Cyclox says about �500,000 worth of bikes are stolen every year

The stands in Bonn Square and St Giles, in central Oxford, allow the bike frame to be secured, not just the wheels. The council says the new stands mean that Oxford now has more than 1,800 secure cycle parking spaces. But Cyclox _ the Cycling Campaign for Oxford _ says at least another 1,000 places are urgently needed in the city.

The county council recognises the importance of cycling as part of the transport strategy for Oxford Councillor David Robertson

The group claims that cycles worth more than �500,000 are stolen every year in the city.

Plans to create the parking places were agreed in September 2004, but the council says that they will not be fully implemented until at least the end of 2005.

This delay has been heavily criticised by Cyclox.

Councillor David Robertson, Oxfordshire County Council's executive member for transport, said: "The county council recognises the importance of cycling as part of the transport strategy for Oxford.

"The provision of these new stands will increase the number of secure cycle parking spaces and I anticipate that they will be well used."