Work begins on new £1.5m cycle hub in Wythenshawe Park
- The new hub will provide safe area with no traffic for residents to learn to cycle
- Hub aims to open in summer of 2022
Work has begun on a new £1.5m cycling hub in Wythenshawe Park designed to help residents learn to cycle and get fit.
The project follows a successful application by the council to the Places 2 Ride fund.
A grant of £500k award came from the organisation, with the council providing the extra £1m.
A public consultation saw 1,800 residents in support of the scheme before it had to go-ahead.
A cycle hub is coming to Wythenshawe Park!
The hub will be finished in the summer and boasts multiple tracks for riders of all abilities including a learn to ride area, skills zone, pump track, woodland trails, and family trail.https://t.co/T8BS5YuKX4 pic.twitter.com/zWomK7Xire
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) February 22, 2022
The hub will provide a safe place for residents to learn to ride bikes and will include a woodlands trail and family trail for people to ride.
A skill zone and pump track will also be available for experienced riders to hone their skills.
The facility will be free to use and the public will be able to book cycling lessons with trained instructors.
Primary schools in the area have been showing their support of the project online, siting the new opportunites it provides for their pupils.
The new development will provide new opportunities for schools and their pupils.
We need as many potential users of the new development to give feedback to help develop the plan and complete the application. This is being done by a short survey.
— Benchill Primary (@BenchillSchool) January 8, 2021
The project aims to inspire more people to take up cycling and take advantage of the growing number of cycle routes in and around the city.
The facility is also hoping to provide a space for cycling communities such a Simply Cycling and Nacro to operate, which provides social opportunities for the community
The project follows previous investments and renovations to the park’s tennis courts.
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, who is the executive member for neighbourhoods, said of the hub:
“This is a brilliant investment from both Manchester City Council and Sport England, via the Places to Ride programme. Parks and public spaces are important for local communities and the development of this cycle hub is a great scheme.
“The council are dedicated to encouraging more cycling in and around the city. The Wythenshawe Cycling Hub is a good starting point to get more people on their bikes and to help people improve their confidence in a safe area. We hope that cyclists of all abilities and ages enjoy the park and the facilities available- I can’t wait to go down!”
Robert Pickering, lead cycling delivery manager at British Cycling, said:
“British Cycling is delighted, that through the award offer from the Places to Ride programme alongside the joint and significant investment from Manchester City Council, an exciting range of new cycling facilities is being built in Wythenshawe Park, Manchester.”