Greater Manchester Walking and Cycling Index

Formerly known as Bike Life, this is the UK's biggest ever study of walking, wheeling and cycling.

Almost half of all residents in Greater Manchester walk or wheel their regular journeys compared to 43% who drive, and this report shows overwhelming support for low-traffic neighbourhoods in the region.

Every year, walking and cycling in Greater Manchester results in:

2,612

serious long-term health conditions prevented

£483.7 million

in economic benefit for individuals and the region

48,000 tonnes

of greenhouse gas emissions saved

Icon of navy car.

Up to 300,000

cars taken off the road every day

Carol Hutchinson, new to cycling, posing with her bike in the middle of a park in Greater Manchester

Carol Hutchinson, new to cycling

During lockdown I went to the park more with my son. One day we met two mechanics from a local project called Bike Hive.

They invited me to a social ride that Friday. I said: I don’t know how to ride a bike. I never thought I could learn to cycle. But within five minutes I was riding by myself. I had learnt to ride a bike at 54!

You’d definitely get more people cycling if there was a
physical barrier between the traffic and the person on a
bike. It comes down to whether or not people feel safe.

  

Overwhelming support for low-traffic neighbourhoods

This independent study surveyed 1,348 residents aged 16 years or above in the city region.

The results show that half of residents walk, wheel or cycle at least five or more days each week, compared to 43% who drive and 11% who use public transport.

And 68% of people support low traffic neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester.

Yet the report revealed that walking and wheeling are discriminatory.

Only 48% of LGBTQ feel safe walking or cycling on their streets compared to 61% of all residents.

Only 50% of people think streets are safe for children to walk on and 26% for children to cycle on.

Front cover of the Greater Manchester Walking and Cycling Index

Download the Greater Manchester Walking and Cycling Index

See Greater Manchester's vision for walking, wheeling and cycling.

Download the report.

This report is also available in a text-only format.

  

Greater Manchester through the years

This is the third time we've assessed cycling in Greater Manchester. Download the previous reports:

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