London mayor Boris Johnson has announced his latest series of cycling initiatives and events aimed at encouraging Londoners to enjoy the freedom and health benefits of safely riding a bicycle around the capital.

This year's £111m investment will fund 12 new cycle highways by 2012, complemented by a cycle hire scheme and a further 66,000 cycle parking spaces, in addition to safety training sessions being held across the city.

Summer events will see employees participate in the London Workplace Cycle Challenge from 1-30 June, while 11-14 year olds can take part in the Secondary School London Cycle Challenge from 15-30 June.

This year's Freewheel event on 20 September will be improved to encourage more people to cycle along a car-free route past London's iconic sights, including an additional event on 9 August in Hounslow, while the Tour of Britain cycling race will return to London on 19 September.

A new marketing campaign dubbed 'catch up with the bicycle' will further promote cycling as a stylish and desirable way to travel.

Johnson said: "Cycling is on the up in London, but there is still much to do if we want to really revolutionise the way that Londoners get about. That's why we are making record investments in cycling, developing the cycle highways and cycle hire schemes, and are unveiling a summer schedule stuffed full of biking events, competitions, and campaigns designed to boost cycling across London's boroughs.

"Through this, Londoners of all ages and abilities can take part and experience the joys of travelling in one of the most handy, healthy, and environmental-friendly ways possible, and we can achieve our aim of making London a city where two wheeled, pedal-powered transportation is the norm, and not the exception."

In the year since the Mayor of London's election, daily bicycle journeys in the capital have increased by 9 per cent to 545,000.