Daniel Barlow wrote:

JNugent writes:

They don't *have* to cycle along the footway, though some undoubtedly
will choose to break the law.

Break the law? It's long-established in case law that motor vehicles
may cross the footway in order to reach parking spaces, why do you say
it is not so for cycles?

I don't. There is an easy distinction between crossing a footway and
travelling along it. The footways at and immediately around Oxford Circus are
*no* place for cycling, as I'm certain you, being such a safety-conscious
chap, will agree.

Better still, Argyll Street is easily reachable by road from Great
Marlborough Street.

As Argyll St is pedestrianised and the cycle stands are at the north
end, it's hard to see how a railing-free exit at the south end makes
that much difference.

Pedestrianised, eh?

I think you mean only the north end adjoining Oxford Street. But whether
approaching from the south (Gt Marlborough Street), the west (Little Argyll
Street) or the east/west from Oxford Street/Regent Street, it's still against
the law to cycle along the footway.