Plant an Idea: PARK(ing) Day

Friday 20th September is International PARK(ing) Day where creative cities look to the future. Manchester Friends of the Earth is inviting people to join with citizens in cities around the world who will be transforming metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of international “PARK(ing) Day”.

Once again, Manchester Friends of the Earth members will be redesigning car parking spaces in Manchester city centre into picnic parks complete with “grass”, plants, deckchairs, tea, cupcakes and sparkling conversation.

This year we’re going to be making connections with Manchester Friends of the Earth’s recent campaigning to highlight the importance of biodiversity in cities. We’ll be in the Northern Quarter again and hopefully near the famous bee hotel. We will be offering hot drinks and lovely cupcakes.

Over the last fifty years our cities have been developed to make more and more space for the car. Supermarkets and malls, with massive car parks, have often overpowered local businesses in city locations. At the same time our streets have become noisy, polluted and unpleasant.  These policies have high costs in terms of air pollution, congestion and health.  PARK(ing) Day highlights the need to make our streets more attractive for residents and visitors, and improve the environment for businesses

Imagine if our cities had fewer spaces for cars and more room for people. We are inviting people to help us make parking spaces more sociable, fun and colourful. Join us on the day for coffee, cake and a chat or send us a photo of how people can help make cities greener.

PARK(ing) Day is an annual open-source global worldwide event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing) spaces: temporary public places.

The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!

If you would like to help out on the day please contact: pete@manchesterfoe.org.uk

When: Friday 20th September, 9am till 5pm
Where: Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester City Centre

Friday 20th September is International PARK(ing) Day where creative cities look to the future. Manchester Friends of the Earth is inviting people to join with citizens in cities around the world who will be transforming metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of international “PARK(ing) Day”.

Once again, Manchester Friends of the Earth members will be redesigning car parking spaces in Manchester city centre into picnic parks complete with “grass”, plants, deckchairs, tea, cupcakes and sparkling conversation.
This year we’re going to be making connections with Manchester Friends of the Earth’s recent campaigning to highlight the importance of biodiversity in cities. We’ll be in the Northern Quarter again and hopefully near the famous bee hotel. We will be offering hot drinks and lovely cupcakes.

Over the last fifty years our cities have been developed to make more and more space for the car. Supermarkets and malls, with massive car parks, have often overpowered local businesses in city locations. At the same time our streets have become noisy, polluted and unpleasant.  These policies have high costs in terms of air pollution, congestion and health.  PARK(ing) Day highlights the need to make our streets more attractive for residents and visitors, and improve the environment for businesses

Imagine if our cities had fewer spaces for cars and more room for people. We are inviting people to help us make parking spaces more sociable, fun and colourful. Join us on the day for coffee, cake and a chat or send us a photo of how people can help make cities greener.

PARK(ing) Day is an annual open-source global worldwide event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing) spaces: temporary public places.

The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!
If you would like to help out on the day please contact: pete@manchesterfoe.org.uk
When: Friday 20th September, 9am till 5pm
Where: Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester City Centre.
- See more at: http://www.manchesterfoe.org.uk/events/event/plant-an-idea-parking-day/#sthash.Bbdfsq4x.dpuf

Friday 20th September is International PARK(ing) Day where creative cities look to the future. Manchester Friends of the Earth is inviting people to join with citizens in cities around the world who will be transforming metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of international “PARK(ing) Day”.

Once again, Manchester Friends of the Earth members will be redesigning car parking spaces in Manchester city centre into picnic parks complete with “grass”, plants, deckchairs, tea, cupcakes and sparkling conversation.
This year we’re going to be making connections with Manchester Friends of the Earth’s recent campaigning to highlight the importance of biodiversity in cities. We’ll be in the Northern Quarter again and hopefully near the famous bee hotel. We will be offering hot drinks and lovely cupcakes.

Over the last fifty years our cities have been developed to make more and more space for the car. Supermarkets and malls, with massive car parks, have often overpowered local businesses in city locations. At the same time our streets have become noisy, polluted and unpleasant.  These policies have high costs in terms of air pollution, congestion and health.  PARK(ing) Day highlights the need to make our streets more attractive for residents and visitors, and improve the environment for businesses

Imagine if our cities had fewer spaces for cars and more room for people. We are inviting people to help us make parking spaces more sociable, fun and colourful. Join us on the day for coffee, cake and a chat or send us a photo of how people can help make cities greener.

