Each day I ride the piece of London where they are building the first "Go Dutch" cycle facility, in Stratford High Street. Each day I see it, I see disaster waiting to happen, poor design and built in conflict, I see less space and acceptance for me riding the main carriageway. Whatever happens on the cycle side, the road side - never very good - has been made substantially more dangerous for those wanting to ride over the flyover (having said that, I think there will be a safer option shaken out when the roadworks go). Maybe if they were to implement a camera controlled 20 zone it would be acceptable.
But then, I look forward in my mind's eye one year, two, three, and I can see people using that facility, many people who would otherwise not be on bikes. And I realise that I will have to ride with them, slowly, whatever. And if only because there are more people cycling, my life will be safer. I have a right to use the road, but I don't have a right to use the road in whatever way I choose, much as drivers don't have the right to drive at 80 mph through central London.
So, while I'm not sure I agree totally with the LCC, I think their aim is right.
Biggsy says they don't care enough about the potential quality and I have to say I agree with him, but I think there isn't any room for anything more than the simple message: let's get more people on bikes. Everything else will sort itself out. If all cars disappeared tomorrow and commuters took to bikes en masse, we'd all have to be riding slowly.