IT is a legacy that will live on.

The impact the Tour de Yorkshire, and the Tour de France before it, have had on the county of Yorkshire is evident in the swarms of lycra-clad cyclists saddling up and getting on their bikes.

Roads have become a myriad of colour as more and more people swap four wheels for two, either to ease their daily commute or simply to get fit and healthy.

Days, weeks, even months after, the legacy of this prestigious event will live on in the encouragement and inspiration it has given to all those who are now straddling their cycles.

For Vicky Mathwin and her fellow all-female members of the Queensbury Queens of the Mountain - believed to be the country's highest cycling group due to its location in Queensbury - one of the highest parishes in England and standing 1,100 feet above sea level - the event has already led to a surge in interest in their club.

"The TDY was fantastic for the community and for our club," says Vicky.

"The event has resulted in a huge amount of additional interest in our club."

She said as well as speaking to women about what they do at their stall in the spectator hub in Queensbury during the Tour de Yorkshire, they have also had a 20 per cent increase in membership on their Facebook site.

Looking to the future, Vicky hopes the talks of offering the same race and stages to women as men will finally come to fruition. "Yorkshire can, and should, set an example here," she adds.

Encouraging women into cycling was a key focus of the recent Women and Cycling Conference held at the Dubrovnik Hotel in Bradford. Otley-born Olympian cyclist, Lizzie Deignan, was among the guests.

Now in its third year, the event was organised by Healthy Life Cycles, a charity aimed at providing positive recreational activities to improve the health, resilience and well-being of people across the Bradford district, and supported by Bradford Council.

The keynote speaker was Velo City Girl blogger and ITV4’s The Cycle Show presenter, Jools Walker. Other speakers included Kersten England, Chief Executive of Bradford Council, Rifat Bashir from the University of Bradford and Judy Robinson a Breeze champion.

Kersten explains how 'Yorkshire's unparalleled achievement in hosting the 2014 Tour de France had secured the region's status as the unofficial capital of British cycling' and has had a 'transformational effect' on encouraging more people to get on two wheels.

"Bradford District has been at the heart of that success and is a natural home for this ground-breaking conference.

"Our heritage and landscape has provided the backdrop to some of the most iconic images of the world's greatest cycle race. The sight of the peloton winding its way up the cobbles of Haworth's historic Main Street and across our sweeping landscapes urged on by huge crowds, will live on in the memory.

"We were privileged to host the 2015 Tour De Yorkshire and this year we are very proud to have welcomed once more the world’s elite cyclists as the start city on the third and final day of this prestigious cycle race."

She also referred to last year's Bradford showcase of the Cyclo-Cross National Championships in Peel Park.

Bradford was one of the first cities to be chosen by Sky for their series of traffic-free Sky Rides and the city has launched a new cycle-themed event - the Bradford City Cycle - taking place around the city from 11am until 3pm on Sunday (May 14).

Working with partners across Leeds City region and locally, the city provides an infrastructure for people of all ages and abilities to cycle between Bradford and Leeds and to the Aire Valley towns along the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

"Working together we've made great progress, and our new Cycling strategy sets out our ambition to make Bradford district a place where cycling is naturally part of everyone's daily life," adds Kersten.

Sandra Corcoran, a keen cyclist and director of Bradford-based Pennine Cycles, says cycling has become 'cool and trendy.' "Each year when the Tour de Yorkshire comes to Yorkshire it seems to inspire even more people to get on their bikes."

Sandra, who enjoys cycling in the countryside with her husband, says as well as the health benefits cycling brings, it also gives people freedom and adds to the feel-good factor.

"I joined Bradford Racing Cycle Club when in my 20s and am currently a member of VC Bradford. I'm passionate about all things cycling and encouraging and helping others to cycle is one of my favourite things," adds Sandra.