PARK(ing) Day is an annual open-source global worldwide event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing) spaces: temporary public places.

The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!
If you would like to help out on the day please contact: pete@manchesterfoe.org.uk
When: Friday 20th September, 9am till 5pm
Where: Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester City Centre.
- See more at: http://www.manchesterfoe.org.uk/events/event/plant-an-idea-parking-day/#sthash.Bbdfsq4x.dpuf

Join Freedom from Torture on a Cycle ride from Chorlton to Lymm

Join us on this scenic, 95% traffic-free ride to support

Freedom from Torture, dedicated to working with torture survivors to help them to re-build their lives.

Find out more details here.

Starting Point - Chorlton Water Park, 10.30am 

End Point – Jackson’s Boat, 3.30pm

Distance - 27.28 miles roundtrip (out and back) 
Qualified Bike Leaders will lead the ride 
Surfaces - Gravel, dirt, shale and tarmac

Not recommended for narrow tyres. Hybrid bikes ideal.

Contact: Alice Nicolay, Tel: 0161 236 5744, anicolay@freedomfromtorture.org

Greater Manchester Road Safety Summit (17th September 2013)

Dr Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive of Transport for Greater Manchester, personally invites you to the first Greater Manchester Road Safety Summit - Drive for Momentum.

The summit will provide key decision makers with information about initiatives and progress to date; an overview of future opportunities; and hold a workshop on a future local road safety strategy.

Your influence will be vital in shaping the future direction of road safety and casualty reduction interventions in Greater Manchester.

The programme will include:

• National policy, local progress and initiatives
• Future measures
• Partnership working and overcoming funding challenges
• Protecting Vulnerable Road Users (Pedestrians, Cyclists, Motorcyclists and Young Drivers)
• The role of the emergency services
• GM Road Safety Strategy Workshop
• Mini-exhibition

Register via roadsafety@tfgm.com or phone 0161 244 1721

(PS.  Perhaps someone would like to suggest a better title than "Drive for Momentum")

Simply Cycling: Job Opportunity - Cycle Club Coach/Assistant

Simply Cycling: Cycle Club Coach/Assistant – Job Description

*Minimum 24 hours per week
*Could be split into two posts: a) minimum 9 hours weekend and one evening, b)15 hours minimum weekday hours (and occasional weekend cover)


To assist/lead club sessions which are open to the public in both Wythenshawe and Longford Parks as well as public venues such as schools, colleges, local parks, trails and youth clubs.  This will involve:

- Dealing directly with children, vulnerable adults and their parents, carers and siblings as well as members of the general public.
- Assisting with the setting up and clearing up involved in each session.
- Assisting in the safe delivery of sessions
- Proactive involvement in all the activities of the club (see website for information on the activities we are currently involved in)
- Recording,  Monitoring and evaluation of attendance and participation figures and feedback.
- Involvement in forward planning of further activities to extend the impact of the club within our local communities.
- Some administrative involvement such as publicity flyers, press releases, website/twitter/facebook updates, filing reports, accounts etc. depending on skills and abilities.
- Commitment to relevant training
- Commitment to providing all activities to a high standard and with due diligence and regard for Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities and with attention to our very positive ‘can do’ approach.

The Person appointed will
- Be interested in Cycling
- Be able to drive
- Be capable of the physical demands  involved in the moving and storing of our fleet of bikes
- Be available for some weekend work and occasional evening activities, as well as weekday times
- Have some understanding/experience of,  or commitment to develop, working with people of all abilities.
- Have a degree of flexibility in working arrangements including supporting some of our two day cycling holidays
- Undertake an enhanced CRB (DBS) Disclosure
- Be aware that most of our work is undertaken outdoors and all year round.
- Be able to provide two references, one being from the most recent employer.
- Be aware that this is a 20 month fixed term contract.

