Transport for LondonWalking and cycling has never been easier
Thanks to funding by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and additional work by charity organisation Sustrans, a total of 75km of cycle routes in East London have now been enhanced by Transport for London (TfL).
The eight routes around the Olympic Park and river venues are now structurally complete, with new signs in place in Hackney Park.
New cycle crossings, plus improved paving and lighting for safety and security, have been added to help spectators travelling to the Olympic Park and other London venues.
An additional one million journeys a day are expected to be made on foot and by bike next summer as spectators switch from other forms of transport.
Ben Plowden, TfL's Director of Better Routes and Places, said: 'The improvements we've made to the to the 2012 Games walking and cycle routes will be a legacy for Londoners long after the Games have finished.
'They are a further boost to the cycling revolution that the Mayor is bringing to the Capital.'
The upgrade received further endorsement from five-time Olympic swimmer and Commonwealth Champion Mark Foster: 'I live in London and I always use my bike to get around, and so I'm really impressed that the cycling and walking routes leading to the Olympic Park are in place well ahead of next summer for people to makes use of now.'
The London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and TfL have also launched the London 2012 Active Travel Programme (ATP) to increase the number of people cycling and walking.
The ODA is also helping to deliver this Capital-wide programme, after working with local authorities, the NHS, Sustrans, Ramblers, Walk England, Living Streets and more.
Ben Plowden added: 'As a result of the ATP we expect around 300,000 spectators to walk or cycle to Olympic venues in London.'
More than 50 ATP projects are in place already. One of which, The London Cycle Guide, covers the area surrounding the Olympic Park, and maps how the upgraded routes feed into the city's wider cycling network. Order your copy of the guide online at tfl.gov.uk/cycleguides
