A new, £4.5M cycling centre in east London has been described by developers as the ‘first physical piece of sporting legacy’ connected to the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Redbridge Cycling Centre replaces the Eastway Cycle Circuit, which was demolished to make way for the VeloPark for the London 2012 Games.

The new, 2km circuit, built by the London Development Agency (LDA), is for community and competition use.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: ‘One of my key ambitions as mayor is to see London become a real cycling city by encouraging the estimated 1.1M Londoners who own bikes but don’t use them regularly to get back in the saddle.

‘So, now there’s no excuse because this superb facility is the place to come to practice your cycling skills.’

Cllr Linda Huggett, Redbridge council’s cabinet member for the Olympics, said: ‘I am delighted to have this first-class cycling facility in our borough, which I hope will be used by all residents of all ages.’