hillsideresident - thanks for the post. Most of me broadly agrees with you although there are points that I disagree with.

I'm not massively keen on segregated cycle paths since, like you, I believe that cyclists should be able to use the road. 'Ride big' is great advice but does require the mindset that you mention by drivers. It's also easier for fit, fast cyclists to do than less confident or children.

Pedestrians do come in all shapes/sizes and abilities and so do cyclists. The difference is that there's a few miles per hour between the fastest and slowest walkers so contention for walking space isn't generally an issue except perhaps on Oxford Street. There's 20 mph between cyclists. The faster cyclists are happy to be on the road. The surface is better, they can keep up with traffic (certainly in central London) and they don't feel unsafe. The slower cyclists are scared from being on the road until they gain more confidence or speed. So where do they go? The pavement isn't the answer. So I can see where segregated cyclist lanes on routes to schools, parks or shopping areas might be sensible.

Otherwise, I agree cyclists need to use roads since even with the best political will (assuming unlimited cash - hah!) there is no way that we will have cycle lanes on every road so at some point, cyclists will have to venture onto 'normal' roads and drivers will have to get used to it. I also have concerns around how on earth segregated paths are going to be cleaned (to avoid punctures) or gritted in the winter to avoid icy. Probably as well as pavements are (i.e. not very - which is another debate!) which isn't reassuring. That's one of those places where I think that pedestrians/cyclists could combine efforts to lobby for better winter provision!

My view of any future 'shared' space means where the cycle facilities are at the same height as the footpath but are still clearly segregated by colour/paving etc. I'm not entirely convinced how well it always works since pedestrians often walk along the cycle path rather than their empty pavement perhaps because the difference isn't apparent enough. I'm not a fan of 'free for all' shared space primarily since it generally seems to be used as a convenience for councils to tick a box on cycling provision rather than taking into account whether the location is suitable or not.

In general, they're not. Many 'shared pavements' are the same width as normal pavements and on streets with bus stops etc where pedestrians will be waiting. Even if cyclists are going slowly and considerately, the lack of space is likely still to be alarming to others sharing that space - just as a car passing a cyclist at speed in a narrow road is scary. When I'm not on my bike, I'm a pedestrian and cyclists on the pavement irritate me too - particularly at certain points on Lordship Lane where they try to weave their way through the queue at bus stops. Doh - get off and push it if you really feel you can't be on the road at that point!

They can work where the pavements are wide (although it is better if then they clearly segregate walking/riding areas) and where there's not a huge amount of traffic of either kind (i.e. the bit along the South Circular at Dulwich Common between the park gates works since car speeds are high but pedestrian traffic is low - but not at the Lordship Lane Estate where the cars are slowing and there are lots more pedestrians since there are houses/bus stops).

Training - I agree. The cycle training I did (free from council so there is no excuse) was the best thing I did before cycling regularly in London. How you make it compulsory and monitor it cost-effectively, I have no idea but I do agree that there are lots of people out there who would benefit from it - and some common sense and courtesy.

Overall, I do firmly agree with you that cyclists shouldn't be on the pavement and the ultimate aim should be to get them on the road - with urban planning that recognises this and makes it safe for all to be there (whether that's with better ASLs, potential priority lights at key junctions, ability to right turn or use some one-way streets to bypass large gyratories or through some usage of cycle lanes). That urban planning should also take pedestrians into account - creating easier places to cross the road (i.e. no islands in the middle to double the time you spend waiting for the lights to change), fewer railings to hem people in and allow them to take the shortest route.

As for that roundabout - it terrifies me. I cycle round Vauxhall Cross most days. It says something that I'd rather do that than use that roundabout!