Yours truly was just getting ready to retire to bed yesterday evening when I took one final look at the national news on the internet.

To my horror the headline story was the dreadful news about Bradley Wiggins being taken to hospital after an accident while riding his bike.

Later the next morning I was shocked to learn that the TeamGB cycling coach had been involved in a separate accident and had also been hospitalised.

The roads of today are a very dangerous place especially for cyclists.

Only the other week in my regular column in the printed version of the Bucks Free Press I wrote about the dangers of riding a push bike and the provision for cyclists in Wycombe.

While the powers that be are trying to encourage people to switch to public transport and bicycles to get around town it turns out there is only one defined cycle route in Wycombe.

Running from Loudwater in the East to Chapel Lane, Sands in the West the cycle route through Wycombe uses back roads to chart a path parallel to the A40.

In my opinion Wycombe needs more cycle routes indeed I can't see why on some main roads one of the pavements could not be used for cycling, at reduced speed of course.

The current provision for those travelling around Wycombe on a bike is pitiful indeed I sometimes wonder if Wycombe's lone cycle route is no more than a token gesture to pacify the environmentalists in a similar manner to the London Road bus lane.

All too often motorists don't give enough room when overtaking someone riding a bicycle leading to some scary times for the cyclist.

In my younger day yours truly was a keen cyclist and even my good self has suffered several nasty accidents while out riding on the roads of Wycombe.

Once I was knocked off my bike by a stationary car which pulled out without warning just as I was overtaking.

Another time my push bike suffered a double brake failure after hitting a raised drain in the road which deformed both wheel rims. To make matters worse that happened that incident occurred at over 70mph while going downhill.

During my time riding a bike I twice found myself in the Accident and Emergency department of Wycombe General Hospital after accidents and to this very day I bear the scars of the injuries sustained.

Who would want to be a cyclist on the roads of Wycombe?

With motorists who do not give enough room when passing and potholes, raised drains and other obstacles on the carriageway the roads of Wycombe are a very hostile place for those wishing to ride a bike.

Thankfully my regular transport these days is my trusty historic car and the only cycling I partake in these days is done on my exercise bike at home in my private gymnasium.

If the Olympic champion can come a cropper while out riding on the roads then it can happen to anyone.

I do hope the two injured members of TeamGB make a full recovery after all following Mr Wiggins tremendous success this year he has become one of Britain’s most loved sports stars and a role model for us all.

What do you think?

*Don't forget to read my regular column in this Friday's edition of the printed version of the Bucks Free Press!