http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4624278.stm
Olympic cycling network unveiled
A vision for a network of traffic-free walking and cycling routes in
east London is to be unveiled.
GOAL 2012 (Greenways for Olympics and London) aims to create a 450-mile
long sustainable transport system for the Olympic Games and future
generations.
It proposes three routes to the Olympic Park in Stratford and a new
walking and cycling bridge across the Thames.
Transport charity Sustrans, which is backing the scheme, said some
routes could be up and running by 2007.
Three proposed routes to the Olympic Park will run from Broxbourne in
Herts, Croydon in south London and Wimbledon in south-west London. A new
lifting/swing cycle bridge would span the Thames from Rotherhithe to
Canary Wharf.
'Green' network
One of the key routes is the East London Elevated Greenway which would
connect communities in east London directly to the Olympic Park.
Sustrans said the five-mile route, which follows the line of the
historic Northern Outfall sewer, will provide a safe and attractive way
for local people to get to and from the Games.
John Grimshaw, Sustrans' chief executive, said: "There is already a
demand for better cycling and walking routes in the capital.
"And, during the Olympics 78% of spectators will be travelling to the
Games from within London, with 4 million people living within a
40-minute cycle ride of an Olympic venue."
Mr Grimshaw said Sustrans was capable of creating "a truly green network
to make cycling and walking a realistic and appealing option during the
Games and for future generations of Londoners".
Sustrans is working with Transport for London (TfL) on the plans and is
asking people to show their support for the scheme by logging onto their
website.