I CAN assure Alec Acomb that York's Green councillors have been active in trying to ensure that new facilities for cyclists are well-designed and no more York council tax payers' money is wasted on implementing the inadequate, sometimes dangerous, arrangements that pay lip-service to the council's green credentials, but are little benefit to anyone else (Letters, March 22).

The only cycle path of any length that I know of alongside the outer ring road is that on the A1237 bridge over the Ouse and railway.

Whether or not this is the path Alec campaigned for, it is a good case in point. It isn't really a cycle path, but a pedestrian path with a "Pedestrians and Cyclists" sign erected at each end. This route is at least useful - so useful that many less-confident cyclists are even prepared to put up with it being so narrow that two cyclists, or a cyclist and a pedestrian, cannot pass each other safely.

But why was the bridge built without safe cycling facilities in the first place? I cycle across this bridge daily, on the road (where I have a right to be) because that's where, moving fast and confident amongst traffic, I am safest.

Even well-designed cycle facilities are rarely suitable for all cyclists to use. Which should Alec's "professional-type cyclist", cruising at 25mph or even more, mix with: motor traffic on the roads or young families on cycle paths designed for 10 or 15mph?

A cyclist should be allowed to choose to ride where he or she is safest, not compelled by an unthinking, one-size-fits-all mentality to use inappropriate facilities.

This is why I support Mark Hill's call to oppose the proposed changes to the Highway Code.

Adrian Setter,

Barnfield Way,

Copmanthorpe,

York.

Updated: 10:26 Thursday, March 30, 2006