Steve Peake wrote:

The thing that is missing from all this is the fact that off road cycle
paths are significantly more dangerous to the cyclist than cycling on the
road.

Interesting, but I suspect misleading.

"Offroad" cycle paths are often used as sporting activities
On Road paths are used for utility purposes

The former is more dangerous becuase of the use, not the road.

You would need to look at figures for Road side, segregated paths in
Germany and Holland, or perhaps Milton Keynes.