‘Cycling should be for everyone’

• I HAVE been cycling all my life and in London for at least 15 years.

During my usual commute to work last week I experienced a very close pass by a van. This has made me think why so many people do not want to ride a bike for short distances and prefer a car. Safety!

I always try to encourage friends that do not currently cycle to do so, as it helps to get one fit and it is a low-impact activity that causes next to no pollution.

But when the majority reply their main reason for not cycling is because it is dangerous, I find it hard to come up with something positive to say.

I want to praise Camden and other London councils for going ahead with low traffic neighbourhoods and segregated cycles lanes like Haverstock Hill, which I have used, as they are the only way to encourage many more people to ride a bike.

Cycling should be for everyone, no matter how old or young you are; it is not just for the fit and the recent weather should make more people want to ride a bike in the sunshine.

If we want cleaner air many people’s behaviours need to change. And while we wait for safe lanes all around London, it would help if everybody was more considerate.

Often I see people riding dangerously, pedestrians not looking where they are going, cars speeding… these behaviours do not help anyone feel safe.

EMANUELA ARVATI, NW2