Manchester has been shortlisted, alongside Bristol and Leicester, to become England’s first Cycling City. The competition was launched earlier this year by Cycling England, with the final result due to be announced in early June. As well as one Cycling City, ten new Cycling Towns will be created, all looking to share in a £47m funding pot to promote cycling initiatives. The winners will also need to secure match funding.

If Manchester's bid is successful, the City Council proposes to increase cycle trips on key targeted routes into the city centre, develop a network of 15 new cycle routes, including one circling the city, and implement 20mph zones around schools.