YESTERDAY was Cycle To Work Day, though the chances are that you never noticed in Derby.
Two reasons for that – one is that anyone not used to cycling in city traffic would take a lot of persuading to brave the hurly burly, even as a one-off.
And the other is that too many drivers don't seem to notice cyclists anyway – or, at least, that's the inevitable impression the roadside observer and the bikers themselves must get as they see (and feel) cars and lorries whistling past within inches of their back end.
So while it is commendable that Cyclescheme, the national cycle-to-work organisation, should urge as many people as possible to leave their cars in the garage every morning, it is the attitude of so many drivers that is the deterrent.
We are told on our driving lessons to give an early signal and then give a cyclist plenty of room, maybe half a car's width, when overtaking them.
Who gives that a second thought once they have cast off their L plates?
A horse rider seems far more likely to get that courtesy than a cyclist.
The absence of a signal by a driver approaching a cyclist causes a particular problem to any following traffic.
He pulls out fractionally to overtake the two-wheeler – and the car behind has absolutely no idea of the cyclist's existence until almost on top of him or her.
The slogan of "think bike" tends to be more often associated with motorbikes and dangers of cars emerging from side streets without looking properly for approaching two-wheelers.
But it needs to apply to pedal cyclists too. And it is not just drivers who need to be aware of them.
Lots of employers could do more to make cycling to work more attractive, through the provision of covered storage and shower facilities.
And councils need to treat them as less of an afterthought when they draw up their highways plans.
Cycle lanes are a godsend to bikers – if other traffic respects them.
Otherwise, politicians are merely paying lip service to an important issue when they talk about the environmental and fitness advantages of having fewer cars and more bicycles.
