City of York Council has applied to sports governing body, Cycling England, to become one of 10 towns and cities which get £500,000 a year to develop cycling in the city.

The grant would be worth between £5 and £10 per person and would be used to improve cycling infrastructures and training for all ages over the next three years.

Key objectives are to reduce traffic and obesity levels, improving air quality, cycle routes and fitness.

“The aim is to create conditions that encourage more people cycling, more safely, more often,” said a spokesperson from Cycling England. The newest bid follows the announcement in January of a further £140m in funding to be channelled into cycling.

The minister for local transport launched the funding program in March 2005 and the winning bids will be announced by January 2009.