Sir — Nigel Clarke’s simple three-point plan for improving cycle safety (Letters, October 11) has one flaw — his second point, that cyclists should always use cycle paths when provided.

I can do no better than to quote the opening paragraphs of Chapter 13 of the official Stationery Office publication Cyclecraft, recommended reading for the national cycle training standard Bikeability.

“Most people believe that the segregation of cyclists from other traffic by the provision of cycle paths and other facilities is the ideal way to improve cycling safety. But, in reality, experienced cyclists often avoid using cycle paths, even if this means riding along busy roads. The value of cycle facilities varies considerably, as does the quality of what is provided

. “It is a mistake to think that cycle facilities are inherently safer than using the general roads.

“Most facilities are not safer, particularly for a similar level of mobility, and there is evidence that some facilities are both hazardous in themselves and lead to unsafe cycling practices.”

In and around Oxford, there are some cycle facilities that do help cyclists by providing convenient and safe routes.

Sadly, many others are so badly designed or maintained that they are both more dangerous and less convenient for cyclists than the roads.

As a regular cyclist, I have lost count of the number of times I have been abused by motorists for not using a cycle path.

Could I put in a plea for those motorists not to honk their horns, gesticulate, wind down their windows and shout at cyclists to “use the effing cycle path” but to consider that they may be on the road because it is the safest place for them to be?

Richard Stamper, Oxford