It’s that time of year when everything seems to be renewing. Ducks are busy making ducklings, trees and shrubs are blossoming, oh and the dreaded council tax starts coming out of our bank accounts again.

But there is one yearly renewal that comes around without any bells and whistles, its payment harmless and modest in the grand scheme of life and the subsequent impact on a cyclist in Oxford rather much worth its weight in gold. I am talking about my Cyclox membership renewal, the cycling campaign for Oxford. I joined some years ago and I am rather glad I did. I was always rambling on about some unmaintained cycle path or secretly scathing about new developments and the lack of cycling foresight, so when I found there was a group that did this on behalf of the whole of Oxford I quickly threw them some cash to join the campaign.

Being a hot-headed Scorpio still in my twenties at the time, the only way I thought things got done was to shout loudly, jump up and down and basically ignore everyone else’s point of view because I was sure mine was right.

But I was wrong. It turns out a reasoned, thought-through, tactical approach to the problems of the day can sometimes be more forceful and save the effort of the hissy fit. Cyclox turned out to be organised, professional and more intelligent than your average pressure group and certainly more effective than an angry lone cycling missionary, or even an angry pack of them. They show if cyclists display mutual dissent en masse to measures, the politicians seem to take more notice. Like any good organisation, Cyclox has a powerhouse of individuals doing the leg work, one founding member and tireless campaigner being the other On Yer Bike writer James Styring.

The rest of the committee is made up of academics, doctors and professionals – well, what else would you expect in Oxford and who else would you want to advocate on your behalf? Their tireless campaign is considered, strategic and targeted, with recent areas of contention including the soon-to-come redevelopment of Frideswide square, Kennington roundabout, the ever-growing need for more cycle racks and the much-debatable Queen Street, among others. So if you have an opinion about these problems, join Cyclox or renew like me and get something done about them. Let’s face it, who can be bothered to write letters all day to politicians? Why not let Cyclox do it on your behalf?

Membership will also get you an up to 10 per cent discount at all the best cycle shops in Oxford. If that wasn’t enough, they will send you a comprehensive Oxford cycle map, reflective stickers for your bike, and regular email newsletters to keep you up to date with Cyclox activities. But it’s not all lobbying – fun times can be had as well. There are regular meetings and group bike rides during the summer, so it’s very much a social experience. Trust me, you will meet many like-minded cyclists through membership. To join or get more information, visit www.cyclox.org