Madam, - Your comparison between various modes of city transport - car, bus, bike, motorbike and, of course, Luas - was revealing (The Irish Times, July 1st). Although the bicycle took only 34 minutes from Sandyford to St Stephen's Green, many readers may be dissuaded from choosing this option given Carl O'Brien's statement that he was "a saturated, sweating and frustrated mess" by the time he reached Grafton Street.
While there is little that can be done about the inconsiderate behaviour of motorists or lorry drivers, modern rain gear made of "breathable" material should mean the cyclist is fully protected from the rain, even in the heaviest of downpours. There are now even Goretex shoe covers which I swear by, having bought a pair recently. In any case, rain is not, generally speaking, a major problem for cyclists in the city.
Unfortunately, however, at a time when traffic jams and obesity rates are increasing, cycling rates are decreasing . More girls at secondary school now drive to school than cycle - a depressing statistic and one which will change only if we manage to change our attitude to cycling and cyclists.
It is time for this Government to do everything necessary to make cycling a safer option. Only then will it become a realistic alternative for school-going children and adult commuters. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN GORMLEY, TD,
Green Party Chairman,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.