Cycling facts

I don't condone this practice, but I must correct a few points raised by Mr Woodget.

Cycling on pavements is a serious issue but one that concerns amenity more than public safety.

He mentioned that a previous letter he wrote to you had prompted a reader to write in to say that if his friends and him all cycled it would help cut down on traffic congestion. G Woodget said this would have no effect on him as he chooses to use public transport, but of course buses are affected by congestion as is other public transport as well as emergency vehicles.

It's a fact that the faster a vehicle travels the greater the stopping distance its driver has to leave. On crowded roads, reducing the maximum speed of vehicles - by increasing the number of pedal cycles on the roads, for example - increases the capacity of the network so that everyone gets where they want to go in less time.

He states that cyclists don't pay tax. I assume he means road tax. To obtain a tax disc you must pay vehicle excise duty. Although this is colloquially known as road tax, the concept of revenue collected from motorists to fund highway construction and maintenance was abolished in the first half of the 20th century.

No-one suggests that the tax paid on alcoholic beverages be spent on pubs and off licenses. Its the vehicle that is taxed, in G Woodget's idea this would mean every bicycle, including those rusting away in gardens, used on paper rounds and ridden to schools would be subject to excise duty.

Briefly I must point out three other points raised in his letter. Insurance for cyclists is, so far, not required by law. Members of organisations such as British Cycling and the Cyclist Touring Club all carry third party insurance. Your own insurers may even cover you for this.

Lights are compulsory on bicycles when ridden during the hours of darkness. Helmets are not a legal requirement and so far there has not been a test carried out that proves that they are effective.

Ian Whitehead, Cray Parade, St Pauls Cray