9 May 2012 Last updated at 01:18 ET

Cyclists to follow Olympic torch in York

More than 200 cyclists are to escort the Olympic torch when it arrives in York as part of the torch relay.

LONDON 2012 RELAY

• Olympic flame will go to within an hour's travel of 95% of the population
• Seven islands will be visited - the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, Shetland, Orkney the Isle of Lewis and Isle of Wight
• Talks are under way about taking the Olympic flame to Dublin
• The total distance the flame will travel is estimated to be 8,000 miles
• The relay will start at Land's End in Cornwall on 19 May, 2012
• The flame will travel for 12 hours each day

Only two cities, York and Cambridge, have been granted permission to add a cycle escort to the relay by organisers.

Cyclists taking part will be chosen from local cycling clubs, the City of York Council said.

Organisers added that a competition, to be run in local papers, would also offer places for cyclists in the relay.

The cycle escort will pedal behind the main torch convoy as it heads into the city on 19 June.

The Labour-run council said it would be a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity for cyclists in the city.