Cycle tracks

Some people are quite happy to cycle on the continent, but won't cycle in Britain because it's too dangerous because of our lack of cycle tracks. I think we will have to provide many more cycle tracks in Britain if we are to get the majority of people cycling instead of driving - something we ought to do if we're serious about tackling climate change. So I've been taking a great interest in cycle tracks on my journey.

There are enormous differences between countries in provision of cycle tracks, and also in which types of travellers are mixed together. In Britain there are very few cycle tracks, and the ones that do exist are frequently useless because they suddenly end. What are you supposed to do? Take off and fly? A lot of people therefore cycle illegally on the pavement in Britain, something which attracts a lot of criticism ("because it's against the law"). Yet sometimes it is perfectly legal to cycle on the pavement in Britain - the authorities simply designate a section of pavement as for joint pedestrian and cycle use.

On the continent pedestrians and cyclists frequently share the use of a path beside the road with small motorcycles. I've never seen this in Britain. I wonder what the reaction would be from all those people who moan about cyclists on the footpath? The motorbikes are supposed to go below 40kph, but frequently don't

It's amazing how much difference the quality of the road surface makes to riding the trike. It isn't too bad on a good surface, but any irregularities and it become a real effort to pedal. Consequently I am extremely sensitive to the differences between the surfaces I travel on.

Some are hell - cobbles particularly. Why on earth the authorities persist with these I don't know; I'm sure the people responsible can't be cyclists themselves. Nearly as bad as cobbles are the ones made from bricks, although some of these aren't too bad if the gaps between them are small.

The best to cycle on are the newly laid asphalt ones, but of course these are made of oil! What will happen when this runs out?