My past few holidays have been in northern mainland Europe and it has absolutely cemented in me the value of dedicated cycle infrastructure. Pootling about on a comfy upright bike is pure joy. Yet popping to the shops on your bike in the UK is moderately dangerous and as a consequence cycling is seen as an enthusiasts' activity. Most depressing is that I can't really go for a ride with my kids without putting the bikes *on the car* and driving somewhere rural first.