I wrote to my council about the cycle paths and...

[TonyHetherington]

The result is really quite good! My commute is 99% cycle paths. Many of them are very good, and as much of a pain as it can be I find it quite relaxing at 7.30 in the morning being on the paths rather than the road. Though there's negatives of cycle paths, of course, but I'm just setting the picture.

A couple of locations on my route have got very badly rutted paths, caused by tree roots. So I wrote to them to let them know because they're both downhill bits (one quite fast) and the bumps are, genuienly, quite dangerous. Expected nothing of it, but thought I'd write anyway.

I got a reply back that day asking if I could take some pictures, so I did the following day. A few weeks later I get an e-mail saying they're going to resurface those bits.

All a rather nice experience, really. Talking to the guy he said people assume they know, when in fact they don't. They need someone to ACTUALLY tell them - so thanked me and job done!

It's not a great story, I admit, but thought you'd like to know a little e-mail can have a good effect.

[TonyHetherington]

BOR said:

It's a great story. Well done for a good result. There is a good debate to be had vis-a-vis using/not using cycle paths due to their unsuitabillity,

Indeed - they can be quite frustrating and especially as the ones I use are actually on a path (as opposed to a cycle lane in the road) it means I have to stop and check for cars at junctions whereas I'd have right of way on the road.

Also, it does appear that the rule of thumb for teenagers is "ooo, a cycle path, let's smash a bottle". Which is frustrating. But otherwise, I really can't complain