Police ignoring bike thefts, says cycling czar

London's first cycling czar has been appointed with a pledge to improve conditions for riders.

Paul Braithwaite, 61, has been employed by Camden council and plans a major overhaul of cycle routes across the borough.

The lifelong cyclist and Liberal Democrat Camden councillor also wants a crackdown on bike thefts and today accused the police of ignoring the problem.

"If you go to Brick Lane, you'll see lots of very nice, almost new looking bikes for around £100," he said. "They are almost always stolen yet the police ignore these crimes. For a cyclist, it is an absolute horror when your bike, which can often cost £300 to 400, is taken. I think there needs to be a crackdown on these markets."

Mr Braithwaite, whose appointment comes after the Evening Standard launched its Safer Cycling campaign, also pledged to try to improve access for riders to King's Cross, calling for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the rail track. He said: "Getting through King's Cross can be a real problem. We are constantly looking at what cycle lanes and pathways can do and I think this would be a real asset."

The czar also wants new cycle lanes in Camden and the current ones improved, more fines for drivers who use cycle areas at junctions, better cycle security in the borough and better training for novice riders. "It is my ambition to see Camden as London's leading cycle friendly borough," said Mr Braithwaite. "The number of cyclists in Camden has doubled in recent years and I want to see this figure double again. I began cycling when I was five or six and I'm now 61, so I've been at it for quite a while."

Camden bosses said his appointment was a big step forward for cyclists. Mike Greene, executive member for environment, said: "Over the next year Camden will be working hard to improve the facilities for cyclists."

Transport for London says there has been an 83 per cent increase in the number of cyclists on London's major roads since 2000.