I AM not sure if Graham Howson gets around the city on a bike or a high horse (Letters, July 27).

Looking at a number of points that he makes in relation to the Old Shoreham Road cycle lane, he appears somewhat wide of the mark.

More cyclists mean fewer cars and more space: in theory this is correct, but of course the cycle lane has reduced the available space for vehicles by 50%, adding more delays when buses are at bus stops or vehicles are turning right.

While there may be dozens of cyclists using the cycle track prior to college opening times, the track is not open just for that hour, but 24 hours a day. The average use per hour by cyclists may be very low.

While cyclists do pay taxes, they are not subject to the additional taxes vehicle-users are, and are therefore getting a subsidised facility.

The main problem with this track is the time it took to construct and the cost involved.

When compared with London, which has seen a large increase in the use of bicycles, Brighton and Hove is getting poor value from the Greens.

Clearly-defined cycle lanes in London use bright blue paint, providing an area which is highly visible and understood by all. That’s far better that the broken lines on some routes locally.

I do have one suggestion for the Greens which will achieve their aim of ridding the city of vehicles: place No Entry signs on roads leading into the city.

It would mean deliveries would need to be made by horse and cart, but that may be what some desire.

Mark Davey, Henge Way, Portslade

According to Graham Howson, dozens of cyclists can be seen using this new, expensive cycle lane during school opening times.

Note the word “dozens”. Not hundreds, not thousands, just dozens.

Divide the cost of this cycle lane by these dozens of riders and the cost per rider must be astronomical.

Also, note the words “school opening times” – outside of these, the dozens may decrease to the odd one or two.

Ah well, it’s only taxpayers’ money that is thrown at these schemes, so that’s all right then.

Eric Waters, Ingleside Crescent, Lancing

I FEEL Graham Howson gets his figures wrong on the “many billions” spent “subsidising” motor transport, and how that compares with a few million spent on cycle transport.

Vehicle excise duty and fuel tax generate some £36 billion each year, of which only about a third goes on roads.

And that figure excludes tax revenue from new car sales (about £100 million) and parking schemes where profits are used to subsidise buses and other transport “improvements”.

In fact, the Government is worried a potential drop in revenue from car tax due to more efficient engines will lead to a £1 billion gap in its finances.

As both a motorist and cyclist, I welcome cycle lanes.

But can we afford to spend huge sums of money on them when the global economy looks like it is about to crash and burn? I don’t think so.

Andrew Abaza, Eaton Place, Brighton