The Tour of Britain brought £4 million into Sussex’s economy.

The UK’s biggest bike race boosted Brighton and Hove’s economy by £1.29 million, and the rest of Sussex by £2.67 million.

Organisers SweetSpot said an estimated 250,000 spectators watched Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish race through Horsham, Haywards Heath, Uckfield and Eastbourne before finishing in Brighton on September 13. An estimated 50,000 people watched the finale on Madeira Drive.

There are hopes the event will return to the county next year – but organisers have said the route of next year’s cycle race will not be revealed until March. And following the success of the Tour, Brighton and Hove City Council is planning its own cycling event for next September.

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, chairman of the economic development and culture committee on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “We had a fantastic day and a thrilling finish on Madeira Drive.

“It was great for the city and having the country’s most prestigious bike race following on from the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games has helped encourage more people to be active and take up cycling. We are also delighted to see a proposal for a new cycling event, which will follow on from the success of the Tour of Britain.”

Research also showed that 55% of people surveyed were inspired to cycle more after the event.

Councillor Keith Glazier, East Sussex County Council’s leader, said: “As well as bringing a welcome boost to our economy, the Tour of Britain gave us the perfect opportunity to showcase everything East Sussex has to offer. It was great to see so many people lining the route and I am sure the experience will have encouraged many more people to take up cycling as a way of staying healthy.”

Councillor Louise Goldsmith, leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “For our part we we’ve had incredible feedback from people who went along to watch on the day. We know that parts of the route that went through West Sussex attracted some of the biggest crowds of the whole event outside London and Liverpool.

“We were keen to be a part of this event because we knew it would showcase our county on an international stage, bring people to West Sussex and support our local economy. It’s promoted cycling in Sussex and encouraged even more people to enjoy our great outdoors.”

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said the Velocity cycling event was being proposed for Madeira Drive on September 12 next year.

The event will be intended to “build on the huge popularity of cycling highlighted by this year’s Tour of Britain stage which finished in Brighton and Hove”. He added: “The event will feature amateur grade races for all ages, rather than professional cyclists, giving the opportunity for local people and visitors to take part. “There will also be cycling themed attractions, displays and exhibitions.”