America shames UK for cycle provision

malcolmfrost

I've just come back from a short trip to Washington D.C. Despite the USA being the home of the car, I did the W&OD (Washington and Old Dominion cycle way). It was fantastic. It's a fully tarmacced cycleway running from by the Pentagon to Purcellville 45 miles West. Two lanes wide so room for 4 bikes, it was being very well used for a Friday morning. All the road crossings are controlled or marked, and drivers actually give way to you! The surface was mega smooth, I only saw one pothole, which was actually just a depression and marked.
Compare with the South Downs link, gravel surface, and massive puddles and muddy bits. Such a missed opportunity.
http://www.wodfriends.org/trail.html

meanredspider

It's probably a bit of a generalised statement in the title. I spend a lot of time in Silicon Valley & a sidewalk/pavement would be nice let alone any hint of cycle provision or bicycles for that matter.