New cycling centre is first step in sporting legacy for 2012

Boris Johnson opened the £4.5 million Redbridge Cycling Centre, the first venue that will leave London with a sporting legacy after the 2012 games.

It comes after London cyclist Bradley Wiggins won his second gold medal in Beijing yesterday, bringing the total of golds won by the British cyclists at the Laoshan Track to five.

The new 2km circuit, near Hainault, east London, is free to use and designed to encourage more people to take up the sport, hopefully leading to an even better British medal haul in 2012.

The centre was built by the London Development Agency to replace the Eastway Cycle Circuit, which was torn up to make way for Olympic facilities.

The Eastway circuit will be replaced by the VeloPark, which after 2012 will return to community use, meaning London should have two of the best cycling facilities in the country.

Mr Johnson said: "The opening of the Redbridge Centre could not have happened at a better time - this being London's 'summer of cycling'.

"One of my key ambitions as Mayor is to see London become a real cycling city by encouraging the estimated 1.1 million Londoners who own bikes but don't use them regularly to get back in the saddle. So now there's no excuse because not only is this superb facility the place to come to practise your cycling skills, it's completely free and if you don't own a bike they'll lend you one - just turn up and pedal."

At today's opening visitors were being given free coaching on bikes provided by the centre.

Kate Hoey, Commissioner for Sport, also helped open the track. She said: "It is encouraging to see the first practical example of the 2012 Olympics ensuring a legacy site for one of our most successful sports. This track will provide cycling opportunities for people with all levels of cycling ability and will be a truly accessible facility."

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham yesterday hit back at claims that the Government is not on track to deliver a lasting legacy for the 2012 Olympics. He said the 2012 games would result in more sports participation at local level.

Peter Rogers, Interim Chief Executive of the London Development Agency, said: "We hope the medals in Beijing will have a similar effect on cycling that Wimbledon has on tennis participation and people will take advantage of this wonderful facility."

Peter King, Chief Executive of British Cycling said: "The GB Cycling Team in Beijing are achieving incredible success, and facilities such as the Redbridge Cycling Centre will help the sport of cycling grow in the future and underpins the future success of our elite athletes."