BEXLEY is one of 13 biking boroughs in London who will be able to bid for funding to improve facilities for cyclists.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and Transport for London have set aside £4m for the biking boroughs to enable them to create a culture of cycling in outer London.

The biking boroughs scheme was announced by the Mayor in January last year with a promise of extra support and expertise in a bid to encourage cycling.

Each borough was also given £25,000 to develop a biking strategy.

In return, they gave a pledge to put cycling at their heart of their transport plans.

So far the biking boroughs’ strategies have revealed some key themes, such as creating cycle hubs in town centres where there are lots of potential cyclists; investing in improvements along well-used cycling routes; breaking down the barriers to cycling in areas where people are keen to cycle and increasing the number of events promoting cycling.

It is hoped new cash will enable councils like Bexley to finance events designed to encourage more people to take up cycling, create better facilities for cyclists, such as more cycle racks and make it safer for people to take to the borough’s roads on their bikes.

Schemes could include training courses aimed at improving lorry drivers’ awareness of cyclists, more high street cycle racks or the creation of designated cycle routes.

The deadline for bids is the end of March.