Cycling must be made more attractive to a BME audience, according to the capital’s first walking and cycling commissioner.

Will Norman has voiced concerns over the lack of diversity among cyclists, arguing that many schemes which are encouraging people to take up the hobby are being perceived as a way to get “middle-aged men cycling faster around the city”.

Mr Norman, whose job it is to deliver on London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s pledge to make walking and cycling safer in the capital, said he was now considering setting diversity targets for London’s cycling population to ensure a greater level of diversity.

Speaking to The Independent Mr Norman said: “There is a problem with cycling and the way it is perceived of getting middle-aged men cycling faster around the city, which is not the objective at all.

“It touches on something which is a real challenge for London cycling, which is diversity.”