YORK'S reputation as a cycle city moved up a gear today. The council is spending another hefty sum to encourage yet more residents to leap into the saddle.

This is money well-spent. Die-hard motorists may grumble about the priority given to cyclists in York's Local Transport Plan, but they are in the minority.

Most residents recognise that traffic congestion is harming our quality of life. Nearly nine out of ten people in a council survey wanted more action to tackle the problem.

The council has responded with an excellent raft of initiatives to persuade more people to walk or cycle. York's cycle network will reach the 100km mark with the ambitious new package of track building announced today.

Already this city has a strong claim to be the most bicycle-friendly in the country. On and off road cycle paths are available on the major routes into the city. At many junctions, pedal power is given the priority.

The Millennium Bridge and the Rawcliffe roundabout's cycle-friendly underpass are two major capital projects which boosted the bike.

Being so flat, York has always appealed to cyclists. The council is building on that natural advantage by making it easier and safer to bike to work or to school.

This powers a virtuous circle: the more people cycle, the fewer cars are on the road, the safer and more attractive cycling becomes.

The advantages of switching from car to bike are legion. Society benefits from fewer jams, less congestion, less pollution, less noise and fewer road accidents. The individual benefits from a healthier, more sociable way to get around.

In this car-dominated age, it is difficult for households to abandon their vehicles altogether.

But if more people can be persuaded to retrieve their bike from the back of the shed for at least some journeys, the better it will be for all of us.

Updated: 12:09 Tuesday, March 19, 2002