CYCLING commuters could be forced back into their cars by plans to create further vehicle restrictions in York, a cyclists' organisation in the city has claimed.

Paul Hepworth, spokesman of CTC - a cycling organisation similar to the motoring organisations AA and RAC - in York and North Yorkshire, said that late-night shopping plans which start on April 17 could reduce the number of cyclists in the city, particularly those who only occasionally get on their bikes.

He said that if cyclists have to get off and walk through the city centre on their way home from work they may as well be in their car - and many would get back behind the wheel.

York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with City of York Council, has organised late-night shopping in the city every Thursday.

Current traffic restrictions in the main shopping areas of the city, including Parliament Street and Coney Street, would be extended until 8pm on Thursdays for the safety of shoppers. Len Cruddas, chief executive of the chamber, said: "It will affect vehicles, but it will be no different to what happens every day during December in the run-up to Christmas."

Peter Evely, the council's head of highways regulation, has dismissed Mr Hepworth's claims, saying that the once-a-week restrictions will only slightly inconvenience motorists and cyclists.

He urged cyclists to do "the sensible thing" and get off their bikes and walk through the city centre before continuing their journey on two wheels.

Mr Evely highlighted the fact that city centre restrictions prevent any vehicle travelling through the city centre at any time. Only vehicles which have a purpose for being in the city centre, ie deliveries and some disabled badge holders, are allowed in at permitted times.

Mr Hepworth said: "One of the main attractions of cycling is that it's the form of wheeled transport which can get people closest to their final destination.

"It doesn't take much to convince some cyclists to switch back to a car. If someone has to walk their cycle to the edge of the footstreets, even if it's just for one night a week, they might decide it's just as advantageous for them to make that journey by car."

But Mr Evely said: "On those particular days cyclists will need to do the sensible thing, as you would expect all cyclists to do in the circumstances, and get off their bike and walk.

"It will only add a few minutes to the journey, but it will be safer for all people concerned. I'm one of those people who will have to do it because I use that route when I go home."

Updated: 08:50 Tuesday, March 18, 2003