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The report for the Department for Transport on the success of adjusting roads to "trick" drivers into slowing down is generating a lot of interest and looks set to filter into local planning sooner rather than later. Cyclists will be particularly interested in the use of small areas 'built out' into the road with trees, shrubs or wooden posts to slow motorists down. This narrowing of their space might slow down drivers an mph or 2, however cyclists whose regular routes involve the pinch points created by traffic islands, which are increasingly part of urban planning and no doubt help road applications look friendly, will be sceptical. For whatever reason (concentration on narrowing road? unable to judge relative arrival times at pinch point? irritation at being encouraged to slow under "false" pretences?) a significant minority of drivers end up inches away from cyclists as they go through these pinch points. If stuff is to be built out into the road, cycle bypass lanes must be provided kerbside. Cyclists must not be overlooked.