I SEE one of your readers who complained about car parking charges in Brighton inferred it was difficult to do a lot of shopping by bike (Letters, April 12).

The carrying capacity of bicycles is often underestimated.

Investing in a pair of good bike panniers makes all the difference.

We regularly transport far more shopping by bike than we could carry in shopping bags – eggs and wine, all intact.

Trusty, hard-wearing British-made Carradice panniers do the job admirably, as shown in our pictures. Karrimor panniers are very roomy and waterproof. Both of these companies are based in England.

German Ortlieb panniers are also excellent, and on occasion cheaper versions are on offer from Aldi or Lidl.

And with a trailer you can move masses of shopping or equipment.

Becky Reynolds, www.bricycles.org.uk