A bid for a cycle superhighway between Bradford and Leeds was submitted to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Cycle City Ambition Grant fund.

Linking the cities, the scheme, dubbed Highway to Health, would provide connections to employment sites, areas of housing growth such as in east Leeds, key sites of economic regeneration, the two city centres, schools and hospitals.

It would be supplemented by the introduction of 20mph zones to create attractive quieter neighbourhoods and provide safe access to the core cycle routes as well as design improvements to urban streetscapes and the pedestrian environment.

In addition, the Leeds City Region bid covers setting up a new organisation to deliver high-profile activities that encourage people to get involved in cycling.

Metro chairman Councillor James Lewis (pictured) said: “Highway to Health is an exciting and ambitious bid and an huge opportunity to transform levels of cycling through investment in safe, segregated, safe cycle lanes, secure cycle parking and activities to encourage cycling and walking.”