The bike route where cycling is banned

Hazards for bikers range from overgrown paths to potential deathtraps. And on one major link, in the centre of Wimbledon, signs say cycling isn't allowed!

Merton council started creating local parts of the London Cycle Network five years ago, and most of the work has been completed. The latest borough cycling map, printed in June, shows the completed sections as "existing cycle routes".

Merton Cycling Campaign supports the introduction of the LCN locally and backs every council effort to boost pedal power. The report, by MCC members, was compiled in a spirit of encouragement and positive co-operation with the council. It deserves a huge pat on the back for its achievements so far - and for its future plans.

But MCC research shows many routes, trumpeted in the official map as already "existing", are falling short of the ideal. In some cases, they're downright dangerous.

The report is now being considered by transport officials. We hope some of faults are being tackled as we go to press. Here are some of the most glaring faults highlighted in our dossier:

• "No cycling" signs still in place on the route following the paths linking Tabor Grove and Kingswood Road, crossing Dundonald Road, in Wimbledon.
• No cycle parking at Wimbledon Park or Motspur Park stations.
• Violent speed humps along Ravensbury Road, Wimbledon Park.
• Hazardous crossings: e.g. at the junction of South Park Road and Haydons Road; and the junction of Trinity Road and The Broadway.
• Anti-cycling barriers on the path between Garfield Road and North Road.
• No signposting on the route from Wimbledon town centre to Raynes Park and Motspur Park, using Trinity, Montague, Pelham and Gladstone roads.
• Lack of road space for bikes in town centres, e.g. at the junction of Hartfield Road with The Broadway, Wimbledon.
• A "highly perilous" right turn from Worple Road into Ridgeway Place, Wimbledon.
• Very dangerous right turns off and into Kingston Road, Wimbledon.
• Bollards and railings along routes, e.g. Coppice Close, Raynes Park and the junction of Blakesley Walk and Manor Road, Merton Park.
• No lighting along the remote Prince George's playing fields route in Raynes Park.
• Confusing signs and road markings in many places e.g. Raynes Park centre,
• And (last, but by no means least) a lack of action to stop cars being parked in cycle lanes.

Two old red tandems were stolen from a garage in Mitcham on November 9. One's a 1930 Buckley 5 speed with a dynamo. The other is a 1941 American machine (looks like a Schwinn) with a stand and balloon tyres, and the date 6/12/66 stamped on the frame. These are distinctive bikes and of little value to anyone but their rightful owners. Any information? Call Joan Wheeler on 0181 640 1639.

Richard James of the Guardian Centre is still 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 Clarendon Road, SW19 2DX.

Bloodied but unbowed, MCC co-ordinator Richard Evans is having a break from the ring. He's taking a breather from the fearsome arena of the local Guardian letters page and appealing for fellow MCC members to take up the good fight.

"I feel that I've gone far enough to get up people's noses and that any further letters from me would be counter-productive," he says. "However, if you felt like responding, it would be good to see some pro-cycling letters in the near future that were not from me!"

Over the last few years Richard has earned the dubious title of "the Bicycle Preacher" for his robust, but always considerate and logical, defence of cyclists. The debate has been particularly heated lately with the issue of pavement cycling gaining a high profile. Letters should be posted or faxed to the paper.

Anyone who's ever tried to get their bike from Wimbledon Common to Richmond Park knows what a massive obstacle the A3 is. Now comes the news that we'll have to wait even longer for the much-heralded "green link": a special cycle (and horse) crossing over the nightmarish highway separating two prime cycling spots. Apparently, it's been postponed until the financial year 2000-2001, on grounds of cost, priority and... disruption to traffic (heaven forbid).

Raynes Park centre will be a more pleasant place for cyclists, train users, bus passengers and pedestrians if changes being considered by the SW London transport committee go ahead. Consultants' proposals, if accepted, could mean

• official permission for cyclists to use the Cattle Arch tunnel by the station
• cycle parking at the station
• an end to conflict between bus queues and cyclists

Stake out the local cycle routes on a Saturday morning and you could spot one of Merton's pioneer cycle-trailer owners, nipping home with the weekly supermarket shop.

Trailers are taking off as the obvious alternative to using the car when it comes to transporting large or heavy loads. They don't change the handling of your bike as much as panniers, and can take far more stuff. Plus, they're cool (even if drivers of white vans have other views).

The drawback? A price tag of around £170 for the cheapest decently-built model. Others are around £200 - £300. But panniers, racks etc are costly too. So is getting a cab regularly. And so is a car.

The internet is a good source of manufacturers worldwide. The following are key UK suppliers: