Thanks for the pointer T. Just a completely different culture over there. Only other near neighbour with similar provision is Denmark.

The 'bakfiets' cargo bikes are spreading in UK though. As well as being used for deliveries I often see kids conveyed that way in London. There were a couple of families using them on the lorry protest ride following the recent fatality in Holborn.

This is part of the reason why the battle for light supremacy in cars isn't helping.

The poor old cyclist and pedestrian unless donning a full set of reflective clothing like the motorway maintenance crews simply vanish into the backround.

The fetish for rather camp DRL's doesn't make the roads any safer, especially for the more vulnerable road user, as it takes some responsibility for adequate observation away from the motorist.

Last night's local news featured an item about millions being spent on a cycle route between Leeds and Bradford.

Fair enough, I suppose, but then some dimwit held forth about how the percentage of cycle journeys in West Yorkshire was lower than the national average and it was his wish for it to be higher than the average.

Obviously never seen much of West Yorkshire (or a contour map) and the differences with Holland, East Anglia, Lincolnshire et al.

Well up to a point Lord Copper.

I've battled across the grain of the land in WY on quite a few occasions and it's a challenge even for the fit. OTOH there are plenty journeys, including the Leeds to Bradford example quoted, that follow valleys. They may even already have the basis for a cycle route such as canal towpaths or disused rail infrastructure.

The reason that I'm wary of retro-fitting bus/cycle lanes is because of my experience of them in Cheshire.

They are dressed up as an addition to existing road space-when really they take away road space from other road users. The result is very often a clumsy and inefficient one-way system that does nobody any favours at all.

If you want nice wide boulevards with separate lanes for mopeds, bicycles, buses and ricksaws, move to Milton Keynes or any of the new towns. Personally, I'd rather move to Easter Island.

Our old towns are short of road space and we need to make maximum use of every square foot. There isn't the luxury for special lanes for client minority groups.

A road safety training presenter today was explaining that many "cycle lanes" are painted on the road as traffic-calming restrictions for motorised traffic, ie road narrowing, and nothing to do with facilities for cyclists!

Whoever sent you there needs to find a new provider. Professional trainers really should not be spouting such rubbish. Not saying it never happens but it's rare in extreme.