We’re not ignoring urban cycling. Completion of the cycle ring route is being looked at as part of the Green Routes (which isn’t all leisure cycling – just trying to get people cycling for all reasons and for all purposes). The ring route isn’t all on-street, so is this urban cycling (ditto Penistone road, Five Weirs Walk, Blackburn Valley, Beeley Woods, Connect2 and bits of the NCN – all largely off-carriageway but not particularly aimed at leisure cycling, although this is clearly accommodated to some degree in all cases)? Green Routes is on the next Forum agenda – you will be asked for views and help/ thoughts/ ideas – voice your concerns and have them answered!.

Green Routes is in addition to and not at the expense of other cycle stuff.

The £200k/ year for PFI cycle opps is/will be aimed at urban utility cycling.

In relaying this I’m not defending the council, merely telling you what they said.

As you pointed out, most of what is happening is aimed at leisure cyclist who will mount bikes onto a car, drive somewhere, ride and then drive back.

As a Mum who doesn’t have a car, but is trying to navigate Sheffield’s streets by bike with a small child, I need good quality, dutch style segregated infrastructure.

It’s just about doable for us, but it’s often terrifying and I only do it because A) I only have one child and B) I’m committed. If I had more than one child I think it would be impossible to get about by bike. As for my commitment, I know plenty of Mums who’d prefer to ride with their kids – but our council make it so difficult that they just don’t bother – so our city’s kids are getting fatter, lazier and more car dependant by the minute.

Every time I go out with my son by bike, to the shops, to football practice, to his Nan’s house – I feel let down by our council.