If there is one thing synonymous with Oxford, it's cycling.

Each day, thousands of students and office workers alike pedal their way through the streets.

But today the Oxford Mail brings them news they didn't want to hear - there will be no programme of cycle safety improvements after Oxfordshire County Council failed to secure a slice of £4m from Cycling England, which was up-for-grabs for improvements across the country.

Now, the mud-slinging has started with campaigners accusing County Hall of failing to plough money into the network. They blame a lack of secure bike parking, delays in improving safety at accident blackspots and a pro-motorist administration for the failed bid.

But County Hall points to a number of schemes in the pipeline as proof it is investing in cycling.

Whatever, most would agree the city's cycling network needs to be brought up to scratch.

Travelling by bicycle is the cleanest way of getting around Oxford - but it is certainly not the safest. We shudder to think at the number cyclists injured or killed on Oxford's roads in the past few years. It is high time cyclists' safety was put first - and County Hall put its money where its mouth is.