Spotted...

I've started commuting on my bike now it's warmer, and when I get the confidence up I'm going to try riding on the road; the pavements are getting too full of pedestrians now it's not so cold.

You will see it is very easy, just look at what the others cyclists are doing. Ride on the road and if things get stuck, ride on the pavement. Go fast and all the peds will move out of the way. Don't look behind that is just a waste of time and will slow you down.