There are many cycle routes which can be used to visit the canal and a number of organisations have aspirations that at least parts of the towpath will be made available to cyclists at some point in the future. Both Bury and Bolton's Unitary Development Plans propose that the towpath through their districts be developed to permit cycling.

Sustrans, the charity co-ordinating the development of the Millennium Commission-funded National Cycle Network have included the length of towpath between Coney Green school and what was the Farmers Arms into Route 6, Manchester to Preston leg, of the National Cycle Network and is now shown on Ordnance Survey Explorer map 277.