Sir – I was in Bogota, Colombia, at the weekend and decided to look at its scheme to reserve some streets for pedestrians and cyclists on Sunday mornings.

I walked several miles along one of the main roads into the city, and the entire length of the road going in one direction (covering three lanes) was reserved for cyclists, joggers, walkers, people on roller skates and parents with buggies.

Every so often, when drivers needed access, there were good diversions arranged for them. At intervals along the road, stalls offered quick bicycle repairs, pumped-up tyres, or sold drinks.

The side of the road from which cars were excluded was full, but not unpleasantly crowded.

Thousands of people of all ages were enjoying themselves, without anyone upsetting the flow with anti-social racing. I am sure that the vast majority of those out cycling or running would not have done so had it not been for the city’s highly popular initiative.

Can we not learn from Bogota? Many people in Oxford say that they would love to cycle, but feel it is too dangerous. The Bogota scheme is one answer, perhaps just in the warmer months of the year.

We would need a road wide enough to allow a two-way flow of people and bicycles, and some system to allow access for drivers, to ensure that they are not unduly inconvenienced. I am planning to raise this suggestion with the county council, to see what it says.

James Fry, City councillor for North Ward, Oxford