Sir – Your correspondent Michael Lawrence calls for cyclists to be fined if they do not use cycle tracks. In my experience, cyclists spurn cycle facilities not because they enjoy annoying motorists but because much cycling infrastructure is so badly designed that one rapidly discovers that it is worth avoiding.

Shared-use paths, like those on the London Road in Headington, are often a nightmare. Although bikes are more manoeuvrable than cars they cannot change direction in an instant as any pedestrian can, never mind a small child or a dog on a lead.

In addition, one must avoid bollards, lampposts, litter bins and bus shelters, give way at every side road and ride up and down kerbs of varying quality. By contrast, staying on the carriageway with priority over side roads and no need to dodge pedestrians and street furniture is both safer and more convenient.

The remodelled roundabout at the Plain also has its problems. All the approach roads have cycle lanes marked at the left-hand side of the carriageway, but any experienced road user will know that this is not where you want to be if turning right at a roundabout because you risk being cut across by vehicles to your right leaving at an earlier exit than you.

For their own safety any cyclist wanting to turn right at the Plain, for example coming along St Clements and heading for Magdalen Bridge, should, therefore, use the unmarked ‘car’ lane rather than the cycle lane.

Comprehensive guidance on cycle-friendly design exists from Government and Sustrans but too often is ignored. Until this changes and existing facilities have been improved, I’d hope Mr Lawrence and others could show some forbearance as we all try to get safely about our beautiful but congested city.

Richard Stamper
Oxford