Having cycled with Association of British Drivers' Sussex rep Dave Razzell on the recent London to Brighton ride, I know Dave is a keen cyclist, leader of a walking group and an observer for ROSPA advanced driving tests.

In short, he switches between different modes of transport as required, a welcome change from those in Government and so-called green circles who wage a constant vendetta against motorists.

It wasn't motorists who allowed so many towns such as Brighton to become urban sprawls with no new/widened roads to allow for traffic growth.

This deliberate policy has aggravated congestion despite the fact motorists pay £45 billion a year (that's about £10 million per day). The road is being literally taken from the driver with increased use of bus lanes backed up with cameras and reduced, more expensive parking enforced by heavy handed tow-truck firms, chicanes, pinched kerbs, 20mph zones, speed cameras, etc etc.

Ever tried collecting groceries/DIY materials, children or elderly relatives by bike on a regular basis?

How about getting to Gatwick with suitcases?

Need to get to a doctor/hospital in a hurry in pouring rain?

There are many other examples. The point is for short journeys not involving loads or as a leisure pursuit the bike is fine but to restrict car use by making it extremely difficult/expensive and thereby force people to use public transport, bike, walk and so on is to deny people a choice and tell them how to live their lives.

A final note. The department of transport has announced road deaths in the UK for 2003 as 3,508, up from 3,431 in 2002 and an increase of 77.

Brian Macdowall

-Mill Lane, Herne