Sadiq Khan has announced an annual £154 million spending on cycling in London over the next five years.

The city's Mayor said on Monday December 5 the injection into cycling is to help Londoners get about quickly without have to use a car, bringing both health benefits and improving air quality.

The new investment, part of the Transport for London (TfL) draft Business Plan, will also look to create more pedestrian crossings and pavement space.

Totalling £770 million, the amount is almost double the £79 million per year spent over the last mayoral term, putting London on par with the Netherlands for money spent for cycling.

The Mayor will also be appointing a new walking and cycling commissioner for London who will be an advocate for active travel in London.

City Hall is hoping to meet a target of 1.5 million cycle journeys per day by 2025/26 Pics: Jordan Mansfield/Getty

The Mayor said: "I said in my manifesto that I’d be the most pro-cycling Mayor London has ever had.

"Today I’m delighted to confirm that TfL will be spending twice as much on cycling over the next five years compared to the previous Mayor.

"Making cycling safe and easier can provide huge benefits for us all – improving our health, cleaning up our toxic air, and helping tackle congestion."

What will the new plans change in London?

Areas where the two new cycle superhighways are set to develop

The new plans include phase two of the North-South Cycle Superhighway from Farringdon to Kings Cross, which will start construction in 2017.

It also includes the extension of the East-West Cycle Superhighway from Lancaster Gate and work to deliver Cycle Superhighway 11 from Swiss Cottage to the West End, which the Mayor has given his endorsement for.

The Business Plan also confirms funding for two new Cycle Superhighways.

Consultations will begin next year on Cycle Superhighway 4 from Tower Bridge to Greenwich and Cycle Superhighway 9 from Olympia towards Hounslow .

At least 20 more Quietway routes will be planned, making cycling safer and easier in different parts of London including Hammersmith .

The first cycle superhighway was first opened by Boris Johnson during his time as London Mayor. Pic: Dan Kitwood/Getty

Ashok Sinha, CEO of the London Cycling Campaign, said: "This unprecedented investment in cycling shows the Mayor is serious about meeting his promises to triple the extent of London’s protected cycle lanes, fix the most dangerous junctions and enable boroughs to implement major walking and cycling schemes.

"It will help make London a better, greener, healthier and less congested city."

The Numbers

  • An average £154m per year for cycling over the next five years
  • Almost double the £79 million per year spent over the last mayoral term
  • 2.4 % of TfL’s budget was spent on cycling - over the course of the new Business Plan, 5.5% of TfL’s budget will now be spent on cycling
  • There's a target to achieve 1.5 million cycle journeys per day by 2025/26

Matt Winfield, London Director of national walking and cycling charity, Sustrans, said: "The Mayor is right to secure this record investment for cycling to tackle dire air quality and improve our health, while making more efficient use of our limited road space.

"It will help more Londoners get around in a way that’s easy and affordable, while making our city an even more attractive place to live, work or do business."

TfL’s Draft Business Plan will be considered by the TfL Board at its next meeting on 15 December.

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