Plan to trial bikes on trams in Greater Manchester being looked at ‘very seriously’

The Metrolink arriving in Rochdale town centre

Commuters in Greater Manchester could soon be able to bring bikes on trams after Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) announced it is looking “very seriously” at launching a trial in the region.

Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner in the region and one of Britain’s most decorated athletes, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that TfGM is working with Metrolink to launch a trial as part of widespread improvements across the region’s transport infrastructure.

Andy Burnham announced last year that he was “firmly committed” to launching a trial for bikes on trams after pets were allowed on for three months.

Dame Sarah said: “Transport for Greater Manchester has been working with the team at the Metrolink to establish the boundaries of what a trial can look like.

“It’s taken slightly longer than anticipated because of some of the safety things that need to be considered, but the reason for the delay is because it’s being looked at very seriously into a practical solution that will work.

“It’s not going to be something that causes more conflict, it’s going to be brought in a way that enables better journeys for people who do need to take a cycle onto the tram.”

A new report about transport in the region has identified areas for long-term improvement. This includes encouraging more walking and cycling by installing 2,000 new crossings to make roads safer, and increasing designated walking and cycling routes from 725km to 1170km.

It follows the launch of the Bee Network in September which saw the region’s buses brought back into public control. Dame Sarah said the changes outlined in the report will help to “produce a Bee Network that works for everybody” in Greater Manchester.

When the new plan for the network is complete, TfGM estimates that 95 percent of residents in the region will be within 400m of a “high quality active travel route” which will reduce dependence on using cars, especially for short journeys.

Declan Carey, Local Democracy Reporter