Cycling in the UK is booming and no more so than in the Bradford district, say experts.

Official figures show that the range and number of people either starting in or returning to the saddle, for a whole variety of reasons, is increasing.

Significant investment, of more than £500,000 in the past two years by organisations such as British Cycling, the Cyclists Touring Club (CTC), Bradford Council and Sustrans, has really begun to pay dividends in Bradford in the form of cycle training, cycling infrastructure, adult and family rides, women’s cycling, cycling for people with disabilities, cycle maintenance and increased awareness of cycling.

The trend is especially important for Bradford, which, aside from having a growing population and some of the best areas in the UK to cycle in and through, also has significant public health issues which activities like cycling can help to address, according to John Dennis, a keen cyclist and founder of SportKeighley.

Cycling challenges of all kinds also raise significant sums of money each year for local and national charities, as well as providing huge amounts of fun and satisfaction for those who participate.

Along with the high-profile Sky Ride and Cycle Fest held last summer, one of the key success stories in Bradford in recent years has been the delivery of the Bikeability scheme for young cyclists, said Mr Dennis, of Haworth.

He said £10,000 obtained via Cycling England in 2008 had proved a boon.

“Since that time more than 2,000 year five, six and seven schoolchildren at 80 schools in Bradford district have been through the Bikeability course and 40 tutors from a wide variety of sectors have been trained to deliver Bikeability in a range of settings, including to riders with disabilities. This represents an external investment of more than £100,000 into Bradford,” Mr Dennis said.

“The Bradford Cycling Forum, b-spoke, has been consulted on the new West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan, which will run from 2011 to 2026.”

For further details about getting involved in Bikeability in Bradford, see go to bradford. org.uk/bigcycle/bikeability, call Hannah Lindsey on 07973 512577 or e-mail Hannah. Lindsey@bradford.nhs.uk.