Cycling and walking

The appointment of Chris Boardman as Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner in September 2017 marked the start of big ambitions for walking and cycling.

The very first item in Chris Boardman’s Made to Move strategy was to publish a Greater Manchester wide cycling and walking infrastructure plan.

The first draft of Bee Network was published in June on Mapping GM and residents across Greater Manchester were encouraged to add comments to the map, particularly identifying where new or improved crossing points are needed to enable people to make walking or cycling the first choice for short journeys.

The consultation closed at the end of September and a second draft of the plan is expected by the end of the year.

Cycling and Walking Forum

Set up by Salford City Council, the Cycling and Walking Forum aims to promote cycling within the city. Regular meetings allow cyclists and anyone interested in cycling to raise and discuss any issues and to make suggestions. Visit the Cycle Forum page for details of upcoming meetings and more information.

If you have any comments or suggestions about cycling provision in Salford and connect attend the Cycle and Walking Forum, please email cycling@salford.gov.uk.

Cycle training and bike maintenance

Want to learn to ride a bike, or to get out on the road? Want to find out how to ride safely around town, with your children or get tips on maintaining and repairing your bike?

Transport for Greater Manchester offer a range of learn to ride and cycle training confidence courses for riders of all abilities. They also offer a range cycle maintenance courses from beginners to advanced levels. For more information see the Transport for Greater Manchester website.

Want to get more active?

There’s lots of ways in which you can get more active, explore the city and make friends in the process.

Salford’s Health Improvement Service provides organised activities including:

  • ‘Couch to 5k’ beginners running
  • ‘Paws for Walks’ dog walking groups
  • Beginners bike rides
  • Electric bike rides
  • ‘Walk and Talk’ walking groups
  • Buggy walks

For more information please go to the Health Improvement Service pages or call 0800 952 1000.

parkrun

parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. Worsley Woods parkrun is held off Parrin Lane in Monton at 9am every Saturday.

Salford junior parkrun is a 2k run for juniors only (four to 14 year olds) held every Sunday at 9am in Buile Hill Park

Plans are afoot to set up a new parkrun event at Peel Park on The Crescent with the first run planned for mid-November. The organisers are looking for volunteers to help this new event get off the ground. If you are interested please contact alistair.mcarthur@parkrun.com or join the Peel Park parkrun Facebook group.

Leisure walking

There are a number of local walking groups including Worsley Walkers and Manchester and Salford Ramblers who offer varied walks in the local area. The Ramblers also help to maintain footpaths in Salford.

The Ramblers have created the Salford Trail, a 50 mile self-guided leisure walking trail around Salford. The Trail has been divided into sections, each accessible by public transport. There is a leaflet for each section describing the route and giving the transport options.

There are also plans for a GM Ringway; a long-distance walking route for Greater Manchester. Passing through the beautiful countryside and green spaces of our varied region, each of the 18 stages is designed to be accessed by public transport.

We've produced four route maps of hidden gem walks in Salford for you to download.

Plan your route

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have produced ten district cycle maps which together cover the whole of Greater Manchester. Copies of the maps can be downloaded from the TfGM website.

An online cycle map covering Greater Manchester is also available. The map shows on and off road routes, cycle parking and cycle shops to aid route planning. The zoom function allows any area to be displayed in great detail.

CycleStreets is a journey planner which let you choose routes based on how busy or quiet the route is so you can find the best route for you.

Report a problem

If you come across obstructions on the cycle paths or walkways such as overhanging branches, brambles, or you spot any other danger, please let us know.

Report a problem online

Useful websites

TFGM provide information and advice for cycling and walking in Greater Manchester. Other useful websites include: 

This page was last updated on 13 June 2023

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