Cycling in Paris - fascinating video

In another sense, as apparently in France, there is facility compulsion in Germany, i.e., where a signed cycle facility exists, you have to use it ("Radwegebenutzungspflicht"). For people who have German, here's the ADFC's (German CTC) guide to it:

http://www.adfc.de/526_1

The designation of a cycle facility as such can under certain circumstances be challenged with the relevant authority, but it's a fairly laborious process. Generally, if there is a cycle facility, you can be fined if you're not found using it while riding along.

The UK, as mentioned still has the freedom not to use facilities, as re-affirmed recently in the case of the Telford One, Daniel Cadden, who was ably defended by the Cyclists' Defence Fund:

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=786

Let's keep it that way.

Yes, and I think I expressed myself badly, in that I agree that we should have the choice whether or not to use the bike lanes that have been provided - but I also think that we should be given the choice. It would be a boon to less confident cyclists in particular. But, as you say, this has been discussed at length elsewhere.