IF the lockdown has taught us anything, it is that less cars on the roads – shockingly - equals less fumes damagingly billowing into the atmosphere.

For a short while, circulating heatmaps of pollution epicentres, such as London and Beijing, would show shrinking clusters of impurity, instead of engulfing clouds of red.

With many people working from home, or not at all, our daily dose of self-inflicted suffocation took a back seat as the use of petrol-powered transport declined.

Otherwise confined to their homes and permitted to one form of exercise a day, thousands of residents also decided to take up cycling during the lockdown.

Of course, pedal-powered travel goes hand-in-hand with the long-term preservation of our overheating planet, which we are all growing more and more aware of.

But, for William Bramhill, 60, who founded the Colchester Cycling Campaign in 1990, the beauty of cycling, and its positive impact on the planet is far from a revelation.

“Cycling is the nearest thing to low-level flying, and I love the freedom it gives me for next to no expense,” he said.

“With riding a bike every day, I often take the advantages for granted but it is great to see so many people getting back on their bikes during lockdown.

“Many of them have been amazed how quickly you can get across town. No jams, no walking to the car park, and no parking tickets.”

Mr Bramhill, from Dovercourt, works as a freelance sub-editor for national newspapers, but worked for the Gazette from 1979 to 82 and again from 1985 to 2009.

He launched the Colchester Cycling Campaign during his second stint, alongside Hugh Ward, in a bid to make the town more accommodating for those travelling around on two wheels.

The supportive reaction the duo’s ideas received was far greater than the pair expected, and ultimately acted as the launchpad for 30 years of battling on behalf of fellow bikers.

“When we called a meeting at the Marquis of Granby on North Hill in 1990, we had no idea how many people would turn up, but there were 60,” he said.

“At the time, my son Jack was one month old, and I wanted to change things so he could ride his bike to school as I used to do – I didn't realise how long it would take.

“We didn't get as much change as I'd have liked but Jack did get to cycle to the grammar.

“As for physical infrastructure, so many of the town's cycle routes are poor and incomplete.

“But we do have the Wivenhoe Trail, the Garrison Trail and the Highwoods Trail, plus several small improvements that make a big difference, such as parking racks and advanced stop lines at traffic lights.”

For cyclists, and those campaigning for them, fighting the good fight has been, and continues to be, an exacerbating, uphill pedal in the pouring rain and side-swiping wind.

With so much at stake for petrolhead fat cats, they were hardly going to make it easy, and subliminally or not, have ensured that we, the public, see four-wheel travel as the ultimate.

“Sadly, the past 80 years of planning have been all about the car and it will be difficult to untangle that,” added Mr Bramhill.

“The road lobby, the carmakers, fuel companies and motorway-builders, have done their damnedest to make us believe you cannot live without a car.

“That is all right in the US, but not on a small and crowded island.”

Exactly 30 years on, Mr Bramhill and his fellow campaigners continue to fight for ways in which cyclists can be better integrated into the roads of society.

And he acknowledges there is still perhaps a long way to go before councils and governments the world over prioritise cyclists over polluting vehicles.

But, if nothing else, Mr Bramhill is happy to see the importance of cycling finally starting to become part of the conversation around transport and sustainability.

“Many people always wanted to cycle to work, to school, and to see friends, they were put off by the traffic, just as they are today,” he said.

“But what has altered is that the problems caused by over-reliance on the car for short journeys are in sharper focus, especially as social media gives campaigners such a great platform.

“I am happy that the campaign has lasted so long, mainly thanks to lots of wonderful people over the years who have all brought different skills to bear.

“But I would still like to see more progress, and see that progress cemented into future society.”