It really is all about balance, whether I'm riding a bike or writing this blog.

As part of my involvement in cycling as a sport, mode of transport and leisure activity I have met lots of different people and been involved with a number of different groups, clubs and organisations.

What I have found during this time is that cycling is a topic that can provoke very strong emotions and opinions and I'm not entirely sure why.

People who shout the loudest are often the ones who get heard; unfortunately these can also be the people who don't have anything useful to say!

In the case of the cycling debate two sides are mostly represented; the bike hating car drivers and what I class as the militant cyclists.

These two sides are never going to agree as they have completely opposite points of view. These drivers hate all cyclists; they think that we all jump red lights, ride on pavements and hold up the traffic by riding slowly and we shouldn't be on the road.

The militant cyclists are very aware of their rights to be on the road and are going to exercise these rights regardless of anyone else around them.

They feel that we should have the right to ride on pavements and wherever we please and are quick to point out that "cycling is not a crime" and "there's no such thing as road tax!"

These cyclists are actually right in some of the things that they are shouting about, but just as many men know when asked the question - "Does my bum look big in this?" - some things are better left unsaid.

Throughout the time I have been writing this blog I have made an effort to try and present a balanced viewpoint; I will praise and criticise cyclists, motorists, pedestrians etc in equal measure.

It's a fact that not all cyclists run red lights or ride on pavements; it's also a fact that not all motorists are aggressive and anti-cycling.

However, it concerns me that if the same extreme viewpoints are shouted loud enough and for long enough that people will start to believe it to be true.

The number of cyclists on the road is increasing; this is inevitable with the rising cost of motoring, the amount of congestion and the encouragement being given by the government and NHS in terms of purchasing a bike, promoting a healthy lifestyle and looking after the environment.

So are we heading for a utopia where everyone shares the same road space in harmony, or are we racing headlong into a warzone where different factions battle with each other based on the chose mode of transport?

I hope it's closer to the former, but I'm under no illusion that this is going to happen; in fact I think things are going to get worse before they get any better.

On the positive side of things, the government are ensuring the cyclists and pedestrians are catered for when any new piece of road infrastructure is being planned, but we've still got a long way to go.

Based on information supplied by David Brown.