Oxford Road works to start on Jan 20th

Infrastructure works to make Oxford Road, Portland Street and Piccadilly Gardens more bus, and bike, friendly are due to start this month according to TfGM. Coupled with the work to put new tram lines along Cross Street, it looks like it'll be a busy, and tricky few months of riding around Manchester City Centre.
You can read the press release here if you're so inclined or you can watch the video thingamabob below.
Whether this is the change to cycling infrastructure Manchester needs, I suppose only time will tell but what is for sure is that it's the best the city is going to get for years to come.

Does it have the feel of something truly significant for cycling? Well, not really, its some segregated lanes and some coloured tarmac. Some lanes are routed behind bus stops, others not. And, of course, you have got to get to these facilities first of all.
But, it's something and as a glass-half-full person, it is better than nowt. 
oven that these cycling improvements are being delivered as part of a bus improvement scheme tells its own story...

Flaming June, plate spinning and bad spelling

There's been so much happening in the world of two wheels of late that I've not managed to keep all the plates spinning and keep my blog updated. Truth is, I've been enjoying the outside and riding rather than writing! Manged to squeeze in 200 miles last week!
So, by way of an update, here's a few of the things, had I been on the ball, I'd have written about recently.

Other bloggers have no trouble

The bastion of peace and tranquility that is Oxford Road, could be about to become kinder, much kinder, to us cycling folk. For the civic overlords at Manchester City Council are encouraging you, yes you, to tell them what you think of their plans in a consultation exercise. Apparently 'Dutch style' cycle lanes could be installed  as part of a revamped streetscape. Reports that this includes strategically situated bongs have not been confirmed. You can find out more about it here.

TfGM was also reportedly successful in its bid to trouser £15m for the, still annoying, Velocity cycle scheme. This is the money we all pledged our support for in a web-based clicking exercise a few weeks back. Cash in: get building.

Not to be outdone, Tory led anomaly Trafford Council has bagged £320,000 for 'paralell routes' (sic) at the A56 in Gorse Hill and Old Traffod.

And finally, that Brady Wiggin chap is no longer any good, so the Daily Mail is switching its allegiance to  Chris Froome who is just about British enough for them to support.