Residents across Trafford are being encouraged to switch to two wheels and sign up for 'cycle September'.

The leader of Trafford Council, Tom Ross, is trialling a cutting-edge electric bicycle and has been notching up the miles over the past few weeks.

The e-bike has been lent to him for a month as part of Cycling UK's making cycling e-asier scheme.

As well as inspiring cyclists of all abilities to saddle up, Cycle September also lets participants track the amount of carbon they are saving by leaving the car at home - something Cllr Ross is keen to promote as the Green City-Region lead for Greater Manchester.

Reducing the number of trips made by car, or any other vehicle creating CO2, is also key to delivering on one of Trafford Council's three corporate priorities, which is 'addressing our climate crisis'.

To support this aim, the council is also delivering accessible active travel schemes across Trafford, including developing a strategic North Active Travel Corridor, from the M60 Junction 7 through Stretford into Manchester.

The council said it has also partnered with the electric charging network, Be.EV, which will mark Trafford as Greater Manchester's biggest ultra-rapid EV hub when 16 new charging bays open at Sale Water Park.

This is on top of the 41 chargers which have already gone live across the borough.

The Cycle September initiative, which runs throughout the whole month, sees participants track their miles, compete against other workplaces, win prizes and see how they are reducing their carbon footprint.

Anyone in Manchester can access free one-month e-cycle loans through Cycling UK which is funded by the Department for Transport. 

Cllr Ross said: “I’m passionate about any kind of travel that means there are less vehicles on the road causing pollution.

“In Trafford we want to show that there are real alternatives to driving and thanks to my month using an ebike I’ve learnt that first hand.

"It’s been a great experience which has brought down any barriers there were to stop me cycling.

"I’d encourage anyone who’s been thinking about to give it a go and get some miles under their belt for Cycle September.”

Jenny Box, deputy director of Cycling UK’s free Making cycling e-asier scheme also said: “Cycling UK is delighted Cllr Tom Ross is leading the way for Cycle September on one of Making cycling e-asier’s e-bikes.

“Whether you’re looking to save money on the commute and those shorter journeys, feel healthier or reduce your carbon footprint, cycling is a great way to travel round Manchester – and with an e-cycle you’ll soon be looking for more excuses to get out and ride.”