I'm signing a pledge to deliver extensive walking, wheeling and cycling networks around Manchester

In Greater Manchester, this means a commitment to continuing the city-region’s plans around the Bee Network.

As part of the agreement the Mayors have committed to:

• Work with the Department for Transport, Active Travel England and local authorities to create a country-wide national walking, wheeling and cycling network, comprising of local networks that are safe and easy to use.
• Transform the school run by delivering high-quality, safer routes in neighbourhoods nationwide.
• Boost regional integrated transport networks by giving people easy walking, wheeling and cycling access to buses, trams and trains which will link to new housing and support local economic growth.

Regionally, Greater Manchester has committed to:

• Increasing the number of School Streets to 60 in the next year. The long-term goal is to increase the number of School Streets to 100 by 2028.
• Building a network of connected routes that will link up or extend routes on the existing cycle network, aligning with neighbourhood improvements to connect local communities to the rest of the Bee Network.
• Integrating accessible walking, wheeling and cycling routes to make it easier for people to access public transport.

As Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey attended a summit in York with mayors, the National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, and the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty to kickstart the plans.

The group of mayors have committed to delivering a national network of 3,500 miles of safe routes connecting housing to schools and targeting areas where health and air quality are poorest, helping to reduce stark health inequalities.

This will help 20 million residents across all the mayors’ regions meet recommended activity levels.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Helping more people to walk, wheel, and cycle around Greater Manchester is at the very heart of the Bee Network and we’re working hard to create a transport system that works for everyone – whether you’re hopping on a tram, catching a bus, or choosing to travel in a more active way.

He said: “We have delivered 136km of active travel routes across Greater Manchester so far and are really seeing the difference this is making, with cycling up and more people choosing active travel over the car for short journeys.”

Adding: “I’m proud to state my ongoing support for active travel and alongside Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey and our local councils we will grow our network further still, increase the number of School Streets and expand our bike hire scheme, making it even easier and safer for people to get around in ways that are healthy, affordable, and good for the planet.”

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “Our regional leaders have today marked the start of an exciting chapter, by pledging to give people across the country more transport choice. We know that more walking, wheeling and cycling will improve our countries mental and physical health, but it will do much more; it’s the foundation for thriving integrated public transport networks, it increases access to work, boosting local economic growth and it will give millions of children more independence.”

Adding: “People will only consider traveling actively if it is easy and safe. That’s what the Mayors have today pledged to do and that's why Government is backing them. It’s going to have a hugely positive impact on millions of people’s daily lives.”

The first wave of improving active travel routes to schools will include the delivery of proven and popular schemes, including school streets, traffic calming measures, new crossings and well-maintained pavements.

Regional mayors will lead local implementation, selecting interventions that best fit their communities' needs and developing programmes to encourage active travel, such as walking and cycling buses for children.

The initiative aligns with the government's Plan for Change, focusing on prevention rather than cure by building health and wellbeing into everyday activities.