Armitstead in ChooseCycling plea to Yorkshire council ahead of Grand Depart

Great Britain's Lizzie Armitstead during the Women's Individual Time Trial on day five of the London Olympic Games at Hampton Court Palace, London. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

The Otley-born cyclist has joined 13 other world champion riders, including Chris Boardman and Victoria Pendleton, in urging councils across the UK to implement British Cycling’s ChooseCycling manifesto.

The 10-point manifesto, presented by Boardman to Parliament in February, recommends Government accommodate cycling in road designs through providing “meaningful and consistent” funding and by setting measurable targets on increasing the number of cyclists on our roads.

Leeds City Council chiefs have responded by saying the authority “wholeheartedly supports” ChooseCycling, highlighting its hosting of SkyRides and the £29m Leeds to Bradford cycleway as examples of its commitment.

In a letter addressed to council leader Coun Keith Wakefield, Armitstead said: “I believe that making it easier for people to choose to travel by bike is the solution to many issues facing the city including improving health, reducing congestion and making it a better place to live and work.”

The move comes after former Olympian and British Cycling policy advisor Boardman told the YP he feared unless the UK Government made a long-term commitment to ChooseCycling, the legacy of a Grand Depart from Yorkshire on July 5 and 6 could be at risk.

Council cycling champion Coun Roger Harington said: “We’re firmly committed to making Leeds as cycle-friendly as possible.”

The growing interest in cycling ahead of this summer’s Tour is seeing organisations across the county embrace the spirit of the race. Harrogate-based Cicada Communications is the latest to show its support having painted its Station Parade front door yellow, and is encouraging others to do the same.

We are urging readers to email yellow pictures and stories to [email protected], tweet them to @yorkshirepost or post them on www.facebook.com/yorkshirepost.newspaper as part of our #yellowyorkshire campaign.

We are also encouraging businesses, schools and residents to sign up to our Wear it Yellow Day on July 3. All we ask is that individuals who wear yellow on the day donate £1 to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Email [email protected] to get involved.