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The criticisms of current cyclists towards tracks seem to be missing the point to me, the tracks are built for those who don't want to play/fight with motor traffic, not those currently happy to brave their way through it all.
The goal of segregated tracks is to enable 8-80 cycling, take a look at the roads you currently think are ok for cycling, then put an unattended 10 year old in there.
Backstop
skidlidsid
My folks were in town this weekend - they're both in their mid-late 50s, quite fit and active, but really wary of the potential hazards of London's roads.
A couple of days using Boris Bikes to get around between tourist hotspots (London Eye, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, The Tower of London, Borough Market) has been an absolute revelation. The E-W highway along the Embankment and the segregated lane in Hyde Park were particular highlights.
The infrastructure as it stands is not without its flaws, but the fact that my mum can get around quite happily on two wheels without feeling endangered or intimidated by drivers is something London should be very proud of.
Personally I'm not always a fan of using seg lanes, and have posted commuting stories where drivers have used the existence of a lane to bully me, but it's really nice to be reminded how beneficial the lanes are for others.
10/10 Would trundle again.