Tomorrow is National Bike To Work Day, with workers in York and North Yorkshire encouraged to leave their cars at home.

Thousands of motorists across the country are expected to switch to pedal power for the day, which is part of National Bike Week.

More than 100 MPs and peers were today pedalling through central London to show their support for cycling.

Pedal cyclists made up 37 per cent of all traffic in 1949, but accounted for only one per cent in 1995.

But North Yorkshire County Council said it was harder for people in the county to take up the challenge.

A spokesman said: "We try as much as possible to encourage people to cycle to work but unfortunately people tend to live some distance from work in this county. Unless they are particularly keen cyclists, the prospect of cycling 20 miles every morning is a daunting one."

In York, there were calls for workers to take to their bikes tomorrow from the Cyclists' Touring Club.

Spokesman Paul Hepworth said: "People might actually find it is better to cycle than sit in their car. It can often be quicker, and motorists breathe in more pollution sitting in their cars than cyclists do outside."

He praised the City of York Council's efforts to make York more cycle friendly, but said potential cyclists were still put off by a lack of facilities, particularly safe cycle routes and secure parking. He welcomed plans for a new secure cycle park, announced last week.

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