To improve safety, cycle lanes are now being designed to run behind bus stops

Cycle lanes segregated from motor traffic are being planned and built around the country as Britain seeks to extend the Olympics-inspired cycling boom.

Proposed schemes in London, Brighton and Southampton have been welcomed as a sign that councils are beginning to appreciate the economic and health benefits of encouraging cycling.

In the capital, the Cycle Superhighway that runs from Aldgate to Bow will be extended to Stratford under Transport for London plans that are currently open to consultation. Of the 3km of new cycle lanes to be built, 2.4km will be segregated from traffic by a kerb while ten junctions will be upgraded in line with demands made in the Times Cities Fit for Cycling campaign.

Surveys show that safely segregated cycle lanes are the