Some years ago, in Maryland USA, the authorities, tried, unsuccessfully, to ban cyclists from all roads with a speed limit of 40mph or more. Nothing so draconian has happened here - yet. What we have experienced over the decade has been rather more subtle; a steady attempt to marginalise cycling. Like the arrows painted on the pavement in Bristol centre, tempting the cyclist off the road, but leading not to a convenient short cut but to a pedestrian crossing and more pavement. Like the shared paths alongside the roads; ignored by experienced cyclists, but others are encouraged to slow down and proceed along the pavement; slowly, because the surface is bad, covered in twigs, broken glass and dog mess, they have to veer round trees or lamp-posts and avoid startling pedestrians and may have to stop or slow down for dogs on leads or mums pushing buggies or even a bicycle coming the other way. To re-join the road (perhaps the worst danger point) they need to stop so they can see behind, wait for a gap in the traffic and start again.
Or like the proposed "cycle networks" that designate where the authority proposes cyclists should go - and by implication demonstrates the far greater length of roads where cycles are not planned for. Or like the painted road hatchings, intended to stop motorists overtaking and keep them from the centre of the road, but which carry no recognition of the presence of slower traffic nearer the kerb. Or the continuous white lines at varying distance from the edge of the kerb, creating a kerb-side edge full of debris - where, if the designer had wished it, a wide lane allowing for cycles could have been painted. Or like the pinch points on the same roads, where it becomes necessary for the cyclist to act as a traffic calming measure. Or the nationwide policy not to paint cycle lanes continuously across junctions, largely negating any value they might have had. Like roundabouts designed to move motor vehicles faster with no thought to cycle traffic. Like toucan crossings, attempting to turn cyclists into pedestrians.
Don't be marginalised!
All the roads are yours to cycle on (and bikes were using them 80 years before motor cars filled them). The National Cycle Strategy is working for a 400% increase in cycling (relative to 1996) by 2012. There is real progress in London, where the congestion charge is creating more cycle use where it is needed - for everyday work and commuting. Keep the impetus going - by using the ROADS that link all our houses to all our workplaces. Avoid anti-cycling facilities designed to take you off the road. My message is USE YOUR ROADS.
Which roads have most traffic? The main roads. Why? Because main roads are the shortest, smoothest and flattest distance between where people live and where they work. So use the main roads - they are fastest, smoothest, and with good roadcraft technique are not the challenge they might appear. You will not suffer the punctures that go with unswept paths. On the road you will only deal with motor traffic - not undisciplined pedestrians, children, animals, near misses with cyclists in the other direction, and punctures from broken glass.
Off-road routes are not as safe as they appear. A 1999 report on 20 years of cycle paths in Milton Keynes found they had suppressed rather than encouraged cycling and had proved to be consistently less safe than the town's unrestricted main roads. In Helsinki, using a road-side cycle path is nearly 2.5 times likely to result in injury than cycling on the carriageway with traffic. Numerous other reports have similar findings, bearing out our personal experiences. (See website of cycle safety expert John Franklin at www.lesberries.co.uk/cycling/infra/infra.html)
I don't claim there is a knowing conspiracy to get cyclists off the roads. But there is certainly an unknowing one. All too often I see a cyclist grovelling in the gutter or creeping illegally on the pavement. Bristol Cycle Campaigners - stand up for your rights! Ride confidently on the roads at a decent 1.0 to 1.5 metres from the kerb. Move towards the centre of the lane to ensure motors keep behind you when there's no room to overtake. Surf the roundabouts. Be in the centre of the traffic stream when you come to a stop at the lights. In my experience the vast majority of motorists are considerate of cyclists who obey the rules. Let drivers through, when it is safe to do so, because it is polite and courteous, not because you are submitting to bullying. If it is safe, stop at junctions for pedestrians.
In London's Fulham Road and Kensington High Street the increase in cycling has reached the significant mass where car drivers move out permanently towards the centre of the road, leaving an imaginary lane for cyclists. Keep on the road and it will happen here!