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Manchester has been named as one of the world’s top cycling cities with the Deansgate bike lane singled out for praise.
The city placed 34th on the 2025 ‘Copenhagenize List’, which ranks areas based on a variety of cycling metrics like infrastructure quality and riders’ safety. It lists the top 100 globally, with Manchester in 34th place, working out as the UK’s second-best as London sits at number 33.
Council’s commitment to boost biking
Manchester cycling
The ranking reflects the council’s commitment to boost biking, the town hall says, after Manchester was the European capital of cycling in 2024. The authority has since spent millions on major new infrastructure, training programmes, and events.
Most notably, it radically and controversially changed the layout of city centre thoroughfare Deansgate in late 2024 and early 2025, effectively making it a one-way road for cars by installing a two-way cycle lane and events area.
Deansgate named ‘best completed scheme’
Deansgate was named ‘best completed scheme’ by pro-cycling group Walk Ride GM in December.
Judges said: “Marking exciting times for the core of the region, Manchester city council claimed two titles, for the completed scheme to reallocate road space and curtail car use on Deansgate, and as best council for the ever-growing pipeline and clear ambitions for the near future.”
Controversial project
That project was controversial with some taxi drivers, local businesses and neighbours who said it created traffic, but council bosses repeatedly pointed out congestion was seen across town when complaints were made.
The authority’s data suggests ‘build it and they will come’ works as cycling rose by 85pc in 18 months when new infrastructure was installed in Chorlton.
Executive councillor for transport
A similar phenomenon was expected by Tracey Rawlins, executive councillor for transport, when Deansgate opened last summer: “When the infrastructure is put in place, it can act as the key which unlocks people’s ability to get on a bike and choose cycling.
“We are showing that positive interventions do have the power to change people’s behaviour”
“We understand that for some people there is a barrier and that’s why schemes like these are so valuable.
“By re-shaping our transport network we are showing that positive interventions do have the power to change people’s behaviour, ultimately helping people lead healthier lives, creating healthier communities and contribute to the wider fight against climate change across Greater Manchester.”
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