SOARING petrol costs have resulted in cycle fever hitting Cheltenham as commuters leave cars at home.

Bosses at Cheltenham Cycles, in Winchcombe Street, say the shop has enjoyed its best year of trading to date and the trend looks to be continuing.

"Business is absolutely fantastic," said employee Ben Davies.

"Last Thursday and Friday trade mimicked what we'd usually see on a Saturday."

He said cash-strapped motorists are realising cycling is a way to save money, and get fit at the same time: "With the recession we are seeing that people simply cannot afford to run two or three cars. People come in wanting a bike to cycle to work, and then decide they will also use it at weekends."

Andrew Williams, manager of William Cycles, in Albion Street, said business had remained steady despite the recession.

He said: "We were expecting trade to drop because of the financial climate but that hasn't been the case. We've remained steady and the good weather has also helped us with people coming in."

The increasing popularity of the Government's cycle to work scheme has also been credited for the upturn in trade.

The 1999 Finance Act introduced an annual tax exemption which allowed employers to loan cycles and cyclists' safety equipment to employees as a tax-free benefit.

"Employees are really seeing the benefit of these schemes now," said Mr Davies. "We see groups of friends where one has joined a scheme and now they're all signing up."

At UCAS in Cheltenham, staff are offered tax breaks if they opt to ditch four wheels.

Nikki Henshaw, interim head of human resources, said the scheme had proved popular.

"UCAS is always looking for ways to have both a positive impact on the environment and also on the health of its employees," she said.

"We offer a tax break for anyone who would like to purchase a bike through our benefits scheme, meaning it becomes far more accessible for many.

"It's proved popular and increasing numbers of employees are both cycling to work and taking up the offer."

And for anyone looking to get fit, Mr Davies says nothing beats pedal-power.

"There is a great sense of achievement as you travel quite far in comparison to walking. And it can be exciting; you get a great thrill as you pick up speed travelling downhill," he said.

Cheltenham Cycle Campaign has recently launched the third edition of its Cheltenham Cycle Map outlining routes through the town and pinpointing cycle parking. Copies are available from the Municipal Offices and Tourist Information Centre.

For more information, visit www.cyclecheltenham.org.uk.