Britain has a pothole crisis and the nation’s roads must be made safer, Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton said.
According to the latest figures, an average of around 10 potholes dot every mile of road in England and Wales, and the total number will pass two million for the first time this year.
Cyclists are now being deterred from using their bikes because of poor road surfaces, Ms Pendleton said.
“Following more bad weather this winter, potholes are still a serious problem for road users, particularly people cycling to work or school, cycling for fun, keeping fit, or even cycling professionally,” she said.
“We have to make our roads safer and more accessible for cyclists who often lack confidence to ride their bikes in and around urban areas because of poor road surfaces.”
Her comments follow warnings that councils will struggle to repair potholes because of a £165 million shortfall in funding.
According to the Asphalt Industry Alliance, every mile of local authority-owned road in England and Wales will have 10 potholes.
The organisation, which produces a yearly report on the roads, said the number of potholes could reach two million by the spring.
“This is a very serious issue. Cyclists and motorcyclists are the road users most vulnerable to accidents caused by potholes,” the alliance’s Helen Melhuish said.
Ms Pendleton, 30, is supporting an awards scheme to judge UK councils on repairs to potholes which occur when water repeatedly freezes and expands in cracks in the road.
She said: “I’m getting involved because anything that showcases pothole repairs and encourages councils to improve their roads has to be a good thing for both cyclists and motorists.
The top performing councils will meet Ms Pendleton and receive awards at a presentation in May.
AA president Edmund King said: “The 2,000 participants in our AA Streetwatch survey published last week voted that potholes were their most serious concern on the roads.
“We need to see an emergency fund to help local authorities get out of this pothole crisis”.