Moving Up North

The northern perspective on walking, wheeling and cycling. 

Harry and Will digest each month’s policy and delivery news into a friendly, easily accessible round-up.

Walk Ride GM campaigns to make walking, wheeling and cycling the natural choice for journeys across Greater Manchester.  We’ve created a podcast to explore in more detail how the work we do as a campaign group affects the changes you’re seeing in active travel infrastructure across the city. Harry Gray and Will York are both members of the Walk Ride GM Steering Group..

Episode List

• Starting a Kidical Mass Revolution & Manchester’s Best Cycle Lane
  06/10/2025 by Walk Ride GM
  In the third episode of our three-part series, Harry and Will speak with the winners of the 2024 Walk Ride GM Awards. Cllr Mandie Shilton Godwin joins us to discuss her role in developing the Award Winning Chorlton Cycleway, whilst Best Activation Event winner Layla Seibert from Kidical Mass delves into how she set up Manchester's best mass participation cycle event. Plus, we bring you an update on Will's holiday to Scotland and how GM can learn from his experience. This episode is supported by Leigh Day, Lawyers Against Injustice.
• The Best School Street in Greater Manchester + The Legal Fight to Remove Cycling Barriers
  04/04/2025 by Walk Ride GM
  In the second episode of our three-part series, Harry and Will speak with the winners of the 2024 Walk Ride GM Awards. St Thomas' CE Primary School Deputy Head Chris Silk and volunteer Matt Evans share insights on their recognition as Best School Street, whilst Best Campaign winner Ryan Bradshaw from Leigh Day discusses the work he's been undertaking to bring a legal case to remove discriminatory cycling barriers. Plus, we bring you the latest updates on the Stockport Scrutiny Committee Report, which has been making headlines this week.This episode is supported by Leigh Day, Lawyers Against Injustice. 
• Trafford Council’s Success: Cllrs Tom Ross & Aidan Williams + Active Travel Champion Naz Khan
  24/02/2025 by Walk Ride GM
  In the first episode of our three-part series, Harry and Will speak with the winners of the 2024 Walk Ride GM Awards. Trafford Council leader Tom Ross and Executive Member for Climate Change Aidan Williams share insights on their recognition as Best Council, while People’s Active Travel Champion Naz Khan discusses her advocacy work. Plus, we bring you the latest updates on the Deansgate Active Travel scheme, which has been making headlines this week.
• The Budget, Stretford Regeneration and Walk Ride GM Awards
  30/10/2024 by Walk Ride GM
  Harry and Will discuss the budget and how it effects active travel spending in Greater Manchester and beyond. We also discuss the new regeneration project in Stretford on Kingsway, our recent policy conference with the University of Manchester and Salford and our annual Walk Ride GM Active Travel awards. 
• How to campaign effectively, Louise Haigh on Streets Ahead and our trip to Oldham
  09/09/2024 by Walk Ride GM
  Harry and Will discuss how Walk Ride GM effectively campaigns when trying to balance the role of 'Critical Friend' as well as our infrastructure visit to Oldham, with the good and bad experiences we faced on our journey there. We also discuss the Louise Haigh interview with the Streets Ahead podcast 
• A New Government & GM Roundup
  27/07/2024 by Walk Ride GM
  Harry and Will discuss how the change in government will effect how Active Travel is funded in Greater Manchester going forward, as well as a roundup of the latest news from across the 10 boroughs.