A ban on cycling in five of Oxford's parks looks set to be lifted.

The move has been prompted by the city council's admission that it does not have the resources to enforce the by-law.

As a result, the pedestrians and cycles sub-committee has recommended that informal cycle routes which have developed in many parks should be made official.

Vice-chairman George Kershaw said: "It will be a major shift away from us saying 'no' to cycling in parks.

"We recognise it's currently going on. We recognise the roads are particularly dangerous for teaching young children to cycle and the parks are a more appropriate place for that to happen."

Cllr Kershaw said a change to the by-law was overdue.

He said: "It's ridiculous. We need to face realities on the ground.

He said he had looked at the attitude to cycling in a number of London parks and concluded "there was a very positive message on encouraging cycling".

He added that, as far as he was aware, there had been no reported injuries involving pedestrians and cyclists in Oxford's parks.

Cycle routes recommended to become official are:

*Blackbird Leys Park: Cuddesdon Way to Pegasus Road;

*Bury Knowle Park: Chestnut Avenue to London Road;

*Florence Park: Florence Park Road to Rymers Lane and Campbell Road;

*New Marston Recreation Ground: Rippington Drive to Croft Road;

*King George's Field and Oatlands Recreation Ground: Ferry Hinksey Road to Duke Street and Willow Walk.

It was decided not to change the by-law in Cutteslowe Park, Headington Hill Park and Hinksey Park.

The council's leisure committee will have the final say on the recommendations when it meets on Monday.