YORK’S new cycling champion should be chosen by the city’s cyclists rather than politicians, it has been claimed.

Coun Andy D’Agorne, leader of York Green Party, said a change of policy was needed following the resignation of Conservative Joe Watt.

Coun Watt stepped down earlier this month and accused the city’s transport leaders of being too “anti-car” in their policies. He said the controversial revamp at Clifton Green was an example where cyclists’ needs were being promoted at the expense of motorists.

Until now, the cycling champion role, and other championships such as energy and e-government, have been allocated by party leaders, but Coun D’Agorne has called for a change.

He said the Cycling England initiatives in York were in danger of being undermined.

In a letter to council leader Andrew Waller, he said: “The very public resignation of Coun Joe Watt as cycling champion has created some controversy and heated debate.

“The recent decision by the ruling group to press ahead with allocating over £2 million to improving a roundabout on the outer ring road in preference to a range of sustainable transport measures in the urban area emphasises the political climate that could undermine real success for the Cycling City project.

“It is in the context of this that I would like to propose that the Cycle City steering group should undertake the role of determining who is to be the next cycling champion for the coming year.”

Coun D’Agorne said the matter should be discussed at the steering group’s first meeting, next week.

He said he was willing to be considered for the role but said the process should be changed to mirror the arrangement for the older people’s and young people’s champions, who are selected by those they represent.

Coun Waller accused the Green leader of trying to score political points.

He said: “I find it amusing that he has called into question the whole process, and then rather modestly puts himself forward as a candidate for the new process that he is proposing.

“We have agreements to evenly share out posts amongst the four political parties, but now he is making a bid for the Greens to take two out of seven champion posts, when he has two out of 47 councillors – hardly a fair allocation.”

Coun D’Agorne’s party colleague, Coun Dave Taylor, is already the city’s heritage champion. The champion roles do not carry any formal powers or responsibilities, nor any additional pay.