Are cycle lanes any use?

I'm wondering. Given the comments on urc about the farcilities that are
foisted on us, the jealousy directed at us by motorists because they believe
that they are paying for these farcilities, and the opinions often voiced
that cycle lanes are unmaintained with dangerous junctions, how do we view
cycle lanes as a group? Are we, as cyclists, in favour of or against cycle
lanes as they are today? How should they be?

David Lloyd