I WRITE in response to a letter from W K Leonard titled ‘Place tolls on cyclists’ regarding proposed changes to The Plain (Viewpoints, May 17).

He claims that cycling is a privilege. This is not the case. Everyone in this country has the right to cycle on the roads. There is no need for a licence because a cyclist does not pose a high risk to other road users. This is highlighted by the extremely low prevalence of injuries and deaths attributed to cyclists compared to motor vehicles.

He claims that cyclists pay no ‘road tax’. This is an urban myth. There is no such thing as road tax. Owners of motor vehicles pay Vehicle Excise Duty, which is based on emissions, in order to drive on public roads. Roads are funded through the taxes which everyone pays; income tax, council tax, value added tax, etc. The ownership of an engine does not give a motorist more right to use the road.

The incorrect claims that cyclists do not pay towards this country’s infrastructure perpetuates animosity towards cyclists and this needs to be stopped. As a higher-rate tax payer, I pay more tax than a significant proportion of the UK’s population. Using W K Leonard’s argument, where the amount you pay is proportional to the rights you have, then surely I should have more right to use the roads than those paying less tax?

He mentions riding on/parking on pavements, holding up traffic and scaring drivers. I see many more cars parked on pavements than bicycles, causing a real obstruction. Also, in order to get on a pavement, cars must have driven onto them, which is against the law. This is probably one of the reasons why 60-80 pedestrians every year are killed by motor vehicles while walking on a pavement. I also argue that drivers in a metal box have very little to be scared about.

As a car driver and cyclist I get held up much more by motor vehicles than bicycles. I’ve never been stuck in a bicycle jam, but I am delayed on a daily basis by motor vehicles. Has W K Leonard thought that each bicycle on the road could represent one less car, thereby improving congestion?

Finally, I’m not sure why he believes that cyclists make more demands on the NHS and don’t pay for the NHS. Cyclists tend to be healthier and are less likely to require the NHS.

As for not paying, see above.

GRAHAM CRAGGS Heron Drive Bicester