We’re into the season of darker nights in Northern Ireland, and our prolonged warm spell has given way to frosty reality. The growing number of hardy year-round cyclists are into 5 months of treacherous road conditions, dark evening commutes, icy surfaces and seasonal diversions. It’s the time of year when political talk of cycling revolution sounds most hollow, as people travelling on bike are cut adrift when official support is most needed. While we prepare to experience another tough season, what can the authorities do to make winter cycling more desirable here?