GLASGOW is gearing up for a month of cycling as the city launches its first Glasgow and Clyde Cycle Challenge.

Cyclists are urged to sign up for the new event, run by Glasgow City Council, and record their routes to help improve the city's cycling network.

Taking part in the month-long challenge will help create an accurate picture of how cyclists travel about the city and ensure future investment is made in the right places.

And participants don't need to live in Glasgow - the challenge is open to anyone who cycles within the Glasgow and Clyde Valley area.

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, said: “We really want to see as many people as possible sign up to the challenge.

“By taking part we will be able to identify where people cycle from, the routes they take, the routes they don’t take, where improvements can be made and where we can better facilitate the needs of cyclists.

“Whether you are cycling to work, to the train station, going to the shops or just enjoying being out on your bike, taking part in the challenge and recording your routes allows us to see where people are cycling, what junctions, roads and routes are favoured by cyclists and those which aren’t.”

Everyone who signs up will be entered into weekly prize draws with top prizes from leading cycle equipment manufacturers up for grabs.

To sign up and take part in the Glasgow and Clyde Cycle Challenge, download the Naviki route tracker app - or upload files from Strava, other tracker apps or GPS units - and follow instructions.

Routes are collated into a leader board that will be updated daily and hosted on the smartertravelGLA website - www.smartertravelgla.co.uk - which also hosts new cycle routes designed to suit all levels of fitness and cycling ability.

The new routes have been developed in collaboration with Markus Stitz, the first person to cycle around the world on a singlespeed bike.

There will be events and activities taking place throughout May from led rides, themed rides and Dr Bike events.

The first is a Bike Breakfast on the Broomielaw at Tradeston Bridge on April 17 from 7.30am to 11am.

The challenge runs from May 1 to 31 and cyclists can sign up at any point although organisers would encourage people to participate from day one.