A CITY-WIDE bike-hire scheme could be introduced in York by the time it plays its part in hosting next year’s Tour de France.

City of York Council’s cabinet will discuss whether to move forward with a project designed to make cycling for short trips easier when it meets next week, having estimated the cost of a two-year trial would be about £400,000, based on a similar initiative in Newcastle.

York will host a section of Le Grand Depart, the opening stage of next year’s Tour, and the hire scheme may start in early 2014 if approved. Officials would draw up a business plan and look for outside funding and a firm to run the project, with the council saying corporate sponsorship and grants could help meet its costs. A further update would be provided to the cabinet before a final decision is made.

The proposed scheme would cover the whole city, with cycle-hire points based close to the city-centre, the universities, residential areas, Park&Ride sites and shopping parks.

Coun Dave Merrett, cabinet member for transport, said: “This would be an effective way of promoting cycling, particularly in view of the desire to secure a legacy to the Tour de France.

“Despite more than 11,000 residents choosing cycling as their primary mode of travel to work, there remains a gap in cycle provision for those living in, visiting and working in York who don’t have a bike and require a quick and flexible service.”