Cycling increases in London on back of Le Tour

And London now wants the Tour to return.

The Mayor and Transport for London confirm negotiations are underway to bring the Tour back to London ahead of 2012

The Tour de France’s legacy to the Capital was a 10.5 per cent increase in the number of people cycling on London’s major roads in the six months from April to September compared with the same period last year – with an estimated 48,000 more cycle journeys everyday.

In a survey 50 per cent of spectators said they would cycle more as a result of the Tour’s visit to London.

Tourism also received a huge boost with two million people lining the Capital’s streets to see the weekend’s events. An additional one million people watched the riders race through Kent. An estimated £88m was spent by spectators, teams and race organisers in London and the South East during the Tour de France weekend.

The Tour de France also gave London and cycling a huge media profile. London was heralded as a great venue for world-class events in media around the world. The Grand Depart generated an estimated value of £35m in media coverage for London and cycling.

Negotiations have begun with the Amaury Sport Organisation, owners of the Tour de France, to bring the Tour de France back to London ahead of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said:

“Bringing the Tour de France to London has been hugely successful, boosting cycling and showing Londoners’ huge interest in watching and participating in sport that is growing as we approach the 2012 Games.

“As well as demonstrating that great sporting events can inspire people to take up physical activity, the success of the Tour de France also shows the economic benefits that these types of event can bring to London. The Tour has generated well over £100m in spending and publicity, which will in turn attract more visitors and encourage the organisers of future sporting events to choose London. Transport for London has already opened negotiations to bring this great race back to London – I hope before 2012.”

The new figures are contained in a report published today by Transport for London, which reviews the success of the Tour de France against the Mayor and TfL’s objectives.

Peter Hendy, London’ Transport Commissioner, said: “The Grand Depart was an amazing weekend, the Tour organisers, media, riders and spectators said it was the greatest start the Tour had ever had.

“The public transport network dealt with an unprecedented number of events with the Wimbledon Tennis Finals, Live Earth, concerts at the O2 Centre and Twickenham and of course the Tour de France. The Tube carried one million more people on Saturday 7 July than a comparable weekend last year, with the most passengers the network has ever carried on a Saturday.”

“We are working to bring the Tour back to London as soon as possible.”

Visit London Chief Executive, James Bidwell, said: “The Tour de France weekend in London demonstrated why our capital is the number one city destination in the world. Not only did we showcase our world-class capability in hosting such major events, but also our willingness to welcome people, cultures and traditions from across the planet. The sheer excitement of the Grand Depart created an atmosphere which will never be forgotten by the millions of Londoners and tourists who shared a truly unique experience. We very much look forward to welcoming the Tour again in the very near future.”

London Development Agency Chief Executive Manny Lewis said:

“The Grand Depart was a great sporting event and a great advert for London. I am delighted that our support helped the Tour come to London and provide such a stunning spectacle for so many people to enjoy. The Grand Depart elevated London’s global profile and proved – on the journey towards 2012 -that London has the enthusiasm, skills and infrastructure to deliver world class events.”