The London Cycling Campaign has welcomed the Boris Johnson’s announcement that spending for cycling will be maintained. 

The Cycle Hire and Superhighways schemes are set to both be expanded, as cycling projects avoid the worst of the budget cuts.

LCC chief executive Ashok Sinha said: “In recent months, LCC has made the case strongly that cycling programmes are fantastic value for money and that it makes no economic sense to cut them.

“Investment in cycling in the UK has been shown to give a return of £3 for every £1 spent, with much of this coming via crucial health benefits.

“Investing in London cycling is cost-effective opportunity to relieve the pressure on the NHS, and create a less congested, cleaner, happier and more mobile city.”

According to the mayor’s announcement, the Barclay’s Cycle Hire scheme will be expanded eastwards to the Docklands. The scheme will also be intensified in zone one, with more docking stations and bikes, including around 350 bikes at Waterloo station.

The Cycle Superhighways project will continue with its plan to build 12 radial commuter routes from the suburbs to central London by 2015.

The first two superhighways – Merton to the City and Barking to Tower Gateway – were completed in July this year.