HOSPITAL workers in York have pledged to swap their cars for bikes on their journeys to work after signing up for a cycling project.

The group of 19 staff at York Hospital are supporting the Try Cycling To Work initiative, which forms part of a Cycling City York scheme and will see them borrowing bikes and accessories for four weeks.

During that time, they will be asked to commute by bike as often as possible and receive a package of cycling support, as well as filling out questionnaires before they start the project and also when they finish to gauge whether their attitudes have changed.

After the four weeks, all those taking part will have an option to buy the bikes and equipment at a discount.

Graham Titchener, Cycling City York programme manager, said: “We are delighted to have York Hospital on board and it’s great to see another of the city’s major employers supporting our efforts to raise awareness of the many benefits of commuting by bike.

“What we are really looking for is a change in people’s attitudes towards cycling. We hope to see a large proportion of those taking part taking up cycling on a more regular basis at the end of the project.”