“Everyone should be able to access cycling and walking”

Community groups across Greater Manchester are helping ‘a diverse range of people’ become more active through walking and cycling, as part of a three-year programme.

The Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) initiative, Cycle and Stride for Active Lives, has provided funding to 32 community groups in its first year – including some who support disadvantaged children and people from ethnically diverse communities.

The Cycle and Stride for Active Lives team works with the groups to understand their members’ specific needs and the barriers that prevent them from being more active in their daily lives.

The team then produces plans which deliver help and solutions to create long term, sustainable changes – including cycle training and led walks, enabling local ‘champions’ to become cycling and walking leaders, and offering grants for access to bikes, cycle parking and other facilities.

Richard Nickson, programme director for cycling and walking at TfGM, said: “Everyone should be able to access cycling and walking in a way that works for them, and this scheme provides a real opportunity to make sure everyone has the access and support they need to get active.

“So far, people have found a range of individual benefits from getting involved in their local Cycle and Stride for Active Lives group including improved health and fitness, meeting new people and gaining confidence.

“The scheme is a great step in the right direction to help make Greater Manchester become a true walking and cycling city-region and help us to achieve our targets of one million more sustainable journeys taken daily by 2040.”

One of the groups funded by the project, Tameside Women’s Community Cycling Group (TWCCG), has used the funding to help women gain confidence cycling through cycle training and bike maintenance sessions – as well as providing group social rides.

Atchara Khonglim, from TWCCG, said: “What’s been truly amazing about the scheme is the brilliant and friendly support we’ve received from the cycle and stride team.

“As well as funding towards the group’s development, we’re also receiving valuable professional training services. This has been fantastic for us as we have ambitious growth plans.”

Through the programme, which has been made possible by a £1 million grant from The London Marathon Charitable Trust, TfGM hopes to reach 10,000 people across communities that are ‘least likely to be active or to walk or cycle their journeys’.

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