Cycle campaigning

http://madcyclelanesofmanchester.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/what-is-point-of-green-squares.html?m=1

Fwiw the road pictured with the green squares runs parallel to the parkway and it is v.rare to meet a moving motor vehicle on it. (Not saying the squares are right or necessary).

As far as I can tell, these are merely wayfinding aids, useful in their own right for that purpose, especially if, as you say, the street doesn't carry much through motor traffic. Cycle routes like this are much improved if it's clear where the turns are, so prima facie I wouldn't suspect that these are too useless, but I don't know any of the streets in question, of course.

In Hackney, we have simple cycle symbols all over the place and the sheer number of them has definitely made a difference. They signal the (likely) presence of bikes everywhere. They're just another little thing you can do. I don't know about the 'more expensive' version in Manchester, but some of ours have worn off and I guess the Manchester version won't wear off as easily.