From: "Nigel Lawson" 
Organization: Department of Geography
To: University-cyclists@lists.manchester.ac.uk
Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2005 13:14:11 +0100
Content-type: Multipart/Mixed; boundary=Message-Boundary-15671
Subject: Re: [UNIVERSITY-CYCLISTS] Steering group?
Reply-to: nigel.lawson@manchester.ac.uk
CC: Michael Bane ,
              jill.barber@manchester.ac.uk,
              carsten.timmermann@manchester.ac.uk,
              c.perkins@manchester.ac.uk
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Dear University Cyclists

I note, and applaud, the recent correspondence regarding the need 
for improved facilities on campus for cyclists.

That said, I feel very strongly that this will only really come about 
when more people, and in particular students, actually start using 
bikes to commute to the campus.  In my opinion, and I speak as 
an urban cyclist of many years experience, this will only start to 
seriously happen with the provision of dedicated safe cycle lanes in 
Manchester.

In 2000 the then Chair of the University Environmental Issues 
Committee asked me to investigate possible routes between the 
principal Halls of Residence and the University.  The idea then was 
that the University would "pressurise" Manchester CC in to 
providing the necessary infrastructure to effectively promote the 
greater use of cycles by commuters- and university students were 
seen as one of the most likely groups to target.  I attach hereto the 
results (see 
CycleRoutes.doc, bikenotes.doc, cycleroute1.jpg 
and cycleroute3.jpg available here)

Ian Goodwin (travel co-ordinator for the universities and the Central 
Manchester NHS Trust) and Damian Oatway (University 
Environmental Officer) have been informed but nothing has been 
done to change the situation since then. However, Chris Perkins 
and Anna Thomson (also in Geography) are producing some maps 
of routes currently used by cyclists in Manchester for the City 
Council and these maps will shortly be published (see very soon 
www.manchester.ac.uk/sed/mapping).

Thus- what next?
I am convinced that the way forward is via a CHAMPION prepared 
to promote cyclist's interests to the University, and in tern to 
Manchester City Council (and, in due course, perhaps even to 
other councils in Greater Manchester).  This person will need the 
ear of the President/VC and/or the Leader of the Council, or at 
least that of someone near to them.  I am not in this category nor 
do I know who is- do you?

I hope this helps and that, if any of you agree, someone might 
organise a meeting to try to take this forward.

Nigel