About Greater Manchester
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is responsible for transport services across the ten districts of Greater Manchester. It is currently also developing and implementing an ambitious package of cycling improvements as part of its "Bee Network" proposals. TfGM's 2040 Transport Strategy for Greater Manchester sets out a long-term vision for cycling. Chris Boardman (the former Olympic cycling champion) was appointed as Cycling and Walking Commissioner in 2017 and is the driving force behind the city region’s ambitions to change the way people travel.
Main cycling challenges
The cycling environment in much of Greater Manchester does not encourage Mancunians to try cycling as a means of everyday transport. Greater Manchester has a vision to create a comprehensive cycling network where it is no longer necessary to share space with busy motor traffic. Learning lessons from the Dutch, Danish and German examples is key to achieving this vision, and that is what Greater Manchester hopes to gain from the Handshake project.