London Mayor Boris Johnson has outlined a £913m plan to promote cycling in the capital, which will see the establishment of Dutch-style segregated cycle tracks over the next three years.

In addition semi-segregated routes will be established as well as "quietways" - continuous, signposted routes through side streets targeted at people who do not enjoy cycling in traffic.

Johnson said the route would run more than 15 miles, from the western suburbs to the heart of London and on to Canary Wharf and Barking.

The cycle routes will be parallel to, and named after, Tube lines and bus routes, providing clarity for those using the network.

Substantial safety improvements will be made at problem junctions such as Blackfriars, Vauxhall, Tower, Swiss Cottage, and Elephant & Castle, and funding will be made available for eight police officers to investigate cycle accidents involving HGVs.

Several 20mph zones will be implemented on parts of the main road network.

The Mayor's popular Barclays bikes will also be extended to Wandsworth, Lambeth and Hammersmith & Fulham.

Johnson said: "I want to de-Lycrafy cycling. I want to make it normal, something for everyone, something you feel comfortable doing in your ordinary clothes."

"It means less traffic, more trees, more places to sit and eat a sandwich. It means more seats on the Tube, less competition for a parking place and fewer cars in front of yours at the lights. Above all, it will fulfil my aim of making London's air cleaner."