“WHY are there too many cars, daddy?” asks cycling campaigner James Styring’s sweet child (July 8).

There probably are too many cars on our roads but cycling campaigners often ignore the many reasons why people use cars.

Here are some of the reasons: Cars are an ideal form of transport for many people: comfortable in all weathers (cycling is not much fun in the rain or snow). Cars have comfortable seats and such facilities as speedometers, sat navs, heating and air conditioning. A car can accommodate several people and a large amount of luggage.

Cycles have, at most, room for two passengers and a limited amount of luggage. A car can travel much faster than a bicycle, for example on country roads. Cars can use motorways, which bicycles cannot.

Cars on the move generate their own electricity by recharging their batteries: supplying power for lights, heating, etc. Cars are suitable for transporting disabled people who cannot drive themselves. Cars are good for travelling long distances. For example, 200 miles or more is an easy journey for a car but harder for a bicycle. You can also park the car somewhere quiet and go to sleep in it.

Admittedly there are plenty of disadvantages with motor cars (there are advantages and disadvantages with most things in life). There are advantages and disadvantages with cycles as well. James Styring’s daughter might have asked: “Why are there so many cars, daddy?” and James might have explained some of the advantages of cars, rather than using his column to continually slag off cars and their drivers.

TONY AUGARDE
Carlton Road
Oxford



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