Unless the article has been changed since your comment was made, I can't see anything wrong with what they've said. If they haven't changed the article, then I'm afraid you've come across as kind a bit of a ranter.
As a faster cyclist I don't use cycle paths very often but they are a very good thing. The more people we can get out onto bikes the better really.
I'm a faster cyclist, too. However I dont see anyone using these converted pavements other than myself and a handful of others. I'd go so far to say that:
- they dont encourage new riders
- they increase conflict between pedestrians and cyclists (I'm sure I'm not the only one to have been shouted at despite slowing down and ringing the bell to warn pedestrians, I'm certainly not the type to buzz them thats for sure)
- the surfacing is often worse than the road - Hamble Lane near me being an example - no space to move around both pedestrians and potholes, and with a frightening 40mph road where drivers regularly exceed this by some 20mph
- as above - getting holes filled takes quite some doing - look at Cycling Officer Bostock down here in Southampton - the sheer effort he had to put in before the Sky ride to get two filled in.
- they never provide any provision to cross side-roads/junctions safely - despite there being several options (recessed giveway lines and snaked cycle route)