THERE has been a 150% increase in the number of cyclists travelling into Glasgow city centre every day in the past five years.

City council bosses have been monitoring the number of bike users and latest figures show numbers have increased from 3000 to 7000 a year.

That represents 3% of the total traffic travelling into the city centre.

Since March 2008, roads bosses have spent around £15 million introducing improvements for cyclists.

In the past year a number of major schemes have been completed.

They include the 'Bridge to Nowhere', a cycle route running from Kelvingrove Park to Anderston; a major upgrade of a cycle route linking to Scotstoun Stadium, and an upgrade of the River Kelvin Walkway and cycleway at Eldon Street.

A new route is being developed to link the city centre with the Commonwealth Games venues of Hampden Park and Cathkin Braes, where a mountain bike course has been built for the Games.

Segregated cycle lanes have been introduced as part of the Clyde Gateway route in the East End, and major landscaping and public realm improvement schemes have been carried out on the Clyde cycle route at Custom House Quay, Anderston Quay and Lancefield Quay.

Around 100 cycle racks have been provided in the city to ensure secure parking and covered cycle parking has been introduced at key areas.

Plans have also been drawn up for a number of possible future schemes, including cycle routes from the north east of the city to the city centre along Great Western Road, through Tradeston and along the south bank of the Clyde.

Alistair Watson, the council's executive member for land and the environment, said: "Glasgow has a very forward thinking approach to promoting cycling.

"We are confident our ongoing investment in infrastructure will prove pivotal in further transforming cycling in Glasgow and form a lasting legacy following the Commonwealth Games.

"Investment to the tune of £15m has been made over the last five years and a number of major schemes have now been delivered.

"However, we want to progress this good work even further and are committing £4.1m to cycling projects over the next two years.

"The council has worked to deliver, amongst others, a completed 'Bridge to Nowhere', a segregated cycle network as part of the Clyde Gateway route and the construction of the mountain bike course at Cathkin Braes for Glasgow 2014."

vvivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk