£913 million cycling plan

Boris Johnson has announced plans for a network of new cycle routes costing almost a billion pounds.

The Mayor wants to create a 15-mile stretch of cycle lane from Barking to White City, but it's been revealed that the funding isn't yet in place, as our Political Correspondent Simon Harris reports

Pete Williams from the RAC gives his response to the Mayor's cycling plans.

Boris Johnson has admitted that his plans won't become a reality without the cooperation of local and central government.

He said:

"I do not control the vast majority of London’s roads, so many of the improvements I seek will take time. They will depend on the cooperation of others, such as the boroughs, Royal Parks, Network Rail and central government.

"I do not promise perfection; I do not promise that London, a very different city from Amsterdam or Copenhagen, will quickly come to resemble those places. But what I do say is that this document marks a profound shift in my ambitions and intentions for the bicycle in London."

Sir Peter Hendy, the head of Transport for London, said that the success of the Olympics showed that it was possible to take some space away from traffic without causing gridlock.

Boris Johnson has been speaking to our Political Correspondent Simon Harris about the details of his "cycling vision".

Transport for London has released an animation of the proposed "Crossrail Cycle Superhighway" along the Victoria Embankment.

The Mayor's proposals have been given an enthusiastic reception by many cyclists and cyling groups on Twitter.

Cyclists in the City described them as "stonking plans".

The London Assembly criticised the plans as "not ambitious enough" and called for Boris Johnson to double the budget for cycling.

They said that the Mayor was likely to miss his targets for increasing the number of journeys taken by bike and for improving cycle safety

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, said:

“Far from seeing evidence of a serious commitment to a 'cycling revolution', the Mayor’s vision lacks ambition for his pledges to make London safer and more inviting for cycling.

"While £913 million may seem an impressive figure, its impact will be diluted over ten years and is not a significant advancement on current funding levels. To have real impact, we’re calling for the investment in cycling to be doubled.

“The Committee has previously highlighted how segregated cycle paths, junction and cycle superhighway improvements and tackling HGV safety would improve safety for cyclists, and we're delighted to see these included in the Mayor's cycle vision.

"If Boris Johnson is serious about leaving a lasting cycling legacy for London – boosting journeys by bike and improving safety – more ambitious targets, backed by serious funding, are needed."

The Mayor said that his investment in cycling would provide a boost to all Londoners, not just lycra-clad bike enthusiasts.

He said: