THOUSANDS of York residents are to be visited at home by council officials in an attempt to persuade people to walk, cycle, share cars or use the bus.

City of York Council is launching its biggest ever door-to-door exercise to talk to more than 12,000 householders in Rawcliffe and Clifton.

They will encourage people to use more sustainable forms of transport instead of private cars and hand out maps, free bus tickets, pedometers and bike health checks.

The project is costing the city council £320,000 – equivalent to about £26 per household – and is part of the council’s iTravel initiative, supported by £4.6 million of Government funding the council bid for in 2011.

Householders in north York are being targeted specifically because there are many short car trips to work and shopping destinations, the council said. The surveys will be replicated elsewhere in the city next year.

Coun Dave Merrett, council cabinet member for transport, said: “We encourage all residents living in this area to take advantage of this free service, set up to help with everyday travel needs. By encouraging even more people to walk, cycle, use public transport, or car share across the city, this will help to reduce congestion, improve health and increase economic growth in the city.

He said: “As part of our i-Travel York programme, we are aiming to increase levels of cycling by 20 per cent and walking by ten per cent by 2016. We are also working towards increasing bus usage by 20 per cent by 2015.”

The council’s advisers will also offer personal “challenges” for people to try a new form of sustainable transport. Households will receive an introductory postcard in the next few weeks about the advisers’ identities, uniforms and what the free service involves.

The exercise will roll-out next year to areas including Huntington, Haxby, Earswick and New Earswick.

For more information, or to book a free consultation, email enquiries@itravelyork.info, phone 01904 636359 or visit itravelyork.info