Kaya Burgess and Philip Pank of The Times testified to the parliamentary panel

The country should seize on the success of British cyclists at the Olympic Games and transform cycling into a mainstream mode of transport, a Parliamentary inquiry heard yesterday.

Just as sportsmen came from nowhere 20 years ago to become world leaders at London 2012, British streets can be transformed over the next two decades with proper investment and political leadership, Parliament heard.

But the change to build streets that are safe and cities that are pleasant places in which to live can only come with personal leadership from the Prime Minister, witnesses told the ‘Get Britain Cycling’ inquiry.

An expert panel said that cycle use could double every decade if David Cameron commits to a sustained programme of investment in cycle infrastructure and training.

“There