A cavalcade of cyclists has launched a unique project for the district by 'riding the map'.

Led by the Marie Curie Racing Team and Peter Latarche, a Bradford resident and chairman of the Cyclist Touring Club, the group pedalled from Victoria Park, Keighley, to Waterstones bookshop in Bradford City centre where a new map showing more than 500 miles of recommended cycle routes in the local district was officially launched.

Cllr Paul Barker (Worth Valley) told the group, which had followed the map's suggested route to Bradford city centre: "This map is a great source of information and should encourage more and more people to leave their cars at home and get on their bikes."

As part of the Millennium Festival of Cycling, Bradford Council has funded the £2.95 map which was produced in conjunction with Bradford Cycling Action Group and Bradford University Bike Users Group.

MP Ann Cryer has given her backing to the campaign to get more people to regularly cycle to work.

Mrs Cryer says of the CTC campaign: " Cycling to work has been proved to be faster than taking either public or private transport for people working in towns and cities within five miles of home. A daily commute by bicycle can significantly improve your health while saving the stress and cost of travelling by car or bus."

Employers encouraging staff to cycle have found that staff cycling to work are more punctual, take fewer days off for illness and are more efficient and productive than their sedentary colleagues, she says.

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