Bike parking bays could be introduced across Brighton and Hove to cater for the growing army of cyclists.

A pilot project will be run in Bedford Place, next to Norfolk Square, and Tichbourne Street, North Laine.

If it proves successful, parking bays will be rolled out across the city.

Cycle levels have increased dramatically in recent years leading to parking pressure and a rise in thefts.

At the peak of the crime wave in the summer of 2006, one bike was stolen every five hours, making the city one of the cycle theft capitals of the country.

Figures published by Brighton and Hove City Council revealed a 40 per cent increase in thefts was recorded in the year ending March 2006, bringing the total number of bikes stolen to more than 1,000 a year.

Thefts dropped over the winter months, in line with normal seasonal trends, and have not reached last year's peak.

But the city council wants to encourage cycling and will use part of a £1.5 million Government grant to bring in safer parking which will reduce thefts and stop the clutter of bikes chained to railings.

Bedford Street is popular with cyclists but the width of the pavements impacts on the conservation area.

As a result, one pay and display area will be removed and a rack for ten bicycles provided.

Tichbourne Street is a theft hotspot and a bay for ten bicycles.

The report to the environment committee reads: "Cycling levels have increased dramatically in recent years leading to parking pressure for cycles.

"In the absence of significant opportunities for additional off-street cycle parking, officers have identified on-street locations that are appropriate for cycle parking.

"In the absence of sufficient parking provision in the city, there has been an increase in fly parking, where bikes are attached to railings, lamp posts or other inappropriate street furniture.

"This causes unnecessary street clutter creating trip hazards and also has a detrimental effect on the aesthetic quality of an area.

"Should the experimental pilot scheme be deemed a success, it is proposed that further sites be rolled out across the city.

"New sites will be chosen that have little or no impact in parking revenue.

"This level of secure cycle parking provision will assist in reducing cycle thefts."

Almost all bike thefts take place in central Brighton and along the seafront.

Experts at BikeOff, part of London's Design Against Crime Research Centre, have already been brought to the city in a bid to help reduce thefts.

BikeOff has already pinpointed the area around City College Brighton and Hove as a hotspot.

Train stations on the Brighton mainline have also been revealed as hotspots for bike theft.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, chairman of the environment committee, said: "If it works we had better roll out some more."

Will parking bays reduce bike thefts? Or will they serve to let thieves know exactly where to target? Tell us what you think below.