MORE bicycle racks have appeared in the city and campaigners are hoping for more.

Brighton and Hove City Council has installed the new cyclists’ parking area in Havelock Road, Brighton, to help shoppers and residents.

Becky Reynolds, a keen cyclist and campaigns officer for Bricycles, the Brighton and Hove District Cycling Group, said: “I think it’s great news. I hope it will encourage shoppers to cycle there and support the local businesses.

“I’m hugely in favour of cycling and think it is mentally and physically good for people’s health, as well as helping to reduce carbon emissions and help the environment.

“The council has just extended the controlled parking area here so this is a great addition.”

Ms Reynolds, who lives just off Havelock Road, hopes the council will now turn its attention to London Road.

She said: “It is a desert for cycle parking. It’s not only safer to park bikes in a dedicated place but it also doesn’t clutter up the pavement for pedestrians or mean people have to leave them resting on shop windows.

“Bricycles has also campaigned for better cycle routes, less traffic, wider pavements and better bus shelters in London Road – but the council has no plans for more bike racks there.

A city council spokesman said: “Each installation depends on finding money, which is tight at present.”

Ian Davey, deputy council leader, added: “In the last few years we’ve installed hundreds of on-street cycle racks in the city.

“This is aimed at accommodating the explosion in cycling. Statistics show a doubling in the numbers of people cycling to work.

“It’s all part of our efforts to make cycling easier, to give people a wider range of transport choices in order to try to relieve traffic congestion and air pollution.”

Suggestions for locations for cycle racks can be made to the council’s transport team on 01273 290000.