Following the recent cyclist and bus collision on Fulford Road, a critic seems to have got hold of the notion that I, as one of many cycle lobbyists in York, am personally responsible for this incident.

I would like to remind readers that the drive for change comes from a succession of national Governments. They have accepted local authorities can no longer build their way out of traffic congestion.

Hence the Local Transport Plan system, which has encouraged alternative travel options, including measures to make local journey times by public transport and bicycle more competitive with the private car.

This is the background to the work on Fulford Road, and other transport corridors. The design is carried out by professional highway engineers, to current Department for Transport guidelines.

My organisation, CTC, has historically supported some design details, and criticised others.

Our elected councillors weigh all public feedback, along with the advice and recommendations of transport planners, which considers the needs of all road users, in the context of national policy and guidance.

I hope this will fully appraise my critic of the relatively small role played by cycle lobby groups.

Also, I invite this person to publicly accept I am not personally responsible for the lady’s injuries.

Paul Hepworth, Press officer, CTC North Yorkshire, Windmill Rise, York.