CYCLISTS can celebrate after thousands of pounds of cash was released to fund seven new projects based in York and North Yorkshire.

Transport minister Kim Howells has doubled funding for the Department for Transport's Cycling Projects Fund from £1m to more than £2.2m.

Among the schemes to receive cash is one at Oaklands School in York, where £3,189 will be used to provide pupils with the skills necessary to repair and maintain their own bicycles.

The other local schemes that will benefit are:

City of York Council, £2,385 - secure cycle parking for staff and visitors at two residential children's homes in York.

York Health Services NHS Trust, £10,000 - 25 cycle lockers around the hospital site to meet the demand for improved cycle facilities and to encourage more staff to cycle to work

YHA (England and Wales) Ltd, £47,510 - improved facilities for cyclists at hostels in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors aimed at increasing the number of people visiting and travelling around the area by bike

Our Celebration, York, £1,680 - covered cycle parking to increase the numbers cycling to work and visiting the centre

Commission for Local Administration in England, York, £2,750 - to help implement elements of a Green Travel Plan, by building modern cycle parking shelters and providing a pool bike for staff use

Kaleidoscope Day Nurseries, York, £5,940 - to provide safe covered cycle storage and a segregated cycleway for safe access to the Westfield Neighbourhood Nursery complex to encourage staff and parents to cycle.

The money has been released to coincide with National Bike Week.

Updated: 08:55 Friday, June 20, 2003