Bradford has been chosen as the only city in Yorkshire to host a mass cycling event later this year.

The family-oriented Sky Ride will take in the city’s landmarks along traffic-free streets, enabling cyclists to enjoy a day on their bikes.

A total of 12 such events are taking place across major cities this summer, including London, Man-chester and Glasgow, to encourage thousands of people, of all ages and abilities, to take up cycling.

The event is organised by digital TV company Sky and British Cycling, which it sponsors, and builds on the success of similar events last year, which saw more than 110,000 people taking part nationally.

Sky Ride ambassador and Olympic gold medal winning cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy said: “Sky has a genuine opportunity to make a positive difference to people’s lives by encouraging as many people as possible to get on their bikes.

“I had a fantastic time at last year’s events in Glasgow and London and it was great to see so many families enjoying all the activities and having fun.”

Jane Glaister, Bradford Council’s strategic director of culture, tourism and sport, said: “We are the only city in Yorkshire to hold a Sky Ride event and we look forward to helping organise this spectacular cycling event which should prove highly popular. It will add to the major city events we are staging this year in the lead-up to the opening of our City Park.

“The Park will be a vibrant public space in the heart of Bradford which will feature the Mirror Pool, the largest city centre water feature in the UK.”

Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch said: “After the fantastic response we had from the public last summer we want to make this year’s Sky Ride even bigger and better.

“Ultimately we’re aiming to get a million more people cycling regularly by 2013. Through Sky Ride, we want to get Britain back on its bike.”

The event takes place in Bradford on Sunday, August 29.