Celebrating a decade of getting people on their bike
20 Nov 2017
The University of Manchester Bicycle Users’ Group (UMBUG) celebrated their 10th anniversary of supporting and advocating cycling this term.
Last month, the cycle to work breakfast (a monthly initiative delivered by the Oxford Road Corridor partners) was a chance to recognise this huge achievement and thank UMBUG and the wider cycling community that have helped to develop such a thriving network over the past ten years.
UMBUG was delighted to welcome Councillor Chris Paul, Greater Manchester Deputy Cycling and Walking Commissioner and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Committee spokesperson for Walking and Cycling, and Councillor Mandie Shilton-Godwin, Lead Member for Cycling and Walking for Manchester City Council (MCC), to the breakfast.
Councillor Chris Paul said: "Many congratulations to UMBUG on achieving 10 years of advocacy and support for cycling at the University of Manchester and on achieving and maintaining 1,000 plus members.
"TfGM and MCC recently celebrated the fact that the cycle counters just south of the University are now persistently logging 5000 cycle trips every weekday and will have soon recorded a million trips. We know that thousands more also cycle to work and study on the corridor without passing this point.
"Our aspiration is to see cycling trips in Greater Manchester double and double again to 10% by 2025. I hope other organisations in the city will see UMBUG's great success and develop similar advocacy and support networks for their own workers and communities."
Dr Kathy England, Project Support Manager at The Photon Science Institute and UMBUG representative, commented: “Since 2007, we have worked in partnership with the University to improve facilities for cyclists and inspire more cycling. Over this time we are proud to have established and grown a lively community of likeminded individuals who enjoy the convenience, health and environmental benefits of cycling to work.”
Julia Durkan, University Sustainable Campus Officer said: “UMBUG is such a valuable resource providing a voice to cyclists to help shape improvements to cycling facilities as well as offering a friendly helping hand to encourage more people to get on their bike.”
The sold-out event was completed with a wonderful cake, a prize draw with donations from local independent bike shops including Hillcourt Street Cycles, Harry Hall Cycles and Bicycle Doctor, and a group photo to mark the occasion.