Race starts for Olympic cycle path contract

Olympic chiefs launched plans today for an £11.5m contract to build new walking and cycling paths serving the 2012 site.

The Olympic Delivery Authority's "Ride and Stride" initiative is designed to encourage 385,000 sports fans to walk or cycle to events.

Work up for grabs includes two new paths from Finsbury Park to Victoria Park and from Epping Forest and the Wanstead Flats to Stratford. Improvement work like pothole repairs will also be carried out on a network of six existing paths.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: "London 2012’s aim is for 100% of spectators to get to the Games using public transport, walking or cycling.  The ODA is investing more than £11.5m to make walking and cycling more attractive options for spectators, as well as leaving behind a positive legacy of eight new or improved off road walking and cycling routes"