Boris bike laser technology has launched and Jessica Ennis-Hill is leading the way

Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill led a cycle group through London to mark the introduction of safety lasers on city bikes.

Around 4,000 Santander Cycles, or “Boris bikes”, have been fitted with laser technology which projects a bike symbol onto the ground to warn drivers a cyclist is on the road.

“Now it’s dark and winter is drawing in it’s a great idea to have them (the lights) around you just to have that little bit of safety.

“Any campaign to get more women active and cycling and doing different sports is fantastic.”

The gold medal winner admitted she usually takes the car or walks when at home in Sheffield and said retirement gives her the “freedom to try different things”.

Over the next nine months the technology will be fitted to all 11,500 Santander Cycles in London, with Santander covering the majority of the cost.