LETTER : Why cyclists deserve mileage
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr Steve Melia
Sir: I was surprised and disappointed to read Jonathan Glancey ("Dear Citizen Dave", 10 August) describe Walsall Council's bicycle mileage rate of 10p a mile, as an "extreme" policy, typical of the "loony left".
Organisations which are serious about encouraging non-polluting transport (public and private sector) often pay mileage allowances to employees travelling by bike on business. Running a bicycle is not as cheap as non- cyclists might imagine - a recent study evaluated the cost of running a modern, lightweight mountain bike with high-quality equipment to be over 20p a mile.
If a modest allowance of 10p a mile encourages some employees to go by bike rather than car, then it will have saved the ratepayers some money and taken one more polluting vehicle out of our towns. To pay an allowance encouraging employees to travel by car (particularly a bigger allowance for bigger cars) and nothing for travel by bike - that would be a really loony policy.
Yours sincerely,
Steve Melia
South Hams Cycle User Group
South Brent, Devon
11 August
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments