Hello! Nice weather we've had today, eh? Bit breezy mind....
I only really got into cycling when I came to York about 11 years ago, so I don't have much to compare it to - I did commute a bit by bike before that, but I didn't see myself as a cyclist, I just used my bike.
Generally, I find cycling in York is fine. we have our share of stupid drivers, and crap facilities, but the city is ideal for cycling - compact, flat, lots of narrow streets where the bike really will be faster than cars. I don't know that I've noticed much difference in the last 10 years really. A lot of people cycle, so I guess quite a lot of the drivers either also cycle sometimes, or know people who do, so it's not 'odd'. Yeah, you get the odd ranting lunatic, or chav, but they don't often bother me.
As for incentives, I don't need them. I don't have a car, so I'm not saving money that way. Both my jobs are with organisations that encourage cycling (well, one is actually a cycling magazine, so that figures - the other is an environmental centre, so there's a generally 'green' ethos).
To drive across York, on a normal working day, if you are capable of cycling, is just daft, unless you love traffic jams. Whereas on some routes (it depends where you're travelling to and from, the riverside can be a useful corridor, when it's not under water), cycles have the advantage of being able to take short cuts and so on.
And there are loads of bike racks in town - go to King's Square, and look at the rank of them on St Andrewgate - there must be 15-20 Sheffield hoops and often fairly full.
Plus, look up the new Bike Hub project, due to open later this year.
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/5040768.__300k_to_kick_start_central_cycle_lock_up/