The festival will incorporate a family fun ride for up to 70,000 cyclists on an eight mile loop around London landmarks. The following day up to 35,000 amateur, club and world-class elite cyclists will tackle a 100 mile course beginning in the Olympic Park, and will be based on the 2012 Games cycle route.
Johnson said: "This spectacular event will help ensure that the 2012 Games are just the start, not the end of the benefits of hosting the Olympics. We are already creating long lasting opportunities for the park and the capital, which will showcase London to the world, attract more visitors, create more jobs and support the economy."
The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) today confirmed that the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will open in phases from July 2013.
The OPLC will organise a weekend of wheel based activities at the Olympic Park to support the cycling festival.
Margaret Ford, chair of the OPLC, said: "The London Cycling Festival is just the kind of event that fits into the family ethos of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Thousands of people will get the chance to enjoy our most beautiful parkland in an event that will bring people together and encourage healthy living."
Iain Edmondson, head of major events at London & Partners and project director for the festival of cycling added: "After months of planning and feasibility studies we are now ready to seek proposals from the world's best event organisers to deliver this world class event. They will have the support and resources from partners across the city and Surrey to make this exciting vision a reality."
Mark Cavendish MBE, current cycling World Champion, said the event will be an opportunity to "show Britain at its best" and to share its Olympic cycling heritage. "This is the ideal legacy not only for our world class team of cyclists and paracyclists, but also for thousands of amateur cyclists who will hopefully be inspired by our performance at the Games."
The Mayor’s team will now launch a tender process, through Transport for London and London & Partners, inviting potential bidders to become the commercial delivery partner for the event.
How do the plans sound to you? To leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.
For more in-depth industry features, showcases and interviews with the world leading brands don't miss the next issue of Event magazine .