I use it because it's most direct for me. I'm well aware of the alternatives, and sometimes use quieter routes when I have my daughter in her child-seat, but I cycle mainly for convenience, and taking a longer route would defeat the object.

I don't like the busy traffic and shared bus lanes on Oxford Road, but I don't think it's as dangerous as it seems. Some (but not all) of the bus drivers are quite courteous. Although I'm sure they would rather not share with cyclists just as cyclists would rather not have to swerve in and out of them.