Sir, – I have been commuting by bike to school and work for nearly 40 years and in that time cyclists have moved from the roadside to bike lanes consisting solely of white-painted borders to red-tarmac bike lanes and, in the latest version in South Dublin County Council, to elaborate mini-roads constructed beside footpaths. The designs of these latest bike lanes neglect the very reason most people cycle in the first place, which is to get from A to B as quickly and easily as possible. Instead they incorporate more traffic lights, meander around junctions and bus stops, go up and down ramps and generally make a journey longer and more difficult than just cycling along the road. Their defenders will no doubt say they are safer, but safety is not everything and the designs should strike a better balance between safety and function. Otherwise cyclists will just stick to the road and get where they want to get with the minimum of disruption, effort and inconvenience, just like the cars. – Yours, etc.Brian McMahon,Ballyboden,Dublin 16.