New bike paths ''will encourage more people to cycle to work in London''

A number of new bike routes should inspire more people to cycle to work in London.

According to the city''s mayor Boris Johnson, the paths will help to create a metropolis where "cycling is the first choice" for many citizens.

Two of the city''s new Barclays Cycle Superhighways were opened earlier this week, which run from Merton to the City and between Barking and Tower Gateway.

At present, around 5,000 use these routes for purposes such as cycling to work, but Mr Johnson wants this to increase to 27,000 within three years.

The trails form part of a £116 million investment in cycling in the capital during 2010-11, with more set to open in the coming months.

"As well as being good for your health and wallet, encouraging more people to commute to work by bike will in turn help us improve air quality, cut carbon emissions and reduce congestion," the mayor said.

Mr Johnson is known for to practice what he preaches when it comes to bikes and is regularly spotted on his daily cycle to work on the city''s streets. Back