Cycle superhighways may become a reality in London as construction gets underway on two pilot routes as part of the city’s cycling revolution.

The work includes resurfacing sections of road, realigning traffic lanes and installing advanced stop lines at junctions to allow cyclists to wait at light ahead of traffic queues.

Most importantly, following a rise in cycling deaths in the capital in recent years, safety mirrors will be installed at junctions to give larger vehicles a better view of cyclists when turning left.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said Cycle Superhighways were a key element in making cycling easier and safer in the capital.

“The superhighways, alongside our cycle hire scheme and our huge cycle safety programme, will transform the experience of cycling in the Capital,” said Johnson.

Initially the pilot highways will run from Merton into the city of London and from Barking to Tower Gateway and will be open this summer with plans for ten more by 2015.

Transport for London will also trail continuous cycle lanes through three junctions on the Merton to City route, the purpose of which is to test the behaviour of both cyclists and motorists.

Along with the improvements to the infrastructure for cycling in London, TfL are encouraging people to commute by bike as well, especially those who work along the new superhighways.

300 new cycle parking spaces will be installed on the pilot routes including all London Underground stations on the Merton branch.

This is in addition to the extra cycle parking being made available by the boroughs the highways run through, thanks to the £1.49m allocated by TfL for parking, training and cycle maintenance.

TfL Surface Transport managing director David Brown said they hope the improvements, combined with the superhighways, will give people the extra confidence to cycle in the capital.