THIS is the man who will mastermind the future of cycling in York and encourage more of us to get on our bikes and out of our cars.

Graham Titchener has been announced as the project manager for Cycling City York, a joint initiative to promote the use and security of cycles in the city. York has been designated a Cycling City until 2011.

Mr Titchener, a former Home Office employee, will be responsible for nearly £3.68 million of central Government cash, which has been matched by a similar amount from City of York Council and other groups such as York Hospital and the University of York.

Mr Titchener, although officially employed by City of York Council, will be paid out of the cash.

He said: “Receiving a share of the Government funding and being named a Cycling City is a wonderful thing for York because it means that it has already been recognised as a city that champions cycling, and for the way that it is striving to become a greener and healthier place to live and work.

“My goal is to bring about an even greater increase in cycling, both for commuting to and from places of work and education, and leisure.

“The council is match-funding the money that we received from Cycling England, making it possible for a number of initiatives, projects and plans to be developed and delivered during the next two years or so.”

Those initiatives would include improvements to Scarborough Bridge, giving cycle routes “street names” to make them clearer, the provision of cycle training in schools and workplaces, and working with employers in the city to overcome barriers which stop people from cycling.

“We will also be building on the good work that’s already been done, in partnership with Safer Communities, the police and other key partners, to further reduce the number of cycle thefts. “These activities, together with work to raise awareness of grant-aid schemes and low-cost cycles, make up a comprehensive programme of work aimed at further boosting the cycling rate in the city.”

Mr Titchener has previously worked for Defra, the Home Office and the Highways Agency.

His role at the Highways Agency for the Yorkshire and Humber region saw him overseeing a number of projects aimed at influencing travel behaviour to reduce single-occupancy car use and promote sustainable forms of transport, such as cycling.