Manchester celebrates 100 years of Bike Week and success of e-bikes scheme

On 6 June, riders set off to participate in a 55km e-cycle relay around the city, to mark the 100th year of Bike Week (5-11 June 2023) and the success of the Making cycling e-asier scheme.

Launched in Manchester during 2022, Cycling UK’s Making cycling e-asier gives residents the opportunity to try e-cycling for free. Under the scheme, local people can access free one-month e-cycle loans, or free one-month loans together with skills and confidence sessions.

Making cycling e-asier forms part of the government’s Cycling and Walking Plan (Gear Change) to boost cycling and walking, with a vision for half of all journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030.

Ahead of the relay, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Dame Sarah Storey, Greater Manchester Active Travel Commissioner, participated in an expert panel discussion around e-cycling, and how Making cycling e-asier encourages people to consider e-cycling for short everyday journeys.

James Scott, director of behaviour change & development at Cycling UK, said: “Cycling UK is delighted to celebrate the success of Making cycling e-asier during the 100th year of Bike Week.

“Manchester is a cycling city, so it was no surprise to see Cycling UK’s free e-cycle scheme being so well received here, with some beneficiaries going on to purchase their own e-cycle following a free one-month loan or skills and confidence session.”

Recent months have seen traffic volumes above pre-pandemic levels in Greater Manchester with many of the region’s roads and junctions at capacity during peak times.

With Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) keen to promote alternatives to driving, Cycling UK is highlighting the benefits of people driving less and cycling more, as they build exercise into their daily commute.

Dame Sarah Storey said: “I have an e-bike and they are such a versatile option and a great way for people to get into cycling.

“Cycling UK is doing fantastic work providing opportunities to access e-cycles as well as training to give people, who might not otherwise have tried cycling, the confidence to use them.”