Cyclists hit curb

How ironic that the day after the announcement that, because of arrangements for the Commonwealth Games, cyclists are to be prohibited from using several of the city’s most important designated cycle routes, including Bell’s Bridge, a bike hire scheme for Glasgow is announced (your report, 25 June).

These mixed messages show that cycling is still considered a form of recreation, a mere “optional extra”, and as such can be curtailed for convenience, rather than a serious mode of transport.

The same thing happens in St Andrews at least once a year, whenever there is a major golf event, such as the Dunhill Championship; one of the designated cycle routes is closed for about three months to allow the grandstand to be assembled and dismantled.

In addition, during our quinquennial “blessing” of hosting the Open, another such route is taken over as a bus park for the Golflink buses conveying spectators to and from Leuchars station, St Andrews not having a station of its own, forcing cyclists to use the main road instead.

That is no problem if one is remaining within the town enjoying the golf, but too bad if one relies upon using these routes to commute to work, Open Championship or no.

If the powers-that-be are serious about achieving anything like 10 per cent of journeys being undertaken by bicycle, they must realise that facilities cannot be turned on and off like a tap.

The keenest and most confident cyclists, the “Lycra warriors”, are already awheel and will remain so, but policies now need to be implemented to provide permanent facilities to encourage the less confident to feel safe enough to swap four wheels for two in order to achieve the required step-change.

This will not happen while designated cycling facilities can be withdrawn and commandeered for other purposes apparently at the drop of a hat.

Jane Ann Liston

Largo Road

St Andrews

Why can’t we just state the obvious (Letters, 25 June), which is that cyclists are on the same anti-social level as skateboarders, and the few who behave responsibly can never atone for the hooligan majority. If you need proof, just spend an hour in any pedestrian precinct and watch both these breeds weaving their high-speed ways through pedestrians.

At least the skateboarders make an appalling noise so – provided you are not deaf – they can be heard coming.

Malcolm Parkin

Gamekeepers Road

Kinnesswood, Kinross