Dutch-style cycling hubs are set to be created in Birmingham city centre to encourage more people to ride bikes to work.

The city is to undergo a huge drive to tempt people out of their cars and on to two wheels over the next five years.

Council chiefs have published a new cycling strategy which sets out radical plans that would make Birmingham one of the most bike-friendly cities in the UK.

The news has been cautiously welcomed by cycling groups which have warned that the ambitious blueprint needs to be backed with cash.

Officers at the council house are exploring city centre locations for cycle hubs which would offer secured storage, changing facilities, bike hire and repair services.

Plans for a scheme mirroring London’s hugely successful cycle hire scheme could also be resurrected.

It was initially dismissed as being too expensive but the potential to attract sponsorship like the deal with Barclays in the capital is being explored.

Work has already begun to set up a pilot bike hire scheme for students during term time at the University of Birmingham from as early as next year.

The new strategy also sets out plans to create more cycle lanes and connect roads more effectively to the canal network. There are plans to train 5,000 children and 1,000 teenagers to a level at which they are safe to cycle on the roads by the end of 2012.

The city council is now hoping to secure funding of £1 million over the next four years to turn the vision in to reality.

Cycling officer Mike Cooper said: “There is a real will in Birmingham to make these things happen and help us to become one of the most cycle friendly cities in the country.

“We are looking for a location for the cycling hub and that could be somewhere like the Colmore Row area, Brindley Place or even New Street station.

“The Department for Transport have met with us to talk about a cycle hire scheme but it really will depend on funding and sponsorship.

“The London scheme is fantastic but it loses money and that’s something we can’t afford to happen.