Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign

Last night I took myself along to the monthly meeting of the Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign (GMCC) to get a feel for what it's all about and how they are going about trying to make Manchester a safer and better place to ride.
My initial impression is that you couldn't really wish to meet a nicer and more dedicated group of people.  But there is also a formidable knowledge and steely determination which, to their enormous credit, has not been blunted by years of, let's say, missed opportunities from the civic powers in the region.
These are the battle-hardened cycling infantry striving to influence cycling policy for the benefit of existing and would-be cyclists from Altrincham to Staly-vegas and the campaign deserves your support.
It seems I went along at quite an critical moment in the development of cycling policy in our region. Also in attendance was a representative of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM): the newish name for the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) changed to reflect its new powers as provided by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) formerly the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).  As you would expect with the public sector involved, it is a superb example of an Acronym Rich Environment (ARE). 

Greater Manchester: doesn't Oldham look like Australia

TfGM were there to seek input into their new over-arching cycling strategy which, as I understand it, will guide the policies and ultimately infrastructure with which we'll ride on for the next 15-20 years.  Regardless of what may have gone before, you have to credit TfGM for approaching cycling advocate groups to help draft the strategy rather than presenting a document as a fait accompli.
So, there you have it: GMCC lovely bunch of two-wheeled enthusiasts trying to make Greater Manchester a better place to ride and TfGM seeking input into a strategy to guide the next 20 years of cycling in the region.  All in all a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Ride safe