Cycle Highways? Cycle Super Highway

Object Actually I was in Brighton at the weekend and cycled some of the red cycle path (From out past the mariner heading in towards brighton).
It's stunning. The surface was absolutely spot on, smooth as lubricated sin.

I do however have two potential problems with it.
Firstly, how long is the surface likely to stay like that. I can hardly see it being maintained in the manner that it deserves.
Secondly, it's great for a nice slow jaunt (I was riding with a friend who hasn't been on a bike in 7 years). But it's not viable as a main route. Bikes should be on roads, simple as. The sooner that drivers are educated to the fact that cyclists are legitimate traffic the better.

the surface is great in places and has been for ages. but in other spots it's rubbish, bumpier than the road.

and you're right about it being on the road. during a sunny day like saturday you have to cycle about 2mph for fear of hitting another kid/tourist/numpty/dog. fine for commuting as it's usually quite in the morning and evenings.

i really support this idea of freeways/highways for one reason. it may mean that our towns end up more like amstedam or copenhagen. that can only be a good thing. i won't be holding my breath though, we do seem to love sitting in city traffic jams in our cars!