CYCLING is always a hot topic in York. To those opposed to cycles, the bike is a permanent nuisance. To those heartily in favour, it is the best possible way to get around a crowded city.

While the 'antis' will probably never come to love the bicycle, it is certainly true that two wheels are better than four for many commuters in the city.

So news that City Of York Council is looking to make its staff as green as possible is to be welcomed. New travel plans at the council should help to cut congestion by changing the way staff travel to work.

As a leading employer in the city, the council has a responsibility to encourage as many workers as possible to leave their cars at home and come to work by bike or on public transport.

The proposals include raising the monthly cycling allowance, an offer of safety training for cyclists and a pool of cycles to be shared among staff.

Other proposals include offering staff a discount on bus tickets and studying the possibility of having a council pool of mopeds or scooters.

All of these are sound ideas. The traffic-clogged streets of York provide daily proof that there are too many cars on the road.

If some of those drivers who are commuting to work could be persuaded to use another means of transport, then the roads could become less congested.

Cycling is a perfect answer for many people because it is a swift and healthy way to get to work. Many cyclists covering distances of two to three miles can arrive just as quickly as motorists, while also getting some all-important exercise into the bargain.

Cycling is not for everyone. Those living outside of the city may find the distances too daunting. The winter weather will put off less hardy souls.

Yet it is still a good, enjoyable and environmentally sound means of transport.

The Greens on the council say the plans do not go far enough. But then the Greens always say that, don't they?

Updated: 10:53 Monday, July 28, 2003