Decision to be taken on bikes on trams review

Love Your Bike campaigners believe that GMITA transport policy is heading in the wrong direction

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) Policy and Resources Committee will vote on a recommendation to continue to ban bikes on trams, tomorrow (Friday 19 November 2010).

However, ‘Love Your Bike’ campaigners believe that GMITA transport policy is heading in the wrong direction and are calling on GMITA members to demonstrate the vision and commitment to develop the truly integrated and sustainable transport system that Greater Manchester deserves in the 21st century.

Manchester Friends of the Earth is calling on the GMITA to make sure that in the future tram services introduce facilities to allow bicycles to travel on trams and deliver a joined up and truly integrated transport service for Greater Manchester.

Catherine Thomson from Manchester Friends of the Earth said:"Manchester prides itself as a city which leads the way – now is the time for the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority to show the vision and commitment to develop a truly sustainable and integrated transport system for Greater Manchester. The Love Your Bike campaign believes that enabling people to combine bicycle journeys with the public transport system, including Metrolink, would provide an effective means of encouraging people to choose sustainable modes of travel."

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, said: "This review has not been about banning cyclists from Metrolink - indeed, there are cycle-parking facilities across the network, with more to come. It has been about whether bikes can safely be taken on to trams.

"The working group has taken a long, hard look at this issue, considered a great deal of information, including the safety implications, and asked tram passengers for their views, as well as cycle and environmental groups.

"The process has been open and thorough, with the benefit of views from all sides of the debate. When we make our decision on Friday I am satisfied that we will be doing so based on as much high quality information as possible.

"The committee now needs to consider the working group's findings before this important matter can be resolved."