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Back in 2020, you may remember, Greater Manchester’s then-cycling and walking commissioner Chris Boardman told the then-safely secure Prime Minister Boris Johnson (how times change, eh?) that Manchester’s Bee Network could act as a “national blueprint” for active travel, and that the “timing is perfect to wean a nation off its automobile addiction”.
Judging by footage filmed at the weekend, however, it seems that motorists first need to be weaned off driving into the city’s new cycle and pedestrian zones.
Cycling advocate Harry Gray, one of the masterminds behind this year’s Snake Pass protests, posted a video on Twitter on Saturday showing a number of Uber drivers being forced to reverse out of the cycle zone in the city’s Northern Quarter:
Look at the state of Manchester’s flagship Bee Network Scheme.
We’re being taken for fools pic.twitter.com/36BRlhW0TM
— Harry Gray (@HarryHamishGray) July 23, 2022
Absolutely no enforcement of pedestrian and cycle zone with cars backing up to reverse out pic.twitter.com/gPbUjGTOUQ
— Harry Gray (@HarryHamishGray) July 23, 2022
While some criticised the blasé attitude of the drivers towards cyclists, Gray focused his attention on the “sheer incompetence” of what he called the network’s “awful design”.
Problem is they are being taken down to this point down a one way street! Absolutely awful design. The sheer incompetence is mind boggling
— Harry Gray (@HarryHamishGray) July 23, 2022
Roads giving way to a pedestrianised area?!
No anti terrorism barriers to prevent danger for seating either pic.twitter.com/7l1kkMN9zX
— Harry Gray (@HarryHamishGray) July 23, 2022
He pointed out that the cycle and pedestrian zone is only enforced by a ‘No entry’ sign and a red line on the road (the concrete block that forced the motorists to back up is found further into the zone) and that drivers are being shuttled down a one-way street towards the area, with no other option than to reverse.
Gray wasn’t the only one pointing out the flaws in that particular section of the Bee Network, as last night infrastructure expert Iain Roberts gave his take on the Thomas Street cycle lanes:
I want to say a few things about the new cycle paths in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, primarily along Thomas Street. I’ve heard few negative comments, so let’s take a look. [1/10] pic.twitter.com/RONW6icfau
— Iain Roberts (@slowbikeiain) July 24, 2022
Let’s look at the new infrastructure on Thomas Street. Apart from a small section where loading is allowed in the morning, the road is split between pavement, cycle lanes and outdoor seating. No cars [3/10] pic.twitter.com/xJocYHrlRP
— Iain Roberts (@slowbikeiain) July 24, 2022
A non-standard bike would struggle to make it down the lane, and if people do sit on the blocks, it narrows the lane even further. They are really odd pieces of street furniture for this location. [6/10]
— Iain Roberts (@slowbikeiain) July 24, 2022
On the south side there’s a fair bit of clutter and, for one section, hoardings for a stalled development halves the pavement width. The wholly predictable result: lots of pedestrians in the cycle lanes. [8/10] pic.twitter.com/2IbCNQrfya
— Iain Roberts (@slowbikeiain) July 24, 2022
I was there on a busy Saturday night, so maybe I’m being unfair. Perhaps it will work better when the road is quieter. I have my spies keeping an eye on that one. But at first look, there do seem to be serious issues [10/10] pic.twitter.com/D64djajHXv
— Iain Roberts (@slowbikeiain) July 24, 2022
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