Five new cycle routes will be created or extended if city councillors give the green light to new proposals.

The plans are part of efforts to encourage more people to cycle in Brighton and Hove.

The routes are:

A link from the shops in Lewes Road to the city centre.

Extending the seafront cycle route towards Rottingdean.

A link from the city centre along London Road to the A23 route running from Patcham to Crawley.

A new route from the Dyke Railway cycle lane through to the centre of Hove.

A route from the city centre along Dyke Road to Devil's Dyke Road.

The draft document was launched by transport councillor Simon Battle as part of Bike to Work Week.

He said: "Our new cycling strategy shows we are serious about cycling.

"It sets specific targets on cycling, such as increasing bike trips and reducing cycling accidents."

In addition to the five main routes, the strategy identifies many smaller links which could be made more attractive for cyclists.

Under the proposals, cyclists would not be allowed down George Street in Hove at times when it is pedestrian-only but could cycle down the restricted part of East Street in Brighton.

Firms would be urged to do more to encourage staff to cycle to work and 300 more bike stands would be installed around the city.

There are also targets to tackle cycle theft and to increase training for youngsters on how to ride bikes.

A public exhibition and map of the city's expanding cycle network is available for inspection at Hove Town Hall until Saturday.

The strategy is also outlined on the council's web site at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk