The council's new cycle map is out - a fantastic improvement on the first attempt. And now we want to get the borough's cyclists on their bikes and tell us: is Prescott's happy, shiny, cycle-friendly world becoming reality on the ground - or not?

Merton Cycling Campaign wants local cyclists to cover every inch of the cycle routes that are already built, signposted and shown on the new map as "existing cycle routes". We want to compile a comprehensive survey of all existing routes, listing the problems we come across - like potholes, threadbare surfaces, dodgy junctions, and any badly-designed or poorly-built facilities.

We've told the council our report is on its way, and they've welcomed it. So we plan to be constructive and provide positive feedback on what the borough has put in place for bikes so far. The idea is to end up with two lists per cycle route (one for each direction), with bullet points showing where improvements/alterations are needed.

The lists will be maintained, with problems deleted as they're sorted out. Items can be added as they come to our attention and as new routes are built and mapped.

You can help by (more bullet points):

The London Cycling Campaign has given a thumbs-up to the government white paper A New Deal For Transport. Cycling was mentioned throughout, and the paper was particularly good on integrating cycling with public transport - especially trains.

Now LCC is asking cyclists to push for good legislation to back up the warm words. You can do this by:

• writing to your MP (mentioning you're a car driver if you are)
• lobbying your local councillor for action at borough level
• sending letters to the local papers

Richard reckoned John Prescott had been waiting for the results of this year's event, in which commuters using various forms of transport converge on the Civic Centre to see which is the fastest.

There was another stunning victory for cycling to report, and plenty for the Jaguar-loving minister and his officials to chew over. Participants in five teams commuted into the Civic Centre from five different points on the borough boundary, using bikes, cars, trains, buses, walking and jogging.

Wimbledon MP Roger Casale was at the finish line to welcome arrivals.

Richard told the multitude: "The government 's transport white paper, the first for 20 years, is now expected next month. It was going to be in May, but Ibelieve they are waiting to see the results from Merton today before they commit themselves fully to the cycling solution."

"The idea of installing a shower at work here has just been raised here, for the benefit of those who sit next to the cyclists (I take this as a personal slur). If you have to put up with their exhaust fumes, then they can put up with your armpits. After all, their exhausts are apparently responsible for 24,000 deaths per annum. I assume that nobody has died as a result of exposure to your armpits." (clipped from an observation on the Internet urbancyclist-uk mailing list.)

Richard James of the Guardian Centre is looking for people willing to ride with visually-impaired cyclists from Merton Voluntary Association For The Blind. The group has tandems and organises weekend rides of all kinds, including races, but mainly jaunts to tea shops in Surrey, Kent and Sussex. If you're interested in being a front rider, contact Richard on 0181 540 5446 or write to him at the centre, 67 Guardian Road, SW19 2DX.

MCC member Bob Ede reports: "The Savacentre replaced two lightbulbs over their cycle racks within a day of receiving a complaint. I'm grateful to store director Steve Potts for his prompt action. But it did require persistence. A letter a month earlier was ignored, and the successful letter was sent with a draft letter of complaint to the Wimbledon Guardian."

A fine example of Brummie humour from cycle transport engineer Adrian Lord, incensed by the "patronising nonsense" dished out to cyclists in the name of road safety. His personal Safe Motoring Code, printed in Birmingham Cyclist, is directly inspired by official advice leaflets for cyclists.

1. Choose a large, bright coloured car for maximum visibility.

2. Always wear a helmet when driving. (As a percentage of injury accidents, more drivers suffer head injuries each year than cyclists).

3. Always give way to pedestrians and cyclists. They are, after all, a bunch of clueless, unpredictable anarchists.

4. At busy or dangerous junctions, stop your car and push until you feel it is safe to drive on.

5. Never listen to the radio when driving and always drive with the window open to hear other traffic approaching.

6. On busy roads such as motorways and dual carriageways, drive in single file.

7. Check your tyres and brakes before every drive.

8. Learn to apply first aid and always tell someone where you are going.

9. Reflective material on your clothes or car can save your life.

10. Drive under control, especially downhill.

11. The M6 is particularly busy in the morning and evening rush hours, and on Fridays when cars are banned for the convenience or other users. Please travel at other times if you wish to take your car.

12. Cars will only be accommodated on trunk roads and motorways if booked at a service station at least 24 hours in advance. They are welcome to travel on minor roads, but only one per hour can be accommodated on most carriageways.

A magistrate sentenced her ex-teacher, convicted of speeding in Rouen, France, to write 25,000 times: 'I must not break the limit'