Monthly Archives: March 2015

Making a Difference Awards

The UMBUG projects team has been nominated and shortlisted for a Making a Difference Award for Social Responsibility, in the environmental sustainability category.

The team was nominated for:

  • promoting cycling at the University;
  • seeking the views and ideas of current and ‘would be’ cyclists in order to make cycling more appealing, safer and more secure; and
  • working with (and lobbying) the University to ensure sufficient provision of appropriate facilities.

The UMBUG entry was shortlisted from more than a hundred and we’ll find out if we’ve won an award at the Making a Difference Awards on Thursday 7th May. Congratulations to all of those involved.

TfGM Better By Cycle Challenge

The Transport for Greater Manchester Better By Cycle Challenge returns in April 2015. Throughout the month you can log your bicycle miles in the latest challenge. It’s free to enter and there are spot prizes for participants. You can compare your performance on the leaderboards, including one for the University of Manchester (just remember to select The University of Manchester when you sign up – listed under T).

 

 

Manchester Cycle Forum 10/03/15

The next meeting of the Manchester cycle forum will be on Tuesday 10th March from 5.30pm in Committee Room 4 of the Town Hall.

The Manchester Cycle Forum is a voice for everyone interested in cycling. They meet quarterly to discuss cycling-related issues and promote opportunities for cycling in Manchester. It is an opportunity to meet council staff, councillors and other interested parties to exchange views and ideas that can help make cycling safer. The forum welcomes new and novice cyclists who want a greater understanding of cycle projects.

The 2015 Manchester cycle forum meetings are on:

  • Tuesday 10 March 2015
  • Tuesday 16 June 2015
  • Tuesday 15 September 2015
  • Tuesday 8 December 2015

Email cycle.forum@manchester.gov.uk to be added to the mailing list.

International Women’s Day and related cycling events in March

As part of this year’s International Women’s Day, #MCRWomenBike want to celebrate the fact so many women across Greater Manchester are riding their bikes and encourage more women and girls to get biking. To do this they’ve launched a photo campaign and organised an event on Saturday 7th March. Full details of the #MCRWomenBike photo campaign are available on their website. All photographs will be exhibited at the People’s History Museum on Saturday 7 March for International Women’s Day as part of an event titled ‘MCR women biking through – from suffrage to cycling equality’. The photographs will continue to be exhibited at various venues across Manchester over the following months including Pop Up Bikes cafe, Plattfields Boat House and the National Cycling Centre.

Transport for Greater Manchester are also hosting a campaign to help women get on their bikes across Greater Manchester. Throughout March TfGM will be hosting a number of events and activities that promote and celebrate women cycling. There is something for all ages and abilities; whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a complete novice who doesn’t want to take the stabilisers off just yet. The range of events taking place include led rides, training courses, longer group rides, competitive circuit rides, exhibitions, social gatherings, discounts and competitions. There will also be a number of women-only cycle training sessions taking place, and a Girls Go Better By Cycling workshop on Tuesday 31 March at Friends Meeting House. The workshop will feature guest speakers (including UMBUG’s very own Kathy England) giving talks about developing women’s cycling in Greater Manchester.

Also as a part of International Women’s Day and Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign, Manchester City Council are offering 2 FREE mountain biking sessions on the National Cycling Centre pump track and skills area on Tuesday 10 and 17 March 1-3pm. Contact mtb@nationalcyclingcentre.com to register (registration in advance is required to avoid disappointment). No previous mountain biking experience needed – you just need to be able to ride a bike!