Active Travel Event – 2019

The University hosted the annual Oxford Road Corridor Active Travel Event (AcT2019) at Brunswick Park on 1 May. The event was a celebration of all things walking, cycling, running, and scooting through a range of demos, information stands and interactive activities for staff and students working or studying on Oxford Road to enjoy.

At the event, we were joined by Corridor partners Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), Manchester Science Partnerships, and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust to combine forces and bring together those interested in or considering active travel. Music and activities encouraged a steady stream of people throughout the day who engaged in the event and with our stall where we promoted UMBUG (University of Manchester Bike User Group) and UMRUN (University of Manchester Runners), alongside MCR Strollers and the Tree Trail. Other information stalls included Transport For Greater Manchester, British Cycling and MMU giving away travel-related freebies and sharing information on regional activities.

As a special edition of the Corridor’s monthly active travel breakfast gatherings, 300 attendees who travelled in by bike or on foot were fuelled for the morning by the free hot breakfast on offer, many being extra sustainable by arriving prepared with their travel mugs and vegan milk!

The Smoothie Bike Bar’s bike-powered scalextric brought some furious competition to the event, the virtual reality cycling experience helped those lacking confident on the roads and electric scooter demos provided lots of fun and an insight into the future of urban active travel. Attendees were also offered free bike maintenance throughout the day, courtesy of Revolve Manchester, and National Cycling Academy bike sale encouraged plenty of new cyclists to get on the road.

The event was a great success celebrating active travel and showcasing Brunswick Park as a practical, green event space attracting staff, students and members of the public alike.