I am writing in response to Mr Doughty-Godchaux’s letter (‘Take the long view on cycling’, Opinion, February 25). His letter is questionable.

Mr Doughty-Godchaux says shifting to bicycle and public transport would improve local business. This has not been proved in Enfield Town where public transport and hundreds of cars provide the demand for goods.

He refers to overseas studies and a Danish experience to support his case for a ‘bike-centred’ culture, but we do not need foreign intervention to determine our own lifestyle because circumstances alter cases.

He says to plan towards cycling and avoid obesity, decrepitude and social isolation, which is rife amongst our population dependent upon automobiles. I do not recognise this description of motorists. Apart from other medical conditions, obesity is caused by eating and drinking in excess. Decrepitude is age related and social isolation depends upon the actions of the individual. None of these conditions are car related. If they were, all public service drivers and many others would be at risk. I had a car for 49 years and enjoyed every minute. I am less mobile and more isolated without it.

He says the assumption by the elders of our community that cycling is a young person’s thing is tragic, but it maybe that they feel with age and slower reflexes a lack of confidence and desire to cycle in all weathers competing with traffic.

He says discussion of Cycle Enfield has produced too many fallacies and examples of myopic uncreative thinking in the arguments opposed to a progressive cycling policy in Enfield. I can only say that those with a valid complaint about a scheme that will affect their way of life are entitled to speak out because Enfield Borough Council is determined to put cycle lanes in places where there is insufficient space for all requirements, such as existing traffic, parking, bus lanes and now cycle lanes.

Creating more traffic congestion and air pollution is a cause for concern. Myopia is better directed at a government that approved Dr Beeching’s decimation of the railway network, resulting in the transfer of rail freight to the roads and an upsurge of heavy goods vehicles that we see today, causing traffic congestion and air pollution on roads where space has not increased with demand.

Mr Doughty-Godchaux has put his case for cycle-centred living but I do not believe it will happen because the car is so popular. Thirty-seven million owners will not leave their comfortable versatile car to ride on a bicycle in the wind and rain that is limited in use.

His warning of inevitable consequences for our quality of life now and for generations to come if we stay with car-centred living is a mistaken belief.

G A Musey Mitchell Road, Palmers Green