RICHARD Jacob (Letters, December 29th) says that money should not be spent on cycle paths for a minority but on a park and ride scheme instead. 

He is right that a park and ride could help reduce air pollution, but only if it is well used; the over-supply of car parking in the city centre makes it a less attractive option than in cities such as Portsmouth and Winchester.

However, what Mr Jacob appears not to appreciate is that the minority who cycle benefit motorists in terms of reduced congestion, reduced damage to road surfaces and reduced space needed for parking. 

They benefit everyone by not contributing to air pollution and reducing demand on the NHS. 

Employers benefit from lower absentee rates among cyclists and lower mileage rates for those who cycle instead of driving while at work, a viable option for employees whose work involves travel around the city.

Any increase in cycling will have benefits across society and the most effective way to encourage more people to cycle is to provide safe, high quality cycle infrastructure.

The council should be applauded for its 10-year Cycle Strategy which aims to see cycling become the everyday choice for journeys under three miles.

Southampton Cycling Campaign welcomes the strategy although it believes that the target of 10% of journeys by bicycle lacks ambition; there is no reason at all why rates in Southampton should not equal those in Cambridge (17%), for example.

The campaign does agree with Mr Jacob in having concern about funding; it would be to the detriment of all residents, whether they are walkers, cyclists or drivers, if a lack of resources resulted in a failure to implement all aspects of the strategy.

Park and ride schemes, along with reduced car parking in the city centre, are not an alternative to improved cycle provision; both have a part to play in tackling Southampton’s serious air pollution.

Lindsi Bluemel, Secretary, Southampton Cycling Campaign.