- Click to jump to section:
- What you can do
- Top tips
- Mythbusting: engine idling
- What we're doing
What can I do?
When you’re out and about you might be breathing in polluted air without realising it. And how you travel can make it worse.
The good news is, a few simple changes could help protect you, your family and others.
The biggest change? Drive less. Greater Manchester’s Bee Network is making cleaner, greener travel easier than ever.
Leave the car at home when you can: take the bus, train, tram, cycle, walk or wheel. It cuts pollution and can also be better for your health.
Top tips to avoid and reduce air pollution
Here are a few ideas that could work for you. It might not be possible to do them all, but every small change we make can help clean up our air.
Top tips for drivers
Could you swap the car for cleaner, greener travel? For longer trips, try public transport. And with a third of all journeys under 1km made by car, why not walk, wheel or cycle instead? If you need to drive, there are ways to reduce your impact. Every small change helps.

Mythbusting: Engine idling
Idling is leaving your vehicle’s engine running when it’s not in motion. Here are some idling myths and facts, that could help reduce your emissions and save money!
False
Turning your engine off and on again doesn’t damage your engine, drain the battery or waste fuel. In fact, it is much better for the health of your engine than idling. Idling for just 10 seconds wastes more fuel than restarting the engine.
False
The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. Modern engines don’t need more than a few minutes to warm up as you drive. Leaving the engine running when you’re parked up can actually increase wear and tear.
False
Engines will stay warm for 30-60 minutes after switching off, so you needn’t worry about your heater going cold, and stopping and starting doesn’t affect the lifespan of modern engines.
False
Traffic wardens can fine you if you’re parked somewhere you shouldn’t be, whether your engine is running or not!
False
Idling for an hour can waste half a gallon or more of fuel. Think of the amount of money you’re wasting over the course of a year. It’s also bad for your engine and can mean higher maintenance costs.
What we’re doing
We’re working to make Greater Manchester a cleaner and healthier place to live, learn, work, visit and do business in.
Through the Bee Network, we’re joining up zero emission electric buses, trams and trains with park and ride, and safe cycling and walking routes.
So we can all get around in a way that improves our air quality and helps Greater Manchester keep growing.
We’re also working with government on a new investment-led Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan.











