THIS weekend people will be encouraged more than ever to get on their bikes.

The popularity of cycling will undoubtedly soar as the cycling elite put pedal power to the test in this year's Tour de Yorkshire.

Featuring Otley's very own cycling supremo, Silver Olympic medallist Lizzie Armistead, who has risen through the ranks of British Cycling after being spotted on the school playing fields at 15, Mirfield's legendary cyclist Brian Robinson, the first Briton to win a stage of the Tour de France and Sir Bradley Wiggins, Stage One of this prestigious cycling race sets off from Beverley to Settle today.

Tomorrow participants embark on Stage Two from Otley to Doncaster and Sunday's Stage 3 route travels from Middlesbrough to Scarborough.

Among the masses of spectators expected to attend the event are members of one of Bradford's oldest cycling clubs.

Mike Healey, a coach who was instrumental in setting up the Saturday Kids Club at East Bradford Cycling Club, says they decided not to run this week's session due to the young members wanting to take in the action at the Tour de Yorkshire and see the professionals conquer some of the county's iconic climbs.

For Mike the Tour de Yorkshire is one of many high profile initiatives which he believes have catapulted cycling into the spotlight.

"I think it has been a culmination effect starting with the London Olympics," says Mike.

Following on from the London Olympics and the cyclists' success in Beijing, cycling sparked a resurgence for many to return to the saddle.

Mike, who started cycling in his teens and has been a member of East Bradford Cycling Club for 29 years, explains setting up the Saturday Kids Club at East Bradford Cycling Club has prompted many parents to become involved through bringing their own children and has also encouraged them to get back on their bikes.

He says certainly since the Olympic success, the club experienced a boost and membership has continued to grow steadily.

"There are a number of things. The general buzz about cycling, the fact that people are talking about children's health and fitness is part of it," says Mike.

"But there is no question people going and seeing world class riders on our local hills, at Buttertubs and places like that creates a buzz and a lot of people want to get back into it."

"And" adds Mike "it has to be the icing on the cake which makes cycling a desirable thing as it were. People see these world class riders and it is on the TV, in newspapers and on social media and it creates that kind of buzz."

Naz Ali, advanced practitioner for Bradford Youth Service and Bradford Sky Ride Leader, says since the partnership between Bradford Council and British Cycling began around six years ago they have seen participants on the Sky Ride Local significantly increase from 390 to 1,500.

Naz talks of the first local Sky Ride held last weekend in Bradford's Lister Park. "Even though it wasn't brilliant weather we had 96 participants."

He believes the promotion of cycling by Bradford Council and its partners is helping to increase its popularity as a sport and also a pastime.

"The Tour de France coming to our region was momentous and everybody is wanting to get a bike," says Naz.

He says he has seen people who haven't ridden a bike for 15 or 20 years returning to the saddle along with young children.

"The other thing it is very multi-cultural," adds Naz, referring to the Bradford Faith groups who have been boosting funds for the local Marie Curie hospice through their charity bike rides.

Initiatives such as the Sky Ride Local, run by British Cycling and Sky, are also encouraging more people to get on their bikes.

Bradford hosts its seventh Sky Ride on Sunday June 5. Since 2010 more than 35,000 cyclists have participated in Sky Ride Bradford and this year one millionth rider will participate in Sky Ride.

He says the enthusiasm for events such as the Tour de Yorkshire and the Sky Ride Local are increasing the popularity and prompting more people to get on their bikes.

For more information about the Sky Ride local in Bradford in June visit GoSkyRide.com