I agree with the statement about the priorities of planners. I wouldn't say that cycling in this country is a political statement solely driven by us the cyclists. I think it's more that we are forced into a position of self-defence due to the way we are treated. Any attempt at cycling facilities is driven by quota and stereotype - that is the political statement of the planners, the authorities and our governments.
The hapless provision we are given is just the trail of breadcrumbs leading to that cage with the dog waiting.
I'd rather have no provision at all, no cycle lanes with 100 dismount signs per street. Most of what I see is a load of crap and any sane person would agree. We're shoved out of the way to give us a little of the safety that a proper road user training regime and enforcement of road laws would give. But a strip of red tarmac ending at a lamp-post in a bush is cheaper and doesn't threaten the next election as a much as 50,000 suspended licenses, putting the cameras back on and a copper behind the next billboard.
But then it's getting late now, and I'm just getting in the way of a load of Clarkson insults, so I'll put this down to my own rant and just end with...
