A new safe cycle path opened this month, crossing Bermondsey Street from Leathermarket Street to Tanner Street, so cyclists can easily get from Waterloo to Jamaica Road along quieter back roads. The new route, named Quietway 14, will ultimately run all the way to Deptford and was officially opened by London Walking and Cycling Commissioner Dr Will Norman and Southwark Councillor Richard Livingstone.

Local residents can now get around with less stress using pedal power only and without having to run the gauntlet with London's motors. Even though we are all attracted to central London for its busy communities, fast paced life, there's still a strong desire to enjoy the quieter and more natural side of life too, especially activities like cycling, lazy Sundays and some space away from the hurly burly. This is never more true than in and around Bermondsey Street which enjoys its newfound gentrified reputation and village-like community. Healthy living is very much on our agenda and the arrival of Quietway 14 threading through the heart of the area is a bonus.

There are plenty of local bike specialists so if you live or work nearby and have not yet caught the bug this may be the spur you have been waiting for.

Machine Cycling Cafe on Tower Bridge Road provide a range of bikes, repairs and accessories as well as exceptionally good coffee.

Fully Charged Electric Bike Shop at the corner of Bermondsey Street have a massive range of electric bikes (eBikes) even ones that can fold up and be carried - so if you think a little bit of motorised help might be needed, the choice is there.

On Your Bike just beside London Bridge, down in the arches of The Vaults, has a full compliment of bikes, clobber and boasts operating one of London's largest bike rental fleets as well as a same day bike fix turnaround service.

If a customised, stylish bike is more your thing then you should look up Druid Cycles on Roper Lane just off Druid Street who also give regular bike maintenance workshops and are a not for profit community interest company.

At the far end of the planned Quietway 14 route, or indeed the original Quietway 1 that runs all the way to Greenwich, is the quality Cycles UK who have a team of expert bike fitters and consultants to make sure the bike you buy for yourself or your family is the right one and set up perfectly for best use.

There's no excuse now is there? And if you're worried about the cash outlay there are lots of options for deferring payments or maybe you could consider cancelling that gym subscription instead, within just a matter of months your bike will have paid for itself.