Promising new cycle paths around the capital, encouraging businesses to build showers in places of work and scrapping plans for the massive, car orientated Thames Gateway Bridge have certainly earned Boris Johnson kudos with the green community.

It is hoped by many that his plans will get more and more people in the capital out of cars, off unpleasant, crowded public transport systems and onto their bikes as a method of travelling to and from work.

Already, the number of bicycle users in the capital has increased by over 90 per cent since 2000, no doubt reflecting the increasing importance of green issues and more recently the credit crunch and high oil prices.

And it seems that the number of bike users is set to increase even further, as Boris Johnson sets his sights on making London a bike friendly city, mirroring famous bicycle capitals of the world such as Paris and Beijing.

Of course in a city as large and gritty as London there are a fair number of bike thefts which could put potential bike users off, however, a sturdy lock and a comprehensive bicycle insurance plan won’t cost much and will protect against lurking bike thieves.

And if the number of bicycle users does increase at the expected rates, provisions for bike users will follow suit.

Bike insurance will likely cost less as more and more insurance companies become competitive as they fight to attract the thousands of new customers.

Boris Johnson has said that he will introduce new cycle paths and ensure that workplaces and leisure sites are kept bike friendly.

Mr Johnson says that he is disappointed and amazed at the lack of paths and facilities for bike riders across perfectly reasonable areas in the capital.

“It is an utter disgrace that there is no decent cycle lane on the Victoria Embankment or on the north side of the park,” he opines.

The scrapping of the expensive and environmentally damaging plans for the Thames Gateway have led many to believe that car users will be put off using their car in the centre of London as the message is sent out loud and clear- “you are not welcome here.”

The proposed bridge had no provisions for cyclists and was projected to cost £450 million of taxpayers money. Of course that cost could have been much higher, as with most things the final cost far exceeds the original predictions.

With the introduction of new cycle lanes, less cars on the road and more places to safely store bikes, London could be fast becoming a city of bicycle users.

Interestingly, when workers were asked what was the main obstacle to them cycling to work, the most popular reply was the lack of shower provisions at their office. No self respecting city worker wants to arrive at his office drenched in sweat!

Since this revelation, there has been increased effort to make sure that shower facilities are available to workers, resulting in an increase in the number of people cycling to work.

As the cold weather sets in, numbers will surely dwindle, but if current trends are anything to go by, next summer will be the summer of the bike.