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Cycle centre 'first 2012 legacy' Cycle centre 'first 2012 legacy'
(about 6 hours later)
A new cycling centre opens in east London later to become the "first piece of physical sporting legacy" linked to the 2012 Olympics. A cycling centre has been opened in east London which the developers say is the "first piece of physical sporting legacy" linked to the 2012 Olympics.
The £4.5m Redbridge Cycling Centre replaces the Eastway Cycle Circuit which was demolished to make way for the VeloPark for the London Games.The £4.5m Redbridge Cycling Centre replaces the Eastway Cycle Circuit which was demolished to make way for the VeloPark for the London Games.
The new 2km circuit, built by the London Development Agency (LDA), will be for community and competition use.The new 2km circuit, built by the London Development Agency (LDA), will be for community and competition use.
Mayor Boris Johnson, who will open the facility, said it was "superb". Opening the centre, Mayor Boris Johnson said it was a "breathtaking facility".
"The opening of the Redbridge Centre could not have happened at a better time - this being London's 'summer of cycling'," he said. It's good for your health and it's a great sport to be involved in Simon Lillistone, British Cycling
Mr Johnson said: "The great thing about cycling, set aside the exhaustion, is that it is wonderful exercise and this is a breathtaking facility... it's a fantastic site.
"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.""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."
After 2012, the VeloPark will return to community use giving London two of the best cycling facilities in the country, the LDA said. Communications director for British Cycling Simon Lillistone said: "There has been an increase in interest in cycling in competitive terms, British cycling terms, in recreational terms.
"At the end of the day it's a great form of transport, it's good for your health and it's a great sport to be involved in.
"A traffic-free facility like this is great for them (children), is great for competitive cycling and great for the local community."
After 2012, the VeloPark will return to community use, giving London two of the best cycling facilities in the country, the LDA said.