David Cameron endorsed a parliamentary report yesterday aimed at transforming Britain’s streets and encouraging a five-fold increase in cycling, but stopped short of committing himself to forcing through change.

The Prime Minister’s comments came as sporting celebrities joined more than 20,000 members of the public to sign an e-petition launched by this newspaper urging him to take personal responsibility for the promotion of safer cycling.

A cross-party group of MPs and peers yesterday launched the “Get Britain Cycling” report, which its authors believe could cut congestion, pollution and health spending. Mr Cameron said that all MPs should read the report’s 18 recommendations.

“The report has many good points,” he said at Prime Minister’s Questions. “We should be doing much more in our country