "Opting to travel actively for shorter journeys is essential to enable Greater Manchester to meet its 2038 target, making it a cleaner, healthier and more pleasant place for all to live, work, grow up and grow old.
"The choice to travel around in different ways is a huge opportunity, whether that is by active travel modes or, indeed, by public transport; helping to make our city region more inclusive."
Dame Sarah argues walking and wheeling is 'the most accessible form of active travel' and greater emphasis should be placed on it. Public transport stops and interchanges, she argues, must be 'easy and safe to walk, wheel and cycle to'.
"By taking a fully integrated approach it will enable active travel to be the preferred choice for the first and last mile of a journey," says the report, which reveals the Metrolink bicycle trial is one of 10 recommendations for Greater Manchester.
The report also reveals a plan for the expansion of Greater Manchester's cycle hire scheme - the 'Bee Bikes' - to additional areas of Greater Manchester should also be published.
TfGM said a timescale and format for the pilot scheme haven't been set. A spokesperson said: "A review into the safety and practicalities of a pilot carrying bikes and adapt bikes on Metrolink will be carried out this year."
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