The application process is by letter referencing your interest and suitability for the post and stating the hours you are interested in as well as the names and contact information of your two referees.  An attached CV would be advantageous.  Please send to: Simply Cycling, 37 Cherington Close, Manchester M23 0FE or by e.mail to: Sueblaylock2708@aol.com before 31^st August 2013

Amsterdam Rewards Safe Car Drivers With Money For The Neighborhood

Courtesy of the Pop-up City website comes this lovely idea to encourage drivers to drive below the 30kmh (20mph) speed limit...

"Spotted in Spaarndammerstraat in Amsterdam: A speedometer that indicates your speed and additionally gives you a money counter. 

What’s the deal? Each car that passes and stays below the speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour raises €0,03 for the neighborhood.


The money is paid out by the city of Amsterdam and is meant to be used in local community projects. 

The city’s slogan: “Max 30 — Save for the Neighborhood”. An interesting take on conditioning local residents to bring forth good citizenship instead of punishing car drivers for breaking minor traffic laws when being slightly over the speed limit."

Now wouldn't that be nice in Manchester......


 

When the going gets tough, the tough go...on holiday?

It seems to have been a bad August so far for the Metrolink service - leading to a public apology from Peter Cushing, the new Metrolink Director and a furious response from the NewsManc editor.

See below for some of the headline stories:

1st August: Ashes fans fury after Bury Metrolink trams suspended due to overhead cable fault. No trams are running between Bury and Manchester city centre - after a cable was seen dangling low above the track at Crumpsall station.

1st August: Pensioner killed in Metrolink accident on Rochdale-Manchester line.

3rd August: Metrolink tram derails blocking the line to Bury from Manchester Victoria. The tram with no passengers on was on its way into the Queens Road depot when it derailed near Woodlands Road and Victoria Station on Saturday afternoon.

5th August: An apology from Metrolink director, Peter Cushing.

7th August: Manchester's Metrolink tram service slammed in open letter after derailment leads to Ashes travel chaos.

13th August: ‘Triple whammy’ has put Wythenshawe residents on the road to chaos

As acknowledged by Peter Cushing, "It has been an incredibly challenging period and, at times, we failed to rise to that challenge."

This coming Friday (16th August) should have seen a Transport for Greater Manchester Committee meeting where perhaps the latest travails of Metrolink (and other Greater Manchester public transport services) could have been considered and strategies to improve services discussed.

Oh well, they will have to wait till September....

A 'cycling Tsar' for Greater Manchester? Not quite yet... but it's a start!

In a fairly sparse agenda, one interesting item has popped up for discussion at the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Committee meeting (Friday 12th July).  

The 33 committee members (assuming that all the Councillors turn up) will be deciding who to appoint from their midst to take on the responsibilities of becoming the very first TfGMC Cycling Champion.

According to the  Report for Resolution the TfGMC Cycling Champion will undertake to:

2.1 To assist the Committee in undertaking its responsibilities in relation to Active Travel, the TfGMC member nominated by the Committee to serve as Cycling Champion will undertake:

• To work to promote the long-term aim, as set out in LTP 3, to make cycling a genuine, attractive choice for journeys to work, for leisure and for fitness, and to oversee an increase the number of people cycling to work and education; 
• To ensure the Committee consider cycling as a key mode within an overall, integrated transport system; 
• To promote the Committee’s Active Travel Policy Priority in relation to cycling to key partners including, for example, district and public health authorities, transport operators, the business community and the voluntary and community sector, and; 
• To act as the Committee’s key contact in relation to the further development of cycling policy and GM-wide cycling initiatives and measures.

We wait with hushed expectancy to see which of the TfGM committee members will be stepping up to the plate.   You can check out the likely (or unlikely) candidates here.

It will be interesting to see what progress the newly appointed Cycling Champion will make with their Committee colleagues on cycling related issues, given that they have been more used to discussing the finer points of bus, tram and train provision.

Anyone expecting Greater Manchester to follow in London's footsteps (or wheel tracks) and create a funded cycling advocacy post may be dissapointed.  Andrew Gilligan, London's recently appointed 'Cycling Tsar' is reported to be paid £38,000 for the two-days a week post, whilst the TfGM Cycling Champion position "will not attract a Special Responsibility Allowance." [2.2]




Update

The TfGM Committee agreed to select Councillor Chris Paul (Withington) as the TfGMC Cycling Champion.  Details of how to contact Chris Paul are available on the Manchester City Council website.