South Craven drivers are to be asked to consider swapping their cars for cycles.

An exercise was launched this week by North Yorkshire County Council to test public opinion on the use of bikes as an alternative transport to the car.

It has produced a draft cycling strategy which can be inspected in libraries.

The document shows council plans to improve facilities and safety for cyclists as well as how increased use of cycles is to be encouraged.

The strategy forms part of the Council's integrated transport planning which is to be at the heart of a county Local Transport Plan.

It will be the basis from which cycling plans for towns, rural areas and national parks are to be developed along with the public and district, town and parish councils.

Graham Cressey, manager of North Yorkshire traffic management, said: "We want to encourage cycling. It is an extremely efficient form of transport, especially for short trips of up to around five miles."

Comments for the consultation exercise should be sent to the director of environmental services at County Hall, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, by the end of February.

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