A COUNCILLOR showed just how far she was prepared to go when she helped a launch a new cycling initiative with the same slogan yesterday.

Tracey Simpson-Laing stepped in at the last minute to help promote a £677,000 package for York's cyclists at the city's Guildhall, launched under the title of How Far Will You Go?

However, while trying to accommodate the demands of newspaper photographers, Coun Simpson-Laing toppled from the basket of a bicycle while it was in the control of fellow transport official, Dan Johnson.

Ruffled but unhurt, the City of York Council's spokeswoman on planning and transport was able to announce that new cycle routes, designed to improve safety for cyclists in key areas, have taken York's cycleway past the 100km mark.

"A record award from central government to York will enable us to spend £6.15m on transport improvements this year, and £677,000 will be spent directly on improvements for cyclists," she said.

"Together with the safe routes to school programme, we will be making cycling attractive and safer for more residents than ever before.

"Getting people to switch from cars will help to reduce traffic congestion, as well as being a healthy activity for both commuters and children."

The How Far Will You Go? campaign aims to persuade younger people that cycling is an appealing alternative to the car. It includes tongue-in-cheek posters and advertisements showing young couples enjoying York's cycle network.