Cycling and local democracy

Sir, – Regarding the cycle-lane development in Sandymount in Dublin, and leaving aside any judgment concerning the rights and wrongs of that particular issue, what are the chances of any radical green agenda in response to climate change, which is likely to involve sweeping changes to both public and private habits and procedures, being accepted by the populace in general? – Yours, etc,

JOHN CASEY,

Bray,

Co Wicklow.

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Sir, – As a fellow cyclist and an admirer of her column, I was disappointed to read Róisín Ingle's monstering of Cllr Mannix Flynn ("We should give thanks that the Dart wasn't Mannixed back in the day", Life, August 4th), on foot of his recent success in establishing that local authority executives are subject to planning laws like the rest of us.

We desperately need more cycling infrastructure – more protected lanes, contra-flows, etc – but to ensure its permanence there must be democratic consultation and as much buy-in as possible from everyone it affects. – Yours, etc,

DAVID McKENNA,

Dublin 8.