Bury gears up for launch of new cycle hub

Cyclists will be able to use Bury’s brand new cycle hub from Monday 29 October, after officials gave it the thumbs up during a special sneak preview.

Councillor Mike Connolly, Leader of Bury Council, and Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, were given a guided tour of the new facility ahead of it opening to members a week on Monday.

Councillor Connolly said: “This is new cycle hub is fantastic, we're really proud to have the first one in Greater Manchester.

“It really complements the cycle network we have developed throughout the borough Bury in recent years and shows our commitment to keeping congestion to a minimum by providing easy routes for people to get around safely.

“The fact that people can safely store their bikes I'm sure will boost the number of people using it as their first choice of transport.”

Councillor Fender added: “This hub is the first of its kind in Greater Manchester and is a great addition. I’m really impressed with the finished product and am sure people in Bury will welcome its arrival.

“Cycling is healthy, good for the environment and affordable. Our new hubs offer cyclists convenience, peace of mind and protection from the elements – making riding to work all the more attractive.”

Membership costs £10 a year – less than £1 a month – and comes with a dedicated swipe card that provides access to the hub.

The hub has space for around 50 bikes using Sheffield stands and also has lockers for storing cycle helmets and other cycling accessories, all covered by CCTV. It is the first of a number of similar hubs being developed at sites across Greater Manchester.

As part of the project to build the new cycle hub, a new ramped access has also been added to the Metrolink car park which provides even better access to Bury Interchange.

Membership application forms are available by logging on to www.tfgm.com/cycling – the online hub of TfGM’s ambitious plans for supporting cycling in Greater Manchester.

A further six cycle hubs are planned for Ashton, Rochdale, Sale, Wigan, Oldham and Stockport.

Larger-scale cycle hubs – complete with showers, toilets, changing areas and lockers – are also being developed for sites in Manchester city centre and Salford.

Cycle parking facilities will also be provided at new interchanges in Altrincham and Bolton.

ENDS

Media contact: Joel Sawyer on 0161 244 1055 or email mediarelations@tfgm.com

Notes to Editors

1. Transport for Greater Manchester is an executive body of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

2. The Transport for Greater Manchester Committee is a Joint Committee of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the ten district authorities of Greater Manchester, and advises on transport policy.

3. Transport policies that affect the ten districts of Greater Manchester are set by the Combined Authority.

4. To find out more about Transport for Greater Manchester’s recent work, please see our Annual Report at www.tfgm.com/annualreport.