The legacy of next year’s Tour de France could lead to thousands more people taking up cycling over the next decade, according to a Bradford Council report.

Ambitious targets inspired by next July’s Grand Depart – which will see the opening two stages of the race being held in Yorkshire – would see ten per cent more cycling clubs set up and the number of local cycle journeys rise by a fifth by 2023.

The Council first announced its cycling strategy in February 2012, but since then the sport’s popularity has swelled, encouraged by British success at the 2012 Olympics and by Chris Froome following Sir Bradley Wiggins to claim successive Tour de France victories for Britain.

And with the Grand Depart passing through several parts of the Bradford district, interest is not expected to wane.

A draft Council report on realising the legacy of Le Tour was discussed last night by its regeneration and economy scrutiny committee.

It describes the event as a “once in a lifetime opportunity to raise the profile of cycling in the region”.

Recent successes in promoting cycling are mentioned in the report, which looks at how pedal power is set to see a huge rise in popularity in the next decade.

Ambitions are for the number of cycle journeys in the district to rise 12 per cent by 2018 and 20 per cent by 2023, and for five per cent more adults to make at least one cycle journey a month in ten years’ time.

The target has been set for a third of all cycling activity to involve women, and the number of cycling clubs rise by ten per cent in that time.

There is expected to be three per cent more competitive cycling events in the area and ten per cent more non-competitive events.

Local councils should also provide cycle hire schemes, similar to the “Boris bikes” in London, where people can hire on the street.

Events like Bradford’s popular Sky Ride would be more widespread and “bike to work” weeks promoted.

It adds: “The strategy will raise the profile of cycling and help influence social norms toward it being a more common transport or recreational choice for more people.

“Yorkshire is a fantastic scenic place for cycling, and offers a range of terrain to suit cyclists of all types.”

Among groups that will be encouraged to get more involved in cycling are women, ethnic minorities and the disabled.

Ilkley Cycling club is the largest in the country with more than 1,000 members, despite having only been re-established in 2011.

The report refers to the club as an “inspiration” to how the area can promote cycling, and is praised for catering for all ages and demographics.