These are five ways Leeds could be a better city for cycling

The Yorkshire Evening Post's Unlock the Gridlock campaign has highlighted how Leeds is being held back by its poor transport network - and called on those in power to pull together to try to solve it.

Something else most people would agree on is that cycling and cyclists tend to split public opinion.

But few people with transport knowledge will tell you that more roads and cars are the answer. Cities across Europe - and increasingly across the UK - are putting walking and cycling at their heart.

The Leeds Cycling Campaign (LCC) envision a city where anyone can "feel safe and confident without needing specialist equipment. This is achieved through high quality, appropriate infrastructure which is maintained to a high standard."

And Leeds City Council has said it wants to make Leeds "a cycle friendly city by embracing cycling as a normal everyday activity for everyone." Its £270m Connecting Leeds scheme promises to transform travel in our city.

But what more could be done to improve cycling in Leeds? We came up with the below, with the help of LCC vice-chairman Martin Stanley.

Enforce existing road laws and parking restrictions

Enforcing existing laws around illegal parking and dangerous driving would help cyclists feel more safe, Martin said. Although police and council budgets have been cut, making enforcing the law more difficult, Martin said: "A lot of the roads we do have, people don't use, as they are always blocked." Aggressive driving is also a big issue that puts people off, Martin added.

Focus investment on small areas to create 'mini-Hollands'

So-called 'mini-Hollands' have been used in London to help boroughs improve streets and public areas to make cycling and walking safer and convenient. Small changes to road layouts on local high streets in Leeds could have a similar impact, Martin said.

Continue with programme of protected cycle lanes on major roads

Martin acknowledged Leeds City Council's good work on protected cycle lanes - separated from motor traffic - and said the programme must continue. "Any route over 30mph should have one," he said.

Remove considerable amounts of private motor traffic

Now it gets more tricky. Getting more people cycling in a city with limited space will ultimately mean taking away space from cars. This could be done in a variety of ways, including a workplace parking levy, as has been introduced in Nottingham. Businesses with 11 or more spaces have to pay a fee, which has been used to build a new line on their tram system.

Invest in a better public transport system

No matter how many people are encouraged to cycle, there will always be people who are either unwilling or unable to do it, particularly in winter. Leeds needs a mass-transit system, better buses and a public bike hire scheme too, Martin said.