• I AM a bit confused by Will Coles’ letter, (Reconsider the introduction of the hire bikes in Camden, November 8). Mr Coles clearly has a grasp on the fact that encouraging people to cycle is beneficial for the environment.

Yet he seems completely dismayed by the presence of bicycles. He speaks of these as being “dumped”, but it is likely that these are simply being left at locations for others to use, which is the whole point of the dockless scheme.

He should be comforted by the fact that these are private cycle hire schemes – there is no way that they will continue to operate if there is an epidemic of discarded bikes causing an overall financial loss for the companies concerned. In other words it does not need intervention from Camden; the business will “regulate” itself!

But most of all the proliferation of dockless hire bicycles on our streets is sending a clear message to people who may not otherwise cycle – that it is easy to grab a bike and use two wheels. Far better to “suffer” a few stray bicycles on the pavement, if it means one less car poisoning our children…

GREG CARSON
NW5