[attach id=234681 size="large"][/attach]

It is curious how published letters or articles about cycling are almost invariably accompanied by photographs of lycra-clad stereotype sport-cyclists. This is fine but, unfortunately, it gives a completely wrong impression that one needs to wear an extravagant lycra ‘uniform’ in order to get on a bike and bumble round the corner to buy a half dozen eggs from the grocer or, for that matter, to cycle to work every day.

In most European countries, cycling is regarded as an absolutely normal quick way of getting about. Such cyclists as illustrated in the picture accompanying a letter on the subject (February 2) are a rarity in famously cycle-friendly countries where cycling is about as natural as breathing.

In European countries, people are not bothered about kitting up with sporty outfits to commute to work or go on errands; they just get on a bike and ride wearing ordinary, ‘normal’ clothes.

Can we please have a more balanced visual representation of this healthy form of transport in The Times to project a more realistic image of cycling in normal everyday life – as it should be?