Cycle parking?... my Kingdom for some cycle parking

To somewhat massacre Shakespeare's "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!" quote from Richard III, it would appear that Trafford does not fare well when it comes to the provision of places to park your bicycle.

In a recently published report "Greater Manchester - Cycling Progress Report" (GMTU Report 1637 January 2011, not yet available online) it is noted that whilst analysis of "cycle trips into most key centres and cycle carriage on trains suggest that there is a continuing increase in cycle usage within Greater Manchester, with the exception of cycle parking in key locations where a slight decrease has occurred since 2008." [Wow - Shakespeare eat your heart out!]

But the report does provide a handy little table that summarises the number of cycle parking locations across Greater Manchester along with a breakdown of the number of locations per local authority. (See Table 20 below)

According to these figures, Trafford would appear to be in the relegation zone.  But then again, when it comes to considering 'parking' issues Trafford Council seems to have trouble with the concept that bicycles need cycle parking facilities too and that to encourage more people to cycle - they need somewhere safe and secure to park their bikes!

First we had the recent consultation on the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) from Trafford Council (1) which had an entire section focused on 'Parking' (page 37) listing 12 objectives (subject to funding of course!) - unfortunately none of these related directly to cycle parking. The LIP consultation closed on 31st January 2011, so you have missed your chance to comment - but those nice people at Love Your Bike did point out this little oversight [as well as some bigger ones - Ed] to Trafford Council.  The LYB submission should be available at the Love Your Bike website.

Well after all that excitement, along comes Trafford Council's survey on Parking facilities. Now, perhaps you are hoping that the Council's concept of 'parking' would have broadened to include cycle parking.  Unfortunately closer inspection of the survey indicates that any such hopes will be dashed. 

If you want to, you can complete the survey here. And whilst, your prose doesn't need to reach Shakespearean heights - perhaps you would like to suggest to Trafford Council that they broaden their thinking about 'parking' facilities in Trafford.

Notes:

(1) Transport in Trafford: A Local Area Implementation Plan. Draft for Consultation, January 2011

They want your views !

Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Passenger Ttransport Executive (GMPTE), in consultation with Salford City Council, have developed a new transport strategy for Manchester city centre and they want your views. Consultations should be submitted by 22nd March 2010.

The introductory blurb for the consultation says that:

"We have identified the need for a  comprehensive strategy to ensure that the transport network can support the significant economic growth forecast to 2020, and delivery of the Strategic Plan for Manchester City Centre published in 2009.   The Strategy sets out a transport masterplan to provide the city centre with a world class transport system and making it a better place to live, work, invest and relax. There is the potential for employment in the city centre to grow by 50,000 by 2020. These new jobs will cause the number of trips into the city centre to grow by a third. To retain essential labour market connectivity, the main thrust of this Strategy must be to maintain access to the city centre by all modes and to strengthen public transport capacity and quality, together with improving conditions for cyclists and pedestrians."

The consultation document is 41 pages long and is available here.   If the Council(s) are serious about making it easier and more enjoyable for people to choose sustainable travel modes to make their journeys into Manchester City Centre, then this strategy needs to include plans for developing effective infrastructure and promotional activities to encourage more people to walk and cycle. It will also need to make clear how these plans are going to be funded.

Please do send in your thoughts - either directly to Manchester City Council or leave a comment here.