YORK beat Cambridge when the two university cities set out to prove they were better at encouraging people to take up cycling.

Fifty-four teams representing major employers across the city successfully completed the three-week York Cycle Challenge which was aimed at encouraging commuters not to use their cars.

Among the competitors were 134 new cyclists – whereas Cambridge could only muster 111.

Graham Titchener, programme manager for Cycling City York, said: “On behalf of the Cycling City York team, I’d like to say well done and thank you to everyone who logged their journeys.”