As the warm embers of Twelfth Night fade, the cavernous darkness of January looms. Time in abundance to reflect on the past year’s louche sins – and to repent at leisure.

New Year’s resolutions are fewer and further between these days, for me at least, and my resolve weaker. Like me, do you need help? Let’s rally, focus on the positive, and look at some seasonal resolutions for drivers.

First, a caveat: I’m not your sanctimonious car-torching type. Far from it – we now drive an estate car with (if occasions demand) a roof box. My solo journeys of course are mainly car-free – trips are almost all by bike, or by train for relaxing visits to London and beyond. I use the car when it makes sense and when I do, I love it. (Except for the million prat drivers, and for chronic congestion, that is.) But I am otherwise lucky enough to love my bikes.

It’s one thing being an urban couple with little need of a car. With a new baby and cot and pram – and a dog – transport is less two-wheeled than we’d like. The dog trailer is gathering cobwebs, and we’ll see this spring what baby-and-bike combos my wife will let me try.

But blow off the cobwebs, get air in the tyres and get that bike on the road. This is not the most auspicious cycling month, granted, but there’s no time like the present. With warm gloves, these unseasonably sunny days could see you gliding along the Thames towpath or actually getting the bike out a few times a week for commuting, shopping – or fun.

Get fit and lose weight. There’s no cheaper, quicker way of getting a thorough cardiovascular workout than by bike. Stuff the gym membership – cycle instead! And if you are a gym addict, do yourself and everyone else on the roads a favour: cycle there.

But always ride for the love of it. As the Bike Snob NYC website once said so brilliantly: “If you’re looking for motivation to ride, don’t ride. You’re supposed to be having fun.

And if you ain’t motivated yet, do please live and let live. Don’t write drivelling letters to the Oxford Mail complaining about the freedom of the bike: leave that to Keith Mitchell.

Sure, there are some idiotic cyclists out there and there may be stupid drivers, but don’t let them get to you. There are all sorts of annoyances in life, but letting your blood boil will merely send you to an early grave.

And let’s face it – do you always obey the Highway Code? Remember: • Pavement parking is as annoying as pavement cycling. Don’t do it!

• Speeding (even doing 35 mph in a 30 mph zone) KILLS! Don’t do it!

• Give cyclists a wide berth and pass slowly. Passing too close is scary as well as dangerous. That cyclist could be your friend or neighbour. Take a breath. Hold back. Give them space.

• Using a mobile phone while you’re driving is as bad as drink driving. Don’t do it!

Here’s to two-wheeled fun and to ‘road-peace’ in Oxfordshire in 2012.