Multiple world champion and Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy welcomed plans by Newham Council to get people healthy by developing cycle routes and improving road safety across one of the UK’s most deprived boroughs, which has historically had a low uptake for cycling.

Sir Chris, who became the first Briton in a century to take three gold medals at a single Olympic Games in Beijing, including the keirin, the team sprint and also the individual sprint, said: “It’s great that the main Olympic host borough is taking cycling seriously so that as many people are being encouraged to get on their bikes by 2012 as possible.”

Newham, which already offers residents free adult cycle training, is hosting more than 60 per cent of the Olympic and Paralympic Games – including the stadium, athletes’ village, aquatics centre, velodrome and BMX circuit.

The move, which will help meet the ambitions of Olympic organisers in creating the greenest Games to date, is hoped to put Newham on the map as a major cycling hub, as has been experienced in other areas where velodromes exist, including Manchester, Glasgow and Newport.

Newham Council is ensuring the potential for a lasting legacy will be matched through investment in safe cycle routes throughout the borough so that residents and visitors are encouraged to get on their bikes and use the world-class facilities on their doorstep. It is also expected as Newham grows – with jobs and homes being created through unrivalled investment in Stratford City, the Royal Docks and Canning Town – more residents will be empowered to cycle for work, school and pleasure.

At the forefront of plans is The Greenway – the only traffic-free route running to the heart of the Olympic Park. The seven-kilometre stretch, which links Beckton to Victoria Park, provides stunning elevated views of East London’s heritage, landscape and regeneration sites. Ongoing investment is ensuring the grassy thoroughfare is positioned as the easiest way to beat traffic and get to the Olympic Park – by bike or foot. The council is working with the Olympic Delivery Authority and other partners, such as Thames Water – who own the route. More than £600,000 is being spent on improvement this year with bidding in place for more funding from central government funding to upgrade the whole Greenway before the Games.

Surrounding cycle paths in Newham and beyond have also started to feed into The Greenway as a main artery.

Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: “We are investing £24 million in borough-wide and local priority projects over the next three years. This includes upgrading parks and green paths. Cycling remains the cheapest and most efficient way to travel around the borough. We are looking at ways of making cycling safer and The Greenway will enable people to into and out of the Olympic Park without traffic lights or cars to contend with.”

Sir Chris added: “Cycling is an excellent way to get fit, stay healthy and get around – whatever your ability. Hopefully with improvements to a dedicated and safe route which runs through Newham to the velodrome and BMX track, a cycling culture will flourish.”