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Rush hour cyclists in central London are set to outnumber drivers within the next few years.

Latest figures from Transport for London (TfL) show that the number of motorists has more than halved in recent years with just 64,000 on the roads of the capital in 2014, compared with 137,000 in 2000.

In the same period, the number of cyclists has trebled from 12,000 to 36,000.

TfL has declared the move away from private cars to public transport and towards walking and cycling "a feat unprecedented in any major city."

It said the shift was in response to "consistent policies to encourage public transport use and enhancements to the public transport networks and to encourage walking and cycling."

Work is underway in London to improve cycle safety, with the construction of Cycle Superhighways, segregated bike lanes designed to encourage people to pedal.

However, opponents say the "politically motivated" bike lanes are increasing congestion in the capital.

Tom Bogdanowicz, senior policy and development officer for the London Cycling Campaign, said increased cycling was not just a positive, but a necessity.

He told the Standard: "I'm pleased if that is indeed going to happen, but more importantly if it doesn't happen then London grinds to a halt.

"The trouble is, our population is growing rapidly.

"TfL has a target of doubling cycling in London - we can't do without increased cycling unless we knock down swathes of housing or build dozens more underground lines.

"Cycling is an affordable way of moving forward, an efficient and healthy way of moving people about, and it doesn't increase air pollution - it's a win win."

He added: "I very much hope that [cyclists outnumbering motorists] will be achieved, but we need to progress and progress rapidly to be a modern capital city."