I’d be grateful if Paul Mandel could clarify five of his points against cycle lanes on Green Lanes (‘Opposition is entirely justified’, Opinion, March 25).

1. Why does he think that when I’m sitting behind the steering wheel of my car I should be able to select my preferred route, but if I’m on my bike I should be expected to take a less convenient route such as the path alongside New River? What happened to equality?

2. Why does he thinks people with mobility problems will be at a disadvantage compared with now? Does he assume that disability parking won’t be provided?

3. Why did he quote one per cent (probably too low) as the proportion of people who cycle when the key figures for Green Lanes are the number of people who bike to work (five per cent and rising in 2011), and the number who will take to biking following the changes?

4. Why assume there will be more congestion if cycle lanes are installed, given that the council’s plan is to encourage drivers who can to bike when the distances are short?

5. What does he think people did before the car age about buying “.. just a sandwich and a litre of milk.”?

David Hughes

Palmers Green