James Styring’s claim (On Yer Bike, February 8) that roads were built for bicycles is untrue. A high proportion of UK roads were newly created in the 20th century for modern traffic including motor vehicles. Previous roads were largely for animals – either herded, ridden or pulling vehicles – and pedestrians.

His claim that “until the end of the 19th century, travel was the preserve of the rich” until transformed by bicycles is also wrong.

Public transport revolutionised working people’s travel: horse trams from 1807, horse-buses from 1824 and steam railways from 1830.

By the 1860s, public transport was widespread and workmen’s trains and tickets increased its affordability.

It took many thousands of ordinary Victorians to work and, increasingly after the Bank Holidays Act 1871, substantial distances to the coast or countryside.

James and Cyclox do modern public transport a disservice too.

Cyclox campaigned to remove bus stops from Queen Street, reducing disabled people’s access to central Oxford and reducing connections between bus routes. Now Cyclox wants remaining buses removed from Queen Street, further dismembering bus connections and disabled passengers’ access.

A Cyclox document blames buses and other motor vehicles for dangerous cycling at the west end of Broad Street and on the pavement in Iffley Road.

It admits many cyclists flout traffic signals but blames the law for expecting them “to stop at junctions where it isn’t really necessary”.

James doesn’t let mere truth – the value of public transport or the irresponsibility of the majority of Oxford cyclists – spoil his preconceptions.

Hugh Jaeger, Park Close, Oxford