Sir – Serious injuries to cyclists in Oxford have risen 40 per cent since 2003. Changes in traffic numbers seem unlikely to have caused the increase in cycle injuries. Most cycling is in inner Oxford, but there cycle traffic increased only slightly and motor traffic slightly fell.

Across Oxford since 2003, serious injuries fell almost 40 per cent among motorists and rose only six per cent among pedestrians.

Cycling has increased more in outer Oxford but is still far below the levels in central Oxford. Hence this doesn’t explain the increased serious injuries either. What explanation remains, but that more Oxford cyclists are riding dangerously?

Many Oxford cyclists ignore traffic signals or ride in pedestrian areas. Some cycle the wrong way along carriageway cycle lanes or in one-way streets.

Most cycle injuries are in daylight. However, Tony Mead (Letters, January 6) hit an inebriated young cyclist one night when she rode without lights from a side road into the path of his car. Nigel Clarke (Letters, October 28) estimated 75 per cent of cyclists one evening ignoring vehicle lighting laws. Motorists driving above 20mph have not suddenly increased Oxford’s cycle injuries. Richard Mann, of Cyclox, (Letters, December 23) admits enforcing the 20mph limit would do little to reduce injuries. Nevertheless he wants 20mph both enforced and extended to Oxford’s remaining 30mph roads. How many libraries or youth centres might have to close to fund such gestures?

Several times I have seen police ignore illegal cyclists. Occasional enforcements are useless stunts. Oxford needs daily enforcement against cycling’s dangerous, lawless majority.

Hugh Jaeger, Oxford