Manchester Evening News Faces Backlash Over Misleading Cycle Lane Report

The Manchester Evening News (MEN) has recently faced considerable scrutiny from local cycling groups, who accuse the publication of promoting anti-cycling views through its sensationalized coverage of enhancements to the Oldham Road cycling infrastructure. Despite the ongoing work primarily involving painting the existing cycle lane green, the MEN's headline controversially implied the lane was being 'torn up once more.' This portrayal has sparked accusations of journalistic misrepresentation and inciting negativity towards cycling initiatives.

In 2025, efforts commenced on Oldham Road, a vital link between central Manchester and its northeastern districts, to establish protected cycle paths and a CYCLOPS (Cycle Optimised Protected Signals) intersection. These improvements, part of the Manchester City Council's Northeast Gateway project, aimed to enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians, making urban transit more accessible and secure. The council highlighted the need for these changes, noting Oldham Road's heavy traffic, limited cycling facilities, and a history of 36 collisions in five years, including seven serious injuries. Additionally, the route's bus services frequently experienced delays.

However, the project, finalized in November, drew sharp criticism from local media, including the Manchester Evening News, which labeled it an 'unhinged saga' plagued by setbacks. Local residents, as reported by the Local Democracy Service, voiced concerns that the construction had negatively impacted local businesses. One pub owner claimed that nearby roadworks had caused significant disruptions and deterred customers. The MEN further fueled the controversy by reporting that Oldham Road would undergo further disruptions for the third time since early 2025, specifically mentioning the cycle lanes being 'ripped up' and painted green. This narrative was echoed on the publication's Facebook page, where the development was described as 'crazy.'

This coverage, particularly the assertion that the cycle lanes would be dismantled, and the overall tone adopted by the MEN, has incited strong reactions from cycling advocates. Organizations like Walk Ride GM publicly refuted the article's accuracy, clarifying that the existing infrastructure, including the CYCLOPS junction, would remain intact, with the current work merely extending the cycle route into the city center. Critics accused the MEN of engaging in 'click-baiting' and prioritizing anti-cycling sentiment for engagement. Commentators deemed the reporting as 'sensationalism,' designed to provoke outrage rather than inform, and criticized the use of taxpayer-funded journalistic resources for such misleading headlines. They emphasized the genuine benefits of the scheme in improving public transport efficiency and safety for all road users.

The Manchester City Council has since announced additional plans for Oldham Road, focusing on further enhancing public transport and active travel. These proposals include making bus stops safer and more user-friendly with real-time information, ensuring faster and more dependable bus services, and upgrading crossings and footpaths to facilitate walking, cycling, and other forms of mobility. The council plans to introduce more protected cycle lanes, modify existing junctions and crossings, expand bus lanes, and limit motor vehicle access on certain road segments. Officials stress that these investments are crucial for bolstering the local economy, fostering growth, and promoting public health by creating a safer and more efficient transport network for everyone.