More than £100,000 could be spent teaching people to ride bikes

The project - which is due to be approved at the cabinet meeting on January 22- would see Croydon Council spend upwards of £20 million on everything from three cycle highways, to more bike racks and public hire points.

This would be part of a five year strategy to get more people in Croydon cycling and walking.

Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for transport and environment welcomed the project

“This strategy is the council’s plan to encourage many more people onto their bikes for work, leisure and their general wellbeing," he said.

“As well as the council investing in facilities and infrastructure, this strategy will put in place lots of measures that make cycling easier, safer and more affordable for the individual, plus make our local environment less polluted and more enjoyable.”

The five-year strategy includes cycle routes on less busy, residential streets, including from Thornton Heath to Croydon town centre and more Brompton bicycle hire docks.

Other proposals in the strategy that cover 2018/19 include £205,000 funding to help more schoolchildren to cycle and walk, £135,000 to provide cycle training and £10,000 so more people cycle for a healthier lifestyle.

Work is due to start next year on the cycle highways, which will have separate or semi-separated cycle lanes and road markings, plus crossings at major junctions.