Plans to temporarily close a number of cycle hire stations across Greater Manchester have been confirmed following a rise in vandalism.
It comes after Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) revealed last month that, despite the “continued success” of the new scheme – which saw nearly 1,000 yellow bicycles rolled out across Manchester, Salford, and Trafford late last year – and the recent expansion to new areas, there has also been “a significant rise” in acts of vandalism over the last few weeks.
This has created a “large backlog” of bikes that need repairing.
According to TfGM, as of 23 June, there were 379 bikes out on the network, and 564 awaiting repairs and maintenance.
Several ‘bee bike’ hire stations to be closed across Manchester following rise in vandalism / Credit: TfGM
The Greater Manchester Cycle Hire scheme has “continued to grow in popularity” following its launch back in November 2021, with a whopping 64,350 active users, and more than one million kilometres ridden since then – but if the scheme is to continue being a success and serving its purpose, TfGM says it will need to introduce new measures to ensure there are enough fully-functioning bikes available for people to use.
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TfGM and bike operators Beryl say they will now work together through the ‘TravelSafe Partnership’ with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to “take further steps” and “temporary measures” in a bid to help restore the full cycle hire service “as quickly as possible”.
This means that some cycle hire stations will be suspended temporarily, so that there are more bikes available in areas where users have been the most active.
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TfGM says the new measures will ensure the scheme is a “continued success” in the future / Credit: TfGM
There will be a short-term suspension of around a quarter of the stations while Beryl works on the backlog of repairs, TfGM has confirmed, with people encouraged to use the Beryl app to find their nearest location.
The intention is to start reintroducing bikes back to these stations from September, TfGM says.
On top of this, also in a bid to decrease the number of acts of vandalism, TfGM has confirmed that increased fines for users who do not comply with Cycle Hire rules around locking and returning bikes will be introduced, as unlocked and abandoned bikes are “more susceptible to theft and vandalism”.
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We're making some temporary changes to cycle hire, but don't worry, we're on it.
From today at 12pm some bike stations will be suspended temporarily but we'll have more bikes in the places where people use them the most.
“The Greater Manchester Cycle Hire scheme is extremely popular and well-used, and an integral part of our plans for the Bee Network,” Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said.
“Unfortunately, a spike in vandalism over recent weeks has resulted in fewer bikes being available for people to hire, but we’re confident that the changes being made will strengthen the service and enable us to restore the number of bikes out on the network as soon as possible.
“That includes enhanced enforcement, and right now there are people in the control room monitoring our bikes and stations and staff and police out patrolling the areas where our bikes are.”
The Mayor added that he will “take whatever action is necessary” to ensure this scheme continues to be a success for Greater Manchester in the future.
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
More Greater Manchester football matches called off as Storm Goretti sets in
Danny Jones
Yet more scheduled football matches in Greater Manchester and the surrounding regions have been postponed and/or cancelled due to Storm Goretti.
The increasingly cold, blustery and icy conditions moving over from France and across more parts of the UK have already caused schools to close, flights to be grounded, and plenty more disruption.
Another such inconvenience has come in the form of live sports, large swathes of which now look like they simply won’t be taking place.
One of the latest to be called off is Salford City‘s upcoming game against Swindon Town in the FA Cup this weekend, with various other games involving teams up and down the footballing pyramid now facing uncertainty over whether their third-round fixtures will go ahead as planned.
Ironically, this is just the tip of the iceberg, if you’ll pardon the very obvious pun.
Another game that was called off late last week, between Chadderton and FC Isle of Man, is yet to be rescheduled; the same is true of Rochdale AFC’s meeting with Brackley Town, Radcliffe v Oxford City, as well as games involving Bury, Stockport Town, Irlam, Cheadle Town, Prestwich Heys and more.
Other nearby outfits, such as Chorley, Warrington Rylands and Ramsbottom United, just to name a few, are also still unsure of when their next game will be.
In many cases, it is simply a matter of the grounds being largely or completely frozen and deemed unfit for use following pitch inspections.
Oldham Athletic – which has already been hit with plenty of snow and frost – yesterday confirmed that their Notts County clash wouldn’t be going ahead due to that very reason.
With winds of up to 90 miles per hour also being reported, yellow and even red weather warnings have been issued across various parts of the country, with people being urged to check their routes home from work by local authorities.
Storm Goretti should start calming down this evening (Fri, 9 January) and into Saturday morning, but the after-effects could still play havoc over the next few days.
For instance, over in Cheshire, Macclesfield FC are going so far as to call on nearby residents to help clear their playing surface from heavy snowfall.
So, if you’re in the area and fancy helping out, they could sure do with your help.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
Macclesfield FC are once again requesting the help of the fanbase and the local community to help clear the remainder of the compacted snow from the surrounding areas of the https://t.co/fL99QEEJ4D Stadium.
Emily Sergeant -
1st August 2023 
