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@skydancer
Segregated infrastructure argument is rearing its head again even amongst some unikely people within LCC and ctc. Shame really as neither organisation has ever been anti segregation but have engaged in infrastructure planning being invited to suggest to planners what works in each situation. This is better than dogma and is implemented on an ongoing basis, out of this trust has come the excellent permeable routes crossing hackney, now adapted by lambeth.
Vehicular cycling whether proposed by forrester and american advocates in places like portland takes a fairly militant position equates cars and bike as equal vehicles carrying equal responsibility so even support bike licensing/tax. More reasonable uk has taken the 'risk management 'principles from forrester through cyclecraft and CTUK manual and has modified it, made it more british and positive and delivered through NS cycle training. This gives cyclists and drivers equal right in the road space in law yet does little to educate drivers as to this equality so even in the official literature and promotional material (like the recent bike ads by tfl) show riders riding on the edge of the road, even the police occasionally pull over a rider for 'being in the way' by riding primate
The more people that ride assertively and on the major roads in manner that is measured (Not pussy, nor dick) the sooner the time will come when drivers become tamed. London is significantly progressing alomg that path with london drivers becoming more accepting of cyclists all around them. 20 mph and proper road calming also help riders to have the guts to move out of the (road) margins. There will still be idiots hooting and swearing and 'punishing' the cyclists with risky driving. We need to tell on them, get them in trouble until beeping a cyclist and tailgating the rider will become as unaccebtable as drink driving is now.
Perhaps mass assertive/primary poistion cycling on all roads wth low speed limits across towns will encourage mass cycling and make it easier to do so and more effective than segregating drivers from cyclists