When did the Yorkshire Ridings cease to exist and why?

The Yorkshire Ridings ceased to exist as administrative divisions in 1974 with the implementation of the Local Government Act 1972. This act reorganized local government structures across England and Wales, abolishing the traditional three Ridings—York, East Riding, and West Riding—and creating the modern counties of North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and East Riding of Yorkshire. The change aimed to improve administrative efficiency and reflect population growth and urbanization.