SHOPPERS in York embraced Tour de France fever by forking out for bikes and accessories.

New figures compiled by shopping comparison site Price Spy UK revealed sales from the city’s cycling enthusiasts had increased by 3.5 per cent online.

The most popular products were the innovative Garmin Edge 1000 bike computer, Vitesse Sprint 700 racing bike and the Giro Savant helmet, which all saw price cuts of up to 20 per cent in the run-up to the Grand Depart.

Lorna Barker, senior marketing manager of PriceSpy UK, said: “It’s clear that the public is taking cycling seriously, with big-ticket items such as cycling computers and professional quality bikes enjoying a generous increase in popularity.”

Tom Ramsey runs coaching sessions at Giant York, on Lord Mayor’s Walk, and says sales increased when the world’s best cyclists arrived in the city.

He said: “Sales did go up for a couple of days leading up to the Grand Depart, but during the race everyone was out there watching.

“There was a slight increase, but nothing dramatic here or what you would expect in good weather.

“We also had a lot of tourists from America coming in to buy Tour de France merchandise.”

Meanwhile, the final stages of the Tour de France were shown on a big screen in St Sampson’s Square in York city centre at the weekend.

Events from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the women’s La Course cycling race in Paris were also shown on the big screen to the crowds out enjoying the good weather.

Councillor Sonja Crisp, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “This was a great opportunity for the city to come out and support the Tour de France again.

“People got to see the culmination of a great three weeks of sport that started in York and Yorkshire with the Grand Depart.”